As we passed by the former site Marian High School, which was demolished last year, we saw that signs as well as model homes were already up. We would have dinner in IB before dropping off TC for a youth group event...
Our dinner destination was here, at IB Street Tacos, owned by the same owner of Tostadas and City Tacos in North Park. IB Street Tacos opened May 2015 and their menu has expanded a tiny bit since then.
It's right across the street from the new Pier 180 South Hotel, just a few steps away from the Imperial Beach Pier. IB Street Tacos is pretty small inside. You order and you have the option of sitting at the bar near the window (seats about three or four) or sitting outside. Note the prices on the flatscreen which differs from the website -$1.95 is now $2.25.
Prices are reasonable. They're not dirt cheap but they're not La Jolla taco prices (snicker). Then again, maybe there ARE dirt cheap compared to those other tacos places that charge $5 or $6 each for one fkg taco.
TC's agua fresca, watermelon. Only one flavor was available and it was good.
We ordered five different tacos plus an ear of corn.
Bert's adobada - Sadly, the meat chunks were on the tough side.
He liked the carnitas much better since the meat was softer and more flavorful.
TC's enjoyed her portobello mushroom taco. Believe it or not, the mushrooms were underneath all of that arugula (which she did NOT like), along withblack beans, corn, cheese (grilled onto the tortilla), and poblano chiles. This was very delicious.
My pulpo al pesto which I enjoyed very much. Look at that cheese. The octopus was tender and house and chipotle aioli sauces were great. This taco in particular reminded me of the tacos served at City Tacos. This was probably one of the fancier tacos on the menu and it works.
Now this was something that was an ordering error. I actually wanted the Camaron Enchilado (spicy shrimp) but asked for it as shrimp, which turned out to be battered shrimp.
There were two fairly large battered shrimp in there. The taco was chock full of cabbage, salsa fresco and their housemade sauces. It was a bit unwieldy to eat but was still pretty good. The flour tortilla didn't hold up as well though.
TC had the corn - slathered with mayo, cotija cheese and chile powder. The cheese I didn't care too much for (it had a funky odor to it). It had a tartness to it as well from what I think was lime and the chile powder.
A block away on what was formerly an empty lot on Date and Seacoast was the makings of a park complete with sculptures and a makeshift mural (made of a clear thin fabric) along the back wall. I read somewhere that a restaurant (made up from a metal shipping container) will be here. For now, there is a makeshift fitness studio where the athletic trainers and their clients do their exercises out in the open (not shown).
The beautiful sunset that evening...
And look! They finally replaced the "H" in "Beach"! It was missing for a few months. I'm glad it's back on, "Surfhenge", the gateway to the Pier.
IB Street Tacos
805 Seacoast Dr.
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
(619) 621-5814
ImperialBeachStreetTacos.com.fb page + reviews from tripadvisor & that four lettered site that rhymes with nothing
We'll have to come back to try the other tacos on their menu. Not too difficult since the menu is pretty short. I'd get that octopus taco again, tho'! This taco shop is no frills but the food is a tiny step up from your typical hole in the wall taco joints (which I like by the way).
6 comments:
yay for this review! i was curious about this place because i have a giftcard for here. didn't know it was the same owners as tostadas and city tacos so that is a plus. i'll try to schedule it for a weekend visit.
Thank you Lynn! Yes, it is the same owner. He wasn't there the day of our visit. Do not expect a roomy interior or fancy decor like at Tostadas. This is bare bones. I do like the tacos we had here (but can't attest to Bert's choices). They're pretty good but not as filled with all of those funky fruit/veg/herb combinations at his other eateries.
If you go down here to IB, you need to maximize your stay. Don't just go for this one place. The South Bay has so much to offer. Coronado Brewing Co. is just down the street. They have beer flights! This is about 1 year new. Across the street from CBC is Babycakes. Don't forget to check out the new Pier South Hotel (the lobby is so pretty). You could even have a drink or dessert at Sea 180 Tavern (the Cohn restaurant in Pier South). If you want to try ice cream, Cowabunga by the IB pier is pretty good. Their ice cream is housemade by a former chef (he is French). Have a walk on the pier as well! The views are great. This is one of my favorite parts of SD. I grew up down south (in Otay Mesa) and IB was the beach we all went to. It's got a much more laid back feel than the other beaches, at least to me it does.
Oh thanks for all the recs! I actually stopped by Coronado Brewing Co about 1-2 months ago when hubby and I did a couples bike ride with friends! I rarely bike but that first Coronado ride was so pretty that I want to do it again! I also have a cohn restaurant gift card so maybe sea 180 tavern can be part of the next *trip*
You're welcome Lynn. My pleasure.
Yes, you may as well use hyour Cohn gift card at Sea 180. The views are great!
Oh cool, I didn't know know about this spot! Sounds like a cool place to try a couple of tacos. I wouldn't want all of that argula either, geez, but a mushroom taco sounds awesome to me. Jake used to go to Marian High School back in the day!
Yeah, it's right in front of that new hotel and next to a pizza place. Arugula is good is small doses. In a taco is probably not the best placement of these greens, ha ha. Yeah, Marian High. All torn down and now a new housing development.
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