Best Tacos in San Diego (Vista, Indio: 2014, home, garden)

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by happygrrrl

I’m not going to recite their history, you know how to google, but Del Taco originated in a small desert town in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, and if you eat at the original Del Taco in that town, you will find the food to be much better and different than the corporate Del Tacos found elsewhere. The green chile burritos there are unreal, and I agree with BBslider001 about the fries, especially at the O’side location.

And if you want genuine tacos, hit up the taquerias in Vista and Oceanside, the mom & pops that have been there since before tacos were trendy.

I confess it sounds like I've only ever had the corporate Del Tacos. I judge my tacos by my travels in Baja California (also recognizing that tacos are not Baja; like chow mein they are American). Thank you for your better information. My introduction to Del Taco was in Sacramento . . . nowhere near good Mexican.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Originally Posted by oddstray

I confess it sounds like I've only ever had the corporate Del Tacos. I judge my tacos by my travels in Baja California (also recognizing that tacos are not Baja; like chow mein they are American). Thank you for your better information. My introduction to Del Taco was in Sacramento . . . nowhere near good Mexican.

Tacos aren't Mexican? Chow mein isn't Chinese? I think you need to go back to food school

I think you meant Chop Suey isn't Chinese, as in from China, but it was created by Chinese immigrants in San Francisco (or the gold fields) sometime before the start of the 20th Century.

The taco is very much from Mexico, having started in their mining camps as well.

[BBslider001]

I was kinda kidding about Del Taco, but happygirrl is right...the best one is in O'Side. And after a long surf session, they really hit the spot. I find tah the taco stands are hit or miss. Sometimes they are delectable and others they can be too greasy or bland. When you find a good one, stick with 'em.

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

Tacos aren't Mexican? Chow mein isn't Chinese? I think you need to go back to food school

I think you meant Chop Suey isn't Chinese, as in from China, but it was created by Chinese immigrants in San Francisco (or the gold fields) sometime before the start of the 20th Century.

The taco is very much from Mexico, having started in their mining camps as well.

Yes, I was confusing chow mein and chop suey. As for the tacos, that was the explanation I was given on one of my first trips into Baja California when I observed that the food bore little to no resemblance to "Mexican" that I'd been given up here in Alta California. (Probably before I found better Mexican in San Diego than I'd had further north in CA.)

[TimTheEnchanter]

Originally Posted by BBslider001

I was kinda kidding about Del Taco, but happygirrl is right...the best one is in O'Side. And after a long surf session, they really hit the spot. I find tah the taco stands are hit or miss. Sometimes they are delectable and others they can be too greasy or bland. When you find a good one, stick with 'em.

I actually like Del Taco and I loved Naugles back in the day. I just never confused Del Taco's food with Mexican food. I still go to Del Taco (and Chipotle and Baja Fresh, etc) when I want Del Taco, Chipotle, Baja Fresh, etc. When I want Mexican, I go to one of the ones I previously mentioned.

[BBslider001]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

I actually like Del Taco and I loved Naugles back in the day. I just never confused Del Taco's food with Mexican food. I still go to Del Taco (and Chipotle and Baja Fresh, etc) when I want Del Taco, Chipotle, Baja Fresh, etc. When I want Mexican, I go to one of the ones I previously mentioned.

Yup, I'd say this is about how we do it. I would never call Del taco "Mexican food" LOL. Rubios isn't half bad either, but for the money, Del Taco wins every time.

[happygrrrl]

Just for clarity, the original (and best) Del Taco is in downtown Barstow, CA, on First Street, not the Del Taco near the Barstow outlet mall off the 15.

But the fries in O’side are bomb.

[Curious.In.California]

Originally Posted by TimTheEnchanter

that sounds like a white guy's guide to tacos. Have you been to La Fachada, Tacos El Paisa, Aqui es Texcoco, Tacos El Poblano, Senor Taquero, La Tiendita De Linda Vista, Tacos El Gordo, Taqueria Revolución, Mariscos German, Tacos El Panson, Mauricio's Mexican Food and Luzita's Taco Shop (to name a few of the 50 places better that Taco Stand or Luche Libre)? Tacos Mimi is the only one of the three that can stand up to these.

1. I'm not a white guy. But I am a blonde/blue-eyed Norwegian girl in my 30's. I'm also very health conscience - I don't eat fried/greasy foods. I can't even remember the last time I ate fries.
2. As I mentioned in another post, I have tried Tacos El Gordo and it was just ok, in MY opinion. Overrated, in MY opinion. The upset stomach that followed wasn't fun either.
3. You know what's great about forums like this? We're all entitled to our OWN OPINION. I shared MY favorites. I wasn't writing a food travel book on best SD tacos ... I was simply stating MY opinion.

Originally Posted by bloom

Agree with CuriousInCa about Blue Water.
Another good taco shop is City Tacos in North Park.

Yeah, I like City Tacos as well. I've been there a handful of times and I like their innovative and unique spin on tacos.

[bloom]

I just retried Tacos El Gordon in San Ysidro; it's a winner.

[TimTheEnchanter]

Originally Posted by Curious.In.California

1. I'm not a white guy. But I am a blonde/blue-eyed Norwegian girl

So I was right, other then the gender.

Originally Posted by Curious.In.California

2. As I mentioned in another post, I have tried Tacos El Gordo and it was just ok, in MY opinion. Overrated, in MY opinion. The upset stomach that followed wasn't fun either.

Great, you tried El Gordo. Have you tried any of the others?

Originally Posted by Curious.In.California

3. You know what's great about forums like this? We're all entitled to our OWN OPINION. I shared MY favorites. I wasn't writing a food travel book on best SD tacos ... I was simply stating MY opinion.

I don't recall anyone saying you weren't entitled to your own opinion. I asked a rather simple question, which you still haven't answered. Have you tried La Fachada, Tacos El Paisa, Aqui es Texcoco, Tacos El Poblano, Senor Taquero, La Tiendita De Linda Vista, Taqueria Revolución, Mariscos German, Tacos El Panson, Mauricio's Mexican Food, Luzita's Taco Shop, Cantina Mayahuel, Tacos Libertad and La Vecindad? There is nothing wrong in trying to ascertain to what degree you have exposed yourself to different taco shops in SD so a person can judge how to evaluate your opinion (to which, you are entitled).

If you have not tried La Fachada, Tacos El Paisa, Aqui es Texcoco, Tacos El Poblano, Senor Taquero, La Tiendita De Linda Vista, Taqueria Revolución, Mariscos German, Tacos El Panson, Mauricio's Mexican Food, Luzita's Taco Shop, Cantina Mayahuel, Tacos Libertad and La Vecindad then it sheds more light on your opinion that Luche Libre is in the top three.

Just like saying you'd been to Salvatore's and Primavera, but still liked Olive Garden better. That would be okay too, because it's your opinion and people can then judge whether or not to follow your advice when looking for the best Italian restaurant.