The never-ending food quest which we call our lives has had us sampling most of the best tacos in San Diego, but this one may be the winner! The Taco Stand in San Diego is well known as one of the best Mexican restaurants in California. The Taco Stand La Jolla was just blocks away from our house and, we found ourselves wandering over there at least once (or twice) a week. The al pastor at Taco Stand is our favorite, but they have seafood, carne, and even cactus to try!
California Travel Inspiration
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About the Taco Stand La Jolla
Website: Order Online
Location: 621 Pearl St
Hours: Sun-Thurs 9am-9pm Fri & Sat 9am-10pm
The Taco Stand tends to have a pretty massive line from 4-8pm every day of the week. While this is a declaration of just how good it is, keep this in mind. We often called in our order at the taco stand to avoid waiting and took it to the beach 5 minutes away.
If you do want to wait for your food and eat there it’s best to have someone in your party grab a seat when your food is close to being ready. There is not much space inside and the seats outside go quick!
What to Order at The Taco Stand La Jolla
As you may know from our other San Diego food blogs, tacos run the game in the city. Almost every bar and restaurant in San Diego has deals centered around these dishes from south of the border. Tacos are a no-brainer, but don’t forget about the burritos and nachos! Sometimes it’s hard to choose what you want, so let’s dive into all the flavors at the Taco Stand!
Tacos: With a place called “The Taco Stand” you can’t go wrong with this favorite.
Burritos: Massive burritos are stuffed full and pack a punch.
Nachos: The carne asada fries are another great choice at the Taco Stand La Jolla.
Sauce: Don’t miss the sauces and pickled onions in the back of the restaurant!
Al Pastor at Taco Stand La Jolla
Let’s start with our personal favorite on the menu. Al Pastor at Taco Stand is pork marinated with dried chilis, spices, and pineapple. The flavor is out of this world juicy and goes perfect with all the usual fixings.
The meat literally roasts all day to perfection on a spit until it’s eventually carved off delicately by the employees. See that meat spinning? That’s how you know the al pastor at Taco Stand is the good stuff!
Taco Stand La Jolla Seafood
We always get so wrapped up in the meats at Taco Stand La Jolla that we sometimes forget what San Diego does best! The fish tacos here are second to none, and while they may not be as good as places like Oscar’s Mexican Seafood and Don Bravo, they are totally worth ordering. Also, make sure to give the shrimp burrito a shot if you’re in the mood for something fishy!
Unique Taste of Nopal (Cactus)
Ever tried cactus? Well, we hadn’t either until we tried the Nopal at Taco Stand La Jolla. Honestly, we never even thought about eating cacti, but turns out it’s a healthy alternative to other stuff on the menu.
In addition to the blend of cactus, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro sauce, they will actually fry the cheese right into your taco shell! This was Brigitte’s favorite and was our go-to taco (without the cheese) when we went vegan.
Hearty Carne at Taco Stand La Jolla
What would a Mexican food blog be without mentioning carne? The Taco Stand in San Diego has many twists on steak burritos and tacos, and one of our favorites has to be the California Burrito. Prior to moving to California, we had never had one of these, and our first was a revelation. With a mixture of savory steak and crispy french fries, what’s not to love?
While the California burrito is certainly delicious, we eventually found something even better that’s unique to the Taco Stand. The Mar y Tierra combines steak, shrimp, and cheese for the ultimate burrito experience. Definitely give this one a shot if you’re at Taco Stand La Jolla.
Should You Try the Taco Stand in La Jolla?
Yes! Honestly, we ate there at least once a week when we lived in the area. We even still find ourselves going back here whenever we’re in Southern California. Once again, we highly recommend ordering online beforehand and getting your tacos or burritos to go. Whatever the case, it’s definitely worth a try if you’re in La Jolla.
→ Does Oscars Mexican Seafood Have the Best Fish Tacos in Pacific Beach?
Where do you think has the best tacos in San Diego? Comment below and let us know!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte and Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
Where to Stay in San Diego
Ultra Luxury – La Valencia – If you’ve ever visited La Jolla then you’ve probably seen the extraordinary pink luxury hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You’ll have access to all the great bars and restaurants as well as an incredible view of the beach. We honestly can’t think of a better, more luxurious place to stay while you’re in San Diego!
Fun Vacation – Hotel Indigo – This funky but comfortable accommodation is a great choice if you’re looking to stay downtown without breaking the bank. Situated right in the happening Gaslamp district, Hotel Indigo features a rooftop bar overlooking Petco Park.
Hostel Life – ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel – Located in the heart of the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, this surfer hostel is one of the best options around! It has an amazing view and is right in the middle of all the beach bars and action of San Diego’s most popular beach.
For more places to stay in San Diego you can explore the latest prices here!
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USA Travel Planning
Information: Explore all our USA articles, amazing destinations around the world, travel planning tips, street food guides, and so much more.
Flights: We always find great flights using Skyscanner and Kayak. This way you can plan your trip around the cheapest and most direct routes.
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld can be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: We use Discover Cars when traveling. Consider renting a car in one city and dropping it off in another for an epic road trip!
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for tours all around California. Visit the San Diego Zoo, skip the line at the USS Midway Museum, or go on a Sea Cave Kayak Tour in La Jolla!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered! We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
I suggest checking out T.J. Oyster Bar in Bonita. Their seafood Tacos are amaazzzinggg…
We will definitely check it out! We love fish tacos. Thanks for the tip Marc ( :