At Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria in San Diego's Nestor neighborhood, birria isn't just one item on a Mexican menu. It is the reason the restaurant exists.
Yelp currently shows Ed Fernandez at 4.8 stars with more than 2,000 reviews, putting it among the most highly rated Mexican restaurants in San Diego.
THE BIRRIA IS THE WHOLE STORY
The restaurant's birria is a slow-cooked beef stew flavored with chiles and spices.
The restaurant describes it as bold but not overly spicy, served with cilantro, onion, radishes, lime and house-made salsa.
That is important because birria is not supposed to be just a dry taco filling.
The broth is part of the experience.
CONSOMÉ CHANGES EVERYTHING
Order the tacos and you get the opportunity to dip them into the rich consommé.
Or order an Orden de Birria, which brings the stew itself to the table along with warm tortillas.
That gives diners two ways to experience the same preparation.
The San Diego List specifically highlights the combination of a full birria bowl with consomé and handmade corn tortillas, followed by a quesabirria.
THEN COME THE SIGNATURE TACOS
Ed Fernandez has gone beyond the traditional birria taco.
The restaurant has developed signature creations including the Quesotaco con Nervio, Chupacabras and Quesotaco Extremo.
For first-time visitors, that creates a natural progression.
Start with the traditional birria.
Then see what the restaurant has done with it.
THE TORTILLAS MATTER
Birria is rich.
The tortilla needs to be able to handle it.
The restaurant serves warm corn tortillas alongside its birria, allowing diners to build their own tacos and control how much meat, broth and toppings go into each bite.
It is a simple but effective approach.
FROM FOOD TRUCK TO DESTINATION
Ed Fernandez began as a much smaller operation.
The San Diego List reports that brothers Jorge and Miguel started selling birria from a food truck in 2006 before expanding into the current location and eventually growing the operation.
That history helps explain why the restaurant feels more like a destination built around a specialty than a generic Mexican restaurant.
NESTOR IS PART OF THE STORY
The restaurant is located on Flower Avenue in Nestor, in San Diego's South Bay.
That puts it outside the neighborhoods most visitors associate with San Diego's restaurant scene.
And that is part of the appeal.
You have to go looking for it.
THE SOCALEAT TAKE
For anyone searching for birria in San Diego, Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria belongs on the conversation.
The birria is the centerpiece.
The consommé is essential.
And the handmade tortillas turn the meal into something interactive rather than simply another taco order.
VISIT ED FERNANDEZ RESTAURANT BIRRIERIA
Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria
2265 Flower Avenue, Suite D
San Diego, CA 92154
(619) 628-8235
Ed Fernandez Birrieria official website
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