When it comes to fish tacos, the most important question is: battered or grilled?
And second, who makes the best Bay Area versions?
San Diego may be famous for those Baja style bites -- they have a fish taco joint on every corner, after all. But despite our burrito-centric focus, the Bay Area still does the genre proud. Here are some of our favorite spots around the region -- from food trucks to date-night spots -- that offer something for everyone, whether you skew battered or grilled or prefer cod, halibut or even lobster.
(Did we miss your favorite? Tell us about it via the submission form at the end of this article.)
You know you're respected for your tacos when other taco joints have you in to do a pop-up. Dos Raicez, which is run by Elton Sanchez, Michell Madrigal and Ruben Gomez, pops up at Oakland's Michelin-recognized Tacos Oscar, as well as Berkeley's Gilman Brewing and other locations.
This food truck specializes in Baja-style fried fish tacos, though it also dabbles in Michoacán-style carnitas, mushroom tostadas with poblano cream and other regional specialties. The fish is fresh, and their plating impeccable - peep the ceviche with a crispy dough halo dotted with avocado puree. Every taco lover should hope they get a brick-and-mortar soon.
The taco: Tacos arrive nestled in soft, warm tortillas that taste like the essence of corn ($12 for two or $16 for three). Delicately crispy, the beer-battered cod is served as a whole piece, like a fish baton -- the way it should be (no chopped-up li'l bits here). A snowfall of crunchy purple cabbage and cucumber adds freshness, and it's all tied together with an ash-speckled mayo crema made from charred scallions and serranos - additional salsa absolutely not needed.
Details: Find the Dos Raicez food truck schedule at instagram.com/dosraicez.
With three eateries in San Jose and Saratoga, Anchors has become something of a destination for South Bay fish lovers looking for some great seafood at reasonable prices. Anchors makes a cool little date night spot, but it's neighborly and unfussy enough for a casual lunch or quick bite. And the menu covers all the bases from "catch of the day" mains to oyster po' boys, Dungeness crab fries and fish and chips.
The taco: Anchor does mahi mahi, shrimp and other Baja-style taco offerings, but we can't resist the wonderful Alaskan halibut tacos ($17). The grilled fish is moist, flaky and full of flavor, and served on two corn tortillas with fresh pineapple salsa, cabbage and a creamy sauce for drizzling.
Details: Open daily at 11 a.m. at 14441 Big Basin Way, Saratoga; San Pedro Square Market, 87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose; and 1111 Meridian Ave., San Jose; anchorsgrill.com.
This new Mexican restaurant, run by the three brothers behind the popular Jack's Restaurant and Bar in Pleasant Hill, San Mateo and other Bay Area locations, may not win authenticity points for its name. But the food speaks for itself. That's thanks to chef Richard Frausto, formerly of La Calendar, Thomas Keller's Mexican restaurant in Yountville. Grab a seat in the airy new Pleasant Hill eatery and nibble chips and housemade ranchero salsa as you contemplate the lineup of small plates, mains and 10 different taco options ($11-$14 for two).
The taco: These crispy, battered cod tacos ($13 for two) are melt-in-your-mouth tasty. They're served atop housemade blue corn tortillas, which contrast nicely with the shredded cabbage, radish, chipotle mayo and pico de gallo taco toppings.
Details: Open daily at 11 a.m. at 40C Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill; cantinajacks.com.
Taqueria Mi Durango packs an enormous amount of color and comfort into its cozy footprint, which offers a succulent garden and a few tables outside, and a festive interior hung with bright papel picado. Plus, there's a free salsa bar and crispy chips.
The taco: These fully loaded fish tacos ($6.25) may make a mess, but it'll be a joyful mess. They're that good. Each comes served atop corn tortillas and garnished with lime, cabbage and a salsa that leaves your mouth tingling. Both the grilled and fried fish options are excellent.
Details: Open daily at 10 a.m. at 287 El Camino Real in San Bruno. Find details on the San Bruno and South San Francisco locations at taqueriamidurango.com.
It's a good sign when your fish taco joint has, well, a literal sign for Ensenada, where the owners hail from. And while nothing might compare to the ultra-fresh, spicy fish tacos you'll find on the streets of that Baja California city, these come very close - complete with a salsa bar that replicates the wonderful galaxy of salsas you'll find at food stands in Mexico.
The restaurant just celebrated its 20th anniversary and remains a popular place for Alameda locals, not just for the tacos but for its full lineup of Mexican cuisine, which guests can enjoy in two brightly decorated dining rooms or the open-air patios in front and out back. Show up for the weekday happy hour from 2 to 5 p.m., and you can pair your taco with a cold half-priced beer.
