On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Mon-Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Loading...
Two words. FISH TACOS!
They were so amazingly great I don't think I have ever found a place which made them so delicious...I'm drooling just thinking about it. I went with a few friends, and growing up in SF I can't believe I've never tried this place before...I wish there was more of a seating selection because this place gets packed.
I haven't tried anything else on the menu but hey I can live with just fish tacos, yeah they're just that damn good. You also need to try the habanero sauce if you want to get that zing! feeling on your tongue and lips. Also you need to make it "Nick's way" to make it complete :)
I've walked by this place dozens of times and never thought of going in...spent the day with friends and they recommended it for an early dinner...sooo happy they did!
I tried regular soft taco and crispy Nicks style...both were pretty good...
The indredients are fresh and tastey!
I would recommend this place for a fun evening..it also doubles as a bar after hours, so would could be better than hanging out with friends, eating good food and drinking a $3 margarita!
The one downside, i would say is the staff wasnt very friendly. The waiter came up and kind of threw our food on the table and left...
Other than that...very good
I've only had their pescado tacos "Nick's way," but they're so goddamn good I don't want to try anything else. You shouldn't go here for lunch every day unless you're looking for cardiovascular trauma, but on the occasion you're craving a delicious fried, crunchy, taco piled high with guacamole and whatever sauce is in there, go here. Yep, go taco pile yourself into fried food happiness at Nick's.
p.s.- the atmosphere is unique in a tacky way- do yourself a favor and don't go clubbing here. And if you do, you probably shouldn't admit to it.
Oh, Nick... I can not deny that your food is delicious. Your Nick's way tacos, of all meat options, are some of the better things to ever visit my mouthhole. Your salsas are grade A, and your food is good enough to make it worth standing in the usual line that forms outside.
That being said, your prices are criminal, and your staff is rude and unhelpful. Without fail, they throw our entire order in a bag after I request it be separated. Nick, there are these people called vegetarians who don't appreciate their food soaked in meat juice. There are also people who don't eat pork and would rather not have the juice from your (delicious) carnitas on their hands.
Without exaggeration, I request the separation of our order every time I call, and it hasn't happened once. This is not just bad service, it's offensive. Almost as offensive as the cost of your food.
Nick, I love the tacos, but please stop smoking crack. It's affecting your business.
In case you've ever wondered what would happen if a taco bar and cocktail lounge mated you would have your answer after visiting Nick's Crispy Tacos. At first it was a bit hard for me to wrap my arms around the joint, but after standing in line for a very long time it all started to grow on me.
I had a Carne Asada taco and Pescado taco... both prepared "Nick's way". Nick's way is a crispy shell with cheese and grauc. The carne asada was just okay. For me the meat needed more of "kick" to bring out the flavor. However there was a lot of meat and good stuff in my taco. On the other hand the pescado was absolutely purrrrrrrfect. The fish was fried nice and crispy and very tasty. And all the fixings just enhanced the whole experience of every bite.
I love the vibe of this place... its cool with the red velvet high back cocktail tables (be warned if you are a germ phobe you won't find the red velvet enjoyable, it has seen better days) and the steady stream of people ordering made me excited even before I had my first bite.
People thought this was:
From sacramento, and looking for great mexican food. Got the veggie taco's, the guacamole was worth it, best I've ever had.
plus awesome beer prices,
EXCELLENT TACOS. I've had these before at the Taco Shop, but I love the idea of them being $2 and also totally worth my time. When I went we had to wait in line, but it went by really fast and our tacos came out super quick. The kind of service I like, and the kind of tacos I adore. This is now where I may stop all the time for Taco Tuesday. Like first. And maybe last, just to end the night on a bang.
Solid tacos and mexican food in a neighborhood where you don't expect it. Unlike many taquerias, they serve beer, which is a plus. The food is better than it has to be.
Any taqueria that can morph into a nightclub when evening comes gets major props in my book.
