Where to celebrate National Taco Day in San Diego

Did you know that Americans consumed more than 4.5 billion tacos last year? That’s 490,000 miles of tacos, or a trip to the moon and back. Whether you prefer soft shell or fried, corn or flour, you’ll find a tortilla stuffed with the right combination of ingredients at several restaurants around the region for National Taco Day on Friday, Oct. 4.

El Chingon‘s taco menu includes its signature al pastor taco, made with slow-cooked marinated pork shoulder, grilled pineapple, pickled onion, cilantro, avocado cream and salsa verde; Jorge’s taco de pescado, made with battered white fish, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, Mexican citrus cream and chipotle cream; and the veggie taco, filled with poblano peppers, mushrooms, roasted corn, cilantro and tangy yogurt sauce. 560 Fifth Ave., San Diego. (619) 501-1919. elchingon.com

Death By Tequila (DxT) brings the flavors of Baja with a selection of tacos, including the spicy mole taco with purple potatoes, fresh guacamole, queso fresco (fresh cheese) and cilantro; and carnitas tacos, made with slow-cooked Duroc pork, fresh chipotle pineapple, pickled onion and aged cheese. 569 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas. (760) 782-2240. deathbytequila.com

Along with falafel and lamb, Mezé Greek Fusion’s menu of tacos features the gyro Philly, served with onions, peppers, Swiss cheese, pico de Greco and spicy tzatziki; and the Kasseri cheese taco, served with pico de Greco, lettuce and spicy tzatziki. 345 Sixth Ave., San Diego. (619) 550-1600. gaslampmeze.com

Bankers Hill Bar + Restaurant‘s BBQ braised pork tacos will satisfy cravings for tacos and barbecue with tender pork marinated and slow-cooked in house-made barbecue sauce and topped with pepper jack cheese, avocado-lime salsa and lime cream. 2202 Fourth Ave., San Diego. (619) 231-0222. bankershillsd.com

Casero Taqueria offers a special fresh lobster taco topped with roasted corn salsa, poblano pepper and white sauce on a homemade corn tortilla for $5.99 a taco. Pair it with a traditional drink like the Casero Margarita, made with pressed blood orange and lime. Available Friday through Sunday. 2674 Gateway Road, Suite 195, Carlsbad. (760) 405-4195. caserotaqueria.com

Reel in a fresh catch taco at The Blind Burro during the restaurant’s Amigo Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Priced at $4.50, the taco is filled with battered or grilled local fish, lime crema, green cabbage and carrot escabeche. Wash it down with a Buena Cerveza ($4.50), a house beer made in collaboration with Coronado Brewing Company. 639 J St., San Diego. (619) 795-7880. theblindburro.com

Ranch 45 offers a plate of shaved ribeye tacos, made with pico de gallo and avocado on a grilled corn tortilla served with Spanish rice and beans for $16. Take your meal to the next level with a bottle from Ranch 45’s wine collective. 512 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach. (858) 461-0092. ranch45.com

In celebration of its newest outpost in Mission Valley (5010 Mission Center Road, San Diego), the Puesto team will serve free chicken al pastor and vegetarian tacos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (limit one per customer). Get a free taco at The Headquarters (789 W. Harbor Drive, downtown San Diego) and La Jolla (1026 Wall St.) venues when you show your server that you’re a follower of the restaurant on Instagram (@eatpuesto). And, for October, Puesto’s executive creative chef Marco Arreguin has created his first Taco of the Month: cod a la plancha with Anaheim chiles, Roma tomatoes, Castelvetrano olives, capers and onions. eatpuesto.com

Punch Bowl Social touts a variety of taco offerings, including the barbacoa tacos, soft corn tortillas oozing with chile-braised brisket, cilantro, onion, Cotija cheese and salsa adobo; poached shrimp tacos with Fresno cabbage slaw, salsa adobo, Cotija cheese and cilantro on a soft flour tortilla; roasted chicken tacos with salsa roja, oregano, Monterey Jack cheese, shredded lettuce and crema on a soft flour tortilla; and the cocoa-dusted pork carnitas tacos, topped with a medley of salsa adobo, crema, crunchy radish, Cotija cheese and yellow onion, sprinkled with cilantro and lime. You can order three served with a side of black beans. The tequila-based Watermelon Polo Bowl is the perfect accent to your meal. 1485 E St., San Diego. (619) 452-3352. punchbowlsocial.com

Chart House is celebrating two national holidays on Friday: Taco Day and Vodka Day. Available in the bar and lounge only, diners can order a choice of a shrimp, fish or prime rib taco paired with a Ketel One Martini for $10. 2588 S. Coast Highway 101, Cardiff. (760) 436-4044. chart-house.com