Crunchy, sizzling hot strips of batter-fried angelito shark, folded into warm corn tortillas, topped with shredded cabbage and a squeeze of lime, sprinkled with fresh Pico de gallo and finished with a splash of salsa and thick creama.
Back in October I scoured the town of Ensenada looking for the perfect fish taco. I hit dozens of different fish taco stands over a few weeks, taking a few for the team along the way. Many locals directed me to Tacos El Fenix, a place I had already frequented for years. Did I find the perfect Fish taco? I’m not sure, but Tacos El Fenix still stands as my favorite fish taco spot in Ensenada.
The key to a great fish taco starts with the ingredients in the batter. I’ve tried many times to get the batter recipe at Fenix, but alas I have failed to obtain this deeply guarded family secret recipe. I noticed the color to be deep golden brown and laced with what appears to be oregano.
The fresh fish found beneath the amazing fried batter is angelito shark (Angel Shark).
Angelito shark ready for tacos at the fish market.
The angelito shark is dipped in the seasoned batter and double fried. I wish I had one of these cooking units at home. I get conflicting information on the exact name of the pan, but I hope to get clarification on it soon. I'm looking to purchase the disc shaped unit on my next trip to Ensenada, now if I could just nail the batter recipe. Tasty plump shrimp tacos are also availible at El Fenix.
Unlike most fish taco establishments in the U.S. the fish taco comes naked, its up to you to dress it according to your taste. I typically order one at a time ensuring the taco is consumed within seconds after frying.
I will always have love for the classic Ensenada fish taco experience, and Fenix does it right. Tacos El Fenix is located on the corner of Espinosa and Juarez (Calle 5). Hours of operation are 7am - 9pm 7 days a week.
El Fenix puede que sea el mejor lugar en ensenada para comer tacos de pescado!
ReplyDeleteLooks great MA....as always!
ReplyDeleteFish Tacos from the source !!!
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An 1 por supuesto
ReplyDeleteThanks for your continued support Kirk
An 2 yep the source foe sure. I was going to write about the history and origins of the fish taco but I just wasn't feeling it that day, perhaps next time.
Damn Taco Hunter....another great post and some more great pictures. Ever been to Cabo? There is a place called Gardenias that serves up some mean fish and shrimp tacos. Ive never seen shark used though. I bet it was amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim, Yes I hit Cabo all the time. Gardenias is in my top three all time list. I did a write up on them on trip advisor awhile back.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered this blog through Food Buzz. I host an online cooking show called Kitchen Caravan. I am half Mexican and try to do as much Mexican food as I can. I have been dying to eat in Ensenada ever since my uncle was telling me how good it is. He is a local of San Jose del Cabo. We hit up Tacos Rossy all the time- have you ever been? ?
ReplyDeleteVIVA MEXICO
Sophia thanks for stopping by and no I have not tried Tacos Rossy, but I will be sure to check it out on my next San Jose visit. I usually hit Gardenias in Cabo San Lucas.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the Gastronomic movement in Ensenada what can I say its incredible. I will have a write-up soon on another gem "Manzanilla".
I'm a fan of Tacos Jr. But thanks for opening my eyes to these other possibilities!
ReplyDeleteMA,
ReplyDeleteWhen you find the disk fryer, please share where you found it. I'm looking for at least one. Thanks
Yo soy de Ensenada y para milos mejores tacos de pescado son los que venden porla Juarez enfrente del mercado Eme...bueno asi se llamaba anossss atras, se me olvida como se llama ahora pero es un puesto ambulante color blanco que esta al cruzar la calle de la Juarez.
ReplyDeleteBueno y miro que mas de uno quiere comprar la freidora de pescado no? Pues como disco no lo van a encontrar... aqui por donde yo vivo, por la Galeana y el centro Los Globos hay un lugar que te renta y te vende las freidoras de pescado, asi que si lo quieres comprar aqui esta el nombre correcto y la direccion de donde lo puedes comprar, se llama:
Disca en acero inoxidable redonda
Calle Coral 1607 /Ulbrich Ensenada
Espero y te ayude, ahora nomas te falta la receta no? ja, ja, ja... esa no te la daran a ti... pero quizas a mi si...ji, ji... aver quien la consigue primero....BUena suerte!!!
