MY FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN SD:
JV'S Mexican Food, San Diego CA
1112 Morena Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 276-0758 www.jvsmexicanfood.com
I've been going here for years; probably since my days in high school. I've seen it go from a corner shop of a small plaza expanding over to the next shop. This place has to be the best Mexican shop in San Diego in my opinion (there is only one location).I love everything from their carne asada fries with nacho cheese to their rolled tacos topped with fresh guacamole. Everything is made hot and fresh. If you ask me where I would go for Mexican food, my answer would only be JV's. Their burritos are huge, soups are hot, salsa bar is unlimited. The prices are very affordable. And they keep their place clean ;) Could there be a better spot? It's not a surprise that this place is always packed with customers. Don't ask me to what to order there, their menu option is huge; their menu is posted along the walls and above the cashier's stand. You'll find it hard to just order one thing. But remember to order some food 2 go for me ;p The following statement is from a friend of mine who had tried their nacho burrito: "Excellent recommendation! Definitely a plethora of flavors in my mouth, not spicy enough but oh so delicious! Chimichanga drizzled with nacho cheese and topped with jalapenos...must note this feeds two."
Want some TJ style tacos without crossing the border?
Tacos El Gordo, Chula Vista CA
689 H Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910-4222
(619) 691-8848
These tacos are REALLY good. Although it's a little farther down south, you don't need to cross the border for some real Mexico city style tacos. They have several locations in National City and Chula Vista. If it's not down that way...it won't taste the same. Don't be fooled with the way the shops look on the outside either because they do look pretty sketchy and unsafe but the food makes up for it. Tacos El Gordo definitely surprised me on my first visit; they had tacos with all types of meats from a cow. Just a fair warning, this is no place for vegetarians. They have tripe, lengua (tongue), cabeza (meat head), adobado (spicy pork), and more. I usually let them put all the sauces on each of the tacos and don't care to get anything off the condiments bar. Their business hours are crazy; they open at 6am- 4am. That's right...they only close for 2 hours a day. Need to run for a midnight snack? They now have drive-thru windows! Average pricing for the tacos are $2 each and I don't think that's bad at all. Just remember not order too much; I've been tempted to do that everytime I go there ;p
Let's get seafood tacos at
TJ Oyster Bar, Chula Vista CA
4246 Bonita Rd # B, Bonita, CA 91902-1454
(619) 267-4577 www.tjoysterbar.com
These tacos are delicious! They specialize in seafood so you can imagine all the possibilities. They have oysters, all sorts of fish including my favorite being the marlin, sting ray, clams, octopus, etc... Using the seafood ingredients, they serve not only tacos, but they serve up ceviches and soups as well. This little shop is always busy and there isn't much seating inside. The average price on the tacos are $2 and I can eat a lot of them. I usually order the smoked marlin fish taco which taste like bacon; they serve it with or without cheese depending on your taste. I also get the fried oyster taco and it always comes out hot and crispy! I also get the seafood taco which has all their other seafood sauteed; it's so GOOD. The staff is always attentive asking if you need anything and they will provide limes and hot sauces with your order. It's a small taco joint but it leaves you wanting more ;)
What are these people in line for???
Las Cuatro Milpas
1875 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
(between Beardsley St & Crosby St)
(619) 234-4460
This is where you should go for some fine Mexican food on a budget. It's a hole in the wall place in Logan Heights (this area is a little sketchy). Although the menu is small, everything is authentic and freshly made that day. I was told they close the shop once they sell everything. The menu consist of only tacos, tamales, rolled tacos, rice, tortillas, chorizo and beans. And there's also fresh chili oil made that day. There's usually a line in front of this place so expect to spend at least 1 1/2 hrs here if you're eating here for lunch. We stood in line for approximately 20 minutes on my first visit here (no line on my second visit). Don't expect a grand dining area with servers either; you order and get your food at the register. The dining area is a combination of where you place your order and where the kitchen is at. The tacos are delicious and so are the tamales. I have to say fresh tacos out of that oil pan topped with their white Mexican cheese is simply heaven. Their tamales are tastefully seasoned with lots of meat; I can just eat their tamales with the chili oil all day. And the tortillas are handmade and taste a lot better than store brand ones. Everything on the menu is affordable. My coworker bought us lunch on my second time here and I believe my coworker paid $24 for 3 tamales, 2 orders of 5 rolled tacos, 2 tacos, 1 order of chorizo and beans, 3 drinks, and 1 order of a dozen tortillas. My suggestion is to go early and eat your rolled tacos first before they get soggy ;p
It's all about the calamari tacos at
Freds Mexican Cafe, San Diego
2470 San Diego Avenue, San Diego, CA
(619) 858-8226 fredsmexicancafe.com
Great place for Taco Tuesday...that's all I have to say. I absolutely love their calamari tacos and frozen margaritas. It's the perfect combination after some long work hours. Outside seating? Even better since it's a place to socialize and have a good time. Check your local listing. The one I always go to is the one in Old Town.
Let's do Happy Hour at
La Puerta Restaurant, San Diego560 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 696-3466 www.taco619.com
For happy hour, this is the place to be if you're in the Downtown area. Their chips taste so fresh and you can't get enough of the salsa and green sauce. My friend says she can 'drink all the green sauce' because it's that good. All street tacos are $2 each and they taste great. I like tacos and these street tacos are stacked with tender meat and sauces that compliments the flavors, each served on 2 soft flour tortillas. I enjoyed the cochinitas tacos (achiote pork) ; they were tastily served with onions. I also enjoyed the other pork tacos served with pineapples; too bad I don't remember the name of it. With the happy hour menu, appetizers were half off so we enjoyed the fabulous plate of carne asada fries and an order of their guacamole served on a bed of more delicious chips. The drinks here were also good so happy hour anyone?
