Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
oChef » Surf & Soul Spot – San Diego
Surf & Soul Spot - San Diego
Photo from Surf & Soul Spot
Surf & Soul Spot at a glance
San Diego Mid-City
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 68 of the guests
#260 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#40 Restaurant out of 87 in San Diego
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
497
Reviews
75.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food quality
- Generous portions
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Limited seating
- Parking challenges
The restaurant Surf & Soul Spot invites you to experience its vibrant atmosphere in San Diego’s Mid-City neighborhood. You’ll find a casual yet trendy spot perfect for a quick bite.
Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, this restaurant offers a welcoming environment where you can relax and enjoy your meal.
Overview: Introducting Surf & Soul Spot
Surf & Soul Spot offers a culinary experience where the flavors truly shine, making it a notable stop for those seeking satisfying meals. Many appreciate the generous portions and the overall quality of the dishes served.
It’s clear that the kitchen consistently delivers on taste. However, the dining experience isn’t without its minor considerations.
While the staff often receives praise for being friendly, some guests have noted occasional inconsistencies with wait times and the overall atmosphere, which can sometimes feel a bit constrained due to limited seating.
Good
7.8
out of 10
497
Reviews
75.5%
Satisfaction
78
negative
44
neutral
375
positive
Surf & Soul Spot achieves a solid restaurant score of 7.8, indicating a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction also stands at a respectable 75.5%, suggesting that most patrons leave content.
These figures are drawn from a considerable 497 customer observations, with 375 positive remarks outweighing 78 negative ones, providing a robust overview of the establishment. The standout aspect is undoubtedly the Food (8.5), which consistently earns high marks for its quality and flavor.
Guests also find good Value (7.1) for their money, often citing generous portions. However, the Ambience (6.1) and Service (5.9) hover in the average range, with some comments pointing to areas for improvement in these aspects.
What people like
- Exceptional food quality
- Generous portions
- Good overall value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Limited seating
- Parking challenges
If you prioritize flavorful, well-portioned meals, Surf & Soul Spot is certainly worth considering. The kitchen consistently delivers on taste, making it a strong contender for a satisfying takeout experience.
Just be prepared for potential minor inconveniences. With a strong recommendation score of 8.4, many patrons clearly find the culinary offerings compelling enough to overlook other aspects.
For those seeking excellent soul food and good value, it’s a place to try, keeping in mind the practicalities of a popular spot.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Surf & Soul Spot
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.5 and a customer satisfaction of 85.5%, its clear most diners are delighted. Out of 365 sentiments, a whopping 312 praise the generous portions, homemade taste, and well-seasoned, delicious dishes like fried shrimp and mac n cheese.
You're in for a treat! However, a few of the 28 negative comments mention occasional issues like bland fries or food availability problems, with some finding certain items like mac & cheese or yams a bit too greasy. It seems consistency can sometimes be a minor hiccup, with some chicken having no taste.
Food
365
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
28
negative
25
neutral
312
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Homemade taste
- Well-seasoned food
What people don't like
- Food often unavailable
- Bland or greasy
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, offering what I believe is one of the best, if not the best, food in La Mesa. I highly recommend following them on Instagram to stay updated on their specials before they're gone.
- portionsEverything tasted great, with no complaints. They also give you nice portions. You may have to drive around some to find a parking spot, but we would definitely recommend.
- shrimp and gritsI had the shrimp and grits and let me tell you I would go back just for that!!
- banana puddingdessert that a banana pudding. I have never tasted Banana pudding made like that before it was so delicious.
- catfishWe got the catfish and fried chicken. It was amazing.
- chicken wingsAs someone from the South, it definitely reminded me of home. I had the chicken wings, greens, and mac n cheese, and everything was FIRE. A few critiques, though: for the greens, maybe add a little more meat, and for the mac n cheese, a tad bit more salt.
- collard greensbaked mac n cheese, collard greens, candied yams, and red beans and rice. I tell you, everything was good.
- friestasted the fries and had my Strawberry Jamacha Lemonade I entered Food heaven
- soul foodThe fish and chicken were beyond amazing—so flavorful and perfectly cooked. Hands down, the best soul food I’ve had in San Diego! I highly recommend checking them out.
- Foodhands down some of the best soul food I’ve had in my life!
Frequently criticized
- chickenChicken had no taste, had a little to much salt
- food availabilityMy experience at this restaurant was incredibly frustrating. They are frequently out of food, which leads to them closing early. It's unheard of and unacceptable that they cannot accommodate their customers.
- Mac&cheeseMac&cheese and yams are WAY TOO GREASY!
