Let’s taco ’bout it: Baja Taco Dudes brings the flavors of Ensanada to Washington County

ST. GEORGE — With a menu inspired by the authentic cuisine of Ensenada, Mexico, these taco aficionados are serving up a taste of coastal flavors.

Baja Taco Dudes specializes in Baja-style shrimp tacos, St. George, Utah, May 15, 2024 | Photo be Jessi Bang, St. George News

“I know it sounds kind of corny, but I truly make everything with love,” Baja Taco Dudes truck owner Fabiola Soto said. “Even if it’s just a simple fish and shrimp taco, we always try to figure out how we can make it better. We really just want people to enjoy it.”

Baja Taco Dudes takes a straightforward approach with their food truck, offering a concise menu that features shrimp and fish tacos, each battered and deep-fried to golden perfection. Catering to a variety of tastes, they’ve also crafted a potato taco filled with cheese and fried for those seeking a non-seafood option.

“I put the same toppings I put on our fish and shrimp tacos and people have loved it,” she said about the potato taco. “It really surprises people. Once they’ve had one, they come back over and over. It’s been one of our bestsellers.”

Recently, they added a deep-fried beef taquito to the mix. Everything in their food truck is fresh and made from scratch, something they take pride in, she said.

Baja Taco Dudes Owner Fabiola Soto smiles for the camera during the Wednesday Night Market in St. George, Utah, May 15, 2024 | Photo be Jessi Bang, St. George News

Originally from Southern California, Soto yearned for the distinctive flavors of the fish and shrimp tacos she grew accustomed to. Her husband’s passion for Baja racing and frequent visits to Ensenada, Mexico, intensified their longing for the authentic cuisine they found on the coast. Despite other local eateries in the St. George area offering fish tacos, nothing quite matched the allure of their beer-battered, Ensenada-style tacos, she said, which propelled them to start their own culinary venture.

“We love food,” she said. “We’re foodies. The love we have for fish and shrimp tacos, those are just some of our favorite foods, and we wanted to share our love for that with Southern Utah.”

On Oct. 18, 2023, Baja Taco rolled onto the scene, unveiling its Baja-inspired delights as it joined the grand opening of The Biscuit Bus at Katering Konceps. Since its inception, Baja Taco’s primary objective has been maintaining a simple menu. That simplicity has worked in their favor, Soto said, with visitors from all over the coast raving about their food and sharing their excitement to finally have a truck like Baja Taco Dudes in Washington County.

Soto’s lifelong passion for cooking began early, a love that blossomed in her childhood as she observed her mother preparing Mexican food in the family kitchen. As she grew up, she said crafting new recipes and welcoming feedback has been a source of anticipation and fulfillment. She enters a zone of creativity and focus when she’s in the kitchen.

Fish tacos by Baja Taco Dudes are pictured, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of Baja Taco Dudes on Instagram, St. George News

“Cooking for people, it just makes me really happy,” Soto said. “I feel like good food brings people together and it’s awesome. I love that feeling.”

Soto hopes that with each bite, patrons not only taste the flavors of Ensenada but also the warmth and passion poured into every dish. For Soto and her family, this venture isn’t just about tacos; it’s about sharing a piece of their heritage and spreading joy one taco at a time. They offer catering services and are ready to spice up any shindig or celebration. 

For more information on Baja Taco Dudes, including a full lineup of locations in real-time, follow them on Instagram. Catch the food truck at the Wednesday Market in the parking lot of Cotton & Rust Trading Co. from 5-9 p.m. and the St. George Downtown Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. 

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