Few restaurants can claim to have started a nationwide food trend, but the Mission Bay Drive corridor is where Ralph Rubio opened his first walk-up taco stand in 1983 after discovering fish tacos on a college spring break trip to San Felipe, Mexico. Rubio's Coastal Grill is a Mexican and seafood restaurant at 4504 Mission Bay Dr., 92109, operating near that original Pacific Beach site. The City of San Diego declared April 5 "Ralph Rubio Day" in honor of the San Diego State University graduate's role in popularizing Baja-style fish tacos across the American Southwest. This location sits along the Mission Bay Dr. commercial strip with a free parking lot, outdoor seating, and a dog-friendly patio. Guests craving craft beer alongside their fish tacos can pair a visit with a stop at Pacific Beach AleHouse, just a short drive east on Garnet. The menu goes well beyond the signature Original Fish Taco to include grilled seafood plates, burritos, bowls, and a catering program that handles groups of all sizes. Happy hour food and drink specials run on weekday afternoons. The company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024 under new CEO Jeff Crivello, who has focused on value pricing and increased protein portions across the chain's remaining California, Arizona, and Nevada locations. Seafood lovers seeking a market-style experience will appreciate the fresh catch at The Fishery on Cass Street. This location opens at 10:30 a.m. most days, with extended Friday hours running to 10 p.m.