Tacos El Panson — Restaurant in San Diego

As you make your way into the restaurant, you'll be delighted by the enchanting plumes of smoke floating to every corner of the dining room from the marinated carne asada searing over mesquite, and the al pastor pork shoulder sizzling on their rotating trompo. These expertly-prepared meats are all ready to be dropped into handmade corn tortillas pressed on-premises and dressed with the help of a terrific salsa bar where all the salsas are top-notch. Honestly, my only general nit-pick about the food at Tacos El Panson is that their chop-job on the cilantro is poor - they could be dicing it smaller. Let's be clear, however: if the size of your chopped cilantro is my biggest complaint about your taco operation, you're doing it right.

The "Carne Asada Taco" is the best of the tacos here. Tacos El Panson's carne asada is smoky, delicious, well-seasoned tender beef. Thin strips and thick squares of beef bear various levels of caramelized fond, but the whole of it is marvelous, especially when smothered with Tacos El Panson's gently rich guacamole. You'll want to use the house's spicy salsa verde on this taco. The other beef taco served here is the "Suadero Taco," featuring cubes of beef simmered in oil. Whereas many taco spots north of the border use brisket or even flank and call it suadero, this seems to be the real deal, characterized by its lack of graininess and chewy texture even after being oil-braised for a while. The chunkier red salsa (a salsa cruda) goes best with this taco.

For pork-based tacos, I first tried the "Buche Taco," essentially pig gut in a tortilla. It has a deep, rich "grill" flavor, almost as if it has been dipped in Maggi. This is undoubtedly to help offset some of the funk. Whereas buche is often bland, be warned that El Panson's funky buche is not for the buche novice. I didn't mind the bold combination of flavors, especially when this is doused with the spicy roasted arbol red salsa (the one with the thin consistency). The "Adobada Taco" is comparatively clean and tidy, despite consisting of crispy, charred shaved bits of al pastor pork. Achiote and cinnamon is strong in the marinade on the meat, but not distracting. It's not too sweet -- I prefer my al pastor pork to be tad "stickier" and the meat shaved thinner, but this is a very good adobada taco...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Tacos El Panson, a fantastic Mexican food that left me completely satisfied. The variety of Mexican food I tried was all delicious and full of flavor.

Let's start with the burrito. It was bursting with fresh ingredients like grilled meat, fresh guacamole, and cheese. Each bite was a delightful mix of textures and flavors.

The mulita was another standout. The combination of tender meat, melted cheese, and toasted tortillas were heavenly. It was a delicious treat for my taste buds.

I couldn't resist trying the quesabirria, and it did not disappoint. The juicy meat, crispy tortilla, and flavorful cheese were a match made in foodie heaven.

As a side, I ordered the fries, which were perfectly golden and seasoned just right. They added a satisfying crunch to my meal.

Last but not least, the enchilada plate was a true winner. The enchiladas were filled with a mouthwatering blend of ingredients and topped with a flavorful sauce and melted cheese. It was a tasty celebration of Mexican flavors.

The service at Tacos El Panson was exceptional. The staff was friendly and made me feel welcome. The atmosphere was lively and inviting, creating a pleasant eating experience.

In conclusion, Tacos El Panson is a must-visit Mexican restaurant. Their burrito, mulita, quesabirria, fries, and enchilada plates are all fantastic choices. If you're looking for a delicious Mexican feast, don't hesitate to give them a try. Your taste buds...

I visited here on New Years Day hoping to find a lunch spot after a long run and Tacos El Panson delivered. The salsa bar was stocked, the food came quickly, and the service was friendly and attentive. We came hungry and enjoyed our food.

I had the three tacos special with a drink which was super affordable with the fish, chicken, and carnitas tacos served alongside beans and rice. The fried fish had a slight aftertaste from the oil but the serving size and meat were good and filling. I also tasted the carne asada California burrito and the tortilla was perfect.

I hope to return and try more tacos, especially the adobada which I regret not ordering. The mild salsa is perfectly smoky and a little sweet, but all three options were packed...