Ready to know more about San Diego?

Subscribe

Very Important Taco: Chicken and Carnitas Tacos at Las Cuatro Milpas

There's a reason why there's always a line outside of this Barrio Logan institution

By Marie Tutko

These tacos aren’t Baja-Med. Who knows whether the corn for the masa is non-GMO. They definitely don’t taste like they’ll balance your chakras, and the restaurant itself sure as hell isn’t trendy—it’s been a pillar of the Barrio Logan community for nearly 90 years, and you don’t want it to change, ever. These crunchy, fatty tacos are legendary, and that’s why there’s always a line outside of Las Cuatro Milpas (and the queue was there long before a Michelin inspector finally smelled the spicy salsa and showed up this year).

The old-school menu board with changeable plastic letters shows just a few choices: hard-shell carnitas or chicken tacos stuffed with lettuce and queso fresco at $1.75 each, five rolled tacos for $5, tamales, burritos. Grab a tray, slide it down the cafeteria-style service line, and watch as the tortillas float in a huge pot of lard on the stove like lily pads on a pond as they fry to a crisp. No matter what you order, save room for a side of the famous rice and beans that come with a doughy flour tortilla—they’re as warm and comforting as a hug from your grandmother.

Stop putting off having a meal at Milpas or making excuses about the line being too long (it moves fast). Just get here. Ahora.

1857 Logan Avenue, Barrio Logan

Share this post

Subscribe to our newsletters

Select Options

By subscribing you confirm that you agree with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Eat Like a Local (Who Knows a Guy).

Restaurant news, culinary storytelling, and Troy Johnson’s sharp takes delivered straight to your inbox twice a month.

Close the CTA

Contact Us

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA