Overview

Located in the heart of Chula Vista, Taqueria la Nueva Imperial brings a vibrant slice of authentic Mexican flavor to 3rd Avenue. This taqueria is a go-to spot for lovers of traditional tacos, burritos, and hearty plates, standing out with its fresh, handmade tortillas and robust, well-seasoned fillings. The standout offering here is undoubtedly the Tacos de Adobada—marinated pork that delivers a perfect balance of smoky and tangy notes, complemented by fresh toppings that elevate each bite.

The menu covers a variety of crowd-pleasers, from Carne Asada Fries and Campechana Fries to shrimp tacos and a selection of burritos, like the Cali and the robust Campechana Burrito. For those craving a mix of textures and flavors, the ceviche de camarón adds a refreshing coastal flair. The quesadillas—offered in pollo asado, carne asada, adobada, and campechana—boast generous portions and are packed with grilled, juicy fillings.

Taqueria la Nueva Imperial caters to a diverse clientele, including families, local workers, and taco enthusiasts who appreciate quality and authenticity. The space itself offers a casual, welcoming atmosphere, with friendly staff that make dining here a pleasant experience whether you choose to dine in or take advantage of the easy drive-thru system. Customers often mention the attentiveness of the service, like extra touches such as complimentary cucumbers and lemon that add thoughtful detail.

While some feedback notes minor inconsistencies—such as how certain tripa tacos have occasionally been overcooked—the overall food quality remains solid and consistent. The value is apparent, especially with daily deals on adobada street tacos that bring excellent flavor and freshness without breaking the bank.

In essence, Taqueria la Nueva Imperial is a place where tradition meets freshness, served with a side of warm hospitality. For anyone in Southern California seeking genuine Mexican street food, this spot is well worth a visit to savor classic tacos, loaded burritos, and satisfying plates in a relaxed setting.


Amenities & Services

Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Comfort food
Food
Late-night food
Quick bite
Small plates
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy

What Customers Say

Aram K
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Really good tacos. Very nice atmosphere. Staff is cool too. Will be coming back for more.
Favian Gavilanes
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Honestly, the tacos were good, 2 carne asad and 2 adobada with a coke, 10 bucks. Def was satisfied. The flavor was right, fresh guac fresh made tortillas . It was a great experience.
Peter Fox
Dec 11,2025
5/5
First time here and tried the adobada tacos. Tortillas handmade to order, adobada was flavorful and all the toppings were fresh and delicious. They have $1.50 adobada street tacos Monday thru Saturday until 2pm. Awesome and friendly service!!
Barbara Vasquez
Dec 11,2025
4/5
Drive thru was easy, a bit of an echo. Food was good and I asked the gal for cucumbers and lemon and she gave me a little bag of each at no additional cost.
Francisco Alderete
Dec 11,2025
4/5
If it wasn't for the pricing being a bit steep, ( nowadays pretty much everywhere) and the tripa tacos being completely over fried and having a bit of "stuff" still in the tripa LoL, I would have given them 5 stars. I've been here on numerous occasions and ordered different items, they are constantly great tasting. I don't know if they got a different tripa vendor or what but the tripa was not cleaned all the way to what I'm used to eating. Needless to say I had to throw 2 Tripa tacos away and enjoyed the 2 adobada and 2 cabesa tacos. They were delicious.
Marcy Lacey
Dec 11,2025
5/5
$1 adobada tacos Monday-Friday from 10am to 2pm. It's such an amazing deal! Plus, they are delicious! If you go on Wednesday, they have Taco Wednesday, where all their tacos are $2! Love this place! We order at the drive-through and take our tacos home!

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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