Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » California Fish Grill – San Diego
California Fish Grill - San Diego
Photo from California Fish Grill
California Fish Grill at a glance
San Diego Carmel Mountain Ranch
- 🦞 Seafood Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 81 of the guests
#459 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#7 Seafood Restaurant out of 10 in San Diego
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
337
Reviews
67.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Clean environment
- Fair pricing
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Loud atmosphere
- Cashless policy
The seafood restaurant California Fish Grill in San Diego’s Carmel Mountain Ranch neighborhood offers a delightful culinary experience. You’ll find a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
With healthy options, vegetarian choices, and small plates available, there’s something for everyone. You can enjoy your meal with a selection of wine or beer, making it a great spot for lunch or dinner.
Overview: Introducting California Fish Grill
California Fish Grill offers a casual dining experience where the `food` often stands out for its quality and generous `portions`. Many patrons appreciate the reasonable `price` for what’s offered, making it a solid choice for a quick meal.
However, some aspects of the `service` and `atmosphere` can be a bit of a mixed bag, leading to varied experiences. While the culinary offerings are frequently praised for being fresh and flavorful, the overall dining environment can sometimes feel a little industrial or `loud`.
Additionally, experiences with staff attentiveness have been inconsistent, suggesting that while the core product is strong, the finer points of the visit might vary.
Good
7
out of 10
337
Reviews
67.4%
Satisfaction
87
negative
23
neutral
227
positive
Looking at the overall picture, California Fish Grill holds a `Restaurant Score` of `7` out of 10, which is a good showing, alongside a `Customer Satisfaction` rating of `67.4%`, placing it in the mixed category. This assessment is drawn from 337 pieces of customer feedback, comprising 227 positive remarks and 87 negative observations.
The `Food` (7.5) clearly leads the positive sentiment, with `Ambience` (7.4) also receiving good marks. However, the `Value` (6.8) score sits in the average range, and `Service` (5.8) is also noted as average, indicating areas where experiences can be less consistent.
While the culinary experience is generally well-received, these other aspects contribute to the overall mixed satisfaction, suggesting there’s room for improvement in operational consistency.
What people like
- Delicious, fresh food
- Clean restaurant
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Loud, cold atmosphere
- Cashless payment only
If you’re seeking a straightforward meal where the `food` is the primary focus, California Fish Grill is a worthwhile consideration. The `Recommendation Score` of `7.3` suggests it generally delivers on its promise of quality seafood, especially if you prioritize taste and portion size over a quiet, refined dining setting.
Be prepared for a potentially lively atmosphere and note their cashless policy. While the food often shines, managing expectations regarding service consistency and the dining environment will help ensure a more satisfying visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on California Fish Grill
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, youre generally in for a treat! With a solid score of 7.5 and customer satisfaction at 74.6%, the culinary experience is rated as good. Many rave about the delicious fried fish, fresh ingredients, and generous portion sizes, especially the tacos.
Out of 185 customer remarks, a whopping 138 were positive, highlighting a strong appreciation for the flavors and offerings. However, not every dish hits the mark, as 33 comments pointed out some areas for improvement. Some diners encountered issues like soggy fries, inconsistent food quality, or overcooked shrimp.
There were also mentions of dry kale slaw and other sides that didnt quite live up to expectations, suggesting that while the highs are high, there can be a few stumbles.
Food
185
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
33
negative
14
neutral
138
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- Generous portions
- Delicious tacos
What people don't like
- Inconsistent quality
- Soggy fries
- Dry kale slaw
Often praised
- foodThe food itself was incredible! The reviewer exclaimed, "THE FOOD IS THE BOMB! " It was described as tasty, fresh, and a good portion size, filling me up well.
- fishMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's the best inexpensive place to eat delicious fish in California. Although it's a fast-food franchise where you order at the counter and pay before getting your tray, this setup allows them to save costs everywhere except on the food itself.
- friesFries was nicely done, crispy and flavorful
- portionsHuge portions, very flavorful without being too salty which I hate
- Fish & ChipsFish & Chips are awesome
- Fish and ChipsRecommended dishes:Fish and Chips
- fish and chipsfish and chips are so good
- flavorsAlthough I initially opted for a to-go order, I decided to dine in, which involved a brief trip to the counter to collect my meal. However, this minor inconvenience was quickly overshadowed by the delectable flavors. The Cajun Fish tacos were a true standout, expertly seasoned with a perfect balance of spices that tantalized my taste buds.
- food qualityfood saves cost everywhere except on the food. Top quality.
- meals" However, today my mother and I came to this CFG, and Joseph was amazing. He allowed us to alter our meals in a way we could still enjoy. I’d recommend this location to anyone wanting a quick and delicious bite with great customer service!
Frequently criticized
- fishthe fish might be a little fishy
- kaleslawthe kaleslaw fell slightly short of expectations
- Cajun fish tacosone of the Cajun fish tacos was replaced
- SalmonSalmon these few times were very black and overcooked
- asparagusthe asparagus, the middle to the end of the stalks are always hard
- black pepperIt was coated with black pepper.
