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oChef » El Pez – San Diego
El Pez - San Diego
Photo from El Pez
El Pez at a glance
San Diego Otay Mesa West
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 36 of the guests
#371 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#58 Restaurant out of 87 in San Diego
Good
7.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
382
Reviews
73.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Friendly staff
- Good ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Small portions
- Order errors
The restaurant El Pez is a welcoming spot in San Diego, specifically nestled in the Otay Mesa West neighborhood. As a casual and trendy restaurant, it offers a cozy atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full dinner, El Pez Kitchen & Sushi provides a delightful dining experience with healthy options and small plates to explore. You’ll find it’s a great place to unwind.
Overview: Introducting El Pez
El Pez consistently impresses with its culinary offerings, often described as delicious and authentic. Many patrons appreciate the friendly staff and the inviting atmosphere, contributing to a generally pleasant visit.
However, some experiences are occasionally hampered by slow service and minor issues with order accuracy. The restaurant receives praise for its unique vibe and overall ambiance, making it a comfortable spot for a meal.
While the food consistently shines, the occasional wait times for orders suggest an area for improvement in operational efficiency, impacting some diners’ experiences.
Good
7.4
out of 10
382
Reviews
73.6%
Satisfaction
78
negative
23
neutral
281
positive
El Pez garners a respectable overall score of 7.4, indicating a generally good dining experience. This aligns well with a customer satisfaction rate of 73.6%, suggesting most patrons leave content.
The culinary aspect truly stands out, with Food scoring a strong (7.9), frequently described as delicious and authentic. This positive sentiment is reflected in 281 positive comments out of 382 total customer observations.
The Ambience also contributes positively, earning a good (7.6) for its pleasant atmosphere and vibe. Value is considered decent at (6.8), though some find portions small for the price.
The primary area for improvement appears to be Service, which registers an average (6), with 78 negative comments often citing slow delivery or order issues. This suggests an inconsistent experience for some diners.
What people like
- Delicious, authentic food
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Pleasant, unique ambiance
What people don't like
- Slow service, long waits
- Small portions, high price
- Order accuracy issues
If you prioritize excellent culinary offerings and a pleasant setting, El Pez is certainly worth considering. The 7.7 recommendation score suggests a positive experience for many, especially those who appreciate well-prepared dishes and a good atmosphere.
Be prepared for a potentially relaxed pace. However, if quick service is a top priority, you might find the occasional delays frustrating.
It’s a place that shines brightest when you have time to savor the meal and aren’t in a rush, offering a generally satisfying experience despite some operational inconsistencies.
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Verdict: Our expert take on El Pez
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, diners are generally quite pleased, with a strong 7.9 score and a solid 77.9% customer satisfaction. Out of 231 comments, a whopping 180 rave about the delicious sushi, creative rolls, and the impressive freshness of the fish. Many also love the unique Mexican-Japanese fusion and the vibrant flavors.
However, not every dish hits the mark, as 33 comments point out some areas for improvement. A few found the sushi lacking in flavor, while others noted small portions or occasional issues with fish freshness. There were also specific concerns regarding the ramen and its ingredients.
Food
231
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
33
negative
18
neutral
180
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh fish quality
- Creative fusion dishes
- Delicious sushi rolls
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Inconsistent flavor
- Ramen ingredient issues
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was hands down one of the best sushi spots in SD. The food was super authentic & delicious, and the service was great 👍🏼.
- sushiWe look for best price, quality, and quantity, and this place definitely delivered. This place and one other are the only places we will ever get sushi now. Definitely try this place out and I’ll post a photo of their menu and ya welcome.
- rollsThe Taco de Pulpo is a must-try! The rolls are amazing, the teriyaki plates are incredible, and the ramen definitely stands out. It's a must if you are a local and ideal for first dates.
- flavorsThe flavors are incredible
- ramenThe Taco de Pulpo is a must-try! The rolls are amazing, the teriyaki plates are incredible, and the ramen definitely stands out. It's a must if you are a local and ideal for first dates.
- Carnitas RamenCarnitas Ramen was super on point!!
- Fuego Azteca rollThe place itself is really nice and has a good vibe. I highly recommend the Montgomery and Fuego Azteca roll. I'm so excited to finally have a good sushi place close to home.
- dishesI was blown away by how consistently amazing the food is; it's always bomb! The flavors are on point, and the dishes are beautifully presented. I've tried new things and stuck with favorites, and I'm never disappointed.
- food qualityAll were very fresh and delicious. Excellent quality.
- gyozaordered my son the gyoza and side of rice
Frequently criticized
- avocadoIt did not have avocado on every piece
- foodway too long for them to make the food
- sushithe sushi is very small no good flavor
- 805 rollI wouldn't recommend the 805 personally.
