I enjoyed my tacos at Lateral in San José Del Cabo for lunch so much I went back for dinner.
Best Tacos In San José Del Cabo: Lateral
It was my first time in Cabo but my brother has been many times and recommended a little taqueria within walking distance of my hotel (it is just a short walk from both the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Place).
Lateral Crudo y Asado
Paseo de Los Cabos, Zona Hotelera
23400 San José del Cabo
+52 624 142 3878
9:00 am – 10:30 pm (daily)
I had lunch at about 4:00 pm after a flight delay and long immigration line. Not only was I hungry, but the thought of “authentic” tacos brought a huge smile on my face. I’d call this place rather pricey (I’m used to buying street tacos in Mexico City or Tijuana for a fraction of the cost), but the tacos were so good.
Rather than order a cocktail, I just ordered a refreshing Topo Chico…
First, a quartet of four salsas were brought to the table, with the avocado sauce particualrly nice and all four having a bit of a kick, even the pico de gallo (chips were extra – I skipped them and just dipped my tortillas in).
For lunch, I had a:
- fish taco
- grilled sirloin taco
- beef tongue taco
- cheese quesadilla
Every bite was delicious!
My brother recommended I head over to a place called Flora Farms for dinner, which looks lovely, but after I had walked around for a bit I decided to stay local and return to Lateral.
For dinner, I tired the melted cheese with chorizo…wow, wow, wow. So delicious.
CONCLUSION
I’ll go back to Cabo when the Park Hyatt opens…it’s actually a very easy getaway from Southern California, though prices are hardly any different from LA pricing. Next time I go, any alternate taco recommendations? I’ll certainly return to Lateral.
This is supposed to be a travel blog. If you want to do a weird food blog go to a different platform.
Lol. Thanks for the tip about what I should write about.
Working on a recipe to keep the beef tongue rare with a garlic and ginger marinade.
While not authentic to any cuisine, I think it will make a better taco. Maybe topped with grated cucumber?
Any thoughts on La Lupita tacos?
Stuart likes to put his meat in Lupita’s taco.
We were pretty underwhelmed. Gimmicky fusion tacos. Felt like something I’d get at the Century City mall.
Liked Tacos Gardenias in CSL way better. No frills, bomb tacos.
Go to a local torilleria. Any of them. You can get a 10 pack of fresh flour tortillas, made right in front of you, for about $1.50… and at most places you’ll be able to buy a small thing of fresh salsa, and bag of fresh cheese too, all for about 100-200 pesos. Then stop at a local fish market for the catch of the day and a bakery for dessert and you’ll be set!
But, if you’re going to spend that kind of money in San Jose I would recommend for you to go to Flora Farms, or any of the farm-to-table places. They are an experience as much as a meal. Also, Don Sanchez in downtown. Those are my favorites.
Enjoy!!
Too much work for me on this short trip, though it is something I’d like to do. Is there any taco stand where locals go – how far out do I have to go? I realize I was in tourist central.
Tacos Gus. Best tacos in Baja. You missed it.
Looks really good! Can’t wait to try it next time.
It’s not a chain so you won’t earn points, but you’re missing out if you don’t try a stay at Hotel Drift in SJD. Very relaxing and affordable getaway for a solo trip.
Asi y Asado on the corridor and Latino 8 in the hotel zone
That’s very expensive, but I’m guessing they only serve US tourists. I go to PVR/CZM/OAX/MEX nearly monthly, but I’ve generally avoided Cabo because it doesn’t seem very different than home; certainly not from a pricing perspective. This meal, though it looks tasty, seems to support my theory.
Fantastic tacos, but I think La Lupita is even better! I also really think you would enjoy both Flora Farms (a shame you didn’t make it there!) and Acre, right beside it. We prefer Flora Farms for dinner and Acre for post-dinner drinks.
Maybe you’ll return when the new Park Hyatt opens? Or give the stark but stunning JW Marriott a try up the road?
I love La Lupita and highly recommend it. My daughter will be having her wedding welcome dinner there.
Been to lateral several times. Tacos are good.
Believe or not, Lupitas are even better.
Adelitas in downtown is a must visit – family owned great food and ever changing menu based on what the owner can get. Tacos are most of the time on the menu but the meat may vary. Absolutely try the mole if you can. Flautas, enchiladas with both green/red sauce are great. I’ll admit the food is presented in more classic Mexican style ie .. not stacked elegantly with garnish etc.
They stay busy at lunch with local workers. Dinner is a mix of local and non-local. More people from US are finding out ab it as I’ve noticed last couple times
Honestly look at some of the mobile food stands or food trucks too.
Breakfast
Wine Shop and Abreojos both behind Hyatt place are both excellent
Downtown there’s a spot with green paint on the exterior walls almost right across from Adelitas which is good
Flora farms I’m sorry is way over priced. The food is good but no better or cheaper than California. Actually if you get drinks it can be more expensive. My wife and I dropped 275 there on a dinner with app, main, I don’t think we even got deserts and a couple drinks.
Hotels – Ziva is good but I also recommend the cape
The cape is a Thompson and very very good view with an amazing surf and local scene especially around sunset. Their beach has one of the best surf breaks in the area and best view of sunset behind the arch and mountains near downtown Cabo. If you’re going to splurge on food rather than Flora farms I recommend sunset mona Lisa (right next to the cape) bc of the combo of food food and great view. The sunset conch shell horn blowing at sunset mona Lisa is an experience. Also cape has its own restaurant Manta which is pretty good. You’ll pay Cali prices though.
JW – avoid at all costs. Besides being a Marriot, the management company grupo distra is cheap and runs a general shit show when it comes to any and I do mean any issue you might have. I’ve stayed there 4 times and stayed in Griffin club and Casa Maat. Each time I’ve left having both a bad taste about something that happened, didn’t happen, or something got messed up I have to babysit to resolution weeks after leaving. Overcharge, wrong persons room rate got charged to my points booked room!, waiting days to speak to manager ab AC issues in July that their maintenance couldn’t fix! The list goes on, and its usually 2-3 issues per stay. Also, let’s all remember as frequent readers and consumers of content from the travel blog community that this hotel some might remember charged guests a shady sort of service fee even on points. Stays and tried to get around it until Marriott gave them the SmackDown.
Lipstick on a pig, don’t get bonvoyed and avoid
Park Hyatt I’m sure will be nice.
Solaz – interesting looking property can get noisy because of the design being almost like an amphitheater. Stayed once their pools are nice right on the beach. The rooms are very very very modern. The breakfast is good. Elites treated pretty well.
That said, I stayed before they had structural issues and had to close down for a couple years.
Waldorf Pedregal – I realize this is getting long in the tooth and you asked about tacos. But since you ask about tacos, this is a beautiful property and they do a taco and mezcal tequila experience you might be interested in.