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These fish tacos made a big splash 🌮

Rubio’s Coastal Grills’ San Diego roots
Life in San Diego wouldn’t be the same without seafood and tacos, and local restaurants like Rubio’s Coastal Grill helped popularize the combination of the two cuisines.

This locally-founded chain has given locals something to taco ‘bout for 40 years. The restaurant’s fish tacos have become a staple of many San Diegans’ diets, especially if they’re planning for a fish Friday.

Rubios in Mission Bay

Forty years later, Rubio’s still stands in Mission Bay. | Photo via SDtoday

🐟 The fishy history

The chain was founded by Ralph Rubio, who was actually born in New Jersey. He grew up in Los Angeles and attended San Diego State University, where he graduated in 1978. After SDSU, Rubio worked at local restaurants — from bussing tables at The Old Spaghetti Factory in the Gaslamp Quarter to managing the former Harbor House restaurant in Seaport Village.

In 1983, Rubio decided it was time to go into business for himself and opened the first Rubio’s location in Mission Bay — originally named Rubio’s Deli-Mex. The walk-up stand offered cuisine inspired by recipes Rubio discovered during spring break vacations in Baja California, but locals reely seemed to love the fish taco.

The second location opened in 1986 by SDSU, the same year the brand sold its millionth fish taco. However, it was the success of a San Marcos location, deemed more inland, that encouraged expansion beyond San Diego.

Currently, there are 150+ Rubio’s locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona, but the eatery maintains its San Diego roots. In fact — the city declared April 5 “Ralph Rubio Day.”

Rubios fish taco SDtoday

City Editor Mike getting ready to dig into an Original Fish Taco. | Photo via SDtoday

🌮 Did Rubio’s invent the fish taco?

Though the fish taco is Rubio’s signature item, Ralph Rubio acknowledges he didn’t invent it — he just fell in love with the recipe while in San Felipe. But with 270+ million tacos sold, there’s no doubt the brand helped popularize the dish.

Rubio’s Original Fish Taco, may not be the first fish taco, but it’s a staple for a reason. The restaurant has won many awards with the recipe:
  • Wild-caught, beer-battered Alaska Pollock
  • Cabbage
  • Mild salsa and white sauce
  • Served on a corn tortilla
Just because this is the original, doesn’t mean it’s the only option being served. In fact, you can submit your fish taco recipe to the chain through Monday, Feb. 27, for a chance to have it added to the menu.

Click here to have your event featured.

Thursday, Feb. 23
Friday, Feb. 24
  • Bach at Noon | Friday, Feb. 24 | 12 p.m. | All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd., San Diego | Free | Musicians perform the works of two composers not typically found on the same bill: Manuel de Zumaya and Jan Dismas Zelenka.
  • Miniature Pottery Workshop | Friday, Feb. 24 | 4-6 p.m. | Milk Oolong Studio, 2690 Historic Decatur, Ste. 203, San Diego | $65 | Work at the pottery wheel — with the “throwing off the hump method” — to create mini masterpieces.
Saturday, Feb. 25
  • Park Beautification Crew | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Mission Trails Regional Park, 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego | Free | Volunteer alongside Mission Trails Ranger Julie Aelits to help beautify the park by pruning, hauling, sweeping, mulching, and more.
  • Organics Recycling Webinar | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 10-11 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn how to reduce food waste and dispose of organic waste via the city’s new organics recycling program.
Sunday, Feb. 26
  • February 2023 Family Sunday | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 12-3 p.m. | Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, San Diego | Free | Illustrator and graphic designer Kiana Henderson helps you create your own mixed media self-portrait.
  • San Diego Legion vs. New England Free Jacks | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 1 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego | $20-$145 | It’s an East Coast vs. West Coast Major League Rugby match.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

