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In search of the finest fish taco

Matt Heistand Arizona Daily Wildcat Matt Alves, a manager at Rubio's Baja Grill, makes a fish taco Monday afternoon at Rubio's. Rubio's Baja Grill is known as "the home of fish tacos."

Many revere the fish taco as an edible entity that has no limits. Several restaurants around Tucson offer this succulent dish, but one must remember that not all fish tacos are created equal. Thus, as a service to the taco connoisseurs at this university, here is a run-down of the best pescado our landlocked pueblo has to offer.

Rubio's Baja Grill

It all started back in 1983 when Ralph Rubio took a vacation down to San Philip, Mexico. While there, Rubio discovered a taste sensation that this new world has long ignored. He found the fish taco and improved American commerce by keeping fish taco lovers here in the states.

From there, Rubio bought an old Orange Julius and turned it into his own taco stand were the fish taco would be the cornerstone of his new Epicurean life. Now, Rubio's Baja Grill boasts itself as the "home of the fish taco."

Rubio's restaurants can be found in southern California, Nevada, Utah, Phoenix and down here in Tucson on North Campbell Avenue and East Glenn Road.

At Rubio's, a single fish taco costs $1.79 while the combo is a reasonable $3.89. The boys at Rubio's haven't forgotten the little ones, a fish taco kids meal is only $2.96 and comes with a prize.

Chuy's Mesquite Grill

Located on the corner of North Country Club Road and East Speedway Boulevard, this place has a killer fish taco. In fact, it's called "The Killer Fish Taco" ($3.69 for two). This version is covered with cabbage, cheese and a baja sauce. But what makes this taco so special is the two - count them - two corn tortillas holding this baby together. People in the know can tell you that the hardest part about eating a fish taco is that the tortilla can split, resulting in the fish falling everywhere.

Chuy's also offers a mesquite grilled fish taco ($3.19). While most fish are fried for fish tacos, this taco sports a healthier barbecued fish fillet. However, it's less like a taco and more like a burrito with a tortilla two sizes too small. Still, if you can get it in your mouth, it's a keeper. Escape to Mexico on Thursday nights at Chuy's when they host a live mariachi band.

La Salsa

For the serious fish taco fanatic, La Salsa, on Campbell and East Fort Lowell Road, is an absolute must. They serve a Baja style fish taco for $5.49 and a Sonoran style fish taco for $5.39. Yet, what makes La Salsa worth the trip is their amazing choice of five fresh salsas that just beg to be drenched all over a mahi mahi taco.

Late Night Options

When a fish taco craving hits at 4 a.m. and the third keg has run out, where do you turn for satisfaction? Fortunately, Tucson offers a variety of 24-hour taco stands.

However, within this genre, there is little variety in quality. The fish tacos at Nico's are almost identical to those at Los Betos and those are similar to Paco's and the spiral goes on and on until morning, and by this time you can just go to Rubio's.

So the next time you're at a taco stand, before ordering your chicken burro or carne asada, try the fish taco. After all, college is the time for experimentation in one form or another.