Don't get me wrong. I've had fish tacos in SD, from places that are supposely very good. I enjoyed them, but the clouds did not part for me. I find that, on a good day, the stuff at Brownstone compares pretty well. If you'll be saddened by something that falls short, maybe skip it. However, it's fish tacos, after all. Not a big risk if they don't work out for you. I understand really vetting Alinea or a restaurant in a far away place before taking the plunge, but with things like tacos or Chinese delivery, it makes sense to jump right in. That's how most of what's worthwhile here gets discovered in the first place.

I admit I'm a fan of the Brownstone fish tacos as well. You can get fried (cod, I think), grilled tilapia, or shrimp. I typically prefer the tilapia and shrimp and ask them to take it easy on the creamy sauce that they slap on.

JeffB wrote:Don't get me wrong. I've had fish tacos in SD, from places that are supposely very good. I enjoyed them, but the clouds did not part for me. I find that, on a good day, the stuff at Brownstone compares pretty well. If you'll be saddened by something that falls short, maybe skip it. However, it's fish tacos, after all. Not a big risk if they don't work out for you. I understand really vetting Alinea or a restaurant in a far away place before taking the plunge, but with things like tacos or Chinese delivery, it makes sense to jump right in. That's how most of what's worthwhile here gets discovered in the first place.

I dont disagree - but TDP set the bar very high, so in a search for a replacement
there is always some disappointment when it doesnt stack up, I suppose

In this spirit, I tried La Cazuela a couple days ago, as I think I mentioned (the
one next to Dona Lolis) - and it was grilled, not fried. And just ok, but not
a patch on the much-beloved TDP.

Yesterday, in this same spirit, I tried the other one - Cazuelta Gros I think?
This is the one in North Rogers Park, quite close to where it turns into
Evanston. They have Tilapia - I asked if it was fried, they said no, it
was grilled (I think their menu says pan-fried). I must have looked very
disappointed, so the woman said they could fry it for me if I wished
I did so wish, and they did - it was ok, better than La Cazuela IMHO, but
still not anywhere near up to TDP. The fish pieces were thinner, the
batter was just no big deal (TDP's was awesome), no special toppings
(ie no crema, no seasoned lettuce or whatever, certainly no Salsa
Huichol), and it was not fried as crisply or well as TDP either. By itself
not a bad fish taco I guess (and at 1.50 its hard to be bad value for
money), but nowhere near the TDP standard (the place itself didnt
look bad, may be good for other items - Zim would know better .
The fish taco quest, however, will have to continue.

Next up seem to be Schoolyard, as you say - a bar that
doesnt specialize in authentic Mexican, but may do a very good fish
taco (which is probably not so surpising - Cazuela told me they grilled,
they did it authentically - "its not fried in Mexico", they told me And
the other is Fonda del Mar - a sort of upscale Mexican spot that may
yet do the humble fish taco very well.

Anyone have any other suggestions? Remember, Fish (probably Tilapia)
or Shrimp, fried, seasoned lettuce/onion, crema, hot sauce, Baja Style...
anyone who has tasted such a creature that was *good*, recs
will be appreciated

c8w

c8w wrote:Cazuela told me they grilled,
they did it authentically - "its not fried in Mexico", they told me

It is fried in in the Baja California (Mexico) versions.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... i_20567187

I'm always on the prowl for a great fish taco. I could eat them everyday of the week and be fine since they come in so many varieties. Different cuts of fish and different preps of cooking it along with an infinite amount of topping options means theres millions of ways to make them. Here's a few of which I like.

Tacos Don Cuco gets some LTH love from the sites early days when folks did the 47th-a-thon. However its their al pastor that people mention. If you go by on a nice day and they have their sign out it mentions their famous tacos de pescado and camarones. The fish is grilled and comes out pretty good but the shrimp are what keep me coming back. Nothing special about the making of them but the griddle cooked shrimp and butter come together with the spread of mayo onto a perfectly cooked tortilla topped with lettuce and tomato. One of my guilty pleasure tacos of which I have many.


Taco de Pescado from Tacos Don Cuco in Little Village

The thread about Chicago's Mexican Seafood scene put Riviera Maya on my radar and one day while driving by we decided to stop in and try their versions. What I got wasn't what I was expecting but they were still super solid. Tons of chopped up fish (or shrimp) takes a bath with butter and garlic before being spread onto a tortilla and topped with the traditional offerings of onion and cilantro.


Fish and Shrimp Tacos from Riviera Maya on Elston off Irving Park

Here's my big surprise when it comes to fish tacos so far. My friend told me to go to a the Mexican place across the street from the Metro for some. I'd driven by Azteca de Oro countless times but always looked at it and thought it was pretty generic looking and probably not good. I dont know about anything else on the menu but the Baja fish tacos rock. I think they're a little bit better than Chick's n' Salsa which has good ones but Glenn Ellyn isn't nearly as close. Also these wont have you leaving hungry like the ones you'll pay more for at Fish Bar. Whats inside FB's is usually good but the horrendous tortillas are unacceptable in a town filled with better options. Skip those for these.


Baja Fish Tacos from Azteca de Oro in Wrigleyville

Tacos Don Cuco
1847 W 47th St
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 376-4742

La Riviera Maya
4009 N Elston
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 463-7641

Azteca de Oro
3731 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 857-6565

Da Beef wrote:

Baja Fish Tacos from Azteca de Oro in Wrigleyville

Now THIS is the kind of fish taco i've been looking for.. THANKS.

Big Star has changed their fish in that taco's offering. Catfish replaces tilapia. They give it a nice crispy coating, when cooked fresh to order.

Big Star
1531 N. Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 235-4039

I can confirm Big Star is currently offering catfish tacos... had one on Monday. Personally, I thought it was a little too high on ratio of batter to fish. Was hot and crispy, but hardly sense any fish on the inside.