SEAFOOD ON WHEELS
SAN DIEGO’S PROXIMITY TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND BAJA CALIFORNIA HAS LED TO A WEALTH OF LOCAL MARISCOS TRUCKS; HERE ARE SIX OF THE COUNTY’S BEST
Mexican seafood trucks are an essential part of San Diego County culture. It’s the proximity to the Pacific Ocean and Baja California, along with availability of various public streets and parking lots, that make them so prominent locally, according to the truck owners I spoke with for this guide.
And because of that proximity to Mexico, mariscos trucks bring Mexican coastal vibes to San Diego, serving agauchiles, ceviche, marlin, shrimp and more from Baja California and Sinaloa, Mexico. Regional music like corridos and banda can also be found at local Mexican seafood trucks as you either eat standing up or sitting at communal folding tables in parking lots or on sidewalks.
Try Googling “mariscos trucks in San Diego” or look up “mariscos” in the county of San Diego’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality database and there will be over 20 Mexican seafood trucks.
I went out to various parts of the county and found six mariscos trucks you need to try right now based on quality, taste and variety of seafood.
Kiko’s Place Seafood
One of the best things about Kiko’s Place Seafood in Mission Valley is the daily specials. Deals range from $1.50 oysters on Sundays and three fish tacos for $6.99 to its signature Krazy Ceviche for $18, normally $26. Plus, all the menu items and food pictures are painted and plastered on the blue food truck to help customers decide. Kiko’s has a mix of Baja Californiastyle mariscos options like seafood cocktails, ceviche and seafood soups. There are also 20 styles of seafood tacos, like the seafood mix taco, which comes with all the daily seafood available, and Kiko’s OG Fish Taco, the bestselling item. Kiko’s is located at the corner of Mission Center Road and Hazard Center Drive. There is nowhere to sit and eat, so most customers will take their food to go or eat in their car, parked along Hazard Center Drive. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. (619) 341-7397, kikosplace.com
La Reyna del Sur 2
Those who live or work near the University Heights area have probably seen a food truck in a liquor store parking lot off Texas Street and Meade Avenue. This is the home of La Reyna Del Sur 2, a truck dishing out Mexican seafood for over five years. It’s easy to spot since it’s decorated with large pictures of various menu items. There is also a white canopy with a couple of tables to stand and eat at. Classic menu items available include its fish taco, a Baja-style crispy, golden, deep-fried fish that extends outside the corn tortilla, with pico de gallo, cabbage and Mexican crema. Another customer favorite is the aguachile verde, which comes with raw shrimp marinated in lime juice, cucumbers, red onions, avocado slices and chili pepper. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. 4404 Texas St., San Diego. (619) 622-4276
Mariscos Germán
In San Marcos, there is a white food truck preparing delicious Mexican seafood. Mariscos Germán has
seafood cocktails, clamatos, burritos, quesadillas, tacos and more, including a dish called the “Barbie Special” that comes with raw shrimp, clams, oysters, onions and avocado. All orders come with a complimentary small shrimp soup. This food truck has been at the same location for about seven years near the Costco Business Center in San Marcos. There are a couple of tables and about eight seats located on the dirt sidewalk, in front of where Mariscos Germán is parked. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Near Linda Vista Drive and Grand Avenue, San Marcos.
Mariscos Mar y Tierra
Tucked away behind a Vista paint store and around the corner from the DMV in Chula Vista is Mariscos Mar y Tierra. It has been at the same location for over 10 years and serves various seafood like oysters, octopus, seafood soups, marlin, aguachiles, seafood cocktails and more. Most items like tostadas come with large portions of seafood, so come hungry or bring someone to share with. Next to the black food truck with pictures of menu items on it are about 10 communal tables under a large rectangular gray tarp, where guest can sit or stand and eat. 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. 15 N. Fourth Ave., Chula Vista. (619) 6384841, mariscosmarytierra.info
Mariscos & Birria El Ritchie
In El Cajon, Mariscos & Birria El Ritchie has dishes inspired by seafood found in Baja California and Sinaloa, Mexico. At this food truck you can find Sinaloa classics like aguachiles (raw shrimp marinated with lime juice, cucumbers, onions and chili peppers) and the taco gobernadora (shrimp, melted cheese, garlic, onions and chili peppers). There are also fish tacos, seafood cocktails, ceviche made from ahi tuna, oysters and more. Plus, you can order seafood trays to go for events and group
gatherings. Mariscos & Birria El Ritchie is located in the Greenfield Plaza Liquor parking lot, and it has been there for about one year. There is a canopy next to the food truck with a couple of tables to seat about eight people. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. 1101 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon. (619) 404-9268
Thovo Mariscos & Birria
Thovo Mariscos & Birria is located in Eastlake, in the front parking lot of Parkway Hills Church, where El Sabor de Baja food truck used to be parked. There is a handful of picnic tables to sit and eat, with a tarp overhead to block the sun. Thovo serves a variety of options like fish tacos, tostadas and ceviche, with seafood such as shrimp, ahi tuna, octopus, marlin and aguachiles.
9 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. 1227 Eastlake Parkway, Chula Vista. (619) 636-3797