Just finding Ricky's is an adventure. With my Google Maps app in hand, I found Ricky's in a parking lot of a salon wedged amongst apartment buildings near Hollywood Presbyterian. I parked on the street and walked over, guided by the smell of something being deep fried.
Under some portable canopies, Ricky set up two main fryers where he fries up the star of his famous tacos - shrimp or fish.
The cashier took my order - 3 tacos (1 fish, 1 shrimp, 1 special of fish and shrimp) and then I had to decide on an agua fresca from the 3 tubs on display - pineapple/mango, horchata, or hibiscus. I went with the pineapple/mango which was only $1.
Then Ricky went into action, frying up the ingredients and filling up the tortillas. Besides the fish/shrimp, there was cabbage and a tomato/onion blend stuffed in. There is a mini salsa bar where you can squirt your own items like crema (Mexican cream), salsa verde (green), salsa roja (red), and a spicy salsa.
Then I sat down at one of the 5 tables set up. I had to let my tacos cool down a bit as they were a little hot. And when I couldn't wait any longer, I grabbed one, angled my mouth, and took a bite. Mmmm. Yummy crunchy goodness. Totally worth burning my mouth. There's the crunchiness of the plump fish/shrimp, the coolness of the cabbage, the tangy salsa, and the creamy crema to balance it all out. It's messy but it's good. I followed with a sip of the mango/pineapple agua fresca. Nice.
I quickly finished all three tacos, trying to savor each bite rather unsuccessfully as everything tasted so good, I wolfed it all down.
I was ready to order another round when my wife and dietary coach told me that since I scarfed everything down in under 3 minutes, I should probably wait to see if my stomach felt full. Of course, she was right.
The only thing I didn't like was that the agua fresca was so good, I practically finished it in one gulp! But I can just buy another one - it's only a buck!.
I'm a huge fan of Tacos Baja Ensenada but hate driving so far (East LA, near Commerce) from the Westside. So when I'm feeling that hankering for a fish taco, and when my wife will let me, I'm heading over to Ricky's.
Good: cheap, yummy, fresh
Bad: I always want more than I should eat
