A Cross-Border Celebration of Mexican Flavor & Culture đșđź
Saturday August 9, 2025
Noon – 5:30 pm
Gringo in Paradise proudly teams up with acclaimed food writer and taco authority W. Scott Koenig â aka A Gringo in Mexico and author of Taco Megaregion â for a one-of-a-kind culinary journey through Tijuanaâs vibrant taco scene and craft beer culture.
This immersive tour is more than just tacos â itâs a flavorful introduction to Baja Californiaâs rich street food traditions, neighborhood gems, and the creative spirit of modern Mexico.
đź On the menu:
đ„ Tacos de Birria del RĂo â A beloved local spot since 1986, known for slow-stewed birria de res with an aromatic bay leaf kick.
đ§ Tacos Mike â Deep-fried chile relleno tacos packed with cheese, topped with cactus salad and house-made salsa verde â a guisado classic.
đź Las Ahumaderas (Taco Alley) â A legendary row of taquerĂas (and an Anthony Bourdain favorite) serving fire-roasted adobada, carne asada, tripas, and more.
đ La Especial â Founded in 1952, this Avenida RevoluciĂłn staple is loved for its steamed tacos a vapor and nostalgic Mexico City-style flavors.
đ Tacos El Franc â From humble origins to Michelin Bib Gourmand honors, this taquerĂa is a must for taco purists and food lovers alike.
đș Craft Beer Stop: Norte Brewing Co. â Weâll take a scenic break at this rooftop brewery, known for its creative small-batch beers and the best view in downtown Tijuana. Norte is proudly celebrating 10 years of brewing in Baja.
đ Bonus: Autographed copies of Taco Megaregion will be available at a special tour price.
đïž Saturday, August 9
đ” $59 per person*
đ Includes deluxe round-trip transportation from the border and professionally guided tour
đïž Limited to 18 guests â reserve early!
đ Please note: Itinerary is subject to change based on availability and local conditions.
*Tour does not include the cost of food or drinks.
The Tour is Limited to 18 Guests
About W. Scott Koenig
A San Diego-based writer, Scott has traveled throughout Mexico and Baja California since the mid 1990s. He founded AGringoInMexico.com in 2012 to report on Mexican cuisine, culture, destinations and events.
Scott is author of the books Seven Days in The Valle: Baja Californiaâs Wine Country Cuisine and Taco Megaregion: The Essential Guide to San Diego & Tijuana’s Best Tacos. He has written columns for Dining Out San Diego, San Diego Red, Baja.com and Discover Baja. Heâs also written features for several other print and online publications.
Scott has curated and led culinary tours of Baja California, including taco tours of Tijuana. He has assisted with video productions for Netflix, the Food Channel, the BBC, NPR, Unilever, Migrationology and the Culinary Institute of America.
Scott is the owner of Koenig Creative LLC in San Diego. He has 40 years of experience in marketing communications, creative direction and graphic design.
About Gringo in Paradise Travel & Tour
Exploring Cultures. Connecting People. One Taco (or Temple) at a Time.
Gringo in Paradise is the creation of travel writer and cultural adventurer Mike James. Based between Tijuana and San Diego, Mike has spent the last decade exploring the ârealâ Mexicoâbeyond the resorts and clichĂ©sâand sharing his stories along the way. His journey expanded to Colombia, where he connected deeply with local communities in MedellĂn and the colorful streets of Cartagena, and most recently to Southeast Asia, diving into the flavors, festivals, and history of Vietnam, Thailand, and beyond.
What began as a personal quest turned into a passion projectânow offering curated tours, cross-cultural experiences, and stories that highlight the humor, beauty, and contradictions of life on the road. Whether it’s tacos in Tijuana, temples in Thailand, or wine tastings in Valle de Guadalupe, Gringo in Paradise is about more than travelâitâs about finding paradise wherever the journey takes you.