The Taco Stand — Restaurant in San Diego

Can someone explain to me why this place is always packed, why the lines are always long, and why the long lines move so excruciatingly slow? This does not seem like the kind of joint that should attract the amount of attention that it does. As taco shops go, it's not particularly cheap, it lacks that "slick" trendiness you expect from an eatery popular with young people, it's in the "downtown" area of La Jolla but kinda off to the side, and the food... well, some of the food here is very good, some of it is kind of bad.

During my first trip, I ordered the "Sonora Taco" and the "Nopal (Cactus) Taco." I instead got an "Al Pastor Taco" and "Nopal Taco." Because I was in a rush and had already waited in line for far longer than I expected, I let it go.

The "Nopal Taco" was not good at all. The cactus is supposedly "flame-grilled" but it tasted steamed. I've had great nopales asados elsewhere, and this was not that. The taco was very plain, consisting of bland under-seasoned cactus, chopped tomatoes, and mild cheese. Not my idea of a party.

The "Al Pastor Taco" was quite a bit better, but below-average for San Diego. The pork was well-crusted and shaved off a trompo, but was rubbery inside. The combined taco was too sweet and wet due to the many small chunks of pineapple added to it. The taqueros in L.A. who add chunks of pineapple to their Al Pastor tacos typically exercise more restraint in addition to using a less sweet pineapple. Of course, pineapple chunks in Al Pastor tacos are not as common in San Diego (not as common as in L.A., for example) due to the heavy influence of bordering Tijuana and that city's adobada-style tacos.

My lunch was redeemed by the Taco Stand's "Churros." They were handed to me piping hot and with a sweet dipping sauce on the side that bore an uncanny resemblance to Toaster Streudel vanilla icing, and I mean that in a good way. The churros are crunchy, but also delicate enough to pretty much melt in your mouth once your teeth penetrate their crispy exterior.

When I returned to "The Taco Stand" more recently, I again ordered the "Sonora Taco" and, this time, I actually received it. The Sonora Taco consists of a flour tortilla stuffed with deliciously browned cubes of Certified Angus Beef, chili, cumin, and salt seasoning seared into them. The taco would have been fine with just that, but it is enhanced with melted cheese, pinto beans, guacamole, onion, and cilantro. I recommend adding the habanero salsa from the salsa bar as well -- it complements the "Sonora Taco" perfectly. Do what I told you, and you'll end up eating a very solid taco. Again, on my second visit, the line moved glacially slow. On a Thursday evening at around 8pm, I waited 25 minutes just for the pleasure of ordering anything.

With such inconsistency, this should not be a place that is as popular as it is. But if it keeps the crowds away from my favorite taquerias in South Bay, I guess I'm...

4.5 stars. I think this is my favorite taco place in San Diego now. Wow. It's a tiny shop. And the most crowded on that street!! I understand the buzz about this place now.

We came here around 12 after seeing that Salud (my previous no. 1 taco shop) was closed. There was a line extending several meters outside the shop. Thankfully we weren't too late because it had gotten bigger by the time we'd finished eating.

We ordered the carne asada, pescano, spicy shrimp, Baja, nopal (cactus) and their special micheladas mushroom tacos with the chips and guac. We were able to find seats at the counter and watch this fairly well oiled machine work. The workers there work non-stop. There are people cutting, grilling and making tacos and two assembling the orders together. Special shout out to the girl assembling the orders - she was nice enough to talk to people, give the chips and guac in advance and assemble patiently and timely.

In the order of deliciousness, we liked the asada, pescano, Baja, shrimp and nopal equally and least, the mushroom. You can add salsa, Chipotle, onions which really brings in flavour. I'd heard about the mushroom tacos but was really disappointed. I think the Salud one is still the best I've ever had.

Chips and guac were good, I'd have liked more flavour in the guac than just avocado and coriander.

But all in all, great experience and definitely worth waiting in line....

I’ve had my fair share of tacos in my life and I’ve come to understand that each one can be very different. I’m not talking about those mainstream tacos that come with a 32oz Mountain Dew, I’m talking the real deal. The ones that make you question if you ever truly knew what real love was. The ones that make you boycott all other taco chains because you’ve seen the light. I knew on my trip to San Diego, I was going to be exposed to some really good tacos, but I wasn’t prepared for the flavor extravaganza that I experienced.

Okay, now to what counts. These. Tacos. Are. Amazing!! I could go on and on and try to sound studious with my review but it would take away from the only point that matters. These are the best tacos I’ve had. Period. I even had other tacos while I was in San Diego, but these were on another level. It’s funny because walking in I didn’t think they would be better than the other place in SD, but wow was I wrong! If you are serious about food and about authentic tacos, do your mouth a favor and order as many as you can fathom. Doesn’t matter which ones. Doesn’t matter which sauce. Just order a bunch and mix it up.

Since I’ve returned home I’ve tried to find a place that was kind of the same and it’s been impossible. Maybe I’ll just have to give up tacos all together as none of them seem...