Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria — Restaurant in San Diego

San Diego Taco Series, Part 11 “If you are five minutes early, you are already ten minutes late.” Vince Lombardi

While I don’t in any way question this precept of Mr. Lombardi, I’ve struggled with tardiness seemingly my whole life. Having admitted that, yesterday was a notable exception. How could it not be considering this place was crowned “2022 Top Taco Spot in America” by Yelp and recommended to us by both @biggiesterls and @teachseuss? Dana was curious why coaxing my typically lagging rear end out the door was noticeably less cumbersome…until we had our first bites.

If this is your first visit we’d recommend you order the “Ed Fernandez #1.” This 4 taco sampling is outstanding and if you also order the “Quesotaco” (which is keto friendly because it is served without a tortilla) you will be positioned to make your first experience here complete.

Together this combination of tacos will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget (and won’t want to end). While cheese may serve as your tour guide for each taco, that is exactly where the similarities end. The highlights we experienced with each taco ranged from the surprising texture of the crunchy outer tortilla/soft inner tortilla of the “Tacos de Birria Con Nervio”, to the slow burn of the “Chupacabras” (wait for it! 🥵), to the cheesy “Quesotaco” (is that a taco or an omelette?), to the unbelievable consommé that I’m pretty sure would make cardboard taste good (I caught Dana actually DRINKING it)! If you don’t like this place then you just don’t enjoy tacos. Am I right about that @onemoretacotv? You are my “Taco Consejero” and I trust your opinion on this more than most!

Parking is quite limited, but if my new friend Ruben (“Go Padres!” 😉) is at his post when you arrive he’ll be sure to quickly direct you to the nearest available spot.

While getting me here was no problem, getting me to leave really was!

And that’s…Henry’s...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An Absolute Gem – A Must-Try in Chula Vista!

From the moment we pulled into the lot, we could tell Ed Fernandez Restaurant was something special. The smell of fresh tortillas and grilled meats hit us before we even stepped inside—and it only got better from there.

FOOD: Hands down, some of the best birria I’ve ever had. The birria de res was unbelievably tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. We ordered a mix of tacos, quesadillas, and the consommé—all of which were next-level. The handmade tortillas were soft and warm, the perfect complement to the rich, savory meat. Don’t skip the crispy taco dorado—it’s a game changer. Everything we tried tasted fresh, authentic, and made with care.

SERVICE: The service is where Ed Fernandez really stood out. The gentleman who took our order was phenomenal—genuinely welcoming, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. He didn’t just take our order—he guided us through the menu and made spot-on recommendations that turned out to be our favorite items. You can tell he takes pride in the food and really wants guests to enjoy the full experience.

ATMOSPHERE: It has a casual, lively vibe with plenty of covered outdoor seating. It felt like a community spot—people chatting, laughing, and clearly coming back because they know how good it is. The whole place runs like a well-oiled machine, with a warmth that’s rare these days.

SPEED: For how busy it was, the food came out impressively fast—hot, fresh, and perfectly plated. We never felt rushed, but we also didn’t wait long, which made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable.

OVERALL: This was a five-star experience from start to finish. The food, the service, the atmosphere—everything hit the mark. Huge credit to the staff, especially the man who took our order. His recommendations elevated our meal and made us feel like VIPs.

We’ll absolutely be back. If you’re anywhere near Chula Vista, Ed Fernandez is...

A Must-Try Birria Spot Near the Border

Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria is a local gem in the Imperial Beach area, drawing huge crowds during its limited business hours (6 AM - 2 PM, Wednesday to Sunday). We visited on a busy Saturday around 1 PM and found a long line of 20+ people waiting to order and dine in. Thankfully, we opted for a to-go order, which allowed us to skip the wait—just head straight inside to the counter, place your order, and take it to go.

The exterior of the restaurant has an old-school charm, but inside, it’s well-decorated with Mexican-style touches and has a larger-than-expected dining area. Their specialty is birria, and it lives up to the hype. We ordered the Orden y Birria con Nervio, and it was incredibly delicious—the bowl was packed with tender, slow-cooked beef and nerve, creating an ultra-flavorful dish. It comes with six crispy fried tortillas for a DIY taco experience, though it was a bit too greasy for our liking. The rich broth would also pair well with rice.

Another standout dish was the Quesataco Eggtremo—a taco loaded with cheese, birria, and an over-easy egg. The runny egg yolk combined with the juicy meat and tortilla made for an amazing bite. We also tried the Taco de Tatemado, featuring grilled carne asada with a slight kick of spice, yet still tender and flavorful.

A huge highlight of the visit was the incredibly friendly and enthusiastic staff. When we took out our camera for photos, they gave us thumbs-up and fun poses, making us feel genuinely welcome.

Important notes:

Only service animals are allowed for dine-in, so it's not a dog-friendly spot—opting for takeout might be the best choice.

They have a spacious parking lot with enough spots.

Some special items are only available on specific days, like the Taco de Lengua on Fridays—definitely worth...