Sunny San Diego, California. Home to warm weather. Outdoor living. Classic surf culture. A thriving health and wellness scene. Yoga. Energy healing. A chill, laid-back vibe. So many things to do. Like eating the best tacos you can find north of the border. Southern California has a huge Mexican influence. San Diego’s roots are deeply connected to Mexican culture. You taste it in the food. See it in the architecture. Spanish street names. It’s why tacos here hit differently. Whether you’re visiting or you’ve lived here for years, there are countless taco shops in North County San Diego to discover. Local favorites. Hidden gems. Here are some of our favs.
The 5 Best Hidden Taco Shops in North San Diego County
1) TJ Tacos
Live in the Escondido area? Check out TJ Tacos. Don’t live in Escondido? It’s worth the drive. It’s super low-key. Lines are usually long. For a reason. Food is delicious. Authentic. The carne asada is critically acclaimed. The adobada is amazing. Same with the chorizo. Tortillas are handmade. Cactus tacos for vegetarians. The best adobada and asada fries. Burritos. It’s as close to traditional Tijuana street tacos you’ll find in the States. They’re also open late seven days a week. 12am Friday and Saturday. 11pm on weekdays. Local tip: Order online to skip the lines.
2) The Taco Stand
This infamous Encinitas taco spot is conveniently located off Pacific Coast Highway. It’s a popular chain. Each location is unique. If you’ve been to Encinitas, you know it’s a vibe. The Taco Stand fits the laid-back, old-school beach town perfectly. Ingredients are made from scratch daily. Several taco options. Carne asada. Mahi mahi. Baja-style. Mushroom. Nopal. Pollo. El pastor. Burritos. Quesadillas. Carne asada fries. Grilled corn. Churros. Homemade paletas. Cerveza. Mexican Coke. This spot is notorious. They’re open until 10pm, seven days a week.
3) Señor Grubby’s
This Oceanside taco shop in North County San Diego is a local fav. Located on North Tremont Street by the beach, Señor Grubby’s won Silver for tacos in the 2024 Best of North County. They also won Best Margarita the same year. Grubby’s street tacos are famous. Served on a fresh corn tortilla. Choose from carne asada, hormone-free chicken, birria, carnitas, el pastor, and more. Fish. Vegan and vegetarian options. Huge specialty burritos. With your choice of traditional flour or whole-wheat tortillas. The brick interior is bright and airy. With the cool beach vibe that makes California famous. They’re open until 10pm Tuesday-Saturday, and close at 9pm Sunday and Monday. Happy Hour is from 3-6pm daily, with a solid tequila and mezcal selection if that’s your thing.
4) Taco Bar
Head inland 10-15 minutes from Oceanside to San Marcos to Taco Bar. It’s a family-run Mexican restaurant. Located right off Highway 78 on Las Posas. They serve authentic Mexican food with fresh ingredients. Their tacos are famous. Far beyond San Marcos. Choose from mini street tacos. Just like the classics you’ll find in Mexico. Options for asada, chicken, lengua, carnitas, and more. Speciality tacos. Including fish. Veggie. Potato. Shrimp. Octopus. Take it beyond the taco for one of the best burritos you’ll ever eat. Hands down. There’s a kids’ menu. Homemade jamaica and horchata. They’re open 7am-9pm seven days a week.
5) Tacos Oasis
This tiny gem is located in the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. It’s nothing more than a small kiosk. With outdoor seating. But Tacos Oasis offers great Mexican food at even better prices. The menu is simple. Taco options include carne asada, chicken, and el pastor. Prices are cheap. Locals love it. Service is fast. The California burrito is legendary. Portions are generous. Tortillas are fresh. Don’t let the location in an outlet mall deter you. The food really is that good. And the cucumber, lime, and chia juice is fabulous. Same with the homemade horchata.
Trying Out Different Taco Shops in North County San Diego
Tacos are a lot of things. A Mexican love language. Perfect anytime of day. Simple and satisfying. Full of authentic flavor. Downtown San Diego is only 20 minutes from the Mexican border. US and Mexican cultures are intimately intertwined. Taco shops in North County San Diego are everywhere. These are some of the hidden gems. As a twin team of San Diego holistic chiropractors with an office in North County San Diego, we’ve tried them all. And then some. Because sometimes health and wellness means tacos.
This list doesn’t cover nearly half of the taquerias in the San Diego area. But it’s a great place to start. Whether you’re a longtime local, new to the area, or here on vacation, there’s always a taco shop to find. Grab your people. Tacos are better with friends. Enjoy the Mexican influence that makes San Diego such a huge part of what it is.