Fire Damages Mainstay South County Taco Joint

A kitchen fire today damaged Pedro’s Tacos, a mainstay in San Clemente for nearly 30 years.

The family-owned business at 2313 S. El Camino Real caught fire about 2:40 a.m., according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi. Firefighters had the blaze under control just before 3 a.m., he said.

“Our guys were bummed when they heard the address” in the first alarm, Concialdi said.

Firefighters contained the accidental fire mostly to the kitchen, where the blaze originated, but it caused about $20,000 in damage, Concialdi said.

“It’s a staple of San Clemente,” Concialdi said of the restaurant, which opened in 1986 and specializes in fish tacos. “For many years, surfers and residents go there before going to the beach.”

The family opened another location in the city’s downtown in 1996, and has since expanded to Fallbrook, Oceanside, Vista and one out-of-state eatery in Boston.

City News Service