WAHOO’S at Beach and Warner in Huntington Beach.

By John Borack/Special to The Tribune

It has been said that not all chain restaurants are created equal: there are some that are mediocre at best (we’re looking at you, Applebee’s), others that are okay at specific times (Denny’s after 2 a.m.), and several that are just plain wonderful.

Wahoo’s Fish Taco falls into the final category.

Wahoo’s has been serving up tasty Mexican fare (with some Asian and Brazilian flavors tossed into the mix) in a fast-casual setting since 1988. They are sort of a “mini-chain,” with 28 locations in Southern California and a handful of others scattered in parts of Colorado and Nevada. (Should you ever find yourself lost in Middletown, New Jersey, there’s a lone Wahoo’s there, too.)

We recently visited the location near Beach Blvd. and Warner Ave. in Huntington Beach for an early dinner.

Wahoo’s specialties include burritos, tacos, enchiladas, salads, and bowls, with various types of protein available: chicken breast (mild or spicy), carnitas, grilled steak, wild- caught fish or salmon, sautéed shrimp, tofu, and veggies. They are perhaps best known for their fish tacos and unlike most of their competitors, their fish is grilled rather than fried. (In keeping with that healthy theme, Wahoo’s cooks their beans without lard or bacon fat, and the menu includes several vegetarian and vegan options.)

WAHOOS’S BOWL

One of the great things about Wahoo’s is their consistency: the quality of the grub is high no matter which restaurant you visit and it never varies from location to location. Being something of a creature of habit when it comes to dining at certain eateries, I opted for “the usual” on my latest visit — a Wahoo’s Bowl with spicy grilled fish, steamed white rice, and spicy Cajun white beans. (Note that neither the fish nor the beans are super spicy; they’re perfectly seasoned with tons of flavor. If you prefer, black beans and brown rice are alternate options.) 

  Make sure to belly up to the salsa bar and load up on the green sauce; it’s creamy, tasty, and it perfectly complements the white rice and the grilled fish. Another item that is a surprising “don’t miss” at Wahoo’s is the Maui onion rings — they’re not too greasy and the sweet batter is very flavorful. I alternate between dunking them in the green sauce and some ranch dressing.

With a varied, extensive menu and a relaxed, beach-oriented vibe with surfing, snowboarding and extreme sports videos on their TVs, Wahoo’s is an excellent, affordably-priced restaurant with something for everyone in the family. Their Huntington Beach locations are at 7891 Warner Ave. and 120 Main St..