- Truffle Chicken SandwichTruffle Chicken Sandwich - My daughter hates fish and bit into her chicken sandwich and fries and the whole thing tasted like fish
- banana puddingbanana pudding could of been better
- blue lavender lemonadeforgot to get it and didn’t realize till i got home
- chicken wingschicken wing basket. It was horrible. Chicken had no taste
- coatingrolled in something to make it crunchy
- corn breadThe only thing I didn’t like was the corn bread
- dessertcannot sell the dessert separately
Overall, if you're craving flavorful, generously portioned soul food with that homemade touch, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that popular items can sell out, and a few dishes might occasionally miss the mark on seasoning or greasiness.
Service (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
When it comes to service, many folks have had some genuinely pleasant experiences! With 44 positive remarks out of 94 total comments, customers often praise the friendly staff and customer service, noting how helpful and welcoming employees are. Some even highlighted a quick drop-in or that their order was correct, making the experience feel worth the wait for delicious food.
However, the service isn't always a smooth ride, reflected in an average score of 5.9 and mixed customer satisfaction at 46.8%. There are 36 negative comments pointing to significant waiting time and issues with customer service, especially concerning the phone line and staff attitude. It seems inconsistency and long waits are common frustrations.
Service
94
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
36
negative
14
neutral
44
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Correct orders
- Helpful employees
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Poor phone service
- Inconsistent attitudes
Often praised
- serviceI had the delicious shrimp and grits, which were fantastic. The service was exceptional; the young lady who came outside to assist me and my mother was the absolute sweetest. The atmosphere was also great, contributing to a very pleasant dining experience.
- customer serviceMy experience at the restaurant was a mix of good and bad. On the positive side, the customer service was good, with a young lady taking our orders. The garlic breadstick was delicious, the Kiwi Pineapple Lemonade was pretty tasty, and the Fried Fish and shrimp were delicious.
- ServiceService:5
- staffThe staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming
- peopleMy experience was fantastic. The food was amazing every time, and the people really treat you great. I love everything about this place!
- wait timeOur wait time was maybe 15 minutes.
- anytime, every timeanytime, every time it’s a win!
- cookthis cook really knows how to cook
- curb side serviceshe serves curb side.
- employeesThe employees are very friendly and helpful
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceThis makes for a bad overall experience. Most of the staff need to learn customer service and check their attitudes at the door.
- servicethe service here is consistently terrible
- waitso you don’t have to wait as long
- wait timecame back 25 minutes later only for the employee to ask me if I had made an order
- Instagram postdidn't advertise it like that
- ServiceService:1
- accommodate customersNot Have Enough Food to Accommodate Your Customers
- asking for my nameasking for my name multiple times
- attitudethe bald young lady was giving me an attitude
- attitudesThis makes for a bad overall experience. Most of the staff need to learn customer service and check their attitudes at the door.
Overall, service here can be a bit of a gamble. If you're prepared for potential waits and understand that communication might be a challenge, you might still encounter some wonderfully friendly staff. However, if quick, consistent service is your top priority, you might want to manage your expectations or consider other options.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
Based on 31 opinions, the ambience here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.1 and customer satisfaction at 45.2%. However, many guests love the vibe! They frequently praise it as a popular spot with a friendly environment and a generally great atmosphere.
The fact that its a clean establishment and a black owned business also adds to its appeal for many. On the flip side, nearly as many guests (13 negative comments compared to 14 positive) point out some significant drawbacks. A major concern is the lack of a place to sit, as theres often no dine-in option, leading some to eat in their cars.
Parking issues, especially street parking, are frequently mentioned, and some feel the signage could be clearer to attract more customers.
Ambience
31
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
13
negative
4
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly environment
- Great atmosphere
- Clean establishment
What people don't like
- No dine-in seating
- Parking difficulties
- Poor signage
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was also great
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- black owned businesswho doesn’t love a black owned business❤️
- black owned spotwanted to check out a black owned spot and wasn’t disappointed!
- environmentThe environment is so friendly
- establishmentEstablishment is clean
- family owned and operatedit's family owned and operated
- parkingyou can park around the corner
- popular spotit’s a very popular spot
Frequently criticized
- street parkingThere’s not very much street parking
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
- better signmaybe a better sign too
- menu out frontconsider putting a menu up out front
- menu postedI had been driving past this place for a year before I realized it was a food establishment. You'd get more business if you had a menu posted above the ordering area.
- no dine-in or seats outsideThe only downside is there’s no dine-in or seats outside
- parking spacedriving around trying to find a parking space
- parking spotThey also give you nice portions. You may have to drive around some to find a parking spot, but we would definitely recommend.
- place to sitMe and my buddy had the shrimp and the catfish baskets with fries, and it came with a breadstick in each. The only two issues I had were that there wasn’t a place to sit and eat, and that there was a 30-minute wait. Not really that big of issues in light of the amazing taste and the portion size of the food.
