mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy this Monday of Thanksgiving week. Kirk and His Missus have arrived at the first stop of their holiday destination.
In May of 2019, this storefront location of "Cardiff Crack" opened in Mission Valley (on Camino Del Rio North, at the Northwest corner where it crosses Mission Gorge Road at the 8). The owners of the Seaside Market in Cardiff, which has been selling the infamous burgundy-pepper marinated tri-tip since 1985 expanded to a location between San Diego State University and the new Snapdragon Stadium. 
Walk in, order and pay, grab your beverages, find a seat and wait for your meal and condiments to be brought out.
The menu board is above the two cash registers. ( I was wearing sunglasses and it looked black/not working, so I didn't take a photo).
The Grilled Cactus Taco was just something different that I'd never seen on a menu, so we decided to order one ($3.95). This is served on a home made corn tortilla- very nice, very flavorful (corny)(ha) and it stood up to all the ingredients (house made guacamole (also very good), cilantro, onions). This was a really tasty taco. I would order it again.
We also decided to try an Al Pastor taco ($3.95) . There were some pineapple bits in addition to the guacamole, cilantro and onion. The pork was very tender and had a nice char-grill flavor. The sweetness of the pineapple marinade was subtle if you tried a bite of the (plain) meat. Quite good quality.
We ordered the Roasted Pepper Caesar Salad ($10.95) add crack ($4.95). It arrived without the roasted peppers, but plenty of the tri-tip.
A good size portion of the roasted peppers was brought out and these were very good. (I've been buying jarred roasted peppers for use on sandwiches at home and really kind of crave them).
Because of this mistake, we were able to try tie 'Crack' unadorned. The meat was tender and had a nice char on some pieces but wasn't extraordinary and really was fairly dull.
However, we have returned with friends; it's not terrible; everything is fresh. Soo was here!
Crack Taco Shop 4242 Camino De Rio North, Suite 28, San Diego 92108 (619) 269-2828 Open daily 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Website
looks delicious! the grilled cactus sounds interesting!
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 22 November 2022 at 04:01 AM
Thanks for the info; I have never heard of the marinated tri-tip from Seaside Market or this taco shop. Looking forward to trying both.
Posted by: Sandy | Tuesday, 22 November 2022 at 07:15 AM
It was, kat! I will definitely get the grilled cactus taco again. We have been trying to order more vegetable/vegetarian items lately.
We have North County friends who have always talked about 'crack' tacos after a day of surfing, Sandy. I never really paid attention but am happy to try this local place. (I had forgotten to add the link to an article about Seaside Market when I posted and corrected the post).
Posted by: Cathy | Wednesday, 23 November 2022 at 03:42 AM
I enjoyed a bunch of their tacos: https://www.hungryones.com/2021/09/crack-taco-shop/
Posted by: Soo | Wednesday, 23 November 2022 at 12:58 PM
The tacos are the best thing here, Soo! Your post has some great photos.It's funny how that menu board (and several others) are just all black when I wear my prescription sunglasses.
Posted by: Cathy | Wednesday, 23 November 2022 at 06:15 PM