If you are ever in Ocean Beach and are enjoy the sun surf or pups (yes there is a dog beach), there is one places you need to stop. Now I know a lot of people will say, Ocean Beach legend? Hodads! Don’t get me wrong, they are delicious, but if you want hole in the wall amazingness, you need to go to Mike’s Taco Club.
The ambiance at the restaurant is exactly what you’d want in a side street taco place. There are 6 tables outside, usually at least half full and with low vibe music playing and the sound of the beach culture passing by, this is a great place to stop for a nice quick lunch. When I went last, there were at least one or two dogs at every table (I brought two myself) and I swear the dogs were better behaved then most of the people on the street!
You walk inside and order off the taco board (also one posted outside if you are indecisive), and that tacos are cheap (all under $5 and for the size, slightly mind blowing). The works are down to earth, not overly perky nor rude, just there to make sure you get the exact thing you want. I like to bring out of towners here because it is the quintessential OB vibe and the food is guaranteed to impress.
We ordered (way too much food) but the carne asada fries, a steak taco, a scallop taco and of course a horchata. The fries were perfectly done and had the right amount of salt on them to where you can throw a pile of steak on top and they will hold their own. They cover it in cheese, sour cream and guacamole; now if you are not a local this is a deconstructed California burrito. The Guacamole was fresh and limey with a little bite that helps wake you up. They throw on onions, cilantro and serve you a lime, kind of like a street taco.
The fries were great, but the tacos are what I come here for. I found the perfect filling taco combination, one steak and one scallop. The steak is the same as the fries but here you can douse it in the three sauces they serve. They have a Creamy Salsa Verde, Orange Sauce and Salsa Rojo and you get to pick your fate with these. I personally drink the orange one which I’m still trying to figure out, some type of a Chipotle sweetish flavorful sauce. The scallop taco is perfection in tacos in my opinion. The scallops are the small ones and they flash cook them on a grill so they are not rubbery, they are buttery like a good scallop should be. They put cabbage in the taco to holy up to the soft seafood and add a fresh homemade salsa with cilantro and fresh ripe avocado. I’ve been to so many taquerias in my day and my one pain point is unripe avocados these places serve. The dozen plus times I’ve been to Mike’s I have never had an unripe bad boy. The Horchata had the perfect combination of cinnamon and rice milk to end a meal on that sweet note that tells your body you are done.
Mike’s is a place to go, to bring friends or just have a date with your four legged bestie. The vibe is calm, the works helpful and food is what makes this place an iconic stop in any San Diego visit. Get a scallop taco, when done walk down the block and stare at the ocean, your stomach will be happy, your eyes fulfilled and you ears will hear the sound of calm, just a great day in the sunny city.
