Tacos El Franc (San Diego)

Tacos El Franc is the United States branch of a Tijuana taquería founded in 1974, with locations in National City and the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego.

History

The original Tacos El Franc began as a street stand in Tijuana, opened in 1974 by Javier Valadez, and later became a brick-and-mortar landmark in the Zona Río. Its inclusion in the first Michelin Guide Mexico selection in 2024 raised its profile among San Diego diners who regularly crossed the border for tacos. Tijuana-born partner Roberto Kelly spent roughly two decades working toward a U.S. expansion.

The first American location opened on June 11, 2025, inside the Westfield Plaza Bonita mall in National City, with terraces, a bar and indoor seating. A larger Gaslamp Quarter restaurant at 528 Fifth Avenue followed, built to mirror the Tijuana original with blue and white tile and an indoor charcoal grill.

Menu

The menu repeats the Tijuana lineup: adobada carved from a trompo and served with pineapple, carne asada made from top sirloin, cabeza, suadero and tripa tacos, quesadillas and loaded fries. Tortillas are pressed from nixtamalized masa to order, and the avocado salsa is mixed by hand each morning.

Reviews

See also

• Tacos al pastor
• Tacos de carne asada

References

1. "This Beloved Tijuana Taco is Coming to the U.S.". MICHELIN Guide. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
2. "Michelin-recognized Tacos El Franc opens taqueria in National City". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
3. "Tacos El Franc - Review - Gaslamp Quarter - San Diego". The Infatuation. Retrieved 2026-10-10.