The new location will take over the small standalone building that has seen a carousel of tenants in recent years, most recently housing Swagyu Butcher Shop. That shop shuttered earlier this year following Swagyu’s high-profile corporate takeover by controversial Sinaloa-based conglomerate Grupo ARHE. Tijuanazo's arrival signals a return to independent, family-owned fare in the high-foot-traffic corridor, and locals are already buzzing with anticipation.
With a handful of successful locations across Tijuana, Taquería Tijuanazo has become a household name for its bold, authentic flavors and friendly, fast service. Founded by Antonio and Claudia Esquivel in Playas de Tijuana in 2008 - originally under the name TacoNazo - the brand rebranded to Tijuanazo in recent years after a legal dispute with a similarly named chain. Their daughter Karyme now leads the U.S. expansion, with sister Aria managing locations in Los Angeles.
Tijuanazo made its U.S. debut in Los Angeles before quickly expanding into San Diego with the Hillcrest location, which was met with rave reviews and long lines. The Little Italy outpost marks the latest step in the Esquivel family's ambitious but hands-on approach to growth.
Known for their carne asada grilled over an open flame, tacos al pastor shaved fresh from the trompo, and house-pressed tortillas loaded with rich guacamole, Tijuanazo offers a menu that reads like a love letter to Tijuana's street food culture. Fans also flock to unique offerings like their nopal-wrapped taco azteca, crispy cheese "fantasmas," and surtidos - grilled chiles güeros, nopales, and onions, roasted to perfection.
The building's previous tenant, Swagyu Butcher Shop, operated briefly under the ownership of Steve Brown before a takeover by Grupo ARHE - a sprawling Mexican conglomerate with alleged ties to a series of money laundering probes by Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit. Swagyu's closure in Little Italy followed a string of shuttered locations and lawsuits, ending Brown’s controversial and turbulent tenure in San Diego's culinary scene. While the fate of other Swagyu-run locations remains uncertain, the India Street storefront will now be repurposed for something San Diegans can get behind: tacos made with heart, heritage, and heat.
Taquería Tijuanazo is expected to open later this year at 2102 India Street in San Diego's Little Italy. For more information, visit taqueriatijuanazo.com.
With a handful of successful locations across Tijuana, Taquería Tijuanazo has become a household name for its bold, authentic flavors and friendly, fast service. Founded by Antonio and Claudia Esquivel in Playas de Tijuana in 2008 - originally under the name TacoNazo - the brand rebranded to Tijuanazo in recent years after a legal dispute with a similarly named chain. Their daughter Karyme now leads the U.S. expansion, with sister Aria managing locations in Los Angeles.
Tijuanazo made its U.S. debut in Los Angeles before quickly expanding into San Diego with the Hillcrest location, which was met with rave reviews and long lines. The Little Italy outpost marks the latest step in the Esquivel family's ambitious but hands-on approach to growth.
Known for their carne asada grilled over an open flame, tacos al pastor shaved fresh from the trompo, and house-pressed tortillas loaded with rich guacamole, Tijuanazo offers a menu that reads like a love letter to Tijuana's street food culture. Fans also flock to unique offerings like their nopal-wrapped taco azteca, crispy cheese "fantasmas," and surtidos - grilled chiles güeros, nopales, and onions, roasted to perfection.
The building's previous tenant, Swagyu Butcher Shop, operated briefly under the ownership of Steve Brown before a takeover by Grupo ARHE - a sprawling Mexican conglomerate with alleged ties to a series of money laundering probes by Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit. Swagyu's closure in Little Italy followed a string of shuttered locations and lawsuits, ending Brown’s controversial and turbulent tenure in San Diego's culinary scene. While the fate of other Swagyu-run locations remains uncertain, the India Street storefront will now be repurposed for something San Diegans can get behind: tacos made with heart, heritage, and heat.
Taquería Tijuanazo is expected to open later this year at 2102 India Street in San Diego's Little Italy. For more information, visit taqueriatijuanazo.com.
Originally published on July 31, 2025.
