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The seaside breezes and easy access to fresh seafood make San Diego an ideal hotspot for fish tacos. And nothing tastes better with an ocean view than perfectly seasoned fish wrapped in a tortilla with flavorful salsas and garnishes. It takes the right prep tools to craft the perfect tacos, though. And for a fish taco eatery to flourish, it must churn out excellent tacos day after day.
Read on to learn about seven helpful tools that San Diego fish taco spots rely on for excellent food!
1. Minimize Waste with a Flexible Fillet Knife
Restaurants run on slim margins. And that means finding ways to minimize waste is critical. That’s where a flexible fillet knife enters the picture as a must-have tool in all seafood kitchens. With this knife, cooks can clear off skin and move around bones to keep waste to a minimum. Commercial fillet knives have the durability to stand up to routine use in busy kitchens, so it’s important to opt for a knife that can tolerate high demand.
Thin blades are best, and they should be flexible. Make sure to choose a knife with a good grip that won’t slip when you’re handling it. From a maintenance standpoint, only hand-wash these knives to preserve their effectiveness. Make a point of honing the blade to avoid a dull tip, so you’re always making precise cuts. Whether you’re looking for top cutlery options or industrial tandoor ovens, Restaurant Supply is the best place to shop.
2. Invest in a Good Boning Knife
A boning knife is an essential tool for more delicate cuts. Choose one with a stiffer and shorter blade for better control. Just be sure to avoid a blade that is too thin, as it could be more prone to breaking. Keep it in a knife roll for protection when not in use. Turn to these knives to pull out pin bones, remove bloodlines, and handle any precise trimming needs.
3. Color-Code Your Cutting Boards
The last thing any restaurant kitchen wants to experience is cross-contamination. But when you’re busy chopping vegetables one minute and handling raw meat the next, it’s easy for problems to occur. Using color-coded cutting boards can help eliminate this problem. Simply assign a board color to your meats, fruits, or vegetables. For instance, green could be a logical choice for salad greens or other veggies, while white would make sense for dairy.
Choose boards made from certified plastics, so you don’t have lingering odors. Clean your boards frequently and replace them if you notice deep cuts. Scratches and grooves can attract bacteria and compromise safety. For the best eateries to thrive in San Diego, proper sanitization practices are critical.
4. Choose a Reliable Fish Scaler
A fish scaler is an essential tool for removing scales while preserving the flesh of a fish. And for restaurants working with local catches, it’s not reasonable to expect a prepped fish. Your cooks will need to do the scale removal manually. It’s smart to buy a scaler with a serrated edge and a comfortable grip. After using, make sure all staff members rinse the scaler promptly. That way, old scales won’t stick to the ridges or blades.
5. Add a Tortilla Warmer to Your Kitchen
Of course, the quality of the fish and how it’s been prepped matter a lot when it comes to fish tacos. But the shell, or taco tortilla, matters, too. If that tortilla is too brittle or stale, it can destroy the eating experience. That’s why tortilla warmers are magical tools in any fish hot spot’s kitchen. They can keep the tortillas warm and pliable before use.
Choose a lined warmer if you’re in a smaller, lower-volume kitchen. But if you’re serving lots of tacos from a larger kitchen, opt for an electric warmer. Just be sure to wash your warmer often so it doesn’t absorb odors. Wipe down all surfaces, as well.
6. Buy a Better Thermometer
Don’t risk overcooking your fish. Instead, invest in an instant-read thermometer for perfectly cooked fish. If your fish is cooked too long, it can be dry and chewy. On the other end of the spectrum, undercooked fish can bring health risks. Choose a thermometer that is waterproof and quick to display its readings. Check the calibration and clean your thermometer after each time it’s used.
7. Improve Your Presentation with Squeeze Bottles
Every fish taco hot spot will have a lineup of sauces. From crema to guac, sauces benefit from squeeze bottles to control portions and improve how your tacos look. Simple bottles with secure caps can help you artfully apply sauces to your latest creations. Label your bottles and wash them regularly to get the most from them.
Craft Better Tacos
Ultimately, fish tacos offer a delicious blend of simple ingredients. But how those ingredients are prepared and compiled makes a big difference. The right tools can ensure proper cooking temperatures and a cleaner presentation. They can also keep tortillas warmer and kitchens safer. In a city like San Diego, customers demand and deserve the best culinary experiences, and the right tools will deliver the best results.
