Taco Bout a Dream Come True

Secretly? This little blog is really an exercise in manifesting. Call it Secret-ing, call it bhavanizing, whatever you call it, I'm doing it with every post I write. All with the hippie belief that by putting good energy out there, I will welcome more of the same back into my life.

I mean, at the end of the day that's why I write... to connect, to attract people and places and moments into my life that add meaning and beauty and adventure.

But of all the amazing things this blog has manifested so far (and there have been a lot), last Wednesday night took the cake.

A decade ago, I was 19, driving around backroads in Connecticut, listening to this new CD I'd just bought by a singer songwriter named Tristan Prettyman and daydreaming about what my life would be like if I lived in San Diego.

And last Wednesday? Oh, I just casually had dinner with Tristan at Puesto downtown at The Headquarters. No big deal.

#TacoTuesday: Sayulita Tacos Roundup

Mmmm tacos. When we were in Sayulita we made a valiant effort to try as many taco places as possible. We asked for recommendations from locals, we researched online, and we stumbled into places. Our goal was to try at least a taco a day. 

Sadly, there's only so many tacos a person can eat over the course of a week. No matter how delicious most of them were. 

#TacoTuesday: The Blind Burro, Downtown San Diego

One would think that after spending a week in Mexico the last thing we would want to eat was tacos. And one would be right. That is, of course, until I tell you where we were headed for Taco Tuesday. 

Last week Ryan and I went to The Blind Burro in Downtown San Diego for their exceptionally fun Taco Tuesday. When I heard what The Blind Burro was doing with their Taco Fights, all I could think about was how genius it was and how I couldn't believe more restaurants in SD weren't doing it. 

Taco Fights consist of two chefs going all MasterChef for the night, each concocting their best taco. If you order the $6 Taco Fights special you receive the two gourmet tacos, identified only as Taco A and Taco B. You can up the price a few bucks to get custom craft beer pairings with each taco. You're also given a token and before 8:30pm or so you can drop the token in the appropriate bucket to vote for your taco of choice. Essentially it combines two amazing things: cooking competitions and tacos. I was sold. 

We got there at about 7pm and the place was packed. I was really into the vibe during their Taco Tuesday: lots of energy but not so crowded that you feel claustrophobic. It's great for a more casual evening too, since there's two huge bars to sit at and their outdoor seating is perfect for Gaslamp people watching. I can only imagine how this place is going to blow up during their first summer here. (Note: During Padres season, you'll need a reservation.)

For drinks, I ordered their delicious Border Mule cocktail and Ryan stuck to beer. We had their Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos to start, complete with house made chorizo and applewood smoked bacon. I always worry about things being too spicy, but these were just yummy and too easy to gobble up... a perfect appetizer. Then our Taco Fights tacos came out. 

Taco A had slices of yellow tail (only Ryan tried this one - nothing from the sea for Bri!) with achiote sauce, fried pork, avocado and dried chile-pistachio salsa. Taco B was grilled lengua con escabeche, macha sauce, pickled vegetables and candied jamaica-peanuts. What is grilled lengua you ask? Why, it's cow's tongue.

Neither Ryan or I are really super adventurous eaters so needless to say neither of us would have ordered this if it was on the menu. But the Fights made it fun, so we went for it and were pleasantly surprised. It was a delicious, amazing taco with literal waves of flavor and by far our favorite (not that I can judge Taco A). It was no surprise then that Taco A won the Fight and was crafted by Blind Burro's very own chef.

We ordered four more tacos to share after that (pictured at the top) and they were all delicious as well (from, by the way, our amazing server - great service was had the whole night).  Their Championship Fight for February is tonight but hopefully they continue the Taco Fights next month - if so, I highly recommend participating even if it's something you wouldn't normally order! If not, head to The Blind Burro anyway for what may be Gaslamp's best Taco Tuesday and grab some of their "Baja Tuesday" drinks specials: $4 dos xx drafts, $5 margaritas, and $5 mezcal shooters.

The Blind Burro
639 J Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 795-7880

#TacoTuesday: El Comal, North Park, San Diego

There is Taco Tuesday, which is about washing down "tacos" with drink specials alongside your best friends and then there is Taco Tuesday, which about celebrating the art of the taco with your best friends. Sometimes the two collide, but when they don't, you have a choice to make: great food or a gnarly (but inexpensive) Wednesday hangover? Recently, we chose great food and headed to El Comal, an inconspicuous authentic Mexican restaurant in North Park.

