San Diego, CA (The Joy of Food) — I always arrive at Tacos El Gordo wearing my stretchy big girl pants, eager to enjoy a feast of adobada tacos in all their greasy, spicy, juicy glory. When I say “feast,” I mean four tacos, since any more than that and I’ll explode, but whatever. They’re cheap, delicious, and the very best you’ll find north of the border.
Inside Tacos El Gordo is a spread of real-deal Tijuana street taco goodness. The adobada tacos, in particular, are everything you need in life. The pork is well-seasoned, spicy, sweet, tender, crisp, and cut from the rotating spit to order, placed in a homemade corn tortilla, then topped with onions, cilantro, and a creamy pastel-hued avocado salsa. This last thing is a gift from god.
You can request their red and green salsas at the register to kick the experience up a few more notches. What stands out is how strongly the char and flavor of the meat comes through even with the salsas fully slathered on. They do their job and add a nice kick of heat, and every bite is simply excellent.
The adobada tacos, while my favorite thing here, are really just the beginning. Tacos El Gordo offers a wide variety of other meats (carne asada, lengua, and buche) in many other forms (quesadillas, mulas, and tostadas) to satisfy any craving. Get out your $4.50 and prepare to have some of the best food you’ll ever be served cafeteria-style on a red tray and paper plates.
In most cases, I’d take some time to complain about the lines (yes, plural), but if you time your visit just right, you can avoid the mania if you visit during the sweet, peaceful window of 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. pre-lunch rush any weekday. Happiness. You too can be in and out in less than 30 minutes. Don’t come here on a weekend and/or at the height of lunch or dinnertime unless you have a death wish.
The parking lot has more than three spots and comes manned with an attendant to help people not do stupid things in tight spaces. I love him. The location sits about a block and a half from the trolley station, making Tacos El Gordo easily accessible by way of public transit.
This newer store is a long, wide space with the meat-separated lines in front and the seating off to the side, so you don’t have a series of butts in your face while you’re eating your food. The enclosed patio is also nice and offers additional seating without the wind whipping you and your food around on those breezy days.
Written by Joy
Thanks for reading. The Joy of Food blog celebrates eating well, traveling often, and living la dolce vita. San Diego, California is home base, but thoughts are from all over. Reviews and photos help to highlight wonderful (or not) food experiences from around the world.
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