Eating on the Hood of Your Car: Mariscos German Truck on the corner of Clairemont Drive and Balboa

While driving down Clairemont Drive last week, I noticed another taco truck in the old service station at the corner of Clairemont Drive and Balboa:

As I drove up to the intersection, I thought I could read "Mariscos German", not believing what I saw I rubbed my eyes, almost sending me over the median. No way, it couldn't be...... not in this neck of the woods. But as I made the u-turn and drove into the parking lot, I could read the bold blue lettering.....

 
I still wasn't sold...... I know MG has a couple of trucks, but here???

The menu sure did look promising, and the print and address on the front panel looked legit. I sauntered up to the window and asked the magic question, "is this the Mariscos German, with the truck on 35th and University??" To which the young lady replied, "we recently sold that, and another truck, but yes..."

Which means I had to get a Gobernador:

 
Mariscos German makes my favorite version of this pseudo-stir-fried shrimp, celery, bell peppers, onion, and tomato taco. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, and the flavor came through clearly. The tomato added some nice acidity to the taco. Everything was enrobed in a corn tortilla protected from the juices of the filling by a layer of melted cheese. Very nice......

I also had a Marlyn Taco, basically a smoked fish taco:

This one was a bit different from the versions I've had at other MG locations. First off, the fish was less greasy, and also didn't have as strong a smokey flavor. Second, it was much more fishy than what I recalled. This was ok, but not as good as what I had previously eaten at MG, and probably not what Ed from Yuma had. Perhaps it was just an off day.....

And just because it was only 99 cents, I had a fish taco:

 I'm kinda on the fence about the Tacos de Pescado. There's something about the batter that I'm not too fond of, and I find the crema to ba a bit too "mayonnais-sy" if you know what I mean. Though at 99 cents, it may be worth your while to try it, because it could float your boat.

I ate all of this under the canopy set-up next to the truck. Two tables, and some chairs are available for your eating convenience. On the way to the car I picked up the Caldo de Pescado, fish soup, for the Missus. Even though I told Her that I was not a big fan of the consomme, it was short on tomato, and was very heavy handed with the celery, the Missus wanted to try the Caldo.

The soup was chock full of plump and tender fish, but the broth was really short on any flavor but that of....you guessed it, celery. It really needed a lot of help in the form of lime, oregano, and salt.

I had still not had one of my favorite items at MG, the Aguachile Tostada. Of course, this meant another visit.

Raw shrimp is "cooked" in lime and chile concoction, giving the shrimp a toothsome, but pleasant chew. I think that MG's version is nicely balanced for my tastes, spicy enough to bring a sheen of sweat to my brow, but not blasting hot. The sliced red onions adds a pleasant pungent-sweetness. The lime refreshes without washing everything out.

The amount of lime isn't as balanced in the "Cocteles".

The tomato water concoction will wake up your tastebuds, that's for sure. It is perhaps a bit heavy-handed with regards to the lime. I had originally wanted a Mexican Black Clam Coctele, but since they were out, I settled for regular clams. The generous amount of clam was meaty and sweet, which helped balance out the citrus. Not bad, but I've had better.

The lot is shared with a Smog Check, and on certain evening with the La Princesita Taco Truck, but there is fairly ample parking. Along with the La Princesita Taco truck, this little corner is starting to liven up. Being a mere mile and a half from home, I'm sure I'll be hitting up this truck quite often.

Mariscos German Truck

Located on the corner of Balboa and Clairemont Drive. Open daily from 8-9 am (the sign says 8am, but the young lady told me its "more like 9am") until dusk (the sign says 730pm, but the young lady told me 6 or 7)

Comments

[kat]

love this Kirk--"And just because it was only 99 cents, I had a fish taco"

[dave]

wait wait wait wait.
what did she mean 'sold the truck at 35th and university'?! i was just there last week. are they now under new management? gone for good? i guess i need to head over there for lunch today.

[Kirk]

Hi Kat - Yes, I just had too... ;o)

Hi Dave - According to what She told me, the truck is still there, but has been sold. So it should still be there. So if you check it out, let me know, I'd be interested.

[kirbie]

Oh yum. I've been wanting to check out this taco truck, and this location is much closer.

[Sandy]

I'm with Kirbie ... this location is much closer to me, too.

I've done the same thing while driving - some sign catches my eye, but I have to concentrate on not runnning into something or worse, someone!

[twitter.com/sammusubi]

no wonder the truck wasnt there last week! I work in coronado and used to goto the Ocean Blvd location all the time. sad that its now farther. gonna have to find another seafood taco joint closer to work

[Kirk]

Hi Kirbie - They are definitely worth checking out.

Hi Sandy - It's funny how those medians will creep into the center of the road, isn't it? ;o)

Hi Sammusubi - I think there are some good options in the area.... just think, this gives you the chance to explore!

[Stephen]

They sold the truck on 35th and University? :(
I loved the Marlyn tacos there. I liked that they were smoky too. Did she say if it will continue with the same name? Guess I'll have to try it and if its different, look elsewhere. Clairemont Drive is a long way to go from North Park for a taco truck

[Kirk]

Hi Stephen - It could be that the folks who work at that location bought the truck, so things might be the same!

[Janfrederick]

All right!! This is more within my reach. Gobernadores para lunch manana! w00t!

[Kirk]

Hi Jan - I hope you get a good one! Don't forget the spicy pickled onions and other condiments.

[Tammy]

Are we going to do a taco trucks tour soon?

[Kirk]

Hi Tammy - Hopefully yes..... I just emailed K to see about availability.

[Masa Assassin]

Hi Kirk, great stuff! I recently did a gobonador crawl (will post soon) and MG was number 1. I’m with you on the love for the GOB. A buddy of mine stated this MG had a surf and turf style taco that was very good. I didn’t see it on the Menu hmmmmm perhaps a trip this weekend to check it out. It’s so awesome to have this location so close. Awesome description on the Aguachile Tostada you have my mouth watering.

[Kirk]

Hi MA - I look forward to that post! I really enjoy MGs aguachile tostada, it just seems right for my taste.

[Janfrederick]

Just got back. The gobernador just made my day. Wow was that good. So go in fact, that afterwards, when some guy cut in front of me at Costco, I didn't care (didn't hurt that the new line I got into whizzed me through well before that guy).

I tried the callo (garlic), and it was splendid. The scallops could have done without the little muscles that you usually remove, but in a taco, a little bit of chewy isn't bad. It came with cabbage and crema. Very good. But I should have eaten the gobernador first. They put some sort of seasoning in those that just puts them over the top.

Note, there is a bikini-clad barista coffee stand at the same place. A regular blue collar paradise if you asked me. ;)

[Kirk]

Hi Jan - That gobernador is great isn't it??? As for the coffee stand....I'll let you fill me in (no pun intended) on it! ;o)

[Ralder]

Is this truck still working this spot? What hours?

I'm an out-of-town foodie coming to SD and looking for good eats. This truck (or another Marisco German outfit) is my target. I'm staying at the convention center/marina area, but can taxi anywhere in between meetings.

I see talk of truck at 35th and University.

Current, local, knowledgeable help please.

[Kirk]

Hi Ralder - I was just going to do an update - this truck is no longer here. The truck on the corner of 35th and University is. Actually, Imperial Avenue is pretty close, there's a MG truck on Imperial Avenue as well as La Fachada and a new Tacos El Paisa location.