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Guide to Pasadena

Mexican food and fish

You are looking for a kitchen that treats fish with the same level of care as their signature Mexican dishes.

Based on 616 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
El Metate image 1
El Metate image 2
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Mexican restaurant

Cafeteria-style Mexican restaurant offers a warm, family-friendly atmosphere with a strong sense of community. The vibe is authentic and comfortable, featuring fresh, flavorful salsas and strong, fresh-squeezed margaritas. Regulars enjoy affordable street tacos and a variety of traditional dishes in a casual setting.

Street tacos stand out with fresh salsas that pack a kick. Potato tacos come highly recommended, and margaritas are both delicious and strong.

Fish tacos appear frequently but vary in quality, ranging from okay to good. The fish ceviche stands out as a delicious option, while grilled fish tacos also receive positive mentions.

People are saying

"You have to try the tacos; they're delicious."

"The fish tacos and ceviche here are delicious."

"I found the fish tacos to be good."

Good to know

1

Happy Hour is from 4 to 6 daily with great deals.

2

Parking is available across the street from the Rose Parade route.

3

Tacos are reasonably priced, making it a great spot for affordable food.

02
Baja Cali Fish & Tacos (Pasadena-Lake Ave) image 1

Small Mexican restaurant with casual, relaxed vibe and bumping music. Offers outdoor and indoor seating with a local atmosphere. Busy during peak hours, known for excellent fish tacos and daily specials.

Fish tacos stand out with crispy shrimp and generous portions packed with real meat. Taco Tuesday offers a five-for-seven-fifty special that delivers great value.

Fish tacos come with great flavor and a savory fish sandwich combo adds variety. Taco Tuesday offers a five-for-price deal that makes trying them easy and affordable.

People are saying

"The food here is so delicious and fresh."

"I found the Mexican food, especially the fish tacos, to be delicious."

"I found the fish tacos to be delicious."

Good to know

1

They offer a Taco Tuesday special with 5 fish tacos for $7.50.

2

Weekly specials are available Monday through Saturday, but none on Sunday.

3

The restaurant gets busy during peak hours, so plan accordingly.

03
La Estrella Tacos #2 image 1
Mexican restaurant

Outdoor seating with a spacious patio and covered areas creates a relaxed, casual vibe. The place draws a steady crowd seeking quick, affordable meals with high-quality tacos and burritos. Service involves ordering at a window, fitting the easygoing, no-frills atmosphere.

Tacos come large and excellent, especially the shrimp and fish varieties. Burritos like the Carne asada and Cabeza stand out for their flavor and size. Meals are affordable and served quickly, with options to order at the window or sit on the terrace.

Fish tacos come in large portions and taste incredible, often feeling like two tacos in one. Burritos with fish are spicy but flavorful, making them a solid choice for seafood lovers.

People are saying

"I found the tacos here to be the best I've ever had."

"The Mexican food here is fantastic, especially the tacos."

"I thought the fish tacos were excellent and a great value."

Good to know

1

The 2 taco meal costs less than $7.

2

Cash discounts are available for payments.

3

The restaurant only has outdoor seating.

04
Mercado Pasadena image 1
Mexican restaurant

Modern Mexican restaurant offers a heated outdoor patio with pet-friendly seating and powerful fans for comfort. Atmosphere feels inviting and cozy, with a great view and lively energy. Specialty margaritas and flavorful dishes like carnitas and enchiladas stand out.

Carnitas stand out as a signature dish, paired well with sides like black beans or aioli. Dishes like enchiladas, shrimp tacos, and churro ice cream offer a mix of classic and creative Mexican flavors.

Fish dishes feature crispy skin Sea Bass with flaky white flesh and flavorful fish tacos including white fish and ahi varieties. The kitchen can adjust preparations, offering very mild versions when requested.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here has such attentive and welcoming service."

"The carnitas here are melty and insanely good."

"The fish tacos here are great and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers tacos for $12, a great deal compared to regular prices.

2

Reservations are recommended to secure a table, especially during peak hours.

3

Parking is $2 for 20 minutes, and they do not validate parking.

05
California Fish Grill image 1
Seafood restaurant

Fast casual seafood spot with quick service and a clean, modern setting. Atmosphere feels bare and cold, lacking cozy or lively vibes, but outdoor seating includes a dog-friendly patio with heating. Offers healthy, hearty fish portions with fair prices and consistent quality.

