Carne asada is one of those foods that turns a quick lunch into a full-on road trip. All across California, small taco shops have built loyal followings for their grilled, seasoned beef stuffed into warm tortillas.
Some folks will happily drive an hour or two just to grab a plate from their favorite spot. This list rounds up nine California taco shops known for carne asada worth planning a whole day around, whether you are cruising the coast, heading through the valley, or just hungry enough to make a detour.
1. Tacos El Gordo, Chula Vista, California
Anyone who has spent time near the border knows the name. Tacos El Gordo brought a true Tijuana-style taquiza to California, and the Chula Vista location has become a go-to for people driving down from all over San Diego County.
You order station by station, and the adobada gets a lot of attention, but the carne asada is the reason many keep coming back. The beef is chopped fresh, tucked into small corn tortillas, and topped simply with guacamole and salsa…