You guys are in for a treat today! Two treats really.
A few months ago, Jorge and I went on a hunt for the best battered fish taco in San Diego. Given the massive amount of fish taco options available, we decided to start our search by polling friends, family and fellow foodies about their favorite spots for fish tacos. This poll resulted in these top 3 restaurants/trucks (also vetted on Yelp): Mariscos Alex, TJ Oyster Bar and Oscar’s Mexican Seafood. After we found a favorite fish taco, I then made my own Crispy Fish Taco recipe paired with a spicy Chipotle Crema. This week, I’m sharing my pick for the best fish taco in SD plus my fish taco recipe over on Salt & Wind, a food and travel blog by Aida Mollenkamp. Continue reading for photos from the hunt plus links to the winner and recipe.
Let me start by saying that this was one of the tastiest “assignments” I’ve ever been on. I love crispy fish tacos, and all three spots did not disappoint. Here’s the criteria I had in mind when tasting each taco (more details here):
- Authenticity
- Flavor
- Fish-to-Batter Ratio
- Texture
- Blow Out Factor
- Fillings-to-Tortilla Ratio
- Sauce selection
Our first stop was Mariscos Alex in City Heights:
Next we went to TJ Oyster Bar in Bonita:
Finally, Oscar’s Mexican Seafood in Hillcrest:
For full details on each restaurant plus my final pick for best crispy fish taco in San Diego, visit Salt & Wind here.
Now, on to my fish taco recipe. This recipe starts with strips of cornstarch-dusted, air-dried tilapia dipped in beer batter and fried to puffy, golden perfection. The crispy fish is then placed in a warm corn tortilla and topped with crunchy cabbage, bright cilantro and a healthy squeeze of smoky crema infused with chipotle in adobo and lime juice. If you love fish tacos as much as I do, then you will absolutely love this recipe. I should mention it also gets a Mexican seal of approval (provided by my Mexican boyfriend) :)!
- For the fish:
- 2 pounds tilapia fillets
- 3/4 cup cornstarch, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder, divided
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup beer (preferably Mexican)
- For the chipotle crema:
- 2/3 cup Mexican crema (or sour cream)
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 3 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, plus more to taste
- Kosher salt
- For the tacos:
- Vegetable, canola or peanut oil, for frying
- Corn tortillas, warmed in a skillet
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Cilantro leaves, for serving
- For recipe instructions, please visit Salt & Wind.
Looking for the best fish taco in San Diego?? Click this link.
Looking for my Crispy Fish Taco Recipe with Chipotle Crema?? Click this link.
Now it’s your turn to share! Do you have a favorite battered fish taco spot in San Diego? If so, please share below.
J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats says
I’m going to have to make a stop at Mariscos Alex, out go-to spot is Oscar’s – just because the one in Hillcrest is sooo close to where we live!
I love chipotle crema (and the creamy green sauce at Oscar’s) but generally am not a sour cream fan so I never buy it. Is there an appreciable difference between Mexican sour cream and regular ol’ American sour cream for making this sauce recipe?
Brandon Matzek says
Yes!!! Definitely check it out. I do notice a slight different between crema and sour cream. You could certainly use sour cream here though. The chipotle and lime outshine any nuanced flavors in the cream 😛
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I loved this post and read your reviews on Aida’s site. I run by Oscars every day (or night) and no matter the time of day or night, that place is ALWAYS packed. Always. So I figured they must be doing something right. I should venture over to City Heights for Mariscos. Sounds like it’s worth it! Your fish tacos look awesome! Beer batter can’t ever hurt anything 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Averie :)! Oscars was super busy when we were there. It’s definitely a hot spot.
Leanne says
I love a good fish taco, and I haven’t been to any of those spots yet… this must be corrected immediately! The nice thing is, even with a mediocre taco shop fish taco, it’s still usually a pretty decent fish taco!
Brandon Matzek says
I agree! I was definitely splitting hairs here when judging the best. Check this spots out for sure!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I just can’t get enough fish tacos. Seriously, they never get old. These look wonderful… and if I’m ever in San Diego again, I’m definitely checking these spots out.
