Mersea's Seafood Restaurant — Restaurant in Grover Beach

We're leaving a one star review because, while we liked the place in the past – for the view from the pier, seafood that at times is passable, etc. (though almost always fried – what's up with that? is that the only way to serve seafood on the Central Coast) – it's criminal the way Mersea's, following a kind of right-wing ideology of wishing the virus away, is ignoring the COVID-19 pandemic and have literally 0 protocols in place for customer safety.

I have been going to restaurants hardly at all since the quarantine began, and only went to Mersea's because my wife and I thought it would be safe out on the pier, in the open space by the bay.

Wrong.

The only thing Mersea's has done to respond to the pandemic is block out a few of the inside booths (something that, I'm sure, is required by the state) but this crams everyone into an even smaller area outside than normal. Ok, yes, the staff wear masks, but I had a lady, without a mask, literally leaning in three feet away and talking into my face (I was masked, thankfully!) asking me where the line was to buy food. This crazy old lady with a drink in hand was not the only unmasked customer in the restaurant. No signs were posted asking customers to please wear masks when they're not eating.

They want you to risk your life then? For rather mediocre fried seafood? I won't be going back.

We've been to other restaurants in the area post-quarantine. Not many, but a few – because, quite frankly, it's not worth risking my life not to cook for the night. We've gone to mostly local places which we wanted to support, and also to give ourselves a break from cooking every day. It's been OK, so far, with the other places, and I haven't felt like I've been putting life and limb on the line to not cook dinner.

Other places in the county (I recommend Embers for fancy food or The Spoon Trade, which especially recently has much more moderate options) have been responsible and have taken care of their customer's safety – with protocols like spacing out tables, limiting reservations, etc.. Mersea's, however, is pandering to a clientele of presumably right-wing tourists from the Central Valley who obviously believe the virus is a hoax. Don't wear a mask! Lean into people's faces! It's all fine! The more people Meresea's can cram onto their limited space on the pier, the better for them – only for you, it's an opportunity to get the virus!

I hope I don't have to tell you: COVID-19 is not a hoax! Buyer beware. You're buying the virus if you go...

We stopped by on Saturday, March 6th for lunch. My husband wanted to go for memories of an outing he had with his mom before she passed this January. Ibhad read the reviews and was a little early due to a recent mention of a bartender not wearing his mask appropriately and some rude behavior. When we got there Alex at the register was fun, easy going and got my order in the system fast. Ealking bybthe bar I saw the rude bartender mentioned in the post and no, he was not wearing his mask above his nose. I watched and he even had it under his chin for a while. I really wanted a bloody mary, but not from this bartender! Our food was served in less than 10 monutes by lovely and cheery Summer. I told her about the bartender amd she immediately went and told him to put his mask on. Joel made my drink and it was fabulous. When my husband went to pay for the drink, rude Rob had the gall to tell my husband while he looked around the corner and pointed at me "she didn't want me to make her drink because I didn't have my mask on. Look, she's not wearing one either!" WOW! I was totally appalled at his rudeness, not to mention I was outside, eating my food and NOT a food or drink server handling other people's stuff! I spoke with Summer who directed me to Mike (G/M). Mike said it was not alright and he would take care of it. Summer brought my son a free ice cream sandwhich and Mike told me he already had a short ( but a longer conversation was still to come) with Rob. I was given another drink by Mike to help compensate for Rob's poor behavior and rude comments. Although the food was good, the view outstanding, and Alex, Summer and Mike were great staff, I would not go out of my way again to eat...

Out of the hubbub of Avila Beach at the end of a working pier is Mersea’s. Go. Order at the counter, grab a beer or cocktail and wait for delicious goodness. The fish n chips and clam chowder were delicious (Sep 2021). Cheeseburger was had by a friend and looked amazing. Prices were attractive about $15 for a plate of whatever. Menu included seafood, salads, chowder, burgers and dog. Open table seating on the pier, very limited seating inside. Free parking before you enter the pier. Walk is about 100 yards to restaurant.

Another visit July 2022 and Marsea’s serves another fantastic fish n chips plate; had a bowl of chowder and a blonde ale too. Fish was firm and a good sized portion. Chips were shoestring with the skin on. Crispy and salty. Chowder was good n hot with bits of clams. I added tabasco for a lil zip. Service was great and staff were friendly and conversational. You can’t beat the ambiance with otters and sea lions below the pier. Find a porthole and you can see right into the water.

Parking off the pier has been plentiful and I presume it’s free parking (a little unusual for a pier area) and I’ve never been cited while visiting. Three restrooms in the pier area...