Much Ado About Tacos
Plus: LV Taco Truck Shuffle; Rubio's Coastal Grill Proclamation, LV News Briefs, Valentine's Community Event Held
Editor’s note: We think it is just a lucky coincidence that our newsletter was inundated with news about tacos this week. Tacos seem to be a popular subject for residents of the Linda Vista area. We are fortunate to have so many places serving tacos and other assorted Mexican food. Please read our three taco related articles below—full of tasty taco triumphs and tribulations. After reading, we encourage you to pay a visit to all the taco businesses mentioned in the articles. May your cup runneth over with tacos!
We faced a major decision. Here it was Taco Tuesday again. And Fat Tuesday as well (day before Lent starts). Since we don’t eat meat anyway, we were not concerned in getting our last carnivore meal before Ash Wednesday, but we were hungry to try out a taco place we had just heard about. As you know, Steve is obsessed with tacos, and heard this place had a great veggie taco, so off we went to Mike’s Red Tacos, 4310 Genesee Ave, Suite 104, in the little shopping center across the street from Honey Baked Ham, just north of the Linda Vista/Clairemont border.
The owner of Mike’s Red Tacos is Michael Touma, born and raised in San Diego. According to his website, Mike was determined to find the best Birria in town and he went south of the border to learn more about the popular dish. He learned that each chef put their own personal touch on this dish and so after traveling both sides of the border, he decided to add his own twist. Mike’s Red Taco first opened at 2335 Morena Blvd with a food truck. Mike’s menu is built around Birria tacos made with fresh tortillas from a local vendor that are dipped in chili oil and crisped up on the flat top for their signature red color. He uses the finest quality meat slowly simmered for hours with a blend of spices.
Because his food truck was so much in demand and was only available Saturday, he opened a restaurant at its current location on August 5, 2022. We can enjoy Mike’s Red Tacos 7 days a week from 11AM to 10 PM Monday thru Thursday, 10AM to 11 PM Friday and Saturday and Sunday 10AM to 10PM.
We went up to Mike’s for lunch and found it quite easily, though the establishment itself is very small. The menu is very extensive, although non-meat products are slim. They have tacos, burritos, ramen, quesadillas, nachos, sides, desserts, and fountain drinks. They have a salsa bar with many kinds of salsa to your liking.
Steve and I both ordered the Veggie Taco for $4.19. These tacos consisted of sautéed portobello mushrooms, bell peppers, poblano peppers, beans, and potatoes, topped with guacamole, cilantro, and onions. We added the cheese for 79 cents. We also got one order of fries, which was substantial. The tacos were outstanding. The shells were red and crunchy, and very tasty. Different from normal taco shells. The filling was warm and very satisfying. Once we realized there were potatoes in the taco, we knew we shouldn’t have ordered the fries. We both love portabella mushrooms and the Veggie Taco was every bit as filling as a meat filled one and we gotbour money’s worth. We will certainly be spending Taco Tuesdays at Mike’s in the future.
So we encourage you to give it a try. Service was excellent and you can eat inside as well as order for take-out. The takeout was packaged very nicely. We think you’ll agree that the taco shells have a very special taste and texture.
When we went for lunch, the small interior of this business establishment was packed with customers. Obviously, the word is out on Mike’s Red Tacos. If by chance you go there for lunch and there is limited space inside, there are benches and other places available to sit outside and enjoy your food on a sunny day.
The LV Taco Truck Shuffle
We thought readers might be interested in a follow-up to a recent issue of the Linda Vista Update in which we detailed a taco truck controversy discussed at the January Linda Vista Community Planning Group meeting. The controversy centered on complaints lodged against Kiko’s Place—The Seafood King Food Truck by residents of a nearby development located along Friars Road. The residents complained that since moving from the nearby parking lot of Del Mesa Liquor Store, the food truck customer traffic had generated problems related to trash, illegal parking, and annoying light and noise. The residents commented they did not resent a local entrepreneur trying to run a successful business, but that all the related problems caused by the presence of the food truck were making life difficult for the people living in the development, and that the food truck proprietor did not demonstrate the requisite capability to exert the control over his customers needed to solve these problems.
At the meeting, Officer Surwilo, Community Relations Officer for the SDPD, informed those in attendance that an investigation was being conducted by city code enforcement personnel to determine if a provision of the San Diego municipal code dealing with areas located in the vicinity of a college campus (referred to as a Campus Impact Overlay Zone which dictates special parking restrictions) might have an impact on whether the food truck was allowed to stay or not in that location. In this case, the college campus is the University of San Diego.
Kiko’s Food Truck has since moved to a new location. Fortunately for everyone in the area, the food truck and its delicious selection of menu items can now be found not too far away, just inside Mission Valley territory at the parking lot of the Fashion Valley Gas Mart (the intersection of Friars Road and Fashion Valley Road) in Mission Valley).
