Paris has The Eiffel Tower, ramen noodles are a college student’s best friend, and the hip bone’s connected to the thigh bone. What do they all have in common? Nothing really, I was just getting tired of searching for a way to start this entry. San Diego, Californ-I-A: Home of the Padres, Chargers, and the Taco Shops. The Friars may not have swung their oak into the World Series, Norv Turner might’ve thrown off the tempo of an already on-beat pigskin team, but S.D. Taco Shops never seem to have a bad season. Case in point: carne asada fries. A collaboration of America’s favorite finger food and Latin America’s party chow of choice. If only the United Nations could get along this easy.
This popular San Diego dish starts with a foundation of french fries topped with carne asada (marinated grilled steak), guacamole, cheese, and sour cream . Because I don’t bring a scale with me everywhere I go, I’d have to guesstimate that this meal clocks in at about two pounds or more. Most warriors who attempt to tame this beast tend to splash the monster in hot sauce AKA salsa. I’m a fan of the green salsa; I can’t stand that red stuff. Salsa is a must when it comes to carne asada fries. No salsa is like Tom Selleck with no mustache…it’s just not right and it’s a little disrespectful.
As you fellow San Diegans know, “The Greatest Taco Shop” argument is a very historic and heated debate amongst the San Diego locals. I’ve seen many people get pile driven into the ground for sparking up that never ending cage match. Fact: All San Diegans have a taco shop that they call home and they will defend their shop come hell or high water. My home is the Roberto’s located by the Chargers training camp (5150 Murphy Canyon Rd Ste 109 at Clairemont Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92123). Not only do they have free chips, free hot carrots, and the best salsa, but they also have Street Fighter II. The only fall back to my home taco shop is that they close early compared to the other shops. They close at 10pm while many taco shops are 24 hours. YES, you heard me correct, 24 hour taco shops!
Even still, who dares put their taco shop up against mine?
Another weird fact about the San Diego Taco Shop scene is many of the shop names end with “berto’s”. For example (and I’m really not joking), there is a Roberto’s, Alberto’s, Gualberto’s, Nolberto’s, Noberto’s, Humberto’s, Rigoberto’s, Reyberto’s, Eiberto’s, Jilberto’s, Aiberto’s…just to name a few.
So if you’re ever in San Diego make sure you stop by a local taco shop and tell them RamenDays.com sent you. You won’t get any discount by telling them we sent you…we just want you to give us free promotion, haha. Also, make sure you are about 3-4 feet from a bathroom. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
If you don’t like fries you can also get the Carne Asada Chips. MmmMmMMmmm!
Check out Santana’s best salsa award and El Cotixan another great taco shop.
I would have to say that MY favorite taco shop is down the street from where I grew up… and it happens to share my name
Sarita’s Taco Shop in Spring Valley on Campo Rd… I always tell EVERYONE that they HAVE to go there. DELICIOUS. And the meat is juicy and tasty.
PLUS, it has my name.
PLUS PLUS… I’m just glad you didn’t say “Santana’s” because that place is disgusting (the one on Morena Blvd specifically…. went in one time and the bathroom walls were COVERED and SMEARED with feces. Nuff said.)
I wish Analberto’s still existed….god only knows what you’d do with that name.
….dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuun, and the taco shop debate goes digital, haha.
@ Sarita: Though I still have to defend my taco shop, I have to say that the further you go down south the better the food tastes. But let me ask you this: Does your taco shop have Street Fighter II? Ohhh Santana’s is my friend Shaun’s favorite place. He likes the one in Point Loma. I might have to get him in here. Good lookin’ out on letting me know about the one on Morena Blvd…I think I’ve eaten there a couple times too. Ewww feces everywhere….
@ Kirk: Analberto’s…it would make a killing in Hillcrest. Hmmm maybe they moved to San Francisco. Are gay jokes bad? I feel bad now? But it soooo funny
They didn’t have Street Fighter II, but they did have a cool “neo-geo” multi-game arcade game for a while (until they burned down and rebuilt). At least they have a reliable, clean bathroom.
Um… Analbertos? Disgusting. I’m going to assume they were located on Morena Blvd and changed their name to Santana’s.
Sarita, I agree. Good bathrooms are a must for any establishment. So is Street Fighter II. Imagine Street Fighter II at an upscale restaurant…their profits would just go through the roof. I’m talking in the billions…perhaps the trillions
bertos at murphy canyon rd. right next to the dance studio has the best carne asada fries & chimis! im a NYer & when I visit SD yearly, its a MUST go to!
Hi Michelle, I went to NY for the first time last year and all I could think about was “where can I get a burrito?”. I know, it’s sad. When in Rome do as the Romans do. BUT the Romans so happened to eat lots of hot dogs and pizza and I am not a big fan of either. I’m just glad they didn’t make me a gladiator. Maybe on my next trip I’ll ask you where the secret spots are. Arrrrrrrrrrrr (like a pirate).
HEYY caleb! i’m dying to go back to SD
NY is definitely a disappointment when it comes to burritos. BUT there is calexico, a cart on the corner of wooster and prince streets (SOHO). they’re only open weekdays “11-3,” if youre lucky, they still have products in stock. Ive gotten the carne asada burrito- not a replica of bertos, but when you’re craving- it’s the closest thing NY got! 
Hi Michelle! Let me tell you about this new (well, new to me) contraption called pollo asada (marinated chicken) fries with plenty of chopped tomatoes and salsa. You gotta make your way back out west…your lowrider awaits.
