Mama Testa Taqueria

Mama Testa Taqueria is a San Diego taquería that spent more than a decade in Hillcrest before moving to Mira Mesa Boulevard, known for its Yucatecan cochinita-style pork taco.

History

Mama Testa first made its name in Hillcrest, where it operated for more than ten years. San Diego Magazine reported in 2015 that it had moved to a larger space at 9225 Mira Mesa Boulevard in Mira Mesa, keeping its established dishes while adding new items such as chorreados, which the magazine described as tacos covered in sauce. The magazine featured it in its monthly Very Important Taco column.

Menu

The featured taco was the Yucateco, a corn tortilla filled with pulled pork in the manner of cochinita pibil. The pork is marinated for 24 hours in orange juice and annatto (achiote) paste, then steamed for about six hours wrapped in banana leaf. Because local health rules do not allow the underground pit roasting used in Yucatán, the method is an adaptation. The taco is finished with pickled red onion and radish, and the magazine recommended pairing it with the house El Gallo salsa, made with pineapple and red onion.

Reviews

See also

• Tacos de cochinita pibil
• Achiote

References

1. "Very Important Taco: Yucatecos Tacos". San Diego Magazine. Retrieved 2026-10-10.