Nick's Crispy Taco Tuesdays are definitely worth the $2 dollars and the wait. I had the vegetarian ones (Guac, pinto beans, onions, cabbage, corn, salsa - maybe more) and they were great - possibly better then homemade!!! Also the $3 dollar beer specials make them that much better. I had 2 tacos, and 2 beers and was satisfied!
only downfall - its crowded and seating is difficult to find, but that's expected so either arrive early or be willing to eat standing :)
People thought this was:
i don't know if these are the best fried tacos (pescado) i've had...they are decent though. the quality of the fish fillet is great, but the batter is a little bit bland for my taste. i doused my tacos with lime and the red hot sauce to add more flavor. don't wait too long to eat these, they get soggy very quickly!
the nachos were blah. chips with some nacho cheese and salsa on top. i wouldn't recommend ordering these.
be prepared to eat in a night club kinda atmosphere. nick's crispy tacos is inside rouge (night club). kinda strange eating tacos on the same bar top i danced on...way back when!
Love the decor, food and drinks! Maybe not the most authentic Mexican joint in the city, but if you're looking for a fun delicious place to meet friends for food and or drinks, this place is great!
$2 Tacos & $3 margaritas are perfect during out state of economy.
I had never heard/been here before and was had no idea that they restaurant expands into the club I had checked out once during college (Rouge). Like previous reviews mentioned, the place gets packed so best to get there during the earlier portion of happy hour if you want to snag a seat. I had been craving for nachos for a few days so I ordered that and skipped on the cheap tacos (although they looked alright, and a decent size considering they are only $2). The nachos were great...fresh crisp tortilla chips piled high with salsa, grilled chicken, cheese, and guac. It was a little over $6 but well worth it. It totally satisfied my craving.
We were served by Eva Mendes' dead ringer. Seriously...she could be her double in the movies. My friend couldn't help herself from complimenting the bartender. Eva Mendes' twin was cool =)
People thought this was:
Between every bite I couldn't stop commenting on how awesome the pescado burrito tasted. Seriously good! I gave it 5 stars due to that damn burrito being so tasty, but the place had some things that were a little off when giving overall reviews.
First, the atmosphere was...how should I say...unique? I'm not sure how to describe it. It just felt uncomfortable. The price was on the high side for a burrito, but matched the quality of the food. If price is a big issue, you might take away a star. Take the same food, put it in a nicer place to eat with waiter service, and the cost is completely justified.
I told the guy at the bar, which is where you order, that it was my first time to Nick's and he gave a great recommendation along with some free chips with salsa and guacamole. That was really nice of him and the "enhanced chips" were some of the best I've had. I have every intention to go back and try more from their menu. What kills me is that I just found this place.
Tasty treats that are super satisfying after a nice run. Loved the tip to order Nick's style but was bummed at the price difference. You do get a lot of guac for that dollar fitty but it really adds up. Our 5 tacos and juices were over 30. I usually like to spend 15 max at taquerias for 2.
I will go back, especially because the salsa is not terrible AND in squeeze bottles for condiment junkies like me. I think I will go less hungry and order less tacos so that I can stay in my comfort zone.
People thought this was:
Fish burritos definitely recommended.
Dos Equis 2 for $5 happy hours.
A perfect combo.
I've been here three time. The first two times were delightful and I truly enjoyed the excellent burritos.
The third time I had their carne asada breakfast burrito and I got food poisoning. I hope this was just a fluke, but hard to say.
Went there for lunch on a Sat. Had a carnitas taco and a pollo asada taco nick's way. They were great. Really delicious. The only problem I had with the place was that it smelled like barf in there. Someone must have had a crazy night the night before. They should have at least cleaned the place up a little better to get rid of the smell. I'm sure it doesn't always smell like that in there, or does it?