Truth be told, from it's tucked-away location on a side street and the outside appearance, I probably never would have stumbled in here. But I was determined to find a Taco Tuesday in North Park and when none surfaced, I opted for finding a great Mexican place in the neighborhood instead. When I called El Comal to ask them about any unadvertised specials, the man who answered the phone said their tacos were already priced very reasonably, so no, they didn't have specials. But, he added quickly, their tortillas were handmade and there was also a Groupon deal that was currently live. A Groupon deal!? #whitegirlproblems

When we arrived there were only one or two other tables that were occupied and a few people at the bar. It was quiet, but bright and cozy inside. In fact, over the course of the evening, I would say that it never got more than 60% full, but everyone there was having a good time. There was also a nice shaded patio that would have been perfect if it wasn't a little chilly out.

The Groupon included four house margaritas, eight tacos and two appetizers for $40, so we got to work immediately. Our round of house margaritas came out and truly, it was the best, freshest margarita I've had in a loooong time. We ordered the Queso Fundido, a cheese dip that I recommend highly, a Chicken Tamale and a Gordita Exotica, which included cactus. It was my first time trying cactus and it was interesting. It tasted a bit like a green bean with the consistency of a green bell pepper. Then came our tacos. We all tried something different and everyone loved their food. I had a chicken soft taco and a potato taco in a crispy shell and completely cleaned my plate. And the tacos ARE reasonably priced without any specials: most of them are $2.50 a la carte!

Ryan, me, Bonnie and Jason!

Everything about El Comal makes me want to have this be our default for Taco Tuesday. No waiting or fighting for tables, inexpensive but delicious and authentic Mexican food, beers for $3 and great house margaritas that are only $4 during Happy Hour (Mon-Wed 5-7pm, Thurs & Fri, 3-6pm), and really fantastic service (our server was so attentive and fun!). You can view the menu for yourself here, but you really have to try the food to understand why I'm such a fan. Next time you want Taco Tuesday without the stress, hit up El Comal and don't forget two magical words: Queso Fundido.

El Comal
3946 Illinois Street
San Diego, CA 92104
Phone: (619) 294-8292

#TacoTuesday: South Beach Bar, Ocean Beach, San Diego

If you look at any "Best of Taco Tuesday" list in San Diego, Ocean Beach's South Beach Bar and Grille is likely in the Top 5, if not number one. South Beach is the ultimate Taco Tuesday. With a second floor where you can see the sun set into the ocean, tacos for $2.75, and crazy craft beer specials, it's no surprise how many people flock here after rush hour. Let me say that again: don't be surprised at how many people go to South Beach for Taco Tuesday.

Sure, the crowd can sometimes be a good thing. For one, it's great for the atmosphere. If you're single, it's better for meeting people. And crowds always say something about the food, which is pretty tasty. But for the most part, the crowd means that you have to have a strategy and your game face on. Tables are first come first serve, so expect a group of people to hover around your table as soon as they see the waitress hand you a check. On the same note, don't be afraid to hover over other people. Other tactics involve splitting up (upstairs and downstairs recon is suggested) and texting when one of you spots an open table or asking the waitstaff if they think any one of their tables will be finishing soon.

For all the hassle of getting a table at South Beach, the wait is worth it. And hey, sometimes you get lucky, especially if you go later, after 8:30pm or so. Plus, they recently started accepting credit cards so the hassle of their no cash bar is no more. I love Taco Tuesdays at South Beach and I love their deep fried zucchini tacos (pictured above) even more. South Beach is 21+ only so grab a bunch of your legal friends and thank me later for your hangover.

South Beach Bar & Grill
5059 Newport Ave #104
San Diego, California 92107
Phone: (619) 226-4577

#TacoTuesday: Las Olas, Cardiff by-the-Sea, San Diego

One of the absolute best parts about starting this blog has been meeting really awesome people, both here in San Diego, and elsewhere around the country. Back in my early days of blogging, when I was 14 and used to stay up all night fixing code and drinking 2 Liters of Coke right out of the bottle, other bloggers were actually the people I was closest to. I loved getting on AIM late at night and chatting with friends (like my dear Hannah out in Kansas City) and it was such a welcome relief from the lameness that was high school. Finding a new community of bloggers in San Diego has reminded me that there are so many lovely, inspiring ladies (and dudes!) out there.

I had the pleasure of finally meeting one of these women in person on my very first blogger date (the cool kids call them blates) for Taco Tuesday last week. Jen, the incredible cook and writer behind Marshmallows and Margaritas, lives just up the 5 from me in Carlsbad. Since I work in Del Mar, we split the distance and found ourselves at Las Olas in Cardiff by-the-Sea.

