Chef Pablo’s Restaurant Recipes

This is what started it all for Ralph Rubio in San Diego, CA.  This is also what started my quest for restaurant recipes for me.

When you say the words “fish taco” to anyone who’s never had a real Rubio’s™ Fish Taco, you’ll usually get a grimaced look on their face and a very loud “Ewwwww”.  Honestly this was my first reaction to the thought in the late 80′s when Rubio’s opened in Mission Beach.

For some reason the combination of a warm corn tortilla, a crunchy hot piece of mild fish and the crisp freshness of shredded cabbage is a mouth tantalizing sensation.  Add to this the mild zing of Rubio’s™ white sauce and some smokey flavored hot sauce and you’ll be craving these yourself.

Before you get to the recipe, let me make a couple of notes for you.  The tortilla is critical to the taste.  Most tortillas you buy in a grocery store are thin, dry and tasteless.  If you want the authentic taste of a real tortilla, I HIGHYLY recommend Porkyland brand tortillas. Last I knew, this is the same company Rubio’s™ uses to make their tortillas.  They have a special recipe but, you can still get your hands on these amazing tortillas through MexGrocer.com.
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Rubio’s™ Fish Tacos Recipe

I’m almost embarrassed to call this one of the “top secret” restaurant recipes because it’s SO simple, but it’s such an important part of the Rubio’s™ fish taco experience. When my wife and I tried making fish taco’s without it (didn’t have all the ingredients and we were too lazy to drive to the store), we were amazed at how much the tacos lacked.

Whether you’re making grilled of fried fish tacos, this is an ingredient friends will rave about. It your choice whether you tell them how it’s made or not. Oh and please don’t let anyone convince you there are capers in this sauce… they’re not.

Ok, I warned you, this is VERY simple.
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Rubio’s™ White Sauce

Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill™ has locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Ralph Rubio started his first restaurant in San Diego. As a surfer he would take frequent trips to Baja California and enjoy fish tacos from the street vendors.

Fish tacos have become the official food of San Diego. Having lived there most of my life, I have periodic cravings for these but they have to be exactly right or it doesn’t satisfy. One of the items I had the most trouble with was Rubio’s™ hot sauce. Finally, I discovered the secret and life is great! I use this sauce on everything now. It’s even great with a bowl of chips.

It was my love of Rubio’s™ that raised my interest in finding restaurant recipes. Make sure you take a look at the recipe for their world famous fish tacos as well.
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Rubio’s™ Hot Sauce Recipe

When most college students go away for spring break, all they come back with is a sunburn. But not Ralph Rubio.

Every spring, Ralph and his buddies would head to the Baja village of San Felipe, where you could camp on the beach for free, catch some rays, and forget about studying. One night, a hungry Ralph spotted a taco shop with an unusual specialty advertised in the window: fish tacos. He ordered one, took a few bites, and was hooked.

Over time Ralph became pals with Carlos, the man behind the counter. Carlos showed Ralph how his fish tacos were made. Ralph went back to San Diego and perfected a recipe of his own.

Several years later, with his father Ray as his partner, he opened his first restaurant – a walk-up stand in Mission Beach. Since that day back in 1983, Ralph, with the help of a lot of great people, has sold more than 50 million fish tacos.

When I first began my quest for restaurant recipes, the Rubio’s Fish Taco™ was one of my goals. I couldn’t get enough of that amazing taste, but the closest store was too far away. I didn’t just want these at home, I needed them there.

Rubio’s Fish Tacos
This is what started the Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill franchise.  A great tasting combination of crispy mild fish, tangy white sauce, a soft warm corn tortilla and crispy fresh cabbage.

Rubio’s™ Hot Sauce
One of the items I had the most trouble with was Rubio’s™ hot sauce. Finally, I discovered the secret and life is great! I use this sauce on everything now. It’s even great with a bowl of chips.

Rubio’s™ White Sauce
This extremely simple white sauce will make or break your attempt to recreate Rubio’s fish tacos.  It seems too simple, but it adds a wonderful tangy flavor your family will rave over.