CLOSED - Tacos el Cabron — Restaurant in San Diego

Tacos El Cabrón is the taco shop that Gaslamp needs, but that Gaslamp most certainly does not deserve.

I've been following this downtown taqueria from afar since its opening in Fall 2017, when I was first confused and skeptical about all of the great things people were saying about it. Downtown tacos are supposed to be a cruel joke. They're supposed to discourage tourists and convention-goers from wanting to move here and crowd our beaches. They're not supposed to be good, nevermind have the level of authenticity that is stamped into each of Tacos El Cabrón's dozen or so taco offerings.

Owner Jean-Paul Rojo grew up in Mexico City, but his tacos are from all over Mexico. The namesake "El Cabrón Taco" is a regional "mash-up" with its flour tortilla, black beans, and smoky, greasy bits of tender carne asada. It is smothered with a mild salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo. I needed more heat, so I perused the salsa bar and added the habanero salsa, which paired with this taco winningly. This is probably their best taco, the one I wish I had ordered many of.

Representing Tijuana-style tacos was the "Adobada Taco," featuring spicy marinated grilled pork carved off the spinning trompo in Tacos El Cabrón's open kitchen. The meat is decently charred so some surfaces are crispy, while most of the pork remains juicy. Here, the achiote paste and marinade cooked into the pork exude strong citrus and cinnamon flavors -- the result not being sweet as much as punchy, and even pleasantly bitter. I liked it. The taco comes dressed with a thin aguacate crema, along with chopped onions and cilantro. I also sauced this one with the salsa bar's habanero salsa.

Another taco that would be more common in Tijuana than Mexico City is Tacos El Cabrón's "Birria de Res Quesataco." This is a spicy and garlicky beef guisado in a guajillo chile-infused broth that has beem plopped into a sturdy, griddled corn tortilla coated with a layer of grilled white cheese, some gooey, some crispy. The combination of the juicy beef with the melty, crunchy cheese created wonderful contrasting textures. I added the salsa bar's salsa de aceite (just oil and arbol chiles according to the restaurant) for even more heat and rich flavor.

My final taco was the "Camarón Enchilado Taco," with spicy butterflied shrimp that has been marinated in an chile sauce so that they turn red. There are a lot of very good spicy shrimp tacos in San Diego, and this is one of them. I appreciate the crust that the shrimp pick up from the grill, and the nice light heat coating each little prawn. No additional saucing needed.

The ambiance of this place is definitely "Gaslamp," with large televisions playing music videos. Yet the service is warm and the ordering was free of pretension. On the day I came, there was a single lady in the open kitchen running around and cooking like a woman with her hair on fire, but everything came out muy sabroso. The quality of the cooking make these tacos some of the finest you will be able to find in...

Very bad experience with extremely rude staff last night on 15th May at 8pm with lady working there (who took my order and could speak English too), it was shocking to me how they treat their clients. First I ordered three take away dishes. They have salsa bar I asked for lid to take salsa with my order, they said they are out of lid. I was wondering how come they are out of salsa’s small container lids (let me tell you they have smallest containers too) and still accepting take away orders. I requested so they gave me 5 lids only for 4 different variety of salsa for my three dishes. When I requested more lid. That lady said you already have enough salsa and we allowed only one small container with one dish (let me say, they have 4 different salsa choices) I was wondering so for take away order I can get only one kind of salsa in one container out of 4 choices ?. She was extremely rude then I have to say I am sorry I am ready to pay for salsa, I never have this kind of experience in any of Mexican take away places, also when this place is not reasonable at all, they charge same as good sit down restaurants in Gaslamp quarter. I was so humiliated by them for their damn Salsa. They refuse to give me more lids and told me in-front of other passengers I do have 5 small containers for 3 dishes, which are too many and they don’t allow that. My partner ordered carne Asada Burrito and she said it was worst carne Asada burrito she had which is 90% rice filled in with few chunks of meat. I run a food tour in Gaslamp Quarter and I keep sending tonnes of people at that place. I would never ever go back and tell all my client too,...

As someone hailing from the UK, my recent visit to Tacos El Cabron in downtown San Diego felt like stepping into a familiar late-night kebab shop, where one might end up after a night of revelry. This quick fast food joint, however, had a distinct Mexican twist, offering a selection of tacos and burritos.

The service at Tacos El Cabron was excellent. The staff was friendly, efficient, and attentive, making the ordering process smooth and enjoyable. The atmosphere inside was casual and laid-back, perfect for a quick meal or a bite on the go.

Now, onto the main attraction - the food. I opted for the burrito, and I must say, it was fantastic. The flavors were bold and authentic, with a good balance of meat, rice, beans, and other toppings. It certainly hit the spot, and I can see why this place is popular for a fast, satisfying meal.

However, it's worth noting that Tacos El Cabron doesn't offer an extensive or gourmet menu. The focus is on providing basic, no-frills Mexican fast food. While the burrito was great, it might not be the most adventurous or unique culinary experience for those seeking a more upscale or varied Mexican dining experience.

Tacos El Cabron in downtown San Diego is a solid choice for a quick and tasty Mexican meal. The burrito was delicious, and the service was top-notch. It may remind you of the late-night kebab shops back in the UK, but with a Mexican twist. If you're looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense fast food place to satisfy your taco or burrito cravings, this is the spot...