Well, Rubio's has done it again. They introduced another new concept to their menu: grilled chimichurri salmon. Available as a taco, burrito, or salad. All three offerings include the grilled salmon, topped with their housemade chimichurri sauce: "a savory blend of basil, parsley, chives, garlic and olive oil", along with fire-roasted corn, fresno chiles, and crema. For the salad, these components are served atop a bed of mixed greens, along with avocado slices. For the burrito, rice and beans are added. And for the taco, some mixed greens, and a warm flour tortilla.
Since I'm kinda in love with
Rubio's, I obviously had to rush in to try out the newest item. I really like that they regularly introduce new items to their menu, whether it be a new seafood choice, or just new sauces or tweaks to other recipes. The menu continues to feature their classics, like the
original fish taco, which I can't imagine going anywhere, but other items rotate through. Of course, this means there are some losses, like my absolute favorite,
the sesame soy fish taco, which is no longer available. And there are items that come and go seasonally, like the
langostino lobster. But still, I really appreciate that they aren't afraid to mix it up.
Since I've reviewed Rubio's a zillion times, I'll skip the general details about the place, and just focus on this visit. On my other visits, I've mostly gone in evenings, or on Saturdays, when it is never very crowded. This time, I went at 12:15pm, on a weekday. It was such a different environment! It was packed. Every table was taken. Strangers were asking to share tables. Wow! I was able to find a single stool at the bar along the window.
Even though it was packed, service didn't falter. I still can't get over how friendly the staff always are, genuinely greeting me with enthusiasm when I order. My food was ready quickly, I had just enough time to claim my seat, fill up my salsa containers at the salsa bar, and settle in, when my pager went off. Since it was so busy, they were actually using the pagers this time, rather than doing table service.
As I say each time, I'll certainly be returning, although I won't get the salmon again. It might be time to go back to my favorites,
the assorted shrimp tacos. Or maybe the
mango habanero mahi mahi? Or, I've still never gotten a salad or burrito there ...
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| Chimichurri Salmon Taco. $3.99. |
"Sustainable Atlantic salmon grilled and topped with chimichurri sauce - a savory blend of basil, parsley, chives, garlic and olive oil, fire-roasted corn, crema, fresno chiles and spring mix. Served on a warm flour tortilla and garnished with a slice of lime."
I've gone back and forth many times on which of the Rubio's tortillas I prefer. At first, I appreciated the corn flavor in the corn ones, but thought they were
too gummy. Then one time, I had a corn one that was
really crisp, and loved it. So when the woman taking my order said, "now, that comes on a flour tortilla, did you want corn instead?", I was a bit paralyzed. I wasn't going to suggest the switch, but she brought it up, totally unprompted. Fondly remembering the really good corn tortilla I had that one time, I bravely went for it. I wish I hadn't. It wasn't crispy like that time. It also wasn't strangely soggy like I've had before, but I think that is because it wasn't even warm. The tortilla was really disappointing.
The spring mix was clearly fresh and crisp. I've seen it before in their other tacos, but I was still surprised at the quality of the spring mix, and the assortment of various lettuces included. I do prefer the slaws instead though, as they give a better crunch.
I've had their salmon once before, when I stole a bite of
Ojan's blackened salmon taco. Back then, I really didn't care for the salmon, and found it to be way too fishy for my taste. Unfortunately, I felt similar this time as well. I had two seemingly different pieces in my taco. One was, like Ojan's, fairly fishy. The other wasn't at all. I've always be impressed with the quality of the seafood at Rubio's, so I was saddened to have a repeat experience of the less fresh tasting salmon. It was also strange that one piece was so fishy, and the other wasn't. Very disappointing, but both pieces were well cooked, nicely grilled.
The fire-roasted corn and fresno chiles I'd seen before, and I again really liked them. The corn was perfectly roasted and the chiles brought a delightful level of heat.
The star of this taco was the new chimichurri sauce. Like all of their sauces, it was delicious! So flavorful and fresh tasting. I did think it was too oily however. The taco turned out to be a huge mess to eat, just dripping in oil. The flavor was all there though, they just need to cut down the oil a bit, and this will be a hit. The creamy crema complimented it perfectly. No other salsas were needed, although their extensive salsa bar provides many choices.
Given two negative salmon experiences at Rubio's now, I won't be getting the salmon again. Which is fine, because there are so many other amazing choices, but I don't really understand how they can have such high quality with everything except the featured catch! The chimichurri was good, and if they rein in on that oil, I'd like try to get it added to a different fish option.
