If you know me, you know I love shrimp. Grilled, pan fried, deep fried, coconut battered – you name it, I love it. So it should come as no surprise that when the SacFoodies were offered the chance to try Rubio’s new sustainable shrimp offerings, I jumped on the opportunity.
While I’ve always been a fan of Rubio’s shrimp tacos, I recently made a lifestyle change that prohibits me from eating non-sustainable meat. As you can imagine, this modification eliminated many of my favorite quick lunch/dinner stops. However, I was thoroughly impressed upon walking into Rubio’s and learning that the brand is diligently working to expand its menu with innovative recipes, ranging from sustainable shrimp tacos to Atlantic salmon burritos, sustainable tilapia items and much more.
They say old habits die hard and my Rubio’s order is no exception: “Two shrimp tacos, please!” I hadn’t had one of these in at least a year – would they be everything I remembered? Would the shrimp be smaller? Would the Hass avocados be as buttery as they once were? At last, my tacos were served. To my delight, they weren’t everything I remembered – they were so much better. Toasted cheese (why doesn’t every place toast their cheese?!) topped with crisp bacon pieces, red tomatillo salsa, creamy chipotle sauce, cilantro and onions – I felt weak in the knees. The shrimp was grilled to perfection and I couldn’t believe what a flavor compliment the crumbled bacon was. After devouring my two tacos and “no-fried” pinto beans, I sat with a full belly and mixed feelings. The bliss was over, but I’ll be back. After all, there is an entire sustainable shrimp burrito to be had.
Rubio’s Tacos
2820 Marconi Ave
Sacramento, CA
(916) 483-6643
Oysters in Humboldt
Before last weekend, I’d never written a Yelp review. Despite having been to countless wonderful restaurants and devouring several fantastic meals, writing a Yelp review was never the post-meal priority. But last Saturday, everything changed. I had the best meal of my life and for the first time, writing a Yelp review became the post-meal priority.
I was on a seven-hour road trip up to Trinidad, CA when it happened. Somewhere around hour five, the Peg House popped up out of nowhere and we pulled in – determined to find a restroom. And while I can’t say much for the port-o-potty behind the the wooden burger/oyster stand, I can’t say enough about my meal. Three barbecued oysters, served piping hot on the half shell with equal parts oyster and garlic and were drenched in a bath of cioppino-like sauce I’ll never be able to recreate, or describe.
Suddenly, it was over. I was torn between licking the shells and going to shake the hand of the man who had prompted my first Yelp review (and ultimately changed my life as a foodie). I opted for the latter and left that day with more satisfaction and garlic breath than I’ve ever known.
Case and point: the next time you find yourself heading North on the 101, make the Peg House in Humboldt County a destination, and the subsequent Yelp review a priority.