4. Restaurants

Fish 101

1468 N Coast Hwy 101, Leucadia, CA, 92024
  • (760) 943-6221
  • Store is closed

Fish 101 Menu

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  • george m.

    Consistently great food, informal, relaxed. Used to be a neighborhood secret, but the news has leaked out and the crowds are there. Worth a wait, try the special sides for a treat.

    (5)

  • Kyle B.

    Best seafood in north county. Can't beat the poke bowls and the service is outstanding. Shoutout to Michelle and Ryan!

    (5)

  • Tina T.

    Delicious, fresh seafood, and good beer. Just about the perfect place.

    (5)

  • Alan M.

    Fish 101 has become a local's favorite. Their fresh and tasty seafood is simple but very well done. The atmosphere is very casual and the staff is extremely friendly and accommodating. Happy hour is a good deal if you like oysters and tacos. While everything is reasonably priced it can get a little expensive because everything is all a la carte and so easy to order multiple dishes.

    (4)

  • Raj B.

    Simple, fresh, delicious seafood. Fish 101 is my favorite seafood restaurant in North County. I have been here at least a dozen times and I have enjoyed everything I have eaten. I Recommend the fish plate, fish sandwich, rocket salad and clam chowder.

    (5)

  • Gena L.

    Hubby and I visited for the 3rd or 4th time tonight and everything was in par. Clam chowder awesome! Salad wonderful! Curry fish dish amazing!! Don't hesitate it trying this place it is one of the top tasting spots in north county:)

    (5)

  • Brooke H.

    Friendly service, great beer selection, try the fish and chips or the grilled shrimp tacos!

    (5)

  • Shaggy H.

    Awesome little spot in spot in Encinitas. Went there for dinner and was not disappointed. The grilled fish tacos and Shrimp ceviche was nice and fresh. The spot is pretty popular with locals so don't be surprised to see a line outside the restaurant as people wait to order. They do offer takeout which I like and the pricing is fair, my only gripe with the place and the reason I did not give it a 5 star rating is due to the size of the restaurant. It offers limited seating and you cannot reserve a table ahead of time. I was fortunate after waiting in line and ordering a table, opened up. Some other people not so lucky. Either way if your in the area check them out! They are now open for lunch.

    (4)

  • Scott M.

    Every bit of food was great tasting. We ordered from the side menu (corn, asparagus, bock choi) to augment the clam chowder. Wow was it good! The black bottom creme brûlée was over the top - very tasty. Definitely a do over.

    (5)

  • Tammy M.

    My first time at Fish101 so I did not know what to expect. You stand in line to order and then sit at table with a number and they bring the food to you. VERY casual. I ordered the catch of the day, salmon, and it came at room temperature s I sent it back. They did not re heat but gave me a fresh piece and it was excellent. It is not cheap but neither expensive. Catch of the day was $13.95 with 2 sides.

    (4)

  • Junior R.

    Very good oysters must try go during happy hour really good deal!! Super fresh not fishy at all

    (4)

  • J Y.

    Late review but I have to tell everyone I LOVED my dish! Had the Opah served with asparagus & quinoa that had bits of kale in it. Absolutely delicious! It's nice and casual spot. After we ordered, it got busy so we must've came at a great time. Definitely going back.

    (5)

  • Merry L.

    We tried the mussels. Clean, fresh, delicious broth. The mahi plate with Brussel sprouts and quinoa was great. Very fresh fish and perfectly cooked. The Brussel sprouts were not oily and super flavorful, made with a little bacon. The quinoa was tasty, just a tad too salty. The fish and chips were delicious as well. Hot and crispy . The fries were basic, but enjoyable. The atmosphere is casual and cafeteria like. The service was very good. They are managing the line out the door and the tables very well. We will be back!!

    (4)

  • Ambs W.

    Cute building right on the North Coast Highway. When you walk in, grab a menu and order at the counter. Fresh seafood purchased daily from local fisherman. Oysters, mussels, fish and shrimp. Good beer selection. After paying, you are given a number and you grab a table. There is a front patio and a back patio and a few tables inside. Cute beachy ambience with wood, light colors, and strung lights. Nice addition of some communal tables, too. We wanted the sun, so we sat out on the back patio. I quickly felt like we had crashed a 5-year-olds birthday party. Every single table had at least two little children. We were sitting at a communal table and unfortunately the little girl next to us had a horrible cough, kept throwing a metal rod on the ground and would start screaming when she wasn't getting her way. We were most concerned about her cough. I felt like we were at the start of some epidemic horror flick. We actually moved tables when another one opened up. The food was really really good. I had the shrimp po boy and my husband had the grilled fish of the day. Both were light and airy tasting. Really fresh and delicious. Glad we came here but probably won't eat here again unless we are in the area -- it's a little too kid friendly for us.

    (3)

  • Harriet S.

    My friends and I ate here last night at around 5:30 pm. We ordered fish and chips, calamari and two orders of mussels. Fish and chips and calamari was served within minutes and they were delicious. Unfortunately we had to repeatedly ask for the mussels. After 20 minutes one order of mussels came out. About 15 minutes later the other came out. Usually the mussels are so plump and delicious that waiting for them is not much of a problem. Last night they were sub par. They were mostly small and shriveled and dark. Only a few were pink but also very small. We told our server that the chef probably should have taken them off the menu rather then serving of such low quality. Fish 101 is still one of my favorites in Leucadia but this last occasion was very disappointing.

    (2)

  • Scott L.

    It's a hip and causal seafood restaurant and bar. I give it one star for the wide variety of beer selections and pitcher containers. One star for servers who are prompt and helpful bringing you food to your numbered table. 3/4 star for the quality, selection, and price if fish. I arrived on a Sunday, so maybe the tuna or swordfish wasnt as fresh. And 1/4 star more for the tasty oysters, making it a grand total of 3 stars. I didn't come here for happy hour, but hear good things about it. I'll be back when I'm in town.

    (3)

  • Amy Z.

    My friend and I were driving down the coast while apartment hunting and were so hungry. The Garmin was no help, so I pulled over and consulted Yelp. Fish 101 had a high rating and was just down the street. We found parking around the corner of the next block, though later discovered a small lot behind the restaurant. My friend is not really a seafood person, but is learning to like it. Right now, she'll eat halibut, and thankfully, it was on the menu. I'd been craving a fried shrimp po' boy for about a month, but denying myself because I didn't want to wage the calories on a disappointing sandwich. Based on the reviews and menu items, I decided to go for it. If it wasn't going to be good there, it wasn't going to be good anywhere. The side options include the usual cole slaw and fries, but for a $1 upcharge, you can get one of the special sides, such as asparagus or mushroom/kale quinoa. Everything was excellent. Fresh, perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned. My anti-fish friend cleaned her plate! I highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • M N.

    Hit up Fish 101 during our family vacation to SD. Really cool, relaxed surfer vibe here and excellent food. Counter service and first come for tables. Fish tacos are very good (both Baja and grilled) as was the calamari starter. Kids loved the grilled cheese and fries.

    (4)

  • Samantha T.

    Cute little spot great atmosphere. Fish tacos were better than the shrimp. Ceviche was delish. Recommend trying.

    (4)

  • Ali G.

    What a nice surprise! Kids friendly and awesome food. Good crowd. Be there early, line goes out the door

    (5)

  • Shasta L.

    Great quality fish, friendly service, nice ambiance. The only thing I would mention is that since you order at the counter and they bring out your food you might want to get a couple drinks at a time if your thirsty; because it's a pretty popular place and you would have to wait in line that could take awhile if you want a second one. They might want to put a separate drink like or think about having sit down dining if they want to improve their liquor or beer sales. Otherwise nice place.

    (4)

  • Lo F.

    Our absolute new favorite spot in North County. Always delicious, everything we've tried has been fresh and absolutely amazing! My favorites are the fish sandwich and the clam chowder. On our last visit, we tried the fish and chips and it was honestly the best I've ever had. The like moves quickly and the service is great so don't be discouraged if there is a line. This place is a true gem!!!

    (5)

  • Wendy S.

    We came to Fish 101 as complete tourists, not knowing what to expect. We ended up ordering a variety of things off the menu including two piece fish & chips, fish tacos, calamari, and the poke.. first off, the portions are very big and sharable! My husband loved his fish tacos, they were big and full of battered fish and veggies. My 8 year old ordered the calamari for herself, it's the only seafood she seems to enjoy, hah. It was a very large portion, they were really delicious. I had ordered the poke for starters, which I ended up sharing with my husband.. it was so fresh, and that hint of Asian flavor was amazing with the crispy won tons it's served with. Last was the order of fish and chips, pretty standard from the others I've tried.. big, hot, crunchy... don't forget the malt vinegar and tartar sauce. This place is very small, but they offer heated outdoor seating.. keep in mind, you'll probably have to sit next to strangers on each side of you, but no one seemed to mind.

    (4)

  • K C.

    Great food! Great fish! if you are part of the surfer crowd. The food is surprisingly good, and those grilled romaine lettuce hearts, oh my oh my. I have become addicted and now make them at home. BUT this is NOT the place to take someone hard of hearing i.e., aged friends or relatives: IT IS SO LOUUUUUUUD that you can't hear yourself speak. There is something wrong with the curved design of the walls in the back. Between high pitched conversation, crying babies, and just simple folk, no way can you hear your taablemates. Go there to EAT. PERIOD. I give it 3 stars because of the NOISE. The food would get 4.

    (3)

  • carol P.

    Everything here is super fresh and doesn't kill the pocketbook. No frills just good food. I will definitely try more fresh fish options next time, I had mahi tacos.

    (4)

  • Emma L.

    The fish/shrimp tacos are en pointe. I ordered 1 baja fish taco, 1 grilled shrimp taco, and 1 grilled fish taco. All were fabulous. Sometimes I hesitate to order fish tacos because they usually come drenched in white sauce and loaded with onions, but Fish 101's tacos had the perfect balance of sauce and pico de gallo (mostly tomato with a little onion). The tacos were a little pricey compared to the local Mexican joints, but well worth it. The other meals ordered (sock-eye salmon and salad with shrimp) were good as well. The shrimp were well cooked and had lots of flavor even without a sauce. Service was great as well; the food came within fifteen minutes of ordering. The only reason I withheld a star is because the menu is slightly limited. I'd like to see them add a few more options. Can't wait to come again!

    (4)

  • Brooke M.

    Everything about this place rules. The staff is helpful, fast and always smiling. The food is consistent, clean and amazing. The desserts are simple and perfect. I worked for The Parker in Palm Springs for years (in both Mr. Parkers and Norma's) and I can appreciate a good staff which can make or break the food. Fish 101 does what it does well, nothing to change and highly recommended. Oh and do yourself a favor and order the Creme Brule...um yeah, just do it.

    (5)

  • Bill B.

    As a frequent diner at Fish 101, I can say with certainty this place is consistently fresh and delicious. The specials on the chalkboard are worth checking out (tataki and poke bowl are always great!) Also, do not be put off by the long lines or the seating... the process moves quickly and the tables are always turning; however, if you have a large party, do not go during peak hours. Atmosphere is casual, prices are reasonable, and it is overall a great addition to the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Sandy K.

    A great small counter service fish shop. Had the crispy calamari and fish and chips. Hot and quick. Left very satisfied

    (4)

  • Keith B.

    This is a rare find in my book perfectly simple. Anyone who cooks or enjoys food understands that what seems simple on a plate typically takes hours in the kitchen. Everything from start to end is as it should be balanced flavor, great portion size, pure unadulterated food porn. This is a place that your body will crave. Unpretentious surfer vibe with fantastic decor, smiles all around, line out the door and hard to find a seat so get in early secure your spot and feel free to order the whole menu because I have yet to be disappointed only pleasantly surprised. Don't go expecting overdressed fish on rice or veg, expect clean subtle flavors where the quality of the protein shines! Must order a sweet at the end so save room!!!!

    (5)

  • M+J K.

    I would give this place 5 stars if it was not a walk up and order place. Personally, I like to be waited on and do not like community tables. Other than that, order the seafood curry. EPIC! Everything else there is outstanding too.

    (4)

  • Frederick H.

    I like good food, my friend likes cheap food. Both of us need to eat more fish. We came here for dinner this weekend. Finding street parking was difficult, had to walk about a block. The place was busy but not full at 7pm on a Sunday. You order from the counter, and they bring your food out. They have a lot of specials on the board, but pick up a paper menu, because there's a lot more there. I would have had the oysters and a beer, but oysters are cheaper during happy hour, and oysters and beer have been a problem for my gout. So we started out with the grilled "shrimp cocktail" which really wasn't a cocktail, though the grilled shrimp were great, it seemed a little overpriced. I got fish and chips, which were great - nice crispy beer batter, good fries, malt vinegar. My buddy got grilled halibut and rice which he liked. Will be back!

    (4)

  • Amanda R.

    Oysters were delicious, super fresh! Fish and chips plate was awesome! And huge! Also had st archer blonde ale beer - really crisp and amazing !

    (5)

  • Laurie S.

