Ever since your recent trip to the West Coast, Cali has you smitten. The perfect weather, the beautiful people, the sightseeing, and -- most important -- the fish tacos!
So what is a Baja-loving Floridian to do? You need look no further! Listed are six saucy local spots where you can find delicious fish tacos, no flight reservations required.
Support your locals: Lime Fresh Mexican Grill
CEO/founder John Konkel opened his first location on South Beach's Alton Road back in 2004. Since then, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill has expanded greatly, to nine locations in Florida (three in Broward County).
Lime Fresh Grill uses top-quality ingredients, offering humanely raised mahi-mahi. There is a generous selection: You have the option of ordering grilled, lightly fried, or low-carb mahi-mahi tacos. All fish tacos are served with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo salsa, and the choice of fresh jack cheese or their special sauce. Tacos range from $3.19 to $3.50 a pop.
Best Place to crash during your lunch break: Zona Fresca Fresh Mexican Grill
This joint is a local favorite and gets swamped during lunch hour -- but no need to stress, as Zona Fresca is known for its quick, friendly, and reliable service, guaranteeing you'll be back in the office right on time.
Zona Fresca uses all-natural ingredients with no preservatives or MSG. It also has an amazing salsa bar with a wide range of salsa, sauces, and condiments. The guacamole is made with fresh avocados, and no lard is used in the beans.
The Baja Fish tacos are beer-battered fish, placed in warm corn tortillas with sour cream and shredded cabbage, alongside warm tortilla chips -- all for a modest $2.75.
Advocate for Authenticity: Surf Road Taco
California natives and couple Chris Rainwater and Caite O'Hara opened Surf Road Taco, serving authentic Mexi-Cali cuisine and mahi-mahi tacos.
Surf Road Taco provides friendly service in a quaint little shop holding tons of character. When you first walk in, you will notice the brightly painted walls embellished with surfing memorabilia and a beachside mural. The bars on the windows will make you feel as if you're truly dining in east L.A.
Make sure you also check out the one-of-a-kind tiki salsa bar, which holds freshly chopped pico de gallo, black bean and corn salad, and a choice of hot or mild salsa. The Baja mahi-mahi tacos may be ordered fried or grilled and are topped with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, and unique cilantro-lime sour cream -- starting at only $3.15 each.
For the distinguished palate: Taco Beach Shack
Craving gourmet tacos? Taco Beach Shack has got you covered. The outdoor restaurant has an eclectic menu providing guests with a wide range of specialty tacos, including breakfast. This spot also has a generous drink menu to match, serving a selection of domestic and imported Mexican beers, margaritas, and sangria.
At Taco Beach Shack, the corn tortillas are prepared fresh daily, the guacamole and salsa are consistently made fresh, and they use local seasoned fish. One of their signature plates includes fresh fish and stone crab tacos; you have the choice of pepper crusted or honey-mustard stone crab. Not fancy enough? Try the kimichi slaw and cilantro-infused buttered lobster taco topped with Mexican-spiced Parmesan cheese.
Combo taco plates include three tacos served with rice and beans with prices starting at $8.99.
For the nutritional fact fanatic: Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
Established in 1990, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill stands by its philosophy to deliver fresh, flavorful, Mexican cuisine in a friendly environment. New locations are constantly popping up across the U.S.
One of the major advantages consumers have when dining at Baja Fresh is simply knowing what you're eating. Baja Fresh posts detailed nutritional facts alongside its menu items.
Baja Fresh offers two fish tacos -- one being the Mahi Mahi Taco-Crispy, consisting of hand-breaded and fried mahi-mahi topped with cabbage, pico de gallo, and a tangy dressing. Your second option is the Mahi Mahi Taco-Grilled, including sliced avocado, cabbage, pico de gallo, and an avocado dressing. Both the Mahi Mahi crispy and grilled tacos go for $3.19 each.
When you want the whole enchilada: Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar
With locations in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and a third location opening on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Rocco's Tacos is a South Florida favorite.
At Rocco's Tacos, guacamole is prepared at your table. The authentic corn tortillas are prepared by hand daily on-site, and in addition to the fully stocked bar, Rocco's Tacos offers 225 varieties of tequila. Bottoms up to that!
The Pesca Tacos are prepared using grilled or blackened mahi-mahi and served with taco sauce, pico de gallo, lettuce, cilantro, pickled red onions, and cotija cheese and served in a freshly made, warm corn tortilla -- starting at only $3.95.
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