Taco Summer: Cheesy, Bacon-Studded Gobernador Shrimp Tacos

Mariscos Ensenada may be better known for ceviche and micheladas, but their saucy shrimp taco studded with bacon and cheese are their sleeper hit.

By Shelby Moore

September 5, 2017

Mariscos Ensenada may be better known for ceviche and micheladas, but they also serve a warm and saucy shrimp taco studded with bacon and cheese, pictured on the left. On the right is a marlin taco served in a similar fashion. Shelby Moore

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2. Mariscos Ensenada

Taquería: Mariscos Ensenada, 2019 North 16th Street (with three other locations).
Open Since: 1994
Style: Mariscos
Signature Taco(s): El Gobernador, shrimp

Not all "mariscos" restaurants (restaurants specializing in seafood dishes found along Mexico’s lengthy coastlines) are created equal. One out of only a handful of truly great mariscos restaurants east of Central Avenue, Mariscos Ensenada is a casual little spot on 16th Street, between McDowell and Thomas roads.

The cheerful shop boasts blue-and-white checkered floors, a big plastic marlin on the wall, and a jukebox in the corner. It’s a good place to stop for a tostada topped with shrimp ceviche, and that's what most people go for, but we recommend also ordering a shrimp gobernador.

The gobernador is a taco stuffed with shrimp, bell peppers, tomato sauce, and plenty of oregano and paprika. Ensenada throws in a little bacon, too, and lines the grilled tortilla with cheese. The result is something like an amped-up shrimp quesadilla; rich, cheesy, smoky, and saucy.

Our Taco Summer picks so far:
50. Taqueria Don Beto
49. Kiss Pollos Estilo Sinaloa
48. Tacos Tijuana
47. El Burrito Grande
46. El Horseshoe Restaurant
45. Tacos Sahuaro
44. El Pollo Correteado
43. Adrian's
42. La Fiesta
41. Taqueria Lucy
40. Tortas Ahogadas George
39. Taqueria El Chino
38. Joe's Tacos
37. Taqueria El Gallo de Lagos
36. Tacos Huicho
35. Puffy Taco Shack
34. Ni De Aqui Ne De Alla
33. Mr. Mesquite
32. Senor Ozzy's
31. Tacos Jalisco
30. Ta'Carbon
29. Taqueria Los Yaquis
28: Helio Basin Brewing
27: Sonora Taco Shop
26: Mercado Y Carniceria Cuernavaca
25. Restaurant Atoyac Estilo Oaxaca
24. Paquime Street Food
23. The Rez
22. Asadero Toro
21. La Frontera 1
20. Taquería Yaqui
19. Presidio Cocina Mexicana
18. Mucha Lucha Taco Shop
17. Casa Reynoso
16. Backyard Taco
15. Taquitos Jalisco
14: Waldo's Tacos
13: Moreno's Mexican Grill
12: Asadero Norte De Sonora
11: Taqueria La Hacienda #1
10. Gadzooks
9. Tacos Chava
8. Tacos Kissi
7. Taqueria El Fundador
6. Cahuamanta El Yaqui
5. Tacos Chiwas
4. Gallo Blanco
3. El Pastorcito D.F.

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