- calamari and fishThe calamari was Burned and soggy
- combo tacosboth combos came without the beans
- containersreceived the order in four plastic containers
- cornPicked the corn as a side and I won't be doing that again
If youre looking for a place with generally good food, especially their fish and tacos, its definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some side dishes or consistency might occasionally disappoint. Overall, it's a solid choice for a tasty meal, but perhaps stick to their highly praised main dishes.
Service (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot offers a bit of a mixed experience, landing an average 5.8 score with customer satisfaction at a 50% mixed rating. Out of 86 total comments, with 43 positive and 38 negative, it's clear there are both highs and lows. On the bright side, many customers frequently praise the friendly staff, awesome managers, and the sheer convenience of online ordering and pickup.
Folks appreciate the speedy service and employees who are often described as going above and beyond to help. However, some visits are unfortunately overshadowed by rude counter staff, frustrating order accuracy issues, and surprisingly long waits. There are also mentions of problems with the self-order kiosk and a general lack of attention from some employees.
Service
86
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
38
negative
5
neutral
43
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Awesome managers
- Easy online ordering
What people don't like
- Rude counter staff
- Order accuracy issues
- Long wait times
Often praised
- serviceThe service was excellent too
- staffteach their staff to be courteous, polite a d helpful
- customer serviceMy experience at California Fish Grill was impressive, especially the Cajun Fish tacos. Despite the bustling atmosphere, the customer service was commendable. Although I initially opted for a to-go order, I decided to dine in, which involved a brief trip to the counter to collect my meal.
- online orderingEasy online ordering to pick up
- managerWe've been here multiple times and have been happy each time. The food here is excellent, and the manager on Fridays is awesome. My only complaint is that sometimes the portion size for the sides seems to vary, and sometimes the cooks can be light vs.
- CieraCiera was so kind to help me
- ServiceService:5
- cashierThe cashier was friendly
- cheerful stafferscheerful staffers always willing to help me modify my order
- cleanup personleft money on table for clean up person
Frequently criticized
- ServiceThe order was missing several items
- customer serviceWhat would have been an otherwise normal experience was ruined by him. A person who doesn’t work with customers daily should stay in the back and work with his employees only, as customer service isn’t his specialty. He was walking around talking to employees about bogus things and looking busy!
- PDF menuI cannot easily just view a PDF of the entire menu
- attentionHowever, it turned out that I had to wait 20 minutes for a ready-made order in the restaurant. They don't pay attention.
- attitude of the employeesattitude of the employees
- auto tip featurethe auto tip feature on self checkout
- contempt for customersshow contempt for customers at the front counter
- counter girlThe counter girl didn't seem to understand
- courtesyno reason for the lack of courtesy
- current employeescurrent employees are incompetent and unable to correctly fill orders
If youre looking for a quick and easy experience, especially with online ordering, you might be pleasantly surprised by the friendly staff. However, be prepared for potential hiccups with order accuracy or longer waits, particularly if youre dealing with the counter staff.
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, earning a good score of 7.4 and a good customer satisfaction of 73.2%. Many of the 30 positive comments praise the clean environment, ample parking, and the flexibility of seating inside and outside, making it a kid-friendly spot with plenty of chill spots. However, its not without its quirks.
Based on 8 negative remarks out of 41 total, some found the atmosphere lacking, describing it as loud with an industrial design and uncomfortable metal chairs. So, if youre seeking a quiet dinner, this might not be your ideal place.
Ambience
41
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
8
negative
3
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean environment
- Ample seating
- Convenient parking
What people don't like
- Can be loud
- Industrial design
- Uncomfortable chairs
Often praised
- atmosphereIt's a healthier quick choice 🙂. The food was excellent, with a perfect atmosphere. I highly recommend the Fish and Chips.
- great placeDefinitely great place
- parkingFree parking lot, Plenty of parking
- restaurantResturant looked clean from where I ordered. No weird smells
- restaurant cleanlinessThe restaurant is always clean
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- bathroomsBathrooms 🚽 where clean 🧼
- chill spotsOne of my favorite chill spots in carmel mountian.
- clean environmentEverything was beautifully packaged for pickup. The workers were super friendly in a very clean environment. On top of all that, they asked if I wanted utensils and offered a number of free additional sauces, such as their excellent house-made tartar sauce.
- kid-friendlinessKid-friendliness:Yes
Frequently criticized
- atmospherevery fast foodish feeling though
- chairsthe chairs are loud outdoor metal chairs that screech when moved
- industrial designcold industrial, unwelcomed design
- loudIts very very loud
- metal chairsmetal chairs that are always freezing cold
- plasticSo much plastic!
- quiet dinnerif you're looking for a quiet dinner
Overall, if youre looking for a clean, family-friendly spot with plenty of seating and convenient parking, this place is a solid choice. Just be prepared for a potentially lively, industrial vibe and perhaps some less-than-comfy chairs, especially if youre hoping for a quiet, intimate meal.
