Sweet-fleshed fish, lightly battered and fried, topped with citrusy sauce, crunchy strands of slaw, a scattering of tomato and a squeeze of fresh lime juice embraced by a steamy tortilla—yeah, that’s the taste of Baja, of Southwestern sunshine, of the perfect fish taco.
Though Baja California—a Mexican state on the Baja peninsula—is often cited as the birthplace of this wildly popular dish, many food historians credit the native people of North America as the first to devise the simple dish. And that makes perfect sense, considering their proximity to Mexico’s coastline and teeming waters.
That said, South Carolina lays claim to its own impressive stretch of coastline and that means fresh fish is in abundance. So, it’s only natural that the fish taco craze has stretched across the country and found legions of fans in the Palmetto State.
When in Myrtle Beach proper, good fish tacos are at your fingertips and, in most cases, within walking distance. If the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is your headquarters for summer fun, you’ve got it made when it comes to wrapping your hands around this spicy seafood treat. Here are five places where you can get a mouthful of that wonderful Baja flavor.
Moe Moon's, 990 Boardwalk
A beachy hotspot for "chillaxin'," Moe Moon's serves up tasty eats and icy cold drinks to wash them down with. The Bang Bang Fish Tacos are cool and spicy, topped with crispy slaw, tomatoes and a drizzle of punchy sauce. These delicious hand-helds will refuel you for more beach fun.
Dirty Don's Oyster Bar and Grill, 910 N. Ocean Blvd.
Dirty Don’s is an institution on the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. The “beach casual” restaurant caters to the sunbathers, wave riders and sea swimmers who have worked up an appetite and want something fresh and quick so they can get back to the business of having fun. Fish tacos are relatively new to their longtime lineup of seafood offerings. You can get them with blackened, grilled or fried fish, but the tuna tacos with Asian slaw, cucumber wasabi and a hit of Sriracha are positively addictive. Three more locations along the Grand Strand - including Market Common - make getting your fish taco fix even easier.
Mrs. Fish, 919 Broadway St.
Just a few short blocks from the sand is downtown Myrtle Beach. At its heart is Mrs. Fish, a no-frills seafood joint favored by locals for affordable prices and some of the freshest seafood on the Grand Strand. The fried fish tacos are a simple presentation, but so fresh and full-flavored, you’ll be a regular during your stay at Myrtle Beach.
Ocean Front Bar & Grill, 100 9th Ave. N.
Since 1948, the Ocean Front Bar & Grill has been a solid source of sustenance for the beach crowd. The casual vibe is just right for quenching thirsts and satisfying appetites worked up after a day on the sand. The fish tacos here are made with fresh grouper and served on flour tortillas with a cool topping of lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and cucumber wasabi.
Sun City Cafe, 801 Main St.
Another downtown gem and locals’ favorite is Sun City Cafe, a funky little Mexican spot with a welcoming vibe and friendly staff. Their fish tacos are built around spicy, blackened fish filets served open-face on flour tortillas that have been brushed with sour cream, then warmed. A generous topping of fresh veggies and herbs makes this dish pop with color and flavor.
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