Another one to add to the to-make-at-home-list :)

So need to try a fishy version of these. Yum!

Las Palmas - come for the tacos, stay for the karaoke

Las Palmas is located on Maplewood's Manchester strip. This little hole in the wall place has a colorful and lively decor which was much appreciated on what was yet another gray day in the Lou. Also charming was the friendly staff, which was quick to bring out a basket of complimentary chips and salsa (that had an interesting creamy texture) and take our drink orders. The fish tacos here are a steal - $10.50 for three tacos plated up with a generous heap of cilantro rice and baked beans. Each taco comes with two pieces of battered and fried tilapia, topped with iceberg lettuce, pico de gallo, a spicy chipotle mayonnaise sauce and an assortment of cheeses sprinkled on top. All of this goodness is barely contained in the flour tortilla, which makes for quite a mess once you take that first bite. The perfect flavor and texture of the fish and the spicy kick of the sauce make the mess all worth it though. The tasty margaritas are as big as my head and the tequila selection is quite impressive for a little place. Be sure to check Las Palmas out on a Wednesday night when the PBR clock on the wall sets the rhythm and the locale fills up with hipsters in search of karaoke.

7356 Manchester Rd.
Maplewood, MO
(314) 645-3359

4.5 out of 5 fishies.

Tacos in the West Village

If your travels take you to New York City, be sure to add Empellón to your to-eat list! The soft-shell crab tacos sound heavenly!

Fishy Update - The Royale

Important fishy update for one of our favorite fish taco establishments - The Royale. Fear not, fish tacos are still on the newly revamped menu, though with some changes. Now you can get two tacos for $10 instead of $12, but be forewarned that the portions are significantly smaller. The tilapia has been switched out for catfish (a much fishier fish and I mean this in a good way). And the new batter is extra crispy, which makes this fish taco blogger rather happy.

Still so many more places to try...

Check out a story Sauce magazine did a while back. Two more to add to the to-taste list! :)

Chimichanga: a Crayola color explosion in South City

Drive way south on Grand until you hit the Carondelet neighborhood and you'll find Chimichanga. Oh trust me, you won't miss it. The exterior palette is bright and bold and the decor is even more festive once you step inside. The service is quick and friendly and as soon as you sit down, you're greeted with complimentary chips and salsa. Although the chips are fresh, they are on the thin and wimpy side. As for the salsa, it has a nice dose of garlic and cilantro, but unfortunately it's completely missing any kick to it. But one can't complain too much about the free stuff. The fish tacos are found off the menu - a bright yellow sign told me to try the Baja Cali tacos today. An irresistible invitation for me! For $7 I got three fried tilapia tacos with lots of lime-spiked cabbage, cilantro, diced tomato and a tomatillo-avocado salsa, all served up on flour tortillas. The fish was crisp and flavorful. The lime notes in the crunchy cabbage were awesome. And although the sauce was delicious, it lacked in tang. But the margaritas made up for that. Here they're as cheap as the food and come in three sizes. I went for the one in the middle ($6) and the portion was just right. These margs are nothing fancy, but they pack a punch. Quality food and strong drinks at a cheap price, with great service to boot. What more can you ask for?

5425 S. Grand Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63111
(314) 352-0202

3.5 out of 5 fishies.

Guest fish taco blogger does Philly

Love fish tacos? Heading to Philly? Here's a review from guest blogger John Lyon!

I made the five-hour drive from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia in order to see the Phillies take on the Mets. Wanting to expand the fish taco blog outside of the Lou, I had to try El Vez, Philly’s most famous Mexican restaurant. 

El Vez is located in the heart of Washington Square West. The colorful exterior is nothing compared to the décor that awaits you inside – think Tijuana meets Vegas glitz. The restaurant is filled with Day of the Dead chachkis, with a random assortment of goodies thrown in, such as Charo’s face painted on the bar stools and a low-rider bike dedicated to the boxer Oscar de la Hoya hoisted above the bar.

We started off with the Indian Red Lopez guacamole and without a doubt, it was the best I’ve ever had. It’s a mixture of fresh avocados, spicy crab, cilantro and salsa roja. Then it was time for the fish tacos; a tough choice between crispy mahi-mahi and sea bass. I went with the sea bass because it was prepared with a sweet potato puree, grilled scallions and fried jalapeno. I was curious, having never had a fish and sweet potato combination. The sweet potato and Baja sauce gave the taco a sweet and sour (yin/yang) taste. The tortilla is on bottom, so it is not eaten like a traditional taco. The taco size is rather small but stacked high and I found it very filling (especially after chowing down on the guacamole). The only downside was a lack of sides to go with the meal (not that I had much room to spare). I was glad to be able to walk off the meal and see the sights of the City of Brotherly Love.

And, oh yeah, the Mets beat the Phillies 4-3.

121 S. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 928-9800

http://www.elvezrestaurant.com/

4 out of 5 fishies.