The taco: The fish ($5.25 per taco) is fried as a whole piece in a light and airy batter and topped with green cabbage, pico de gallo, crema and a squeeze of lime. The corn tortilla is thin but sturdy, inviting you to add on dollops from the bar of roughly 10 salsas and condiments. (The roasted tomato-and-chili salsa is particularly good.) And don't forget to ask for one of the whole, roasted chilis on the counter. The counter guy might tell you they cost "Free-thirty," meaning they're yours, gratis.
Details: Open daily for lunch and dinner at 1445 Webster St., Alameda; calafiataqueria.com.
These family-run fish houses -- with locations in downtown San Jose, Cupertino and Morgan Hill -- are charmingly laidback and so warm, you may feel like you've befriended waitstaff by meal's end. Indeed, Javier and Daniel were just endearing during a recent visit, taking about their family and giving great menu recommendations. (Try the chocolate flan cake made by Javier's mom!) The menu is loaded with options, including crab sandwiches, grilled salmon and clam chowder -- and tacos, which are tucked away among the appetizers.
The taco: Pieces of flavorful grilled Alaskan pollock are piled high on double tortillas, then topped with fresh pico de gallo, shredded cabbage and a housemade sauce. Two of those biggies are $12 -- $9 if you come during happy hour, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
Details: Open daily at 10 a.m. at 21678 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino; 11 a.m. at 30 E. Santa Clara St #140, San Jose; and 10:30 a.m. at 16125 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill; cityfishco.com.
Opened just weeks ago, La Ezkina Cantina and Grill serves up Mexican food - especially seafood - with flair. Run by restaurateurs Maria and Rafael Wence and their family, the cantina serves up everything from crispy chicharrones to adobo-smoked octopus, halibut kiwi ceviche and, of course, fish tacos.
The taco: You'll be hard-pressed to find a better fish-to-taco ratio than these pescado tacos ($6 each). You can barely see the tortilla beneath the golden-brown heft of the beer-battered cod. And that's A-OK with us.The cilantro-lime sauce and microgreens topping each taco add extra texture and zing to every delicious bite.
Details: Open at 11 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends at 2065 N. Broadway #100, Walnut Creek; laezkina.com.
Started by a trio of San Mateo dads -- Jose and Luis Gonzalez and Juan Melchor -- this 2-year-old food truck serves up tacos, seafood dishes and more using family recipes from the owners' days in Mexico City and San Ignacio, Sinaloa.
Like many food trucks, there's no seating outside the charming turquoise and lime taco truck. But you'll devour these piping-hot tacos so quickly, who needs a table? A seat on the curb will do just fine.
The taco: These fish tacos are a bargain at $4 each. Moist grilled fish -- or shrimp -- sit atop a double layer of corn tortillas, with toppings that include pink pickled onions, fresh cilantro and salsa.
Details: Opens at 10:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday at 1620 S. Delaware St. in San Mateo; trikitacos.com.
If you're looking to expand your seafood taco horizons, the route might lie through Maine. Or rather, the delicious lobster-packed tacos offered by Cousins Maine Lobster food trucks in cities from Walnut Creek to Sunnyvale and Antioch.
Since 2020, Cousins' big black trucks, emblazoned with bright red lobster logos, have been popping up in increasing numbers at Bay Area farmers markets, office parks and other public spaces, attracting hungry customers who sometimes stand in block-long lines.
The trucks belong to local franchisees of this growing lobster-truck empire, which began with one truck in Los Angeles in 2012, helmed by Maine-bred cousins Sabin Lomac and Jim Tselikis. Nostalgia for their beloved Maine lobster shack experiences, Lomac and Tselikis began turning West Coasters on to their iconic lobster rolls. The business took off after Lomac and Tselikis appeared on "Shark Tank," winning an initial $55,000 investment from celebrity entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran.
Cousins food trucks -- which offer lobster tacos and quesadillas, as well -- now roll in more than 25 states, and a fast-casual brick-and-mortar opened at San Francisco's Pier 41 Marine Terminal in June.
The tacos: Given that lobster is still considered something of a delicacy, these tacos are on the pricier end of food truck fare. A trio of tacos ($19) fills flour or corn tortillas with juicy chunks of Maine lobster and classic taco toppings, including cabbage, spicy pico de gallo and a sweet cilantro lime sauce. If you're really hungry, enjoy the tacos with a side of crunchy tater tots ($5.50) or Maine lobster bisque ($8), enriched with Spanish sherry and light cream.
Details: Find the truck schedule at www.cousinsmainelobster.com. The new restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at Pier 41 Marine Terminal in San Francisco.