Al pastor from the trompo
Pork is rubbed with achiote, stacked on a vertical spit and cooked slowly as it turns, then shaved to order and finished with pineapple, onion, cilantro and salsa verde.
Taqueria · Bressi Ranch, Carlsbad
Tacos in Carlsbad, made the Casero way
Every taco starts with a corn tortilla pressed by hand in our kitchen. What goes on top is up to you.
Where are the best tacos in Carlsbad?
For street-style tacos on handmade corn tortillas, locals head to Casero Taqueria in Bressi Ranch (2674 Gateway Rd #195, Carlsbad). The menu has 10 tacos from $6.99 to $7.99 — al pastor carved from the trompo, birria with consomé, carne asada, carnitas and Baja-style fish and shrimp. On Tuesdays, carne asada, pollo asado, carnitas and al pastor tacos are $1.99 all day.
It starts with the tortilla
A great taco is mostly tortilla, which is why ours are made by hand, in-house, every day. Fresh corn tortillas are soft, a little toasty and sturdy enough to hold a generous scoop of filling — the difference you taste in the first bite. It's also what “casero” means: homemade.
From there it's about doing each protein the right way: slow braises, a hot grill, a spinning trompo and a fryer reserved for Baja-style seafood. Salsas are made in-house too — try the Casero salsa and salsa verde, both sold by the tub in our market section.
Three techniques behind our tacos
Birria with consomé
Beef is braised low and slow until it falls apart, tucked into a tortilla with Monterey Jack and panela, and served with a cup of rich consomé for dipping.
Char-grilled asada
Marinated steak and chicken thighs hit the grill for real char, then get guacamole, onion, cilantro and salsa verde. Simple, smoky, classic.
The full taco lineup
| Dish | What's in it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Baja Fish Taco | Beer-battered seasonal white fish with cilantro slaw, crema and salsa fresca. | $7.99 |
| Baja Shrimp Taco | Beer-battered shrimp with cilantro slaw, crema and salsa fresca. | $7.99 |
| Grilled Fish Taco | Char-grilled seasonal white fish with jalapeño slaw, sliced avocado and habanero jam. | $6.99 |
| Grilled Shrimp Taco | Sautéed seasoned shrimp, jalapeño slaw, crema and salsa fresca. | $6.99 |
| Birria Taco | Slow-cooked braised beef, Monterey Jack and panela cheese, with consomé for dipping. | $7.99 |
| Carne Asada Taco | Marinated grilled steak with onions, cilantro, guacamole and salsa verde. | $7.99 |
| Al Pastor Taco | Achiote-rubbed pork cooked traditionally on the trompo, with onions, cilantro, salsa verde and fresh-cut pineapple. | $6.99 |
| Carnitas Taco | Citrus-braised pork with onion, cilantro, guacamole and salsa fresca. | $6.99 |
| Pollo Asado Taco | Char-grilled chicken thigh topped with onions, cilantro, guacamole and salsa verde. | $6.99 |
| Veggie Taco | Sautéed zucchini, yellow squash, red bell peppers, black beans, salsa verde and pickled onion. | $6.99 |
How to order like a regular
- Mix and match. Order two or three different tacos so you can taste the range — al pastor and birria make a great pair.
- Add a side combo for two sides (rice, beans or slaw) with any taco plate.
- Go Baja at least once. Our Baja fish taco is the house signature.
- Plan around Tuesday. Taco Tuesday means $1.99 carne asada, pollo asado, carnitas and al pastor tacos all day.
- Feeding the table? Family-style kits come with a pound of protein plus condiments, rice and beans (from $65.00). For bigger groups, see taco catering.
A taqueria with a real bar
Tacos taste better with a margarita. Our bar pours house margaritas, mezcal cocktails, local San Diego craft beer and Baja wines, with happy hour most afternoons. Grab a seat on the covered patio and settle in.
Good to know
Taco questions
Are Casero's tortillas made in-house?
Yes — our corn tortillas are handmade in-house, and our tacos are served on them. It's a big part of what casero, Spanish for homemade, means to us.
Does Casero have vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes — vegetarian options include the Veggie Taco ($6.99) with sautéed zucchini, yellow squash, red bell peppers, black beans, salsa verde and pickled onion, plus the Veggie Burrito ($14.95), Casero Greens salad ($15.95) and a side of grilled veggies ($6.00). For a vegan meal, ask your server which dishes can be made without cheese, crema or other animal products.
What does Baja-style mean?
Baja-style refers to the coastal cooking of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, best known for beer-battered fish tacos with crunchy slaw, crema and fresh salsa on corn tortillas. At Casero, our Baja Fish Taco ($7.99) follows that tradition with seasonal white fish, cilantro slaw, crema and salsa fresca on a handmade corn tortilla.
What should I order on my first visit to Casero?
Start with three tacos: the Baja Fish Taco ($7.99), the Al Pastor Taco ($6.99) cooked on our vertical trompo, and the Birria Taco ($7.99) with consomé. Share an order of Esquite ($9.95) and try the Casero Margarita ($13), our Cadillac margarita.
What is Taco Tuesday at Casero?
Every Tuesday, all day, carne asada, pollo asado, carnitas and al pastor tacos are $1.99 each. If you plan to order for pickup or delivery, call (760) 405-4195 to confirm how the special applies to your order.
Serving Carlsbad & North County San Diego
Casero Taqueria sits in Bressi Ranch, Carlsbad — close to the neighborhoods and cities below for dine-in, pickup and catering.
- Bressi Ranch
- La Costa
- Aviara
- Carlsbad Village
- Calavera Hills
- Oceanside
- Encinitas
- Vista
- San Marcos
- North County San Diego
Taco night, sorted.
Order ahead for pickup or book a table — we're open daily for lunch and dinner.