Tacos come with corn tortillas and pickled onions that add a nice touch. The Cajun shrimp tacos have a lot of flavor and a tasty sauce, while the fish tacos are fresh and well made.

Fish dishes come in large portions with a spot-on batter to fish ratio that keeps the fish flaky and intact. The fish is always fresh and never overcooked, served hot and tasty across various menu options.

People are saying

"I found the seafood here to be fresh and tasty."

"The fish here is fresh and tastes great."

"The fish tacos here are so fresh and tasty."

Good to know

1

The restaurant uses a kiosk ordering system for faster service.

2

Expect crowded conditions during lunchtime, especially on weekdays.

3

Parking is usually available in the plaza, making access easy.

06
Baja Cali Fish & Tacos (Pasadena-Washington) image 1

Small dining space offers a quiet atmosphere with plenty of seating. Fish and shrimp tacos stand out as best around, paired with great deals and free fountain drink refills. The place feels like a hidden gem worth seeking out for seafood lovers.

Fish tacos stand out with crispy texture and a delicious chipotle crema. Options include shrimp tacos, queso birria tacos, and vegetarian faux meat tacos, all served with plenty of cortido and salsa extras.

Crispy fish tacos come with a delicious chipotle crema and offer great flavor. The fish and shrimp tacos are tasty and reasonably priced, with fresh fish and chips also available.

People are saying

"I found the fish tacos to be excellent and crispy."

"You have to try the fish tacos; they're the best."

"I loved the crispy fish tacos with chipotle crema."

Good to know

1

The vegetarian options are no longer available at this restaurant.

2

Prices may be higher when ordering through apps compared to calling directly.

3

There is a risk of cross contamination for allergies.

07
Pez Coastal Kitchen image 1

Modern tropical design creates a beautiful, comfortable space with tasteful decor and plush sofa seating. Atmosphere blends vacation vibes with occasional live jazz, though music choices can feel jarring. Many dishes encourage sharing, supporting conversation in a relaxed setting.

Dishes offer flavorful profiles, especially the fish tacos. Options include beef machaca, huevos rancheros, salsa negra, sunny eggs, rajas, and queso fresco.

Whole fried fish comes with a piccata sauce and is easy to take apart without deboning. Fried fish stays crunchy outside and tender inside with great flavor.

People are saying

"The seafood here is so fresh and delicious."

"The fish here is perfectly fried and has a great flavor."

"You have to try their flavorful Mexican food, especially the fish tacos."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, to secure a good table.

2

Dinner for two typically costs around $200, so plan your budget accordingly.

3

The restaurant offers a happy hour menu with discounted small plates.

08
Fishwives image 1
Seafood restaurant

Small, intimate seafood restaurant with nautical decor and a New England fish house feel. Bright interior and courtyard seating offer a mix of indoor and outdoor dining. Atmosphere tends to be loud and lively, with a friendly vibe.

Fish tacos come with fried battered fish, similar to fish and chips, which is unusual for this dish. Portions are very large, often requiring a knife and fork to eat, but the taste is just okay.

Fish comes out very tender and amazingly fresh here. The fish and chips stand out as a solid choice with great quality.

People are saying

"The seafood here is top quality, especially the crab cakes and lobster roll."

"The fish and chips here are fresh and a great value."

"The fish tacos here are massive, like fish and chips."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially for large groups, due to high demand.

2

There is no parking available near the restaurant.

3

The average cost for a meal for four is around $385, excluding tip.

09
The Raymond 1886 - Modern American Cuisine & Craft Cocktails in Pasadena image 1

Outdoor patio with fireplaces and intimate indoor rooms create a spacious, inviting setting. Atmosphere shifts from romantic and old-world indoors to lively and sometimes noisy on the patio. Known for phenomenal craft cocktails, it draws those seeking a refined yet relaxed dining experience.

Tacos feature prominently with Short Rib tacos standing out, though opinions on them vary. Grilled cauliflower adds a unique touch to the Mexican food offerings.

Freshness stands out with the Tuna and Crudo showing high fish quality. The Branzino pairs well with a smooth, creamy turnip puree that has a hint of spiciness.

People are saying

"I loved the beautifully prepared food, especially the fish, cheese, and meats."

"The fish had a crispy skin and tender flesh."

"The Mexican food here is delicious, especially the fluffy pancakes."

Good to know

1

Happy hour features $10 cocktails, including the popular Medicina Latina.

2

Wine Wednesdays offer special deals on select wines.

3

Valet parking is available for $8, with limited street parking options.

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