    I am a HUGE fan of fish & chips, and holy crap was this AMAZING! I was very pleased and super satisfied after I grubbed down on some tasty food. The line was pretty long but moved very fast to get into the door. We had a half our party in line while we searched for parking (which I can see is a slight challenge as the parking lot is microscopic but there is a neighborhood behind the place you can park in). You walk in and place your order then grab a seat, I recommend the lemonade they make on-site, so good! Overall, the place is clean, staff is friendly, fast service and super good food!

    (5)

  • Chad M.

    Great local fish joint and favorite of the surf crowd. Always serving the best local craft beer. Good oyster selection. Fish always fresh. Love the White Sea bass fish plate . Staff is always friendly both in he water and out . Don't be afraid of the line . The tables turn quickly and it's part of the charm.

    (5)

  • Tamara S.

    Not really much of a bar here. It is order at the counter take your number and they bring the food to ya. Oysters are fresh and good and a buck a piece. Very casual. Little out door patio,. Food is fresh and served promptly. Getting the grilled selection tonight. We'll see.....

    (4)

  • Lindsey N.

    My family always eat here when we're in San Diego. It is amazing! Best fish and chips I've had. Fresh fish, seasoned just right. And don't miss out on dessert. Their black bottom creme brûlée is excellent. Fun atmosphere as well!

    (5)

  • Nadia Q.

    Our "GO TO" weeknight dinner- great beer on tap and amazing fish tacos- fresh and fabulous. We love this spot in Encinitas- Great for kids and groups. So yummy!

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    Awesome. Great place to eat. I love the seabass and yellowtail. Everything is good. I eat at this restaurant all the time ;-)

    (5)

  • Michelle N.

    I went to this place back in June, with my dad and uncle. We went on a Sunday around lunch time and boy was this place busy. The turnover rate was fairly decent so not really a wait, but the tables are tightly packed so be aware of your surroundings. This place truly is a hidden gem, yay for local eateries. We started with the calamari and steamed mussels, the calamari was so so but the steamed mussels were BOMB!! I ended up with the baja fish tacos, talk about yummy. I had to bring 2 home cause I was full. My uncle got the grilled shrimp tacos, he loved them. My dad had the kid's menu sliders, perfect size for him. They have Mexican Coke, it seems like every seafood restaurant in San Diego serves this now. Didn't try the dessert because we were so full, will have to try for next time. Definitely coming back, just allow some time for parking and seating. My uncle ended up parking his truck in the dirt area across the street, close to the train tracks.

    (4)

  • John A.

    If you are looking for great fresh fish in San Diego then this is the spot. The oysters are fresh and are worth having. The salads are simple, fresh and a great starter. Low key and perfect for families. The line is often out the door but don't let this discourage you. Well worth the wait. Order at the counter and the food is brought to you. Servers are happy to add to the order.

    (5)

  • Calvin H.

    I met up with some friends for dinner here on one rainy Friday night. Little did I know that parking would be non-existent. The parking lot in the back fits about 8 cars. So unless your parking karma is off the hook, you and your friends who didn't win the parking lottery will be searching for scarce street parking. The restaurant itself is pretty casual. You order up front and seat yourself. The food is brought to your table when it's ready. The mahi mahi was grilled to perfection, not dry at all and the salad had a good mix of greens (not iceberg lettuce). My only complaint was the baby bok choy as it was drenched in a super salty sauce that made it difficult to finish.

    (3)

  • Cherie T.

    i first noticed this restaurant was when i was taking the Amtrak train. I often see people waiting in line at this place so finally I got to try it. We got there when the restaurant opened and it was happy hour. $1 oysters and $2 fish tacos (2.50 for grilled fish tacos! The oysters were fresh! and the Grilled Fish tacos were decent size and tasted alright (i prefer South Beach Bar & Grill for their fish tacos). For dessert I really wanted to try their tres leche but the day that i went didn't have that. So i ended up getting an order of Black Bottom Creme Brulee - it was good, but nothing too special about it. the atmosphere is great - very cute. I love the patio area. I definitely will come back here for their happy hour; i hope they'll have the tres leche when i go next time!

    (4)

  • E B.

    Bottom Line Up Front: Great food and service. Definitely worth the visit. Our visit: We arrived at 5:15 pm for dinner on a Friday night. We were pleasantly surprised to be there for Happy Hour (4-6pm). Specials include $1/oysters and $2.50/fish tacos. Food: Fish tacos were good. Clam chowder was a little bland. Oysters were awesome. Deserts (German chocolate cake and Creme brûlée) were awesome.

    (4)

  • Anne O.

    Still LOVE Fish 101. Fish tacos, oysters, everything. So happy to only live a couple blocks away. Eat here about once a week, and if not, am likely out of town. So happy they are doing well, they deserve it - it's delicious!

    (5)

  • Bill S.

    Love this place. Quality seafood, great local vibe. Reasonable prices, including $10 corkage and $1 oysters at happy hour. As California as it gets.

    (5)

  • Laura S.

    Think upscale order at the register and sit down. I was happy to find a restaurant that my bland diet boyfriend and I could eat at that wasn't Applebees. Nice menu mix. They do run out of items, but is a small and I am pretty sure it's all made same day. I would love to see more restaurants like this around my house. I had the fish of the day (halibut) with quinoa and house salad. All fantastic. Think 15 bucks a person for dinner. Lots of locals... yum..

    (5)

  • Love R.

    Were sent here at the recommendation of our daughter in law because she swore by it, do we came! We were very disappointed. I had halibut catch of the day & the wife had the shrimp. It was leathery and it treated like it was prefrozen. Won't come back not worth it!

    (1)

  • Pam M.

    I really wasn't impressed but my husband liked his fish tacos. I wanted to try the creme brulee but they only serve it in the evenings.

    (4)

  • bob a.

    Quality and prep of food was very good. Walk up counter. Pretty basic, but priced accordingly- decent value. Everything we ordered was good.

    (4)

  • Briana S.

    Fantastic! I was down in SD visiting my friend J and wanted a healthy dinner before hitting the road back to LA. J suggested a great local place 101 Fish. She told me the story of how they came to be. 6 PM on a Tuesday and the place was packed. After a short wait to place our order, we paid and found seats on the front patio. J ordered the grilled shrimp tacos and I ordered the grilled fish tacos (it was Mahi Mahi that day). Admittedly, I'm a sucker for fried fish tacos, but I'm trying to keep it healthy, so I'll have to sample fried goodness another day :) Food came quickly and the servers were very friendly. We each were given a platter with three large tacos. I liked that these were in a single corn tortilla cutting down the calorie count. They come with sides of guac and salsa. Tacos were super fresh. J & I swapped one of each so we could both try both kinds... really enjoyed them both. Healthy portion of fish across three tacos. I left full, but not overstuffed, and happy that I got my San Diego fish taco fix. YUM. I'd definitely come back on another visit!

    (4)

  • R N.

    Great place, food and people. casual beach atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Madison L.

    I come here at least once a week. Delicious, fresh, perfectly cooked fish, and creative sides. Their seafood curry is one of my favorites! Healthy mid week dinner option with plenty of decadent treats if you're in the mood!

    (5)

  • Sony L.

    Came here for dinner yesterday. The atmosphere and decor are cool. But I came here for the food. It was just "okay". Not bad, not very good. We had the ahi poke, the tuna tataki (which was the crudo special of the day) a dozen Phantom Creek oysters, the Po' Boy Sandwich, the calamari and the shrimp cocktail. The best thing was the ahi poke, but even then it was still lacking in flavor. It needed more of everything. The calamari was slightly over cooked. The tuna tataki was pretty bland, sadly. By the way, the shrimp cocktail was not anything like a traditional cocktail in that they seasoned and grilled the shrimp and served it with a small side of cocktail sauce on the side. The bread and aioli for the Po' Boy were actually quite good, but there was a massive amount of pickled red onion on the sandwich that threatened to mask the taste of everything else. Needless to say, I took it all off. I'll be back for the oyster happy hour, but I'll head elsewhere for my dinner. I really wanted to like this place. *sigh*

    (3)

  • Joe D.

    Great everything, never had a bad meal. Tacos, fish etc all great. Owner is great and works there all the time. Everything is fresh. Gets very busy and sometimes hard to find a seat but other than that it's spectacular

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    We were a large group so we tasted many items and they were all great. Special mention to the oysters and fried calamari: just perfect. The atmosphere was great and the waiters were polite and knowledgeable. I'm looking forward to go back

    (5)

  • Sgt N.

    Prices are reasonable. The food is great. Fish n chips was the perfect comfort food I was looking for.

    (4)

  • Lee P.

    A quaint roadside bistro that is popular with tourists lodging nearby as well as the faux-riche beautiful people and their litters. This interesting cross section makes for great people watching and evaluating the latest trends in Botox, face lifts and breast enhancements as well as ink and skin art on trust-funders. The ambiance is what one woud expect for a roadhouse, and that's not bad unless one was mistakenly seeking some sort of intimate dining experience. Ordering is done from the counter at the door and runners bring it to your table. Be prepared for a line out the door and halfway down the building. This place gets busy and stays busy. Don't be dismayed, it does move quickly. Tables are at a premium, so while in line, send one of your party inside to scout and pounce. Also, if you're a couple, be prepared to share a quad. It's the typical thing outside the USA and you will either hear some interesting discussion or might actually engage in the dying art of conversation. Either way, it's a plus. Oh, and when you're done eating, if there's a line outside, please be considerate get the hell out! It's not the local lounge. It's a turn and burn bistro. There's lots of seedy little dive bars in the area where you can camp for hours and nurse a single glass of pukey-sweet chard and gvetch about your ex or post-op breast asymmetry. Seating is at a table out front on the porch, inside at one of the few tables, or out back on the covered patio at one of the few tables. In all, in back there's about 10 tables, probably 5 or 6 inside and the same in front. They are either deuces, quads or sixes. Very casual. Parking is a nightmare. Be a real local and blow all that drama off and park across the road next to the train tracks. You'll be closer than anything you'll find on the restaurant side of the street. Lots of parking next to the tracks and its directly across the road. Easy in/out, free, simple and no chance to be towed. The bill of fare is simple: grilled fish, fried fish, fish or shrimp tacos or burgers. The selection of fresh fish used in the meals varies daily and is displayed on the chalkboard behind the counter where you order. They also have specials and fresh oysters (daily selection changes), poke and chowder. Everything made on premises, even the tartar sauce. Side dish specials are also on the board. I had the baby bok choy and the sweet corn sauté. Both were delicious and a great pairing with my grilled fresh sea bass. Excellent quality and preparation. Service, despite the heavy order volume, is prompt and everything arrives hot and freshly prepared. How they can shuck a dozen oysters so fast and do it right, I have no idea. I'd love to see it. I thought I was pretty quick (my wife complains about that fact, but maybe she's making a different reference), but these folks crank it out. Good meal, good people watching.

    (4)

  • Rich F.

    Excellent fresh fish, simply prepared with friendly service. Mahi mahi, halibut, mussels were spot on and quickly served. The Creme brûlée was a nice way to end a perfect meal.

    (5)

  • Robert B.

    I thought I knew of really good seafood places but this place tops the list. I used to like to go to Pellys but now I found my new fish sandwich place. They also have the best fish tacos I've ever had and their happy hour deals are insane it's like a dollar for oysters earn a buck fifty for a fish taco I love love love love love this place!

    (5)

  • Christina L.

    Discovered this place by simply driving by and The next day we came for dinner. The food is very good and they have a good little kids menu, which is much appreciated by me and my son. I stared with the clam chowder to start and the fish and chips sans chips sub coleslaw. The chowder was light and had good flavor. The fish had a great crisp to it and the coleslaw was really good. My boyfriend got the tuna poke which was delicious. If I weren't pregnant and didn't have to watch the amount of tuna I consume then I would have gotten this for an entire meal. Overall the dinner was good. My only complaint was that I think everything needed a little bit more salt, but that's my ONLY complaint. We will come here again.

    (4)

  • Andrew F.

    I really like this place. The ordering/seating is somewhat unconventional if you are looking for a date-like setting, but the food is great. Fish 101 seems to have some of the best seafood in town and better yet they seem to know what they are doing in the kitchen. In our visit I went for the basic fish sandwich, fries and a calamari app. It was A LOT of food. Easily enough for 2 people (think, Cheesecake Factory portions). Overall, I am a fan of Fish 101. It's casual, they have good ingredients and good preparation. Good seafood is hard to come by in San Diego (especially North County), so it's nice to have a go-to place nearby.

    (4)

  • Kelly R.

    Fish 101 is a great find but not a secret, long lines. Super happy hour, excellent food, baja and grilled tacos are fantastic. Try the creme brûlée, amazing!

    (5)

  • Jamie S.

    I love this place. The vibe is relaxed and the food is delicious! I love that the menu is always changing, the seafood tastes fresh ad the prices are fair. I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Dave E.

    Opted for a couple dozen oysters and was able to stomach one...they were basically inedible. Parking is a bit tough bc you're on the 101 and we witnessed 3-4 almost accidents complete with honking and swerving.

