Rubios, Home of the Fish Taco

mmm-yoso!!! welcomes you back to another post from Cathy; Kirk and His Missus are elsewhere.

Rubios opened its first location in 1983 in the Mission Bay area of San Diego, primarily serving Baja style fish tacos.  Locations have expanded throughout California, Arizona and Nevada.  Serving sustainable seafood as well as chicken and vegetarian dishes, Rubios is a walk up, order and pay and your food is brought to your table type of restaurant.

My usual order is the two fish taco plate ($8.99), part of the "Five under $10" menu.  Beer battered wild caught Alaska pollock topped with cabbage, salsa fresca, a 'secret sauce' (it is mild and white) and served on a warm corn tortilla along with tortilla chips and "no fried" pinto beans, this is a tasty filling meal.

Similarly, the Signature Fish Burrito ($12.99) is a very filling meal.  It kind of looks small but the cross section cut shows the flour tortilla is packed full.  There are three pieces of beer battered crisp fried wild caught Alaskan pollock, guacamole, black beans, white sauce, mild salsa, cabbage, onions and cilantro.  This comes with a side of tortilla chips.  An easy way to eat and there is flavor in every bite.  I do like the black beans a bit more than the pinto beans, but both are good. 

The Mango Avocado Salad with grilled Mahi-Mahi ($15.49) was The Mister's choice this day.  Brown rice and quinoa, a mango salsa and slices of Hass avocadoes over Romaine and topped with squared tortilla chips.  The 'normal' salad dressing is a lemon agave white balsamic vinaigrette.  You can choose other proteins (langostino lobster, grilled shrimp, chicken, blackened Mahi, grilled steak, grilled salmon or blackened salmon as well as grilled veggies)(prices of proteins vary).  This salad is protein packed and tastes so good.  The variety of textures as well as the contrast of warm fresh grilled fish is unexpectedly nice. 

I must say that the grilled veggies option is exceptional; there are grilled poblanos, cauliflower, red bell pepper, marinated red onions, and roasted corn.

Always fresh and essentially a local (not nationwide anyhow) spot. Choices for everyone.

Rubios Coastal Grill Website Many locations Opens at 10:30 a.m. daily

It looks like a re-branding might occur soon.

 

Comments

[Peter]

Cool that the original Rubio's restaurant is still open in PB. Rubio's went through an ownership change when they were bought out of bankruptcy a few months ago by Original Fish Taco LLC, an affiliate of TREW Capital Management restaurant investment firm for $40 million. "Original Fish Taco" is a registered trademark of Rubio's so will be interesting to see if they dump the name "Rubio's" and go with something else.

[Sandy]

I used to order the Pesky's combo, which is the two taco plate you describe, but with the fish taco especial. I don't think it's on the menu anymore.

[kat]

nice that they are still around, everything looks great!

[Cathy]

I was thinking it might have something to do with the bankruptcy, Peter. Thanks for that information. As much as I hate change, it will be OK as long as the final product stays the same.

I still call it a Pesky Combo, Sandy, and it is indeed my favorite! It's now a Fish Taco Especial Plate ($10.50), so I order the Original Fish Taco plate and add a *small* guacamole then grab the onion/cilantro mix from the salsa bar and make my own Pesky Combo. I thought out the wording for the post and decided to not mention my workaround.

The food here is really good, kat. A nice and reasonably priced choice.

[Sandy]

I'm going to try your workaround, Cathy!

[Cathy]

It's so nice that you know and like a Pesky taco, Sandy. On Taco Tuesday, you can also just get a Fish Taco Especial for $3.

[Nancy Jan]

No cal here east Bay Area all our rubios are gone. No more 5 tacos for warrior games.sure hope they reopen in the future their tacos are extra special!

[Cathy]

I guess those closings had to do with the bankruptcy and subsequent buyout, Jan. I do think that Rubio's will return to your area once the economy settles down. The quality and consistency of the tacos will continue as the solid base of this restaurant. (Welcome to the commenting side of our blog).

[Pam from Santee]

I had a fish taco at the PB location when I was out there about a month ago. A nice snack!