Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill Introduces Grilled Gourmet Tacos to Celebrate 25th Anniversary (Press Release)

The next generation of World Famous Tacos arrives at Rubio's.

-- Chain Leader, 7/23/2008 8:07:00 AM

CARLSBAD, Calif.-July 22, 2008--Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill(r) (Nasdaq: RUBO, news) announced today the world premiere of Grilled Gourmet Tacos at Rubio's(r) locations everywhere.  Starting 25 years ago with the introduction of their now World Famous Fish Tacos, Rubio's today has created the next generation of tacos in celebration of their 25th Anniversary.  Rubio's Grilled Gourmet Tacos offer the ultimate in flavor, decadence and quality.  Inspired by the flavors of Baja, these tacos are available with sirloin steak, garlic herb shrimp, Portobello mushrooms & poblano peppers, and grilled chicken, and they offer a truly unique flavor available only at Rubio's.

"You've never tasted tacos like these," says Ralph Rubio, co-founder and chairman, Rubio's Restaurants, Inc.  "Our Grilled Gourmet Tacos, with so many flavors and textures, remind me of how I fell in love with fish tacos twenty five years ago after just one bite.  They're that good."

Rubio's new Grilled Gourmet Tacos are a simple concept turned into an explosion of flavor, in four varieties:  Sirloin Steak, Garlic Herb Shrimp, Grilled Chicken, and Portobello Mushroom & Poblano Pepper.  Each taco is served on a warm corn tortilla with toasted cheese, slices of fresh Hass avocado, habenero citrus salsa, chipotle picante sauce, a blend of cilantro and onion, a sprinkle of cotija cheese, and on all but the Portobello & Poblano, a touch of bacon.  Each is garnished with a lime wedge.  It's a fiesta for your taste buds.  Grilled Gourmet Tacos are available a la carte or two on a plate served with black or pinto beans and chips.

These unique, intense flavors are only found at Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill.  The Grill Gourmet Tacos are available at most locations and include:

Grilled Gourmet Tacos*, served a la carte: 
Grilled Portobello & Poblano - $3.29
Grilled Chicken - $3.49
Sirloin Steak - $3.79
Garlic Herb Shrimp - $3.99

Grilled Gourmet Taco Plates*, served with 2 tacos, choice of pinto or black beans & chips:
Grilled Portobello & Poblano - $7.29
Grilled Chicken - $7.69
Sirloin Steak - $7.99
Garlic Herb Shrimp - $8.29
Any 2 Different Grilled Gourmet Tacos - $7.99

*Prices may vary and exclude tax.

About Rubio's(r) Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: RUBO)

Bold, distinctive, Baja-inspired food is the hallmark of Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill(r).  The first Rubio's was opened in 1983 in the Mission Bay community of San Diego by Ralph Rubio and his father, Ray Rubio.  Rubio's is credited with introducing fish tacos to Southern California and starting a phenomenon that has spread coast to coast.  In addition to chargrilled marinated chicken, lean carne asada steak, and slow-roasted pork carnitas, Rubio's menu features seafood items including grilled mahi mahi and shrimp. Guacamole and a variety of salsas and proprietary sauces are made from scratch daily, and Rubio's uses canola oil with zero grams trans fat per serving.  The menu includes tacos, burritos, salads and bowls, quesadillas, HealthMex(r) offerings which are lower in fat and calories, and domestic and imported beer in most locations. Each restaurant design is reminiscent of the relaxed, warm and inviting atmosphere of Baja California, a coastal state of Mexico.  Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Rubio's operates, licenses or franchises more than 180 restaurants in California, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Nevada. More information can be found at rubios.com.