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Local picks in San Marcos

Mexican food with carne asada

You are looking for a place that treats carne asada with the respect it deserves as a staple of Mexican cooking.

Based on 776 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Craft Coast Beer & Tacos image 1
Craft Coast Beer & Tacos image 2
Craft Coast Beer & Tacos image 3
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Hip open-air brewery with extensive outdoor seating and a permanent taco truck creates a lively atmosphere. Loud music fills both indoor and patio areas, making conversation difficult. Frequented by those who enjoy top-notch craft beer and highly rated tacos in a relaxed, industrial park setting.

Tacos stand out with carne asada and al pastor full of flavor and perfectly prepared. Birria nachos come loaded and pair well with the craft beer selection.

Carne asada stands out with its full flavor and perfect preparation. The taco bowl offers a good portion size and the tacos come in a birria style that many find amazing.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos here were the best I've had in a while."

"I thought the tacos here were the best I've had in a while."

"The carne asada tacos were full of flavor and amazing."

Good to know

1

The restaurant does not serve burritos, nachos, or 'dillas'.

2

Parking is available around the back, with wheelchair accessible spots up front.

3

The place gets busy around 6:30 pm, so expect a wait for a table.

02
Puras Papas - Food Truck image 1
Mexican restaurant

Food truck offers authentic Mexican dishes with large portions and affordable prices. Outdoor seating creates a casual, open-air vibe. The menu includes vegetarian options, making it accessible to different diets.

Birria tacos and consomé stand out with rich flavor and generous toppings like onion, cilantro, and cheese. The salsas are incredible and complement dishes like carne asada quesadillas, California burritos, and birria tamales well.

Large portions and good flavor define the carne asada burrito, priced around $12. Carne asada also appears in fries and a quesadilla, both tasty options.

People are saying

"The food here is fresh and delicious."

"These quesabirria tacos are the best Mexican food I've ever had."

"The carne asada burrito had large portions and good flavor."

Good to know

1

Puras Papas is a woman-owned food truck offering vegetarian options.

2

The food truck is located near In-N-Out burger with other food trucks.

3

Puras Papas is known for large portions at reasonable prices.

03
Ernes Mexican Food & Breakfast image 1

Small, authentic Mexican food spot with a welcoming vibe and family-owned atmosphere. Generous portions feature tender, flavorful meats and a well-stocked salsa bar. The place offers a casual, unpolished setting with a focus on hearty, traditional dishes.

Carne asada fries come hot, fresh, and crispy with a perfect balance of flavors. Tacos feature tender, juicy meats and generous portions, complemented by a salsa bar and authentic Mexican flavors.

Carne asada here is consistently tender and flavorful across tacos, burritos, and fries. The carne asada fries stand out as hot, fresh, and crispy with a perfect balance of flavors.

People are saying

"The tacos here are packed and tasty."

"The Mexican food here is tasty, with delicious tacos and burritos."

"The Carne Asada here is so tender and juicy."

Good to know

1

A taco and a soda cost about four dollars.

2

The restaurant offers beer and burritos.

3

Expect generous portion sizes.

04
Taqueria El Patron image 1

Large, open dining space offers a clean and comfortable setting with spacious seating and cool decor. Atmosphere feels lively yet relaxed, supported by a fantastic salsa bar and a menu known for authentic, highly praised tacos. No alcohol service inside, but specialty mules are available.

Tacos here stand out for their soft tortillas and fresh, flavorful meat, especially the asada and pastor varieties. The salsa bar offers a fantastic green salsa that complements the dishes well.

Carne asada appears in several dishes like tacos, torta, and fries. Some tacos lack cilantro or onions, and the carne asada can be a bit bland.

People are saying

"I found the tacos here to be pretty damn delicious."

"I found the Mexican food, especially the tacos, to be pretty damn delicious."

"The Carne Asada tacos were so delicious."

Good to know

1

Tripe tacos cost $3, and other tacos cost $5.49.

2

They charge a 4% fee for credit card payments.

