89 Bonita Rd
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 934-4063 (map)
Official website

Bottomline - A Tijuana style Mexican seafood restaurant with a huge menu and dependable food.

Sometimes it seems like Chula Vista is the epicenter for Mexican style seafood places (mariscos) in America. Everything from street tacos out of a truck, to strip mall restaurants, to mainstream/fancy places like Los Arcos. Which style you prefer will be a matter of personal preference, and each has it's plus and minuses.

The draw here is the dressed up location, the top notch service, and the fancy presentation. If you are trying to impress your foodie friends, go to a taco truck. If you are trying to impress family from Maine, bring them to Los Arcos.

One of the things common to most mariscos is a huge menu, and that's true here as well. There are pictures, but that hardly touches the surface. Don't be shy about quizzing the wait staff. I also recommend trying an appetizer, unless you've come with a small appetite.

Of course this upscale sort of dining comes with higher prices than the more humble mariscos in the area, but I don't think they are out of line. The food and service are very good, and you'd pay more at a seafood place downtown.

People will debate endlessly about whether this is "authentic", or whether it's as good as the Los Arcos in Tijuana. I'll leave that debate to others. But the food I have had here was as authentic and delicious as I needed it to be. An argument could be made that a more "mom & pop" style mariscos will be more authentic, but I'm not sure I buy that. Yes, the food here might be a bit safe. But it's still really good.

I didn't find Los Arcos to be stunningly delicious. It was basic mariscos fare with quality preparation and very good service. So I'm not going to present it as the best Mexican seafood San Diego has to offer. Frankly I'm still looking for that. But it is quite good, and I'm very comfortable recommending it.

1177 Broadway, Suite 14
Chula Vista, CA 91911
(619) 585-0773 (map)
Official website

Bottomline - A very solid sit-down option for authentic Mexican style seafood.

This restaurant has three locations, but the only one I've been to is the one on Broadway. A few people have suggested the one in Eastlake is better, so I'll need to get out there some time. At any rate, the menu and recipes are basically the same for all of them.

The first thing to contend with here is the intimidating menu. It's huge. Well over 100 items, all of which look and sound delicious. I strongly suggest getting a cocktail if you're going to try and ponder over entree choices for long. Or spend some time quizzing the wait staff.

It's all here. Fish in sauces, grilled fish, fried fish, mixed fish, stuffed fish, tacos, enchiladas, etc. Though the menu has pictures for many items, asking the server is a good idea.

Some translations for those (like me) weak on Spanish -

Molcajete - This is a stone bowl typically used as a mortar and pestle. If you see something like shrimp molcajete on the menu it just means the dish will be served in a stone bowl, not that it's cooked in the bowl or anything.

Machaca - In this context you can assume this means the meat will be shredded or finely chopped.

Campechana - Your basic Mexican style seafood cocktail typically with a mix of fish. Not as thick and tangy as an American style shrimp cocktail. More sweet and brothy.

Everything I've tried has been great. Quality fish, solid preparation, generous portions. Prices are quite good when you compare them to what you'd pay for the same thing at an American style seafood place.

A mariscos is a good alternative to the typical tacos, moles, or carnitas you might be used to. And Pescados y Mariscos Hector's is a very dependable mariscos option.

4246 Bonita Rd
Bonita, CA 91902
(619) 267-4577 (map)
Official website

Bottomline - A seafood bar/taco shop hybrid with unique flavors. Delicious.

This is a tiny little place, and is often packed. Just accept that's the way it is and don't worry about the limited seating, and don't be afraid to grab a stool at the counter. If you are like me you'll be enjoying the food enough that you won't even notice the cramped quarters. In fact I suggest snagging the stools at the bar so you can watch all the action as everything is cooked right in front of you.

Also, don't get locked into the "oyster bar" idea. Yes, they serve oysters but that's a small part of the menu. Seafood cocktails, tacos, tostadas, and whole fish. One specialty item is the "Aquachile" - A stone bowl filled with raw shrimp drowned in lemon juice and hot chile, accompanied by onions and cucumbers. I haven't tried that, but word on the street is that it is indeed rather hot.

