manny’s tj tacos | normal heights / san diego, ca

Manny’s TJ Tacos used to be a little taco cart hanging out in Normal Heights, catering to the bar crowd. I first read about this former taco cart on Dennis’s blog and I thought… man, those look mighty tasty! After a pub night at the Ould Sod last week, we took our out-of-town friend, Chris, for the ultimate San Diego experience: eating tasty tacos at 1AM after a night of drinking.

It worked out quite well for us that Manny’s TJ Tacos was set up at the Corner Liquor Store, right next door to the Ould Sod. We didn’t have to go far to get our taco fix. As I said, they used to be a cart but they made a deal with the liquor store to set up shop indoors. You place your order with the gentleman at the window who relays your order to the cooks inside and within minutes you have some tasty looking tacos in your hands.

There’s a whole array of toppings and condiments for you to choose from to top off your tacos (they come plain with nothing on them).

The tacos are $1.25 a piece. They also have burritos for $4.75 a piece and TJ style (aka bacon wrapped) hot dogs for $3.50 each.

I ended up eating three of these little taco gems. Above we have a Carne Asada and a Carnitas taco. I topped both off with the guacamole looking sauce, onions and cilantro. The carne asada was excellent – and stuffed to the brim. They don’t skimp on the meat! It had a nice crispy, almost charred outside – very flavorful. The carnitas was tender and rich and almost melted in my mouth. I opted for another carne asada after I finished these two off. They were so good. An excellent after midnight snack!


Manny’s TJ Taco’s set up shop Wednesday through Saturday nights after 8PM 7PM (according to Yelp) and they aren’t there the last Wednesday of the month. We were told they have another place set up in Chula Vista somewhere (forgot where) and that they’re working on getting another mobile truck again for a third location. Sweet!

Manny’s TJ Tacos
3350 Adams Ave
(between Felton St & 34th St)
San Diego, CA 92116


5 thoughts on “manny’s tj tacos | normal heights / san diego, ca

  1. I’ve been looking for a late night taco truck that was closer to central San Diego. This looks like good quality and cheaper than Tacos El Gordo. How would you rank the two?

  2. Hey Mary – Wow, they’re open from 7 now?? I might just make it over there…. Have you tried their TJ Hot Dogs? I was wondering if they’re any good.

  3. Hey Kirk –
    I haven’t personally confirmed it, I was thinking of swinging by there Friday so see if it’s true (I’m totally going by the Yelp posting) – so I’ll have to confirm! I haven’t tried the TJ hot dogs, I’ve only had the only from Lucha Libre (which are really excellent).

    Hey Darren –
    I haven’t been to Tacos El Gordo… I suspect it’s a place I must try! I think a tacos post is in order.

  4. Mannys TJ tacos is now a full on catering service only! NO more late night street vending. Check out thier facebook page under mannys tj tacos. or call Manny at 619 865-0774

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