Sounds good! Where is the best spot for some pollo asada? I’ll definitely try that after I make my needed yearly stops at Jollibee, InNOut, and Bertos. DUDE, I’m so craving right now! haha
I forget the name of the actual shop, but I do know that they are right by a night club in North Park called U-31. The address is 3112 University Ave. It’s the small taco shop directly across the street from the BofA and to the right of U-31. The best polla asada fries in the world….maybe. I haven’t seen the world yet.
Jilberto’s in Escondido, all the way… SON!!!
They have the best Carne Asada Fries in Esco… period!
Hmmmmm, I can’t remember the last time I was up in Esco for some taco shop food. Had to be atleast 6 years or so. I’ll keep Jilberto’s next time I’m in North County.
I miss Zapata’s Taco Shop in Paradise Hills, right by the 2-story McDonald’s. Since they changed management and name, I’ve been going to Lolita’s (Bonita for South Bay folks, or off Clairemont Mesa Blvd for everyone) since they give HUGE portions.
OMG, I was wondering if anyone would mention Zapata’s! They were the one place I knew of that had large, thick fries instead of the skinny ones. One time I dropped my entire plate and the owner made a new batch for me free of charge
I know, I went there and was so disappointed. They actually accept credit cards there now–that was the first bad sign. I later found out that one of the employees stole a bunch of money from the owner and split. THat’s why they had to sell the place, so sad
Ohhhh I haven’t heard the term “the 2-story McDonald’s” in forever.
I have never heard of this Lolita’s…road trip time!! Is it gangsta? The more gangsta the better the food. I like to get my order of carne asada fries through a cage whole…feels like I’m cashing in my winnings at a casino.
I just moved to Texas and I have been asking around where I can get a good carne asada burrito and people have no idea what I am talking about OR they have an ide and have no idea what they are talking about. They say it’s because I am on the wrong side of town,but I don’t want to travel where I can get shot just to taste a super juicy, out of this world, California carne asada burrito. On second thought…get the crash cart ready, and load it with Guacomole. I’m comin’ home. Help! Carne Asada burrito starved in Pearland, Texas!
Shelli, as much as I say I feel your pain…I can’t. In the past week I had so many variations of the carne asada burrito you would probably want to slap the salsa out of my mouth. However, if you send me $5, I’ll send you a picture of me eating a carne asada burrito while holding your picture over my heart. How say you?
I gotta say that Carne Asada anything from Daygo is awesome my favorite shop is Super Sergios off of the 805 on Sweetwater Rd. they have some of the meanest fries there.
I’ve never tried the Super Sergios off of Sweetwater Rd, but I am a fan of the Super Sergios on Convy. Apparently Mr. Sergio has the taco game on lock.
@ Sarita: I’ll second that, Sarita’s is THE BOMB – TOTALLY THE BEST TACO SHOP IN SD.
I’m from Italy and the only thing I can say that NYC the BIG apple was sooo dissapointing!
I think compared to Italy, that would be a reasonable observation. Where abouts in Italy are you from?
El Pollo Grill in Spring Valley has by far the best Carne Asada Fries I have ever had. I have tried many and some are close but the taco shops are closed or inconsistent….Plus the grilled chicken is off the hook!!!
super serg’s on sweetwater is the best!!! anyone know the secret to the carne asada recipe? tried making it but can’t ever match it as good.
Ewww super sergios is nasty. i live like 3 blocks away from there. YOU GUYS HAVE TO TRY ADOBADA FRIES!FUCKING BOMB! EITHER AT SENOR PANCHOS ON HIGHLAND IN NATIONAL CITY, OR EL NUEVO MILENIO ON EUCLID, WHICH BTW, IN MY OPINION HAS THE BEST CARNE ASADA FRIES, TIED WITH LOLITAS. LOLITAS DOWN SOUTH IS FUCKING GOOD, BUT WISH THE CALIFORNIA BURRITOS WERE A LITTLE BIGGER. BUT EL NUEVO MILENIO IS A MUST HAVE. OH AND THEY HAVE THAT CAGE THING TOO JUST HOW U LIKE IT CALEB ;D
Ive eaten at a lot of the taco shops in SD(no wonder im fat) and I gotta say. Tacos El Piesa for me has ALWAYS had the best carne asada fries. Not to mention the free frijoles, sauteed onions and a bajillion other things you could want.
I used to live down the street from Zapatas. And it has gotten pretty horrible since they changed management.
I wish Sacramento had carne asada fries. Only have found one place called Roberto’s (not same as socal, vegas) that makes them. Not bad,but not as good either.
I used to go to Azteca in La Mesa by the 7-11 on fletcher pkwy and jackson. The california burrito is so huge and awesome withe the salsa, two people could split it and almost fill up. Their pollo asado burrito is really good to. Cheap prices. I miss SD area.
Lolitas Taco Shop nothing beats it. I’ve tried them all, and you get the most carne asada at lolitas….and they are located everywhere in SD….and their burritos are ginormous…
man yall aint mention Humbertos off of 43rd!!! Best taco shop in town period Right down the street from jack in the box when you get off the free way
Is that the one in City Heights with the drive thru and the walk up window? If so, that’s one of my favorite ones too. I used to live off of 42nd before that Jack In The Box was even there. There was just that Burger King across the street. Haven’t been to that Humberto’s in forever though.