Here, you need to order from the counter and take a number, place the number on your table, and when the food is done, a server will bring it to you. Call it halfway service if you will? We got:
Pescada Taco (Nick's Way)- Baja Style Fried Fish in a Corn Tortilla w/ Salsa, Mayo, Cilantro, Cabbage and Onions. ($4.90)
Pollo Taco (Nick's Way)- Chicken in a Corn Tortilla w/ Pico de Gallo and Pinto Beans. $4.20
Carne Asada Quesadilla (Con Todo)- Grilled Steak Wrapped in a Crispy Tortilla w/ Pico de Gallo and Jack Cheese. $7.45
Carne Asada Taco (Nicks Way)- Grilled Steak in a Corn Tortilla w/ Pico de Gallo and Pinto Beans. $4.20
Grilled Fish Taco (Nick's Way)- Fish in a Corn Tortilla w/ Tomatillo, Pico de Gallo, Cilantro, Cabbage and Onions. $4.90
*Nick's Way= Add crispy taco, jack cheese and guacamole
*Con Todo= Add sour cream, queso and guacamole
1 Lg Coke $1.75
1 Lg House Iced Tea $1.50
1 Lg Strawberry Agua Fresca $ $2.75
Total: $35 before tips.
To all those who love Nick's Tacos, sorry, but I did not like anything here. I thought the décor was cheesy, the tacos were plain with too much beans and guac and little meat, and the carne asada quesadilla were too greasy.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
People thought this was:
this it the kind of place bourdain would be down on. $4 individual tacos (nick's way price) which have lost their way from their true authentic brethren. but there's no denying the pescado is very tasty. what distinguishes these crispy tacos is that they are very light on the crisping.
the outer soft tortilla is partially crisped just perfectly, and the large juicy fish piece is very lightly battered and thus not too fried. of course, the additives like mayo based baja style cabbage only enhance the flavor
the carne asada with cheese and guacamole also are nice
thus i think i can do these crispy tacos (usually i don't like crispy ones)
tacos are large
agua fresca heavy in pulp.
the decor of the bar during the day time makes one feel like those times when clubs close and turn on the "ugly lights"
People thought this was:
holy crap, the pescado (i.e., "fish" for all of you who failed Intro to Spanish) tacos ordered "nick's way" (i.e., "crispy" for all you nick's virgins) here are amazing. no wonder they're on 7x7's top 100 list of 'must eats' in sf. these tacos are perfectly crispy, flavorful, and oh-so-addictive. the bad boys come with two crispy tortillas, battered fish, guacamole, salsa, mayo, cilantro, cabbage, and quite possibly crack. they're a bit expensive at just under $5 each, and believe me, you'll still be hungry even after eating two. but don't let the price deter you, you're paying for some gourmet mexican food like you've never had before.
while the pescado tacos are incredible, unfortunately, the rest of the menu is a bit of a miss. the carne asada tacos are not quite as good as those you'll find at a taco truck in the mission, and in no way worth double the price. the quesadillas are pretty good, but a far cry from the heavenly 'super suiza' at el farolito. and i swear that the nachos taste a wee bit like kitchen sink water. not to mention, the ambiance of this place is a bit strange. although rouge is a respectable night club after hours, it looks a bit cheap and dingy with all the lights on.
oh well, the fish tacos alone are worth the four stars. definitely give 'em a try if you haven't already!
People thought this was:
Taco Tuesday! Good to go early eve. Specials on featured items like cheese quesadilla's, tacos and margarita's. This place has awesome Baja (pescado) fish tacos. I am addicted. Also like the beef quesadilla's that are light, crispy and flavorful. They use Niman Ranch beef (grass fed & hormone free).
Tasty Margarita's. On weekends there is a full bar which is part of the night club (Rouge), if you want to party afterward. Bourgeoisie decor, red velvet colors, large funky booths and swanky chandeliers. Definitely festive. Expect to stand in line for this popular place.The line moves fast and so does the seating. You have to be running back to grab a seat, but it's worth it. If you come with a large party, it will be a HUGE challenge to get a table. Especially on weekends. Not so bad on weekdays. Expensive? No way! This is not Park Place of Mexican Cuisine. It has median prices.
