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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of San Marcos

Mexican and taco spots

Made for those who view a well-crafted taco as the only acceptable standard for Mexican cuisine.

Based on 641 Opinions
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01
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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.

Tacos come packed and tasty with tender, juicy meats like carne asada and chicken. Options include carnitas and fish tacos, all served fresh and flavorful.

People are saying

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

"The tacos here are packed and tasty."

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.

02
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Small and humble Mexican restaurant with a quiet atmosphere. Offers authentic tacos, delicious red salsa, and silky fries alongside a variety of flavorful dishes. Serves amazing burritos and well-prepared meats in a modest setting.

Tacos come with fresh vegetables and lemons and include options like fried fish, fried potato, Lengua, and Al Pastor. The red salsa is tasty and complements the authentic flavors well.

Tacos come with fresh vegetables and lemons and are well-proportioned. Options include fried fish, fried potato, fried beef, Lengua, and Al Pastor, all tasting authentic and delicious.

People are saying

"The Bistek con Papas Mexican Food is just right."

"I loved the fried fish and potato tacos; they were delicious."

Good to know

1

Restroom availability may be limited; plan accordingly.

2

The restaurant is small, which may affect seating capacity.

3

Expect shorter wait times during off-peak hours.

03
Señor Panchos Mexican Restaurant image 1
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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.

Tacos stand out with lean and crispy carnitas and spectacular asada with onions and roasted chile. Mini tacos like 3 Cabeza and Pollo asada offer tasty, satisfying bites.

People are saying

"You have to try their tacos; they're delicious and I've never been disappointed."

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

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.

04
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Luxurious interior and colorful decor create a spectacular Baja California atmosphere. The place offers fresh, high-quality seafood with standout fish and shrimp tacos. Seating is first come, first serve, and salsa options add variety to the experience.

Fish and shrimp tacos stand out with their large size and single tortilla. The menu includes octopus tacos, ceviche tostada, and a surf and turf burrito. Lime wedges and chipotle sauce accompany the dishes.

Shrimp and fish tacos come Baja-style with large portions and just one tortilla each. The fish tacos are grilled and served with plenty of limes and chipotle sauce.

People are saying

"The fish and shrimp tacos here are huge and delicious."

"I loved their fish tacos; they were unbeatable."

Good to know

1

Expect a $1 fee for credit card use at checkout.

2

Fish tacos cost $3 each, and shrimp tacos cost $5 each.

3

Seating is first come, first serve; arrive early to secure a spot.

05
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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.

Mini tacos stand out with large portions and a variety of menu items. Specials like happy hour and Taco Tuesday offer combos including tacos, rice, beans, and beer.

People are saying

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

"The burritos here are so big, I had to take some home."

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.

06
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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.

Tacos come with authentic flavors and stay very fresh. Varieties like carne asada and carnitas offer great taste at reasonable prices.

People are saying

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

"I found their tacos to be a gem."

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.

07
Frida’s Taqueria San Marcos image 1
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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.

Tacos come with authentic TJ style and fresh toppings made right in front of you. Options like Papa Asada and Al Pastor offer rich, bold flavors at affordable prices.

People are saying

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

"The tacos here are delicious, especially the carne asada."

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.

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Mexican restaurant offers nice seating with some small outdoor tables and a varied menu including seafood and multiple meat options. Atmosphere features great vibes complemented by a solid beer selection that pairs well with tacos. Tacos like Al Pastor and Birria stand out for quality and flavor.

Al Pastor on the spit comes in a proper roll with authentic flavors from childhood. Tacos and ceviche stay fresh and flavorful, with options like diablo shrimp burrito and killer lengua and cabeza tacos adding variety.

Tacos feature real deal El Pastor on the spit served in a proper roll with options like killer lengua and cabeza. House salsas and toppings like roasted onions, jalapenos, and pickled habaneros add incredible flavor to each taco.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos here were great and flavorful."

"I thought the fish tacos were delicious and great."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesdays offer tacos for $2.99 each.

2

They charge for bottled water; no complimentary water is available.

3

Expect to pay for spicy carrots and limes.

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San Marcos, California

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