This spot initially suffered from startup woes, but is now on our "A" list. Wonderful fresh seafood prepared well, cold beer, excellent prices, nice people, and Big John overlooking it all.
dj t.
My fav fish place but it has been closed for awhile! WArning, call be4 U go. I keep checking in with tiptop as no one answers @ top chocice. l Nots sure why they are still showing open on their website as a wasted drive:( I was told no employees:(
J T.
The freshest fish and better prices than anyplace out there. The fish tacos are really cheap and fantastic. The fillets are the best you can get anywhere in San Diego unless you catch it yourself.
Peggy B.
So sad to come here and discover that they are closed for at least 3 months!! We love their fish and chips and mussels. Hope they will re-open soon.
The T.
Been coming here for about a year until I got sick on the Atlantic Salmon. Called the store the next day and they basically said to bad for you. I asked for a refund and they again said to bad for you. This place is not what it use to be. Management is terrible, inconsiderate and rude, The fish quality went from good to very bad. I recommend you don't eat here. Go to Pellys down the street. Way better
Kristi K.
If you've just enjoyed a great day at the beach and want excellent seafood in an informal atmosphere, at a great value- this is the place! With $2 fish tacos and all their shellfish fresh every day, you really can't beat it. Next door there is also a European supermarket where you can grab a German bear to add to your feast. Enjoy!!
Scott T.
Business operating during the pandemic, "thank you" Review #42 I'm not old enough to have first person memories of a time (as David Foster Wallace reminds us in his essay Consider the Lobster) in Colonial-era America when lobsters were considered a "garbage meat fit only for the indigent, indentured, and incarcerated." but I am old enough to remember when seafood in general (and fish in particular) was an inexpensive, alternative protein. then again, I paid $25 bucks for a burger at the Bourbon Burger Bar in Del Mar. I guess Dylan was right: the times really are a-changin' ... I was next door at Top Choice Fish's sister store, Tip Top Meat, buying a piggy leg for Crispy Pata, and stopped to check 'em out. wound up buying some NORWEGIAN HALIBUT for ceviche. great selection, including live tanks. friendly service. fried up a batch of fresh tortilla chips and enjoyed the ceviche on the portico with Max, Luna, and a cold cerveza. what a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon watching the world go by. even the dogs thought so, and they only had jerky strips. life is good.
Sue C.
The fried fish was very doughy and soggy. So disappointed. Had to pull the dough off the fish, batter was so thick and soggy. Where did they get this batter recipe? Yuck! I was so disappointed The shrimp cocktail was awesome.
Jim E.
So it's been a few years since my last review here. Yes I've been back several times but thought I'd give a current one. So same great fish& chips. I get it with coleslaw as it's better than most places, they give you a lot like the fish. Always 4-5 pieces. I always recommend hitting up this place of Ranch Market ( located 75ft away from this place) and drive over the freeway to eat with a epic ocean view. BTW, don't feed the seagulls so or squirrels no matter what they say!
darrin a.
If you are looking for fresh,good cooked fish,stay away from here!We drove from Escondido yesterday,and wanted to order something to eat.My son wanted fish tacos,and I was going to order fish and chips.It was close to 5:30,and we were looking at the menu,and the cashier told us to hurry,that they closed at 5:30...A little early?As we were ordering the food,the cook kept looking at her phone,and that should have been our sign.They were out of fish and chips,go figure,and my son ordered 3 tacos,and the cashier and cook proceeded to get in an argument about them being done cooking,and she angrily threw the fish on the grill,and kept arguing that she should not be cooking.She probably makes more money on eun-employment.The tacos were un-edible,I endedup taking the family(We had ordered food from tip top,same owners,which was horrible also)to get something else to eat,after spending 50 bucks between the two places.So many fresh fish options,no idea how this place could survive with attitude,service,and quality of food being what it is
I've visited on many occasions when staying in the area. So nice to have a local seafood shop where the fish is ultra fresh and delicious, and the staff are so helpful. I go to buy fish to prepare for dinner, and every choice has been excellent. The steelhead trout is so delicious. We broil it lightly, but one of the guys suggested that grilling it is also very tasty. For New Year's Eve I bought some of the frozen clams from the freezer section, which were surprisingly some of the best I've ever had (even in New England). They were perfect to share as an appetizer, followed by their Icelandic cod prepared with olives from a mediterranean recipe. Delish! I look forward to trying the fresh clams, lobsters, and other fish.
David N.
Wow wow wow. Just was a good place. I got the mussels assuming it would be an appetizer portion. It was massive and garlicky and wine and yummy. Fish was prepared perfectly. Not fancy just a solid place for simply but perfectly prepared seafood Will go again without hesitation
D PM
I ordered the lobster burrito. It is a joke. Where is the lobster? And who wrapped it? It is impossible to pick up without coming undone and all the shrimp (yes, NO LOBSTER) fall all over the place. First and last time I ever eat there, Pelly's a mile away is a 1000% better! I'll still be a client of tip top meats, not to confuse potential costumers. The fish place, two thumbs way down, the meat place, two thumbs way up. In the end I found little bits of what tried to be lobster, but instead was CRAYFISH! These peeps don't think I know the difference? LIARS!
Carmen M. Adams
Fish ruben was great. Have to say that my friend was not impressed with the saimon burger. Not much seating outside. Will go again.
Stephany D.
The last time I ate here, (pre covid) it was amazing. Today, not so much. I ordered the muscles and they were clearly never cleaned or de-bearded. Extremely unappetizing. I've grown up eating seafood and this is a first!
