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Best of San Diego

Churros and salsa

The sweetness of a churro finds a strange but welcome balance with a side of spicy salsa.

Based on 616 Opinions
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Updated June 2026
01
Mike's Red Tacos - Point Loma image 1
Mike's Red Tacos - Point Loma image 2
Mike's Red Tacos - Point Loma image 3
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Roomy dining areas combine with inside and outside seating to create a clean, modern environment. A self-serve salsa bar offers various options, adding a unique touch to the experience. The atmosphere feels chill and cozy, enhanced by views of a green field and mountains in the background.

Loaded churros stand out with their rich flavors and satisfying toppings. Dessert churros, including strawberry churros, offer a sweet finish that complements the savory dishes well.

Salsa options come with a great selection and super tasty flavors. They offer choices for those who prefer less heat and even have a salsa bar with multiple options.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing, truly top tier."

"The birria here is so flavorful and unforgettable."

"You have to try the loaded churros; they're to die for."

Good to know

1

On Tuesdays, a free taco is offered with meal combo orders.

2

Expect a lively atmosphere on Taco Tuesdays with many locals attending.

3

Parking is available nearby, but can fill up quickly during peak hours.

02
TACO CENTRO image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican restaurant with open kitchen and fresh tortilla making visible from inside. Atmosphere shifts from warm and inviting to loud music on busy days, with an outdoor patio offering a quieter option. Extensive salsa bar provides a wide variety of sauces to complement the food.

Fresh fried churros come out fluffy and exceptional with a quality that stands out. They satisfy sweet cravings and pair well with savory dishes like chicken tacos.

An abundant salsa bar offers a variety of fresh, homemade salsas and pico. It includes grilled onions, grilled jalapeños, radish, and pickled onions for added flavor options.

People are saying

"I found the Mexican food, especially the tacos, to be spectacular."

"The salsa bar offered a great variety of phenomenal, fresh salsas."

"I've never had churros this good; they were warm and fresh."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers $5 beers on Taco Tuesdays from 6 PM.

2

Taco specials are available on Tuesdays and game days.

3

Expect the restaurant to be busy on Taco Tuesdays, around 75% full.

03
Johnny Mañanas Ocean Beach image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers colorful storefront and outdoor seating with views of the pier. Atmosphere shifts from quiet early afternoons to a lively vibe later, enhanced by Mexican music and a self-serve salsa bar. Affordable drinks include $5 margaritas and draft beers, complementing well-regarded tacos and burritos.

Churros come out crispy and phenomenal. They pair well with other dishes like tacos and burritos.

Salsas come fresh and homemade with many options available for self-service. The habanero salsa stands out as particularly awesome and flavorful.

People are saying

"The staff here are super friendly and attentive."

"These fish tacos are super tasty and crispy."

"I thought the churros were amazing."

Good to know

1

On Tuesdays, enjoy $2.50 street tacos and two for $5 specials.

2

Happy hour features $3 pints and $6 margaritas from 2 to 6 PM and all day on weekends.

3

Outdoor seating is available for dogs.

04
The Taco Stand image 1
Taco restaurant

Space is extremely narrow with limited seating, mostly standing room and a small counter. Atmosphere feels crowded and lively, with Mexican music playing and customers often brushing shoulders. Guests can watch homemade tortillas being prepared and enjoy a serve-yourself salsa bar.

Churros here are consistently described as amazing and among the best ever had. They come highly recommended and are often enjoyed fresh and delicious.

Salsa options cover all spice levels, with a chunky habañero standing out. The extra hot red salsa in closed cups offers a strong kick.

People are saying

"These tacos are worth the wait; they're the best in San Diego."

"I found the salsas to be incredibly flavorful and fresh."

"I found the churros here to be amazing."

Good to know

1

The Taco Stand operates as an order-and-go type place with no seating available.

2

Parking can be challenging at The Taco Stand.

3

I recommend ordering ahead because they get busy.

05
Roxy’s Tacos image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small space with heated outdoor seating and picnic tables creates a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere. Upbeat music adds to the chill vibe while friendly staff contribute to a comfortable experience. Outdoor seating offers a pleasant spot despite the surrounding urban grunge.

Crème filled churros stand out as a sweet option. The churros are very satisfying and come with a friendly touch from the owner who sometimes offers them for free.

Green salsa stands out with a flavor that pops and makes taste buds tingle. Other salsas range from extremely flavorful to the hottest ever tasted, all adding great taste to tacos and chips.

People are saying

"I had the best burrito I’ve ever had."

"The fried fish tacos here are so good, I ordered them again."

"You have to try the crème filled churros; they're the best."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited in the downtown area, so arrive early.

2

Expect long wait times during peak lunch hours.

3

The restaurant does not have a restroom available for customers.

06
La Perla #3 image 1
Restaurant

Small, hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant with a mom and pop vibe and authentic atmosphere. Indoor seating feels cozy but congested, with a lively and loud environment during busy times. Tables arranged like a fast food spot, creating a casual, low-key dining experience.

Stuffed churros feature a light pastry with a carmelly, dolce core of cajeta. They have a substantive texture and work well as a dessert or even a meal.

House-made salsas stand out with both red and green varieties being excellent. The green salsa is notably spicy and often preferred, while the mild red salsa offers a delicious balance.

People are saying

"I had the best California burrito I’ve ever had."

"This burrito is massive and definitely worth the hype."

"These stuffed churros have a perfect carmelly, dolce core."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers tacos for $2.50 each with a discount.

2

Expect a 30-minute wait during peak hours, especially on Fridays.

3

Parking is limited with only 5-7 spots available; street parking may be necessary.

07
Todo Pa' La Cruda image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small, intimate Mexican restaurant with colorful festive decor and a vibrant Día de los Muertos atmosphere. The place feels homelike and welcoming, often packed with a lively crowd. Known for authentic micheladas and standout traditional dishes like pozole and birria.

Churros come out hot and crunchy with a rich flavor. They pair well with ice cream and are often enjoyed alongside other dishes like tacos and seafood soup.

Small, fresh-cut chips come with a secret salsa that stands out. The orange salsa offers a unique, yummy flavor and generous portion size.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here is so authentic and delicious."

"The salsa here is packed with flavor and delicious."

"The churros were hot, crunchy, and very rich."

Good to know

1

Parking can be tricky at times, so arrive early.

2

Expect a wait time of about 45 minutes during peak hours.

3

Taco Tuesday offers three tacos for $9, a good deal.

08
El Sueño image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers a spacious outdoor area with space heaters and a well-stocked bar inside. The atmosphere combines good music with a lively vibe, especially in the upstairs speakeasy bar where dancing happens. Tables are often close together, creating a crowded but energetic setting.

Warm, crispy churros come with ice cream for a sweet finish. The Churro shot offers a surprising twist on this classic dessert.

Four salsas come with house-made chips, featuring two mild-medium and two hot varieties. A red salsa likely made with Arbol chile and a creamy Jalapeño salsa stand out for their unique flavors.

People are saying

"The food here is really, really good."

"Maile's bright personality brought the salsa and made the night memorable."

"The churros and ice cream for dessert were to die for."

Good to know

1

For Taco Tuesday, all appetizers and select tacos are 50% off.

2

The grilled fish tacos cost only $4 during happy hour.

3

Happy hour at El Sueño offers great prices on drinks and appetizers.

09
Hasta Mañana Cantina image 1

Lively restaurant with colorful decor and upbeat Latino music that creates a high-energy atmosphere. Spacious layout includes a large bar offering a wide selection of drinks. Outdoor seating provides a shaded area for a more relaxed experience.

Churros come with a caramel dipping sauce and pair well with Mexican chocolate ice cream or gelato. They arrive as a decadent dessert that complements the meal nicely.

Chips come seasoned and flavorful, similar to a well-known tortilla chip brand. Various homemade salsas and guacamole accompany the chips, with a habanero salsa and extra serranos adding notable spice.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and made with fresh ingredients."

"The chips and salsa here were excellent and flavorful."

"You have to try the churros with ice cream."

Good to know

1

Happy hour on drinks runs from 3-6pm daily.

2

Expect a $6 charge to add meat to quesadillas.

3

Generous portions are served, so come hungry or plan to share.

10
Tony's Fresh Mexican Food image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with 24-hour drive-through and outdoor seating offers a cozy, simple atmosphere with a fast food vibe. The space includes a large saloon bar and standard furnishings that could use updates. It attracts late-night diners looking for hearty, sizable burritos and flavorful green salsa.

Churros come out hot and fresh, often filled with cream cheese for a rich twist. They pair well with warm flan and offer a sweet finish after savory tacos.

Green salsa stands out with its freshness and balanced tangy notes. Salsa Verde ranks among the best in the city, complementing dishes like carne asada torta perfectly.

People are saying

"I found the carne asada burrito to be huge and amazing."

"I thought the green salsa here was the best."

"The churros here are hot and really good."

Good to know

1

Tony's Fresh Mexican Food has a 24-hour drive-through for late-night cravings.

2

Parking is limited, but a drive-through is available for convenience.

3

Expect high prices for portion sizes; sides can cost an extra $2.

11
CLOSED - Tacos el Cabron image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers self-serve salsa bar and large screen volleyball displays creating a casual, laid-back vibe. Music plays loudly, adding energy but making conversation difficult. Outdoor seating is plain and slightly unkempt, contrasting with the cool interior decor.

Churros come with chocolate sauce and serve as a sweet finish after meals. They cost less than $20 with dinner, but sometimes require a wait or can be forgotten in orders.

A salsa bar lets you pick and enjoy salsas your way. The green salsa stands out, thick enough to sip through a straw. Every salsa is hot and delicious, matching exact heat preferences.

People are saying

"These tacos have lots of flavor and tender meats."

"The tacos here are cheap and delicious."

"The churros with chocolate sauce are a nice treat."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers 3 tacos for $10.

2

They close at 3AM on Saturday and Sunday.

3

The place is very tiny and has limited seating.

12
Mr. Ruribertos Mexican Food image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small space with outdoor seating and a rustic, bright atmosphere near the beach creates a casual vibe. Country music plays softly while a salsa bar adds a lively touch. The place draws a mix of locals and late-night diners seeking authentic Mexican flavors.

Churros come crispy on the outside and soft inside with a warm texture. Sugar coating varies, sometimes light, and they often serve churros as a sweet dessert or alongside burritos.

A salsa bar offers a variety of fresh options including salsa verde and hot salsa. Plates come with two kinds of salsa, pico de gallo, and guacamole, adding a flavorful kick to dishes.

People are saying

"I thought this was the best Mexican food in Mission/PB."

"The breakfast burritos here are huge and delicious."

"I enjoyed the warm churros for dessert."

Good to know

1

The restaurant opens at 7 am, but check for any delays.

2

There is no restroom available for customers on the premises.

3

Sufficient seating is available both indoors and outdoors.

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