Food in Tijuana

[Sol12]

I've actually known about Tacos El Gordo for many years. I go to Las Vegas all the time and they have like 4 locations there, of which I've been to 3 of the locations going back years ago and have also been to the Chula Vista location in San Diego. The only Tacos El Gordo location I've been to in Tijuana is the one on Constitucion in Zona Centro, which I've only been to a couple of times. But yeah, their tacos are also great and I definitely recommend them.

Yeah I've been trying the one in Vegas on the strip and the line is very long. Same goes for the one in Chula Vista. Never went to the one in downtown Tijuana but from what others say the one that is mentioned in the article is the best of all. Not sure why, maybe the workers are better. I remember when they wanted to open the one in downtown San Diego they owners were fighting with the US government about getting work Visas for the workers because it was a skilled job and they couldn't find the same quality of taco makers in the US.

[BrotherMouzone]

The funny thing is that I've never eaten at the HK taco stand but I wonder if the crowd is due to just people being lazy and not wanting to go find something better. Since I haven't tried it I'm not here to judge it just was trying to give advice on getting away from the Zona and spreading your tourist dollars around.

Honestly, I'd never thought to eat at the HK taco stand (or any of the food carts in Tijuana for that matter) until a few years ago when one of my regular chicas at Adelitas recommended I check them out. So I did on a whim later in the trip. Was not expecting much from a random food cart at the corner on the corner of a strip club but came away impressed. Awesome quality and portioning for the price, especially if you tip even just a little bit.

I've actually known about Tacos El Gordo for many years. I go to Las Vegas all the time and they have like 4 locations there, of which I've been to 3 of the locations going back years ago and have also been to the Chula Vista location in San Diego. The only Tacos El Gordo location I've been to in Tijuana is the one on Constitucion in Zona Centro, which I've only been to a couple of times. But yeah, their tacos are also great and I definitely recommend them.

[Sol12]

My issue with reviews you find online is that, the restaurants they recommend are mostly disappointing and in many cases bland and even bad. Everyone of us have our little inclinations as to what we like to eat or taste, the ambiance, the service, the FOOD. I rather trust something posted by the individual tourist I share some subject with, who is not a foodie but happen to eat at a place and find it amazing.

In other words I would trust recommendations by mongers here who have eaten at the place rather than what is posted online by food review sites.

The main problem with trying to get food reviews from those on this board is only a very small amount go anywhere away from the Zona much less Centro. So when you think of how many taco places are in Tijuana those that don't live in the city and have time to visit many of them your might be forced to see what people online suggest and see if some places are consistently talked about.

When I lived in Tijuana I was referred to Tacos El Gordo from a friend. When I hooked up with the ex she mostly ate at places in the Zona o Centro. When I took her to my taco place she said how good it was and never was interested in going to new places that friends might suggest and she never felt like going to eat back at her old spots.

I'm definitely not a foodie and agree that going by word of mouth is the best recommendation but in the case of some of the taco places mentioned you have both the foodies and the regular customers agreeing that it's a good place. For example the seafood place. Like I said when parking next to it it was always packed so they must be doing something right because this was before everyone got info from the internet.

[Zenduka1]

Since you asked about other taco spots I'll post two articles that were recently written about the best tacos spots in Tijuana because a few weeks ago was National Taco Day..

My issue with reviews you find online is that, the restaurants they recommend are mostly disappointing and in many cases bland and even bad. Everyone of us have our little inclinations as to what we like to eat or taste, the ambiance, the service, the FOOD. I rather trust something posted by the individual tourist I share some subject with, who is not a foodie but happen to eat at a place and find it amazing.

In other words I would trust recommendations by mongers here who have eaten at the place rather than what is posted online by food review sites.

[Sol12]

To be fair the "HK Taco Stand" (which I don't think is its official name) does legitamitely have a reputation for being one of the better taco stands in Tijuana. One of the reasons it consistently gathers a good crowd. Can't think of a better taco stand on Revolucion. Not that I'm a Tijuana expert but the only taco spots I'd grade as being a bit better are Tacos El Franc, Las Ahumaderas, and Tacos Casa Sonora out in Playas (which features awesome rib tacos). I've been to several other spots but the HK Taco Stand is better than the other ones I've been to (in my opinion). If others have better suggestions, I'm all ears.

