Cabos San Lucas is a popular resort town that’s on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.
If I were to try to sell you on it, I’d tell you that Cabo has sparkling clear water with vibrant marine life. There are exciting adventure activities to be had, like ATV tours and snorkeling excursions. But if you want to relax, Cabo is a home to some of Mexico’s most beautiful resorts boasting infinity pools, spas, and top tier dining.
But, if I were to be honest, I’d tell you that Cabo is one of the many naturally beautiful places in Mexico that has fallen victim to over tourism and foreign investments. (Check out my in-depth deep dive into the greenwashing of Tulum HERE.) The main downtown area is peppered with kitschy restaurants, bars, and night clubs designed for spring breakers. And good luck making it 5 feet without someone offering you something for sale. All that can be avoided by hunkering down in a luxury resort. Which is fine for vacation, but hardly a travel experience.
When people say, “Eh…. I don’t really want to travel to Mexico again….” I’d bet it’s because they’ve only experienced the “Cabos” of the country when in fact there’s so much more to experience and see. (Jeremy and I spent nearly 3 months traveling around Mexico…. see the posts HERE.)
However, I firmly believe that there are authentic experiences to be had everywhere. Sometimes you just have to do a big of digging. Especially when it comes to food….
If you are a fellow foodie traveler looking for a true taste of Mexico that doesn’t break the bank, I’ve found the perfect spot for authentic tacos in Cabo San Lucas….
Taqueria El Paisa.
Taqueria El Paisa is a local chain that began as a humble street food cart. They serve up tacos, quesadillas (more like cheesy tacos we have in the USA), gringas (more like quesadillas we have in the USA), and ceviche, among other street-food esq dishes. The restaurant is open-air and no-frills. AKA no LED “What Happens in Cabo Stays in Cabo” or “Husband Daycare” signs to be had. Plus, they freshly make their tortillas on site, which gets them major brownie points.
Let’s dive into the food!
Al Pastor Tacos and Gringas
The al pastor meat was tender and juicy with a delightful charred flavor. A sensible slice of pineapple added the perfect pop of sweetness. Cilantro and a generous drizzle of moderately spicy salsa brought it all together. Each al pastor taco was 49MXN/$2.40USD— expensive compared to the $1usd tacos we were knocking back in Mexico City. But cheap compared to other tacos in Cabo.
We also got a gringa to share. It was exactly like the al pastor taco, but with two tortillas and a generous portion of Oaxaca cheese. (Essentially, a tex-mex quesadilla.) As a cheese lover, I was a huge fan. Jeremy not so much.
Fish Tacos and Carne Asada Quesadilla
The fish tacos looked bland and downright sad. But after dressing them up with lime, salsa, and the side of guac, they were surprisingly tasty. The fish wasn’t over cooked and had a nice grilled flavor, and I thought the amount of fish per taco was decent. The carne asada quesadilla was the dud of the meal. There was more fat than meat, and half of it was left on the plate.
The total bill….
- 2 al pastor tacos
- 1 al pastor ginga
- 2 fish tacos
- 1 carne asada quesadilla
- 1 horchata
For a grand total of 452mxn/$22.60USD
For Cabo…. that’s a total steal!
