Look, I sell real estate for a living. But I've been in San Diego for over 20 years, and in that time I've developed an equally important expertise: knowing exactly where to get the best tacos near any home I've ever shown.

When I take buyers on neighborhood tours, I always build in a taco stop. You can learn more about a neighborhood from its taco shop than from any MLS listing. Here are my favorites across the county.

Chula Vista: Tacos El Gordo

I'm starting with the legend. If you've never had Tacos El Gordo, this alone is a reason to look at homes in Chula Vista. The adobada is life-changing — carved right off the spit, pineapple on top, on a handmade tortilla. The line is always long. It's always worth it.

La Jolla / Bird Rock: The Taco Stand

Proof that a great taco doesn't have to be cheap (though these are reasonably priced for La Jolla). The carne asada is perfectly charred and the ambiance — tucked into a little Bird Rock storefront — is pure San Diego.

North Park: Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop

The surf and turf burrito here has a cult following, but their tacos are the real move. Creative combinations in a space covered in lucha libre masks. It's fun, it's delicious, and it's very North Park.

Encinitas: Haggo's Organic Taco

Only in Encinitas would you find an organic taco shop. And only at Haggo's would the organic tacos actually be incredible. The fish tacos here are some of the best on the coast.

National City: Taqueria Revolucionario

Small, unpretentious, absolutely authentic. The kind of place where the menu is mostly in Spanish and the birria comes in a styrofoam cup and it's perfect. National City's food scene is underrated and this spot is a prime example.

Oceanside: Colima's Mexican Food

A North County institution. Multiple locations, consistently great, and their green salsa should probably be classified as an addictive substance. Every buyer I've taken to the Oceanside area gets pointed here.

Coronado: Miguel's Cocina

Coronado is known for the Hotel del, the beach, and the bridge. But Miguel's, tucked into the old historic area, serves up some of the best fish tacos on the island. Great margaritas too, but that's a different blog post.

Downtown / East Village: Lolita's Mexican Food

The California burrito is what most people come for, but the carne asada taco on a fresh flour tortilla is the sleeper hit. When I have clients looking at downtown condos, Lolita's is always the lunch spot.

Imperial Beach: Mike's Taco Club

Right near the pier, super casual, great fish tacos, and you can eat outside with a view of the ocean. This is the IB lifestyle in a nutshell — unpretentious, affordable, and right on the water.

El Cajon: Taco Fiesta

El Cajon's food scene has become incredibly diverse, but for classic Mexican tacos, Taco Fiesta delivers. No frills, just well-executed tacos at prices that make you wonder why you're paying $5 a taco anywhere else.

Carlsbad: Señor Grubby's

A little more upscale than your average taco shop, with a great craft beer selection and a patio that's perfect for Carlsbad's coastal evenings. The shrimp tacos are excellent.

Why I wrote this

Because knowing a neighborhood isn't just about school ratings and price per square foot. It's about where you'll grab dinner on a Tuesday night, where you'll take out-of-town guests, where you'll become a regular.

When I help you find a home, I'm helping you find a community. And every great community in San Diego has a great taco spot.

Let me take you on a tour — homes and tacos included.

The Best Tacos Near Every San Diego Neighborhood (A Realtor's Totally Scientific Guide)