It’s hard to go wrong with almost anything at Telefonica. I like Humo’s and Otto’s Grill a lot. Try the tuna shashimi at Otto’s. The octopus burger at Maquina M65 is unusual and really good. I’ve not tried it, but friends that have love the ramen vendor. Now that they’re in their new location they’ve got a ton of Mexican craft beers on tap and even some wines from the Valle de Guadalupe can be had. Not on tap, of course, but by the glass.
Tacos Fitos on Javier Mina in front of the Mercado Hidalgo does sublime tacos de birria. You can also get a taco that’s half birria and half crispy tripas that mostly adds some crunch but not a lot of flavor. They sell out early. If you cross the border in the morning, especially a weekend morning, this should be your first stop.
Right next door to Tacos Fitos is Mariscos El Paisa. The thing to order there is the tostada mixta.
And if you go down to the corner there is a Tacos El Gordo which is also pretty good.
If you cross the street from El Paisa and into the Mercado Hidalgo complex, then walk straight back to the other end, there will be 2 carnitas places. Both are good, but the one that will be on your right is a little better. The carnitas torta is pretty darn tasty.
Tacos Franc is pretty close to the Mercado Hidalgo, just around the corner and across the street (if I recall correctly) from Tacos El Gordo.
Very close to Tacos Franc is Mariscos Ruben. If you haven’t tried it you owe it to yourself to do so. Sonoran style seafood. Best scallop aguachile/ceviche I’ve ever had. They do a baked clam thing that’s delicious and quite big as well as an interesting smoked marlin taco dorado. Close to Costco.
Mariscos Mazateno is probably the best marisqueria in Tijuana, but it’s a schlep to get out there if you cross at San Ysidro. It’s closer to the Otay border crossing, but oh, those shrimp tacos! The pulpo enchialdo taco is also pretty special as are their tostadas and coctales.
Tacos Aaron is terrific for carne asada and other meats. It’s in Colonia Soler on Independencia, I think most taxistas know where it is
Tortas El Turco has been arounda 30+ years and does a pretty good marinated beef loin torta. It’s not carne asada or adobada, but is similar.
Tras Horizonte is Kokopelli all gussied up with an expanded menu but the original core tacos are still there.
If you end up at Las Compas please report back, I haven’t been yet and word of mouth is that it’s very good.
Edited to add: Mariscos Ruben & Tacos Aaron are both food trucks not brick and mortar locations.