Fish Tacos Still Rule in San Francisco

With all the hub-bub lately about the spicy Korean short rib taco craze, you might think fish tacos have gone passé.


Not so.


In fact, two San Francisco Bay Area spots rolled out new, inventive versions just in time for summer that are sure to please all year long.


First up, Gott's Roadside (the restaurant formerly known as Taylor's Automatic Refresher) is serving up fish tacos -- poke-style. Yes, three crispy tacos ($13.99) are filled with Hawaiian-style raw, marinated ahi tuna cubes, avocado, green cabbage, cilantro and spicy mayo.


Gott's also features a new "B-Side'' menu -- sly, you-have-to-ask-for-it selections on a special list that you have to specifically ask for at the counter or follow @gottsroadside on Twitter for updates on that particular menu.


A few of the recent secret menu items have included the "Big Tasty'' (buttermilk fried chicken with house-made ranch, aioli, melted Swiss cheese and bacon on a butter-toasted egg bun) and the "Fish Royale Sandwich'' (fresh mahi-mahi, tartar sauce, Romaine, and American cheese on a toasted bun).


The "B-Side'' items are meant to showcase fresh-picked ingredients from Gott's new garden in St. Helena, which will be used at all Gott's locations. Those include heirloom tomatoes, herbs, shallots, squashes, potatoes and peppers.


Gott's has three locations: the original one in St. Helena at 933 Main St.; another in nearby Napa at 644 First St. in the Oxbow Public Market; and the Ferry Building Marketplace one in San Francisco, a short stroll from the Hotel Vitale.


Second, Bistro Boudin at the Wharf, steps from the Radisson Hotel Fisherman's Wharf, has introduced a grilled rock cod taco featuring its signature soft sourdough tortillas.


Yes, everyone's favorite sourdough bread bakery is now turning out fish tacos with cabbage slaw, cucumber-tomato pico de gallo and roasted tomato salsa. You get three to an order for $14.95.


-- Carolyn Jung of FoodGal


[Photo courtesy of Carolyn Jung]