Didn't know about the new taco museum, thanks! Will make it a point to check that out when I'm in Tijuana next month and report back on it here. Commercialized ventures like that I think tend not to be as good as advertised but I guess we'll see.

The funny thing is that I've never eaten at the HK taco stand but I wonder if the crowd is due to just people being lazy and not wanting to go find something better. Since I haven't tried it I'm not here to judge it just was trying to give advice on getting away from the Zona and spreading your tourist dollars around.

I've never eaten at the taco places you mentioned but have heard many good things about Tacos El Franc but the one time I was going to try it was a day that they were closed.

Since you asked about other taco spots I'll post two articles that were recently written about the best tacos spots in Tijuana because a few weeks ago was National Taco Day.

The link below has a seafood place that I wasn't smart enough to try when living in Tijuana and the ex and I often parked right next to it and the place would always get full so I didn't try it but it's definitely one of the most popular places in Tijuana. None of the others I have tried.

https://www.sandiegored.com/en/news/...re-the-reasons

Now the next link did a list of top 5 tacos places in Tijuana but asked Chat GP. The seafood place makes this list also so it's definitely something to try. Tacos El Gordo is a great spot but for some reason they have different locations in Tijuana but the one at this address is always regarded as the best. The good thing is that the seafood taco place is close by so if you have a big appetite you could try both within an hour.

https://www.sandiegored.com/en/news/...ias-in-Tijuana

Not sure what other types of tacos you like but over next to the Hidalgo market which is within walking distance of the Zona you can find one of the best birra tacos around. They usually sell out by the early afternoon so I'the recommend this as a breakfast. It's called Tacos Fitos.

I hope you get a chance to try some new places on your next visit and it's great that you make an effort to venture away from the Zona.

[Sol12]

The issue with the restaurants along rivo are 1. They are not that better than what you find at the eateries around the clubs. 2. They are as expensive if not more expensive. You got to go out of centro to find the real worthwhile food and booze in Tijuana.

I like the taco alley row across the Hotel Placio azteca, called Las Ahumaderas. There is a youtube video. Las Ahumaderas, Av. Guilermo Prieto 9770,22044 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Also one can't get it wrong by visiting the taco place Asadero Tecolote across Mr Pampas address Blvd. Gral. Abelardo L. Rodrguez 10, Centro, 22014 Tijuana, be. See. , Mexico.

I think it's not so much that you might find better food but just to step away from the Zona was my bigger recommendation. It seems that a majority of guys spend the whole time of their trip in that little block and Tijuana has so much more to offer. I know most won't go in a taxi to the better places like you mentioned but I was trying to get them just to take a little walk to get away from one of the worst areas on Tijuana.

[Zenduka1]

To be fair the "HK Taco Stand" (which I don't think is its official name) does legitamitely have a reputation for being one of the better taco stands in Tijuana. One of the reasons it consistently gathers a good crowd. Can't think of a better taco stand on Revolucion. Not that I'm a Tijuana expert but the only taco spots I'd grade as being a bit better are Tacos El Franc, Las Ahumaderas, and Tacos Casa Sonora out in Playas (which features awesome rib tacos). I've been to several other spots but the HK Taco Stand is better than the other ones I've been to (in my opinion). If others have better suggestions, I'm all ears.

Didn't know about the new taco museum, thanks! Will make it a point to check that out when I'm in Tijuana next month and report back on it here. Commercialized ventures like that I think tend not to be as good as advertised but I guess we'll see.

I agree that hole in a wall Azul extension little place (not the restaurant in Cas), together with the attitude of the boys that work there is really rising in reputation. These days I don't really eat anywhere but there. Except Tuesday's lunch at Montecarlo for their beef soup. Breakfast at Senda for their coffee and Om tradicional.

You forgot to add Tecolote, it is noches better than the azul shop.

[Hargow20]

I like the HK taco stand as well. But when I order tacos I always tell them not to fry the tortilla. These days I have been going to taco stand on the corner of Constucion & calle Coahuila st. I order the shrimp taco. I really like their shrimp tacos.

