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From our sustainable seafood to our handmade guacamole, salsas and sauces to our fresh produce, we use quality ingredients we are proud to serve. Our menu features chef-crafted recipes influenced by our Mexican heritage and Southern California roots. We invite you to learn more about our ingredients...
At Rubio’s, seafood is the heart and soul of our menu. Our passion and knowledge of seafood has been growing for over 30 years, starting with the introduction of The Original Fish Taco® in 1983. We are experts in preparing a wide range of delicious fish and seafood. Every freshly prepared taco and burrito we serve meets our high standards for flavor and quality.
A majority of our fish and seafood is certified sustainable and sourced from fisheries that maintain healthy populations and ecosystems.
Not only is seafood great tasting, it also contains omega-3 fatty acids1, protein, natural vitamins, minerals and polyunsaturated fats. Given seafood’s great benefits, the American Heart Association recommends you eat fish at least twice a week2.
The Original Fish Taco®
Genuine Wild Alaska Pollock
A mild, lean and tender white fish, we source our genuine wild Alaska Pollock directly from the icy ocean waters in Alaska. The Pollock is beer-battered by hand in our kitchens using our signature recipe and cooked to crispy perfection.
Found in The Original Fish Taco®, it is the most popular fish we serve in our restaurants. In fact, Rubio’s purchases enough Genuine Alaska Pollock in one year to feed Shamu for 62 years!
Our Alaska Pollock fisheries are certified by the FAO-Based Responsible Fishery Management (RFM) Certification. This certification shows that Alaska’s fisheries meet the criteria of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. These third party certifications are awarded to fisheries or farms that meet sustainable seafood standards for maintaining healthy populations and ecosystems, and for seafood traceability.
Our sustainable genuine wild Alaska Pollock can be found in The Original Fish Taco®, Fish Taco Especial, Avocado Corn Fish Taco and Beer-Battered Fish Burrito.
Click for a ride in our fishing boats!
Atlantic Salmon Burrito
Atlantic Salmon
Our Atlantic salmon is mild in flavor and seasoned in olive oil and garlic or house blackened with a blend of traditional blackened spices and grilled on an authentic comal.
The Atlantic salmon fisheries we buy from are certified as sustainable in accordance with Best Aquaculture Practices.
Try Atlantic salmon in our Atlantic Salmon Taco and our Atlantic Salmon Burrito.
Salsa Verde Shrimp Taco
Shrimp
Our succulent shrimp are marinated in ancho chiles, garlic, cilantro and a touch of olive oil and pan-seared on an authentic comal. We finish with a splash of lime juice to complement the flavors.
Our shrimp is sourced from shrimp farms that are certified as sustainable in accordance with Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP).
Our ancho citrus shrimp can be found in our Grilled Shrimp Burrito, Grilled Gourmet Taco™ with Shrimp, Grilled Grande Bowl with Shrimp, Chipotle Orange Shrimp Salad and our Salsa Verde Shrimp Taco.
Mango Habanero Mahi Mahi Taco
Pacific Mahi Mahi
Our Pacific Mahi Mahi is wild caught and mild in flavor. It is seasoned in olive oil and garlic or house blackened with a blend of traditional blackened spices and grilled on an authentic comal.
Pacific Mahi Mahi can be found in our Pacific Mahi Mahi Taco, Mango Habanero Mahi Mahi Taco, Pacific Mahi Mahi Burrito, and our HealthMex® Mahi Mahi Burrito.
Regal Springs® Tilapia Tacos
Regal Springs® Tilapia
Our Regal Springs® Tilapia is a flaky, mild white fish seasoned in olive oil and garlic or house blackened with a blend of traditional blackened spices and grilled on an authentic comal.
Our tilapia is sourced from farms that are certified as sustainable in accordance with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
Our sustainable tilapia can be found in our Regal Springs® Tilapia Tacos.
Citations
- Fish and omega-3 fatty acids. (2010, September 7). Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/Fish-and-Omega-3-Fatty-Acids_UCM_303248_Article.jsp
- Meat, poultry and fish. (2011, January 20). Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/Meat-Poultry-and-Fish_UCM_306002_Article.jsp
Burrito Especial with Grilled Chicken
Grilled Chicken
Our all white meat chicken is marinated in garlic, onion, paprika and soy sauce and grilled over an open flame to create a delicious blend of flavors.
