In one of the restaurant reviews I wrote several weeks ago, a reader asked why I was only reviewing “national chains.” He suggested that I review local restaurants. With that in mind, a friend and I went to lunch at “South Beach Bar and Grill” on Newport.
We arrived at 12:30pm, and the place was packed. There was only one table available on the ground floor and nothing available on the 2nd floor. That was ok. We only needed one table anyway! When we left the restaurant at 1:45pm, there was still only one table available – ours!
After looking at the menu, our great waitress, Jenna, asked if we were ready to order. We were, except what we wanted “Grilled Mahi Taco” was not being served that day. She suggested another kind of Taco – similar to the Mahi. We decided to try it.
Additionally, we both ordered Carne Asada Taco’s and she suggested that we split an order. She said that even though there were two of them to an order, and small, they were quite filling and we didn’t need the extra order of rice and beans. We did just as she suggested and she was right; we did not need anything else with our order.
Well…not quite. I decided to order an Octopus Cocktail because one does not usually see Octopus on menu’s, and the price was right – $3.95. We also ordered raspberry ice tea, and without question, it was one of the best tea’s we have ever had. And…we were asked several times, not just by Jenna, but by other wait staff if we wanted refills. A very nice touch!
The Octopus Cocktail was wonderful, except that they put a dollop of horseradish on the top and I dug right into it. It only took a few minutes before I could breathe again, and after I mixed the remaining horseradish with the cocktail it was still very strong. But I enjoyed the entire thing, and, luckily my friend had asked for more napkins that I used as a “crying towel” throughout the appetizer.
When we were brought our taco’s they were every bit as good as I had heard they would be. I preferred the Carne Asada taco, primarily because it was on a corn tortilla whereas the fish taco was on a flour tortilla. Everything was hot – literally as well as figuratively – tasted good, and we both enjoyed the meal.
While waiting for our bill, a couple at a near-by table ordered the “Peel & Eat Shrimp” – half pound for $8.95 and/or full pound for $12.95. The serving was enormous and I envied them as they dipped the shrimp into the sauce. I think I might order that next time.
If you haven’t been to South Beach, I suggest you try it. There is much more on the menu besides taco’s; there are steamers, salads, sandwiches, tostadas, quesadillas, special plates, etc.
The bar is well stocked, and besides an early “Happy Hour”, there is also a “Late Happy Hour.” I am very happy to know this.
Don’t forget their Tuesday Taco specials which is a real bargain.
See you there!
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
when is late happy hour?
The sign said 10:00pm-
Dam, that makes me hungry for fish tacos, like 5 of them and a IPA. It’s hard to find a good fish taco up here in Skagit Co. but plenty IPA… :>)
wow…makes me homesick for San Diego and especially fish tacos…lots of tacos here in ABQ, but not fish.
BEST. FISH. TACOS. EVER!!!!
I highly recommend the battered fish tacos, although the grilled ones are terrific too. The place has a well deserved reputation, and is very high on my list of recommendations whenever anyone from out of town asks where they should go, particularly for fish tacos.
Well…whenever you want to go let me know – my treat!
My go to has always been the Mahi Sandwich. Such a nice think juicy cut! My wife always has the fish tacos. All though the fish tacos are amazing, I always felt them to be a bit “Gringo” in style.
FYI- apparently there has been a shortage on Mahi Mahi which has increased the price, hence the unavailability. One of the local stores I go to I’ve watched a steady rise in price over the last couple of months. 2 smaller filets now go for $11-$12
Keep those local reviews coming!
Don’t think it is just Mahi Mahi. I was at the fish market yesterday and Halibut was $15 a pound!
Mahi has tripled in price SB went to Yellowfin as well ….pretty darn good …
and of course the view and the cold beers…sometimes they run a local photo slideshow of nothing but Scenic San Diego Photos …now thats a cant miss good time …
O man, not battered or deep fried. Gringo fish tacos are what we have up here in Anchorets Wa. The mexican places don’t serve them, and the pubs and restraints serve them up gringo stile. To have a great fish taco a good true cod is what works best with a heavy dose of mexican. O yes don’t forget the beer…
Allen,
I always liked the fish tacos at the Brown Lantern. Have you tried them? Not quite South Beach… but good.
Believe it or not, their grilled chicken sandwich is really good, considering that SBB & G is primarily a sea food joint. And yes the fish tacos rule.
Yes I have, and also I like them at Seeds in LaConner, but they still are gringo, I think it’s in the way the fish is cooked, and seasoned. My x wife back in the late 60’s worked at Nati’s and then many more mexican restaurants around SD, she learned a way to cook the fish the old school mexican way. There is one place you can get them in Anacortes, where they are the real deal, that’s “El Jinete” there not on the menu because if he can’t get the fish that makes him happy he won’t serve them. So Sarah… you know Anacortes.
When I was on Kauai in 1980, the first time I got ahold of some sashimi (Ahi) all I had to hold it with was a flour tortilla. Does that qualify as a fish taco? Or maybe a fish burrito.
I think that qualifies as a taco – not a burrito . Maybe you were the original one!