We are Sam the Cooking Guy fans and wanted to try this place out on our next visit to San Diego. We walked over from our hotel by the bay and it was very doable. This is located inside the “Little Italy Food Hall” so look for that. Then once inside there are many food stalls kind of like a food court, many of them also owned by Sam. You order at the counter and then wait for your name to be called or get a text. The appeal to this restaurant is the unique types of tacos that you can get. I will say that we got 6 tacos (two trio bundles), and two margaritas and our total was $70. This is astounding for 6 tacos and two margaritas. The trio bundles are $14.95 each, the margaritas are $13 each, but then you get hit with the California taxes and of course the tip as well. So be prepared for the bill to add up quickly! We got the Nashville hot chicken (big portion), the smokey pork and mac (weakest), Kelly’s Shrimp taco (pretty good), Korean short rib taco (also pretty good), and the Sam’s Baja fish taco (star of the show and best taco we had). The strawberry margarita is very sweet and the regular margarita is very sour just FYI. Overall we enjoyed our tacos, especially the fish taco. But there were other options that looked like you got more bang for your buck like Samburgers or CooCoo’s nest chicken by Sam.
What's not to love about this place? First, you walk into a beautiful little outdoor food court right in the heart of San Diego, into Not Not Tacos and are immediately greeted with more than you'll expect. Pizza, pastries, and tacos. Who could ask for more? I ordered the Mac N Pork and Korean Short Rib tacos with tots. My son and I enjoyed our tacos outside in the little food court with a view of the ocean. The tacos were sublime. Each bite tantalized my tongue with new and wonderful flavors. Only thing I missed out in was meeting Sam The Cooking Guy. A day late, I'm told. A wonderful little oasis of food and comfort in the middle of the city. I will most definitely be returning when I visit San Diego again.
I loved the food. I been a fan of Sam's YouTube channel for years and I have been wanting to try Not Not Tacos for the longest time, being from Arizona, and finally had the chance so I took it when visiting LA and came through SD. We had "It's a Date" taco combo. It was definitely worth it. We ordered the Korean Short Rib, Mashed Potatoes, Kelly's Shrimp, Nashville Hot Chicken and chips and guacamole. It was all good and delicious especially the tater tots because they had tons of flavor compared to other food spots I've had where it's just plain Jane tots. Mashed potatoes and Nashville chicken are tied as my favorites, the chicken had great flavor and was really juicy, and the mashed potatoes reminded me of my childhood because my mom would make mashed potatoe tacos and it is one of my favorite tacos to eat. Definitely would go again next time I'm in San Diego. Also recommend trying guacamole in any and all the tacos or tots too, it was all bomb together! Can't wait for my next visit and hopefully I get the chance to meet Sam next time.
The staff was friendly and ordering was easy. The wait time was a bit long for the two items that we ordered, given they weren’t really busy, but at least this means our meal was fresh and cooked to order. The tater tots were delicious, but the taco was a bit dry (even after I doused it with extra Cholula hot sauce I asked for on the side). The ratio of crispyness to chicken was also a bit off, with too much crunch and not enough chicken meat. That being said, it was an interesting take on tacos with alternative options and worth a try.
My husband has watched Sam’s cooking videos on YouTube for years, so we of course had to check out his places in Little Italy. Kelly’s shrimp tacos and the Chicken Schwarma taco of the month were amazing. It was toward the end of the night so the chips and queso tasted like it - meh, not as fresh as the tacos. There was a live musician so we ate outside and had a wonderful date night.
This place is located inside "Little Italy" where there is live music outside, a beautiful patio and great atmosphere.
I highly recommend going to "Not not Tacos"
Really good, and they make it fresh in front of you
I have already mentioned this place to my family and friends.
2 tacos, tots, and a drink for about $16.
I thought about getting 3 tacos, but 2 filled me up!
They have awesome tacos, also might be a little biased since I've been watching Sam the cooking guy for a couple years, but still recommend going a getting a taco from here the flavors are all great.
