Casca What? Casca You!

It's been a while folks, I know. Tickle has been quite busy working, schooling and traveling leaving little time for fish taco reporting. Good news, though, Tickle is back and ready to tickle you silly!

On a recent rainy March evening, I trekked to a neighborhood I typically don't have any business venturing to. No, it's not the type of neighborhood that is a bit sketchy or dangerous. Not at all, actually. In fact, this neighborhood is the beacon of all things that are, as New York Magazine puts, "safe, charming, green, and beautiful". In Tickle's view, however, the Upper East Side is a relatively culture-less neighborhood littered with douchey pubs, snooty folks, and bad restaurants - no offense to anyone who lives there, as it's not about you, it's about your hood. Well, except for the amazing museums, Central Park, and stellar architecture, there would be no reason whatsoever to go to the UES...until now. That rainy March evening took me to one of NYC's newest and hippest taquerias, Cascabel.

I wasn't sure what to expect given that it was situated in the UES, but I gave it a chance and lugged a few of my peeps along for the ride. Situated in a block void of good food options, Cascabel is a welcome site not only for fish taco lovers, but food lovers, in general. The place is tiny, but cozy. A series of tables line up each side of the restaurant, probably 7 or 8 in all. There are bar stools against the front window, and another bar area that also serves as a register counter in the back of the joint. In the very middle of the dining room you'll find an awkwardly situated condiment/silverware/napkin island and a long line of people waiting to place a food order. Cascabel calls themselves a "counter-casual spot", which simply refers to the line of peeps waiting to order. Again, very cramped, but truly endearing and "city".

The most eye-catching aspect of Cascabel is its theme, lucha libre. The walls are filled with pictures and life-size paintings of luchadores. I like it lots. I know, I know, this theme is popping up more and more, but I really dig the Cascabel feel, and, in any case, similar lucha-themed joints that shall remain nameless (ahem, La Lucha) don't offer fish tacos. Speaking of fish tacos...

The Cascabel fish tacos are the most intriguing and creative I've had thus far. If you know Tickle, this says a whole damn lot. First, they bypass traditional white fish altogether. Indeed, no tilapia, no mahi-mahi, no halibut, no sole, no cod, no nothing. Nope, Cascabel gives a big a big "F You" to the white fish and, instead, uses yellow fin tuna belly that is fried to crispy perfection! The tuna does not overpower the taco nor is it too heavy. They use very yummy corn tortillas, which may or may not be made in-house (the website doesn't officially confirm my assumption). Throw in hearts of palm, olives, and onion and you have yourself the most amazing untraditional, Mediterranean-infused fish taco in New York City. Again, that's says a lot. My only gripe with the Cascabel fish taco was the lack of a sauce to top it off. It needed it. Cascabel does provide there own sauces that (via that cramped island), according to their website, are "made to complement" the food they serve. Maybe next time I'll play around with these sauces, but I like for chefs to do to the work.

Tuna belly fish tacos!

One more picture, please!

Blue crab corn fritters = appetizer



Cascabel's menu

Napkin holder = cool

Should you find yourself at one of the many great museums located on the Upper East Side or merely craving a tasty fish taco, please venture over to Cascabel. You will not regret it...even if you do run into an army of UGG-wearing chicas, like, chatting loudly on their, like, newly acquired smartphones. 

Tickle gives Cascabel 4 out of 5 Tickles (sauce would have made it 4.5)!!