- Hot Cheetos topped rollthe Hot Cheetos topped roll was underwhelming
- Tokyo Soul Rollordered the tokyo soul roll n it was a lil salty
- broth partI ordered take out and the container the ramen was in was impossible to open. I couldn’t get to the broth part, felt like a child trying to open a pill bottle. Still waiting for my husband to get home and open it for me.
- carnitas flavorsNo real carnitas flavors.
- chirashi bowlit was good but tiny, not worth $21
- cilantroinstead of cilantro like the menu stated it was some other type microgreen
If you're looking for a spot with creative sushi and fresh fish, especially with a unique fusion twist, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some dishes might have smaller portions or inconsistent flavors, so choose wisely.
Service (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, many guests have had truly delightful experiences, praising the friendly staff and their attentive service. Folks often mention how quickly they were seated and served, with some even getting great recommendations from the team. With 46 positive comments out of 83 total, its clear many appreciate the effort.
However, its not always smooth sailing. Some diners encountered slow service and frustratingly long wait times, occasionally leading to wrong orders or a less-than-welcoming interaction. This contributes to an average score of 6 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 55.4%, showing there's definitely room for improvement.
Service
83
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
33
negative
4
neutral
46
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Attentive service
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Long waits
- Incorrect orders
Often praised
- serviceI enjoyed the great food, which was complemented by great prices. The great service further enhanced my visit. It's wonderful to have a place like this in my neighborhood.
- staffI totally recommend trying this spot; there aren't many places with such good food. The staff is friendly and fast.
- recommendationsalways willing to make recommendations
- waitressThe waitress was really nice and friendly
- Chef AlexanderThe Chef Alexander outdid himself
- customer servicegreat customer service
- experienceThe staff are equally fantastic – friendly, attentive, and always willing to offer recommendations. It truly feels like they care about your experience, making the visit even more enjoyable. I believe this restaurant deserves more credit and is a hidden treasure that more people need to discover!
- friendly staffMy experience at this restaurant was a very pleasant surprise. I was impressed by the creative rolls, the friendly staff, and the funky vibe. Additionally, it was affordable and didn't break the bank.
- greeting customersJust greeting customers with a smile can go a long way.
- missing rollI initially forgot to check my order and realized I was missing a California Roll. However, the staff was quick to get my missing roll to me. THANK YOU FOR THE DELICIOUS SUSHI!
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was that the service was way too slow. It took me 30 minutes to get my California roll, and this was for a to-go order.
- staffNone of the girls even came out
- waiting timeWaited for help on a to go order. 40 minutes passed
- app orderingI do not recommend ordering through the app. It takes over an hour, and they even cancel orders.
- chefParece que cambiaron de chef
- correct orderhow long would it be for me to get my correct order
- customer serviceReally bad customer service
- documentationwould not show documentation
- face maskHe wasn't weary my a face mask
- host/desk girlThe host/desk girl who took my phone call
If you're looking for a place with potentially friendly and quick service, you might be pleasantly surprised. Just be prepared that on busy days, you could face slower service or longer waits, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the vibe! This place generally hits the mark, with a good score of 7.6 and a good customer satisfaction of 85.1%. Guests frequently rave about the "atmosphere, " "vibe, " and "cleanliness, " often noting the "good music" and modern decor.
With 40 positive remarks out of 47 total, its clear many find it a lovely, comfortable, and even funky spot to enjoy. However, it's not entirely without its quirks. A few guests (6 negative remarks) mentioned issues like the glare of the sun being bothersome, especially as it sets, and some found the small space a bit cramped.
There was also a note about the music being a little loud for some, which is something to consider if you prefer a quieter setting.
Ambience
47
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Clean and neat
- Good music
What people don't like
- Sun glare issue
- Small space
- Loud music
Often praised
- musiclike music like Cultura Profetica or Caifanes
- placeThe service was amazing, and the sushi was so good and very fresh. I really like this place and highly recommend it! ❤️
- vibeThe waitstaff was really prompt and friendly. The price was really good for what you receive, and overall the vibe of the place was just great. As a local, I'm a little upset I didn't know about this spot sooner.
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is cute kinda sushi bar/yakitori vibe.
- ambiancehas a unique ambiance
- live musicoccasionally do live music on their patio
- World Class RestaurantWorld Class Restaurant in South Chula
- ambienthappy ambient
- chill atmospherevery chill atmosphere
- cleanlinessThe place is clean and neat.
Frequently criticized
- blindsthe blinds not really covering the glare of the sun
- glare of the sunthe glare of the sun
- musicI highly recommend the Taco Flight. While the service was slow, the staff were friendly, and the music was a little loud.
- small spaceit’s small
- sunas the sun is setting it is REALLY bothersome as the sun shines right in your face
- tablethe table we were sat at was dirty
Overall, if youre looking for a spot with a great atmosphere, good music, and a clean environment, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential sun glare during sunset and that the space can feel a bit cozy, but dont let that deter you from a generally positive experience.