Location has notorious night club history. I partied here a long, long time ago. Once called Johnny Love's I attended a Guess fashion show here and saw Lucas and Spielberg in a booth.(Surreal) Who knew it would turn into a taco stand. So weird...
Went to Nick's for the first time last Friday evening - ordered the nachos with chicken, and it was absolutely disgusting. Cold chicken bits over chips covered in what looked and tasted like store-bought nacho cheese out of a jar. Honestly, gross. This review is solely based on the nachos - haven't yet tried their highly spoken about tacos.
I wandered in here at about 930, hungry so I wasn't expecting too much anyway. Stuck out in Russian Hill, it was between this place or the little Thai place across the street. Neither jumped out, but I figured. you can't mess up Mexican really.
Oh wait Vince, you're not in LA anymore. Because in the bay, they are very liable to mess up your buzz with a crappy excuse for mexican. The tacos are somewhere around 3.50 each, not cheap. Pay about a buck extra for Nicks Way which has cheese and guac. But the thing that got me the most is that their tacos (unless you say otherwise) is filled with beans!. Been to Mexico, TJ, SD, ELA, that's a quick way to bastardize the whole experience. The meats were not particularly tasty either. We were only saved by the late night happy hour at the bar. See Rouge Nightclub.
Would not recommend this place really at all.
If you're not paying attention, you'll think you just walked into Club Rouge! But hidden off the side, you'll find Nick's Crispy Tacos.
Their carnitas tacos were pretty tasty, although I have had better. But their best taco is the baja-style fish tacos. Two corn tortillas, a big fat piece of fish battered and fried to perfection, coleslaw, avocado and salsa. Not much more can be better than that. Even after eating my two tacos, licking my fingers, and eating all the pieces that fell on my plate, I was wanting more. Absolutely delicious!
The location is ok, although it draws some of the douchey customers from nightclub. Parking in the area can be challenging, but definitely try out the tacos from this place if you're in the area.
People thought this was:
NIck's introduced me to fish tacos and I will never turn back.
The only good thing at this place is their pescado tacos.....and their crispy tortilla chips.
Fish fish fish.
not carnitas.
not carne asada.
FISH.
only.
with the green and the red sauce to top it off.
don't order a drink, they have free water.
if you want good cheap horchata head to the mission.
I firmly believe that a good taco has healing powers that lesser opiates like psychoanalysis and tranquilizers could never hope to attain. Hell, even a bad taco can turn your day around. So when in a sourpuss mood the other day, the Mr. and I decided to go ahead and try this trendy place, in a part of town we spend no time in, adjacent to a bar I had proudly never walked into.
And we learned that these tacos kick ASS. My shrimp taco was stuffed with large, juicy prawns and -- since I got it Nick's way - generously blanketed in fresh, flavorful guacamole, all gently nestled in one crispy and then one soft tortilla.
Eating in Johnny Love's or whatever it is now was a mistake. Most bars are not pretty during the day, but seeing this place in the sunlight was like seeing a hooker doing her grocery shopping. Everything is made of spray painted plywood, and the matted velvet on the booths will leave you wondering, "What is that?" As your mind runs through the options, your taco enjoyment will be interrupted. Next time, I'm taking this gorgeous little sedative on the road.
People thought this was:
Wait did I just walk into Club Rouge?
My boyfriend totally hyped up the tacos. I either had to decide if they were good as he said they were or was he just making them more than they were?
He ordered two carne asada tacos which featured a soft and hard shell. Beans, cilantro, tomatoes and guacamole just piled with ooey-gooey goodness. Every bite was delicious and sauces he suggested only made each bite as delicious as the next. The best part? Not feeling gross or in regret. Definitely have a new taco place to go to in the city for delicious tacos.