    (2)

  • Giang H.

    definitely deserve 4.5 stars! Great place to get some good seafood. fish and chips, oysters, shrimp, etc...are all good. happy hour prices are awesome too! $1 oysters are awesome. nice casual environment and the guy at the cash register is always friendly! good beer and wine selection too! we like the outdoor patio. TIP: you can order, get a table, and order more from the guys that come around instead of getting back up!

    (4)

  • Gail H.

    Tonight was a disappointing second visit to Fish 101. Came once before and had fish taco's and chowder and it was very good. Tonight I had a "special" crab and shrimp louis salad. It wasn't very special. The salad had about a spoon full of crab and maybe 6 shrimp. Other than that only romaine lettuce and a few shreds of carrot. They would do better to raise the price $5-8 and increase the amount of crab, maybe add a hard-boiled egg, fresh cucumber, and a few spears of asparagus. I'd have been happy to pay the extra and get what you'd expect vs. getting an anemic salad. My husband and our friend had the "special" sea bass, and while the flavor was good the filet was thin and rather small. I would have rated tonight as a 1 but am accounting for our first visit. My advice, stick to what you're good at and when you offer specials make sure they are.

    (3)

  • Bleep S.

    4.5 Casual, upbeat place. A bit loud on a Friday evening but not uncomfortably so. Grilled fish sandwich..lettuce,tomato, pickled red onions, lemon aioli...delicious and huge! Wasn't sure I could negotiate the whole sandwich, but amazingly, it disappeared. Very good cole slaw on the side. My friend had grilled fish tacos and they looked yum. The guy had the grilled, today's catch, fish salad (salmon)...He loved it. Coronado Golden beer, refreshing and perfect with the sandwich. We will be returning when in the Encinitas area....

    (4)

  • Ron R.

    Superb, fresh fish and healthy food at its best in a simple restaurant with a friendly staff. I've been back twice in the last 24 hrs and am so glad I found this place!

    (5)

  • Linda N.

    Visited Carlsbad for a weekend and came here with some friends for dinner because a friend had the place bookmarked and I'm so glad we did. The place was packed on a Friday night and there was a line. The spot isn't too big, but a decent size. Luckily our friends were already there or else it would've been hard to find a table. It has a cute casual atmosphere and a good selection of seafood and beer. How the place is set up is you get in line to order and then find a seat. You can leave your tab open and order more items once seated. Everything we ordered was amazingly good and fresh. Albacore poke: probably the best poke I've had aside from Hawaii. The flavoring was on point and the fish was fresh. Comes with wonton chips. Fresh oysters on the 1/2 shell: we just did a mix and match of the 3 types of oysters they had available for the day (can't remember which ones they were) but ALL were delicious. Shrimp ceviche: the perfect combination of tangy and spicy. White clam chowder: this was the only item that was just ok. Probably wont order it next time and save room for more of the fresh seafood dishes. Topped the meal off with a mission blonde which was crisp, light and refreshing. Would definitely come back to order everything again and try more new stuff. Minus 1 star because the parking sucks. Parking lot is located behind the restaurant but there isnt many spots and its oddly shaped. There was one spot available but there was no way we could maneuver into it. Had to find street parking instead and walk to the restaurant while it was sprinkling.

    (4)

  • Dung N.

    This place looked promising as we drove by and saw a line forming outside the entrance. The food looked so good as we decided on what to order...The fish and chips seemed popular, so I got the 3 piece which comes with fries. Their desserts were limited- only 3 choices that night and one of them (the one I wanted to try) was not available. I really wanted to try the tres leches or even the strawberry one I saw posted on yelp. :( I paid for my order and waited for my food to come. It came out pretty fast. The fish was very fresh. Too bad I didn't like the batter. It was tasteless. The fries were not bad though. I hope the other items on their menu taste better than they look!

    (3)

  • Dave G.

    Fish 101 is a one of those very California casual places with counter service and first-come-first-serve seating. The atmosphere is low frills, but comfortable. The patio out back is a nice place to hang out and eat. If the place is crowded, there are a couple of communal tables. The food is good. They do simple, but lovely work with fresh fish. Order the grilled dinner and choose one of the catch of day fishes off the chalk board behind the counter. The tuna tartar was really beautiful. They called it Poke. The oyster sampler provided three options of locally, sustainably sourced bivalves and all were delicious. One standout for me was the seaweed salad. It was probably the best I've ever eaten. The star rating here is a tough call. I give it 3.5 stars, but only because the field of good fish restaurants in San Diego is very strong.

    (3)

  • K R H.

    Great seafood restaurant! We have been here several timed and have never been disappointed!

    (5)

  • MyEatery A.

    Though the stand in line to order and then sit, hoping you can find a seat, is NOT one of my favorite things (loss of Money to the restaurant, and personal connection to the restaurant is lacking in the experience), for starters. When in Rome.... You try what the locals love. In leucadia it is Fish 101. Other than the line/ ordering/seating situation, there is a simple nice clean atmosphere, great outdoor patio for seating in back. If u can find a seat your golden. Once you do, and the food arrives, it is worth it. Happy hour with oysters on the half shell, yummm.... The fish is grilled, with a nice char-grilled flavor. They have it down, grilled to perfection every time. So far I have been several times and haven't had a bad moment yet! Ask for the grilled asparagus, excellent accompaniment. I'd prefer a more diverse wine list, for beer there are better choices. I did leave wanting another bit of wine to finish my meal with, but didn't want to stand in line mid-meal. Other than that it was a flavorful, healthy, meal that reminds me of true coastal California living. I was just at a catered event for Encinitas magazines launch party, where fish 101 catered the event. They feed nearly 100 people, and it lost nothing in the travel & quick set up kitchen. It was still amazing! And their set up was nice, efficient, where they worked together and never had people waiting for food. I'd definitely use them for my next outdoor event. Overall go..... Go early 5:00ish or wait til 7:45. Then you may get a seat. Happy dinning!

    (4)

  • Simon H.

    Annoying to have to line up and then not get a table to sit at. Also if you want a second drink, it's annoying to have to go through a while process with the waiter. Food good, nice place, but I wish it was waiter service, would change the entire atmosphere. Lots of frustrated people wandering around asking if the seat next to you is free.

    (3)

  • Glenn R.

    Came here during a family trip to Legoland and wanted to see what all the hype was all about. We weren't disappointed. My wife is a harsh critic but loved the baja fish tacos. Came here on a tues afternoon so happy hour specials were on. Kids portions were huge so it was perfect for my two little ones to share. Will definitely come back to try their grilled fish or po'boy sandwiches.

    (5)

  • Rick R.

    6 of the shucking best Kumamotos to start with grilled halibut tomato coconut soup and grilled romaine - delicious

    (5)

  • Monica B.

    This place is awesome! Came here with a few friends over the weekend. I ordered the shrimp and crab Louie salad. The crab was so fresh and delicious. Great beer selection and friends wait staff. This place is a gem!

    (5)

  • Freddy K.

    Fish tacos are hit and miss sometimes, but when they good they are good. The fries are great.

    (4)

  • Arama K.

    I truly wanted to like Fish 101. Being a native New Zealander who grew up with fish fresh from sea and stream, I'm always looking for a fresh take on classic fish and chips (and any seafood really). Fish 101 has a nice layout and ambience and friendly staff. Sadly it doesn't have the food to back it up. I ordered the three piece fish meal (around $12.95 from memory) and a St Archer Blonde. A nice tartare sauce accompanied the dish. The fish was just ok though a reasonable batter was in evidence. The chips were piled in a mountain on a platter in quantities that the Hulk might have struggled to finish. Worse, they were stodgy and poor. It brought to mind the adage quality beats quantity. I realize everyone has their own preferences but I much prefer a chunky and well cooked chip over a Mcdonalds like French fry especially one that's flavorless. Sorry Fish 101 but three stars is the best I can do on the Food. The server model is ok but if there's a line it's a hassle getting a second drink. Perhaps servers could do drink refills? I plan to give it another shot on some other dishes which did look good - I'm hopeful they can up the game on the fish and chips! One further note - very family and friends oriented and good for kids

    (3)

  • Ben B.

    What a great Yelp discovery. Fish 101 totally delivers on the fresh fish at a reasonable price. It is the California Casual style of dining where you order at the counter and sit to be served which works well for its location and size. It is very popular, especially during happy hour when Oysters are $1 and you can get a draft beer for $3, wine for $5. I had the oysters (Phantom, awesome), poke and grilled fish tacos. I would easily go back for more in an instant. The fish was extremely fresh and everything was high quality at a nice price point. The only thing that creates any kind of hesitation in returning is the fact that it is pretty busy, making it uncomfortable to stay at your table for too long. I saw plenty of people that were comfortable hanging out taking their time, but I felt bad occupying a table when there were so many people coming in to order. The food also comes out at such a rapid clip that you feel responsible to eat up and move-a-long. Parking can also be a challenge, but you can usually go around the corner and find street parking fairly easily. All in all Fish 101 is a nice little place with fantastic food and it's popularity shows in the number of diners they have on a regular basis!

    (4)

  • Charlie C.

    Read the good reviews and wanted to try the fish and chips for lunch. Ordered the 3 piece fish and chips. The fish was overly battered served up on a plate with 5 times more fries than fish. Too much batter caused the fish to be greasy leaving an unpleasant aftertaste of greasy film on my tongue. The fish portion was quite small for the price paid. It certainly felt like I was eating only potatoes. I really wanted the "wow" factor here since I was on vacation, but didn't get it. I may return next year and try a different offering on the menu if I'm in the same area again.

    (2)

  • Alexander L.

    Don't sleep on the Po' Bo'y's Keeping it fresh, juicy + surprisingly light for the large portion!!! Best quality fresh seafood in N.County.Coastal!!! 101 a must stop! Parking in rear available / left (south) side of restaurant

    (4)

  • Meagan W.

    LOVE this place!! The food is amazing, the beer is amazing, and the staff is amazing.. did I mention this place is amazing?! My favorite meal: fish and chips with a side of lemon aioli, cup of clam chowder and a nice cold ballast point pale ale! Only reason I left out that last star is for the size of the place.. I like the idea of having a small, cozy, home-like feel, but having to stand around and feel like you're in the way after you order because you can't find a place to sit is not very fun. If you can't increase the size of the place, maybe put up signs that say "no seating until after you order" or something like that. The people that scout out tables while they are seven deep in line screw it up for all the other people ahead of them. Last time I was in there a guy found a table for him and his lady, while his lady was about ten back in line, while in the mean time a family that had already ordered and couldn't find seats had a staff member bringing out their food with no where to put it! I think everything would run its natural course if you didn't find a seat until after ordering. But enough of the negative... the waiting is nothing compared to the great food and fun atmosphere of the place! LOVE IT!!

    (4)

  • Trish S.

    Wanted, craved, NEEDED fish and chips and with trusty yelp spitting out all sorts of options, we decided on Fish 101 in Encinitas ( heads up, you have to flip a u turn as it is located on the southbound side of the 101) Parking is rough, street parking available and a small lot in back it seems. The hotel to the south of the restaurant WILL TOW YOU, so beware. Seating in the front, indoors, and out back. Casual, small, & clean, with a design that is fresh and modern. At Fish 101 you order at the counter, get your number, and they find you and quickly bring out your meal. We both ordered the fish and chips, and a starter of scallop ceviche with guacamole. They brought us our beverages ( FRESH yummy lemonade and an AP) in adorable canning jars, how cute! Service was great. The ceviche was fresh and although it had great flavor, it could have used a little more kick. I almost added some sriracha but ended up being pure to the experience. Served with chips and a smidgen of guac (the portion side of the guac was pretty sad, yummy, but tiny...did you want to leave me wanting more FIsh 101? Cuz I do) Our fish and chips were brought out really quickly, the fries were awesome, and the fish itself was super fresh. My only complaint is concerning the texture. It was crispy and amazing at first, then in the middle it got kind of mushy. At first bite I adored the breading, light not too dense or heavy...but as I continued it wasn't consistent throughout the piece of fish. All in all we enjoyed it and we were gonna give it 3.5 stars, THEN the BF ordered the strawberry rhubarb crisp...which is his favorite thing in the world besides me...and there was that extra star. He literally said that to me with his mouth full "babe, there's an extra star." Served in another adorable canning jar topped with really creamy vanilla ice cream, extra star deserved! We'll be back!

    (4)

  • Martta R.

