Here's something you might be interested in.
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed
Big Screen — Movie commentary
Blurt — Music's inside track
Booze News — San Diego spirits
Classical Music — Immortal beauty
Classifieds — Free and easy
Close to Home — What it’s like on the street where you live
Cover Stories — Front-page features
Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes
Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts
Feast! — Food & drink reviews
Feature Stories — Local news & stories
Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore
From the Archives — Spotlight on the past
Golden Dreams — Talk of the town
The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it
Letters — Our inbox
Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites
Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans
Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists
Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news
News Ticker — News & politics
Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated
Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna
Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated
Poetry — The old and the new
Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers
Reading — The hunt for intellectuals
Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails
San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds
SD on the QT — Almost factual news
Sheep and Goats — Places of worship
Special Issues — The best of
Street Style — San Diego streets have style
Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves
Theater — On stage in San Diego this week
Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative
Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work
Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego
Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads
Your Week — Daily event picks
A year for tacos and fights
Gaslamp, Pacific Beach, National City, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, Colina del Sol
At Mr. Tempo, a female security guard was seen placing her hand on an officer before being thrown to the ground.
San Diego County taco shops are more than just a place to grab a California burrito or carne asada taco — they’re a late-night tradition, a go-to spot for partygoers looking to refuel after a night out. But their popularity, long hours, and central locations make them front-row seats to heated arguments that escalate into brawls, people getting arrested, vandalism, and even violent crime.
Such incidents happened in the last year, as captured by mainstream media, stringers, and citizen journalists who were just grabbing a bite to eat.
Two such incidents unfolded in downtown San Diego on February 22, captured on video by Newsreel Media—San Diego and recently uploaded to YouTube.
Near the same Tacos El Gordo location, bicycle police descended on a chaotic scene: "San Diego police! On the ground, on the ground!"
In one clip, a man—appearing to have been pepper-sprayed—squinted and stumbled on the ground while police officers detained him just feet away from diners at Tacos El Gordo at 5th and F in the Gaslamp. As the camera rolled, a bystander asked, "Do you guys know what he did?" Someone responded, "That n***a punched a girl because the girl punched him; because he was all being weird and shit." Police then placed the man in the back of a squad car while onlookers crowded the taco shop entrance.
That same night, just across the street from Mr. Tempo at 5th and G, a cantina serving taquitos and burritos, another altercation turned violent. A man was knocked unconscious in a scuffle, only to be kicked in the face while still on the ground—also captured on video.
Less than a week earlier, near the same Tacos El Gordo location, bicycle police descended on a chaotic scene. Officers yelled, "San Diego police! On the ground, on the ground!" as sirens blared. Diners eating at sidewalk tables watched as a man crossing the street was apprehended. Someone in the crowd shouted, "Oh my God!" as the suspect—later pepper-sprayed—was handcuffed and placed in a squad car.
"There was a guy walking by the taco shop over there smashing up people's cars."
The incidents downtown are not isolated. Just days before, on February 12, “police have received a 911 report of a man yelling about killing people at Nico's Taco Shop,” according to the Citizen app, which provides real-time safety alerts, 24/7 emergency help, and live incident videos. No follow-up reports were made, nor did media outlets cover the event.
On January 6, Derek J. posted on Nextdoor about finding his car mirror smashed near El Cajon and Winona in the Colina Del Sol neighborhood. His neighbor, Rachel, commented, "There was a guy walking by the taco shop over there smashing up people's cars. I saw him when I was driving." At the same time, she didn’t specify which taco shops, although Salsa Brava and Santa Ana are located near that intersection.
New Year’s Eve saw more violence, especially in Pacific Beach. At around 7:40 p.m., an assault occurred near the now-closed Tacos El Trompo.
