Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to cool and tangy Mexican
crema
), and
shredded cabbage—which, unlike the let-
tuce on a Tex-Mex taco, won't wilt in the
heat. Some restaurants also add cheddar
topping, or grill the fish instead of frying
it—tasty variations, but sacrilege to fish
taco purists.
The place that launched the craze is
Rubio's
(4504 E. Mission Bay Dr.;
&
858/
272-2801;
www.rubios.com), an unpre-
tentious walk-up stand opened in 1983
across from Mission Bay Park, which has
since spread into a five-state chain of
casual sit-down restaurants. Its basic beer-
battered fish taco is still a decent option;
other taco choices on Rubio's oft-expanded
menu include mahimahi and shrimp.
Closer to the ocean, the quick and afford-
able
Taco Surf Taco Shop
(4657 Mission
Blvd., Pacific Beach;
&
858/272-3877
) has
a no-frills surfboard decor, dependable
classic fish tacos, and daily specials featur-
ing premium fish.
But some of San Diego's most authentic
fish tacos are found inland, in residential
neighborhoods where tourists rarely ven-
ture. Up in University Heights, small and
cozy
El Zarape
(4642 Park Blvd;
&
619/692-
1652
) sells one of the cheapest fish tacos
in town, which is also tasty and authentic.
In the Hillcrest neighborhood,
Mama Testa
(1417A University Ave.;
&
619/298-8226;
www.mamatestataqueria.com) is like a
seminar in Mexican cooking, plying tacos
from every region (corn tortillas only—
flour tortillas aren't authentic, they claim),
including well-executed catfish, shrimp,
and scallop tacos. In the Logan Heights
area of town,
Mariscos German
(2802
Ocean View Blvd;
&
619/239-3782
) isn't
German at all, but a quirky Mexican sea-
food restaurant—a little slice of San Felipe
transported north of the border, deco-
rated in hanging fishnets and under-the-
sea murals. Its long list of fish taco options
includes exotic alternatives like octopus,
shrimp, or marlin. They also operate two
taco trucks in the neighborhood—how
authentic is that?
(
San Diego International (7
3
⁄
4
miles/
12km).
L
$$$
Catamaran Resort Hotel,
3999 Mission Blvd., San Diego (
&
800/422-
8386
or 858/488-1081; www.catamaran
resort.com). $
Park Manor Suites,
525
Spruce St. (
&
800/874-2649
or 619/291-
0999; www.parkmanorsuites.com).
Mama Testa's corn tacos come stuffed with catfish, shrimp, scallops, and more.