3

They don't serve beer or any other alcohol.

05
Germán Seafood Food Truck image 1
Seafood restaurant

Food truck offers large portions of seafood with fresh shrimp and best fish tacos known for their flavor and size. Atmosphere feels ordinary, but food quality stands out with savory seafood cocktails and a variety of choices. Prices vary, sometimes high, but many find the experience worth it.

Fish tacos come battered and fried to order, fresh and flavorful with a habanero salsa option. Shrimp tacos, shrimp ceviche tostada, and carne asada tacos also stand out for their size and taste.

Carne asada tacos come with a strong, savory flavor. The carne asada quesadillas offer a fantastic, delicious twist on the classic.

People are saying

"The fish tacos here are fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly."

"I thought the fish tacos were the best I ever had."

"I thought the fish tacos were the best I ever had."

Good to know

1

The price of each taco is $3.75.

2

The grilled fish burrito costs $18.

3

Portions are large enough to share; a medium-sized portion can feed two.

06
Tony's Fresh Mexican Food image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant open 24/7 with drive-thru and big TVs playing soccer. Atmosphere is cool and clean, sometimes freezing inside. Known for fast, authentic burritos and unique salsa options, it serves as a reliable late-night food spot.

Carne asada fries and Golden Egg Burrito stand out as favorites. Freshly made salsas and waters complement a strong selection of Mexican dishes including breakfast tacos and rolled tacos. The salsa bar and chips add to the late-night burrito appeal.

Carne asada shines in the fries and fajitas, with the fries pairing well with tomatillo salsa. Burritos and tacos also feature carne asada, including options with egg and breakfast styles.

People are saying

"I loved the huge supreme burritos with great filling."

"The Golden Egg Burrito was the best breakfast burrito I had ever had."

"I found the carne asada fries to be very good."

Good to know

1

Tony's Fresh Mexican Food is open 24/7, making it a great late-night option.

2

The restaurant has a drive-thru for quick service at any hour.

3

Paying cash gives a 4% discount on your order.

07
Nacho’s Taco Shop image 1
Mexican restaurant

Cozy Mexican restaurant with authentic tacos and generous portions creates a friendly atmosphere where staff speak both English and Spanish. The place offers highly recommended carne asada burritos and a variety of flavorful dishes. Clean interior and fair prices contribute to a welcoming vibe.

Carne asada burritos stand out for their juicy, grilled meat and reasonable size. The menu also features carnitas, shrimp burritos, and chilaquiles, all consistently flavorful and well-prepared.

Juicy carne asada gets cooked fresh after ordering. Burritos come in reasonable sizes with great flavors across tacos and nachos, though nachos could use more flavor.

People are saying

"I drove 60 miles for their carne asada tacos."

"I've been getting their juicy carnitas for over 10 years."

"I thought the carne asada burritos were delicious and reasonably sized."

Good to know

1

The restaurant opens at 7:00 a.m.

2

Breakfast burritos are ready by 7:15 a.m.

3

The prices are good and affordable.

08
Señor Panchos Mexican Restaurant image 1

Small Mexican restaurant shaped like a choo choo train with a drive-through and recently remodeled dining area. Atmosphere feels cozy and relaxed despite occasional heat during the day. Known for large portions and reasonable prices offering strong value for authentic Mexican food.

Carne asada fries stand out with amazing flavor, paired with surf and turf burritos loaded with shrimp and high-quality carne asada. Tacos like carnitas and beef cheek come lean, crispy, and packed with taste.

Carne asada here is very good and flavorful, featured in huge, delicious burritos and bowls. The carne asada fries and nachos come in large portions and get consistent praise for quality and taste.

People are saying

"I thought the carne asada burrito was the best I'd ever eaten."

"The carne asada here is juicy and seasoned perfectly."

"I thought the carne asada was exceptionally good and seasoned correctly."

Good to know

1

The prices are reasonable, offering great value for large portions.

2

Expect big portions that are worth the price paid.

