Best Fish Tacos?

[Eastside Eater]

Can anyone tell me their choice for best fish tacos in LA? I have found Baja Tacos in East LA to be one of the best I have had. They are 99 cents on Wednesdays. Any other good spots and deals? Most places have soggy fried ones. Thanks!

[junglekitte]

I loved them at:

Lily's Cafe & Pastries
29211 Heathercliff Rd
Malibu, CA 90265

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Lily's Cafe & Pastries
29211 Heathercliff Rd Ste 60, Malibu, CA 90265

[goldpackage]

i know this isn't de rigeur because a) it's on the westside and it's not tpf b) it's in a hotel and c) it's not a down and dirty place that will give an adventurous yuppie a rush for venturing into a quasi-dangerous neighborhood... BUT the fish tacos at FIG in the santa monica fairmont are very good.

[Robert Thornton]

If we count the eastern part of LA county, I really like Senor Baja (formerly Taco Nazo), but maybe I'm biased because there's a location close to me out here in Claremont, but many locations. Also like Tacos Ensenada in Duarte. Obviously not in LA proper though.

[Phurstluv]

I recently had them at John O'Groats in the valley. They use the fish & chips fish and they are excellent. Though they are fried, which doesn't bother me, the batter is incredibly light and tasty without a hint of grease. Finely shredded cabbage, decent pico de gallo with fresh jalapeno, and tasty black beans all came with the tacos. And their homemade tartar sauce that was thick and delicious. And it came with a large side salad with fresh greens and vegetables. Definitely worth a try.

[KaimukiMan]

I don't know if they are the best in LA, or if they are related to the Baja Tacos you mentioned, but the fish tacos at Baja Fish in San Pedro on Gaffey are some of the best I've ever had.

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Baja Fish
611 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731

[burumun]

Ricky's and Mariscos El Tetos.

[ipsedixit]

Ricky's is still weekends only, right?

[wienermobile]

These are Ricky's posted hours:
Ricky's Fish Tacos winter schedule! STARTING THIS WEEK I will only open FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 11:30 to 5:00. Hope to see you! Ricky.
But always check his twitter first.
http://twitter.com/rickysfishtacos

[reality check]

I don't see why Ricky's is so popular. It's ok, nothing great and certainly not something to chase after.

Taco's Baja has two other locations; Whittier, a few miles east, of their East LA location and San Dimas. I also like their shrimp tacos.

[Mr Taster]

My experience with Ricky's is based on one visit, so bear that in mind. Having said that, I tend to agree with you.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6766...

I have been to Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada a half dozen times. I have noticed their consistent in that their tacos have a nice crunch and great flavor... (Tacos Baja Ensenada suffers from the consistency problem... I've had GREAT tacos there, and very mediocre ones as well). To my mind those are the two most important criteria in a fish taco. Ricky's suffered from a lack of both. That's a cardinal sin in fish tacquery.

Plus, with Best Fish Tacos there's no waiting in line with a bunch of foodie hipsters for 45 minutes. I respect what Ricky's doing and all, but it's just not worth it for me to go back.... though having said that I might be inclined to give him another shot just to see if my original visit was a fluke.

Mr Taster

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Ensenada Restaurant
851 W Gardena Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247

[reality check]

I've always wondered about the Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada. I pass by there, on my way to the best buffalo wings in LA at Ye Rustic Inn, but have never stopped in. Maybe next time.

What a combo, wings and fish tacos!!

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Ye Rustic Inn
1831 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[Mr Taster]

Apologies for using the wrong word for "they're". I'm embarrassed!

Mr Taster

[ns1]

Mr. Taster, please give RFT another shot if you've only been there once. I used to be a regular @ BFTiE until I started going to RFT.

Go @ 1:15 on Friday's and there's usually no wait.

which iteration of RIcky's did you go to? Laundromat, Cell store, or 1400 N Virgil?

[burntwater]

When I went to RFT in front of the laundromat he made me a really excellent pair of fish tacos fresh per order.

My last visit was at his location on Virgil.

He had someone else making the tacos and the fish was not cooked per order . it was already done sitting on the wire rack. My tortillas were a little under and I think the price was 2.50 almost a dollar more per taco then BFTE.

The difference between the two is not big enough for me to seek out RFT like it's the second coming of fish tacos. I'll still eat at RFT if my friends want to go but for almost a buck cheaper per taco and arguably just as good I'll go to BFTE.

That said when the owners mom at BFTE is behind the register she kind of trips me out.

[reality check]

What kind of fish does BFTE, use? Are their tacos made to order?

[burntwater]

I have no idea what kind of fish they use. I guess you could call and find out.
So far at Best I've always had my fish cooked per order. I was just there a few days ago and had my fish cooked per order.
Reading the post below it's not always the case.
Which I have no problem believing.

Like politics, people will nit pick both sides to prove their point.

Lets say for comparison, if both places executed their best version of a fish taco I'd give the edge to Ricky's. That said, it's not a even playing field because of the big difference in price.

I guess the real winners are us who live in the area since both make a fish taco better then your average place.

[ns1]

"He had someone else making the tacos and the fish was not cooked per order . it was already done sitting on the wire rack."

I've had the same experience @ BFTiE when Joe doesn't work the fryers and has his assistant(s) do it.

I DO miss the fact that Ricky's no longer does everything himself, but I AM grateful for new grills so they can heat up the tortillas.

And finally, a few of my friends went to BFTiE when RFT was closed (a few months ago) and said it was a major, major disappointment - I was sad to hear this since I do wish Joe the best and I have rec'ed BFTiE in the past. Their radish relish is freaking awesome, and a great horchata. I haven't been in ~2 years.

[reality check]

What kind of fish does Ricky use? And when I went, I had the same experience; fish not cooked to order- the fish sitting on the rack.

[ns1]

he uses basa

ask him to fry up a fresh one?

[loblaw]

Definitely Ricky's
Always fresh,
his batter is so good.
His pico de gallo so finely chopped.
and i love his salsas.

[Eastside Eater]

Can you tell me where I can find Ricky's? I am down to try it!

[wienermobile]

Ricky's Fish Tacos
Location 1400 N. Virgil, Los Angeles

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Ricky's Fish Tacos
1400 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

[reality check]

Remember, Ricky's is a cart, not a restaurant.

[raizans]

hmm, tell me more about mariscos el tetos.