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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Local picks in National City

Tacos and salsa

A taco is just a vessel for the salsa, and you need a place that treats the condiment with as much respect as the meat.

Based on 628 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
LA MALCRIADA BIRRIERIA image 1
LA MALCRIADA BIRRIERIA image 2
LA MALCRIADA BIRRIERIA image 3
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Small, quaint restaurant with spacious indoor seating and a patio deck offers a family-friendly atmosphere with good music playing. The vibe is welcoming and casual, suited for relaxed outings. Outdoor seating includes photo spots like a big red chair, adding charm to the environment.

Birria tacos stand out with rich flavors and a green sauce that balances the chicharrรณn taco perfectly. Options include tacos with tripa, chicharrรณn prensado, shrimp, and fresh fish tacos, plus specials like taco Tuesday at $2.50 each.

Salsa comes with good heat and is extremely spicy hot. The salsa macha offered on tables adds a terrific, spicy kick that pairs well with tacos.

People are saying

"This Mexican food tastes just like Tijuana, not Tex-Mex."

"The birria tacos here are beyond good and taste like Tijuana."

"The birria tacos here are outstanding, especially with the pickled onions."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday specials offer regular Birria tacos for $2.50 all day.

2

Parking is easy and accessible near the restaurant.

3

The restaurant offers a variety of birria options.

02
Mr. Pulpo Sea Food image 1

Seafood restaurant occupies a renovated dive bar with a quiet, chill atmosphere and small, comfortable vibe. It serves fresh, delicious tacos and ceviche with affordable prices and generous portions. The space feels clean and welcoming, focusing on simple, tasty dishes without alcohol service yet.

Fish tacos stand out with perfectly battered fish, thin sliced cabbage, and hot red salsa. Shrimp tacos, especially the spicy ones, offer a fresh and delicious option alongside mariscos tijuanenses.

Three sauces stand out: chipotle, green salsa, and red chile de รกrbol salsa. The hot red salsa with thin sliced cabbage adds a sharp kick to the fish tacos.

People are saying

"The food here is so fresh and delicious."

"The fish taco is perfectly cooked and seasoned."

"The fish tacos with the hot red salsa were incredible."

Good to know

1

Fish tacos cost $2 on Taco Tuesday.

2

Parking is available in the back of the restaurant.

3

The facility is very clean and well-maintained.

03
Taqueria Los Chuchys - National City image 1

Small Mexican restaurant offers handmade tortillas and a fresh salsa bar with radishes and hot carrots. Atmosphere feels cozy and unpolished, with a few tables and background music. Tacos are authentic and flavorful, especially carne asada, reflecting a strong connection to traditional flavors.

Tacos feature fresh ingredients and a carbon-grilled carne asada that recalls Tijuana flavors. The tacos de cabeza stand out for their taste, closely matching those from Sinaloa.

Salsas come with a fresh salsa bar featuring radishes and hot carrots. They add delicious flavor that lifts the tacos and handmade tortillas.

People are saying

"The carne asada tacos here are smoky, tender, and have an authentic Tijuana taste."

"These tacos are delicious and authentic, just like in Tijuana."

"The tacos here are delicious, especially with their authentic Tijuana style salsas."

Good to know

1

The restaurant has very few tables, so expect limited seating.

2

There was plenty of parking available for convenience.

3

The wait time wasnโ€™t bad at all during my visit.

04
Mi Pastor Town image 1
Mexican restaurant

Kitchen inside a liquor store offers small indoor seating with a cozy, lively atmosphere filled with the aroma of cooked food. The space feels like a hidden gem with authentic Mexican flavors and a unique setting that transports diners to Mexico.

Tacos pack juicy, tasty meat with simple but outstanding toppings. Options like al pastor, fish, and carne asada deliver authentic flavors at a great price.

Salsas come in a variety with options like salsa verde and mango habanero. They add a zesty kick that pairs well with the food.

People are saying

"The Mexican food, especially the tacos, is authentic and delicious."

"These tacos are amazing, with juicy meat and outstanding toppings."

"The tacos here are beyond amazing and authentic."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited at this location, requiring a short walk.

2

The place is located inside a mart and is not really a sit-down dining area.

3

The tacos contain nuts, so customers should be cautious if they have nut allergies.

05
California's Taco Shop image 1
Taco restaurant

Taco restaurant offers variety of tacos including traditional and adventurous options with big portions and a salsa bar. Atmosphere feels warm and inviting with tidy, welcoming setting and music playing. Evenings bring a crowd, while daytime can be quiet.

Tacos come in traditional carne asada and carnitas, plus more adventurous options like rolled tacos and birria. Fish tacos and rodeo roll tacos stand out, paired well with green salsa and guacamole.

Fresh salsas come with a salsa bar that invites trying different flavors with every bite. The green salsa stands out as a recommended choice.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and a great value."

"You've got to try the rolled tacos; they're delicious."

"The salsa here is so fresh and great."

Good to know

1

The prices listed on the menu may differ from what you are charged.

2

California's Taco Shop offers a variety of tacos, including adventurous options.

3

Expect good portion sizes for the price.

06
Los Burritos image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican restaurant with limited indoor and outdoor seating, featuring a clean patio with bright flowers. Atmosphere feels like family, casual and quick with a TV on in the dining room. Known for flavorful salsas, well-seasoned Monster Burritos, and a drive-thru option.

