Papi's Birria. Food truck, est. 2022.

Best birria in San Diego

Papi's Birria: Now parked for good.

The late-night truck has a home. 2720 E Plaza Blvd, National City

Get directions See the card
Ivan Cruz, founder and owner of Papi's Birria, standing in front of the food truck, whose side is wrapped in a photo of birria tacos with the badge and Best Birria in San Diego lettering.
Ivan Cruz, founder and owner, with the truck. Photo courtesy of Papi's Birria.

From the curb
to the corner

Papi's Birria started in 2022 as a food truck, working the after-hours line on University Avenue in Hillcrest and rolling out to Pacific Beach. Hot consommé in a paper cup, tacos crisped on the plancha, a crowd that showed up after everything else had closed.

It's painted on the side of the truck, so we'll say it here too: the best birria in San Diego. Beef cooked low and slow in red chile adobo until it falls apart, dipped, griddled, and served with a cup of consommé for dunking.

Now the truck is parking for good. Same birria, with a roof and a kitchen that doesn't move: 2720 E Plaza Blvd, National City.

Food truck, est. 2022 Hillcrest Pacific Beach Now National City

The card

What we're known for, with prices as of October 2026. The full menu has every plate and this week's specials.

Queso birria taco 6

Griddled crisp with melted cheese, and a cup of consommé for dipping. The one everybody orders first.

Dip.Bite.Repeat.

More Papi's picks

Birria ramen 16 Papi's pick

Ramen noodles in rich birria consommé.

Gourmet rolled tacos 15 Papi's pick

Five per order, loaded with Papi's toppings. Beef, chicken or potato.

Papi's 1lb taco 15 Signature

A full pound of skirt steak in a handmade flour tortilla, with melted cheese, onion, guacamole, cilantro and salsa.

Also on the card

Birria plate 16

Slow-braised birria with rice, beans and tortillas.

Birria fries 17

Fries loaded with birria, cheese, crema and salsa.

Birria Cali B 17

Birria, fries, cheese and crema in a flour tortilla.

Birria taco 5

Birria, onion and cilantro, served with consommé.

Carne asada taco 5.50

Grilled steak, onion, cilantro and salsa.

Al pastor tacos 5.50

Marinated pork with pineapple, onion and cilantro.

Crispy shrimp tacos 16

Three per plate, crispy tacos dorados.

Homemade churros 8.50

Rolled in cinnamon sugar.

Weekend burritos, 8 each Weekly specials Mon to Fri, plates 17

See the full menu

Salsa station

Self-serve, two salsas. Green: milder and tangy. Dark red: smoky and the hottest. Start small.

Where to
find us

2720 E Plaza BlvdNational City, CA 91950

Google Maps Apple Maps Call us

Hours

Mon to Fri
10 am to 9 pm
Sat and Sun
8 am to 9 pm

Specials change daily. Follow @papisbirria for what's on.

Map by Google Maps

Loading it lets Google see your IP address and set its own cookies. The address buttons work without it.