Valerie’s Taco Stand
Valerie’s so-called stand is really a small counter restaurant tucked within an Oceanside shopping center. But even at twice its size, it would have to be considered an overachiever. Valerie’s offers no fewer than 15 plumply loaded tacos to choose from, served on fantastically thick and chewy, freshly made corn tortillas, adorned with a thin layer of grilled crisp cheese and a sprinkling of cotija. At 3 to 4 bucks apiece, you’ll dine happily with sumptuous orders of carnitas, carne asada, or al pastor, but I defy you to ignore the litany of specialty tacos on the menu. The El Jefe taco dresses the combo of carne and bacon with chipotle sauce; the Diablo deep fries buttered shrimp and douses them with a spicy house salsa; and the easy to love Cali Taco adds French fries, chipotle, and queso fresco to carne asada to all but outdo its namesake burrito.