Rubios-Still the Best FF Fish Taco?
Visiting San Diego in a few weeks and I've heard Rubios makes the finest Fast Food fish Taco. If there's a better one in the Gas Lamp district I'd love to know about it.
bob
Dec 30, 2003 01:05PM
God, don't eat a Rubio's fish taco. They used to be good before they became a too-big chain. Definitely gone downhill.
If you've got transportation one of the best fish tacos can be found at El Zarape at the end of Park Blvd. right before it dead-ends into Adams Ave. This is not too far from downtown and the Gas Lamp. They're $.99 each or you can get a decent combo plate for $3.99 with 2 fish tacos, rice and not bad beans.
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Thank you Gayla. After reading posts on the board about how wonderful Rubios was, my first experience in NoCal was a horror. So I thinks to myself, it must be location. Then I've had the same horrible experience in this area. I've eaten three times at Rubios. They have permanently struck out with me.
On the other hand, I've yet to find a fish taco I've really liked. I'm thinking I'm going to have to wait until I get to Baja again.
Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...
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My last Rubio's experience was a case of food poisoning!
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My last fish taco also resulted in a doozie of a case of food poisioning, except I was in Loreto, Mexico in Baja!!! Haven't had a fish taco since, or much of a desire for one :-))
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Stanley - I remember reading your post when you did it originally and I couldn't fathom why your experience had been so bad. Rubio's really did used to have a good product. Then shortly after your post I ate at Rubio's and, boy, were you right!!
El Zarape's version is pretty decent, especially for $.99. If you ever get down to the Balboa Park/Hillcrest area, it's not very far from there. I don't think anyone should make the mistake of considering El Zarape *authentic*, but they do what they do pretty well. They have calamari and scallop burritos and a few other odd-ball specialty burritos. They also have sopes, but don't try those, they aren't that good.
But the guy that originated this thread is right, the Ensenada fish market is probably the best bet. In addition to fish tacos they also have all manner and variety of "coctales", seafood cocktails. The condiments are all in big schooners on the tables, you add and season to taste.
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Try the South Beach Bar & Grill in Ocean Beach. They have several different kinds of fish that they use. They also make a mean shark burger!
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I agree that I think Rubio's has gone downhill. I used to really enjoy the shrimp tacos, but the ones I had about a year ago were awful. It almost looked as if they had tried to fry the corn tortilla (which seemed odd because they used to be fresh), but it was limp and greasy. Yuck.
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God no! Rubio's is the McDonald's of fish tacos. Go there if you want to contribute to Ralph R.'s retirement fund, the jerk of jerks. But, beyond that, the food's mediocre. Don't you know that by now? Go to Wahoo's Fish Tacos (they're all over the place) for excellent service, great fish tacos (chicken too) and delicious black beans and rice on the side. They give you too much food, but who's complaining? Great service too. Rubio's is for those who go to those quasi-taco joints named Roberto's, Adelberto's, Mamboberto's and so on...the places that move in when some other fast-food joint folds. The ones that give you drinks in a can. Mmmm. Now that's what we like. Sipping from an aluminum can. Pfui.
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