Led by restaurateur Adrian Gutierrez, whose family has deep roots in San Diego’s hospitality community, Taco Centro draws inspiration from bustling taco stands across Mexico’s major cities - Guadalajara, Mexico City, Tijuana - and re-imagines them in a contemporary, sit-down format. The Little Italy location occupies the space most recently home to the short-lived burger concept Bun & Patti on the ground floor of the AV8 apartment building and features an open-kitchen design, vibrant décor, and both indoor and outdoor seating to match the neighborhood’s breezy, urban-coastal feel.
The menu stays true to the brand’s street-food ethos: expect hand-pressed corn tortillas, birria tacos, burritos, quesadillas, smothered fries, and elote. Signature items include the “Taco Azul” (blue-corn tortilla with grilled Angus steak) and rotating specials. The Little Italy outpost also carries churros and Mexican-style paletas for dessert, along with aguas frescas, Mexican sodas, and local craft beers on tap.
With its first location at 539 Island Avenue gaining a late-night following for bold flavors and lively energy, the brand’s move into Little Italy marks a strategic expansion into a neighborhood known for its culinary intensity and tourist draw. The open-floor layout, floor-to-ceiling windows, and fast-casual accessibility give the space a relaxed yet stylish vibe.
Taco Centro is now officially open at 2171 Kettner Boulevard. For more information, visit tacocentrosd.com.
Originally published on October 31, 2025.
