Sinking your teeth into a soft corn tortilla filled with crispy fish, crunchy cabbage and a creamy sauce is a heavenly mix of flavors and textures in your mouth. Perfect fish tacos with a squeeze of citrus transport you to a sunny seaside taqueria in Mexico. Many restaurants have variations of this traditional combination and offer blackened or grilled versions as well. Whichever method you prefer, the Houston Press has put together a list of some of the best fish tacos in the Clear Lake area.
Joe Lee’s Seafood Kitchen in Clear Lake Shores
Since 1979, Joe Lee’s has been serving some of the freshest seafood on the Gulf Coast. From oysters to burgers, étouffée to po-boys, these delicious tacos fit right in with the rest of the menu. Choose from fried, blackened or grilled catfish for $2.95 a piece. Or for $13.99 grab the fish taco dinner with three tacos and a side of black beans and Cajun rice. These tasty tacos are served on charred corn tortillas with shredded purple cabbage and pico de gallo and are drizzled with a mild, creamy jalapeño sauce.
Skallywag Suds N’ Grub in Kemah
If you’re interested in a good craft beer to go alongside your fish tacos, head over to pub Skallywag Suds N’ Grub in Kemah. The yellowfin tuna taco is filled with thick slices of seared tuna mixed with a sweet ginger cilantro slaw, onion, chile ranch, lime and hot sauce on corn tortillas and is only $12 for a plate of three, or can be purchased à la carte for $4. As a twist, Skallywag has taco specials on Wednesdays, instead of the more common Taco Tuesday. Mix and match any taco for $3 apiece. Asian pork belly, smoked pulled pork, fried chicken and breakfast tacos are other tasty taco options.
Cabo Clear Lake in Seabrook
Not only does this spot have a fantastic patio with a stunning view of Clear Lake, it also serves up a pretty tasty fish taco. Seared yellowfin tuna, queso fresco, avocado and fresh lime in a toasted flour tortilla make up the ahi avocado tacos. Our favorite, the blackened mahi mahi taco, is blackened mahi served inside a charred flour tortilla, and served on a bed of coleslaw, sprinkled with crumbled queso fresco and fresh pico de gallo, and drizzled with a tangy tequila lime sauce. Check out Cabo’s Taco Tuesday specials and get these guys for only $4 each. Regularly $9.50-$10.50 as a platter with a side of chips and queso.
Outriggers in Seabrook
Located right on Clear Lake with a tremendous view of the Kemah bridge, Outriggers has one delectable fish taco. While it also serves shrimp tacos, the blackened catfish tacos are the prize here, though they can also come grilled or fried. Tacos are sold à la carte for $3.69 each. Each one is served on a soft corn tortilla loaded with serrano garlic dip, lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, purple cabbage and shredded jack cheese. These tacos are packed so full that they’re served one to a basket. Don’t forget to order Outriggers’ signature Cajun Bloody Mary while you’re there. You won’t be disappointed.
Topwater Grill in San Leon
Drive down to San Leon and have a frozen cocktail on the water while eating some of the best fish tacos in the Bay Area. Two types are served here — a beautiful grilled mahi mahi fish taco and our favorite, the fried fish taco. This tasty taco is made with two white corn tortillas filled with catfish fried in a light tempura batter, with crunchy purple cabbage and pico de gallo, and topped with a delicious cilantro cream sauce and fresh cilantro. Topwater Grill has been preparing its tacos the same way since opening in 1999. The combination is a good one. Order tacos à la carte for $3.99 each or on a platter with two tacos, black beans and seasoned rice for $9.99.
This article appears in Jun 22-28, 2017.
