The 10 Best Birria Tacos in San Diego & Tijuana: The Taco Megaregion

Excerpts From the New Book:

The journey of birria de res is a story of adaptation, ingenuity and compelling flavor that has captivated taco lovers on both sides of the border. Traditionally made with chivo, in Tijuana, birria de res emerged as a response to the scarcity of goat in the region. Cooks in the border city, known for their ingenuity, adapted the recipe using beef, which was more readily available and affordable. This adaptation didn’t just make do; it thrived. In San Diego, a city with deep Mexican roots and a thriving appreciation for traditional flavors, birria de res found a welcoming home. Here’s a list of ten of the best birria tacos in San Diego & Tijuana—the Taco Megaregion:

BEST BIRRIA TACOS: TIJUANA

1. Tacos de Birria del Rio

Tacos de Birria del Rio has been elevating birria de res to an art form since 1986. The crowd of regulars in the colorful dining area is testament to the quality of the tacos here, particularly in a city with dozens of options for this Tijuana specialty.

Guadalupe Victoria 20, Zona Rio, 22010 Tijuana, Mon-Fri: 4 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sat-Sun: 2 a.m. – 2 p.m., +52 664 585 5452, Cash only

2. Tacos de Birria El Sabroso

Tacos de Birria El Sabroso is one of the few taquerias in Tijuana to offer birria de lengua—in which beef tongue is stewed with the same chiles, aromatics and spices used for the birria de res. Tacos are best finished with one of the popular street cart’s three house-made salsas.

Av. Aguascalientes 2237, Colonia Madero (Cacho), 22040 Tijuana, Daily: 7 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., +52 664 821 7971, Cash only

3. Tacos de Birria Martin

At Tacos de Birria Martin, the speedy team of taqueros efficiently combine rich beef birria with unctuous nervio (tendon) for one of the city’s best tacos of its kind. Ask for the taco “con todo” and cilantro, chopped onion and a spicy house salsa are added.

8va. Miguel Hidalgo, San Pablo CTM, Melchor Ocampo, 22000 Tijuana, Daily: 6:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., + 52 664 279 9378, Cash only

4. Tacos Fitos

Located outside Mercado Hidalgo, Tacos Fitos‘ taqueros are known for their agility. They make a show of tossing a spoonful of consomé across the span of several feet into an awaiting corn tortilla filled with birria de res and fried tripas (fried beef small intestines) held in the other hand.

Francisco Javier Mina 1695, Zona Rio, 22010 Tijuana, Daily: 5 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Cash only

5. Birria “Si”

The specialty at Birria “Si” is Poblano-style spiced, stewed and shredded beef, notable for its pronounced flavor of cumin and cinnamon. Just say “si” when asked “¿con todo?”, and onions, cilantro and shredded cabbage—another hallmark of the Poblano style—are added.

Belisario Domínguez y o C. 11 329, Libertad, 22400 Tijuana, Mon, Wed-Sat: 6 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Sun & Tue: 6 a.m. – 4 p.m., +52 664 234 0887, Cash Only

BEST BIRRIA TACOS: SAN DIEGO

1. (TIE) Ed Fernandez Birrieria & La Central

Ed Fernandez Birrieria has been serving savory beef stew to South Bay residents for over twenty years. La Central was launched by a former partner at Ed Fernandez in 2019. Both serve what many consider the best birria de res in San Diego.

Ed Fernandez Birrieria: 2265 Flower Ave. D, Nestor, CA 92154, Wed-Sun: 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., Closed Mon & Tue, (619) 628-8235
La Central: 1290 Hollister St #106, Nestor, CA 92154, Daily: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., (619) 240-3577

2. Tacos El Flaco

At Tacos El Flaco, a family of Tijuana taqueros ventures across the border every weekend to serve a taste of their town’s Mexican flavors. This sidewalk pop-up is  popular with in-the-know regulars. They stew delectable birria de res only on Sunday mornings.

4601 University Ave., Corner of University Ave. & 46^th St., San Diego, CA 92105, Fri-Sat: 4:30 p.m. – 11 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m., Cash & Zelle only, Instagram: @tacos_elflacosd

3. Birrieria La Loteria

Birrieria La Loteria, family-owned since 2021, has perfected the art of one thing: birria de res. Their signature dish boasts a remarkable depth of flavor, making it a great stop for breakfast or lunch. Don’t wait too long to visit, as they often sell out by late afternoon.

6867 Federal Blvd., Lemon Grove, CA 91945, Daily: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Closed when birria runs out, (619) 392-4886

4. Tuétano Taqueria

Tuétano Taqueria opened in San Ysidro in 2018 before relocating to Chula Vista’s bustling Third Avenue. Chef Priscilla Curiel stews some of the city’s most flavorful birria de res, redolent of bay leaves and cinnamon. Top the taco with their signature tuétano (grilled bone marrow).

216 3rd Ave., Chula Vista 91910, Daily: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

5. Xolotacos Food Truck

Several San Diego taquerias come close to replicating the true flavor of Tijuana-style tacos. However, the tacos served at TJ import, food truck Xolotacos, are a nearly perfect match of their south-of-the-border counterparts.

3189 Main St., Chula Vista, CA 91911, Mon, Fri, Sat: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tue: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Wed, Thu, Sun: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., (619) 576-4871

For all 120 of San Diego & Tijuana’s best tacos, get your copy of the new book, Taco Megaregion: The Essential Guide to San Diego & Tijuana’s Best Tacos. On sale now at www.taco-megaregion.com.