Las Ahumaderas (Chula Vista)

Las Ahumaderas: The Original Tijuana Taco is the Chula Vista branch of Tijuana's famous Las Ahumaderas taco row, opened in early 2024 by Pedro Rodríguez in a former Chinese buffet.

History

In Tijuana, Las Ahumaderas is a cluster of taco stands that won international attention after Anthony Bourdain filmed there for No Reservations. Founder Pedro Rodríguez, whose family operates several El Poblano taquerías in Tijuana, had wanted to open a U.S. outpost since 2008. His uncle, who owned the taquería 15 Letras where the El Poblano tacos began, also gave Las Ahumaderas its name.

The Chula Vista project took about 26 months, with pandemic delays, and moved into a space that had been the Ocean City Chinese buffet. It moved from a soft opening to a grand opening at the start of January 2024. Unlike the multi-stand original, the South Bay location is a single taquería, though Rodríguez designed separate meat stations meant to evoke the smokers of the Tijuana stands.

Menu

Tacos include asada, birria, adobada, chicken, suadero and tripa. Rodríguez has said adobada is his favorite, made with his uncle's marinade, which is brought up from Tijuana. Sides include esquites, elotes, loaded baked potatoes with flank steak and nachos, with items from collaborations with Helote and Creperia Nutilda.

Reviews

See also

• Las Ahumaderas
• Tacos de suadero

References

1. "Famous Tijuana taco joint Las Ahumaderas opens in California". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2026-10-10.