To be fair the "HK Taco Stand" (which I don't think is its official name) does legitamitely have a reputation for being one of the better taco stands in Tijuana. One of the reasons it consistently gathers a good crowd. Can't think of a better taco stand on Revolucion. Not that I'm a Tijuana expert but the only taco spots I'd grade as being a bit better are Tacos El Franc, Las Ahumaderas, and Tacos Casa Sonora out in Playas (which features awesome rib tacos). I've been to several other spots but the HK Taco Stand is better than the other ones I've been to (in my opinion). If others have better suggestions, I'm all ears.

Didn't know about the new taco museum, thanks! Will make it a point to check that out when I'm in Tijuana next month and report back on it here. Commercialized ventures like that I think tend not to be as good as advertised but I guess we'll see.

[BrotherMouzone]

The issue with the restaurants along rivo are 1. They are not that better than what you find at the eateries around the clubs. 2. They are as expensive if not more expensive. You got to go out of centro to find the real worthwhile food and booze in Tijuana.

I like the taco alley row across the Hotel Placio azteca, called Las Ahumaderas. There is a youtube video. Las Ahumaderas, Av. Guilermo Prieto 9770,22044 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Also one can't get it wrong by visiting the taco place Asadero Tecolote across Mr Pampas address Blvd. Gral. Abelardo L. Rodrguez 10, Centro, 22014 Tijuana, be. See. , Mexico.

Some of the breweries in and around Revo are very solid (and where I spend a good portion of my time when I'm on Revo) but I agree that the restaurants there are generally unremarkable. You're much, much better off venturing out into other parts of Tijuana like Zona Rio, Chapultepec, and down Agua Caliente if you want great food. On Revo I think Giuseppis (Italian restaurant) is pretty good and La Justina and Caesars are highly regarded. But I don't remember the last time I had a full meal on Revo, I always go somewhere else. With all that said, I do think the restaurants on Revo are at least a step up from the Azul Restaurant and Senda Norte, even if only a little bit. But I haven't eaten at any of those spots in a long while.

[BrotherMouzone]

May I make a suggestion and at least go for a little walk to Revo and try some more regular taco places. I know many of you don't like to take taxis to the better places to eat but downtown is a short walk and it gets you away from the Zona if only for a little while. Plenty of options and you are also supporting small local businesses compared to giving all your money to HK.

Just as an example they just opened a Taco Museum on Revo, I know some might find it cheesy but if you've never been to Mexico some might be interested and a good place to kill some time. Hopefully some of you try it to let others know if it's any good.

https://www.sandiegored.com/en/news/...ity-of-Tijuana

To be fair the "HK Taco Stand" (which I don't think is its official name) does legitamitely have a reputation for being one of the better taco stands in Tijuana. One of the reasons it consistently gathers a good crowd. Can't think of a better taco stand on Revolucion. Not that I'm a Tijuana expert but the only taco spots I'd grade as being a bit better are Tacos El Franc, Las Ahumaderas, and Tacos Casa Sonora out in Playas (which features awesome rib tacos). I've been to several other spots but the HK Taco Stand is better than the other ones I've been to (in my opinion). If others have better suggestions, I'm all ears.

Didn't know about the new taco museum, thanks! Will make it a point to check that out when I'm in Tijuana next month and report back on it here. Commercialized ventures like that I think tend not to be as good as advertised but I guess we'll see.

[Zenduka1]

May I make a suggestion and at least go for a little walk to Revo and try some more regular taco places. I know many of you don't like to take taxis to the better places to eat but downtown is a short walk and it gets you away from the Zona if only for a little while. Plenty of options and you are also supporting small local businesses compared to giving all your money to HK.

Just as an example they just opened a Taco Museum on Revo, I know some might find it cheesy but if you've never been to Mexico some might be interested and a good place to kill some time. Hopefully some of you try it to let others know if it's any good.

https://www.sandiegored.com/en/news/...ity-of-Tijuana

The issue with the restaurants along rivo are 1. They are not that better than what you find at the eateries around the clubs. 2. They are as expensive if not more expensive. You got to go out of centro to find the real worthwhile food and booze in Tijuana.