This spot initially suffered from startup woes, but is now on our "A" list. Wonderful fresh seafood prepared well, cold beer, excellent prices, nice people, and Big John overlooking it all.
My fav fish place but it has been closed for awhile! WArning, call be4 U go. I keep checking in with tiptop as no one answers @ top chocice. l Nots sure why they are still showing open on their website as a wasted drive:( I was told no employees:(
The freshest fish and better prices than anyplace out there. The fish tacos are really cheap and fantastic. The fillets are the best you can get anywhere in San Diego unless you catch it yourself.
So sad to come here and discover that they are closed for at least 3 months!! We love their fish and chips and mussels. Hope they will re-open soon.
Been coming here for about a year until I got sick on the Atlantic Salmon. Called the store the next day and they basically said to bad for you. I asked for a refund and they again said to bad for you. This place is not what it use to be. Management is terrible, inconsiderate and rude, The fish quality went from good to very bad. I recommend you don't eat here. Go to Pellys down the street. Way better
If you've just enjoyed a great day at the beach and want excellent seafood in an informal atmosphere, at a great value- this is the place! With $2 fish tacos and all their shellfish fresh every day, you really can't beat it. Next door there is also a European supermarket where you can grab a German bear to add to your feast. Enjoy!!
Business operating during the pandemic, "thank you" Review #42 I'm not old enough to have first person memories of a time (as David Foster Wallace reminds us in his essay Consider the Lobster) in Colonial-era America when lobsters were considered a "garbage meat fit only for the indigent, indentured, and incarcerated." but I am old enough to remember when seafood in general (and fish in particular) was an inexpensive, alternative protein. then again, I paid $25 bucks for a burger at the Bourbon Burger Bar in Del Mar. I guess Dylan was right: the times really are a-changin' ... I was next door at Top Choice Fish's sister store, Tip Top Meat, buying a piggy leg for Crispy Pata, and stopped to check 'em out. wound up buying some NORWEGIAN HALIBUT for ceviche. great selection, including live tanks. friendly service. fried up a batch of fresh tortilla chips and enjoyed the ceviche on the portico with Max, Luna, and a cold cerveza. what a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon watching the world go by. even the dogs thought so, and they only had jerky strips. life is good.
The fried fish was very doughy and soggy. So disappointed. Had to pull the dough off the fish, batter was so thick and soggy. Where did they get this batter recipe? Yuck! I was so disappointed The shrimp cocktail was awesome.
So it's been a few years since my last review here. Yes I've been back several times but thought I'd give a current one. So same great fish& chips. I get it with coleslaw as it's better than most places, they give you a lot like the fish. Always 4-5 pieces. I always recommend hitting up this place of Ranch Market ( located 75ft away from this place) and drive over the freeway to eat with a epic ocean view. BTW, don't feed the seagulls so or squirrels no matter what they say!
If you are looking for fresh,good cooked fish,stay away from here!We drove from Escondido yesterday,and wanted to order something to eat.My son wanted fish tacos,and I was going to order fish and chips.It was close to 5:30,and we were looking at the menu,and the cashier told us to hurry,that they closed at 5:30...A little early?As we were ordering the food,the cook kept looking at her phone,and that should have been our sign.They were out of fish and chips,go figure,and my son ordered 3 tacos,and the cashier and cook proceeded to get in an argument about them being done cooking,and she angrily threw the fish on the grill,and kept arguing that she should not be cooking.She probably makes more money on eun-employment.The tacos were un-edible,I endedup taking the family(We had ordered food from tip top,same owners,which was horrible also)to get something else to eat,after spending 50 bucks between the two places.So many fresh fish options,no idea how this place could survive with attitude,service,and quality of food being what it is
Restaurantji Recommends
I've visited on many occasions when staying in the area. So nice to have a local seafood shop where the fish is ultra fresh and delicious, and the staff are so helpful. I go to buy fish to prepare for dinner, and every choice has been excellent. The steelhead trout is so delicious. We broil it lightly, but one of the guys suggested that grilling it is also very tasty. For New Year's Eve I bought some of the frozen clams from the freezer section, which were surprisingly some of the best I've ever had (even in New England). They were perfect to share as an appetizer, followed by their Icelandic cod prepared with olives from a mediterranean recipe. Delish! I look forward to trying the fresh clams, lobsters, and other fish.
Wow wow wow. Just was a good place. I got the mussels assuming it would be an appetizer portion. It was massive and garlicky and wine and yummy. Fish was prepared perfectly. Not fancy just a solid place for simply but perfectly prepared seafood Will go again without hesitation
I ordered the lobster burrito. It is a joke. Where is the lobster? And who wrapped it? It is impossible to pick up without coming undone and all the shrimp (yes, NO LOBSTER) fall all over the place. First and last time I ever eat there, Pelly's a mile away is a 1000% better! I'll still be a client of tip top meats, not to confuse potential costumers. The fish place, two thumbs way down, the meat place, two thumbs way up. In the end I found little bits of what tried to be lobster, but instead was CRAYFISH! These peeps don't think I know the difference? LIARS!
Fish ruben was great. Have to say that my friend was not impressed with the saimon burger. Not much seating outside. Will go again.
The last time I ate here, (pre covid) it was amazing. Today, not so much. I ordered the muscles and they were clearly never cleaned or de-bearded. Extremely unappetizing. I've grown up eating seafood and this is a first!