Birria — the slow-cooked dish originally from the state of Jalisco in Mexico — has worked its way into the culinary spotlight. Traditionally featuring goat meat, variations of the recipe have been adapted over the decades to include modern ingredients like beef, especially in the US.
In San Diego, shredded birria beef is a popular taco filling — served with consommé on the side for dipping (the red, flavorful liquid the meat is braised in). Today, we take you to some local spots that make truly bomb birria.
Tuetano’s famous bone marrow birria taco.
Photo via @yayforfoodpics
Tuetano Taqueria, 2548 Congress St., Old Town San Diego
Chef Priscilla Curiel — who’s been in the local birria biz for a decade — runs the Michelin-recognized taqueria at Old Town Urban Market, though the eatery is set to move to Chula Vista in fall 2023.
The restaurant specializes in perfectly seasoned, stewed beef shoulder. The menu also features the item that put Tuetano Taqueria on the culinary map: A birria taco topped with bone marrow. Visit daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Yelp ranked this Nestor birrieria the No. 1 place for tacos in the US in 2022.
Photo via @shawnjvandiver
Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria, 2265 Flower Ave., South Bay
Known for its slow-cooked, bold birria seasoned with chilis including smoky guajillo, Yelp ranked this eatery the No. 1 taco spot in the US in 2022.
Pro tip: You can order birria tacos or a bowl of birria that comes with six warm tortillas so you can build your tacos at home. Visit Wednesday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mike’s Red Tacos, 4310 Genesee Ave., Ste. 104, Clairemont
Dubbed No. 52 among Yelp’s best places to eat in 2023, this local eatery is touted for its authentic and flavorful birria tacos, birria ramen, and its beloved CrunchStack — two tostadas stuffed with beef birria, wrapped in a flour tortilla. It’s open daily at 11 a.m. — expect lines.
What’s in a name? Well, everything when it comes to Mr. Birria in Santee.
Photo via @mr_birria
Mr. Birria, 8926 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee
As you might have guessed by its name, this eatery is all about birria — in all forms. Don’t miss the menu’s traditional Birria Taco, but also dip into the Birria Torta, Birria Sopes, Birria Burrito, Birria Nachos, Birria Quesadilla + Birria Grilled Cheese.
Mr. Birria is puttin’ in work, y’all. It’s open daily, starting at 9 a.m.
Goodies from Birria El Rey.
Photo via @jas_thefoodie
Birria El Rey, 1015 25th St., Golden Hill
This tiny, streetside stand is known for its Tijuana-style birria and “Birriamen” — a combo of ramen noodles with birria meat + broth. Get your birria in a taco or torta, or atop fries. It opens daily at 8 a.m., and is closed on Mondays.
664 TJ Birrieria, 1794 Newton Ave., Logan Heights + more
The quesabirria (birria tacos with melted cheese) and birria tacos get high praise from locals, with many Yelpers saying this is another top spot for the delicious dish in San Diego. Also, the Tosta-Quesobirria is a work of art. This eatery has locations all over the county, and hours vary by location.
We’ve got birria on the brain.
Photo via @lataqueriatijuana
La Taquería Tijuana, 406 W. University Ave., Unit B, Hillcrest
Locals love this authentic spot for the street tacos but the birria — in all its juicy glory — is a menu must. There are locations in Hillcrest and Little Italy; both open daily at 11 a.m.
Dipping required.
Photo via @todo_pa_la_cruda
Todo Pa’ La Cruda, 2851 Imperial Ave., Grant Hill
Doña Antonia, of Acapulco, Mexico, knows what she’s doing — try the birria tacos (dipping required) and other birria-centric menu items like the birria mulitas or quesabirria. It’s open daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sabor A Birria, 3013 Juniper St., South Park
This beloved food truck offers birria taco specials on Tuesdays and dishes like birria chilaquiles. Its seafood selection also makes a splash.
