SoCal Fish Taco Company brings taste of the beach to downtown Gilbert

The surf’s up in downtown Gilbert, where the long-awaited SoCal Fish Taco Company has opened. The eatery is the brainchild of Pablo Reynoso Jr., a Southern California native whose parents opened the popular Seafood Market & Restaurant in Mesa in 1991.

“It’s nothing fancy,” the 40-year-old Reynoso says of his beach-themed restaurant. “Just good food at a good price.” But if the crowds since their soft opening two weeks ago are any indication, SoCal is a big hit.

Located on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Page roads  – a couple of storefronts south of Joe’s Real BBQ – the long, narrow space with aquamarine walls and corrugated metal wainscoting is only 1,100 square feet. Just 22 people can squeeze into six tables and a small bartop.

Out back, though, there are another seven tables on the umbrella-shaded, mister-cooled patio. Sectional seating is coming soon to a lawn area.

Fish tacos come in seven varieties: cod, tilapia, mahi, grouper, salmon, ahi tuna, and shrimp. The cod is panko-battered; the others are broiled. Prices range from $6-$8 for a paper-lined basket with two six-inch tacos, rice and beans.

The eponymous tacos are just the tip of the iceberg. The extensive menu ranges from fish sandwiches ($6) to shrimp po’ boys ($7) to crab cakes ($6) to calamari ($9) to steamed mussels ($9) to clam chowder ($3). At $13, the dozen oysters on the half shell are the only menu item over $9.

Seafood not your thing? Tacos also are available with chicken, carnitas, or carne asada ($6-$7 for three 4.5-inch tacos with rice and beans). There also are chicken and steak wraps ($6-$8), and a steak salad ($8).

Reynosa has curated a beer list of California microbreweries like Mission, Left Coast, Coronado, and TailGate. Cans are served in paper bags – just like on the beach. Surf-centric cocktails include margaritas, mai tais, and mojitos. And, of course, you can get a bucket of five Corona or Pacifico minis for $8.50.

Asked if he was worried about competition from Joyride Taco House, a new concept from Postino parent company Upward Projects that’s opening just up the street next week, Reynoso shakes his head.

“They’re going to be Mexican food,” he says. “(Upward’s) Craig DeMarco came in and got some food, and we talked about it. We’re two different things – different menus, different price points.”

In fact, Reynoso is happy to see the way the dining scene in downtown Gilbert’s historical district has blossomed. Besides Joe’s, Postino, and Joyride, Romeo’s Euro Cafe, Liberty Market, The Farmhouse, and Oregano’s all are within 100 yards or so of SoCal.

“That’s nice for someone like me,” the Gilbert resident says.