Because I live in San Diego, a border town where Spanish is one of the two most frequently-spoken languages, I've made a point of learning enough español to get along when I patronize businesses where, even if there's an English-speaker on staff - in itself, a toss-up - they'll probably be as uncomfortable in our exchange as me. In fairness: I don't speak their primary language very well; why should they speak mine any better? I worry about the awkwardness, though, because I don't want to put people out who are, after all, just trying to sell me things I need, or to get me fed. This comes up a lot when I want Mexican food. I feel strange, stumbling through my order at Lomita's La Sinaloense Bar and Grill; and at my favorite birrierias; and at pretty much every taco truck, every time I approach. At Logan Heights' Tacos El Paisa, I caught a break. For the most part, the menu provided English renditions of the names and/or ingredients of each item offered, or a photo, or both, all of which made deciding what interested me a simple process. Where I had questions about how things were cooked, I was assisted by a kind and very helpful server named Manuela, whose English made me embarrassed at my childish attempts at working things out in Spanish. Manuel guided me through ordering consomme and a plate of tacos. My meal was just okay, with high- and low-points, including: - Consomme, watery and flavorless beyond any help that condiments could provide - Tortillas, probably store-bought, and not from a store that cares about the quality of its tortillas. - Carnitas, a disappointment, as it came in big, dry chunks that tasted a suspiciously "porky" - Birria, mushy strings of meat in a sour broth - Cabeza, tasty, firm and somewhat salty - Frijoles de la Olla, a nice side dish that I'd order by itself, for a rainy-day entree - Buche, my favorite of the taco fillings, arriving slightly chewy with an appetizing crispiness to its edges Though this seems like an overall negative review, I should say that other people's plates looked better than mine. The restaurant offers a nice variety of dishes, like chilaquiles, sopes, fish and grilled meats, and I'd return to try more of the menu, before writing off Tacos El Paisa entirely.

Great food and great customer service. Parking is a little tight but well worth it. We dined in and had the aguachiles verde, paisa fries, surf n turf burrito, tacos de cabeza, tripas and pastor, and drank a michelada. Everything was a 10/10. My husband can eat A LOT when the food is tasty and we left wanting more. Will definitely come back.

I need to try more on the menu but we always get the surf n turf fries here because just look at them. The shrimp is great, meat tender and they got all the right toppings. We usually eat there on their cute outdoor patio, and their house salsas on the table are so good on top! Staff is nice and quick as well. The bar area is usually pretty quick with drinks too and the micheladas are huge with a perfect rim!

Recientemente visité este lugar de tacos y quedé encantada. Ordené una mulita con tacos de carne asada y consomé, haciendo un combo con arroz y frijoles. ¡Todo estuvo increíble! La carne asada estaba perfectamente sazonada y el consomé era tan delicioso que quería ponerlo en todo. El personal fue super amable y rápido, y los precios son muy razonables. Además, el lugar está decorado de manera muy linda, especialmente los hermosos muebles exteriores. Sin duda, regresaré pronto.

The best taco shop in San Diego, when it comes to food and customer service!! I come here weekly.

Stopped here for quick breakfast bite. Never tried mexicali style hotdog until now. Similar to the ones you find in LA. Came bacon wrapped and garnished with onion and silantro. It had a really delicious sauce and mustard spread on the bun. Came with peppers on the side as well as caramelized onion. Once the hotdog was gone, the sauce coated the caramel onion. So good