Meanwhile, in front of Mr. Tempo, the cantina mentioned earlier, Newsreel Media—San Diego, captured an incident involving security guards and police officers. In the footage, a female security guard is seen placing her hand on an officer before being thrown to the ground. Seconds later, another security guard gets into a confrontation with police and is pushed back. As the rain poured down and people were about to ring in the new year, another scene unfolded—a woman in an orange dress stood in handcuffs while her friend in a fur coat demanded answers. A police officer responded, "She's under arrest for fighting with security," before requesting an ID. When the friend refused to comply, the officer warned, "She’s going to be booked as a Jane Doe and will probably be in there for two to three days."
On October 24, a brawl involving multiple teenagers erupted at TacoMan, a National City restaurant, according to Fox 5 News. During the altercation, one of the teens pulled out a bat from a car and began striking others, and one of the opposing groups immediately left. Afterward, one teenager was transported to the hospital with pain in the arm, police added.
During summertime, inside and by the taco shops brought extra heat.
In August, an anonymous Imperial Beach neighbor—fearful of retaliation—posted online about a disturbing encounter outside El Patron Taco Shop in the Southland Plaza shopping center on Saturn Boulevard, near Vons.
The post described a woman lunging at a pregnant customer, yelling at her to "get the f** out of my way" while she was unloading groceries into her car. The aggressor moved toward the victim as if she were about to push her, prompting security to intervene. The woman was ultimately escorted off the shopping center premises.
In July, Chula Vista Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting at Hilltop Drive at Tu Taco Taco Shop, according to 619 News Media. Officers arrived to find two men with gunshot wounds lying in front of the taco shop, as bystanders reportedly attempted to provide first aid as best as they could. Police arrived and took over until medics arrived and transported the victims to the hospital, who were later reported to be in stable condition.
In June, DaygoMob, a popular Instagram account, shared footage of a fight breaking out inside Tacos El Gordo, which appeared to be between staff, security, and a customer. The viral clip, filmed in the downtown location according to some of the 45,000-plus-followers at the time, sparked debate over whether security measures at late-night taco shops are enough to prevent escalating conflicts at these super popular taco shops.
The month before that, mainstream news reported of police seeking three people who beat up a British traveler eating at the same Tacos El Gordo who was rendered unconscious.
Jessie, an aspiring foodie influencer who ate at most of the above restaurants, said, “Maybe it’s the late hours, TBH, or the booze-fueled appetites, and it could be just the sheer popularity of our bad-ass tacos and fat California burritos—that makes these places a magnet for mayhem. I’ll risk getting my taco fix any time; I'll just have my phone ready to film extra content!”
Here's something you might be interested in.
A year for tacos and fights
Gaslamp, Pacific Beach, National City, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, Colina del Sol
A year for tacos and fights
Gaslamp, Pacific Beach, National City, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, Colina del Sol
At Mr. Tempo, a female security guard was seen placing her hand on an officer before being thrown to the ground.
San Diego County taco shops are more than just a place to grab a California burrito or carne asada taco — they’re a late-night tradition, a go-to spot for partygoers looking to refuel after a night out. But their popularity, long hours, and central locations make them front-row seats to heated arguments that escalate into brawls, people getting arrested, vandalism, and even violent crime.
Such incidents happened in the last year, as captured by mainstream media, stringers, and citizen journalists who were just grabbing a bite to eat.
Two such incidents unfolded in downtown San Diego on February 22, captured on video by Newsreel Media—San Diego and recently uploaded to YouTube.
Near the same Tacos El Gordo location, bicycle police descended on a chaotic scene: "San Diego police! On the ground, on the ground!"
In one clip, a man—appearing to have been pepper-sprayed—squinted and stumbled on the ground while police officers detained him just feet away from diners at Tacos El Gordo at 5th and F in the Gaslamp. As the camera rolled, a bystander asked, "Do you guys know what he did?" Someone responded, "That n***a punched a girl because the girl punched him; because he was all being weird and shit." Police then placed the man in the back of a squad car while onlookers crowded the taco shop entrance.
That same night, just across the street from Mr. Tempo at 5th and G, a cantina serving taquitos and burritos, another altercation turned violent. A man was knocked unconscious in a scuffle, only to be kicked in the face while still on the ground—also captured on video.