Love the creative taco options. I got it’s a Date 4 taco combo. They were out of shrimp so we went with Asian Salmon, Korean short rib, Lamb, and Hot chicken. Came with hot tater tots. All were excellent! The food court itself is awesome.
I was very excited to try not not tacos as I am a big fan of Sam the Cooking guy. The only negative was my order took 25 mins and only one person was ahead of me. After 15 minutes they asked my name and order and said ok were making it now. After 25 they asked my name again and said oh its right here, did you not get a text? Seems to be a problem with the phone number alert system they have. Food was really good and I enjoyed all three tacos. The fish taco was definitely the best though. I'll be coming back to eat here again for sure.
Amazing. Love Sam, his good, YouTube channel, old fashions. I can’t remember the name of the young lady who helped me but she awesome! I also loved the space and area. I booked a stay down the street for my next trip so I can walk there daily.
First things first, Sam is the nicest guy ever. Second, but just as important since I’m sure you’re reading this for the food review, my order was excellent. I did the Nashville Hot and Smokey Pork and Mac Tacos and they were absolutely delicious. A+, I’ll definitely be back! (Plus, I need to try Graze!)
Imagine making a flour tortilla taco out of all the left over food from each of the fast food restaurants you went out to during the week. This is what these tacos are like. But overall it was an experience.
A close friend from across the country recommended that I visit this Taco spot. The advice was good. Really interesting and unusual flavor combinations is what makes this worth visiting. If you are feeling like traditional tacos this city is absolutely full of places for that, and Not Not Tacos is not the place for those. If you want really unique tacos with delicious and unusual flavors this is the place. Had a lamb and tzatziki taco once here that was truly great. When the weather isn't good (rare, I know, but it does happen), or when it's particularly great outside and every outdoor take is taken, there really isn't anywhere good to eat the taco though, which is why I'm eating 4 stars and not 5. If this place was a true sit down restaurant it would be ideal
Couldn't have asked for more. The recipes were unique and the food was incredible. Fun combinations that are packed with flavor. What else would you ask from Sam the Cooking Guy! We were also so blessed to meet Sam. He's the most authentic and nice person.
Latisha “Hungry Hiker Hodgepodge” M
+5
What a great food experience. We watch Sam the Cooking guy and just had to check this place out while here. Each taco we tried surprised us in a delightful way. I'm not sure which was my favorite: we got the lamb, smoke n Mac, pastrami and eggplant. The eggplant was extremely thick and meaty tasting - just delicious.
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The five star review is for the exemplary service of the individual who was working in the restaurant on Dec 24th, 2023 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn't get his name.
I was starving when I arrived at the restaurant, and asked for any vegetarian options. However, the gentleman mentioned that there were none available. So I walked out and checked out other options in the food hall. Unfortunately, there were very few vegetarian options available. The gentleman who was having lunch saw this and asked me if I wanted some vegetarian tacos. I said yes, and he immediately went back and started preparing my food. He put everything that I requested for in the taco, including some which he had to get from a neighboring restaurant, all with a smile on his face. Finally, when it was time to say, he handed me the food, and said Merry Christmas. I wished him back and took my wallet to pay for the food. He again repeated, Merry Christmas and smiled while saying that my wishes was the payment.
Irrespective of if he took the money or not, it was a 5-star service where he went above and beyond to prepare my food which was not in the menu. The gesture at the end of wishing me for the holidays and not accepting any money proved that kindness and compassion still exists in this world.
Kudos to you, sir. May you be well.
To the owners, it's not acceptable that the menu does not have a single vegetarian option. Please correct it.
Fantastic! We tried the eggplant parmesan, Izzy's pastrami, smokey Mac n cheese, and lamb. All were amazing and the tots were as well!
Update: came back the next day because it was so good and tried the Asian salmon, Korean short rib, Kelly shrimp, and the breakfast all day tacos. We also tired the drive thru style tots. All amazing must try this when you are in the area.
Sam's restaurants were the reason we chose to vacation in SD and we were not disappointed.
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