Founded as a humble street cart in 1974 by Javier Valadez, Tacos El Franc has evolved into a bustling brick-and-mortar institution famous for its spit-roasted adobada, flame-grilled carne asada, and hand-pressed tortillas. The taqueria was included in the Michelin Guide's first-ever Mexico edition and has become a culinary landmark that draws devoted crowds from both sides of the border.
Tacos El Franc is nearly ready to unveil its first-ever U.S. restaurant at Westfield Plaza Bonita mall in National City, which is expected to finally debut in soft opening form on June 11 after a year in development. The South Bay restaurant will seat up to 200 guests and aims to be a near-exact replica of the original, featuring glossy blue and white tiles, a custom indoor charcoal grill, and a traditional cheve-bar pouring micheladas, Mexican beer, sangria, and Mexican sodas.
The Gaslamp branch will be significantly smaller than its southern counterparts, taking over the compact Fifth Avenue space formerly occupied by Lefty’s Cheesesteaks. Designed as a scaled-down version of the Tijuana flagship, the downtown eatery will deliver the full menu that made Tacos El Franc a borderland legend - featuring lengua, cabeza, tripa, suadero, and towering trompos of marinated adobada. Each taco will be finished with the taqueria’s signature hand-mixed avocado salsa, prepared fresh every morning to ensure the same bold, authentic flavor that drew crowds across the border for decades.
Bringing the taqueria stateside is co-owner Roberto Kelly, who spent more than two decades working alongside the founding Valadez family. Determined to preserve the authenticity of the original, Kelly and his team imported specialized equipment, sourced identical ingredients, and trained staff in traditional preparation methods.
With further expansion plans already in motion - including new locations in Los Angeles and Fresno - Tacos El Franc's grand expansion in San Diego marks a bold step for a brand that has long been a cross-border legend. Very soon, Southern California taco lovers will finally be able to savor one of Baja California's most celebrated flavors at two San Diego taquerias without crossing the border.
Tacos El Franc is expected to open later this year at 528 Fifth Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, but first, the restaurant will launch at 3030 Plaza Bonita Road, Suite 1108, in National City. For more information, visit tacoselfrancusa.com.
With further expansion plans already in motion - including new locations in Los Angeles and Fresno - Tacos El Franc's grand expansion in San Diego marks a bold step for a brand that has long been a cross-border legend. Very soon, Southern California taco lovers will finally be able to savor one of Baja California's most celebrated flavors at two San Diego taquerias without crossing the border.
Tacos El Franc is expected to open later this year at 528 Fifth Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, but first, the restaurant will launch at 3030 Plaza Bonita Road, Suite 1108, in National City. For more information, visit tacoselfrancusa.com.
Originally published on June 3, 2025.
