Tacos a Mar o Tierra

Tacos a Mar o Tierra moves between land and sea with a menu that doesn’t favor one over the other. The octopus taco brings a perfect char, each bite tender with just enough resistance, finished with a bright squeeze of lime and a smoky salsa. Camarones Diablos crank up the heat—plump shrimp simmered in a deep red diabla sauce, fiery but balanced, their natural sweetness still shining through. Then there’s the taco de callo de elefante, thick slices of elephant clam with a soft, meaty bite, carrying the briny depth of the ocean in every mouthful.

On the grill, they keep things just as tight. Quesadillas come overstuffed, their cheese pulling into long, buttery strands. Fish tacos bring a crisp, golden crust that shatters with each bite, the flaky white fish beneath soaking up fresh salsa and slaw. Carne asada sears just enough to lock in the juices, while al pastor turns on the spit, kissed with pineapple and slow-building spice. You’ll catch them at The Lights Golf, Food Truck Fridays in Indio, the BHM Concert downtown, the Indio Swapmeet, and Old Town La Quinta—wherever there’s room for a grill and a line of people who know what they’re after.