I like the taco alley row across the Hotel Placio azteca, called Las Ahumaderas. There is a youtube video. Las Ahumaderas, Av. Guilermo Prieto 9770,22044 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Also one can't get it wrong by visiting the taco place Asadero Tecolote across Mr Pampas address Blvd. Gral. Abelardo L. Rodríguez 10, Centro, 22014 Tijuana, be. See. , Mexico.

[Hargow20]

This guy that works for a meat distributor told me the cattle are grass fed. The cattle in the US are corn fed.

Probably a marketing thing? I can distinguish beef based on the cut, or if it's a dairy cow vs roaming. But I can't distinguish based on where the cow was raised. Too advance for my taste. But for rich people, I suspect they linked pricing with quality. So they insist on paying for that little extra because a 9. 9 steak isn't good enough.

[Sol12]

What kinds of tacos does this stand have? Want to try some tacos besides Asada, Adobe, etc.

They seem to have raised priced quite a bit like HK. What are the price ranges in Pesos?

May I make a suggestion and at least go for a little walk to Revo and try some more regular taco places. I know many of you don't like to take taxis to the better places to eat but downtown is a short walk and it gets you away from the Zona if only for a little while. Plenty of options and you are also supporting small local businesses compared to giving all your money to HK.

Just as an example they just opened a Taco Museum on Revo, I know some might find it cheesy but if you've never been to Mexico some might be interested and a good place to kill some time. Hopefully some of you try it to let others know if it's any good.

https://www.sandiegored.com/en/news/...ity-of-Tijuana

[Rainman306]

What kinds of tacos does this stand have? Want to try some tacos besides Asada, Adobe, etc.

They seem to have raised priced quite a bit like HK. What are the price ranges in Pesos?

[Captain Solo]

AYCE Brazil grill for about $18, beers $2. New location near Hidalgo market, closer to La Zona Norte, is nice, clean, classy, quiet with excellent service, easy underground parking, unlike the old location. I just did not like the noisy 5-man mariachi band with big brass instruments. Prefer light violin or guitar music while dining.

Servers bring out grilled skewers of various meats and seafood constantly. Captains come by and ask what cuts you want so they can bring out, usually in about 5 minutes. Salad bar is very good, salads, fresh vegs, cheeses, carpaccios, soups. Desert station is small.

They did not have prime rib but rolled out a big BBQ rib slab on a cart, tasty, full of beefy flavors, succulent, melt in your mouth tender, the BBQ sauce has just the right balance sweet, tangy, spicy for my taste. Ask servers what cuts they are serving, or point to the cuts you want in the list below and ask them to bring out. They also bring out special items, not on skewer, that cost extra, like Cognacs, sweets, shrimp flambe, costed us 180 pesos extra. Ask them for cost before ordering.

To me Pampas' meats are much tastier, juicier and even cheaper than Churrascaria do Brasil (about $29).

Mr. Pampas Financiera.

Blvrd Gral Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada 9590, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, 22010 Tijuana.

MRPAMPAS.COM

Cortes de res, pollo, pavo, cordero, mariscos, cerdo.

Beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, seafood, pork cuts.

Médula ósea Bone marrow.

Aguja Norteña Short rib Northern Spire.

Asado de tira strip roast.

Camarones Shrimp.

Chistorra Red chorizzo from Basque.

Pierna de cordero leg of lamb.

Chorizo brasileño Brazilian sausage.

Churrasco Steak.

Costilla BBQ BBQ Rib.

Costilla de Res Beef Rib.

Filete mignon filet mignon.

Negritos con tocino Black sausage with bacon.

Picaña Chuck steak.

Arrachera Skirt steak.

Pechuga de pollo con limon Chicken breast with lemon.

Pulpo Octopus.

Tomahawk Tomahawk.

Sirloin Sirloin.

Tripa de leche Steamed fatty intestine.

Trompo al pastor Pork roti.

Filete al limon Filet mignon with lemon.

Filete a la mostaza Filet mignon with mustard.

Sirloin con ajo Sirloin with garlic.

Pina Roast pineapple.