Tommy's Tex-Mex comes to 30th Street

For some people, Tex-Mex food is too gringo-fied, too Taco Bell.

For others, it’s a chance to eat soft tacos wrapped in flour tortillas and topped with shredded cheese.

That second group of people will jump for joy over Tommy’s Tex-Mex (4506 30th Street) in North Park. It’s a spinoff of Don Tommy’s in Ocean Beach, though the relationship between the two remains somewhat nebulous. Despite rumors that the two are unrelated, Tommy’s owner proudly claims “20 years in Ocean Beach” when asked about his history with Tex-Mex restaurants.

Regardless, Tommy’s serves up some mean flour tortillas. Freshly griddled to order, or just before, the tortillas ensconcing Tommy’s tacos are a far cry from stale, packaged grocery store versions. Egg and cheese tacos are a magnificent breakfast item, with fluffy scrambled eggs and shredded yellow cheese melting together inside the toasty, tender tortilla.

Savory tacos include various pork, chicken, and beef versions. The most uniquely Texan is the carne guisada, stewed beef in a sauce of green chilis and onions. Wrapped in a flour tortilla and topped with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and the ubiquitous yellow cheese, it’s a fantastic example of Tex-Mex taco style.

Priced between $2 and $4, Tommy’s tacos are big enough that a couple of them makes a light meal. Sure, some people will be too proud to admit this non-Baja taco style into their tortilla worldview, but that doesn’t make Tommy’s tacos any less delicious. As the restaurant grows, we’ll be crossing our fingers hoping for some legit Texas chili con carne to appear in time for the cooler months ahead!