Marisco's German

[DiningDiva]

This from one of my employees who lives in the neighborhood...

MG truck in the parking lot of the Gala Market at 30th & Grape this past weekend. Don't know if this was a one time only thing, just a weekend gig or what.

Truck in OB was still there a couple weekend before last.

[beantowntitletown]

I was running errands down Bonita Rd last week after getting back into town when I saw a sign on the side of a van parked next to the road saying “Summer Special 99 cent Fish Tacos Marisco’s German Grand Opening”. I turned into the parking lot and saw a restaurant there with a 99 cent fish taco banner out front. After talking to the staff, I learned that the owner is the same guy who sold the lonchera at 35th and University and the restaurant at 28th and Ocean View and now has restaurants in Bonita and Spring Valley and loncheras on 43rd and on Santa Monica in OB, which I guess is gone now. The Bonita location is a small full service restaurant with indoor and shaded outdoor seating that has been open for a little over a month. The printed menu is the same as the old lonchera on 35th with the addition of a specials sheet with plates like whole fried tilapia or red snapper and garlic fish filets. Had lunch there 5 days in a row, including a gobernador taco, cayo taco, tostada mixto, clam taco, and shrimp tostada. Cayo taco was a little chewy, but all was just as tasty as the old lonchera on 35th. I had a fish taco, too, but I like the one at Mariscos El Pescador on Industrial better. Small selection of bottled beers (Negro Modelo, Pacifico, Tecate, Dos Equis, Corona, Heineken, Miller High Life, Coors Light), Faygo sodas, plasma TV on the wall, no A/C (but a big floor fan), cash only. It’s located in the strip plaza behind Wells Fargo bank between In Motion Dance Center and the consignment store. Hours are 10a-8p 7 days a week. Photo of printed menu attached. This is gonna be my go-to lunch place.

[palmtree38]

Great report thanks!!!!

So how far of a drive is Bonita Road from Little Italy area???? This is my quest and I am coming from Toronto and dang I will not leave SD until I try German Mariscos

[DiningDiva]

It's actually not too bad a drive from Little Italy. Maybe about 15-20 minutes tops.

[beantowntitletown]

Yeah, that's true. Just try to avoid rush hour times from Little Italy going south (3p-6p M-F). Takes a little longer then.

[palmtree38]

is this new truck on bonita road in Chula Vista?? As few mths ago someone else said there was one there but it was in a plaza not bonita road..

I was hoping to not travel as far as Chula vista and was going to university instead near super cocina.. Would this bonita be closer then chula???

[DiningDiva]

Yes, Bonita is North of Chula Vista. I believe this is a restaurant and not a truck

[palmtree38]

thanks for claryfing.. I will keep a eye on the posts and if they are still positive this wiill be closer a drivie for us then CV....

Is 35th and university not a good choice anymore?

[Ewilensky]

35th and University is still up and running as of 2 weeks ago, I'd give it a shot - if not, the truck on 30th and Grape is only 5 minutes away or you can drive up University for a minute and go to Super Cocina instead.

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Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

[palmtree38]

we are doing Super Cocina one lunch for sure and 2nd lunch was going to be a truck..

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Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

[cstr]

IMO, the best truck is Marisco's El Pescador on Industrial Ave in the Toys R Us parking lot in CV, right off the 5.

[Ewilensky]

Also in the area, although not a truck, is the lovely El Comal in North Park on Illinois. Great homestyle Mexican food and home to the best veggie burrito in town. Sadly, doesn't get much love here on Chowhound, but when mentioned, it receives nothing but praise.

@cstr - Marsicos' El Pescador makes an excellent fried fish taco. Need to revisit them to compare how they do with other styles.

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El Comal
262 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910

[palmtree38]

leaving in a week .. Is university mariscos truck still up and running or did a new location better just open...

[Ewilensky]

Palm,

I'd stick with the 35h and University one. Went by the 30th and Grape St. one on Sunday at 1 PM and it was not there. Turned around and drove to 35th and University and the truck was there.

Food wise, the one on University has a bit of an edge as well I think. Especially when it comes to their octopus and scallop tacos which are much better than the 30th St. one for some reason.

[Island]

Was by the 35th and Univ location a few weeks ago. The truck was there with a line of customers, but no picnic tables or chairs. Anyone know why?

[normalheightsfoodie]

I think it is a zoning issue, tables might make them a more classic dining establishment.

I brought a folding chair.

[cstr]

That's what I do as well, folding chairs, a small plastic cocktail table, oh and a cooler with........... and plastic cups.