Try our grilled chicken in Grilled Gourmet Taco™ with Chicken, Classic Grilled Chicken Taco, Burrito Especial with Grilled Chicken, Baja Grill Burrito® with Grilled Chicken, HealthMex ® Burrito with Grilled Chicken, Grande Bowl with Grilled Chicken, Chopped Salad, Chipotle Ranch Salad, Balsamic & Roasted Veggie Salad, Nachos with Grilled Chicken, Quesadilla with Grilled Chicken, Street Taco with Grilled Chicken and our Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Classic Grilled Steak Taco
Steak
Our lean steak is marinated with garlic, savory spices and cilantro and grilled over an open flame.
Try our steak in Grilled Gourmet Taco™ with Steak, Classic Grilled Steak Taco, Burrito Especial with Grilled Steak and our Baja Grill Burrito® with Grilled Steak.
Before our restaurants open each day, our cooks are busy preparing handmade guacamole and your favorite salsas and sauces. Each created with its own distinctive flavor, our salsas and sauces are a great complement to our chef-crafted recipes.
Guacamole
Our handmade guacamole can be found in many of our recipes. Our cooks mash fresh Hass avocados and mix them with chopped cilantro, natural sea salt, and freshly squeezed lime juice to give it an extra citrusy zing.
Salsas
Our signature salsas can be found in many of our recipes and at our salsa bar. Our salsas are made with chiles such as jalapeños, Serranos, chipotles, and other ingredients such as tomatoes, tomatillos and freshly chopped cilantro. Include a trip to the salsa bar to jazz up the flavor of your meal – from rich and smoky with our Roasted Chipotle Salsa to extra spicy with Salsa Picante.
Mild Salsa
With a deep tomato flavor, white onions, cilantro and a hint of heat from Serrano and jalapeño chiles, our Mild Salsa is our most versatile salsa. It is great with chips and just about anything else. Find it at our salsa bar and in The Original Fish Taco®, Fish Taco Especial, Beer-Battered Fish Burrito, Chopped Salad, and Bean and Cheese Burrito.
Tomatillo Salsa
Our tomatillo salsa, a delicious green salsa made with tomatillos jalapeños, cilantro, garlic and onion. This Mexican staple found at our salsa bar has a mild heat with a fresh and light flavor that pairs well with just about everything.
Roasted Chipotle Salsa
Our Roasted Chipotle Salsa creates complex flavors with fire-roasted tomatoes, smoky red chiles, jalapeño chiles and lime juice. It enhances grilled steak and chicken. You can find our Roasted Chipotle Salsa at our salsa bar.
Picante Salsa
Our Picante Salsa has a spicy heat with a rich, toasted chile flavor. The salsa was inspired by one of Ralph’s trips to Puerto Nuevo, Mexico. Made from red ripe tomatoes and mixed with toasted crushed red chiles, it adds a kick to a Fish Taco. You can find our Picante Salsa at our salsa bar.
Salsa Fresca
Our salsa fresca, included in many of our recipes, is made fresh daily and features diced Roma tomatoes, diced white onions, freshly chopped cilantro, jalapeño and Serrano chiles, lime zest, oregano and a pinch of salt.
Red Tomatillo Salsa
Our Red Tomatillo Salsa is made with fire roasted tomatillos and tomatoes, jalapeño and ancho chiles and a hint of cilantro and onion. It has a mild heat and pairs well with grilled seafood and chicken. You can find our Red Tomatillo Salsa on our HealthMex Burritos ® and Grilled Gourmet Tacos.
Mango Pineapple Salsa
Our Mango Pineapple Salsa is a blend of mangos, pineapple, habanero chiles, red onion, red peppers, fresh cilantro and lime juice. This sweet and spicy salsa is found exclusively on the Mango Habanero Mahi Mahi Taco.
Sauces
Rubio's White Sauce
Used on The Original Fish Taco®, our White Sauce is a classic Rubio’s ingredient and is a great enhancement to many products. Originally inspired by the fish tacos in Baja, our white sauce has a light creaminess that adds a cooling contrast to the heat of our chiles and spicy sauces. Our White Sauce can be found on The Original Fish Taco®, Fish Taco Especial and on our Beer-Battered Fish Burrito.
Creamy Chipotle Sauce
Our Creamy Chipotle Sauce takes our white sauce to the next level with an extra touch of flavor and a bit of heat with the addition of chipotles in adobo.