    This restaurant is why when we travel we eat local. The food is fresh and healthy. The vegetables and other items are purchased locally. It is a great little place that the locals know and visitors are finding out about. So be prepared for a line. This place is small, but worth the wait. The process: First, you line up. The line itself can be long, so grab a menu. While in line, you choose what you want from the menu. Then by the time you arrive at the register, place your order and they give you a number stand. The waiters bring you the food. Simple. Our group tried a variety of items which enabled us all to try a little bit of everything. Appetizers: Fried calamari and clam chowder. The calamari just had a slight dusting of a cornmeal based breading. It was light and not overwhelming. Surprisingly, there were no side sauces or aioli served to us. That was okay. The calamari could stand on its own. There was an added surprised: thinly sliced lemon, breaded and fried with our calamari. Everyone had to try it and loved it! Now, I am picky about my white clam chowder because I make my own that is some of the best I have ever tasted. Their clam chowder was good, not great. If you are used to a thicker base in your chowder then you will be disappointed. However, this chowder had bacon, plenty of potatoes, and celery. The one thing I missed was more clams! For our entrees our group had the Rocket salad with grilled fish, grilled shrimp, the grilled fish tacos (both regular and baja style) and the shrimp tacos. Each of these wonderful tacos are offered in both grilled and fried versions. The shrimp was not over done or chewy; which tends to be the case in some shrimp tacos. The fish was light and flaky. For sides there were seasonal veggies of grilled asparagus and baby bok choy. They were so delicious. We also had traditional sides of crispy fries and cole slaw. Again, great additions to our meals. Beside the fresh grilled fish you can find salads, raw fresh shucked oysters, sandwiches and burgers. It is not a huge menu, but there is something for everyone. Everything is done well. We did not try the dessert portion, but its an excuse to come back. So, they have great food, but have a really good drink menu for a small restaurant. What I found interesting is that not only is their food local, but their beer is too! I recently read that in the San Diego there are over 250 micro and custom brewers. Fish 101 offers not just beer on tap that you usually find, but they have 6 different breweries represented. Our personal favorite is the Coronado Brewery. The Coronado Golden is a nice summer beer that went well with out meal. Cons of this place? Size! We want more! Seating is inside or outside, but still compact. It is best that if you have a larger group, like our family of 4 and 3 friends, that someone grab a table while others are ordering. We also had to get used to the self serve water and manner of ordering. Parking is a pain. Location is right on the major road. Despite it all, we loved it! A definite do again on a return visit.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth R.

    Great happy hour! Awesome music. The back area seating is so calming & you wouldn't even imagine you're in the parking lot -- have some oysters & wine and then head to the cliffs for the sunset!

    (5)

  • Scott G.

    Tried a bunch of shit from here and this is how it all broke down: - Oysters - salty and delicious..$1 happy hour oysters - Grilled mahi w/ fries - the fish was delicate, the fries were nothing special - "Crudo of the day" - overpriced for such a small sampling - Fish tacos - packed with way too much cabbage. Where's the fish? I'm being generous today with my 3 star rating. Hit and miss depending on what you order. The ambience reeks of quintessential Leucadia beach vibes.

    (3)

  • Joshy F.

    Came here for happy hour mid week with family when they first opened. Appetizers and beer. Service was great and quality of food was worth the fare. Good spot if your in the Area :)

    (4)

  • Victoria G.

    Fish 101 is occupying a spot that had a hard time keeping a tenant so they are a welcome addition to the neighborhood. The fresh fish listed on the chalkboard is the bomb; you can't go wrong and you get to choose a couple of sides with it. Fish tacos and Fish and Chips are a favorite; the tacos are also on Happy Hour. On the board there are also some other specials which are always very good. My boyfriend has had the hamburger and he is pleased with it. A couple of downsides: cafeteria like seating with a line usually to order your food; wine served in a jelly glass (more glass not much wine), and the desserts seem overpriced for what they are especially the soft serve ice cream.

    (4)

  • Judi E.

    This is one of my favorite places on the planet. Give me a plate of their super fresh oysters, a fish taco & a glass of white wine & all is right in the world. If you are lucky, the co-owner pastry chef will have made one of her wonderful desserts. Yesterday it was cake with lemon curd, blueberries and a toasted meringue that was lighter than a cloud. Worth every calorie. Otherwise the soft serve ice cream with salted caramel is wonderful too. I love the casual ambience & service is always friendly and fast. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Doug W.

    Nice spot on the 101 in Leucadia, fish and chips were excellent, not quite as good as The Fish District, but close! Waitstaff is very friendly, but if you go on a hot day/night, you might want to hang out on the patio and hover for a table if they're packed, indoors gets uncomfortably hot. Inside seating is small and cramped, but the back and front patio are very comfortable. All the food our party ordered was hot and fresh, and the food that passed by our table looked incredible as well! Definitely will be back!

    (4)

  • Keith D.

    Fish n chips was good and reasonably priced, casual dining but still a nice ambiance.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    great food, very cool local spot. no one could ever make anything of this location until these guys came in a true example of if it's quality people will come. fish is fresh, seasonal ingredients. everything i have had has been very good. one issue is i don't care for the counter service and trying to find a seat can be a pain. but i get it i'm sure it allow them to turn over tables much faster.

    (4)

  • Chaz C.

    This is a nice small quaint place. We went for happy hour. The oysters were Fanny Bay and at $1 an oyster they were a really good deal. We will definitely go back for happy hour.

    (4)

  • Joe B.

    2 might be a tad harsh - more like 2.5. Just returned from a Vespa ride up the coast to this place so the review is as fresh as the fish they serve. We try to eat local as much as we can, so we thought we'd give these guys a try. I'm basing the generally low review based on the amount of work put into obtaining your food vs. the quality of the food you get. Together, my partner and I had the fish plate (mahi mahi) and grilled fish tacos. It was Saturday night around 6pm. Line out the door. Wait in the line to order and hope you can get a table in the smallish space. They might not start cooking your food until you tell them you've secured a table, so go with a scout to grab it while you're ordering. We were lucky to get a table and were in and out in about 30 minutes. OK, that's pretty good, but I don't like the uncertainty of having to leave getting a seat up to lady luck. The crowd tended to be on the young family side so there were a lot of conversations overheard concerning the time-tested bargaining with your child to eat his/her fish so he/she can have ice cream. So it's kind of loud, casual and wild. That may sound right up your alley and it is manageable. But for all that, I thought the food was completely ordinary. Just fish on a tortilla with shredded cabbage. So it's OK, but not worth the effort nor the price based on my experience.

    (2)

  • Matt S.

    we are locals and regulars. anyone who complains about uncomfortable seating or the style of service really should stick to your normal restaurant with a waiter, full service and linen napkins etc. That is not what this place is about, its about getting in and out in a casual atmosphere and getting an excellent seafood meal for a great price. I would challenge anyone to make a fresh (they buy daily) salmon (etc) plate with 2 unique sides for under 20 bucks, not happening. We always bring our out of town friends to Fish101 (we even wait in a line shock horror), its just that good!

    (5)

  • Paul F.

    Glad to report that the fish tacos are actually really good, and a really good value now. Hopefully, this sign of improvement and attention to selling food that makes you happy that you came by is not just happenstance. Nice bunch of servers in there, too. The parking lot sucks, still. [That has to be holding them back]

    (4)

  • Lynn G.

    Fish was very fresh. We had grilled fish tacos; hot off the grill, cabbage, pico de gallo and crema was just lightly on top of the 3 tacos. Served with a side of guac and salsa, what could be better. We also had the fish and chips and the flavor was delicious. Loved the back patio but couldn't get a seat so we sat at one of the community tables out front and loved that! We'll be back again

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    Kids rated this the best meal of our vacation. It was crowded, but the food came out very fast and was fresh and delicious. Great happy hour specials, too. We'd go all the time if we lived nearby.

    (4)

  • Tara C.

    Love it! Food is delicious, however it's gotten so popular it's hard to get a table. Maybe one day they'll expand. Easy for kids too.

    (4)

  • Grace B.

    Small place with a relaxed casual atmosphere. Staff was very friendly, you order at the counter then find your seat. If you plan on ordering more than one drink or more entrees then you can leave your tab open. My son had the fish and chips which was pretty good. The batter was light and the fish was fresh. I had the clam chowder which really isn't a chowder. More like a clam and veggie soup but it was still delicious. I also had half a dozen "blonde" oysters which were fresh and had a great taste to them. The mussels were good, they seemed just a tad undercooked but the broth they were cooked in was yummy. My mom had the grilled shrimp with asparagus and coldslaw. The shrimp were a bit of a disappointment, just some small size shrimp lightly seasoned with salt and pepper and a left on the grill a little too long. The asparagus needed to be cooked a few minutes more but the truffle oil gave them a nice taste. The coldslaw was just coldslaw...nothing special. The highlight of the meal was the strawberry shortcake!! It was fantastic, first taste instantly brought me back to my childhood. I would go back just for this dish.

    (3)

  • Harmony D.

    OMG, the poke here is really fantastic. The fish and chips were perfectly done, as was the fresh fish of the day salad. It's a bit of a bummer that they are not open for lunch! The service is always fast and friendly, they are happy to explain the types of fish they have so you get exactly what you like. One drawback is that it's so popular that it's hard to get a seat sometimes, but I can live with that!

    (4)

  • Derek I.

    3.5 stars. Food is good but slightly pricey. My wife and I loved the mussels in white wine sauce. I ate the grilled fish tacos and my wife had the battered shrimp. Both of which were very tasty. The ambiance is nice and trendy and would be a cool happy hour spot. He only downsides I have are you have to pay up front (so I you want more drinks/food you have to go stand in line) and parking is really not ideal.

    (4)

  • Peter R.

    Went for the first time last night, party of 7, mindful they've only recently opened and are bound to be working out some glitches. Bagged the big high table near the servery, fun place to sit and watch the world go by. First impressions were really good thanks to the friendly, very helpful staff, who told us how to order, what specials were on etc. Food was somewhere between good (clam chowder) and very good (fish & chips, Salmon), washed down with a really excellent local orange hef. Special note: there is a very small list of desserts, but they are exceptionally good!! The creme brulee is the best we've had in So Cal! We'll definitely be back, it's a great new addition to the local foodie circuit. I hope they can keep up the friendly service chops, it makes all the difference :-)

    (4)

  • Kim P.

    Had heard so much about this place. Finally went. Disappointed. Not bad flavor, just no flavor. We normally eat at the Solana Beach Fish House and will be returning.

    (2)

  • Diana A.

    Oysters very good. Fresh fish galore. Love the fish salad. Grilled perfectly and juicy. Great ambience. Love the draft beer in a jar. Nice & cold. Great spot to relax with friends. Desserts here are to die for everytime. Pasta with claims was also tasty. Shrimp tacos are tasty but I prefer the fish salads or pasta. Worth a trip for dinner and happy. Great location and the back patio seating is awesome!

    (5)

  • Brittany R.

    Hubby and I decided to try this place on Friday night. I was really excited about a new fish place in the area, since I love fish and all kinds of seafood. We arrived around 7pm. We found parking right out front, and were greeted by a friendly waitress when we walked in. She told us to find a seat, take a menu, and then come up and order our food from the counter. I liked the casual vibe but it was unexpected. The inside of the restaurant is relatively small, but very simple and clean. We found seats on the outside patio, which was small too but really cool. We dug the market bulbs and the relaxing music (Jack Johnson, Donovon F., Ben Harper type of music). We decided to order the tuna poke to split. Hubby got the fried fish tacos and I decided on the grilled fish salad. We both ordered a beer from local breweries (Green Flash and Ale Smith I believe). They were so refreshing! The poke came out first. It was really good! I was expecting the bright ruby color but I guess that just shows my tuna ignorance. My only complaint was there were only 4 wonton chips...I would have liked a few more :) Hubby's fish tacos were just okay. My salad was just okay too...the grilled yellowtail tasted good, but was a little bland. The salad only included a couple of radishes...that's pretty much all I can remember. I was disappointed. From $10, I was expecting something a little more tasty. Hubby said the tacos were not anything special...and expensive ($10.95) for just 3 tacos. It didn't come with sides or anything. Not to say we won't try it again. I would like to try a couple more items, I just think it is a bit overpriced for what you get. Blue Water is similarly priced but you receive a ton of food, and it's more delicious.

    (3)

  • jonathan n.

    For our appetizer we had Fried Calamari. It was crunchy and the Lemon Aioli dipping sauce hit the spot. The sauce complimented the dish very well. I had the Fried Oyster Po'Boy and it was delicious. The onions on it were sweet and tangy. The fried oysters were tasty as well. They were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside just as I expected. For dessert we had both the Tres leches and Creme Brulee. Our favorite was the tres leches because the cake was just so good that I'm at a loss for words. I would definitely order that every time I head there again to eat. I will be eating here again for sure.

    (5)

  • Mr. A.

    This place is fantastic. Simple, clean, fresh, healthy food. A very mellow vibe. Some great beers on tap. Only complaint would be its not open for weekend lunch... I'll cope.

    (5)

  • Rumple S.

    Pretty awesome place, very small and low key with a tiny parking lot in the back. Had oysters (wonderfully fresh), calamari (good), and the baja fish tacos - get the grilled ones, I made the mistake of not reading the entire menu and ordered the "fried" variety. They were great nonetheless, but I suspect grilled would have been much tastier since small pieces of fried fish tend to lose all fish flavor. Place is super relaxing - order your food, take a seat, relax and enjoy - in that order.

    (4)

  • Kc S.

    Great family restaurant! Great prices and everyone was happy with their order! Fish tacos were great! Only downside is there was a short wait for a table and it is first come first serve.

