Toys-r-us Parking Lot
1008A Industrial Blvd
Chula Vista, CA 91911 (map)

Bottomline - Great seafood taco truck. Simple and delicious.

This is a lunch truck in the RTA/Toys-R-Us parking lot. But don't be fooled by the lunch truck vibe. This place serves some of the best Mexican style seafood I've ever had. The gobernador taco - shrimp and sauteed vegetables in a spicy sauce - are frankly better than they have any business being from such a humble taco truck. Seafood tostadas are huge for the price they charge. Cocktails are just the right mix of tangy and sweet. Condiments are irresistibly delicious.

I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm gushing, but Mariscos El Pescador is just that good. Yes, it would be nice to have this food in a sitdown restaurant. And yes, the location in a parking lot right off the freeway is perhaps a bit too urban. But I have zero reservations telling you to try it.

If your Spanish is not so good - Gobernador is the default order here. Marlyn is smoked fish. Camaron is shrimp. And the mariscada is a seafood mix. You'll get some free fish soup/broth with each order, which will be extremely hot. Don't burn yourself.

Obviously this truck will be compared to Marisco's German Taco Truck. In my opinion they are both equally good. The German truck has larger portions of some things. The Pescador truck has better flavor of some things. I can see how people will pick one or the other as the best...... but why bother? Go to both.

The classic fish tacos here get a lot of praise but, while they are good, I prefer the other menu options.

This truck has moved at least once since I first heard about it. So it's location might shift a bit. Right now it's closer to the RTA.

3504 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 392-2351 (map)

Bottomline - Great seafood tacos, huge portions, wonderful local vibe. Look no further for great seafood tacos.

Marisco's German (pronounced HAIR-mahn, not german) has several taco trucks, but I usually go to the one on University. It's easy to get to and there's plenty of parking. And there seems to always be someone there who speaks English, which for the language deficient like myself is a good thing. There is also a sitdown restaurant, but I've heard several people say it's not as good, so do the truck.

Things are a bit rustic here. Just a truck, a couple folding tables, and a shade tent. But don't let that keep you from trying it, as this is the real deal. The tacos are over flowing with seafood and grilled vegetables in a rich brothy sauce. Expect to either stand in the hot sun, sit at a crowded communal table, or eat off the hood of your car. But I'm telling you, it's worth it.

Unless your Spanish is good you may have trouble with the menu. The best choices in my opinion are the marlyn tacos (smoked fish) and the gobernador tacos (sauteed shrimp and veggies). These come with enough stuff that you'll end up eating half of it before you'll be able to pick it up. Don't miss the marinated onions in the cooler bin, as they add some wonderful tanginess.

Some other menu items -
Pescado - fish
Camaron - shrimp
Mariscada - everything
Puplo - octopus

Each order also comes with a free cup of consomme. Be warned that this is always extremely hot. Don't burn your mouth before your taco arrives.

I've had orders get taken wrong here a few times. I'm sure that is my fault, as I don't speak Spanish, but do try to listen when the order gets repeated back.

The regular fish tacos are cheap, but I think the other options are much better. You can get a fish taco anywhere. They also have ceviche, cocktails, and tostadas, which are good, but it's really the tacos I go for.

Update 2009/11/03 - There is a new truck at the corner of Balboa Ave & Clairemont Dr. Here's a map.