Taco Surf began in 1989 when original owners Sam & Cindy McLarty opened Taco Surf PB and began a tradition of delicious Mexican food served fast and friendly using the highest quality ingredients they could find. The McLarty family ran Taco Surf proudly for more than 30 years before retiring in early 2020. Since then, very early and frequent Taco Surf customer Matt Gilmore and family have taken over the business keeping that tradition alive with the original staff and of course the recipes. Matt and wife Melanie are both long time residents of the community having both arrived in PB from Northern California right out of high school. They enjoy living nearby with their two young kids Milo and Maci who like to help out in the taco shop with their dad from time to time.
“The vibe is laid-back, but this restaurant across the street from the Pacific Beach boardwalk takes its burritos seriously. Your best bet is the build-your-own California burrito, ordered with carnitas (pork), hash browns, sour cream, cheese and guacamole. The restaurant interior is decked out with surfboards and televisions play surfing videos. It makes you want to steal a board and go across the street and go surfing.”