Tacos vampiros are said to have originated in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Made with slightly larger, lightly fried tortillas and griddled with cheese, they get their moniker from the Dracula-repellent garlic added to the protein.
At the beloved Rudy’s Taco Shop in Solana Beach and La Costa, they come in carne asada and surf ’n’ turf, but we go for the gobernador—itself another Sinaloan specialty, supposedly named for a governor who preferred his tacos with shrimp. On top of a cheese-filled corn tortilla are garlicky chunks of shrimp, cilantro, onion, and avocado.
While the taco may seem simple, their salsa bar is anything but. It spans a mild avocado salsa, hot tomatillo verde, and five-alarm molcajete with other options in between.
Not feeling like tacos? Rudy’s also makes burritos, tostadas, soups, and breakfast. Plus, the taqueria’s handmade corn tortillas are available for purchase, and there’s a mini-market with beer, Jarritos, and more.
7662 El Camino Real, La Costa; 524 Stevens Avenue, Solana Beach
Very Important Taco: Gobernador Vampiro at Rudy’s Taco Shop