3

The drive-thru is super convenient for quick takeout.

09
Sayulitas Mexican Food image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers huge portions with a focus on meat-filled burritos and a variety of fresh salsas. The atmosphere is comfortable and clean without being fancy. Pricing tends to be higher than average, reflecting the size and quality of the meals.

Burritos stand out for their large size and rich fillings like carne asada, guacamole, and queso. Tacos come with fresh salsa and generous toppings, and fries get loaded with guacamole, sour cream, meat, and salsa.

Carne asada comes in massive portions that satisfy two people easily. Burritos, fries, and rolled tacos feature rich combinations like pork and carne asada or hot cheeto toppings, making for mouth watering meals.

People are saying

"This burrito is gigantic, easily big enough to share."

"The Mexican food here, especially the burritos, is huge and delicious."

"This Carne Asada is huge, enough to share with someone."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday features a special for $7.99, including 3 tacos, rice, beans, and a beer.

2

Happy hour offers discounted food and drinks from 4-6pm on weekdays.

3

Weekly specials are advertised on their Instagram account.

10
Lourdes Mexican Food image 1
Mexican restaurant

Low key Mexican restaurant with affordable prices and consistent quality. Atmosphere suits takeout rather than dining in, attracting locals who appreciate classic dishes like chicken soup and burritos. Portion sizes tend to be small, and the vibe is straightforward without fancy touches.

Soft, chewy tortillas pair with dishes like Carne Asada Fries and mole burritos that balance flavors well. A salsa bar offers a great collection of spicy condiments, and vegetarian options like the veggie tostada are available.

Carne Asada Fries stand out as a highlight here. Burritos with carne asada, including the breakfast and mole varieties, come highly recommended and can be prepared quickly with a call ahead.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be fantastic and top-notch."

"I loved their breakfast burritos and carne asada burritos."

"I thought the carne asada burritos were awesome."

Good to know

1

Lourdes Mexican Food is primarily a takeout-only place, not suitable for dining in.

2

Parking is easy and accessible near the restaurant.

3

Prices are generally high, with burritos costing around $18.

11
Frida’s Taqueria San Marcos image 1

Mexican restaurant with a cafeteria-style setup and an open, multi-unit space near a movie theater creates a lively, casual atmosphere. Freshly made tacos offer authentic TJ style flavors with generous portions at affordable prices. A well-stocked salsa bar adds to the street taqueria vibe.

Tacos here capture the essence of Mexico City with authentic TJ style street tacos priced at $1.99 each. The Al Pastor and Carne Asada tacos stand out, often served with melted cheese or a side of consome for dipping.

Carne asada appears in tacos, fries, and baked potatoes with grilled onions and peppers. The meat tends to be very salty and comes with various toppings.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos here were the best with lots of good flavors."

"These nachos are huge; you'll need a container for leftovers."

"I found the carne asada tacos with all the toppings delicious."

Good to know

1

Tacos cost $1.99 each on Taco Tuesdays and Thursdays.

2

Expect a busy atmosphere on Taco Tuesdays.

3

Cash payments are preferred due to a 3% surcharge on credit cards.

12
Tacos Alex image 1
Mexican restaurant

Tiny Mexican restaurant with cozy decorations and a small outdoor area offers authentic tacos known for their fast cooking. Limited seating and few parking spots create a compact, intimate vibe. Tacos stand out for quality despite the modest space.

Tacos come with fresh tortillas and beans that taste great. Options like al pastor cooked on the trompo, carnitas from the copper pot, and grilled asada offer authentic, flavorful street tacos.

Carne asada offers large pieces with a full flavor but can be a bit fatty. Some servings include more beans and may be undercooked.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos here were the best I ever had."

"I thought the Mexican food here was the best I ever had."

"I found the carne asada to be excellent and full of flavor."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited with only about five spots available.

2

Expect long wait times during rush hour; arrive early to avoid crowds.

3

Tacos are priced at $3.50 each, which some may find expensive.

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San Marcos, California

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