So why is this a stand out? The flavors. The fresh fish and ceviche taste really fresh. The garlic shrimp are an honest garlic experience. The marlyn (smoked fish) tacos are in your face smokey and fishy. The ceviches are full of citrus but the fresh fish flavor still comes through.

Personally I don't like the red sauce they serve, but I thought everything was fine without it. I'd also steer you away from the tacos with cheese, but maybe that's just me.

The folks running TJ Oyster Bar are actually from Tijuana. So while many of the items may have been tweaked for a gringo palette, it's all grounded in authentic Mexican food. And it has a flavor you may not have experienced if you haven't been to a Mexican style seafood bar or ceviche place. I do think a bit of the raw edge has been taken off, and the recipes are certainly geared towards Americans. But that's fine. This food is delicious.

Part of me wants to pass on the review and keep this tiny place a hidden gem. Oh well. If you want to try a great Mexican style fresh fish bar, this is a great place to do that.

Toys-r-us Parking Lot
1008A Industrial Blvd
Chula Vista, CA 91911 (map)

Bottomline - Great seafood taco truck. Simple and delicious.

This is a lunch truck in the RTA/Toys-R-Us parking lot. But don't be fooled by the lunch truck vibe. This place serves some of the best Mexican style seafood I've ever had. The gobernador taco - shrimp and sauteed vegetables in a spicy sauce - are frankly better than they have any business being from such a humble taco truck. Seafood tostadas are huge for the price they charge. Cocktails are just the right mix of tangy and sweet. Condiments are irresistibly delicious.

I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm gushing, but Mariscos El Pescador is just that good. Yes, it would be nice to have this food in a sitdown restaurant. And yes, the location in a parking lot right off the freeway is perhaps a bit too urban. But I have zero reservations telling you to try it.

If your Spanish is not so good - Gobernador is the default order here. Marlyn is smoked fish. Camaron is shrimp. And the mariscada is a seafood mix. You'll get some free fish soup/broth with each order, which will be extremely hot. Don't burn yourself.

Obviously this truck will be compared to Marisco's German Taco Truck. In my opinion they are both equally good. The German truck has larger portions of some things. The Pescador truck has better flavor of some things. I can see how people will pick one or the other as the best...... but why bother? Go to both.

The classic fish tacos here get a lot of praise but, while they are good, I prefer the other menu options.

This truck has moved at least once since I first heard about it. So it's location might shift a bit. Right now it's closer to the RTA.

3504 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 392-2351 (map)

Bottomline - Great seafood tacos, huge portions, wonderful local vibe. Look no further for great seafood tacos.

Marisco's German (pronounced HAIR-mahn, not german) has several taco trucks, but I usually go to the one on University. It's easy to get to and there's plenty of parking. And there seems to always be someone there who speaks English, which for the language deficient like myself is a good thing. There is also a sitdown restaurant, but I've heard several people say it's not as good, so do the truck.

Things are a bit rustic here. Just a truck, a couple folding tables, and a shade tent. But don't let that keep you from trying it, as this is the real deal. The tacos are over flowing with seafood and grilled vegetables in a rich brothy sauce. Expect to either stand in the hot sun, sit at a crowded communal table, or eat off the hood of your car. But I'm telling you, it's worth it.

Unless your Spanish is good you may have trouble with the menu. The best choices in my opinion are the marlyn tacos (smoked fish) and the gobernador tacos (sauteed shrimp and veggies). These come with enough stuff that you'll end up eating half of it before you'll be able to pick it up. Don't miss the marinated onions in the cooler bin, as they add some wonderful tanginess.

Some other menu items -
Pescado - fish
Camaron - shrimp
Mariscada - everything
Puplo - octopus

Each order also comes with a free cup of consomme. Be warned that this is always extremely hot. Don't burn your mouth before your taco arrives.

I've had orders get taken wrong here a few times. I'm sure that is my fault, as I don't speak Spanish, but do try to listen when the order gets repeated back.

The regular fish tacos are cheap, but I think the other options are much better. You can get a fish taco anywhere. They also have ceviche, cocktails, and tostadas, which are good, but it's really the tacos I go for.

Update 2009/11/03 - There is a new truck at the corner of Balboa Ave & Clairemont Dr. Here's a map.