Though we normally shy away from fast food locations, my husband and I were recently invited to enjoy a meal at Rubio's. Most well-known for their fish tacos, Rubio's offers fresh Mexican food in a quick-bite setting. We ate lunch at the El Con mall location on Broadway and I'm happy to report that the experience surpassed our expectations. The restaurant is relatively new and kept very clean. The thatched eaves and bright colors inside really lend to the theme of a beach-side taco shack. I also appreciated that the fresh salsa bar is kept clean and restocked anytime it runs low.
As for the food...My husband has an extraordinary fondness for all things mango. You can imagine, then, his delight at seeing the new Mango Habanero Ono tacos on the menu. They had him at mango. I, on the other hand, avoid spicy foods at all cost, so the habanero scared me off. Instead, I opted for the Avocado Corn Fish tacos, with fried Alaskan pollock. Each of us opted for the meal, which came with a side of beans (pinto or black) and Spanish rice. Let's start there. The sides were impressive; easily on par with that of traditional Mexican table-service restaurants. The rice was especially delicious. My husband's taco plate looked quite different than mine in that the Ono for his fish tacos was grilled as opposed to fried. Also, his tacos were served in flour tortillas whereas mine were corn. Both entrees had a fresh salsa on top, his consisting of mango and habanero and mine of ripe avocado and charred corn. Truly, Rubio's made believers out of us. From the our first respective bites to the last, the food was fresh and flavorful. My one hesitation would be ordering a fried fish taco again. I think I'd opt for grilled next time around because my delicate stomach tends to revolt when grease comes into play. That said, Rubio's deserves two thumbs up for offering made to order Mexican food that can easily be enjoyed during your hour-long lunch break.
LOCATION: 3421 East Broadway Blvd., Tucson
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