    (4)

  • Lindsy B.

    Love this place! It was my 3RD visit & about the only thing I don't care for is my wine in a Mason Jar. I had the Chopped Wedge salad & it was EXCELLENT! I'm pretty picky too but the Blue Cheese dressing tasted HOMEMADE & the bacon was crisp & the salad was really fresh. Then I had the "POKE" for my entree & it was GREAT with crispy won-ton type chips & the fish had a great fresh flavor with an awesome sesame marinade. My hubby got a cup of Chowder that was delish & Fish & Chips that was really good & not too greasy with TONS of fries. The T-Shirts the servers wear are HILARIOUS! WE SHUCK & THIS PLACE STINKS! Worth it!

    (4)

  • Lorenzo B.

    Great little joint with a really good selection of seafood. You order at the counter and they bring you food at the table. I personally like this type of eatery as it is laid back, you can go with your kids after the beach for some good food at reasonable prices. They also have a backdoor patio with space heaters, which is quite pleasant in the evening. Everything is fresh and tasty. We had fried calamari, fish taco and grilled yellowtail and everything was delicious and in good portions. The also have a decent selection of beers.

    (5)

  • Annie B.

    Awesome spot!! I love their fresh, grilled veggies, their fresh fish, and awesome selection of beer and wine. The atmosphere is great! The people who work here are the absolute best. It's a family friendly place as well with a neat outdoor area. You'll love it. :)

    (5)

  • Fabi R.

    I feel like I'm in a vortex of mediocre restaurant experiences that I can't get out of! In this economy, you'd think restaurants would step it up a bit to keep customers, but no.... This is another annoyingly cutesy "dive" concept restaurant. You walk in and it's a complete f-jam. Nobody seats you, you just walk into a crowded dining room and hover over tables to claim them. Ugh. Really? The tables outside are poorly situated so you have to climb over each other to get in and out. Once you've claimed your table (do this before ordering or you might be standing up and eating), you go to the counter and order, then grab your own utensils and own water. The food is PRICEY. Seriously. If I'm going to pay $8 for 4 pieces of asparagus, I don't want to have to stand in line to order it. I had that, which was okay. They didn't tell you that it's drowned in truffle oil, which I'm not a huge fan of overall, but definitely not on something as delicate as asparagus. I also had the shrimp cocktail, which was ok - nothing exceptional. And a glass of unmemorable white wine which came served in a mason jar (Major fail! Who wants to drink even boxed wine out of a mason jar??? Not cute, not clever, just bad). I also had the oyster sampler. 2 were excellent, 2 were okay and 2 were just not so great. Some of the other people I was with had the fish tacos, which looked good, but were pretty meager portions, the ahi poke (which was teeny tiny), and the brussels sprouts (which were okay, but oily). I spent over $45 for a glass of wine, 4 pcs. of asparagus, 6 oysters and a few shrimp. And the privilege of fighting for a table, climbing over people to refresh my own water glass and waiting in line to order. Did I mention everyone's food came out at different times, as well? The food was fresh, but really, with so many other coastal seafood options, why would you want to waste your time here? Oh...and no parking, to boot.

    (2)

  • Tim C.

    I'd actually give it 3 1/2 stars. The wife's shrimp louie was very disappointing. Louie is supposed to have crab, tomatoes, it was basically lettuce and 4 shrimp. My yellowtail plate was decent; a reasonable bang for the buck but I felt that the fish was a wee under cooked. Friendly staff, and I do love a good fish plate, I'll be back, just not hopping up and down with excitement. Maybe my next trip...

    (3)

  • Jacqualynn G.

    Fish 101 has excellent fish tacos and they have an amazing happy hour. If you do not get to happy hour early, you will have a hard time finding a table.

    (5)

  • Doug G.

    A good, good friend and long-term resident recommended Fish 101 and boy oh boy, we are glad he did. Fish of the day was Dorado and it was moist, meaty and grilled perfectly. My wife had the fish tacos made with the Dorado and I had the grilled fish plate. With a 22 oz craft beer and a nice pinot grigio our total tab was $38. For fresh fish a 1/4 mile from the beach? Wow!

    (5)

  • Andrew C.

    Best family restaurant in Encinitas with quality seafood. Fish tacos, wedge salad and cold beer. Need I say more?

    (5)

  • Banu K.

    we came here on a friday night at 7:00. not good timing, we got stuck up the 101 for the old car fair or whatever was going on. waited in line to order while the kids scoped out a table. found one, not bad. line wait was almost 25 minutes though, and they wouldn't let us order a drink while we waited at the 3 seater counter bar because the 2 bar servers "only serve the bar", all of three seats. ?? but, food was yummy. got the halibut, cooked a little long, not as juicy, but good enough. the broccolini and the black beans were a nice side. the kids ordered kid fare...slider burgers and grilled cheese. loved the mason jars. ordered dessert in the line which they never served us until we got the check and realized we didn't have it yet. pricey for sure...over $80 for 2 adults and 2 kids. not sure i'd spend that amount of money when service isn't there. i'd rather have a relaxing night paying someone to serve me. but....nice atmosphere, friendly people, overall unique experience. parking was difficult. i will come back with the hubs.

    (4)

  • Leslie C.

    This place is amazing! My husband and I decided to try this place based on many recommendations from friends. We LOVED it! I got the fish and chips, which was so light and fresh tasting. I definitely want to go back and try a grilled fish too! Loved the food and staff seemed very friendly. My advice is get there early because it gets packed on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Barb W.

    I love this place. The food is consistently fresh and delicious. The service is fast and friendly. The cool & casual atmosphere makes me feel like I have found an amazing special spot. I can't say enough about the great quality of food and service this place produces time and time again. Lastly, the desserts are to die for!

    (5)

  • Mary C.

    Stopped by last night for an early dinner, and we'll definitely be back. The poke appetizer was simply delicious. I could have happily had a larger serving of that for my entree. We also had the grilled fish of the day (yellowtail) and an order of grilled shrimp tacos. The veg of the day was a perfectly cooked asparagus with cheese. i loved the tacos, but thought maybe another shrimp in each would have added to the flavor. The sauce and salsa were tasty, but it didn't seem like there was enough shrimp flavor. My friend had the fish and chips and said it was also good, not too overly breaded. The kids had grilled cheese and it seemed popular, although they were too fascinated by the water dispenser to finish their sandwiches. No room for dessert, and we passed on the beer/wine. I thought our meal was reasonably priced, the patio was bustling by the time we left, and the service was consistently friendly. I wish them well!

    (4)

  • Ray B.

    Food was great as usual. My wife had the shrimp tacos and I had the fish & chips (2 piece). Great taste, light and flakey and not greasy. The only complaint is re: seating as we had to sit outside as it was way too damn hot to be indoors and had to deal with sharing our meal with the car exhaust and the flies.

    (4)

  • David L.

    Brian and Crew are the new kings of the freshest & most generous fish portions in San Diego. The food is beyond tasty and the imaginative, "so damn good" sides compliment it perfectly. The atmospehere has that friendly, cool North County vibe. Check it out! We will be returning frequently.

    (5)

  • Cornelia S.

    Had the fish tacos. The mahi mahi was good-fresh and well cooked but the overall taco was so so.

    (4)

  • Amber R.

    Mediocre at best, overpriced -small servings. $75 later for two people (which did include a $30 bottle of wine served in jam jars?) we went for pizza. This places gets a lot of hype but didn't deliver anything worth returning for, even if it has happy hour pricing attached.

    (2)

  • Brian H.

    I really like this place a lot. Moderate prices, great food, and very nice atmosphere. Parking gets tough and seating isn't always available. Aside from that I'll give it 4 stars. I'm a fan of Fish 101.

    (4)

  • Dave E.

    We did go late about 9:30 on a Saturday. The fish was good but all the sides were cold. We sent the clam chowder and FF back but by the time we got the warm ones we were already done eating. I let the guy know at the counter that looked like he might of been in charged but he really didn't seem that concerned. May be better for lunch but I would go back for dinner.

    (2)

  • Amber L.

    Cute little spot in Encinitas. The food was a huge hit. My husbands a big fan of the fish tacos & I loved the clam chowder. If your in the area, definetly gotta try Fish 101 out.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    Fish 101 looks like it will finally make it in a tough location that has seen many little restaurants come and go. It's very casual and they made the most of a relatively small space. We tried Fish 101 on a Thursday at 6:30 pm. The place was really busy but seemed to quiet down around 7:15 or so. One thing to keep in mind if you are going later, they may run out of some of the entree fish. We ordered around 6:30 and got the last halibut. All the staff were very friendly. We had the Hamachi Crudo which was about 5 small slices of sashimi Hamachi in a light yuzu/ponzu sauce. Very tasty. We also had the grilled fish plates. Halibut and Salmon. Both were grilled just right, were very fresh and extremely good. Sides were fries (pretty good), cole slaw (eh, not bad), and a green salad (good but nothing to write home about). Another thing to recommend Fish 101 is the decent selection of local beers in bottle and on tap. They also had a half way decent wine selection. The portion size was just right but the cost seems on the high side. One 22oz beer, two entrees and an appetizer ran about $55 without tip. Still, the food was good enough that we'll give Fish 101 another try.

    (3)

  • M G.

    If you like fresh seafood, you are in the area and you don't have dinner here, you are a fool. All the food is extremely fresh, cooked with care, staff is very friendly. Do no miss the deserts here. Wish I had a place like this near me!

    (5)

  • R. R.

    I love this place! I was never a huge fan of oysters until now and they have them on happy hour!! The food is so fresh and absolutely a must try. The baja fish tacos are amazing and the crudo plates are delish. It's such a great hole in the wall and on my list of fave restaurants for sure. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. I'm glad they moved in!

    (5)

  • Tony L.

    Appetizers were great especially the crudo. Fish is fresh and yummy. I wish you had a better seating system instead of just first come first serve. I would definitely eat here again, but only early or very late.

    (4)

  • Leslie C.

    The fish is fresh, no doubt about it. The beer selection is pretty solid, my husband can always find something he likes. The special fish of the day is always a cool feature - they rotate it out depending on what is fresh and in season. I really like the fried fish sandwich. The husband gets the grilled fish sandwich and really enjoys it. I've only got two complaints that could bump this place to a 5 in my opinion - 1) if you order the fish just by itself it's really simply prepared and doesn't have a ton of flavor. A rub or marinade or sauce on the side, something, would be really great option for those of us that like a little more flavor. I love the sandwich, but it would be nice to have a few more things on the menu that offer that kind of flavor (the spicy aioli is great and probably the reason I love the sandwich so much). 2) the price even for just two sandwich plates and a couple of beers is just a *touch* more expensive than I would like to see. However, it's really fresh fish, I really do enjoy the sandwich I get there and the outside seating area is bomb. One last little bitty note - the inside seating area can get really loud with a full house. It's a very small interior so the acoustics just amplify the noise. Especially when one of the "donkey laughers" shows up - you know the person that practically brays at everything being said at the table? Yeah, that can be a little overwhelming so the outside seating is much more pleasant. Parking is always a bummer - mostly street parking which can be tight.

    (4)

  • Jeff C.

    Food looks great and tastes great. Service is impeccable. Prices are spot on and atmosphere is very cool. I love this place and I am mad at myself for taking so long to try this place.

    (5)

  • Kelvin T.

    went to the restaurant around 5:30 pm. Hard to find a parking spot. Ordered 3 piece fish and chips, and my wife ordered fish taco. When we got our meals, I took a bite out of the fried fish. Very mushy and the batter was very very oily. After the meal, as we walked out of the retaurant, I caught one of the servers. I asked him what type of fish was in the fish and chips? He said mahi mahi. I then told him that it was very mushy. He said I should of said something before I finished the meal. The truth is that no wait staff came over to ask how our meal was. They seemed as if they didn't like working there. True also, the restaurant was full, but it's called customer service. I made the mistake of tipping 20 percent prior to the meal. Maybe a bad day, or maybe not. I have mixed feelings of returning to give them a try again.

    (1)

  • R B.

    VERY COOL place!! Love the patio and the food. The desserts are life changing, I don't mean they just make you fat, my wife still can't stop talking about the tres leches cake. A must try. Fresh, reasonable price (I say cheap but don't want to give the wrong idea about the quality) and the people that own it are ALWAYS there and very friendly. If you want details.... trust me just go in and rate it for yourself you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Desiree C.

    1st timer, got the fish tacos! Wonderful! Nice, casual vibe also.

    (4)

  • annie n.

    Amazing food. We had the oysters which were fresh and well shucked (no broken bits of shell like some places). The steamed mussels were delicious and healthy in white wine garlic leeks and herbs (not overly oily or buttery). My husband had the fish tacos with large pieces if mahi mahi plenty if cabbage guac and tomatoes. I had the grilled shrimp sandwich with red onions (never had red onions like that before yum). Didn't get to try dessert but the black bottom creme brûlée sounded good. Will definitely come back to try other entrees.

    (5)

  • Khrysten T.

