El Pescador Fish Market — Restaurant in San Diego

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” Jacques-Yves Cousteau

While the sea commands a sense of awe from all of humanity, a select few find themselves caught in a powerful undercurrent that draws them out for a lifetime relationship with it. A simple introduction is enough for them to create a deep salt water fascination that can never be saturated no matter the years they may spend in each other’s company.

My Uncle is such a man and in 1985 he faced a serious dilemma while living in Greenville, South Carolina. Although his business endeavors were successful, he found himself restless with the invitational whispers of the ocean beckoning him towards adventure, but heading that call would require a serious commitment. Should he tack the bow of the boat directly into the winds of adventure, or forgo this opportunity by gybing away?

For him the gravitational pull proved to be too great when a wealthy individual wanted to sail around the world and was in need of someone who possessed the requisite technical skills. Not knowing if he’d ever come back, my Uncle paused his consulting business, accepted the meager $200 weekly salary, and committed to a “cleansing” 2-year adventure culminating in attending the America’s Cup in Perth, Australia.

It was late in the hurricane season by the time they launched the 80-foot ketch into the Atlantic, so their weather related concerns were lessened. However, any hopes for smooth sailing ahead were dashed about 600 miles East of Charleston, South Carolina, when they were first confronted by Hurricane Juan, followed almost immediately by Hurricane Kate. As if being assaulted by 80 knot winds and 30 foot seas weren’t enough of a challenge, once the starter motor caught fire and all of the instruments failed…

“All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty.“ General George S. Patton

You learn so much about a person when they face adversity, and of the 9 people on board during the second of two hurricanes, only 3 of them were still “functioning.” The boat’s owner certainly wasn’t going to be a “resource” while curled up in the fetal position, so the task of survival was placed squarely upon the shoulders of others.

Perhaps miraculously, all survived these harrowing experiences and continued the journey. However, after about 12 months it became clear that the planned 2-year journey was on pace to span a full 7 years, so it became time for my Uncle to return stateside and launch new civic and business adventures.

Traversing the sea for thousands of nautical miles provides ample opportunities for one to throw a line over the stern and see what might end up on the other end. Therefore, when he told me that El Pescador Fish Market offered exceptional “treats from the deep” I knew who I wanted to “Captain” this review!

Each of our visits began the same as he insisted that we proceed through the back entrance so that we could inspect their fish market inventory before perusing the restaurant menu.

Upon entering this feels like an extremely high quality fish market (that also happens to have a restaurant). Although their printed menu is readily available, be sure to glance above the register for their rotating menu (including which fish is featured in their tacos that day).

Our Review Team found the Clam Chowder, Shrimp Cocktail, Savory Pacific Oysters, Sweet Atlantic Oysters, Ahi Fish Tacos, Oregon Snapper, and Local Pacific Swordfish to all be outstanding.

This part of San Diego is known to be home to some extremely high end auto brokers, but since 1974 it has also been home to an extremely high end fish broker. The only downside to eating here is that you will begin measuring all of your future seafood adventures against this one.

And that’s…Henry’s Take.

#treatsfromthedeep

Photo credit @danavoros 📸 Review credit John...

El Pescador Fish Market – A Seafood Lover’s Paradise in La Jolla

Tucked in the heart of La Jolla, El Pescador Fish Market delivers an unforgettable seafood experience that blends incredible freshness with a laid-back, vibrant atmosphere. From the moment you step inside, the tantalizing aroma of fresh fish being grilled and cooked to perfection draws you in, and the lively energy of the space sets the tone for what’s to come.

Ambiance and Service The vibe at El Pescador is undeniably amazing. The space buzzes with energy, a testament to its well-earned popularity. While it was crowded, and we had to wait in line for a bit, it was absolutely worth it. Watching other diners happily enjoy their meals and witnessing the pristine seafood on display builds up the anticipation. The staff members were friendly and accommodating, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Parking, often a challenge in La Jolla, was surprisingly easy to find with ample street parking nearby—a definite plus for this prime location.

The Star of the Show: The Food The highlight of El Pescador is undoubtedly the incredible freshness of the seafood. The market-style setup allows you to choose your fish right on the spot, ensuring you're getting exactly what you want. Everything we tried was prepared to perfection, showcasing the quality of the ingredients.

Seabass Sandwich in a Torta Roll: This sandwich was a standout. The seabass was tender and flavorful, complemented perfectly by the soft yet slightly crispy torta roll. Each bite was packed with freshness and a burst of flavor that had me wishing it would never end. Seafood Plates: We ordered plates featuring halibut and snapper, paired with grilled jalapeños and rice. The fish was grilled to perfection, with a slight char that brought out its natural flavors without overpowering. The jalapeños added a smoky, spicy kick, while the rice was light and fluffy, serving as the perfect base for the rich, flavorful seafood. Final Thoughts El Pescador Fish Market is a must-visit for seafood lovers in San Diego. The combination of incredibly fresh fish, vibrant ambiance, and friendly service makes it an experience you won’t soon forget. Yes, it can get busy, and you might have to wait in line, but the payoff is more than worth it. Whether you're a local or visiting La Jolla, this spot deserves a place on your list. I’ll definitely be...

First time visit last week and can't wait to go back! I'm from Michigan and was visiting my daughter in San Diego. After hiking around Torrey Pines we stopped here for a late lunch! This is such a great place! When we arrived they were very busy but we didn't mind. We grabbed a menu and it took us a while to digest it all. This is an order at the counter then be seated, delivery to your table by number kind of place. Great market ambiance with a full glass counter so you can see what is available before you place your order. Everything looked fresh and amazing.

We ordered some local craft beers which we were happy with. Our food orders included a bowl of the clam chowder, the special of the day, the shrimp and scallop burrito, a yellowfin tuna sandwich and a salad with salmon.

The soup was full of clams and so delicious and creamy. The burrito was so fresh and delicious. The seafood was fresh and cooked perfectly, not overcooked like some places. It had a generous portion of spinach, spicy black beans and guacamole. Was definitely two meals for me. The sandwich was also very good. The tuna was perfectly grilled and seasoned just right. The salad was a little disappointing for the price. The salmon was good and the lettuce was very fresh, but I believe for the price there should have been more ingredients on the salad, it was a little boring.

Overall we were very happy and I can't wait to go back next time...