![]() ![]() “Besides, I wasn’t the only gringo in San Felipe with a business major. Photo by Alexandra Grablewski (Chronicle Books, 2018) Many years ago, Michael and I rented a convertible and drove up the California coast. “It was one of those rare moments of inspiration,” says Rubio of that fateful night. Crispy beer-battered cod tucked into corn tortillas and topped with slaw and a smoky chipotle sauce, Baja fish tacos are the perfect summer meal. Rubio’s is a multimillion-dollar company. Today Carlos’s old San Felipe stand still operates, but under different ownership. But Carlos had moved ― some said to the rival fish-taco center of Ensenada. Not long after the opening, Rubio returned to San Felipe to see the legendary Carlos and give him some money as thanks. Eventually Rubio figured out a recipe that worked, and with the backing of his father, opened his first restaurant in 1983 in an old, failed hamburger stand near Mission Bay. “It was late at night, I’m drinking Coronas with my buddies, and the thought hit me: If he doesn’t want to open a stand, why don’t I just get the recipe?”Ĭarlos provided Rubio with a recipe, though he didn’t specify exact amounts of ingredients. “I vividly remember the conversation,” says Rubio today. Carlos, making a decision that he can only hope his wife never hears about, replied that he didn’t want to leave Mexico. One night Rubio suggested that Carlos open up a stand in San Diego. Rubio was particularly fond of the fresh fish tacos made by a vendor named Carlos. In addition to cerveza, fish tacos at local stands proved to be their main sustenance, and became one of the prime reasons they would return to San Felipe each spring. That was the first year Rubio and friends at San Diego State went down to San Felipe on the Sea of Cortés. Done right, however, grilled fish tacos can taste mighty good, authenticity issues notwithstanding.Īll of which means that Ralph Rubio made the right call in 1974 when he decided not to stay home and study during spring break. These new heart-friendly tacos may be more healthful, but they tend to lose their soul along with the fat. Though many Americans are only now learning about the simple virtues of fish tacos, surfers and seasoned Mexico travelers have long considered fish tacos an integral part of the Baja experience.Īs fish tacos reached El Norte, they went upscale ― out of the fryer and onto the grill. In the meantime, this Baja export has become the border cuisine of the moment. They say their port town is the fish taco’s true home, dating at least from the opening of the Ensenada mercado, in 1958. But the señoras hustling and hawking virtually identical fish tacos at virtually identical stands at Ensenada’s fish market won’t stand for that. San Diego fish-taco mogul Ralph Rubio, whose chain of stores makes him the great white shark of the fish-taco world, cites San Felipe as the source. What everyone doesn’t agree on is where in Baja the archetype originated. I will definitely be coming back and this time, on a Tuesday or Thursday.īaja Cali Fish & Tacos is located at 31 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801.On this everyone agrees. The restaurant was nice and clean, the service was good, the food was amazing, and the price was just right. Overall, I would give the new Baja Cali location a five out of five. However, eating the the crab ceviche (tostada topped with crab, salsa, and avocado) after the tacos made it feel much more refreshing. The taco itself was huge and delicious, but the crema made it a bit thick. The fish tacos were topped with cabbage, crema, pico de gallo, and salsa. This was my friend’s first time trying a real taco and she was beyond satisfied with the experience. ![]() The asada tacos were topped with onions, cilantro, and salsa. ![]() ![]() The total including tax came out to be a little over $21. Within our table, we had three asada tacos, five fish tacos, and one crab ceviche tostada. The quality of the taco made up for the fact that we had to pay full price. They have their own special promotion on Thursdays as well, where meat tacos are $0.99 instead of $1.99. They have a mini bar to the side with radishes, lime, onions, and jalapeños and a variety of sauces at each table.īaja Cali participates in the famous “Taco Tuesday,” where they serve fish tacos for $0.99, as opposed to $2.09. They also offer a vegetarian choice for their customers. Their menu has meat and seafood in the forms of a taco, burrito, tostada, quesadilla, nachos, caldos, sopes, and fries. Upon entering, my friends and I were greeted with kind faces and were self-seated. A new taco stand in Lawndale drawing long lines of South Bay residents who appreciate the taste of an authentic Baja-style. The restaurant is small and may be hard to spot the first time but has a fresh, new feel to it with indoor and outdoor seating. and has built up a solid ground of customers since their opening in December. Baja Cali Fish & Tacos, a mexican taco place, opened up a new location on Main St. ![]()
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