You can find our Creamy Chipotle Sauce on our Grilled Shrimp Burrito, Grilled Gourmet Taco™ with Shrimp, Grilled Gourmet Taco™ with Chicken, Grilled Gourmet Taco™ with Steak, Portobello and Poblano Taco, Pacific Mahi Mahi Taco, Classic Grilled Chicken Taco, Burrito Especial with Grilled Chicken and Burrito Especial with Grilled Steak.
Crema
Our creamy crema made from real sour cream and mayo adds a cool balance to a complex dish. You can find our crema on our Chipotle Orange Shrimp Salad and our Mango Habanero Mahi Mahi Taco.
Red Chile Sauce
Our red chile sauce is a fiery blend of 4 chiles: chipotles, red jalapeños, guajillo and ancho chiles. The bold and complex flavors of this delicious sauce can only be found on the Mango Habanero Mahi Mahi Taco or ask for this “secret” sauce on the side to spice up any of your meals at Rubio’s.
At Rubio’s, we take pride in serving only the best tortillas, chips and sides to complement our chef-crafted recipes. Our tortillas and chips are made with non-GMO real white corn, water and lime and our beans and rice are cooked fresh in our kitchens daily from scratch.
Tortillas
Corn Masa Grinding Stone
The foundation of a great taco or burrito is a great tortilla. We offer stone-ground corn tortillas and warm flour tortillas. Our chef-crafted recipes are recommended on one type of tortilla or the other to complement your meal.
The process for making our stone-ground corn tortillas is steeped in a time-honored Mexican tradition. Our tortillas start with, non-GMO real white corn, water and lime. While the ingredients may be simple, the process is complex: real white corn is cooked for 12 hours and then ground with large round stones to produce the masa used to create our corn tortillas.
At Rubio’s, we take pride in serving only the best tortillas, chips and sides to complement our chef-crafted recipes. Our tortillas and chips are made with non-GMO real white corn, water and lime and our beans and rice are cooked fresh in our kitchens daily from scratch.
Tortilla Chips
Our Tortilla Chips are prepared daily and lightly sprinkled with sea salt. Our chips are made with non-GMO real white corn, water and lime. They are a staple at Rubio’s and are one of many great sides you can choose with your meal.
Pinto & Black Beans
Our beans are cooked in our kitchens daily from scratch. Our beans are never fried, refried, or from a can.
Our pinto beans have a dash of garlic and black pepper, and are mashed slightly during the cooking process to give them a creamier texture that is unique to Rubio’s. Our black beans are prepared with garlic, salt and our signature smoky red chile sauce.
They are a source of protein and are a vegetarian option. They are a staple at Rubio’s and one of many great sides you can choose with your meal.
Mexican Rice
Our Mexican rice is Ralph’s mom’s own recipe and is also prepared fresh daily from scratch in our kitchens. The rice kernels are lightly toasted and cooked with rich red tomatoes, garlic and spices- a traditional recipe that is a great accompaniment to your meal.
Great food starts with fresh ingredients. If you peek in our kitchens, you will see chiles, avocados, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro and more. Our fresh produce comes from farms in California’s Salinas Valley to the Imperial Valley, as well as areas near Yuma, Arizona.
Avocados
Our buttery Hass avocados are found in our fresh, handmade guacamole or are sliced and served on your favorite dishes.
They arrive in our restaurants fresh and are pitted, peeled, mashed or sliced daily. We typically go through 140 thousand avocados per week, or 7 million per year!
The avocado originated in south-central Mexico as early as 7000 B.C., and is a true Aztec treasure. They currently thrive in the temperate climates of Mexico and California.
We source our avocados from California, Chile, Mexico and Peru.
Limes
Freshly-cut lime wedges are served on the side of many of our tacos, which provide a fresh citrusy finish. Fresh lime slices are also available at our salsa bar.
Chiles
Chiles are an ode to our Mexican heritage and provide our food with complex flavors and a kick. We source a variety of chiles that range in size, flavor and heat. While jalapeño chiles are our most-used chiles, we also use habaneros, Serranos, red jalapeños, anchos, chipotles and guajillos.
Jalapeño chiles are a medium-sized chile pepper of Spanish origin. They vary in size and spiciness and have a warm heat when eaten.
Chipotle chiles are jalapeño chiles that are smoke-dried for several days. Used primarily in Mexican and Mexican-inspired cuisine, they are deep red in color and combine their overall heat with a rich, smoky flavor.