REEL IN MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 51º | Cloudy with showers throughout the day | 65% chance of rain
  • Yesterday’s high winds are expected to decline, but cold and wet weather remains in the forecast — at least through Saturday evening. According to the National Weather Service, expect showers today with the heaviest rain Friday and Saturday. Snow is likely in the mountains, with whiteout conditions possible at 3,500-4,500-ft elevation. 🌨 (Weather.com + National Weather Service)
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 6:23 a.m.
  • Set: 5:41 p.m.
Tide
  • Low: 5:19 a.m. + 5:25 p.m.
  • High: 11:18 a.m. + 11:49 p.m.
  • Water Temperature: 55°
Civic
  • The Port of San Diego has approved regulations to limit the number of vendors along the Embarcadero. Starting May 1, the area will only have 36 sites where merchants can set up shop — in addition to 41 spaces for expressive use like religion or politics. Permits will be required to operate, and will be issued using a lottery system. (NBC 7)
Development
  • Construction has begun on the El Cajon Boulevard Streetscape Improvement Project, which will replace the traffic lights at El Cajon Boulevard and Johnson Avenue with a roundabout. Beautification efforts will be implemented including the installation of decorative sidewalks, replacing lighting, and refreshing crosswalks. Construction will take 8-12 months — expect traffic delays. 🚧
Open
  • Something good is cooking in Miramar. Smokin’ J’s BBQ has moved into 8665 Miralani Dr., Ste. 100. It joins Lost Cause Meadery and Serpentine Cider at the shared space, and brings its barbecue favorites like brisket, pulled pork, and vegetarian-friendly smoked jackfruit. 🍖
Real Estate
  • Home prices in San Diego are down 8.6% compared to their peak in 2022, according to researchers at Black Knight Inc. When ranking the 50 largest housing markets in the US, San Diego has seen the eighth greatest decline in home costs. 📉 (Fox 5)
Number
  • $3,400. That’s the fine in Vista if you have a skating ramp over 6 ft in your backyard. The city passed an ordinance to limit the height of the structures due to noise disturbances. Locals have also been restricted to skating during specific hours, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 🛹 (Fox 5)
Shop
  • Love a good bargain? Meet Cute in North Park is doing some spring cleaning. The romance-focused bookstore will offer 30-50% off overstocked and worn books this weekend — Saturday, Feb. 25 + Sunday, Feb. 26. 📚
Listen
  • Calling all bibliophiles. Level up your reading routine with an Audible Membership. Why we love it: we can listen to our favorite books and discover new titles while doing everyday tasks like commuting, walking the dog, cooking, and cleaning. Sign up for your first 30 days free. 📚*
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Stay in your lane 🚌

Bus lanes coming to Park Boulevard in San Diego
Park Boulevard bus lane
Paving the way for smoother transportation. | Photo via @sdmts
The wheels on the bus belong in separate lanes — at least, that’s the plan on Park Boulevard. Crews have been working to extend reserved lanes as part of the city’s Boulevard Bus Way program, and things seem to be going smoothly.

The initiative has already given the city three miles of dedicated bus lanes along El Cajon Boulevard and allows buses to operate away from other vehicles, making for safer loading areas, fewer traffic interruptions, and more reliable schedules. But, making way for the new lanes requires losing parking spaces. Park Boulevard only retained 67 of its 335 spaces, though a future project on Balboa Park Drive intends to add ~100 new parking spots.

The lane will also be open to cyclists, connecting them to other bike paths as part of the city’s Bicycle Master Plan. Cars will be prohibited from entering these reserved lanes unless it’s needed to access parking or when making right-hand turns.

Construction on the project is expected to last through the end of this month.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Michael.

Editor’s pick: Good morning, San Diego. I get the impression that I’ll be spending the next few days indoors, avoiding the rain, so I think I’ll add some movies to my queue. I love watching flicks that were filmed in San Diego, like “Top Gun,” and seeing which parts of the city I can identify. Two more on the playlist: “Bring It On” and “Almost Famous.” 🎬

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Get ready for the reopening of The Flower Fields in Carlsbad.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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