Follow The Rules And Enjoy Fish Fridays At These San Diego Restaurants

February 18, 2015
Fish Shop Shrimp from PB & Encinitas Fish Shops
Today is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of the Lenten season for San Diego’s almost two million Catholics. During this time, Catholic rules dictate that those over the age of 14 must abstain from consuming meat every Friday. Fish Fridays have become a popular tradition to replace that Friday night cheeseburger. From the go-to fish taco to unique sushi rolls, these San Diego restaurants can help liven up Fish Friday meals this Lent season!

Even the pickiest of eaters can find a way to consume fish at The Fish Shop. Located in Pacific Beach and Encinitas, build your own meal in just four easy steps: 1. Choose of one of Fish Shop’s 12 fresh fish selections; 2. Pick your favorite seasoning (Fish Shop has seven); 3. Order it fried or grilled; and 4. Select if you want to eat your fish as a taco, a sandwich, on top of a salad or as a plate with home-made sides. Additional Fish Shop favorites include the TKO Taco - Mahi Mahi with their secret Fish Shop seasoning and served in a corn tortilla with tropical salsa - and Fish Shop Shrimp with a chipotle aioli dipping sauce. The kiddos even have their own menu that includes kid-sized fish plates, Fish & Chips and Popcorn Shrimp.

Sandbar's award winning fish tacos with a view!
Sandbar Sports Bar & Grill has Mission Beach covered for seafood tacos on Friday. Order local fish grilled or baja-style or mix it up and order shrimp for your taco. Try your seafood taco TKO Style topped with a chipotle aioli, beer-brined escabeche slaw, lime crema, spicy guacamole, tobacco onions, fried cilantro and served in a cotija-crusted flour tortilla. Or order your taco Sandbar Style topped with shredded cabbage, chipotle aioli, salsa fresca and mixed cheeses in soft flour tortillas.

Just steps from the beach, head to The Duck Dive for a variety of fish dishes. Kick start your meal with the Ahi Poke made with jalapenos, avocado and chili sauce. For a light lunch or dinner, the Dive Fish Tacos with house-made mango salsa and the Blackened Mahi Sandwich will hit the spot. Forsomething heartier, order the Pan Seared Baja Sea Bass served with an artichoke caper butter sauce, seasonal vegetables, leeks, tomato and roasted fingerling potatoes.

Saiko's smoked salmon
Saiko Sake & Sushi Bar is the newest addition to North Park’s eclectic dining scene. Saiko serves fresh wild-caught local fish that is hand-picked daily by Chef Anthony Pascale. Find a seat at the sushi bar to watch the masters at work as they prepare nigiri topped with various fish options like Saiko’s melt-in-your mouth house-smoked salmon. Order go-to rolls like California and Spicy Tuna or get adventurous and try the Home Wrecker roll made with eel, avocado, crab, tempura shrimp, caramelized soy and Gochujang spiced cashews.

Pull up a seat at Pacific Beach Shore Club for fish served with a side of San Diego sunset on a Friday night. Check out the recently renovated digs while sharing Popcorn Shrimp or a basket of Calamari with friends. Get your fish taco fix with their choice of grilled or fried Mahi, lobster or grilled shrimp.

For a Fish Friday dinner in the Gaslamp, head to ViVa bar + kitchen for Latin-inspired creations. Start dinner with Baked Mussels or the ViVa Tartare con Sesame served with fresh cactus and corn chips. For the main course, the Pasilla Crusted Sea Bass with green lentils, sautéed spinach, zucchini ribbons and citrus Beurre Blanc sauce and the Seafood Paella with shrimp, halibut, scallops, mussels, calamari, garlic and shallots mixed in with saffron risotto will leave you satisfied.