    Amazing, fresh fish tacos! The first Tuesday I went, the line was out the door, but on Cinco de Mayo Tuesday, we were able to walk right in. Hit and miss, I guess :) I stick to the grilled fish tacos, which come on corn tortillas with pico de gallo and lettuce on top, guac and green salsa on the side. Very filling for $11! We also usually share half a dozen of whatever oysters they have that day ($12). Happy Hour you can get $1 oysters, though I have yet to go. Great selection of beer in bottle, can, and on tap. And, their staff is always friendly. :)

    (4)

  • Minh L.

    Came here for dinner with my husband for dinner. He had the burger (grass fed), I had ceviche and a salad. We were very happy with the food and customer service. Gloria helped us and she was awesome! She also recommended an amazing dessert, I forgot what it was called but will post a pic.

    (5)

  • Shaun S.

    I stopped by Fish 101 after visiting the Leucadia Farmer's market on Sunday. Behind the restaurant is a small parking lot, it is wide enough for 1 car so be careful entering and exiting if you park there. I am more of a meat and potato type of guy so I ordered the angus burger. Price was $9.95 which included a side. I went with the french fries. The burger was pretty tasty and a nicely sized portion. Fish 101 doesn't skimp out on the fries either as you get a large portion with your entree. A bit on the pricey side for a quick bite out so I won't eat here often but I enjoyed my burger. The staff were all quite friendly.

    (4)

  • Eve V.

    Nice laid back atmosphere. The food is a bit expensive. Probably not a good place to take little ones because not much for them to chose from. My fish tacos were good the portion of fish for each taco was big. The fish doesn't have much seasoning so if you like the fresh simple taste of fish you'll like these. You get 3 tacos and the tomatillo sauce is delicious. My husband got the fish and chips which came with fries and those were the best fries I've ever tasted! I couldn't stop eating them. Fresh, thin, crunchy . It was good, but I give it 4 stars because of the price. Oh and this place does get packed around 530 so if you can make it early.

    (4)

  • Evan K.

    Everything on the menu is up to par. Worth the price, worth the short wait and worth the full belly. Good beer selection, great for kids as well. Tacos- awesome Poki - never smelly Oysters - fresh and happy Shrimp bowl - simple and good eats. Details after grilling, thank you Grilled Romaine - I want more. Split in two, solid and large peices of of lettuce. Greatly Grilled to Goodness. Why I gave them a 5. Cause they are consistent and even though they are an order and sit yourself restaurant, the services is always good. They are there to give you anything extra you need.

    (5)

  • Christine B.

    I'm from AZ, so I crave fresh, tasty fish. This is a small but cute place on Hwy 101 that fits the bill. *Parking is rough. You might have to drive by a couple of times to find a spot. *It's hard to find a table, so send someone in your group to vulture one while you order. *Despite the long lines, service is pretty fast, and the food is delicious. I love the halibut! *There are several items (grilled cheese/sliders) that kids will enjoy, even if they are picky eaters. *The workers are very efficient and quite nice. Come and try this place - it's terrific!

    (4)

  • Christina A.

    We rode our bikes here from Encinitas, easy. Had the Poke Bowl & shucked oysters. Coming back for the grilled fish plate!

    (5)

  • Grace C.

    Fish tacos - YUMMY! Happy hour $1 shucked oysters - YUMMY! Fries - YUMMY! I'm not sure what else you could ask for. Technically I haven't tried anything off their happy hour menu other than the fries (and even those are hard to screw up), so the 4 stars is really only for the fish tacos and shucked oysters. The oysters are so incredibly fresh, and they're relatively large. Fish tacos are the perfect ratio of fish to rest of taco filling, and the taco shell. It really is made perfectly. The outside back patio seating is so pretty. Overhead mini lights adorn the patio and gives off a classy, modern romantic atmosphere. It's a half-self-serve place, meaning you order at the front counter, sit down with a number stand and your food is delivered. Other than bringing orders, clearing your dishes and cleaning the table, the servers don't do anything else for you. I love Fish 101 and their happy hour. Simple, to the point, and FAST. Will obviously be back!

    (4)

  • Edward T.

    Fish 101 is a wonderful addition to the restaurants in Encinitas -- and what makes it even better, . . . . . . GREAT seafood in a casual, beach-town like setting, without fanfare, without stiffness in service and setting and with a "down-home" feeling that makes you want to come back again and again. We had the Quinoa side that was absolutely delicious. We also had the fish and chips and the fish plate with MahiMahi. Both main courses were fabulous, fresh and delicious. I have returned several times for meals and each time the meals were memorable and delicious. And, the pricing is a bargain for what you get.

    (4)

  • david p.

    My favorite place in north county San Diego. Fish 101 is the expression of north county SD, laid back, casual, surfy and delicious. Fish 101 has mastered the art of making perfect grilled fish to the perfection. Love these guys!

    (5)

  • Brandon K.

    Clam chowder was fantastic. Fish and chips were also great. Next time I will skip the wedge, but everything else was great, Including the crime brûlée

    (4)

  • Connor G.

    This place is great. I had some Baja fish tacos which were amazing. My only complaint is that they didn't have some spicy homemade salsa to go with it. Nonetheless, I also had some of their bacon brussel sprouts, which were amazing. One of the best parts of the meal was the lemon merengue cheesecake, which had some of the best merengue I have ever tasted.

    (5)

  • Jim A.

    Okay this was my first visit to Fish 101. I heard good things about the food so I was expecting it to be good. I had the fish plate (halibut) with brown rice. My wife had the pogiebowl. Our other party the special. The food was fresh and tasty but if you're planning to eat with people at your table for get it! Not gonna happen. We ate in shifts and it was an extra 25 min before my friends got their food and it was in shifts too. So come to find out, this has happened to our friends before. So if they can fix this problem, they could have something.

    (2)

  • Jem B.

    The oysters were fresh and had a nice vinaigrette side. The fried fish Taco had a nice crispy non great batter. Outdoor back patio and front outdoor seating was good for the boyz . This place was packed and busy. You order at the front and they serve your food to your table - typical casual spot dining here. Will be back for the oysters!

    (4)

  • Baylee C.

    This place is ridiculously good and exactly what leucadia needed. Local vibe with delicious seafood- fish tacos and seafood curry are my go to items. So happy they are open for lunch now! Perfect summer spot walking distance to the beach with outdoor seating. Clean atmosphere, friendly service, great food!

    (5)

  • Rachel M.

    After reading reviews on Fish 101, I thought I'd give it a try. Parking was difficult to find, but I was determined. I was conflicted between ordering the fish tacos or the fish and chips. Because I was making fish tacos the next day, I decided to go with the fish and chips. Probably a bad call being I just moved from New England, 'home of fish and chips' to San Diego, 'home of fish tacos'. The fish and chips coating was soggy and there was a lot more batter than I am used to (having only been to the best fish and chips places in New England). The fish was a little tough too. The fries were greasy and soggy. And the tartar sauce was scarce. I would actually give them 2 stars on their fish and chips, but because the arugula salad I ordered and the baby broccoli were good, they get an extra star. I don't think I will be back, but if I am, I will definitely go for the fish tacos.

    (3)

  • Craig B.

    Amazing place for fresh fish. Blackened Ahi plate is awesome. Great draft beer selection!

    (5)

  • Chris B.

    Awesome food, we found it on Yelp and again were very satisfied. We got there around 6 and the line had started to run just out the door. The food looked good and we waited. You order first then find a seat and they deliver to your table. The fish and chips was our choice and it was great. We sat out front and had to share a table, while we were there the line grew down the sidewalk and now we know why. Definitely recommend them.

    (5)

  • Brad D.

    Great fish grotto in the neighborhood we stayed in. Very simple, no-frills sort of place where you order at the counter and then get the food delivered to you. They messed up our order a bit, but was a total innocent misunderstanding. Word of warning--order enough of what you want (beer or food) because at the end of your meal chances are the line is huge and out the door, so a simple "hey, let's get another beer" won't be that simple. We never made it, but the $1 oyster happy hour would be something I would totally check out--the oysters were quite delicious!

    (4)

  • Rob W.

    SIMPLY INCREDIBLE! I work at a sushi restaurant so I know good fish! Everything was so fresh tasting and very healthy. The yellowtail fish plate was melt in your mouth soft and perfectly cooked. The bok choy was so simply done, yet so tasty. I loved the clam chowder. The tuna poke was to die for. I got the last one before it got 86'ed for the night. I only wish I could get fish like this in Scottsdale AZ. CONCLUSION- Phenomenal tasting food that is super fresh, very healthy and very affordable.

    (5)

  • Sash T.

    Hit or miss with the fish. Sometimes it's good and other times it tastes really fishy. The line is ways out the Door and wait is long so we avoid going in a lot. It's decent for Encinitas

    (4)

  • Emily E.

    Food was amazing! Fresh and unique flavors have made this place a new favorite! Swordfish was to die for! Yum!!

    (5)

  • Jen L.

    Great happy hour, cool beach location, great service, great food... what more can you ask for? My only complaints are the teeny tiny restaurant (can be hard to find seating at times) and the lack of parking. This is a first come, first serve place - you order your food at the front, get a number then grab a table and wait for your food to arrive. Some of my favorite things are the Fish Tacos, Oysters (make sure to get these during happy hour!) and Fish and Chips. Another plus is they serve beer and wine!

    (4)

  • Pollyana T.

    Grilled fish tacos. Try it and you can thank me later. Cute, relaxed atmosphere inside. It does get pretty packed on the weekends, but we always manage to find a place to sit. Perfect little spot to go have lunch right before heading over to the beach for the day!

    (5)

  • Rooster M.

    Great spot. Come in here once a week. Super fresh product and fairly priced. Bare bones setting but comfortable. Love the halibut dinner and the poke salad. Great smoky flavor on the halibut.

    (5)

  • joey f.

    cool small fish place with tons of potential and nice looking menu. That's the good part too busy to pay attention to the product. The fish and chips were greasy, Halibut was over done, our group had what was promoted as Hamachi Crudo, but was local yellowail rather than Japanese Yellowtail, BIG DIFFERENCE! maybe their supplier took advantage of them. one of my friends had the grilled Romaine, not too good. They need to loose the gas station napkins also, for three cents you can get a regular paper napkin. On a positive note the side dishes were very good! I hate to bag on this place, maybe it was an off night, because I've heard good thing about the place. NOt for me

    (2)

  • Dave Q.

    Great happy hour with fresh Oysters for a dollar each. Friendly service attentive staff great food and a nice patio and front and the back. Small location but totally worth it because the food is so good

    (4)

  • Cara S.

    This place is awesome, we usually get the baja fish tacos and poke and it never disappoints. Everything we've gotten here is great, the restaurant has a good location and cool atmosphere. Definitely one of the best food places Encinitas has to offer!

    (5)

  • Melissa B.

    Casual and fun and excellent yes EXCELLENT fish! My favorite combo. Got half a dozen fresh oysters. Delic! Hamachi grilled with arugula salad, and fish and chips! Yummy!!! My only regret is I couldn't keep eating because the fish stew, cheviche, and crudo on the table next to me look fantastic. And don't get me started on the fish tacos. This place is my heaven.

    (5)

  • Ryan S.

    Officially my favorite place in San Diego. First of all I love the format of coming in placing your order and sitting down. Sounds fast food? It is amazingly fast. But incredible. The service is attentive, not obtrusive, and smart. First class. The food? Incredible. It's always fresh and prepared perfectly. My favorite are the oysters which are a must. Recommend always getting the fresh fish grilled and the fries are plentiful and fresh cut. Love the little things like how they have malt vinegar and perfectly spicy cocktail sauce.

    (5)

  • Gabe L.

    Best place in town. Great fish and great service... Brian is especially helpful. I wish Encinitas had more places of this quality

    (5)

  • Matt M.

    Fresh and simple seafood. Love the shrimp poboy! The staff is very friendly and the daily specials are amazing.

    (5)

  • Daniel P.

    I'm here on a Saturday night in June, at 7 pm. The line to order was less than 10 minutes. We ordered sliders and fries for our boy, grilled Ahi with seaweed salad and fried for my wife and I to split, and starters of mussels and New England clam chowder. The stars of the meal were definitely the ahi and seaweed salad, both very tasty and lightly flavored. The chowder and mussels I will pass on next time - not bad but not very good either. Fish 101 is a definite recommend.

    (4)

  • Cara H.

    Hh is great here. From 4-6, they have $1 oysters and delish fish tacos. The guac and salsa were really fresh. The $5 pinot noir wasn't bad either. The root beer float was really good too, though the double choc cookie it came with was bleh in my opinion but hubby liked it. Everyone is really helpful and nice and the ambience is great too.would bring guests here.

    (5)

  • Gi G.

    Oh My!!!! Wish I have another restaurant like this closer from home! The selection of fish/seafood is really good with always offering "the fish of the day" specials. It taste fresh, and at least my order tasted fishy. Yes people FISHY!. Because real and fresh fish should be fishy. I don't really want my fish to taste like cardboard ;-) The prices are really good for the quality you are getting. During their happy hour 4 to 6pm Tues to Fri they offer $1 fresh oyster, $3 dos equis on tap, and a few other deals. And the service? FAST!!! And attentive. Not even McDonald can serve you the food as fast as they did. WOW!