Brandon Matzek says
Me too! Let me know when you come to SD and I’ll join you 😉
James says
Your fish tacos look awesome. You can never go wrong topping anything with a chipotle sauce.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks James!!
Cyndi Jackson says
These look amazing! YUM!!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Cyndi!!
Laurie Wessely says
I’m really jealous of your San Diego location for good Mexican food. For some years now I’ve been in search of a recreation or a recipe for a really delicious chile relleno taco. I had one once at a little taco stand in (of all places) Hoboken, NJ, but the next time I went there, the place was gone. Do you have any insights? I’m currently living in the furthest western exurbs of Northern Virginia (through no choice of my own).
Brandon Matzek says
That is a great question that I don’t have a good answer for! Chow.com has a good recipe for chile rellenos. Perhaps you could start with that and pair with a spicy red salsa?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Really enjoyed your reviews over at Salt & Wind. I’m just bummed that our family was just in San Diego a few months ago and we somehow missed all three!! We’ll be going back again though and look forward to sampling each one. Your recipe looks great and lovely photos!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Kimberly! You will just have to come back again 🙂 Did you have fish tacos while you were here?
Megan Keno {Country Cleaver} says
I absolutely love fish tacos – these look so fantastic!
Brandon Matzek says
Me toooooo 🙂 Thanks Megan!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
LOVE the Mexican boyfriend approval disclaimer! These look amazing, and I am sure when I make them, they’ll get this Mexican’s seal of approval as well!
Brandon Matzek says
Hahah yes, it’s an important distinction. Thanks Fabiola!
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
I have a cousin in San Diego so will check this out if I ever make it down there. Until I can try this, thanks!
Brandon Matzek says
Yes!! Come visit. Especially if you love Mexican food.
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
That must have been a hard job, searching for the best fish taco! Your version looks great!
Brandon Matzek says
Haha yes, it was a tough job, but someone had to do it 😉 Thanks Cynthia!
cristina says
We’re so fortunate to live in Sun Diego for the best fish tacos. Going to try your list of best places for one of our favorite dishes. The Brigantine’s Oyster Bar serves a really delicious fish taco too! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to trying these places. 😉
Brandon Matzek says
I’ll have to give the Brigantine a go. Thanks for the suggestion!
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
What an awesome mission and outing – how fun! Thanks for sharing and for sharing Salt & Wind, what a gorgeous site!
Brandon Matzek says
It was really fun :). Thanks Steph!
Lorena says
Yummm!! I will definitely get some Tilapia next time I go to Costco! Haven’t had fish tacos in like forever! This looks like a fantastic recipe to have fish tacos again 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Lorena. Yeah, definitely give this recipe a try 🙂
Amber | Caleigh's Kitchen says
Unfortunately, I’ve never been to San Diego though my sister lived there for a while. I so desperately want to try some fish tacos out there. Your recipe sounds perfect though, I am pinning for later and going to have to try it out!
I’d love it if you would come and share on Try A Bite Tuesday Link Party that’s happening over at Caleigh’s Kitchen!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Amber and come visit soon!
heather @french press says
hands down my favorite meal – and I would happily eat my way around SD in search of the best fish tacos
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
I love your comment about the fish to condiments and add-ons ratio. That’s key to my version of a perfect taco. Can’t wait to try your fish.
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Flesh to batter ratios and blowout factor are definitely key in evaluating any good taco. That smoky chipotle crema sounds divine!
Brandon Matzek says
Haha, so key!! Thanks Kirsten 🙂
Jennifer Stewart says
Corn starch is the secret weapon! I love that for chicken wings but never thought to use it on my fish! Awesome recipe and I can’t wait to try all the fish joints listed when I finally get to go to San Diego!
Brandon Matzek says
Agreed! Do you have a favorite chicken wing recipe that uses cornstarch? Thanks!
Julia says
Fish tacos are the best. I love that they are crispy too, that makes me happy. I haven’t been to San Diego but I need to go it sounds like. 🙂
Lauren says
I adore fish tacos! These look divine!
Brandon Matzek says
Me too! Thanks Lauren 🙂