National Taco Day is October 4th
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| Sandbar TKO Tacos (courtesy photo) |
In the heart of Downtown San Diego, Hasta Mañana Cantina offers a lively atmosphere alongside its flavorful, Baja-inspired dishes. Try their Oyster Mushroom Al Pastor, packed with smoked pineapple, cabbage, crispy shallots, avocado, and queso fresco, all wrapped in a warm corn tortilla. Each bite is a delicious journey through the sun-kissed flavors of Baja California with a sustainable, plant-based twist.
For taco-eating rebels and flavor explorers, City Tacos is where creativity knows no bounds. The Caribbean Salmon is an exotic delight, featuring citrus-achiote spiced salmon filet, sweet pineapple, guacamole, arugula, cucumber, onion, tomato, and creamy serrano chili salsa, all tucked into a taco that practically sings of tropical breezes. This is no ordinary taco—this is a full-on flavor vacation, and it can be enjoyed at any of seven San Diego County locations.
Craving tacos with a side of epic views? Head to Quiero Restaurants at Seaport Village or Imperial Beach. Their Chicali Taco is the perfect blend of grilled Angus steak, onions, and poblano peppers with melted asadero cheese and mashed potatoes, finished with crema fresca and cotija cheese on a homemade corn tortilla. Add a flight of ice-cold beer, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an unforgettable National Taco Day experience.
Rounding off your taco tour is Barrio Star in Bankers Hill, where Latin flavors meet Asian flair. Their Taco de Birria is an absolute must—braised beef short rib marinated in chile de árbol, served on a crunchy house-made tortilla with red onion, cilantro lime, and a side of rich consommé for dipping. This taco offers an immersive, hands-on experience that invites you to dip, savor, and relish every bite.
Start your taco tour with Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill in Mission Beach, a beloved coastal hotspot known for its spectacular ocean views and award-winning fish tacos. The TKO Taco steals the show, featuring a filet of grilled local white fish nestled in a cotija cheese-encrusted flour tortilla, topped with chipotle aioli, escabeche slaw, lime crema, spicy guacamole, crispy onion strings, and fried cilantro - it’s a coastal fiesta wrapped in a tortilla! Sandbar’s TKO Taco has won Best Taco at Pacific Beachfest, at San Diego Bay Food & Wine, and at San Diego Reader's Tacotopia, and was also recognized by USA Today as serving the second best Fish Tacos in California, in 2018.
Over in Pacific Beach, The Duck Dive brings beach vibes to your plate with their signature Citrus Carne Asada Taco. Packed with citrus-marinated carne asada, topped with red onion, radish, jalapeño, crema, and queso fresco, this taco channels the breezy, laid-back spirit of SoCal’s iconic beach culture—perfect for those sun-soaked afternoons. Duck Dive also offers Adobo Chicken, Beer-Battered Mahi, Blackened Mahi, and Beer-Battered Shrimp street cart tacos!
Ready for a culinary adventure? Dive into Mavericks Beach Club for their signature Poke Tacos. A seafood lover’s dream, these tacos combine ahi tuna, wakame seaweed salad, a crispy wonton shell, wasabi aioli, ponzu, sesame seeds, and microgreens. It’s a refreshing, flavor-packed bite that captures the best of Pacific flavors and the California coast.
So, whether you’re a taco purist or an adventurous eater, San Diego’s taco scene is ready to dazzle your taste buds. This National Taco Day, join us in celebrating with tacos that are bold, inventive, and downright delicious. Let’s taco ‘bout it and make it a day to remember!
