Taco Riendo, friendly staff, delicious fish tacos in Ensenada

Ensenada is known for many things, but perhaps its best known for fish tacos. If you're in the mood for a delicious seafood taco, Taco Riendo, located across from the Mercado de Mariscos, is the place to go.

Taco Riendo is one of several small fish restaurants that are across the alley from the fish market. It faces the alley and is completely open to the alley, with a metal door that is rolled down when the business is closed. Like the other restaurants, the hours vary according to the season, the demand and the supply of fresh fish. However if they run out, it's a 20-meter walk to the fish market to purchase additional fresh fish!

Left: Taco Riendo, as seen from the fish market. Right: Our charming hostess and cook at Taco Riendo.

The first thing that I noticed about Taco Riendo is the help, particularly the waitress. She is cute, in an innocent kind of way. Her smile is contagious and her outgoing personality makes you feel at home. The girl who cooks, although much more reserved, is stunningly beautiful. The waiter, Jose, is a real character, as he main interest seems to be admiring himself in the mirror and flirting with potential customers.

Left Inside Taco Riendo and our waiter looks at his image in the mirror. Right: The staff at Taco Riendo. Our waiter spent quite a bit of time looking at himself in the mirror and was very happy to pose for the photo.

When she's not busy, the cute waitress likes to stand outside the restaurant and people-watch. I also noticed that she's not above flirting with the guys, however she and the flirtatious waiter don't seem interested in each other.

I walked up to the counter/kitchen, to the right and placed my order with the waitress for a fish taco and a shrimp taco, and grabbed a Tecate from the glass case. Within a couple of minutes, my order was ready. Next, I headed over to the condiment table, and spooned creamy guacamole, cabbage, onions and red salsa on my tacos. Taco Riendo features two varieties of red salsa and one type of green salsa, all made -in house. Then, it was taco-time. Oh yes, eating a fish taco at Taco Riendo is like eating a slice of heaven!

Left: The menu is displayed outside. Right: A shrimp and a fish taco, a taste of pure heaven.

If you prefer to dine outside, Riendo has a small, enclosed patio. Or if you like heights, there's a flight of stairs above the kitchen that will take you to the second story, which is completely open to the street.

In a word, I'd describe the atnosphere at Taco Riendo as "fun." The seafood tacos are excellent, the service is fast and the help is entertaining. When you're visiting Ensenada, stop by Taco Riendo for a fun time and some good tacos.

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