"Excuse me, there's a fish in my taco!"
I love tacos! Beef, chicken, pork, tongue...you name it, I love tacos. Honestly, I think most people do. My favorite tacos would be fish tacos, but I get various reactions when I mention that. Usually it's disbelief, "Fish Tacos??!!??", like that's totally outside the realm of possibilities to put fish in a taco, or disgust, "Fish Tacos??!!??", said like there's a turd being held under their nose. I don't understand these reactions. Is it sooo strange to put fish in a taco?
I can't remember the first time I had a fish taco (probably a late night "what do I have in the friggin' frig" creation back in the day), but I do remember the first time I heard someone else mention them. It was in September of 2000 at what was formerly know as Taylor's Refresher in Napa Valley, when my friend Jamey said he was going to order some. I was in a "burger mood" that night and stuck with my gut. Usually if I see them listed on a menu I'll order them. It's kinda a rule I have.
The basic layout for a "proper" fish taco is fried fish chunks in a soft tortilla with some type of spicy avocado and sour cream sauce and shredded CABBAGE. I highlight this point because it's crucial to it's overall success and where most people go wrong. I have nothing against lettuce, but save it for the tacos made from land animals. That goes for cheese too! Fish tacos are simple, that's why they are so good. The fish is fried to cut down on the drippity drip associated with juicy fish that has been sauteed or grilled; avocado and sour cream sauce is there because together they rock, and the cabbage is for additional crunch. Some folks add mango or pineapple salsas to jazz things up, but I sometimes feel this is overkill. And don't dare ask me what wine I would choose...it's a damn taco, fool. Drink beer!
(I'm serious about the menu rule of the fish taco, if I see them on the menu, I must order them. If I'm anything, I'm consistent.)
Be adventurous in your restaurant ordering. Don't just order the same old thing, expand your horizons. If fish tacos seem strange, you've already taken the first step in correcting that mindset by reading this blog. I truly thank you (Step 2 is to tell a friend about it). I say "live on the edge", "throw caution to the wind" try the fish tacos. If you are already hip to my game, thanks for playing.
Ciao down,
Penn
I can't remember the first time I had a fish taco (probably a late night "what do I have in the friggin' frig" creation back in the day), but I do remember the first time I heard someone else mention them. It was in September of 2000 at what was formerly know as Taylor's Refresher in Napa Valley, when my friend Jamey said he was going to order some. I was in a "burger mood" that night and stuck with my gut. Usually if I see them listed on a menu I'll order them. It's kinda a rule I have.
The basic layout for a "proper" fish taco is fried fish chunks in a soft tortilla with some type of spicy avocado and sour cream sauce and shredded CABBAGE. I highlight this point because it's crucial to it's overall success and where most people go wrong. I have nothing against lettuce, but save it for the tacos made from land animals. That goes for cheese too! Fish tacos are simple, that's why they are so good. The fish is fried to cut down on the drippity drip associated with juicy fish that has been sauteed or grilled; avocado and sour cream sauce is there because together they rock, and the cabbage is for additional crunch. Some folks add mango or pineapple salsas to jazz things up, but I sometimes feel this is overkill. And don't dare ask me what wine I would choose...it's a damn taco, fool. Drink beer!
(I'm serious about the menu rule of the fish taco, if I see them on the menu, I must order them. If I'm anything, I'm consistent.)
Be adventurous in your restaurant ordering. Don't just order the same old thing, expand your horizons. If fish tacos seem strange, you've already taken the first step in correcting that mindset by reading this blog. I truly thank you (Step 2 is to tell a friend about it). I say "live on the edge", "throw caution to the wind" try the fish tacos. If you are already hip to my game, thanks for playing.
Ciao down,
Penn
Ooh, you are a speakin my language! My new fav at a place here in Sherman Oaks is a seared Ahi taco topped with a wasabi slaw. Delish! Coconut rice on the side. OMG, my mouth is watering just mentioning it here. However, I must say it is hard to beat a fried fish taco on a corner down in Baja after an all night Tequila binge...
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