Baja California Taco Crawl

Where to enjoy some of Baja's Best Tacos

Posted on January 31, 2023 by W. Scott Koenig in Baja California, Cross Border, Ensenada, Ensenada, Food, Rosarito Beach, Tecate, Tijuana // 0 Comments

Baja's Best Tacos, Baja California, Tacos, Baja California Tacos

Baja California has been a magnet for immigrants from all around Mexico for over a century. The result is that Mexico’s 29^th state is now home to a broad representation of much of the country’s diverse regional cuisines and dishes—including tacos. From tacos guisados from Mexico City to tacos de mariscos (seafood) from the coast of Sinaloa, Baja’s best tacos can be found all along the frontera from Tijuana to Tecate.

If you’re ready for a deeper dive into the taco culture of Baja California, join one of our Three Amigos Tijuana Taco Tours (our next tour is on February 18, 2023). We sample anywhere from five to eight different taquerias, enjoy mezcal and craft beer tastings, and make it easy for you to enjoy Baja’s best tacos!

Here are just a few of Baja’s best tacos to consider for your Baja California Taco Crawl…

Tijuana

Cachanilla Taco @ Asadero Tecolote

Apologies for not including Mexicali here. I haven’t explored the capital city’s tacos enough to give a credible rec. But I have enjoyed the Cachanilla taco at Asadero Tecolote, a small chain from Baja California’s capital. It’s a hefty Mexicali style taco of perfectly seasoned ribeye carne asada with griddled jack cheese served on a flour tortilla. There are more than 20 salsas and garnishes available to make it your own. Watch the review on Tacos with Muchachos here.

Chile Relleno Taco @ Tacos Mike

Tacos Mike in Tijuana’s Zona Este neighborhood is crowded with locals hungry for tacos varios—also known as guisados—an assortment of stewed and cooked vegetables, meats, and more. One of Baja’s best tacos, their massive chile relleno taco features a battered and deep fried poblano chile gorged with a generous amount of melted jack cheese. Top it with house-made salsa verde and nopalitos (cactus salad). So big, one taco is a meal unto itself.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Taco @ Mariscos Los Cangrejos

Mariscos Los Cangrejos is located in a ramshackle palapa beach shack smack dab in the center of Tijuana’s urban hustle. They offer a variety of seafood tacos, including their delectable bacon-wrapped shrimp taco. Perfectly grilled, plump shrimp are wrapped in smokey bacon. The taco is dressed with papaya, cabbage, cilantro, and chipotle crema. This flawless taco pairs well with a house-mixed michelada. Watch the review on Tacos with Muchachos here.

Rosarito

Suadero Taco @ Taqueria el Sureño

Taqueria el Sureño specialize in tacos served further south of the border. Their tripa (small intestine) is served “wet”, just like they do it in Mexico City (most Baja taquerias serve them crispy, Sonoran style). Their suadero, another CDMX tradition, is sublime. The fatty flavorful cut–found near the brisket–is fried to perfection, crisped on the outside and moist inside. It’s served on a sumptuous corn tortilla. Watch the review on Tacos with Muchachos here.

Tacos “Perrónes” @ Tacos el Yaqui

Tacos el Yaqui Perrónes were recently recognized by a major food publication as the “Best Taco in the World”. Whether that’s true or not lies in the taste buds of the taco taster. But they are certainly one of Baja’s best tacos. Their Sonoran style tacos perrónes feature a large, house-made flour tortilla loaded with seasoned, savory carne asada, dressed with beans and guacamole, and served on a large, house-made flour tortilla. Watch us host vlogger Mark Wiens at Tacos el Yaqui.

Shrimp in Chipotle Crema Taco @ Make Taco

Make Taco is located just two blocks off the main road through town. It’s easy to walk past and not even notice it’s set-back location. Locals love them for their delectable seafood tacos. I came for the bacon-wrapped shrimp taco, but their supplier was late with delivery of the bacon. I “settled” on the excellent taco of grilled jumbo shrimp bathed in a luxuriant chipotle crema. Top it with their fiery house-made habanero salsa. Watch the 1-Minute Taco Review here.

Ensenada

Adobada Taco @ Taqueria el Flamazo

Everybody has their favorite adobada–a near relative of al pastor–in Baja California. Mine is at Taqueria el Flamazo, a taqueria found by the painted race car flames on its outer walls in the town of El Sauzal, just north of Ensenada. Their spit-roasted pork adobada is dripping with citrus, chile, and achiote marinade and its spicy sweet flavor is second to none. They offer several house-made salsas from which to choose. Watch the 1-Minute Taco Review here.

Taco de Lengua @ Taqueria el Trailero

When finished with your adobada at El Flamazo, cross the street and try one of the myriad tacos on offer at the popular Taqueria el Trailero. Everything is good here. From tacos of birria de res and carne asada to Baja style fried fish tacos. One of my favorites is the taco de lengua. The succulent braised tongue is heaped onto a soft, warm corn tortilla and best dressed simply with onion, cilantro, and salsa verde. Watch the 1-Minute Taco Review here.

Fish Taco @ Tacos Floresta

Ask any Enseandense where to find the city’s best fish taco, and most will reply “…over by the church”. Tacos Floresta is located right across the street from Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral. Appropriate, as once you’ve enjoyed their heavenly battered and fried fish tacos of mako shark, you’ll become a convert and want to sing its praises. Top with the requisite cabbage, crema, pico de gallo, and one of their house-made salsas. Watch the 1-Minute Taco Review here.

Tecate

Barbacoa Birria Taco @ Taqueria el Chino

Family-owned and operated Taqueria el Chino is a small street stand where one can enjoy some of the biggest flavors in Baja California. Abigail and her son pit roast borrego (lamb) overnight. The next day, they load the tender meat on the plancha and pour liberal amounts of a complex, flavorful birria consomé on top for a very robust flavor. Grilled nopal cactus paddles provide the perfect complement atop this top taco. Watch the review on Tacos with Muchachos here.

Lengua Taco @ El Lugar de Nos

Mexican chefs like to pay homage to street tacos in a typically “cheffy” fashion. One such example is the lengua taco at El Lugar de Nos. It features melted cheese and heaps of succulent, slow brazed shredded lengua. The taco is finished with a crisp slaw of local vegetables, avocado, and sliced serrano chiles. The entire affair is served on a large house-made corn tortilla and finished with salsa tatemada. Watch the review on Tacos with Muchachos here.

Adobada Vampiro @ Taqueria Los Panchos

Taqueria Los Panchos is located just a few blocks from the U.S.-Mexico border, which positions it perfectly in the taco traveler’s path. They offer all their tacos served in a variety of ways. As traditional tacos, tortas, mulitas, and one of my favorites, vampiros—so named as it’s served between two concave tostadas that resemble bat wings. The umami of the griddled cheese is a tasty counterpoint to the sweet and spicy adobada. Watch the 1-Minute Taco Review here.

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Baja California Taco Crawl

Where to enjoy some of Baja's Best Tacos