Wednesday, February 4, 2015

The Original Taquito at El Indio Mexican Restaurant in San Diego

El Indio as seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
El Indio as seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
The crispy, meaty hand-food that is the taquito had to come from somewhere, and El Indio in San Diego says they made the first one. Read my full review with pictures after the break.

El Indio in the Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri on Food Network. It's also in the excellent Road food book Roadfood: The Coast-to-Coast Guide to 900 of the Best Barbecue Joints, Lobster Shacks, Ice Cream Parlors, Highway Diners, and Much, Much More, now in its 9th edition.

Chicken taquito at El Indio in San Diego's Mission Hills
Chicken taquito at El Indio in San Diego's Mission Hills
The story goes that during the World War II, the factory across the street from El Indio needed a way for its workers to grab a quick lunch that was easy to carry. El Indio curled a taco packed with meat into a cylinder and fried it, and the taquito was born.

Carne asada fries at El Indio in San Diego's Mission Hills
Carne asada fries at El Indio in San Diego's Mission Hills
Besides trying the first-ever taquito, we got to try carne asada fries. I shouldn't get too excited about a pile of delicious meat on a pile of fries, and topped with homemade guacamole and sour cream, but these were awesome. There's something about carne asada in San Diego that is crispier and tastier than what I'm used to in the rest of California. It's seasoned a little tastier, and fried a little crispier. The carne asada fries were awesome!

Fish taco at El Indio
Fish taco at El Indio
El Indio also has fish tacos. Another delicious treat.

The guacamole is really good, too.

There's also plenty of outdoor seating across the street, and the weather in San Diego is worthy of outdoor dining nearly year-round.

TIP: Visit El Indio for lunch, and enjoy a drive up the hill into Mission Hills. You will get some spectacular views of the harbor and downtown San Diego.

ANOTHER FIRST: The day before we hit El Indio, we stopped at The Orange Inn in Laguna Beach for the first-ever original smoothie. It was delicious!





El Indio on Urbanspoon


Read more TV food show restaurant reviews from Steve's Been There
Steve's Been There