Several trips to San Diego later, I’m still searching for a great fish taco in a region that should - the operative word being should - produce great seafood.

When my Castle Baron Boss Mark Nessmith suggested Rubio’s, I had high hopes. After all, the Baron knows food. Heck, he cannot even talk about a golfer choking without bringing up grub (see Chris DiMarco and the infamous pizza bone).

Rubio’s loomed as possible salvation. Sure, it’s a chain, but it began as a local chain, one that started out of what was essentially a glorified shack on Mission Bay in the mid 80s. Now Rubio’s can be found all over California and a few other Western states.

The one I went to was wedged in near a gas station on a busy intersection. Though it still did have the covered outdoor patio seating that Rubio’s is known for - and a nice mix of customers with families chomping down next to college kids. And the fish tacos …

Good, but not close to great. Not food you travel for like a cheesesteak from Geno’s in Philadelphia. Not close to the to-die-for fish tacos I’ve munched on in Cabo San Lucas or Palm Springs.

The “free” ones offered the turn of Cabo del Sol’s Ocean Course are almost worth the $250 greens fee just themselves. OK, that’s exaggerating, but only slightly. The fish tacos served at Indian Wells Country Club’s dining room are even better. Yes, fish tacos in the middle of the desert blow away anything in San Diego so far.

Now, Indian Wells is a private club, so getting to munch those fish tacos is not simple. But guests staying at the nearby Indian Wells Resort Hotel can play the great course at Indian Wells Country Club and get some of those fish tacos. I also must admit that I once just sauntered into Indian Wells’ dining room on another day when I wasn’t playing there and landed some tacos. Just act like you belong.

That’s when you know the fish tacos are incredible too. When you’re crashing the rich man’s room to get your fix.

I’m still holding out hope for San Diego though - albeit rapidly fading hope. Now that the Castle Baron’s Rubio’s pitch turned out to be a good suggestion, but let’s face it, still ultimately failed me, I’m turning to a much smarter resource: Our readers. If you know of a good fish taco place in greater San Diego, let me know.

Otherwise, Palm Springs holds fish taco props over you ocean dwellers.

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