Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

As a former San Diegan, I'm glad to find my old neighborhood hangout, El Zarape, make it onto the Serious Eats recommendation list. The review, however, doesn't do it justice. The fish tacos are good, but the real draw is the scallop burrito. I'm not supposed to admit to eating scallops (they're on the Monterey Bay Aquarium's seafood watch list), but the scallop burritos at Zarape are well worth the shame.

Also, what about a fish taco review devoted to Baja California?

I'm also a native San Diegan and love that you put together this list! I've been to El Zarape but I haven't tried their fish tacos yet. If you go, add some lobster dishes to your group's selection -- they're awesome!

Being a San Diegan born and raised, and now transplanted a hundred miles or so north, I have still yet to find better fish tacos than in my hometown. Thank you so much for coming to your senses and making the trip south. For the party-goers, definitely try Taco-Tuesday's at Fred's in Pacific Beach. It might not be the best taco's, but the extensive tequila menu will definitely make up for that. Cheers!

I love fish tacos. tremendously. one of my favorite foods hands down. I first had them when I moved to san diego 10 years ago and I've craved them ever since.

that being said, I think the lists for both san diego and orange county are a bit off base. I lived in SD for 5 years and have now been in OC for 5 years and I've been around when it comes to good fish tacos.

I'm sorry to offend the health-conscious, but authentic and wonderful fish tacos should NOT be grilled. and more often than not, the best ones come from hole-in-the-wall joints. by far. seek them out and you shall be rewarded.

for me, the best fish taco I have ever had is right here in orange county and, even better, about a half mile from my house. I didn't know they were there until about 6 months ago and I haven't gotten any others since.

links to this hole-in-the-wall, for anyone who lives near here:

Yelp

Monster Munching

and from the OC Register:

Los Cotijas' fish tacos are nothing more than thick corn tortillas draped around a small brick of golden battered white fish, a little shredded cabbage, a few tomatoes and a drizzle of sour cream. The fish is meaty and the coating crunchy; the tortillas are tender and perfumed with a subtle flavor of corn. It's everything a fish taco should be but rarely is. (Tenny Tatusian)

The fish tacos at South Beach Bar are amazing. On Alton Brown's special, they made the place look a little more glamorous than it really is. It's mostly a dive, but delicious nonetheless.