    (5)

  • Mr. Connoisseur X.

    Fish 101 let's all the seafood places in the area know that school is in session. And take notes because the chowder is creamy, the calamari is crispy, the oysters are fresh, and the fish and chips are great me mate! This is worth the visit. Just beware that you have a to be prepared for communal dining (unless you get a table for your group size) and ordering from a counter but no worries this is less frills and more gills.

    (4)

  • Akiko I.

    - Locale Destination - It's on N Coast Hwy 101 and between Range St and Jupiter St in Enchinitas. Right next to motel "Rodeway Inn". Decor is simple, casual yet a bit more sophisticated atmosphere. It's not big but they have inside and outside seating. Th

    (4)

  • Deseree R.

    First visit - with the great reviews I had to give it a try for myself. It was fantastic! Grilled fish tacos were a great portion and fresh. Great flavor and very filling. I highly recommend this place. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Monica E.

    When you walk into the restaurant, it kind of seems overwhelming. There's a line leading up to the cash register and the place is overflowing, full of people who all seem to be happy to be there. Try the best you can put the noise-sensitive introvert inside of you to rest and get up there and place your order. Trust me, by the time your food arrives you won't even notice the multitudes of people surrounding you. We check this place out twice during our single visit to Encinitas. The first night we went with an assortment of oysters, fried calamari, clam chowder, mussels and the poke. We were quite impressed. So impressed that we came the very next day. On the second day, my mother came along. In all, we went with the oysters, calamari and mussels again. This time we also got the salmon and the fish and chips. The salmon was especially delicious. The perfect amount of seasoning. Not overrun with any type of sauce. Just naked, pure and delicious. I love the light broth for the mussels. It's so Aggravating when restaurants want to be all experimental with addition like this. There's certain things that just need to stick true to form. Honest-to-goodness. Like, I don't want roasted tomatoes in my lobster roll and I certainly don't want Brie cheese in my oyster shooters. So thank you Fish 101 for keeping it simple, but so so sweet. So, yes, huge endorsement for this restaurant. I would also highly recommend that if you visit, expect that you might have to be seated next to perfect strangers. There are a few picnic style tables that generally filled up with multiple parties, from what I observed. And that did happen to us on the second day. But I found that the majority of the people there were so much fun and there strictly for the food and the good time.

    (5)

  • Derek L.

    It's always a delight to hang out and have a meal at Fish 101. I thoroughly enjoy their basic dishes like the fish and chips entrees. They have a good selection of oyster varieties and fish catch of the days. Always top notch freshness with their food. One thing to note is that their place is usually always packed. Parking is limited next to their venue but street parking across the street (dirt area) is a bit more plentiful. Lines and seating can be limited. The covered patio areas in front is bit more formal and populated with picnic benches behind the restaurant. The place has a very casual seafood restaurant vibe, like going to the outdoor seating area next to Anthony's in downtown San Diego. I'd recommend the Fish 101 any day over Anthony's but I just wanted to use it for comparative vibe measures.

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    We all had the fish and chips, so this review is for the fish and chips (and iced tea) only. The fish: The fish itself was totally underseasoned, my guess is that the fillets themselves get no salt or pepper before going in to their batter. This made them very boring. The batter: Was not cooked entirely. The outside was appropriately crispy but their oil temp was probably a little too high and the inside of the batter was gummy and doughy. Batter also probably slightly underseasoned. Fries: Were pretty okay, truly 3/5 quality fries, needed more crispiness and salt. Iced tea: Came in too small of a cup/jar. Service: Indifferent.

    (2)

  • athena k.

    This is my first time here and the food is absolutely delicious! My friend and I came here after visiting the Botanical Gardens and are definitely loving it. We got the voice search on a half shell, shrimp ceviche and shared the shrimp tacos. we have a little room left in our stomach so we are waiting for her the mini desserts to be served :-)

    (5)

  • Tanya D.

    Fish 101 is awesome! I've heard great things about this place and it met all of those great expectations. The ambiance is casual, laid back, and hip. There were several families with well-behaved children. The prices were very reasonable and food was fresh, delicious, and healthy. I ordered the three grilled fish tacos which were served traditionally with shredded cabbage, fresh pureed avocado, salsa (with just the right amount of heat), limes, and a white crema sauce. My bestie ordered the mushroom kale quinoa which was fantastic. The drink menu consists of local and bottled beers & wines. They have a huge selection of non-alcoholic drinks anything from PELLEGRINO to soda. Kiddos could enjoy Horizon organic milk. At Fish 101, beverages are poured into cute jelly jars. ** A couple suggestions when you plan to come to eat here: - carpool if you are able to as the parking is limited especially for larger size cars. - be prepared to wait in their line to order food, its well worth the wait! - take a look at their big chalkboard with specials and definitely try some. - fresh wild caught fish & shellfish are available. I can't wait to try the Thai Seafood Curry next time I visit here.

    (5)

  • Gene D.

    Happy hour Hell yeah! Cozy casual. I enjoy finding new seafood,and so far I am loving this.

    (4)

  • Chris J.

    Good not great. Grilled fish tacos and grilled salmon tacos, plus a wedge salad. Parking is terrible, but it's on coast highway with nothing but motel, convenience store, other misc businesses that will tow if you park in their spots. Service was very good, very friendly, eating area was neat and clean. Bathroom, (one coed) was a mess, well stocked but a mess. VERY NOISY, table across from us had 3 wild kids, no supervision by parents, running around the tables getting in the way of servers carrying plates, drinks etc. back to the service people being very good and friendly..... Can't say we'd go back, to many other fish options to chose from.

    (3)

  • Kristen K.

    This place is incredible. I'll fully admit that I'm somewhat of a restaurant snob, so I judge harshly. This place is phenomenal. Hands down, the best place I've eaten in San Diego...maybe LA, too (but not SF...let's not get crazy). The place is casual big big wooden picnic tables. Order at the counter. The meals are basic, but simply well done. Fresh, delicious, easy. The staff was friendly and attentive allowing us to linger well after close. Worth the drive up the 5 through Friday traffic.

    (5)

  • Christa K.

    This place is FANTASTIC! Happy Hour- m-fri 4-6 --- the BEST $2.50 fish tacos ever. You can order as many or as few as you like and they come with shredded cabbage, that delicious white sauce, salsa and a generous portion of guacamole. As for portions, they are MORE than generous if you get anything with fries. My husband always gets the fish and chips & between the both of us we barely finish 1/2 the plate of fries. You order at the front & they nicely bring the food to you (and super fast!). Lots of community tables, wine & beer served in mason jars and THE friendliest staff. It's the perfect casual dining spot.

    (5)

  • Angeline K.

    Yum! I love the battered fish tacos here. The batter is nice and light and the salsa/avocado are the perfect complement. I would pass on the clam chowder... had much better before. The black bottom creme brûlée looked better than it tasted. It was much too sweet and the cookie it came with looked like they picked it out of a Chips Ahoy bag (wouldn't be surprised if they did!). The oysters were really good. I tried one of each variety they offered, one of which was Kumamoto and it's still my absolute favorite. This place is super casual. The lines get long during peak lunch/dinner hours and it's a small (but cute) restaurant so finding a seat can be tough. My husband and I ordered half a dozen oysters, a cup of clam chowder, one fish sandwich, one order of fish tacos, a root beer, and the creme brûlée, which all came out to about $50. Not super cheap but I guess it's a lot of food so it wasn't outrageously expensive either IMO.

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    Amazingly fresh local seafood. Casual with a walk up counter but the food tastes like a fancy five star restaurant. Great beer selection and dessert as well.

    (5)

  • Steve J.

    Just ate here off of a Yelp review. Good food! Service was fast and there was plenty on chow. I had the Mahi Mahi and chips. DO IT!

    (5)

  • Julia A.

    Great spot. Lively with good food. Very family friendly. Oysters were terrific. Shared three piece fish and chips with seven year old more than enough.

    (4)

  • Cecilia S.

    Fantastic local find . We've been wanting to visit this little joint for a long time. We finally had the opportunity to stop by on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Wow, were we blown away by the fresh seafood. We ordered 2 dozen oysters, beers and a clam chowder. Highly recommend this place. Seating is a tight (first come first serve). Order your food, grab a seat and they bring your food to you. I can see this place getting crowded during rush hours.

    (5)

  • Lindsey H.

    The fish was great. Yummy snap peas and seaweed salad. Hamburger was only fair---makes sense considering it is a fish place (I told my hubby that BEFORE he order ;) the food out quickly. We would recommend it to others and we will go back.

    (4)

  • J H.

    Fish quality is great, salads are fresh- mix both (get a rocket salad and fish of the day and boom perfect meal). Don't forget the good beers on tap, simple but perfect selection that goes well with the food. Not the cheapest, but you don't leave feeling robbed as the portions are good and the quality is there. Staff is always cool, especially considering it's usually always crowded and idiots like me forget to grab the table number after making the order. Only gripe is finding a table sometimes. I don't know if there is a possible solution, but people will snake your ability to get a table even if they are behind you in line if they send someone to go claim it. I was guilty of this once or twice 'till I realized what a dbag move it was! Love how the place is integrated with the surf community, and doesn't go overboard with trying to be the cool surfer dude eating place shaka for your order bro. I think the owner surfs Out Front of where I live. Overall, Fish 101 rules.

    (4)

  • Phil B.

    I stayed the night in this paradise called Encinitas CA and happen to find this Gem ! I had the grilled fish tacos they were great served with plenty of fish two yellow corn tortillas per taco fresh and real guacamole along with salsa . The service is great they are attentive to customers and always have a smile. I would definitely come back !

    (5)

  • Simon Y.

    I forgot the name but tried these medium size oysters from Washington which were really good. I've also had their clam chowder, fish tacos (both grilled and fried) and grilled yellowtail. Food is really good here. You go in, order at the front and they bring the food out to your table. My only complaint here is parking - they do have a parking lot in the back but it's only for like 5 cars. Street parking is always busy around here. Would be 4 stars if not for the inconvenient parking.

    (3)

  • Ricardo S.

    This place is awesome, pretty much everything about it; the food, atmosphere and staff. This place was recommended to me by a buddy of mine, so I decided to come down during their happy hour for a beer and some fish tacos. Wow, I cannot even begin to say how delicious they were, they have probably got to be the best fish tacos that I have ever had. The fish is fresh, they are good sized and they come with some salsa verde and guacamole on the side. In addition to their delicious fish tacos, they have a wide variety of local fish and seafood on their menu.

    (5)

  • Veronica E.

    Second time i've been here and second time i walked out a happy customer! come here if you want cute, quality, and casual dining. FOOD: with the name "FISH 101" you'd think it was solely seafood- wrong! this place does not only serve a variety of great quality seafood but also burgers, salads, and dessert! when i first visited last year, i treated our family for a late Father's day lunch. We ordered the following and no one had any complaints: - ahi poke: delish and fresh, with wonton chips on the side - fish n chips: not the best ive had, but definitely satisfies - grilled fish: its a filet that comes with fries, moist and a healthy option - grilled shrimp tacos: yummy, but id rather have the fish tacos you get 3 - oysters: i didnt try them, the only seafood i dont eat because the texture - burger: surprisingly good. simple and the portion size was not small - battered fish tacos: comparable to Rubios style - blueberry peach cobbler: YUM, came in a baby mason jar with the filling inside, a little crust as the cover, and an ice cream scoop on top - creme brulee: this was okay, i would rahter have something else last night i had the Tuna Poke again, and it was just what i remembered. its about a cup of very fresh fish (you can tell with the fish being so transparent/clear) and the dressing had a little kick to it. DRINKS: we tried the rootbeer float and aloha brew last time. there are other beer and drink options as well. PRICE: on the higher end of casual dining, you'll spend about a $10 minimum per plate AMBIANCE: super cute! you can tell its a spot off the PCH with the front and back patio dining. the back patio is lit up so cute for a good weathered date night and bring your doggy and dine with them in the front. inside is smaller so dont expect to bring a party of 20 especially because they get super busy! SERVICE: right when you walk in you grab a menu and order then take your number and choose your seat. it gets really busy during peak dinner hours but the service is efficient and friendly! PARKING behind the restaurant if you cant find street parking and stay away from the hotel parking lot!

    (4)

  • Diana M.

    I live right down the street and frequent Fish101 pretty often. Some local tips, check out the table situation before you order. Nothing worse then your oysters showing up and nowhere to sit. If they have it on the specials board order the Seafood Curry! It's delicious! Serious, so good and filled with TONS of fresh seafood. Another favorite is the shrimp tacos.

    (4)

  • Hillary H.

    Can not say enough about how amazing this place is. All organic and fresh. Tonight we had albacore poke, grilled cauliflower, fish and chips, salad, grilled shrimp, pumpkin cheesecake and brownie sundae. Yes we had a big group. The poke was AMAZING!!!! Fresh, not fishy , great flavor.

