Mariscos
In the Apple Tree food market, (which looks like an 80’s version of the ACME) there sits a bright blue van that simply says “Seafood” both in English and Spanish. We were told about the existence of this van by a few friends who recently moved to the OB area, and they spoke of it as though it was a legendary oasis of fresh, delicious and cheap seafood unmatched by any other. Since we’re eating sea creatures until BP manages to kill them all, we decided to check it out and find out for ourselves if this mobile restaurant lived up to all the hype.
As someone who used to eat from food trucks on the regular whilst a poor college student, I have never been one to shy away from eating food cooked in a vehicle. On first appearances, the Mariscos truck looks inviting. It is clean, well-kept and there was a line of people waiting, as well as a few others standing around enjoying various delicacies. When it was our turn at the ordering window, we were greeted by an extremely friendly younger woman who offered Damian and I a small cup of seafood soup. While ordering we noticed that there were no prices listed, but instead of asking we just went with it and ordered 3 fish tacos – 2 regular fish tacos and 1 garlic fish taco. Our total for the 3 tacos was $3.50. I happily handed the truck master the $3.50, and we stood to wait for our order to be called out.
We stood and ate our soup – which was a tomato based soup with all sorts of seafood – shrimp, white fish, crab along with potatoes and spices. I am told by the Mariscos truck connoisseurs that the soup is a bit different everyday, which leads me to believe they just make it using whatever they have laying around. Either way, ingredients planned or unplanned, the soup is excellent, and a great (free) appetizer while waiting for your food.
About 4 minutes after we had ordered, our food was ready for us to devour. I can’t decide which type of fish taco I enjoyed more, so they must have both been good 
Both of the fish filets were placed in a corn tortilla with a hearty amount of cabbage, tomato, onion, cilantro and white sauce. The regular fish was lightly battered, fried and cooked to perfection. There was nothing gummy, over/underdone about this fish, it was great. The garlic fish taco was not breaded, and cooked right on the grill with a coating of a spicy garlic-based powder.
Take away lessons:
- Never fear food carts
- Mariscos German in Ocean Beach has the best fish tacos in San Diego
- $1 fish tacos that don’t taste like frozen fish sticks do exist
Regular fish taco on the left, and garlic fish taco on the right. Mariscos German in Ocean Beach, California.
Update – 5/26/10 – Mariscos German is GONE!! Went this afternoon for a fish taco and the truck, tables, everything have vanished… Hmm…
Oh great, I had to read this right before supper time in PA. and you had to put a picture of those yummy goodies here too!!! Hope that truck is still there by the time i get out to SD again. I miss those fish tacos!!!!! And animal fries!!!!!
You have your fish taco seasoning – you could make some for yourself for dinner tonight!
guess i could, need to get some fish tho…and taco shells, and cabbage, the list goes on and on. haha.
they look yummy
They really are unbelievably good! I also love the fact that their name is a mix between Mexican and German – Mariscos Germán
Looks real tasty-good to me, although I have never had a fish taco. We gotta get out there…
You’ve never had a fish taco?! You better book a ticket now. Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks
Update again – Apparently Mariscos comes and goes as it pleases. Some days when I go by the truck is there, other days it’s gone!!