Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

1. Birria Tacos

Delicious goat meat stew served in a taco at Taqueria el Callahey, a local favorite.

Unique Ingredients: Uses goat meat instead of traditional beef or chicken.
Authentic Flavor: Cooked with traditional Mexican spices for a rich, bold taste.
Famous Taqueria: Taqueria el Callahey is well-known in Tijuana for their birria tacos.

Tender pork pieces slow-cooked in lard and served with fresh salsa verde.

Slow Cooking: Pork is cooked slowly to ensure tenderness.
Traditional Technique: Cooked in lard instead of oil, resulting in a richer flavor.
Famous Taqueria: La Cuaverjeria is known for its carnitas and has multiple locations throughout Tijuana.

Pork-filled sandwich drenched in spicy tomato broth at Tortas Las Abejas.

Spicy Broth: Torta ahogada means 'drowned' - the sandwich is drenched in spicy tomato broth.
Crispy Bread: The bread is crispy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside.
Famous Taqueria: Tortas Las Abejas is a popular spot for tortas ahogadas in Tijuana.

Fresh clams marinated in lime juice and chili peppers at El Callahey.

Fresh Ingredients: Clams are as fresh as can be, ensuring a delicious ceviche.
Spicy Kick: The chili peppers give the dish a spicy kick.
Famous Seafood Restaurant: El Callahey is renowned for its seafood dishes, especially ceviche.

Buttery lobster served in tacos at El Pescaito Frito.

Fresh Lobster: The lobster is fresh and succulent, cooked to perfection.
Unique Topping: Topped with creamy avocado slices and tangy lime wedges.
Famous Seafood Restaurant: El Pescaito Frito is a popular seafood restaurant in Tijuana.

Grilled intestines served in a taco at Taqueria el Callahey.

Unique Ingredient: Using intestines instead of traditional meat.
Authentic Flavor: Cooked with Mexican spices, creating a rich, bold taste.
Famous Taqueria: Taqueria el Callahey is well-known in Tijuana for their variety of tacos.

Slow-roasted pork marinated in sour oranges and achiote at La Cuaverjeria.

Slow Cooking: Cooked slowly for hours, ensuring the pork is tender.
Unique Marinade: Marinated in sour oranges and achiote, giving it a unique flavor.
Famous Taqueria: La Cuaverjeria is known for its cochinita pibil and has multiple locations throughout Tijuana.

Seafood platter featuring grilled shrimp, clams, oysters and fish at Mariscos Miky.

Fresh Seafood: The seafood is as fresh as can be, ensuring a delicious meal.
Grilled to Perfection: Grilled to perfection over an open flame, locking in the flavors.
Famous Seafood Restaurant: Mariscos Miky is a popular seafood restaurant in Tijuana.

Steamed corn dough filled with fish and steamed at Taqueria el Callahey.

Fresh Ingredients: The fish is fresh and succulent, wrapped in a corn dough.
Steamed to Perfection: Steamed until the tamale is soft and tender.
Famous Taqueria: Taqueria el Callahey is well-known in Tijuana for their variety of tamales.

Poblano pepper stuffed with picadillo and covered in walnut sauce at Casa de la Cultura.

Unique Presentation: The dish is decorated with pomegranate seeds, parsley, and peaches to resemble the Mexican flag.
Tangy Walnut Sauce: A tangy walnut sauce covers the dish, adding a unique flavor.
Cultural Significance: The dish is served during Mexico's Independence Day celebrations.

Spicy grilled quesadillas filled with cheese and meat at Taqueria el Callahey.

Grilled to Perfection: The quesadilla is grilled on a trompo, giving it a unique texture.
Spicy Kick: The dish has a spicy kick due to the use of chili peppers.
Famous Taqueria: Taqueria el Callahey is well-known in Tijuana for their variety of tacos and quesadillas.

Spicy shrimp dish cooked in a tomato-based sauce at La Cuaverjeria.

Spicy Kick: The dish has a spicy kick due to the use of chili peppers.
Unique Tomato Sauce: Cooked in a tangy tomato-based sauce, adding a unique flavor.
Famous Taqueria: La Cuaverjeria is known for its variety of seafood dishes.

Grilled beef tongue served in a taco at Taqueria el Callahey.

Unique Ingredient: Using beef tongue instead of traditional meat.
Authentic Flavor: Cooked with Mexican spices, creating a rich, bold taste.
Famous Taqueria: Taqueria el Callahey is well-known in Tijuana for their variety of tacos.

Crispy fried tortilla topped with tuna salad at Taqueria El Pescaito Frito.

Crispy Tortilla: The tortilla is fried until crispy, creating a unique texture.
Fresh Tuna: Tuna salad is made with fresh tuna, ensuring a delicious taste.
Famous Seafood Restaurant: El Pescaito Frito is a popular seafood restaurant in Tijuana.

Corn tortillas filled with chicken and covered in sour cream and green tomatillo sauce at Casa de la Cultura.

Unique Sauce: Green tomatillo sauce adds a tangy flavor.
Creamy Topping: Sour cream gives the dish a creamy texture.
Cultural Significance: The dish is a fusion of Mexican and American cuisines.