Habanero chiles are one of the more intensely spicy chiles. While Mexico is the largest consumer of this spicy ingredient, its flavor and aroma have become increasingly popular all over the world.
Take a look at the diversity of chiles in our food:
We use fresh jalapeños and Serranos in our Salsa Fresca and Mild Salsa. Habaneros are used in our Mango Habanero Salsa. Chipotles in adobo are found in our Chipotle Sauce and guajillos in our Smokey Red Chile recipe.
- Our Salsa Verde Shrimp Taco features salsa verde sauce made with poblano chiles as well as tomatillos and fresh herbs for a complex flavor.
- Our Atlantic Salmon Taco and Pacific Mahi Mahi Taco are topped with fire roasted corn with a pinch of ancho chile.
Lettuce, Cabbage, Onions and Tomatoes
Our crisp romaine, spring mix, butter leaf, cabbage, onions and tomatoes come primarily from California’s Salinas Valley in the spring and summer and from Yuma, Arizona in the winter.
Cilantro
Our cilantro is sourced from California farms year-round and is used in many of our recipes such as salsa fresca and mild salsa. You can always find our fresh cilantro and onion blend at our salsa bar.
Dairy
Our dairy products, including our rBST-free milk, cheese and sour cream, are sourced from California and are free of artificial hormones.
Our hand-crafted recipes come to life every day in our kitchens using carefully selected cooking techniques that bring out the best in our food, delivering innovative tastes and textures.
We grill our seafood on an authentic comal to bring out the natural flavors of the grilled fish and shrimp. We hand batter our sustainable Wild Alaska Pollock using our signature beer-batter to create our The Original Fish Taco®. And we toast mozzarella, Monterey jack and white cheddar directly on our hot flat grill and layer it on warm, stone ground corn tortillas to create the perfect base for our Grilled Gourmet TacosTM. And many of our salsas, sauces and guacamoles are hand-made daily. We invite you to learn more about our cooking techniques...
Hand-Battered Fish
Ralph had his first fish taco in San Felipe, which inspired his creation of Rubio’s Original Fish Taco® in 1983. In San Felipe, the cooking technique used to make fish tacos was inspired by Japanese fishermen about a century earlier, when they introduced tempura battering and woks to fry the fish. This style of fish tacos is indigenous to Baja rather than all of Mexico.
To make our Original Fish Taco®, Fish Taco Especial, Avocado Corn Fish Taco and Signature Beer-Battered Fish Burrito we hand dip our Wild Alaska Pollock in our signature beer-batter recipe and cook it to crispy perfection.
Authentic Comal
At Rubio’s we use a sizzling hot comal, similar to a cast iron skillet, to cook our fish and shrimp. The comal creates perfectly grilled seafood that has a flavorful, seared exterior with a perfectly moist interior.
Comals are still common throughout Mexico and are most often used to cook tortillas and sear meat. It is a tradition to hand them down through generations, the idea being that they become tempered over the years and cook well-seasoned, flavorful food.
Grilled Gourmet Taco with Shrimp
Toasted Cheese
To create our Grilled Gourmet Tacos we begin by laying three types of white cheese – mozzarella, Monterey jack and white cheddar -- directly on our hot flat grill until its melted and toasty. Then we layer the cheese on to a warm, stone ground corn tortilla. The result is Rubio’s Grilled Gourmet Taco with your choice of shrimp, steak or chicken encased in crisp golden cheese. This signature cooking technique was inspired from the streets of Baja, Mexico.
Handmade Guacamole, Salsas & Sauces
Before our restaurants open each day, our cooks are busy preparing our handmade guacamole and your favorite salsas and sauces.
To prepare our handmade guacamole, Hass avocados arrive in our restaurants fresh and are pitted, peeled and mashed daily. The avocados are mixed with chopped cilantro, and finished with a sprinkle of natural sea salt and freshly squeezed lime juice.
Our Salsa Fresca is made fresh daily by combining diced Roma tomatoes, diced white onions and freshly chopped cilantro. Diced jalapeños and Serrano chiles are added in to create a mild heat. We finish it off with fresh lime zest, and a pinch of oregano and natural sea salt.
Our Creamy Chipotle Sauce is made in our kitchens by blending our signature white sauce with La Costeña Chipotles in Adobo to create a rich, smoky and spicy sauce.