Less than a week earlier, near the same Tacos El Gordo location, bicycle police descended on a chaotic scene. Officers yelled, "San Diego police! On the ground, on the ground!" as sirens blared. Diners eating at sidewalk tables watched as a man crossing the street was apprehended. Someone in the crowd shouted, "Oh my God!" as the suspect—later pepper-sprayed—was handcuffed and placed in a squad car.
"There was a guy walking by the taco shop over there smashing up people's cars."
The incidents downtown are not isolated. Just days before, on February 12, “police have received a 911 report of a man yelling about killing people at Nico's Taco Shop,” according to the Citizen app, which provides real-time safety alerts, 24/7 emergency help, and live incident videos. No follow-up reports were made, nor did media outlets cover the event.
On January 6, Derek J. posted on Nextdoor about finding his car mirror smashed near El Cajon and Winona in the Colina Del Sol neighborhood. His neighbor, Rachel, commented, "There was a guy walking by the taco shop over there smashing up people's cars. I saw him when I was driving." At the same time, she didn’t specify which taco shops, although Salsa Brava and Santa Ana are located near that intersection.
New Year’s Eve saw more violence, especially in Pacific Beach. At around 7:40 p.m., an assault occurred near the now-closed Tacos El Trompo.
Meanwhile, in front of Mr. Tempo, the cantina mentioned earlier, Newsreel Media—San Diego, captured an incident involving security guards and police officers. In the footage, a female security guard is seen placing her hand on an officer before being thrown to the ground. Seconds later, another security guard gets into a confrontation with police and is pushed back. As the rain poured down and people were about to ring in the new year, another scene unfolded—a woman in an orange dress stood in handcuffs while her friend in a fur coat demanded answers. A police officer responded, "She's under arrest for fighting with security," before requesting an ID. When the friend refused to comply, the officer warned, "She’s going to be booked as a Jane Doe and will probably be in there for two to three days."
On October 24, a brawl involving multiple teenagers erupted at TacoMan, a National City restaurant, according to Fox 5 News. During the altercation, one of the teens pulled out a bat from a car and began striking others, and one of the opposing groups immediately left. Afterward, one teenager was transported to the hospital with pain in the arm, police added.
During summertime, inside and by the taco shops brought extra heat.
In August, an anonymous Imperial Beach neighbor—fearful of retaliation—posted online about a disturbing encounter outside El Patron Taco Shop in the Southland Plaza shopping center on Saturn Boulevard, near Vons.
The post described a woman lunging at a pregnant customer, yelling at her to "get the f** out of my way" while she was unloading groceries into her car. The aggressor moved toward the victim as if she were about to push her, prompting security to intervene. The woman was ultimately escorted off the shopping center premises.
In July, Chula Vista Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting at Hilltop Drive at Tu Taco Taco Shop, according to 619 News Media. Officers arrived to find two men with gunshot wounds lying in front of the taco shop, as bystanders reportedly attempted to provide first aid as best as they could. Police arrived and took over until medics arrived and transported the victims to the hospital, who were later reported to be in stable condition.
In June, DaygoMob, a popular Instagram account, shared footage of a fight breaking out inside Tacos El Gordo, which appeared to be between staff, security, and a customer. The viral clip, filmed in the downtown location according to some of the 45,000-plus-followers at the time, sparked debate over whether security measures at late-night taco shops are enough to prevent escalating conflicts at these super popular taco shops.
The month before that, mainstream news reported of police seeking three people who beat up a British traveler eating at the same Tacos El Gordo who was rendered unconscious.
Jessie, an aspiring foodie influencer who ate at most of the above restaurants, said, “Maybe it’s the late hours, TBH, or the booze-fueled appetites, and it could be just the sheer popularity of our bad-ass tacos and fat California burritos—that makes these places a magnet for mayhem. I’ll risk getting my taco fix any time; I'll just have my phone ready to film extra content!”
Comments