[normalheightsfoodie]

Costco has a chair with a small side table and beverage holder.

[Island]

Oooh you guys are fancy! We sat in our car with legs hanging out the open door only wishing we brought some extra paper plates. We've got those chairs and next time we'll make sure to bring em.

[oerdin]

I was there last week. Supposedly the city told them to remove the awning and the tables & chairs because restaurants around them complained. Personally, that pisses me off. If a restaurant isn't getting enough business it should up it's game, make better food, improve service, or lower its prices not call the cops and get them to harass the restaurants people actually like.

[Ewilensky]

Agreed. Anyone been by South Park lately? Wondering if the truck is back yet or if they were forced to move due to complaints...

[mimosa]

Was in South Park yesterday late afternoon and the MG truck was in the Gala parking lot (Grape/Fern). I've seen it there a couple times in the past 2 weeks but I have had a chance to stop and ask about their hours.

[cstr]

Just think one tiny truck can back a lousey resto like a cornered rat. I agree let the resto not only up it's game but maybe be fair and stop serving slop and ripping off it's customers, who are leaving the deck of a sinking ship.

[Island]

Yeah pisses me off too. Curious, what the "official" truck rules anyway? None supposed to have tables and chairs, but the city overlooks it unless someone complains? I imagine if they're in a parking lot they have the permission of the owner of the lot?

[palmtree38]

Ok all the hype of going besides the broth what should we MUST TRY??? There will be 3 adults and 2 kids .. So we could order several items and do a sharezyyyyyy...
Funny I have this on my list to go for so long and no clue what im ordering haha.

[cstr]

Palmtree, order some baja tacos, also good of the kids. A mixed seafood tostada, for other tacos try the marlin, and goubenator(shrimp)taco, it's all good.

[DougOLis]

Gobernador (shrimp w/ grilled peppers and cheese), Smoked Marlyn, Pulpo (octopus), and the mixed tostada

[mikec]

Pass on their fish tacos unless you're going for cheap. The fish tacos are pretty weak, but they are only $1. Second/Third: Gubernador, Marlyn, Garlic Shrimp, Cocktails, Tostadas (esp Mixta). Be forewarned that all but the fish tacos are in the $3.50-$4 range (there's absolutely no pricing anywhere displayed), cash only. And the cashier (typically) speaks very limited English.

[cstr]

Man, what do you want for a buck? who can beat that? The goubernador, marlin and mixta tostadas are a meal in itself.

[mikec]

It's OK, but not the best fish taco around. El Zarape's $1 fish tacos are better as are the other Mariscos truck that used to be at 35th and ECB (though MG is/was better for everything else...). They're OK as filler, but I wouldn't bother making a meal exclusively of them.

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El Zarape Restaurant
3201 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA

[Ewilensky]

I'd try their fish tacos again - while not the best they're greatly improved, much better than last few dried tortilla / mushy fish tacos from El Zarape.

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El Zarape Restaurant
3201 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA

[cstr]

I always pack a small plastic end table type thing and some folding chairs and sit next to my car, this way it's not theirs, comfort rules. Marisco's tailgating!

[palmtree38]

Spouse is intrigued with the octupus. Is there sides to try or just ask for broth, is this a soup they give you complimentary while waiting?

[cstr]

yes it's a broth, there might be a few small pieces of seafood floating around and it's nicely spiced.

[DougOLis]

Oooo, I hope it's a permanent new location! I'll let you know tonight on my way home.

[Ewilensky]

Me too. Although the one on 35th wasn't that far at all....

[Ewilensky]

Confirmed. Daily from 9 AM - 7 PM

[palmtree38]

Is the other truck still on university near super cocina??

5 weeks for holiday and I want to try this place that we missed on our last vacation..

[kare_raisu]

The Ob truck has been gone the past week or two i have checked. :(

[DiningDiva]

I wonder if 30th & Grape is it's new home. I was in OB on Aug. 7th and it was still there.

[cubano]

The OB Mariscos truck was still in OB's Apple Tree parking lot three days ago. I remember because they were out of pulpo tacos. I'll check again this afternoon.

[cubano]

Yep, it was gone from Ocean Beach this afternoon. Bummer. I'll have to try to recreate their Pulpo tacos recipe.

[SDGourmand]

Does anyone know the regulations of food trucks in San Diego. Can you just park them anywhere and start serving food?

[DiningDiva]

SD Department of Environmental Health does health and licensing regulations/inspections. I think the City monitors parking. As we saw with teh MIHO truck, the Little Italy Business Association monitors their local area.