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Best Fish Taco in Ensenada
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Best Fish Taco in Ensenada
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Nautical-themed taquería specializing in classic Baja-style fish tacos with beer-battered fish fried to order and housemade corn tortillas. Owner Josep Córdova brings his grandmother's Ensenada recipes to this counter-service spot with a self-serve salsa bar featuring spicy avocado and chipotle crema.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja Fish Taco, Shrimp Taco, Potato Taco with chile verde
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Authentic Ensenada-style fish tacos at under $3 with made-to-order preparation
Who should go: Fish taco lovers, budget-conscious diners, quick lunch seekers
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner, 11am-10pm daily, avoid peak lunch rush
What to order: Fish taco (go heavy on white sauce), shrimp taco, potato taco
Insider tip: Build your own at the salsa bar - the spicy avocado salsa is a must
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Vermont Ave and side streets - metered until 8pm ($1.50/hr), typically spaces available. Small lot behind building fits 8 cars.
Dress code: Ultra casual - come as you are. Gym clothes, work attire, beach wear all standard.
Noise level: Moderate - counter-service setup with minimal seating means conversations work fine, occasional kitchen clatter
Weekend wait: 10-15 min wait for food at counter, seating usually available
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min food prep time, peak lunch (12-1pm) may require brief wait for tables
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - potato tacos, bean and cheese options, plus build-your-own with grilled vegetables
Vegan options: Limited but doable - potato taco without crema, beans and rice, corn tortillas are vegan-friendly
Gluten-free options: No - corn tortillas yes, but fish uses beer batter (contains gluten), no separate fryer
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you're both low-key casual types. Counter-service and plastic baskets don't scream romance, but the authentic vibe and $15 total bill work for daytime coffee-alternative dates or post-hike meetups.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations accepted - it's pure walk-up counter service. Seating is first-come during busy times, but turnover is fast (most people eat in 20 minutes).
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - casual setup means no pressure, mild fish tacos work for picky eaters, and quick service prevents meltdowns. High chairs available, no changing table.
How does it compare to the food trucks? More consistent quality and cleaner prep than street trucks, with the comfort of indoor seating and real bathrooms. You're paying $0.50-$1 more per taco for that reliability.
Is it actually authentic Ensenada-style? Yes - owner Josep grew up in Ensenada and uses his grandmother's recipes. The beer-battered preparation, crema-forward approach, and cabbage slaw match what you'd get at the Mercado Negro fish stands.
Best For
Better for: Authentic Baja fish tacos at the lowest price point with made-to-order freshness - beats food trucks on consistency and beats sit-down spots on value. The self-serve salsa bar gives you control other places don't.
Skip if: You want ambiance for a special occasion, need extensive seafood variety beyond tacos, or want craft beer pairings (they only have basic Mexican lagers). Also skip if you're gluten-free and want fried fish.
Best Fish Taco in Ensenada
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
This nautical-themed taquería opened in 2007 serves a stripped-down menu of Baja-style fish and shrimp tacos with house-made corn tortillas. Each order is fried to order behind the counter, then dressed at the salsa bar with cabbage, pickled radish relish, and chipotle crema.
Must-Try Dishes:
Battered Fish Taco, Shrimp Taco, Potato Taco
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Ultra-focused menu perfecting Baja-style fish tacos with unique pickled radish relish
Who should go: Fish taco purists seeking simple, fresh-fried Ensenada-style execution
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner, open 11am-9pm daily
What to order: Classic fish taco with radish relish, shrimp taco, avocado salsa
Insider tip: Dress your own tacos at salsa bar, get extra white cream
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Hillhurst Ave typically available, metered until 8pm. Small public lot on Vermont Ave 2 blocks away
Dress code: Super casual - t-shirts and shorts standard. This is a counter-service taquería
Noise level: Moderate - open space with some echo but conversation-friendly for 2-3 people
Weekend wait: 5-10 min wait for food at counter, no reservations needed. Peak rush 6-7pm
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, usually order and receive within 5-7 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - no dedicated vegetarian tacos, but can request bean-only preparations
Vegan options: Not recommended - signature components (crema, cheese) are dairy-based with few substitutions
Gluten-free options: No - corn tortillas are made fresh daily and naturally gluten-free, but shared fryer may have cross-contamination
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date appreciates ultra-casual vibes and authentic taco culture. Better as a second/third date after fancy dinner nearby - the informal counter service and plastic baskets work best when you're already comfortable together
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations accepted - this is counter-service only. Order at the register, grab a table (usually available), and they'll call your number. Most parties seated within 2-3 minutes even during peak hours
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - casual environment, quick service, simple menu. High chairs available. The mild fish tacos work well for ages 5+ who like seafood. No changing tables though
Best For
Better for: Purists seeking authentic Baja-style execution without fusion twists - this beats fancier Los Feliz spots on freshness and price-to-quality ratio. The made-to-order frying and house tortillas outclass chain alternatives like Rubio's
Skip if: You want creative taco interpretations, craft cocktails, or date-night ambiance. For upscale Mexican with fuller menu, try Salazar in Frogtown. For similar quality with more variety, Ricky's Fish Tacos in Silver Lake offers comparable execution with expanded options