Las Olas is situated on the other side of the highway, right across from the beach, so sitting on their patio means ocean views while you down house margs for $3.50. Jen and I got there around 4:30pm and grabbed a table on the patio without a problem.

Usually their happy hour goes until 6pm, but beer and food specials last all night on Taco Tuesdays. Their taco special is simple: a la carte fish tacos and carnitas tacos priced at $3.50. Unfortunately, this was a bit of a disappointment since I don't eat fish and rarely eat pork. So I did the Classic Combo special ($2 off during happy hour) which is one crispy taco and one enchilada with two sides (cabbage, rice, or beans - I got double rice). The chicken enchilada was good (though it had a lot of dark meat) and I was so stuffed from that and the rice that I barely ate my crispy taco. I did like the crispy taco shell though. After all, I'm more used to an Americanized / Tex Mex style of Mexican than I am the soft tortilla tacos that are served here.

The view from our table. 

An eclectic mix of families, teens and young professionals started to trickle for their own Taco Tuesdays just as Jen and I were finishing and it was yet more proof of how laid back people in Cardiff seem to be. Watching the sun go down, it's nights like this that I sometimes wish Ryan and I lived in North County, close to the beach.

I could easily have spent the night soaking up more of their drink specials ($1 off drafts and wine), staring at the ocean and enjoying the great conversation with Jen, if not for the 25 minute drive back home. Overall the food was pretty standard but filling, making the best part about this Taco Tuesday option the pretty views and the relaxed vibe. But the best part of the night was meeting Jen and making an awesome new friend in North County! Don't forget to visit her blog, Marshmallows and Margaritas, to try some of her tasty recipes!

Las Olas
2655 South Coast Highway 101
Cardiff by-the-Sea, CA 92007
Phone: (760) 942-1860

#TacoTuesday: Barrio Star, Banker's Hill, San Diego

In Connecticut and New York, going to get "Mexican" food was an extremely rare occurrence. Usually what it really meant was going to get margaritas. I had my staples: Viva Zapata is one of my all-time favorites, located in Westport, CT; in Manhattan, I went to Rosa Mexicano for fancy work lunches and El Cantinero for their insane happy hour that was made for alcoholic grad students like me  ($3 margaritas + free appetizers). But none of those places really inspired me to crave Mexican food more often.

In San Diego, for obvious reasons, Mexican food is part of everyday life. There's two Mexican restaurants for every pizza joint that exists in New York (disclaimer: that is not founded on any facts) and there is a wonderful little tradition known as Taco Tuesday. 

Taco Tuesday is when taco and drink specials abound. It is a magical night of the week to go get your guacamole on, engage in workday binge drinking and have a lot of fun with friends. I love exploring new places for Taco Tuesday so much that I've decided to make it a new weekly feature here on the blog. After all, this is a major part of the San Diego lifestyle. ;)

Today's Taco Tuesday recommendation is Barrio Star in Banker's Hill. The last time we were there they were installing a patio rail around the outside so this Balboa Park-adjacent eatery is about to get that much better.

Inside, the decor is really fun with a bit of a Dia de los Muertos vibe. There's a lot to look at. The restaurant manages to be cozy without being crammed, which I enjoyed, but it does get crazy as the Taco Tuesday crowd rolls in for their awesome specials. Vegetarian, meat, and fish tacos are priced a la carte at $3-$3.50 each with drink specials each week.

I opted to start with some chips and salsa, a cup of their Chicken Tortilla Soup, and a Pomegranate Margarita. The soup looked absolutely delicious but was a bit disappointing - just too bland. Next up were my tacos and I decided to try their chicken taco and the organic potato taco. Their chicken taco was just ok, but their potato taco was verrry tasty. It was almost too perfect a companion for drinking, especially since we live within walking distance. Both were filling despite their size.

I ordered a Skinny Margarita with dinner and was surprised and happy to have the waitress recommend that I go with their house margarita with less sweetener instead. I'm not sure how this worked or whether that meant they used less premade mix, but I'm always appreciative when I hear the truth from servers. I closed the night with some of their yummy flan, which is a must.

Overall, Barrio Star offers pretty decent food and a slightly more formal atmosphere for Taco Tuesday - great for a date or night out with co-workers or family. Absolutely use OpenTable to make reservations if you want a seat during their Taco Tuesdays and tweet me @SanBriego to let me know if you go!

Barrio Star  

2706 5th Ave

San Diego, CA 92103 

Phone: (619) 501-7827