Tijuana's beloved Tacos El Franc taquería is expanding into the historic Gaslamp Quarter, with a compact outpost set to open later this summer at 528 Fifth Avenue. The downtown space, formerly home to Lefty’s Cheesesteaks, will deliver a more central option for fans of the Baja institution who don’t want to venture to the South Bay. Though much smaller than the bustling Plaza Bonita flagship, the new Gaslamp branch promises the same full-flavored experience that has made Tacos El Franc a cross-border culinary legend.
Founded in 1974 as a street cart by Javier Valdez, Tacos El Franc built its reputation through decades of dedication to traditional flavors—spit-roasted adobada carved from towering trompos, mesquite-grilled carne asada, tacos de lengua, cabeza, tripa, and suadero, all served on handmade tortillas and topped with the taquería’s signature avocado salsa. The brand rose to international fame with its inclusion in the inaugural Michelin Guide for Mexico and has since been featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, drawing taco pilgrims from across the globe.
Led in the U.S. by restaurateur Roberto Kelly - who trained under Don Javier and spent more than 20 years preparing for this expansion - the San Diego project is a labor of love. The team has painstakingly recreated the flavors and systems of the Tijuana original, down to the custom charcoal grill, brigade-style kitchen operations, and the daily salsa-making rituals.
The National City location, housed inside Westfield Plaza Bonita mall, officially opened on June 11 and has been operating at capacity ever since. That restaurant features red-and-white tilework, dual trompos, a dedicated cheve bar serving micheladas and Mexican beer, and multiple stations handling carne asada, tacos de fritanga, and steamed meats - all overseen by a team trained directly by the Valadez family.
The Gaslamp location, though smaller, is expected to echo the Tijuana flagship's menu in full, offering tacos, mulitas, quesadillas, tostadas, and vampiros, with a San Diego twist in the form of carne asada and adobada fries. It will cater to downtown diners late into the evening, serving as both a fast-casual hotspot and a taste of Tijuana’s iconic taco culture in the city center.
With plans already in motion for future expansion into Los Angeles and Fresno, the arrival of Tacos El Franc in downtown San Diego cements the brand's stateside ambitions and gives locals another chance to enjoy one of Baja California’s most iconic bites - no passport required.
Tacos El Franc Gaslamp is expected to open in late summer 2025 at 528 Fifth Avenue in San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. For more information, visit tacoselfrancusa.com.
The National City location, housed inside Westfield Plaza Bonita mall, officially opened on June 11 and has been operating at capacity ever since. That restaurant features red-and-white tilework, dual trompos, a dedicated cheve bar serving micheladas and Mexican beer, and multiple stations handling carne asada, tacos de fritanga, and steamed meats - all overseen by a team trained directly by the Valadez family.
The Gaslamp location, though smaller, is expected to echo the Tijuana flagship's menu in full, offering tacos, mulitas, quesadillas, tostadas, and vampiros, with a San Diego twist in the form of carne asada and adobada fries. It will cater to downtown diners late into the evening, serving as both a fast-casual hotspot and a taste of Tijuana’s iconic taco culture in the city center.
With plans already in motion for future expansion into Los Angeles and Fresno, the arrival of Tacos El Franc in downtown San Diego cements the brand's stateside ambitions and gives locals another chance to enjoy one of Baja California’s most iconic bites - no passport required.
Tacos El Franc Gaslamp is expected to open in late summer 2025 at 528 Fifth Avenue in San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. For more information, visit tacoselfrancusa.com.
Originally published on July 28, 2025.
