Oh Tijuana! If you’re a regular visitor to Tijuana, you know that there are hidden gems all over! Here’s a few of the ones we have enjoyed in Tijuana over the many many times we have crossed the San Ysidro and Otay and even Tecate borders to have a weekend break in Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada.

This spot is a vibrant seafood restaurant that features an extensive menu focusing on fresh catches and Mexican coastal specialties, alongside a variety of other popular Mexican dishes. If you’ve never been to Sinaloa, this is a great way to taste the deliciousness of the famous Sinaloa seafood.

The menu is generally divided into several categories, including ceviches, cocktails, specialties “a las brasas” (from the grill), and main seafood and meat entrees. You’ll find:

Seafood appetizers and raw cold bar (ceviches, aguachiles, shrimp cocktails),

Main dishes: tacos, fish, soups, seafood prepared on the grill (I loooove the Camarones a Las Brasas “El Recodo”! The shrimp is large and you can tell is was cooked delicately over a charcoal grill.) Mr. Perez is partial to the Especialidades de Camaron, and the octopus.

The restaurant is also known for its lively setting with Banda music going in the evenings, often with a live band. It’s a little loud, you will know when you’re close. Lots of people having a great time. Especially over the weekend. Great spot for a Friday evening.

The restaurant also serves a full bar, including beer, wine, cocktails, and coffee, and is generally open daily from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM. They offer lunch, dinner, and brunch, with options for takeout and delivery.

We’ve been to the location in Zona Rio (many times), but there is another one closer to Otay.

If you’re in Tijuana on a weekday, you’ll likely see taco stands on every other street. During the day, tacos varios are a popular food option for many employed in Tijuana, and an affordable and delicious meal on a visit to Tijuana.

Tacos varios are basically a whole home meal wrapped in a pair of tortillas. They usually start with a base of rice and beans, then a “guisado” which is basically a homestyle protein or vegetable dish in a well seasoned sauce.

We have had great tacos at many different stands. There is one in Zona Rio, Tacos Tigre Tono where we particularly liked the Milanesa tacos, bistec con papas, chicharron and mole con pollo.

Somehow, the fruit in Mexico is always so juicy and perfectly ripe! The mangoes, watermelon and oranges always hit the spot for me. I get mine with lime and without Tajin, but Mr. Perez always goes for the lime and Tajin combo. If you’ve never had Tajin before, try just a little bit before getting it all over your fruit.

We frequent the stand manned by a really nice man from Oaxaca that’s stationed right outside Hospital Angeles Tijuana. The fruit here is always perfectly ripe, the stand is clean, and the fruit is handled very hygienically.

Tacos El Franc is a popular taco stand in Tijuana, boasting a 4.5-star rating and recognition from the Michelin Guide. It is also globally famous after being featured on Netflix’s “Taco Chronicles”.

While the parking in the area is not great, if you’re driving, you can find parking on nearby streets. There is also a drive up / pickup line, which we did not use, but is a great way to not have to stand in line while waiting.

While there can be a line, especially during peak hours, it moves pretty quickly.

The food is really fresh, you can see it being made right there. The carne adobada (al pastor style) tacos, carne asada and suadero are my top choices at any taqueria, and they definitely hit the spot at Tacos El Franc.

They’re open in the afternoon and into the night, so an option for dinner or a late night meal.

If getting to your next stop takes you across the San Ysidro border, the really long wait time is well spent eating a little bit of all the different foods sold in the line. Fresh made churros, burritos, atole, ice cream and many others as you slowly get towards the border crossing.

It really is a unique experience at the busiest land border crossing – really long wait times and vendors along the whole route; food, souvenirs, and even puppies!

Some of our favorite things at the border have been warm churros and lime ice cream. They were gone quickly but we got more churros for the drive!

For tips on having a calm road trip with a baby, check out this post.

Wishing you fun adventures and great food along the way! 💛