Aunque si te e de presumir.... mi hermana los hace y saben igual de rico.... deja le pregunto la receta y te la pondre aqui para que los hagas y aver si te gustan.
Ohhhhh I almost forgot sabes las Discas cuestan 750 PESOS cada una. No estan muy caras, pues yo las quise comprar aca en CA y me costaban 250 dlls.
ReplyDeleteHola Dede,
ReplyDeleteGracias por la recomendacion. Voy a checarla. Encontre un disco en Pro-San en Lopez Mateos, voy a poner la informacion mas tarde. Espero la receta de tu hermana. Mil Gracias
There is a place called el chopipo that has the best ones i've tried by far. Did you hear about it while you were down there?
ReplyDeleteHi Juan no I have not heard of el chopipo, but I will check it out next time. Thanks for the tip and comment.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Ensenada and El Fenix are good Fish Tacos. I now live in Ontario, California and we have a local swap meet on Saturdays and there is a vendor that sells the oval fryer and many more items. Website link with map- http://www.maclinmarkets.com/ontario.html
ReplyDeleteI'm from Ensenada, now I live in San Diego. I have to say that "Tacos El Fenix" is where the locals go for a good fish taco. I grew up eating them since I was a little girl and I have to say that's the best Fish Taco you can eat in Ensenada.
ReplyDeleteDeede: I have the answer to the name of the store you wrote about before, the name was "Eme", now is "Calimax". You are right saying that that little stand is the best Fish Taco Stand, by the way that's the first and original "Tacos El Fenix", they upgrated their little stand just a block down (the onw in the pict), the first "Tacos El Fenix" is still there on a corner, the typical Mexican taco stand where theres no place to sit and you order one taco at a time.
ReplyDeleteMA,
ReplyDeleteAny insight as to why the El Fenix pictured is a different stand than the the El Fenix I frequent next to the hardware store at Juarez & Espinoza?
Thanks,
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bn
Hi Nomad from what I understand they are both affiliated.
ReplyDeleteRandomly spotted Felix on a surf trip.
ReplyDeleteThe best fish taco ive ever had.
fyi - i am a white boy use to never eat anything off of a side cart.
Its worth the trip alone from San Diego where I use to live to eat one of these tacos (and surf of course)
Hi Asley Surfing + Tacos = Heaven
ReplyDeleteHi, this is way too delicious meal, here in California there is a similar restaurant in only Latin food is really rich, I love ... thanks for the info
ReplyDeleteIf you live in Los Angeles, you can pick up either the big disc fry pan or a smaller one at the Ventura farmers' market every weekend. Note that you'll probably need to heat it with propane over an iron frame - you might find the frame there too. They should be under fifty dollars.
ReplyDeleteMr. Masa Assassin, I am from Ensenada and I grew up eating fresh seafood and fish tacos. I live in Norway now and although I really miss Mexican food I have managed to prepare authentic fish tacos. I got the recipe for the fish tacos batter in an issue of Gourmet Magazine. The magazine got the recipe from a Mexican.
ReplyDeleteYes, was in Ensenada for Baja 1000 Nov. 2009, stopped by Tacos El Fenix, wolfed down dos de pescado y tres de camaron. Can't get back to El Fenix fast enough!!! Burp. . . .
ReplyDeleteDeede, I used to eat fish tacos at that stand when I was a kid, they are the best!
ReplyDeleteThe recipe for the batter includes white corn flour "maseca", salt, pepper, oregano, a pinch of baking soda and the secret ingredient is beer! you can use mineral sparkling water instead, but I strongly recommend to use beer. You can also go for half and half with maseca and corn starch to make a lighter batter :) my mom used to add a touch of mustard to the batter to get that golden yellow color. Enjoy!