La Posta Taco Shop - And a Quesadilla with an Identity Crisis

In my line of work, I sometimes have to work some odd hours. They usually include the words "weekend", "midnight", "Four AM", or something similar. A recent Sunday morning was no exception. Totally buzzed on caffeine, and starving at 530 am I sorely needed some sustenance. But where to go at 530 Am on a Sunday morning in Hillcrest? Well, without question, it's La Posta for some greasy Carne Asada. Just eating a Carne Asada or California Burrito here will make you feel alive....or dead.

I would say that if you lived, worked, or frequented the area within the last 20 years or so, you'd recognize the sign immediately.

I believe the La Posta sign is as significant a local landmark, as say, the Hillcrest sign, or the sign for Jimmy Wong's Golden Dragon. A key phrase in the signage is "Open 24 Hours". Those who live in San Diego know, that though things are getting better, late night eating(somehow I can't bring myself to use the word dining, and La Posta in the same sentence)options are very limited. The best time to grab a bite at La Posta, is undoubtedly between 1 AM and 5 AM on a Saturday or Sunday morning. You'll get the full effect of the "ambiance" and the interesting cast of characters, many of whom you never thought lived in San Diego, or Earth for that matter. On a recent Sunday morning, I just missed the "late-early" crowd at La Posta, which left me feeling disappointed; sort of like arriving at the Opera after the Fat Lady has sung.

Bummer! I'd missed the free entertainment. A person once described the after midnight crowd at La Posta in a single rambling sentence that included, "Goth's, Grungees, Gays, Gargoyles, and the bar scene from Star Wars!" Not this morning though, all that was left was the eye stinging light, and a really tired looking guy cleaning behind the counter.

If there one dish, other then the standard San Diego taco shop fare, that is interesting, it's the "Special" Quesadilla($5.59). So what's so interesting about it? Well, it starts out like a jumbo quesadilla with two large flour tortillas, that is heated on the griddle, along with some Carne Asada. Here's a peek into the world of La Posta:

A layer of cheese is placed between the two tortillas. Sounds like a normal quesadilla, right?  Well that's where we take a sudden left turn. The "quesadilla" is then moved to the counter where the large serving of Carne Asada, lettuce, guacamole, and Salsa is placed on the tortilla, and it is folded up like a burrito! I think it it weighs somewhere in the range of 2 pounds. It's pretty large, in fact, I've often thought it's as big as my shoe, so I thought I'd do a comparison.

 

Not quite there but pretty close. On this morning the carne asada was too salty, and had a bit of a "stale" taste. Probably because it had been sitting for a while, and the kitchen was kind of winding down. I couldn't finish but half of the quesadilla turned burrito. I also don't care for the watery hot sauce that La Posta serves up.

Overall La Posta serves up the type of food that really "tastes better when your drunk, tired, starved", or otherwise craving a greasy calorie-bomb. And we all have those moments. One thing for sure, you won't say the food at La Posta is bland. When the carne asada is fresh and not too heavily salted it is pretty darn good as well.

During a recent lunch hour I was waiting in line for a Carne Asada burrito, when a Young Man in scrubs turned to me and said, "You know, the food here is okay, but it sure tastes better at 4 am!"

Amen, brother!

La Posta De Acapulco #8
3980 3rd Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

Comments

[Emily]

Hi Kirk,

I don't know why but I just "love the photos" on this particular post...

Perhaps it's the after hours feel to the whole thing, perhaps it's something else but to my mind that brass tips container just about sums it all up...the color, the light?

Really, an excellent photo, captures the mood, the intensity, color and contrast are perfect, and wow thanks again.

[Joan]

I honestly don't think I've ever been to La Posta in the daytime hours! It's always been a good place to pick up some food after a long night out. You're making me crave some greasy Mexican food :)

[Tokyo]

I LOVE La Posta. And I go there sober. This is where I go when I get off the plane from New York. Seriously. I've got it in my calendar for Friday.

Their Especial is their most interesting dish, but their California Burritos is probably their best.

The sala is too watery, i'll give you that. But it's packs a fair punch, if one with more heat than flavor.

[Passionate Eater]

Wow, you really do pull all-nighters! Tough job Kirk. Funny though to see how you hang out with those Scrubs / ER folks!

I also love frequenting my favorite 24-hour joints in search for quick food at late night hours. However, I'm not as advanced as you, because my 24-hour place is usually Wendy's or Taco Bell!

By the way, I love your "shoe" comparison pic!

[clare eats]

LOL
Our late night greasy bound to kill you or make you stronger food is a kebab. So similar yet so different!

LOVE the shoe comparison pic

[Reid]

Hi Kirk,

This was a GREAT post. You've definitely captured the ambiance and the descriptive phrases make me want to stop by here the next time I'm in SD at 4am!

[Green Turtle]

Kirk, would you happen to know of any taco shops that have those bacon-wrapped hotdogs? I think they're referred to as TJ style hotdogs, but I haven't seen them in any of the taco shops I've visited.

[elmomonster]

I would love to see a picture of the "Goth's, Grungees, Gays, Gargoyles, and the bar scene from Star Wars!"

...but then, perhaps some of them won't show up on film -- like other creatures of the night might not.

But because I saw your reflection in a window on a photo you took once, I know at least that you're not a vampire yourself.

[Kirk]

Hi Emily - Well thank you for such a nice comment.

Hi Joan - Greasy Mexican food does have it's place...though it's usually like 1 in the morning.

Hi Tokyo - You'll love this; the Missus is looking at recent comments and asks "Who is Tokyo", and I go "you know I think he probably loves La Posta", and we read your comments and cracked up. La Posta is at it's best when it's busy and they go through alot of carne asada and thus it's fresh when you eat it.

Hi PE - Wellllll, it's really not very tough, we'll do this a couple of times a year. But it's harder as I get older.....

Hi Clare - Well I remember telling someone the darn thing was as big as my shoe, so I had to make sure! LOL!

Hi Reid - Thanks! Well you may have to stop by La Posta at 4am, there ain't too many choices in San Diego.

Hi Green Turtle - Wow, that's a new one to me! Tell you what, maybe someone who reads this can help us out. I'll also keep an eye out and let you know.

Hi Elmo - I could still be a Gargoyle.......ha!

[Jenck]

Hi Kirk,

I was searching for 24 hour open places in the San Diego area since I am flying in with a really late flight and figured I'd like something to eat; from multiple reviews on the 'net, I figure this is a great place to eat, although your review is by far the most informative and entertaining one!!! Just a quick question--how safe is the area? I am flying in from the Eastern seaboard and this is my first time in SoCal, so I just wanted to check with you! I'd love to sample this Carne Asada, sounds very yummy!!! Thanx!!!

[Kirk]

Hi Jenck - La Posta is good grub, and will fill you up. I think the neighborhood is fairly safe, I've never had any problems in the area. Santana's is another 24 hour Taco Shop right down the street from La Posta.

[JimmyJones]

I ate here last August. Got really bad food poisoning. No joke. I had to plan on where I would drive so I was close to a relatively clean bathroom. I cant even drive by the joint now and get flashbacks.

[janfrederick]

Wow, how did I miss this post and this menu item back when we lived up the street?

[Kirk]

You can still go back Jan! Haven't been here in years.....