Wahoo’s still going strong in Laguna

DINING OUT

Launched on Coast Highway in the spring of 1990, Wahoo’s Fish Taco

is a phenomenal restaurant success story.

In little more than a dozen years, it has come to encompass a

melange of busy locations in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego

and as far away as the state of Colorado.

The newest opens with great fanfare tomorrow, Nov. 30 in nearby

Irvine Spectrum.

The concept is the inspired creation of the enterprising Wing Lam,

son of highly successful restaurant parents, who operates the

conglomerate with two younger brothers.

Wahoo’s Fish Taco menu offers far more than these toothsome

treats, however. You’ll find enchiladas, taquitos, nachos,

quesadillas, burritos, combo platters and bountiful bowls. The latter

are plates piled high with flame broiled steak, pork, chicken, fish

or vegetables. Each is in a mound atop a heap of ahi rice and either

Brazilian savory black beans or spicy Cajun white beans with salsas

made daily.

Combo platters with the same tasty bean and rice selection offer

flame broiled fish, chicken or steak, blackened fish, chicken, savory

mushrooms or braised lean pork or vegetables. These are priced from

$3.95 for one taco or enchilada going to $6.75 for the kahuna burrito

with a taco or enchilada.

For the range of burritos, however, the ingredients are all

wrapped in a huge lard-free flour tortilla. Especially enticing is

the “wet” burrito coated in red enchilada sauce or a delicious green

roasted pepper cilantro with melted jack and cheddar cheeses.

These interesting flame broiled, blackened and braised fillings

also embellish a la carte burritos, soft tacos and enchiladas at a

nominal $1.85 to $3.70. Similar ingredients are teamed again for the

Wahoo sandwich, a $4.95 repast wrapped in a toasted roll.

Beginnings start at $1.25 for chips and salsa, which are freshly

prepared all day, and run to $3.50 for quesadillas, nachos, taquitos

and Baja rolls. These rolls are the little cold appetizers we often

savor at parties, flour tortillas spread with cream cheese, spinach,

chicken and salsa, rolled up, chilled and sliced into rounds.

Tortilla soup laden with chicken breast and fresh veggies is

$2.25, as is the garden salad laced with red cabbage, tomatoes,

cucumber, carrot and mushrooms with a side of vinaigrette, ranch or

garlicky fat-free roasted pepper cilantro dressing.

This casual local restaurant is alive with sports enthusiasts and

happy families who come for the friendly ambience as well as the

delicious “foods of the Baja coast, ingredients of the South Pacific

and staples of Brazil,” all so affordably priced the place is a

favorite for Laguna Beach High School students celebrating thespian

and sporting events.

Among other bargains here is the quartet of items on the kids

menu, each less than $3.

For the grown folk, a glass of chardonnay or merlot is only $2.95.

A “beer of the month” is touted for an unbeatable $1.25 per bottle, the Ono house ale $1.95 a mug.

As for dessert, would you believe a simple choice of cookies, ice

cream and brownies for 93 cents, $1.19 and $1.39 respectively?

Settle at any of the trio of multi-level indoor areas adorned with

funky surfer art downstairs, an enormous seascape upstairs, or relax

at one of the outdoor garden tables after placing your order at the

central desk.

Wahoo’s Fish Taco also offers three family-style party packages

for 10 to 100 guests at $5.60 to $7.30 per person.

For take-out, it is suggested you avoid any wait and call in your

order to go.

* GLORI FICKLING is a Laguna Beach resident who has been writing

restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be contacted at

494-4710 or e-mail ghoneywest@aol.com.