Tacos de cabeza come with double tortillas and enough meat for two tacos. Rolled tacos are really small and the shredded chicken in them tends to be dry.

Salsas here are very flavorful and pair well with dishes like the bean and cheese burritos served with salsa quemada.

People are saying

"The tacos here are fresh and flavorful."

"The outdoor seating area is always so clean and bright with flowers."

"The salsas here are really flavorful and excellent."

Good to know

1

The menu includes popular Mexican dishes like burritos, chile relleno, and carne asada.

2

Los Burritos has a drive-thru option for quick service.

3

Expect to pay around $20 if you add beans and rice to your burrito.

07
Carnitas Quiroga image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small, clean space offers both inside and outside seating with a family-friendly, welcoming vibe. Guests receive free samples and tacos upon arrival, enhancing the chill, friendly atmosphere despite occasionally annoying music.

Tacos come with shredded pork or beef, served fresh and large. Free tacos often arrive before the main order, showcasing the carnitas flavor.

Green salsa stands out as fresh and flavorful. Package deals include carnitas, rice, beans, salsa, and tortillas for $21. Corundas made with corn masa come in pork and poblano cream sauce.

People are saying

"I found the carnitas here to be the best I ever had."

"I found the tacos here to be amazing and delicious."

"I found the carnitas to be super delicious and not dry at all."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is fairly new and currently has no wait for a table.

2

They have package deals that include carnitas, rice, beans, salsa, and tortillas for $21.

3

The 2.99 Taco Tuesday deal applies only to mini tacos, not regular-sized tacos.

08
La Lomita Mexican Grill image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers generous portions and flavorful carne asada fries that stand out. Atmosphere feels warm and inviting despite a somewhat gray interior. Regulars come for classic dishes like burritos and menudo, appreciating the selection of hot sauces.

Rolled tacos stand out with their perfect seasoning and great flavor. Tacos come with fresh tortillas and tasty beans, offering a consistently flavorful experience.

Salsas have a great taste and are consistently very good. The cashier, Joselyn, heads to the back when salsa is requested and seems bothered by the ask.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing and delicious."

"I found the tacos here to be really flavorful and enjoyable."

"I really enjoyed the great taste of the salsas here."

Good to know

1

The restaurant was recently closed by the health department due to vermin issues.

2

Portion sizes are generally generous, often enough for two meals.

3

Prices have increased while the portions have shrunk over the years.

09
Los Titos Mexican Food image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with authentic cuisine and generous portions offers a welcoming vibe and clean environment. Menu includes varied salsas and micheladas, with standout dishes like carnitas tacos and quesadilla supreme. Prices vary, with some items noted as expensive relative to portion size.

Tacos feature fresh ingredients with a perfect balance of spices. Options include Potato Tacos, Shredded Beef, and Taco de Cabezas, alongside other Mexican favorites.

Four types of salsa come with the meal, including two spicy options. The salsa offers a perfect kick and often stands out more than the food itself.

People are saying

"I loved the tacos; the ingredients were fresh with a perfect balance of spices."

"I loved their tacos; the ingredients were so fresh."

"The salsa here is delicious, with some spicy options."

Good to know

1

Los Titos Mexican Food is open late at night.

2

The menu features traditional Mexican dishes crafted with care.

3

Expect generous portions at reasonable prices.

10
Los Panchos Taco Shop image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with a clean dining area and a salsa bar offers a casual, relaxed atmosphere suitable for conversation. Portions are generally plentiful and prices remain reasonable. The menu features varied burritos and tacos, with some items standing out for quality and flavor.

Rolled tacos stand out with a crispy texture and come with a wacamole and sour cream mix sauce. Tacos like Tacos de Cabeza and fish tacos offer tasty, filling options at a great price.

Salsas here come in different varieties and lean toward the spicy side. The salsa bar stays clean and offers great flavors.

People are saying

"The food here is fresh and really delicious."

"You've got to try the rolled tacos; they're the best in town."

"I loved their different salsas."

Good to know

1

Parking can be hit or miss due to a busy lot.

2

Prices are reasonable, with burritos costing around $10.

3

No alcohol is available at this location.

11
El Nuevo Milenio image 1
Mexican restaurant

Protective bars across the counter create a prison-like atmosphere in a simple, unadorned space. The vibe is casual and familiar, with carne asada tacos and fries standing out as popular choices. Prices are notably lower than many competitors, maintaining a consistent flavor profile reminiscent of traditional home cooking.

Tacos here have fresh and flavorful ingredients with a taste that recalls home cooking. Rolled tacos stand out as plentiful and tasty, offered at prices about half of other shops nearby.

Salsas stand out here with green and red varieties that get a lot of praise. The red salsa often comes up as a favorite, while the green salsa is consistently described as great.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be really good and flavorful."

"These tacos taste really good and remind me of home."

"The carne asada burrito's salsa tasted great."

Good to know

1

The price of a California burrito is $11.46, with an extra $2 for sour cream.

2

Portions at El Nuevo Milenio are large, providing good value for the price.

3

Drive-thru service is available, making it convenient for late-night visits.

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National City, California

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