Word of Mouth: Madre’s Fish Tacos

By Travis Hill

A confession in the interest of journalistic integrity: I share a similar background with the Garrison family.

I moved out to the First Coast back in 2003, when housing costs for a poor, struggling journalist became just too much in the San Diego area. Seventeen years ago, Mark and Sylvia Garrison went through the exact same thing.

Despite all of SD’s glory, I can happily say that I love it out here. But northeast Florida always had one major drawback – the lack of a Cali-style taco shop. Mexican food out there is simply the best in the world. (I like to say that it’s even better than the Mexican you’ll find in Mexico.

So, I mope and while about it all the time. The Garrisons missed it too, but thankfully, they did something about it. Hence, Madre’s Fish Tacos, the best taco shop on the First Coast.

Located on Aviles Street in downtown, Madre’s is the perfect blend of First Coast family and SoCal recipes.

“Mark used to surf with the Reef Rats out in Del Mar when we lived out there,” said Sylvia. “We used to go from Del Mar all the way down through Baja eating at all the local vendors. So we always wanted to do something like that out here.”

They didn’t do it immediately. Locals will recognize Mark from his time bartending at Tradewinds and Sylvia from her time doing the same at the Holiday Inn on the beach. But with their three children all grown, Sylvia decided it was time.

“Mark’s done everything all of us in the family ever wanted to do,” she said. “And it was always Mark’s dream to open a place like this, so we just did it.”

And they have done it right. Their daughter Amber painted a series of surfboards through the years along one wall, and oldest son Mike pained the mermaid near the kitchen. They found a way to get all their food fresh every day, and Mark used all of his favorite recipes from his days out west.

That’s why the fish tacos are authentic and awesome. They come with a light beer batter, just enough sauce, and rice and beans. Perfect. If you’re into it, the guacamole is also fresh and very well done.

The carne asada is also spiced correctly, and the fish burrito is money. Combine that with one of their wide variety of beers (I highly recommend a Pacifico with a lime, but understand those who love their Modelo) and you have the perfect meal.

The food would keep me coming back even if the waitress punched me in the back, but the atmosphere the Garrisons have created is a wonderful bonus. Sylvia and Mark are thrilled to be working for themselves, and their laid-back, love-everybody attitude flows warmly through the building.

“We enjoy coming to work,” Sylvia said. “We are friends with a lot of people around town and they’re always coming by to have some food and hang out. And we take care of people, too. … We may not have a lot of money, but we have pride and respect.”

And they also have fish tacos that will take you back to Cali.

***

Madre’s Fish Tacos

8 Aviles Street

823-1371