This Foodie Friday we feature some of the BEST fish tacos in all of San Diego County! Join us as we speak to the owner and chef behind Casanova Fish Tacos – Hector Casanova!

 

 

 

Casanova Fish Tacos was born in March of 2009, after creator Hector Casanova was laid off from his job at the San Diego Probation Department. Hector would host parties at his home for his friends during football season and would cook up large amounts of his incredible fish tacos for everyone to enjoy. His friends were quite vocal about the flavors and the recipes he would create, and they loved the fish tacos so much that they started encouraging him to share them with the public. He took their opinion, and decided to start a fish taco business right here in America’s Finest City. “I never thought about doing this for a living.” Says Hector. “I just figured my friends were just saying that to get free fish tacos every weekend.” After almost three years of working on his fried fish batter recipe, he finally nailed perfection. Hector started out donating his time and food to churches by serving food for events throughout the week. By the third week, word had spread and he was offered his first community event, Little League Opening Day in Lemon Grove. Hector’s special tomatillo salsa recipe took third place at the San Diego County Fair, and his fish tacos have been nominated for BEST in San Diego in 2010, 2011 and 2012. This year, he was one of the finalists for Best Fish Taco, as well as a finalist for Best Food Truck in San Diego. Hector entered his fish tacos into the Gourmet Experience in Del Mar, where he competed head to head against some of the major chain fish taco restaurants. He took 2nd place with his chipotle grilled fish taco.

“There is a lot you have to think about when making a good taco.” Says Hector. “From the quality of corn tortillas to the type of fish to the type of condiments you will use.” We were lucky enough to be invited down personally by Hector to try some of his delicious fish tacos and other award winning creations. His fried fish taco is served up, times two, with a side of chips. The portions are very generous, and the price is just right. The fish is fried to absolute perfection and his special recipe batter comes through with incredible flavors. “I have always enjoyed the Baja style deep fried. Simple and full of flavor.” Hector says. Next we tried the spicy shrimp tacos, which for someone who does not typically enjoy shrimp in any form, I must say that these are great. Very spicy and full of incredible flavors. Last and certainly not least, we tasted the chipotle grilled fish taco. These fish tacos might be our new favorite in town. The spicy grilled fish with his custom sauce compliment each other to absolute perfection. The flavors are spot on and perfect and the fish itself is flaky, and we can say with confidence, even people who are not fans of fish, will become instant fans of these two styles of tacos. “…I have chosen angel fish – or Angelito and its known in Ensenada. This is a white type of fish. Its texture is meaty and not fishy at all.” After tasting Casanova’s award winning fish tacos and recipes, we can confidently say that Casanova Fish Tacos are not only some of THE best in San Diego, but also are 100% THREE B Approved eating!

Below is an interview we did with Hector Casanova of Casanova Fish Tacos. Please join us as we get to know one of San Diego’s best food truck / vendors.
 

 

When did you first decide you wanted to dedicate your life to cooking?

This was not by choice but it was a necessity that was born after been laid off, the idea was given by my friends to start this business. As I began my new adventure I became aware that playing with condiments, spices and pretty much food – came naturally to me. I can follow a recipe and make it my own.

How did you first come up with the perfect recipe for your Baja style fish tacos?

The Perfect recipe came after 3 years of doing parties at my house. I started with a basic mix as a base and through trial and error process I ended up with a total of 13 spices that now get fused into the meaty white fish strip. The next step is the Salsas. The traditional pico de gallo and my award winning green spicy salsa. A very important component of the taco. Seasoned correctly and make them spicy and not super spicy. A good salsa is always the one that keeps you coming back to it not the one that is super spicy and you can only take one bite. And then there was a secret white cream sauce…. no need to explain just come out and try it. The tortillas are a super crucial element. A tortilla has to last you the complete taco without breaking apart. Last but not least the famous squirt of lime. That first bit is an explosion of flavors. Imagine being able to taste everything I just described above in just the first bite. Pretty amazing and that is the perfect recipe. Nothing over the top, but on the other hand something simple and flavorful.

What is the story behind the name Casanova Fish Tacos?

The story behind the name Casanova fish tacos is very simple… That is my actual legal last name. This is a great ice breaker and people cannot believe it sometimes. Even my friends teased me at the beginning because they did not know it was my actual last name.

Everybody knows that fish tacos and beer go hand in hand with each other. What is a local San Diego beer that you would say goes perfectly the with your award winning fish tacos?

I completely agree with this statement. When I am having a plate of Deep Fried Baja Style, I usually like a lighter type of beer. There are several amazing micro breweries around San Diego and all of them will have amazing beer to go with an amazing fish taco plate. Now its becoming more interesting because micro brewers will try to pair a style of beer with a style of food and they are very good at what they do.

Food trucks have broken away from the typical hot dogs, burgers, chips ect. Most of which cook up customized, very gourmet creations for us lucky locals. When do you think people decided they wanted MORE from food trucks and local on site chefs?

In my opinion, I myself love food. I am not sure that wanting more is in the mind of people but the need for different experiences with food. Ever since the food truck movement started food has become a platform for creativity and a need to standout among everyone else. Over all I do believe people want that connection with food. Something that can create a memory, a moment on every bite. Have you ever had a food that would bring you back to a certain place, a certain occasion a childhood memory. I think that this has a bit to do with wanting more from food trucks and local on site chefs. Just my opinion.

Food trucks and local on site chefs have become a big draw for local breweries and beer festivals in San Diego. In your opinion what makes the two work so well together?

The chemistry among the two is very simple. People got to eat and people got to drink. This works so well because although I have not been in the circuit since the beginning I have learned that most of the Micro breweries can not serve food. What a magnificent combination and idea to bring customers for beer tastings while providing at the same time gourmet food. It’s a win win situation for everybody.

What would you say are some of your favorite local beers or breweries?

Since I am in this circuit almost every day and I am still learning and trying new ones, according to what my customers recommend to me. I cant make my decision yet until I have them all but the Lost Abbey, Iron Fist and Green Flash are among my top ones as of now. But I am still yet to try the others.

What can we expect to see next come from Casanova Fish Tacos?

I am currently working on trying to get my food truck going. It has been a slow but steady process and due to the amount of events I have in my calendar its impossible for me to finish it up. Don’t get me wrong its a great problem to have. I am always implementing ideas as well as getting ideas from my customers so every once in a while I surprise my customers with a menu item of the week. You can also expect from Casanova Consistency and quality, what I mean by this is the Casanova fish taco has to taste the same way every time you have it.

Finish this sentence… If it werent for cooking I would be…

Working at my previous job at the County of San Diego Probation Department.
 
 

 
 
Three B Zine would like to give a huge Thank You to Hector Casanova and his entire team for their generosity and all around sweetness we were shown. Please do yourself a favor and find an event treat yourself to these tacos. For information about Casanova visit their website by clicking here. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates. All photos used with permission by Hector Casanova.