Mexican fare ranks second among Americans' favorite global cuisines, according to Chef's Pencil. Mexican flavors and ingredients have permeated all corners of American cuisine, infusing vibrant and varied tastes into Americans' daily diet. But while tacos and enchiladas may seem commonplace in America now, that wasn't always the case.
To be sure, Americans have been influenced by the flavors of our neighbor to the south for hundreds of years. But it wasn't until refugees from southern and central Mexico brought their culinary traditions north to the U.S. during the Mexican Revolution that dishes like tacos found their way into the mainstream. An increasingly global culture (and a growing number of Mexican fast-food mainstays and high-end restaurants) have cemented Mexican food's beloved role in U.S. cuisine. Which begs the question: Where does one go for the best Mexican food in San Diego?
To find out, Stacker turned to Tripadvisor to compile a list of the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in San Diego. Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Some restaurants on the list may have recently closed. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
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#30. Casa de Reyes
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (1,011 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2754 Calhoun St Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego, CA 92110-2706
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#29. Rockin Baja Lobster
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (875 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 3890 Twiggs St, San Diego, CA 92110-2842
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#28. Mike's Taco Club
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (114 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 5060 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107-3010
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#27. Night & Day Cafe
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (172 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 847 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118-2603
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#26. Rockin' Baja Coastal Cantina
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#25. Barra Barra Saloon
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (500 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4016 Wallace St Old Town, San Diego, CA 92110-2743
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#24. Taco Surf
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (239 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 4657 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109-2735
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#23. Fiesta de Reyes
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (367 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2754 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110-2706
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#22. Puesto
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (1,160 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 789 W Harbor Dr Suite 155, San Diego, CA 92101-7710
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#21. Oscars Mexican Seafood
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#20. Miguel's Cocina
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (679 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2444 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110-2836
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#19. The Blind Burro
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (488 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 639 J St East Village, San Diego, CA 92101-7017
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#18. Cafe Coyote
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (3,160 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2461 San Diego Ave Ste 200, San Diego, CA 92110-2877
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#17. The Taco Stand
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (129 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 645 B St, San Diego, CA 92101-4306
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#16. Miguel's Cocina
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (562 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 2912 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106-2740
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#15. Coasterra
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (776 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101-1005
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#14. Baja Betty's
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (176 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (5.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1421 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103-3404
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#13. Casa Guadalajara
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (1,631 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 4105 Taylor St, San Diego, CA 92110-2740
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#12. Las Cuatro Milpas
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (203 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (5.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 1875 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113-2111
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#11. Lucha Libre Taco Shop
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#10. El Indio Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (605 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 3695 India St, San Diego, CA 92103-4749
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#9. Miguel's Cocina
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,956 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1351 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118-2916
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#8. Las Hadas Grill
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (284 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 558 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101-6905
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#7. La Puerta
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,073 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 560 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101-6905
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#6. El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria
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#5. Puesto
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,033 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)
- Price: $$ - $$$
- Address: 1026 Wall St, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4418
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#4. Tacos El Gordo De Tijuana
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (365 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.0/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 689 H St, Chula Vista, CA 91910-4222
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#3. Oscars Mexican Seafood
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (469 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 703 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA 92109-1058
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#2. La Playa Taco Shop
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (327 reviews)
- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)
- Price: $
- Address: 3973 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109-6958
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#1. The Taco Stand