Value (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits a good note, with a solid score of 6.8 and customer satisfaction sitting at a good 71.4%. Many diners appreciate the price and great price for what you get, often noting its "reasonably priced" and "won’t break the bank. " Based on 15 positive remarks out of 21 total, guests often find good value, especially for sushi.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. A few customers felt some dishes were overpriced, particularly when portions were small for the cost. There were also some concerns about prices on the website not matching other platforms, which can be a bit frustrating for those expecting consistency.
Value
21
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good sushi price
- Reasonably priced
- Won't break bank
What people don't like
- Some dishes overpriced
- Tiny portions
- Inconsistent online prices
Often praised
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag. The taste was decent, and the price was reasonable, but the portion sizes were quite small, especially the takeout tubs. The Hot Cheetos topped roll was underwhelming, not living up to expectations.
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I enjoyed the great food, which was complemented by great prices. The great service further enhanced my visit.
- Reasonably pricedReasonably priced.
- great priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the good food and the great price. They also serve alcohol, which is a big plus.
- price for sushiGood price for sushi!
- price pointthe price point is very gracious
- under $10creative options for under $10
- won’t break the bankAnd it won’t break the bank
Frequently criticized
- priceThe waitress was really nice and friendly, which was a great start. I ordered a chirashi bowl, and while it was good, it was tiny and not worth $21. The rolls, however, were good.
- charged uscharged us all 3 sushi's
- dishesSome dishes are over priced
- prices on door dashprices on the website aren't the same from door dash
- prices on websiteprices on the website aren't the same
If youre looking for generally good value, especially for sushi, this place is worth checking out. Just be mindful that some specific dishes might feel a bit pricey for their size, and its always a good idea to double-check current prices.
How are the prices at El Pez?
You’re looking at roughly 34 per person – reported by 36 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is in this range, a good chunk of guests actually spend less, with many reviews clustering in the $21–$30 and $11–$20 categories. This hints at a nice variety, offering both more affordable and slightly higher-end choices.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 36 most recent reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Restaurant in San Diego, especially with the range of options available. It seems like you can tailor your experience to your budget, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Pez
Price per Person
- $100+
Visit Type
- Romantic Date
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Amazing Food, Ideal for Dates!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The place is clean and neat. The speed of service was fair.
The dishes are definitely amazing. The Taco de Pulpo is a must-try! The rolls are amazing, the teriyaki plates are incredible, and the ramen definitely stands out.
It's a must if you are a local and ideal for first dates.
- cleanliness9
- speed of service6
- dishes9
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
2
Closed Store, Unanswered Calls
I saw that the restaurant was open and allowed me to place an order on Grubhub. However, when I drove 25 minutes to the store, it was closed. No one answered the phone.
What is going on?
- store hours1
- phone service1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Mixed Experience with Fresh Fish and Missing Veggies
My experience at the restaurant was a mix of highs and lows. I ordered the Tokyo soul, which was great; the fish was fresh and I'm a fan of Serrano peppers. However, when my veggie Ramen arrived, the waitress did not inform me that the kitchen had run out of sprouts and mushrooms.
Consequently, I was served Ramen with pickles instead, which was a significant oversight in service.
- Tokyo soul9
- fish9
- Serrano peppers8
- veggie Ramen4
- sprouts and mushrooms3
- pickles3
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
App order issues and small sauces
I do not recommend ordering through the app. It takes over an hour, and they even cancel orders. I had to reorder, and this isn't the first time this has happened to me.
I ordered two rolls and received very little sauce.
- rolls5
- app ordering2
- waiting time1
- order cancellation2
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
World Class Food and Service!
I should’ve taken pictures. The Chef Alexander outdid himself on a Wednesday night. The food and service is amazing.
I felt like I was back in Yokohama at the nearest Izakaya. A World Class Restaurant in South Chula.
- food10
- service10
- Chef Alexander10
What El Pez offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at El Pez Kitchen & Sushi?
At El Pez Kitchen & Sushi, you have several convenient service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, and traditional dine-in. For dining, you can enjoy lunch or dinner with table service, and don’t forget to save room for dessert. Seating is available for your comfort.
Is El Pez Kitchen & Sushi accessible and easy to park at?
Yes, El Pez Kitchen & Sushi is designed for accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. You’ll also find parking to be quite convenient, with usually plenty of options including free street parking and a free parking lot available.
How does El Pez rate overall?
El Pez achieves a good overall score of **7.4**, with its **Food** scoring high at (7.9) and **Ambience** also rated well at (7.6). **Value** is considered decent (6.8), while **Service** is average (6).
What is the service like at El Pez?
Service at El Pez can be inconsistent. While many praise the **friendly staff** and their recommendations, some customers have experienced slow service and long waiting times for orders, particularly for takeout.
What kind of dishes are popular at El Pez?
El Pez is known for its **delicious** and **authentic** food, with many enjoying the **sushi**, creative **rolls**, and **ramen**. Specific mentions include the Carnitas Ramen and Fuego Azteca roll.