Papi's Birria. Food truck, est. 2022.

Best birria in San Diego

Papi's Birria: Now parked for good.

The late-night truck has a home. 2720 E Plaza Blvd, National City

Get directions See the card
Ivan Cruz, founder and owner of Papi's Birria, standing in front of the food truck, whose side is wrapped in a photo of birria tacos with the badge and Best Birria in San Diego lettering.
Ivan Cruz, founder and owner, with the truck. Photo courtesy of Papi's Birria.

From the curb
to the corner

Papi's Birria started in 2022 as a food truck, working the after-hours line on University Avenue in Hillcrest and rolling out to Pacific Beach. Hot consommé in a paper cup, tacos crisped on the plancha, a crowd that showed up after everything else had closed.

It's painted on the side of the truck, so we'll say it here too: the best birria in San Diego. Beef cooked low and slow in red chile adobo until it falls apart, dipped, griddled, and served with a cup of consommé for dunking.

Now the truck is parking for good. Same birria, with a roof and a kitchen that doesn't move: 2720 E Plaza Blvd, National City.

Food truck, est. 2022 Hillcrest Pacific Beach Now National City

The card

What we're known for. Prices and specials are posted in the restaurant and on Instagram.

Quesabirria tacos

Corn tortillas dipped in consommé fat, filled with shredded beef birria and cheese, griddled until the edges crisp. Cilantro, onion, and a cup of consommé for dunking.

Dip.Bite.Repeat.

Also on the card

Birria tacos

The original: beef birria on a griddled corn tortilla, no cheese. Consommé on the side.

Birria ramen

Noodles in hot birria consommé, loaded with shredded beef. The truck's one-of-a-kind.

Birria fries

Fries buried under birria and melted cheese.

Rolled tacos

Five to an order, topped with lettuce, crema, cotija and purple cabbage. Beef, chicken, tinga, or potato for no meat.

Al pastor tacos

Marinated pork off the griddle with cilantro and onion.

Carne asada fries

Grilled steak over fries with cheese and crema.

Consommé

The birria broth, by the cup. For dunking, or for drinking straight.

Churros

Fried, sugared, done.

Salsa station

Self-serve, two salsas. Green: milder and tangy. Dark red: smoky and the hottest. Start small.

Where to
find us

2720 E Plaza BlvdNational City, CA 91950

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Hours

Posted on opening day. Follow @papisbirria so you don't miss it.