TVCI Taco Tour 2019

If you know me, you know that tacos are my thing, so it was a no brainer to do a taco tour considering San Diego has some of the best tacos. However, calling certain taco joints the best is subjective and I didn’t want to create this tour based on my preferences or what San Diego Magazine calls the best tacos. So what we did was send out a survey so our attendees could share their favorite tacos and help us create our tour route. 

We visited six taco spots, ranging from trucks to high-end tacos and hole in the walls. Each one has something different to offer, whether it was taste or overall experience. 

Our first stop and pick up location wasKiko’s, a taco truck in Mission Valley that specializes in seafood. I have no shame when I say I visited Kiko’s a solid four times before the Taco Tour. Whoever put this as an answer on the pre-tour survey – thank you. 

• Favorite Kiko’s Item: Shrimp Cocktail

Next up was The Taco Stand in La Jolla, a chain establishment but was quite a popular answer on our survey. It wasn’t one of our highest rated stops on the tour, but what can you do? You win some; you lose some. 

• Favorite Taco Stand Item: Shrimp Taco 

After a brief detour to the beach for a drink, we ventured downtown to the East Village for Lola 55, a fairly new restaurant that has been buzzing since opening. This was definitely our higher end stop on the tour. From their cocktails to their eclectic taco options, there was something for everyone. A little birdy even told me that they will start a new brunch menu sooner than later, so you bet I will be checking that out!

• Favorite Lola 55 Item: Baja Fish Taco 

From a fairly high-end stop to what could possibly be our most hole-in-the-wall one, we ended up at La Fachada, a spot that you could easily miss if you weren’t familiar with it. Located in Barrio Logan, it looks like an abandoned market, but the food is incredible. Not to mention, they have peppers, onions and beans on the outdoor grill that you can help yourself to. We didn’t get a chance to try the tamales that were also located in a second set up in the parking area, but I will be back.

• Favorite La Fachada Item: Mulita

We kept trekking across San Diego and visited TJ Birreria which specializes in birria, and is pretty much the only thing they have on the menu, except menudo. By the time we stopped here, we were full, but that didn’t stop us from chowing down on some birria tacos. 

• Favorite TJ Birreria Item: Birria anything

By the time we reached Tacos Revolucion, some people were taco’d out but that didn’t stop most of us. This small shop sits in the corner of a mall; it’s a small chain and their tacos are off the chain, let me tell you. One highlight ( besides their tacos) is their habanero hot sauce – add that to anything and it will POP with flavor. 

• Favorite Tacos Revolucion Item: Al pastor taco 

Last but not least, we ended up at a taco staple –Tacos El Gordo, another chain, but a damn good one. The lines can be a bit intimidating but fear not, they have it down to a science. The menu isn’t huge, but chances are you can easily taste the full menu within a few visits. 

• Favorite Tacos El Gordo Item: Abodaba anything 

So, to tie it all together, based on the results of our taco rating cards, our top 3 stops were: 

1. Gold – Lola 55
2. Silver – Kiko’s
3. Bronze – La Fachada

TVCI’s first Taco Tour was quite the experience and I appreciate all my colleagues, friends and family that joined us. 

Now for the moment you all have been waiting for – our next food tour will be a San Diego Barbeque Tour that will take place in late summer. Contact Hillary and let her know you want to hear more about the BBQ tour as it’s planned!