We wish Kiko’s Food Truck good luck in this new locale!
***
In a related note, the popular La Princesa Taco Truck, previously located in the parking lot of American Legion Post 741 (at Genesee Avenue and Linda Vista Road) has now moved next to the new San Diego Bakery, near the intersection of Ulric Street and Linda Vista Road. The food truck is open daily from 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm.
The San Diego Bakery was featured in a previous issue of the Linda Vista Update. If you missed it, you can go back and read it here.
Councilmember Campillo Recognizes Rubio’s Tacos!
On Tuesday of this week, Councilmember Raul Campillo (District 7) presented Rubio’s Coastal Grill Co-Founder, Ralph Rubio and CEO Hank Simpson with a proclamation, celebrating 40 years of fish tacos and Baja-inspired Mexican food in the San Diego region. Rubio’s has become the #1 fish taco brand, credited with starting the fish taco phenomenon in the U.S.
As Chair of the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Councilmember Campillo recognizes the contribution to the Region’s economy and palate. Rubio’s Coastal Grill began in 1983 in Mission Bay, San Diego as a simple walk-up taco stand and has grown to nearly 160 establishments across State of California, Arizona, and Nevada.
“Rubio’s been a staple in San Diego for the past 40 years and literally changed the taco game in the Southwestern U.S. and beyond by introducing authentic fish tacos from Baja California,” said Councilmember Campillo. “Their dedication to supporting our environment by using sustainable seafood, eco-friendly practices, and compostable serving ware to protect our natural resources can’t be overlooked.”
“I moved to San Diego in 1973 to attend college at SDSU, and I’ve been in love with San Diego ever since. It’s where I started, with the help of my family, this amazing business called Rubio’s. 40 years later with over 270 million fish tacos sold, we are still going strong,” commented Ralph Rubio, Co-Founder of Rubio’s Coastal Grill. “I am especially grateful to our San Diego fans for supporting us from the beginning and helping to make Rubio’s Coastal Grill a success. Here’s to many more delicious fish tacos and cold cervezas!”
Hank Simpson, CEO of Rubio’s Coastal Grill added, "Rubio’s is such a loved brand, with quality ingredients and authentic cooking techniques that have been bringing friends and families together for 40 years…So many of our guests have personal memories about eating their first fish tacos, or enjoying dinner here with their kids. We are excited for the future opportunities to grow Rubio's, both in San Diego and expanding to new locations."
LV News Briefs:
—Farmers Market Cancellation: The Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market has canceled its Thursday February 23 Farmers Market due to expected high winds and rain.
—Fish and Chips Dinner on Fridays: Holy Family Catholic Church will host a Fish and Chips Dinner each Friday during Lent. The Fish and Chips Dinner operates from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. You can eat the dinner there, or order for take-out. The church is located at 1957 Coolidge Street.
—Kearny Alumni Car Show: The Kearny High Alumni Association will hold its 5th Annual Car Show this Saturday February 25. Check out the flyer below for details.
—Linda Vista Planning Group: The Linda Vista Planning Group will hold its monthly board meeting this coming Monday February 27 at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held at the American Legion Post 731 located at 7245 Linda Vista Road (Upstairs Meeting Room). The Planning Group is planning elections for board positions. Check out the flyer below for details on running for a board position.
—Linda Vista Town Council: The Linda Vista Town Council *LVTC) is looking for new members. The LVTC is a civic organization made up entirely of volunteers who promote the civic, commercial, educational, cultural interests, and general welfare of the community of Linda Vista. You can email LVTC board president Victor Tocco at Vbtocco@gmail.com for detailed membership information.
Valentine’s Day Community Event Held
As announced in a previous issue of the Linda Vista Update, Bree Partington, a resident of Linda Vista’s Mission Heights neighborhood, hosted a Valentine’s Day Arts and Craft event at Mission Heights Neighborhood Park on Saturday February 11. The event was well attended by Mission Heights families who applied their creative skills and enthusiasm to make such things as Valentine’s Day cards and various heart-shaped objects. They also took advantage of various Valentine’s Day treats that were furnished for any hungry attendees.
The Linda Vista Update commends Bree Partington for holding such a nice neighborhood event and helping to spread a positive community spirit!
Subscribe to the Linda Vista Update
We invite everyone to subscribe to the Linda Vista Update. It’s free!! Just click on the below “Subscribe now” button. Once you do so, you will be on automatic distribution for all future posts. Stay informed! Join our growing community of readers.
The Linda Vista Update is a weekly digital newsletter that publishes informative, interesting and and fun news about Linda Vista and its neighboring communities.