Where can you find the BEST tacos in San Diego? Wait. I mean, where can you find the best ALL YOU CAN EAT tacos in San Diego. What are you talking about????
The San Diego Wine & Food Fest is well known as one of the best food festivals in the country. Held every year before Thanksgiving at the large grassy point behind Seaport Village, this year it’s November 8-12, 2023. It’s very cool, I go every year, and it’s totally worth it.
But that’s not what I’m talking about.
MEET THE GRAND FIESTA, AKA san diego TACO TKO
The big event at the San Diego Wine + Food Fest is held on Saturday, this year on Nov 11th. On Sundays the activities at the main event cool down but the heat is definitely ON at THE GRAND FIESTA, sometimes known as the San Diego Taco TKO. Held on a huge open grassy area in Liberty Station, in some ways it’s BETTER than the main food festival because it’s a much more low key event. This means food lines are short, the crowds are manageable, and because of this you can eat as many tacos as you can in a three hour period. So many tacos.
And trust me, the tacos being served are serious tacos and for the most part “full size”. No happy size tiny bites here, the hardest part is not filling up after the second stop. Even the street tacos were big!
Sam the Cooking Guy was the big chef last year and it was cool to see him actually cooking and serving and handing you the food. His Korean Short Rib Taco was my favorite… or was it? I mean, there were so many GREAT tacos that it’s hard to decide.
Full sized delicious Korean short rib taco from Sam the Cooking Guy
Baja California wineries were well represented as well and like the tacos it was unlimited servings. Baja is making some really nice wines. I’m a huge fan of Napa wines (of course, I write Local Wally’s Napa Tourist Guide as well) but Baja is no slouch. Some of these wines were very impressive so get ready to be surprised if you haven’t tasted Mexican wines yet.
And the lines, so short, keep going back, try them all. Cocktails as well. Whatever you want. As many as you want. Did I say already that there were barely any lines? Did I?? I mean, lines shorter than the chicken nuggets shaped liked dinosaurs sample line at Costco.
And there was live music and plenty of space to kick back and just enjoy the sunshine. Last year was my first time and it was so amazing that I think it gives the main event a run for it’s money. Oh sure, the main San Diego Wine + Food Fest is the place to be seen, the setting on the bay is so luxurious, the vibe is so hip, but sometimes you just want to hang out with friends and eat tacos and drink beer all afternoon while listening to live music. Man that sounds good!
And guess what? The Grand Fiesta tickets are only $85! Have you ever looked at your credit card statement after a movie at Cineopolis with one glass of wine and one taco? I just did and it came out to nearly $60, and the movie was terrible! Don’t do that, do this instead. Much tastier, much more fun, much more like a perfect San Diego Sunday.
There’s more info coming on the 2023 event so always check back - until them check out the pics of tacos from last year because I want you to go to this event!
