The Taco Stand opens in North Park - San Diego, CA

The Taco Stand has expanded into the neighborhood of North Park and taken over the spot where Tacos Perla used to be. I dropped by for a media lunch on a Friday and found street parking within a few blocks. There's nothing wrong with a little sunshine and cooling breeze to and from your meal! Since I hadn't seen her in a while, SanDiegoFoodGirl joined me as my plus one.

The restaurant space is mom and pop sized with a casual atmosphere. The kitchen and order counter are on the left while a few tables line up against the right side wall. There's also an outdoor patio for additional seating.

If you need a little extra kick, visit the Salsa Bar in the back. I don't use salsa often so a pic is what you get today!

Hello corn tortillas! I loved having a sneak peek through the glass windows as they rolled out each one then cooked it on the flat top. The Taco Stand also prepares their own flour tortillas, which I prefer over corn tortillas. I also noticed the employees were smiling as they performed their duties and interacted with customers. Happy employees? That's the kind of place I want to visit!

Here's what we tasted on this visit:

Carne Asada Quesadilla ($8.09) - on flour tortilla with grilled angus steak and side of guacamole & sour cream

Quesadillas fall into my "eat anytime" category and per cashier's recommendation, one carne asada was ordered. These gorgeous grilled tortillas were stuffed with tender steak and cheese. The deliciousness of the homemade flour tortillas really shined in a dish like this, where it had a slight crisp edge but pulled gently away as you nibbled! That angus steak made a BIG difference in taste and texture too (Lolitas recently disappointed me).

Al Pastor Taco ($2.99) - rotisserie marinated pork, cilantro, onions, cilantro sauce, pineapple

Tacos were next on the list to eat. The al pastor taco was a bit on the chewy side which surprised me. Every other time, whether events or in store, it was typically a hit. Maybe I got the wrong cut that day... Otherwise, there were plenty of sweet pineapples and creamy sauce to entertain your mouth.

Camaron (Spicy Shrimp) Taco (right, $3.49) - grilled shrimp, cheese, avocado, cabbage, tomato & chipotle sauce

My friend ordered the shrimp taco, which is her favorite here. There's a mild spice from the chipotle sauce. You need to get a good grip for the tacos here, which are decently sized. This overflowing one is about to spill! Shrimp sure was a messy one!

Sonora Taco ($4.29) - flour tortilla, angus steak (100% certified angus beef), melted cheese, beans, guacamole, onions, cilantro & salsa

I inhaled this sonora taco after encountering a single yummy bite. I was impressed that pinto beans paired so well with steak and that lovely cheese crisp layer.

Mar y Tierra Burrito ($8.89) - grilled shrimp with angus steak, melted cheese, cabbage, avocado, tomato & chipotle salsa

Since I hadn't tried shrimp here yet, the surf and turf burrito helped fill the void. The steak meat was as described above but the shrimp portion was sparse within this tortilla wrap. The grilled shrimp seasoning was very light too and I found myself wanting to add some extra salsa. Half went home as leftovers where I heard hubby Dennis raved over the tender steak meat. I'll never be satisfied with the local mexican joint's beef after this taste...

Corn on the Cob (2.99) - grilled corn served with mayonnaise, parmesan cheese and chili powder

The corn is another favorite of my friend. This cob gets a bit chili if you get my drift! We were definitely full at this point...

Hot Churros ($2.79) - fresh made, 3 per order

And then came dessert. They have this churro machine in the kitchen which pipes out the dessert in the familiar asterick shape! The dough has a nice chew and outer crunch with plenty of cinnamon / sugar on top. I believe the dip is a condensed milk mixture. The whole meal was time well spent enjoying food, catching up with my friend, and taking those girlie food photos I don't do with the hubby. Make sure to check out SanDiegoFoodGIrl's website and social media accounts if you have a chance.

Thanks to manager Juan for taking care of us as well as all the friendly staff. Between here and the Encinitas location, I've knocked off a number of items from the menu. With affordable prices, plentiful portions, and tasty options, this place is a great addition to North Park. We'll be sure to stop by in the future either here or one of the other three San Diego locations! If only it were closer to home...

Disclaimer: I was invited to dine here and the food was complimentary. I was not otherwise compensated and all opinions stated are my own.