Taco Time!

San Diego is home to the best tacos in the country and we're ready to stand by that statement.  Tacos date back to the 1700s and are so popular they have books written about them and even have a day of the week associated with them.  A simple corn tortilla filled with different grilled or fried meats and veggies sounds simple enough, but not all tacos are created equal.    



With hundreds of restaurants to chose from, it can be hard to know where to start, that's why San Diego TacoFest is such a brilliant idea.  TacoFest is happening this Saturday (May 21st) downtown and for any taco lover this is a dream festival.  Twenty of San Diego's best taquerias will be serving their signature tacos.  Pace yourself and wonder Waterfront Park experimenting and deciding who has your favorite.  Doors open at 11:00 AM, and live music begins at 11:15 AM.  This isn't your average food festival, as it will also include five Luche Libre wrestling matches (first one starts at 12:40 PM) from Tijuana's Baja Stars.  There will be various music groups performing, culminating with a performance by legendary rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot (who hits the stage at 8:45 PM).  This is a 21 and over event and advance tickets start at $20 and day-of tickets are $25 (note: ticket prices do not include food or drinks).  Click HERE for a list of participating vendors.      



TacoFest had us thinking about our Favorite Taqueria's and even though choosing your favorite taco joint in this city is like choosing your favorite child (impossible!), we compiled a list of five favorites according to neighborhood.    



La Jolla
The Taco Stand is a small, casual taqueria in a strip center that serves generous-sized and incredibly tasty tacos.  If you're only going to order one taco make it the al pastor, but it you have room for two, then order the grilled spicy shrimp.  The al pastor is perfectly cooked with pineapple for a unique flavor that has fans returning just for that taco.  They offer salsas but chances are you won't need them, so take a bite first before you add any.  Parking can be a little tough in the neighborhood, but after such a filling meal, you won't mind walking a ways to get to your car.    




Pacific Beach
Taco Surf Taco Shop is exactly that: a taco shop for surfers who love tacos.  Covered (literally from wall to ceiling) in surf boards, you'll find locals waiting in line next to tourists who want simple, delicious food.  Their carne asada taco is what puts them on the map, but they are also known for their grilled fresh fish taco and  tortillas.  Local tip: if you're staying in the area in one of Mission Bay Vacation Rental's homes, then we suggest a return visit for their breakfast burrito.  

North Park
For those who crave an unconventional gourmet taco, then head over to City Tacos.  While some of the best taquerias look like hole-in-the-walls, this one stands out for being new and tidy.  However, don't be fooled by their trendy exterior, taco-snobs alike love their modern take on the simple taco.  They've found creative uses for strawberries and caramelized pineapples that do not disappoint.  Tacos run on the small side, but are just as delectable.  City Tacos also prides itself on using fresh local produce and the finest ingredients (and it shows!). 





Downtown
To call Las Cuatro Milpas unassuming would be a huge understatement, but this taqueria has locals driving from all over the city and waiting in line for authentic street tacos.  Sure the neighborhood isn't fancy, but even the pickiest foodies will make the trip for their homemade tortillas and famous chicken taco.  There isn't a website, the menu is small, it's cash only, but this restaurant has been serving happy customers since 1933.  Their staff is lightning fast at making and serving their famous tacos.    








Chula Vista
For a taste of Tiajuana's tacos without venturing south of the border, then head over to Tacos El Gordo.  The long lines in this no-frills taco joint are well worth the wait.  You'll fall in love with the reasonably priced tacos that melt in your mouth.  Tacos El Gordo has an unusual system where food lines are divided by what meat you want in your taco.  You'll notice the carne asada and spicy pork will be the longest and we suggest you start with these.  Normally if you're alone and want to try more than one taco, the server will also make you a taco with a different meat (so you don't have to wait in another line).  Or, if you go with a group you can divide into different lines and conquer.    




A Taco Tour of San Diego would be a no-brainer, but one that will take a few days.  Book a stay with Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and start exploring all the taquerias.  There's nothing wrong with celebrating Taco Tuesday every day of the week.    

Dreaming in Chocolate

Maybe it was all the chocolate eggs and bunnies from Easter, but we’ve got chocolate on the brain and considering there’s a chocolate festival this Saturday, the timing could not be more perfect.  San Diego definitely knows how to make good chocolate.  We’ve highlighted two of our town’s most famous chocolatiers (Eclipse Chocolate and The Elegant Truffle), but this city’s got even more cocoa-themed eateries that are worth a visit and all the calories.

Did you know that chocolate dates back to the Americas in 1900 BC?! It’s only fitting that San Diego would have a festival that celebrates the history of this sweet food and how far it has come.  This is the 5^th year that the ChocolateFestival is taking place at the Maritime Museum on Saturday, April 3^rd.  The indulgent and educational fun starts at 11:00 AM and winds down at 4:00 PM, and promises to be fun for the whole family.  Where else can you have an experience that involves touch, taste, smell, and chocolate, no less!  The kids will love the scavenger hunt and games (complete with prizes for both) as well as the crafts, like making your own chocolate pizza (for $5).   The adults will love the wine and chocolate, and beer and chocolate pairings (who knew chocolate and beer would go together?).   There will also be demonstrations of different chocolate creations and kitchen tricks you can do with chocolate.  The Mars Chocolate History Ambassadors will be there to demonstrate the history of the cocoa bean using authentic 18^th century tools, cocoa pods, and cocoa beans. 

If you can’t make the festival, we’ve lined up some other must-see destinations to satisfy any chocolate craving, from ice cream to truffles to chocolate-dipped everything!

First stop is The Chocolate Haus in Pacific Beach.  This adorable shop is known not just for heavenly homemade truffles, but also for killer homemade ice cream and cookies.  The owners are Pacific Beach husband and wife who use local ingredients with no additives or preservatives.  The staff is always warm and welcoming and ready to answer questions about their tempting treats.  It’s hard to chose just one thing, so multiple visits might be in order, especially when it comes to their ice cream sandwiches and also their light and crispy homemade brittles that are dipped in dark chocolate. 

The Aztecs were known for always flavoring their cool chocolate drink (it wasn’t eaten as a food until the Spaniards got ahold of it) with chili powder, sage and even flowers.  Chi Chocolat in Liberty Station pays homage to the Aztecs (perhaps unintentionally) by creating unique truffles with exotic ingredients like curry, chili, lavender and rosewater.  For those feeling decadent, you can order the Jules truffle which is made of dark chocolate ganache and infused with butterscotch and edible gold!  They also serve mocha flavored coffee drinks where the lovely presentation is just as important as the taste.   This charming chocolatier has expanded into a café and also offers tasty sandwiches.

For those who can’t get enough chocolate in any form, then head over to Beach Sweets, a locally owned Ocean Beach retro-candy store.  This place is bright on color and has almost any candy imaginable.  The real star, however, is the homemade chocolate fudge and the hand-dipped chocolates.  In fact, the store’s motto is “Everything is better dipped in chocolate.”  Beach Sweets prides itself on new chocolate dipped concoctions like gummy worms and Rice Crispy Treats.  They own their own chocolate machines so everything is made fresh in-house, and if you stop by you must try the simple perfection of their chocolate covered marshmallow. 

The cacao seeds were once so highly valued that they were used as currency in Mesoamerica.  We might not be able to pay for things using chocolate nowadays, but I think we can all agree on its delicious importance in our society.  Why not center a vacation around chocolate?  Start by booking a stay with Mission BayVacation Rentals, and then spend your time deciding who has the best chocolate in town.  After all, a vacation is the one time you’re allowed to indulge.