Value (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
Value here often hits the mark, with 16 positive remarks out of 25 total. Diners frequently praise the good deal and combination options, noting the fast casual pricing and appealing lunch special. The overall score for value is a decent 6.8, and while customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 64%, many feel its worth it and helps them stay within budget.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. With 8 negative remarks, some guests found certain items to be expensive, especially for lunch. The cashless or card payment only policy also drew criticism, with some feeling it was a disappointing and discriminatory policy and even questioning being asked for a tip when only card was accepted.
Value
25
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good deal options
- Lunch specials
- Budget-friendly pricing
What people don't like
- Cashless payment policy
- Expensive items
- Forced tipping
Often praised
- priceI can't believe I hadn't tried this place sooner. The food was absolutely delicious, and I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonable price. The service and atmosphere were also top-notch, both receiving a perfect score.
- budgetstay in budget
- combination optionsThe combination options are well priced
- discountsBoom discounts and free dinner unexpectedly!
- fast casual pricingat fast casual pricing
- free dinnerBoom discounts and free dinner unexpectedly!
- good dealit's not a bad deal
- lunch specialThey offer a $10 lunch special
- price per personthe price per person:$10–20
- pricesThe prices are good too
Frequently criticized
- American cashWill not take American cash
- card paymentONLY TAKING card
- cash policydisappointing and discriminatory policy for individuals who may require using that form of currency
- cashlessNot sure I like cashless
- expensiveA little expensive
- expensive lunchVery disappointing for an expensive lunch
- plastic wastesave some plastic
- tipasked for tip starting at 15% for ONLY TAKING card
If youre looking for a good deal, especially with combination options or lunch specials, this place could be a solid choice. However, be prepared for a cashless experience and potential higher prices on some items, which might disappoint if youre on a strict budget or prefer paying with cash.
How are the prices at California Fish Grill?
You’re looking at roughly $23 per person – reported by 81 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Seafood Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is $23, a large number of guests (49!) actually spend less, in the $11–$20 range. This suggests a nice mix, with plenty of affordable options alongside some higher-priced dishes that pull the average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 81 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
For a Seafood Restaurant, we think $23 per person feels quite fair, especially since many guests find great options in the $11–$20 range. It seems like a solid choice for good value seafood.
Customer Reviews: what people think about California Fish Grill
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
7
Hit or Miss Fish & Chips
My experience at this restaurant was a bit of a mixed bag, depending on what I ordered. The Fish & Chips were absolutely awesome. I would, however, like to know what is wild versus farmed.
- Fish & Chips9
- wild versus farmed6
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Food and Great Value!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I absolutely love all the food here. The combination options are well priced, offering great value.
We enjoyed the fish tacos plate and a shrimp taco. The restaurant offers both seating inside and outside, which is a nice touch.
- food10
- combination options9
- fish tacos plate9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Healthy, Tasty, and Cooked Well!
My experience at this restaurant was great! I found it to be a place where the food is cooked well every time. It's nice to have something healthy to eat around here that is also tasty.
The service, atmosphere, and food were all rated a 5 out of 5.
- food10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Food and Excellent Service!
My experience at the restaurant was wonderful! I ordered the Tilapia plate with rosemary zucchini and a side salad. I was happy with the protein portion size as there was a good amount of fish; in the picture, I had already eaten one filet 🙊.
The service was excellent too. I was greeted right away and offered help with the kiosk, though I managed on my own. My order came out wrong due to my mistake with the sauce selection, but they were more than happy to remake it for me.
Thank you for a wonderful experience!
- Tilapia plate9
- protein portion size9
- service10
Visit Type
- Delivery
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Missing Items in Takeout Order
My experience with this restaurant was not great. We ordered takeout, specifically two combo tacos and a kids' fish and chips meal. Unfortunately, the order was missing several items.
Both combo tacos were supposed to include beans, but they were absent. The kids' meal was also incomplete, as it didn't come with the juice. To make matters worse, one of the Cajun fish tacos was incorrectly substituted with a salmon taco.
- combo tacos2
- kids' meal3
- Cajun fish tacos3
What California Fish Grill offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What parking options are available at California Fish Grill in Carmel Mountain Ranch?
At California Fish Grill in Carmel Mountain Ranch, you’ll find convenient parking options. There is free street parking available, along with a free parking lot. You can usually expect to find plenty of parking, making your visit hassle-free.
Is California Fish Grill in San Diego accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Yes, California Fish Grill in San Diego is fully committed to accessibility. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable and convenient dining experience for all guests.
How is California Fish Grill rated overall?
The restaurant holds a `Restaurant Score` of `7` out of 10, indicating a good experience, with `Customer Satisfaction` at `67.4%`. `Food` (7.5) and `Ambience` (7.4) are strong, while `Value` (6.8) and `Service` (5.8) are more moderate.
What do customers appreciate most about California Fish Grill?
Customers frequently praise the `food` for its quality, flavor, and generous `portions`. Many also appreciate the reasonable `price` and the overall `clean environment` of the restaurant.
Are there any common issues or concerns at California Fish Grill?
Some patrons have noted `inconsistent service` and a `loud`, industrial `atmosphere`. The `cashless` payment policy is also a point of concern for some visitors.