Introduction

Let me start by saying I am by no means a foodie.  I like food, I eat food, I can make edible food, but I am not a foodie.  However, a podcast piece last year about a man who sought to find the best pizza slice in NYC (link for those that are curious) struck a chord. It seemed like a fun way to make going out to eat a more purposeful affair, and being an engineer, the whittling away of many options to one defined winner is just plain logical. The hook was set.

Problem is, Idaho is famous for one food; potatoes.  Which happen to be in like everything, yet nothing.  The main "defined" potato dishes would probably be sides, french fries and potato chips, neither of which are often particularly different from restaurant to restaurant.  In fact, I'd hazard that only maybe 5% of local restaurants do anything different than buying fries in bulk, frying them, and throwing on a bit of salt.  If we want to answer the question of "best french fries in Boise" I can do so right now; Boise Fry Company.  Variety, presentation, etc., hands down winner.  The fact that one of their restaurants shares a dining room with Guru Donuts is just gravy.  Pun intended?

So where to from there?  Pizza has been done, potatoes aren't really doable, so I pondered.  And googled.  And pontificated.  And made a taco joke with my daughter.  And there it was.  Tacos. Specifically fish tacos.  Unique enough that they are usually their own menu item, general enough that many local restaurants will have them.  Tour de fish taco genesis.  A few Facebook posts and more googling later and I had my initial list (dis one). Rev 1 has 56 restaurants, though I still have to confirm that some of them actually make fish tacos.  

Probably the first thing we need is ground rules.  Let's start with the social media and boring logistical side before we get into the fun stuff.

• This (blogspot) will be the primary home for content.  I don't need a Facebook page, because, well, I don't.  And no twitter.  Twitter can go straight to a restaurant that doesn't serve fish tacos.  I'm ok with Instagram though, so you can find that here if you'd like.
• I don't fully understand the laws surrounding the creative commons and using other peoples pictures.  Therefore, I'm just going to use my own.  Sorry this post is pictureless.  I haven't taken any yet.
• This is a project, not a charity.  I don't really need donations.  I suppose I'll take an order of fish tacos from a friendly restaurateur if they so desire, otherwise a high five will suffice.

And on to the actual ground rules of tour de fish tacos:

• If the restaurant offers tacos ala carte I will have two.  Unless I'm hungry, then I may have more.  Sides depend on what they offer.
• If the restaurant only offers tacos as an entree I will defer to their offered quantity and side dish.
• If a restaurant offers multiple kinds of fish I will have at least one of each. Note; some local places offer salmon tacos.  I don't like salmon.  They probably won't do well.  Such is the nature of the tour de fish taco.
• If a restaurant offers multiple preparations (grilled and fried) I will have at least one of each.  Let it be known that I think fried is the right way to do fish tacos. Again, nature and all that.
• My standard accompanying beverage will be Diet Coke.  Diet Pepsi is considered an appropriate substitute.  Water only if the other two aren't available.
• Restaurants must be in Boise proper, including Garden City (which is really not a city at all).  No Meridian, no Kuna, no Eagle, no Nampa.  Caldwell?  Ha.
• If a restaurant has multiple locations I will visit just one of them.
• Tacos will be judged on a set of categories, see the next list for specifics.  50 points total.
• I reserve the right to throw around bonus points as I please for whatever reason.  Chef accidentally lights his arm on fire while cooking my tacos? Possible bonus points.
• Should a tiebreaker be needed, I'll come up with it later.
• I will do my due diligence to get all restaurants that offer fish tacos in Boise onto the list and into the contest.  This includes any restaurants that open prior to the close of the contest.  I welcome public input here.

And finally, details on the judged categories:

• Presentation - Tacos in generic wrapper in unmarked paper bags - meh.  Tacos pleasantly arranged with appropriate garnishes - okay.  Tacos hovering above a tiny lake of tiny koi - BONUS POINTS.  Restaurant atmosphere falls into this category too.
• Aroma - Pretty self explanatory, better smelling = better scoring.  Nobody likes a stinky taco.
• Value - Good deal = good points.  Side dishes live here, a hefty portion of chips and salsa is a good deal.
• Fish - Flavor, texture, seasoning, preparation, etc.  
• Not fish - Everything that's part of the taco, but not fish.  Tortilla, veggies, sauce, all that.  Same as above, flavor, texture and so on.
• Overall Taste - How everything comes together for the party in my mouth that should always accompany fish tacos.
• Overall Overall - The 6 category scores added up.  Minimum 6, maximum 50. There will be ties, hopefully not for first.

List created, ground rules laid out, pretty much ready to go.  So let's do this, eh?