7 Essential San Diego Mexican Food Trucks

Rev up your taste buds and embark on a flavorful fiesta as we hit the streets in search of culinary delights. San Diego Mexican food trucks, the nomadic wonders of the gastronomic world, beckon with a caravan of south-of-the-border antojitos (Mexican appetizers/snacks).

From tantalizing birria de res, a spiced and stewed beef sensation, to the oceanic marvels of mariscos and the mouthwatering embrace of tortas, these wheeled wonders have it all. So, tighten your seatbelts (and loosen your belt buckles) as we unveil 7 San Diego Mexican food trucks you absolutely can’t miss (in no particular order). Vamonos!

1. Mariscos German Beyer, San Ysidro

At Mariscos German Beyer, amicable owner Jorge Fuentes delights customers with seafood tacos, cocktails, aguachiles, and oysters from his renowned food truck. Their latest undersea creation is the “Melty Gaucho” – a heavenly combination of grilled octopus, smoked tuna, arugula, avocado, and chimichurri on sumptuous sandwich bread. Fried in butter with Jack and provolone, it’s undoubtedly the best grilled cheese sandwich you’ll ever taste. Location and Hours

2. Xolotacos San Diego, Chula Vista

Several San Diego taquerias come close to replicating the authenticity of Tijuana style tacos. However, the tacos served at recent TJ import, food truck Xolotacos San Diego, are a match of their south-of-the-border counterparts. Renowned for their birria de res (spiced and stewed beef) served with a generous bone of tuétano (marrow), they specialize in tacos dorados, where the tortilla is dipped in tallow and crisped to perfection on the griddle. Location and Hours

3. Corazón de Torta, Various Locations

Border vivant Tony Tee and talented Tijuana chef José Figueroa launched the Corazón de Torta food truck in 2017. The revered truck consistently serves up the city’s finest guisados tortas and tacos. Their albondiga torta features meatballs infused with chicharron, delivering a delightful crunch and irresistible flavor. Tony typically parks at the Klover Dispensary in Mission Hills Wednesdays, Pure Project North Park Thursdays, and Fall Brewing Company in North Park Fridays and Saturdays. Location and Hours

4. El Cacho, Chula Vista

Parked next to the Xolotacos food truck, El Cacho is another Tijuana import–they have two locations in TJ–that recently rolled up north of the border. El Cacho specializes in seafood tacos and Sinaloa style mariscos. Their Chula Juana tostada consists of meaty morsels of tuna topped with caramelized onions and avocado crema atop a blue corn tortilla. Their gobernador–a grilled shrimp taco with cheese and green bell peppers–is perhaps the best in town. Location and Hours

5. El Tió Pepe Food Truck, Chula Vista

El Tío Pepe, a butcher from Guadalajara, moved to Tijuana in 1994 and started preparing tortas ahogadas (a “drowned” Mexican sandwich)—well regarded by local carnitas connoisseurs. You can find Pepe and his family behind the wheel (and plancha) of his truck in Chula Vista serving up the same porky goodness. The Chavez taco is crafted using costilla (pork rib meat) heaped on a warm, house-made corn tortilla. Order it con todo and fresh guacamole and a textured, zesty pico de gallo are added. Location and Hours

6. Birrieria La Loteria, Lemon Grove

Family-owned since 2021, Birrieria Loteria has perfected the art of one thing: birria de res. Their signature dish boasts a remarkable depth of flavor, making it a tantalizing choice for breakfast or lunch. But don’t wait too long to visit, as they often sell out by late afternoon. Their options are plenty; you can savor the birria in various forms – tacos, quesabirria, tortas, burritos, ramen, and even a birria grilled cheese sandwich. Location and Hours

7. Birrieria y Mariscos el Prieto, Chula Vista, College Area, El Cajon

At Birrieria y Mariscos el Prieto, there’s a treat for all taste buds. The birria de res taco is generously portioned and bursting with flavor. For seafood lovers, their wide range of mariscos options includes cocteles, ceviches, and tacos. Personally, I can’t get enough of their Los Cabos taco, a heavenly combination of smoked tuna, grilled shrimp, and octopus. You can find them in El Cajon, the College Area, and their OG truck in Chula Vista. Location and Hours

Embark on a flavorful fiesta and explore our 10 essential San Diego Mexican food trucks. From the spiced and stewed beef sensation of Birrieria La Loteria to Mariscos German Beyer’s heavenly seafood delights, these nomadic wonders offer a mouthwatering array of Mexico’s best.