People thought this was:
This place sucks because
1) cheesy decor
2) sorta awkward location in the city
3) totally non-authentic food
HOWEVER.....
I stop here when I can (often when Im heading to/from the GG bridge) and make a special effort to get here on $2 Taco Tuesdays. I like cheap.
The fish tacos are just about all I eat here. Do not like their carnitas. Their salsas arent amazing, but they seem tailor-made for the fried fish tacos.
I'm Mexican and can honestly say the food here is inauthentic (tacos should not be fried or even this large, or have beans; get tacos de cabeza at tonayense, thats closer to what you'd get in mexico).
The fish tacos are more LA than Mexico. But thats ok, I dont *really* discriminate, as long as its tasty.
And they are. So so so crispy-greasy-creamy-fantabulous. 5 stars for scratching that baja fish taco itch.
PS) Skip the horchata, that sucks too.
My heart skips a beat when I think about this place, but that's probably because after two Nick's style fish tacos my arteries start to protest. But, alas, Taco Tuesdays here are too good to pass up - humongous tacos with battered fish, slaw, and a plop of avocado. 2 for $5 Coronas and you're set, my friend.
Cons: parking - grrr! You end up eating your tasty, messy meal standing up because it's so packed. Taqueria-cum-nightclub/bar attracts a hodgepodge of patrons, which can make the ambiance festive or chaotic. On Tuesdays, I'd say mostly chaotic, so if you can spring for the extra few bucks, go on another day.
People thought this was:
people who think this place is expensive need to move away from san francisco. actually, just move out of california. seriously. this place is cheap. you are retarded if you think otherwise.
there is mayonnaise on the fish tacos and i don't think i need to say much more about that. $15 pitchers of margaritas and delicious chips with guacamole. sure the crowd is a bit douchey and i got a lot of dirty looks from girls who try too hard and the table situation is a bit stressful, but the food is outstanding, the staff have the patience of saints, and i will definitely be back.
People thought this was:
NOM NOM NOM. Whatever you end up getting, I insist you get it Nick's Way. YUMMM.
also.. the chips = fabuloso
margaritas too :)
People thought this was:
I was totally pleasantly surprised by this place, being located where it is and all....
Not that I think good taquerias are solely in the mission, as in my experience there is a lot of average type stuff over there as well. I prefer the excelsior for my burrito and taco fix usually, but I digress......
Anyway stumbled into this place as was in the neighborhood looking at apartments. I didn't really like the apartment I'd checked out, but eating here, I was thinking "but if I rented that place I could hang out here a lot", it kind of made me think more highly of the apt than I really did. Anyway, I'd been out of town for a few months for work, and this was my first day back. I wanted mexican food, obviously! I walked in and it looked totally cool, red velvet booths, a full bar in the middle, pretty big- not like your average mexican place- all all!! Plus they use nieman ranch meats, line-caught seafood, etc. I like this, as usually at mission and excelsior places I order fish or vegetarian stuff only as I have a serious aversion to dodgy cheap meat on all levels.
I got a grilled fish taco (they also have baja style fried fish ones) with rice and black beans on the side. It was a little pricier than other neighborhoods (this is to be expected), however the portions of rice and black beans were extremely generous! The grilled fish taco was yummy, and a lot of fish was given. Everyone in this place looked happy, and was lounging enjoying it- not like a rush and leave vibe you get at most other mexican places. You could easily spend many hours here, especially with full bar.
Where it loses a point for me is that they charge for chips- I mean come on, really? On one hand it is kind of a good thing as you end up not having that super full post-mexican food coma you can get after you scarf an entire basket of chips plus your main meal. On the other hand it's just kind of cheap and tacky, especially at the prices they charge for their food. Also, no salsa and condiment bar. They give you three salsas on your table, but none of them had the wow factor, at all. Nope, totally average- which in this town should not cut it. It just doesn't cut it. They need better salsas, more variety, and a condiment bar with fresh limes, pickled veggies, etc. My fish taco would have been much happier with several more limes worth of juice.
