Vallarta Express Mexican Eatery in Carlsbad occupies a converted mid-century roadside building on Harding Street, running a round-the-clock kitchen with drive-thru service in the 92008 zip code. The all-hours menu spans tacos, burritos, tortas, enchiladas, and seafood plates including beer-battered fish tacos, served from a location near Carlsbad Village where the Italian dining corridor features 264 Fresco on Carlsbad Village Drive. Specialty builds include the adobada burrito with slow-marinated pork al pastor and the Christian Fries — a loaded-fry plate that has developed its own following among the Carlsbad Mexican food search crowd. A house-made hot sauce selection accompanies every order, and indoor-outdoor seating covers the compact dining room and a patio area on the same Harding Street block where Carlsbad Mexican restaurant options also include Casa De Bandini at The Forum. The fish taco wraps beer-battered white fish in a double corn tortilla with shredded cabbage, crema, and pico de gallo, finished with a house-made chipotle drizzle.