If youre looking for a popular spot with a friendly vibe and dont mind grabbing your food to go, this place could be a hit. However, be prepared for potential parking challenges and the likelihood of no on-site seating, which might be a dealbreaker if you prefer to dine in.
Value (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 7% of the guests
When it comes to getting your moneys worth, this place generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.1, many folks rave about the excellent value, reasonable prices, and generous portions. Customers often feel theyre getting top-notch food thats well worth the price, making it a good deal based on 5 positive sentiments.
However, its not a perfect score for everyone. While the overall customer satisfaction sits at a good 71.4%, theres one dissenting voice among the 7 opinions who unfortunately felt it was a waste of money'. This suggests that while most find it worthwhile, there might be an occasional miss.
Value
7
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent value
- Reasonable prices
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Waste of money
Often praised
- Price per personThe food quality received a perfect 5/5, and the atmosphere and service were both rated a solid 4/5. For lunch, the price per person was between $10–20.
- portionsthe portions and QUALITY of food makes up for it
- priceWell worth the price
- pricesThe prices are very reasonable and fair for the amount of food you receive.
- valueIt tasted just as good as take out, which is a testament to their great preparation. I found it to be the best value for excellent food.
Frequently criticized
- waste of moneyit looked delicious! Unfortunately a waste of money
Overall, if youre looking for a spot where your dollar stretches for quality food, this place is generally a good bet. Most diners walk away feeling they got excellent value for their money, though a rare experience might leave you feeling it wasnt quite worth it.
How are the prices at Surf & Soul Spot?
You’re looking at roughly $29 per person – reported by 68 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most diners spend in the $11–$30 range, showing prices cluster nicely around the average, offering a consistent mid-tier experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 68 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Given the mid-range pricing for a Restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It seems like a solid spot for a good meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Surf & Soul Spot
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Unbelievably Good Fish Sandwich!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I found the fish sandwich to be unbelievably good and highly recommend it. I also loved the cookie crunch banana pudding.
The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5, contributing to an excellent overall dining experience.
- fish sandwich10
- cookie crunch banana pudding9
- service10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
9
Absolutely Delicious Food - Need Bigger Plates!
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional, far beyond a typical meal. I'd rate it a 10 or 11 out of 10! The food was so delicious that I immediately wished they had larger plates so I could order more.
I'm already planning my next trip to ensure I can visit during their store hours. The cheesecake was a delightful twist on banana pudding, and the Mac n cheese was perfectly saucy and stringy with fantastic flavor. The yams were incredible, and the rice n gravy brought back fond Thanksgiving memories.
I highly recommend trying it at least once. I ordered the chicken with three sides and found myself wishing for a mountain of everything, especially the crunchy chicken. Do they offer a bigger plate option?
I certainly hope so!
- food10
- cheesecake9
- Mac n cheese9
- plate size3
- plate option3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
9
Quick and Enjoyable Food Stop
I stopped by for the first time today while running errands and thoroughly enjoyed the food! I called ahead and right on the 30-minute mark my food was ready, so it was a quick drop-in since there isn’t outdoor seating.
- food9
- food ready9
- quick drop-in8
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
Dishonest Service and Terrible Food
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently negative due to their dishonesty. They often claim to be sold out of items when they are not, which has led me to avoid them for years. Furthermore, I find the food to be trash.
- food1
- sold out1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Food, Worth the Wait!
If you're planning a weekend visit, I highly recommend arriving before they open at 12 PM. Everything on their menu is pretty good! I've consistently enjoyed their chicken wings, mac and cheese, and greens.
They also offer a daily lemonade special, which is a nice touch.
- chicken wings9
- mac and cheese9
- greens9
What Surf & Soul Spot offers
Crowd
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Is Surf & Soul Spot accessible?
Yes, Surf & Soul Spot ensures a comfortable visit for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, making it easy to get in. Additionally, there’s a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot available for your convenience.
What are the parking options at Surf & Soul Spot?
When you visit Surf & Soul Spot, you won’t have to worry about parking. The restaurant provides free street parking, so you can easily find a spot nearby. This makes your dining experience hassle-free, whether you’re stopping for lunch or dinner.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Surf & Soul Spot?
Surf & Soul Spot generally receives good feedback, with a restaurant score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at 75.5%. The Food (8.5) is highly praised, and Value (7.1) is considered good, though Ambience (6.1) and Service (5.9) are noted as average.
Are there any common issues customers experience at Surf & Soul Spot?
Some customers have noted challenges with finding parking and the lack of dine-in seating. There are also occasional comments about inconsistent service and, at times, issues with food availability.
What do customers particularly enjoy about Surf & Soul Spot?
Patrons frequently commend the exceptional quality and flavor of the food, often highlighting generous portions. Many also appreciate the overall value for the price, finding it a worthwhile culinary experience.