But overall dig the place and will come back for some of their specials.
One of the best fish tacos I've had outside of Baja Mexico. The fish is crispy, light, and fresh. Huge too. A bit pricey, almost $4 for one. But it is completely worth it. The chips and salsa is excellent too. Fresh and guacamole on top of crispy fried chips. The location is weird...a little taco stand in the corner of a bar/lounge. But who cares, you're there for the tacos.
If you like it spicy, ask for the spicy sauce...it's not on the table. I believe it's a habanero based sauce.
Utterly brilliant. Great food everywhere on the menu and reasonably priced. And you can eat it and get completely hammered with Tequilas of all sorts and Mexican beer in the symbiotic drinkerie next door. In fact, the eating and drinking are more conjoined than symbiotic. The plush seating has a kind of soaked in last night at the boozer smell that reminds me of home. Ahh, home. Guadalajara and Southend twinned? Watch this space...
The setting is interesting...nightclub at night apparently.
Food is overpriced and just ok. Ordered 2 Pescado Tacos, 1 Pollo Asado, 1 Carne Asada and chips and salsa. The guac is barely passable and the pico does not go well with the tacos. Scooped out the pico from my carne asada taco and it tasted much better. The fish tacos were ok. They were really oily and heavy. Also, mayo on a taco is a travesty...meh.
Oh well. Glad I tried Nick's but I guess it is not my cup o' tea.
after a long time away, nick and i are re-acquainted and are having a hot affair. sure the booths seem a wee seedy but the food is always solid.
this place is hopping. maybe it's the dire economy, maybe it's the football games on the screens at rouge, and maybe it's just the darn good tacos that draws people in.
i'm addicted to the strawberry drink but the watermelon is a close second. so nice and refreshing while downing two pollo asadas nick's way plus a dollop of sour cream. with $3 nacho mondays and $2 tacos tuesdays it's cheap and quick.
even years later, nick and i are still going on strong.
People thought this was:
what's with the facination of cheap tacos and ordering your own food and finding your own place to… Read more »
I agree with the majority of these yelpers that the best were the pescado tacos!! But you must order them "Nick's way." The steak ones were sort of dry, so were the grilled salmon ones. Anyway, MUST try the fish tacos!!! they are definitely worth the price, not like you will eat them everyday anyway.
This place is AWESOME. You walk in and on the right is where to order they do have a bar as well. From what I understand it is a night club at night as well. Dancing and tacos??????? Chips and salsa with guacamole are outstanding. I usually judge a place by the chips and salsa well they have done it. I ordered 2 carne asada tacos which is plenty. They were juicy, with a good helping of verde salsa, not hot and very good.
Ahhh...the warm afterglow of a Nick's crispy pescado taco and a beer. The essence of life. (obviously I have no life).
People thought this was:
Research indicates that Nick's is the place for taco's (over 900 reviews) and especially fish… Read more »
There is no way I will give this place a 5 star..I give it a 3.5 star.
I was suprise at how high the rating was, so i decided to come here. I was a little disappointed at first. I had no idea this place was in a club..the atmosphere was a little big weird...Well i had the Carne Asada and overall it was good. Everything tasted fresh. I was just a little disappointed i thought it would of been something like wow..
And cash only. There's a ATM right in front of the register..
People thought this was:
Orinda, CA
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset
Category: Sports Bars
Neighborhood: Mission
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
Category: Mexican
These are some of the places I've been to, Good…
I'm inspired by http://Burritophile.com and a…
On a budget? Try out these places that are…
Institutions that you'd be hard-pressed to find…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
From one end to the other, exploring the new…
Some thoughts about San Francisco's favorite…
I like to eat. Here's a list of some of my…
