Pedros Tacos

2313 S. El Camino Real (phone 949-498-5904)

AND on the other side of town at

550 N. El Camino Real (phone 949-498-5908)

San Clemente, CA 92672

 

You may have seen the bumper sticker on random surfer’s cars in South County… “My child was outstanding student at PEDROS TACOS.” 

Well the folks at Pedros must have been outstanding students at the school of tasty food making because this little walk up/ drive thru taco stand always has people gathering around its windows.

Pedros unique little buildings on either end of town make getting a quick bite after a surf session an easy chore for the locals and tourists alike in this cozy little city.

The menu items all seem very awkwardly priced at first glance, but another convenience about Pedros is that everything adds up to fifty cents or an even dollar after tax. Smart because A) nobody likes getting a fistful of random change back and B) this place is frequented by folks in wet-suits and board shorts, so why not make it so people can get their change back and easily tuck it in the neoprene of a wet-suit sleeve.  Whether that was their intention or not, it’s still kind of cool.

Nonetheless, on to the taco!

Pedro’s makes a fried fish taco, and much like a good taco shop should, it comes to you piping hot on a bed of cool crisp cabbage and pico.  The golden battered piece of fish hangs delightfully out of both ends of the doubled up corn tortilla and they add a little creamy sauce to the mix for good measure.

While I was eating my taco, I couldn’t help but think of fish n’ chips and how much this reminded me of it. Similar to something one would buy at a county fair, this taco was as delicious as it was bad for you and I left the stand with a smile on my face and a sauce stain on my shirt.

Definitely a place I would recommend to all that pass this city. The next time you’re on your way from LA to San Diego, take a half-way point pit stop and break at Pedros.

The never-ending quest, however, continues…

Adolfo’s Mexican Food

989 S. Pacific Coast Highway

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

(949) 497-2023

You know you’ve come to a good Mexican joint when you walk in and not only is there a line to order, but the gal taking orders is speaking Spanish with every third person in front of you.

Such is the case at Adolfos in Laguna Beach. Now granted, parking can be nightmare since Adolfo’s is on PCH, but let’s be honest, parking anywhere in Laguna is a nightmare, so you may have to do a few laps to find a spot, but oh will you be happy you did.

Inside the deep and narrow restaurant is a flurry of colorful signs, local business posters, and a plethora of hippies, businessmen, and day laborers all chowing down.

On to the taco…

Adolfo’s recipes seem to go along with an old acronym I learned in writing school, KISS or “keep it simple, stupid.”  The taco comes on a doubled up corn tortilla. Fresh seasoned and grilled fish, cheese, and tad of lettuce. If you like, you can add salsa, pico, onions, and cilantro to taste because they have a fresh salsa bar available.  I also noticed they carry my favorite hot sauce, Gringo Bandito, which I seem to be seeing more and more often in Orange County these days. I however chose to eat the taco in its purist form, the way it came.  

No special secret sauce slopped all over the dish, no over-saturation of seasoning. My meal came with refried beans and mexican rice, and I was undoubtedly pleased.  The fish didn’t taste fishy at all, and though some juices dripped out of the back of my taco, it wasn’t a grease soaked meal like many places can be known to do. I left feeling happy, hearty and full. I cleaned my plate in fact, as did pretty much everyone around me. 

It was a piping hot meal for under 10 bucks, and I can’t emphasize this enough, when you see Mexicans ordering at a Mexican restaurant, you know your going to have a good meal.

 

The never-ending quest,  however, continues…