Guide to Taco Tuesday Deals in San Diego

Every Tuesday is a chance to celebrate, especially in San Diego. Taco Tuesday is a favorite for most who live in these parts because tacos are the staple of any San Diegans’ diet. Now, we all know Tuesday is the best day for tacos…so why not combine them with happy hour?

San Diegans are connoisseurs of Mexican food, especially when it comes to tacos. For anyone who has spent some time in San Diego, you know for a fact that Taco Tuesday is basically a holiday. If you’ve ever needed an excuse to devour the offerings from the best taco joints around San Diego you’re in luck, it’s Tuesday, A.K.A. Taco Tuesday. Give one (or all) of these awesome restaurants a try to satisfy your authentic taco craving. For this Tuesday and all the coming Tuesday’s, we put together a list of some of the best happy hour deals for you to take advantage of. Prepare your appetites.

City Tacos (Multiple Locations)

City Tacos has expanded to seven San Diego County locations – Downtown (East Village), Encinitas, La Mesa, North Park, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Sorrento Mesa – and the quality has never wavered. For Taco Tuesday, it’s 10 percent off all food along with $2.50 Mexican beers. There’s a taco for everyone with more than 20 selections on the menu, including those for vegetarians and vegans. Nearly every taco on the menu is less than $5.00, and favorites include the Mexicali with grilled angus steak, onions & poblano peppers, and mashed potatoes; the Portobello; and the Friars Fish Taco to honor the San Diego Padres. Traditional tacos like carnitas, pollo asado, quesibirria, and carne asada are always available, as well as a rotating taco of the month.

Mavericks Beach Club – Pacific Beach 

San Diego’s top party destination located steps from the beach turns up the heat on the traditional Taco Tuesday with their one-of-a-kind tacos, tequila and tunes. Every Tuesday night, taco fanatics can head to Mavericks for $3.50 tacos from 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. Drink deals include $3.50 margaritas, $3 Tequila shots and Mexican beers.

Taco Stand (Multiple Locations)

San Diego’s staple taco haven and local favorite, The Taco Stand, has a cult-like following, and for good reason. In addition to its mainstay menu of tacos, burritos, and sides, this location also offers several beers on tap, making it a perfect Taco Tuesday choice. The Taco Stand excels with their handmade corn tortillas made in house daily, fresh ingredients, and tempting sauce bar with delicious salsas, cilantro sauce, and chipotle sauce. The hands-down taco champion is the Al Pastor – rotisserie marinated pork with cilantro, onions, cilantro sauce, and pineapple – for the most flavorful taco you’ve ever had.

Ortega’s, Hillcrest

Ortega’s in Hillcrest has Taco + Tequila Tuesday, offering a variety of tacos and margaritas for $4, $5, and $6 from 3:00 p.m. – close. The tacos are all full size with freshly made tortillas, and the options are roasted chicken ($4), adobo carnitas ($4), chorizo & potato ($4), shrimp ($5), poblano queso ($5), steak ($6), Ensenada-style fish ($6), and grilled mahi mahi ($6). The drink selections are Cabrillo Margarita ($4), Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver (shot, $4), Presidio Margarita ($5), Espòlon Blanco (neat, $5), and Pomegranate Margarita ($6). The first round of freshly made chips and house salsa is complimentary with any purchase as well.

Baja Betty’s, Hillcrest

Baja Betty’s is a Hillcrest institution. With a wide variety of tacos specials from $2 – $5 each, plus beer and tequila shots at the same price point, this spot is a Taco Tuesday winner. Wash it all down with a  margarita and you’ll be good-to-go.

Barrio Star, Bankers Hill

This modern Mexican restaurant is located on 6th Avenue, adjacent to Balboa Park. Head on over on Tuesday for discounted tacos. Select from chicken, spicy chicken, carnitas, soy chorizo, fish, shrimp, salmon and more. Plus, their drinks are killer too.

Fred’s Mexican Cafe, Old Town

Discounted draft beer, Patron shots, margaritas, plus a la carte tacos. We also highly recommend appetizers including chicken rolled tacos, quesadillas, chingaderas, nachos and cheesy fries. Fred’s is a casual dining setting, so head there when you get off work, relax, and enjoy your tacos.

Cafe Coyote, Old Town

Old Town’s legendary Cafe Coyote is as close to Mexico as you can get, without having to cross the border…you can tell by their tacos. Cafe Coyote has a great taco selection and drink specials every Tuesday, including a variety of tacos, large margaritas and draft beer.

Casa Gabriela, La Mesa

Casa Gabriela in La Mesa Village celebrates Taco Tuesday with Margarita Tuesdays, offering $5 Margaritas de la Casa from 3:30 p.m. – close. Happy Hour specials are also available on Tuesdays from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m., including Chicken Barbacoa Nachos ($10.95), Queso Fundido ($10.95), Jalapeno-Cilantro Tempura Cauliflower ($9.95), and Ceviche Verde ($9.95). Executive Chef Gaby Lopez features many of her family’s recipes with inspiration from Baja seafood and her family’s roots in Guadalajara.

La Puerta, Downtown

La Puerta serves savory carne asada, carnitas, pollo, cochinita, pastor-style pork or ranchero shrimp for a great price. If you want something different this Tuesday, La Puerta also serves “T.J. style” hot dogs. Enjoy a Downtown atmosphere without having to break your piggy bank this Tuesday at La Puerta.

Puesto, (Multiple Locations)

Puesto is cranking out fresh tacos, made from scratch every day. Options are unique and interesting, from lamb tacos to filet mignon, it’s just what you’d epect from a hip San Diego taco spot. 

Sandbar Sports Grill, Mission Beach

After you win a round of mini-golf at Belmont Park, tacos at Sandbar Sports Grill are a surefire way to celebrate. Take in the sparkling lights of the park’s Ferris wheel during sunset over some TKO Style tacos, which boasts locally sourced fish, chipotle aioli, uniquely beer-brined escabeche slaw and lime crema among its tasty mates. Not a fish person? Opt for the Ti-Juan-A Taco, made up of succulent pork adobado and sweet roasted pineapple. 

South Beach Bar & Grill, Ocean Beach

Select tacos are $3.95 and appetizers are half off. South Beach Bar & Grill has a variety of tacos, both grilled and fried. With meat options like shark, lobster, shrimp, calamari, and oyster, there’s something new to try every Tuesday.

Tacos El Gordo, Chula Vsta (multiple locations)

While Tacos El Gordo doesn’t specifically have Taco Tuesday specials, their prices (and quality) are too good not to include on the list. These tacos come with fresh, homemade tortillas, and options for fillings are impressive…from adobada, carne asada, cabeza, lengua, and more… these Tijuana Style won’t disappoint.