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…
Tags: Gringo Bandito