    (5)

  • Maile P.

    Sashimi bowl was awesome, would have loved a few more pieces of sashimi, though! It was pretty crowded on a Thursday. We say in the outdoor patio, which was nice, it gets warm inside!

    (3)

  • Ruben L.

    If you like fresh seafood in the kind of place you can wear your blue jeans and a tshirt then this is your place. It's actually Excellent in terms of freshness and price. We always say "We should come here more often." each time we go for dinner. I recommend you go with a small group 2, or 4 etc and get a sampling of a bunch of different items. Their Ahi Poke and Fresh Crudo are fresh and flavorful and if you're into the steamed mussels they offer a nice white whine broth with garlic, leeks, tarragon and fresh bread to dip and sop up all that broth. I feel like the best deal are the grilled fish plate dinners. What they are serving changes sometimes daily depending on what is fresh and whatever they haven't sold out of yet that day. They have beer and wine here, no cocktails though. Cool back patio is where we like to sit. It's covered just incase it's raining. IF somehow you haven't been here yet, just go. Plan and simple. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Jessica K.

    This place has really good food. The fresh fish really is fresh & always cook perfectly. I also really like the veggie sides like the grilled romaine & even the corn. They have $1 oysters at happy hour starts at 4 or 430. Great selection here & always fresh. It does get pretty packed here & parking is a bit of a problem but I know now from experience to just get here early. Sometimes the service is a bit dicey. I catch a little attitude from some of the staff... I work in the service industry & I always do my best to make sure everyone feels welcome so maybe I'm more critical than most. How ever, happy hour rocks here & the food is consistently stellar so I will continue to come here.

    (4)

  • Lindsey C.

    If you are deciding between two things, always choose what's on the chalkboard. It's fresh, local, and might not be available when you come back. And you will come back. Fish 101 is phenomenal. I love the ahi poke, the tataki, any salad. I recently had the farm salad and it was insane.... watermelon radishes, fennel, tons of organic lettuces, carrot and a slice of bread with goat cheese. So good. Their rocket salad is also one of my go-to meals. It's a huge bowl of arugula and shaved parmesan. Sounds simple and boring, but it's delicious! The crowds and the wait aren't bad. Relax. Go earlier, if you're concerned.

    (5)

  • Sandy D.

    Soo tasty, fresh, and delicious! I had the fish tacos (both styles, grilled and baja), clam chowder, and ahi poke appetizer. The clam chowder was delicious, my favorite out of everything. One of the best ive had. The best part was how fresh everything was. I'm really sensitive to fish, I can smell and taste when it's been sitting in a fridge for too long and this was definitely really fresh. Made me super happy.

    (4)

  • Miles G.

    We went to Fish 101 for a late lunch today, after seeing it featured on the TV show BBQ Crawl last night. I had the Shrimp Po Boy and my girlfriend had the Shrimp Ceviche. Everyone that works at Fish 101 is super friendly and the service was great! I'm looking forward to a return visit to try some other tempting menu items! I do agree with a previous reviewer who noted to park across the street by the RR tracks. Even at 1:30pm when we were there, parking in front of the restaurant was nonexistent. All in all, a great experience and we will return soon!

    (5)

  • jon P.

    Fish 101, Has awesome food, a great surf atmosphere and friendly attitude. I highly recommend it after Surfing with us! ( surfinfire.com )... Their location is just 1/4 mile south of Ponto Beach on the pristine PCH in Leucadia/Encinitas. We personally have eaten there many times and have always been impressed on the quality taste. The owners John and Ray have great experience in the industry and it shows in all their fresh daily dishes!

    (5)

  • Niki H.

    As its name, Fish 101, suggests, it's pretty basic. It's an elementary fish place. It's a very trendy style eatery in Leucadia - order you food, grab a beer, and enjoy your dining company. That's lovely. The atmosphere is decent and the floor layout is nice. One problem is the service. The person taking the order needs to listen. One mishap is ok, but THREE??? It was unacceptable. Another problem was the food prep. The fish itself wasn't bad but most everything was undercooked. The long filets of fish were undercooked but the fish for the fish tacos were almost right (but that's about portioning). The "creme brûlée" was definitely not deserving of its title. It was served in a small mason jar with chocolate sauce on the bottom. The concoction was soupy, a consistency that couldn't even be called pudding, again - undercooked. I will come back and change the review when and if the food gets better. Until then, I'll sadly check out the closest Rubio's.

    (2)

  • Ryan B.

    Love this place. Simply delicious! Fish Tacos are awesome but they have a good variety of seafood choices. If you have not been it is a must try.

    (5)

  • Louise G.

    Just Okay. Went there once. .thought it was okay, but the place is popular so I went back. Second time, just okay. The food was REALLY Salty, no extraordinary seasoning or taste on anything. The fish was okay, but I didn't think it was out of this world. The mussels were in a really salty broth and tiny, so I couldn't really enjoy it. . .and I usually like savoring the broth. The cost is quite high for self-service kind of place. Two meals and a dessert, no drinks came out to $37.70 for just okay food.

    (3)

  • patti i.

    For a late lunch I had grilled romaine which is a whole piece cut in half and lightly grilled with a bit of shaved cheese, a couple of croutons and not enough dressing, for $6.50. Then i had a poke bowl with raw tuna, some sweet sea weed colored with green and brown rice for $13.95. To drink I had an ale on tap served in a caning jar for $7. who knows why, and they had no other glasses. I ordered at the counter and was given a number to take to the table. I sat outside on an uncomfortable bench just feet away from 101 so it was noisy and not too pleasant. The napkins are paper towels in a holder and the forks and knives are also in a holder, so essentially the only service I had was when my meal was delivered. It was very quiet at this hour and no one came to see me until I managed to get the attention of someone to ask for a box. The inside is small and not exciting. So my lunch, with tax, was $29.65. I guess I feel differently about restaurant experiences than most of the reviewers!

    (2)

  • Wavey L.

    Food is EXCELLENT!!! Service poor. Usually we don't mind. DON'T LET ALLIE WAIT ON YOU!!! When lack of service caused me to go to the counter the 4th time ALLIE didn't apologize or attempt to help, she told me twice "well we're really busy." Well ALLIE. .our bill is still $83.06. Have a nice yelp. It's alright. Someone in management took charge and made the situation better.

    (3)

  • Angel R.

    Anthony and I came here with his mother and her husband via their recommendation. It's quite a drive up the North Coast Highway, but a worth it one at that. Upon arrival the place didn't look like much, just a regular hole in the wall restaurant you would see near the coastlines of San Diego. But looks can definitely be deceiving! We came at a good time with a tolerable amount of people, and got a table quickly. And thank god we did, because once the dinner rush came in, it got crowded and stayed crowded. There was a line going down the sidewalk! The place is crowded with good reason; the food is absolutely delicious. We ordered a half dozen of oysters to start off. They were briney, yet sweet and oh so delicious! You could taste the freshness. Anthony ordered the fish and chips, and I went with the special grilled yellowtail tacos. I have no words for how delicious the food was! Anthony's cod was fried to perfection with a light, crispy beer batter coating. His fries (not exactly chips by UK standard of fish & chips lol.) we're crispy on the outside, and hot and mealy on the inside. My yellowtail tacos were absolutely divine! Nicely grilled that brought out the natural flavor of the fish, and substantial tortillas that didn't break mid meal. I had some yummy pico de gallo and guacamole on the side to complement my tacos. What I love about Fish 101 is that they specialize in simplicity. No bells and whistles. The star of your meal is the fish that you are ordering, and they don't alter it by covering it in fancy sauces. I'll be back soon Fish 101!

    (5)

  • Joshua S.

    Fish 101 my favorite spot in North County. The best fish you can get, great beers, awesome oysters, poke, & atmosphere. The staff is awesome and it is my go to spot for the best fish plates. I recommend oysters to start, any of the fish on the chalkboard and pick your two sides. Always a winner. If your in a group get some crudo it's usually some raw epic appetizer of fish for sharing while waiting for your main dish. Don't be discouraged by the line and crowd. It moves quick enough and seating pops up often enough so don't stress. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Josh W.

    Wow. The chefs need to rethink their menu here. The lack of seasoning and attention to detail was what grabbed me first. Second was the cost. My wife got the grilled shrimp dish which consisted of 5 little shrimp with no grill marks, a cup of minute rice, and a salad that was just leafy greens with a sad amount of dressing. I had the fish sandwich that was lack luster as well. our friend had the salmon filet which looked like a frozen patty. They guy at the counter was polite and the ambiance was nice. That is the only bright spot. All and all a huge disappointment. We will not be back. For the price. They need to focus on producing a great product. They missed the mark

    (2)

  • Michelle S.

    Amazing menu and specials! Healthy, inspired, DELICIOUS, and affordable. There is really something for everyone. It's a very noisy, casual space, so you have to be in the mood for a lot of movement. It's so worth it!

    (5)

  • Ian M.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Encinitas hands down. Amazing food, super fresh ingredients, pretty good beer selection and great staff. Very casual counter style ordering but you can order more from the table if needed. This is a minimal once a week for me and my lady and feel completely blessed to have such a great spot only 4 blocks from home.

    (5)

  • John C.

    Kidding right? My wife got the fish tacos, which were small and tasteless, and fries. I got the halibut, brown rice and coleslaw and our bill came to almost $40!!! The portions at this place are small for what you pay for, and the food isn't all that great. My fish tasted like leather and about the size of my wallet, very thinly sliced. The coleslaw tasted like shredded plywood. With the many seafood places that are available along the North County Coast, you would think the clown who runs this place would make sure customers had a great experience: quality-wise, quantity-wise and money-wise. This will be our last visit at this place - too expensive and not worth it.

    (1)

  • Gerry H.

    Food decent but the portions are very, very, very little for what you pay. I got the yellow tail today and the filet was no larger than half the size of my palm, really? We'll find other fish houses that give you more for your money - forget this place.

    (1)

  • William S.

    Went there on Friday night got there just in the nick of time to get seated right away. Sat down read the menu for a minute and looked up and there was a line out the door. Fish tacos where the best I ever had.

    (5)

  • Nicki H.

    This is definitely a go-to spot for fish. It's usually crowded, but I've never waited more than 10 or 15 minutes to order / find a table. The fish sandwich is by far my favorite thing on the menu. The fish is always perfectly cooked and a really decent sized portion. The oysters are always fresh and delish too. Ditch the muscles though - they don't clean the grit out, so those are inedible. But EVERYTHING else I've had is amazing.

    (5)

  • Kelly S.

    We had to wait in a long, uncomfortable line to place our order, as waiters and bussers pushed and squeezed by. After the long wait of placing our order, we had to stand and wait for a table. The food came out at different times. The ceviche was awesome, but the yellowtail salad tasted overcooked. The oysters were ho hum; I've had MUCH better. I don't think we'll be going back.

    (2)

  • Risey P.

    This place has the perfect laid back vibe. We ordered at the counter, and sat out on the back patio with the toasty heat lamps. The fish is incredibly fresh and tasty. The menu is simple and just enough variety to play off the star of the show: local fish.

    (4)

  • Elise B.

    Good vibe and great food, casual and kid friendly. We started with the crudo (awesome) and then had seabass, it was so good and it came with grilled asparagus. The "kid" food is actually real food, they loved it.

    (4)

  • Megan A.

    Good fish tacos. Great happy hour. Fun atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Ginny E.

    I love Fish 101! Great food, casual beach atmosphere. My friends and I have never been disappointed.

    (5)

  • Michael W.

    i really liked this place. i had the fish tacos and the asparagus and a beer. it was crowded and noisy but most good places are. great surf vibe. i want to try more stuff from the menu. i wish they had lunch hours.

    (4)

  • geoff p.

    Atmosphere is nice & casual, although a bit loud & crowded. Staff was quite friendly and efficient. I'm confident the fresh fish is outstanding but we tried the fish n chips, very disappointing. It looked delightful and the fries were perfect little shoestrings. The texture of the fish however was very mushy and completely flavorless. The blue cheese iceberg lettuce wedge on the other hand was the most delicious salad preparation We've ever had. Every single bite was a pure taste of heaven. One other little discomfort; we sat inside at a table. The dining room floor is not solid however and we could feel every single(they were frequent and constantly disturbing ) footstep reverberate through the chairs and table into our spines as people were constantly shuffling to and fro behind us. I'm sure eating out front on the sidewalk or in back would have been fine. Overall great place, looking forward to exploring the menu further now that these caveats are out of the way.

    (3)

  • Aaron W.

    We went to fish 101 in search of good fresh seafood and we weren't disappointed. You order at a counter and we sat at a picnic table outside--super casual. The servers were really friendly and they spaced out our food better than some fancy restaurants do. It was maybe a little pricey for an order at the counter place, but fresh sustainable seafood isnt cheap, and as long as its good, i dont mind paying. We each had a bowl of clam chowder and shared some starters. The clam chowder was excellent. The base was on the lighter side and it was loaded with tender manilla clams and tasty bits of bacon that added a nice touch. I thought the tuna poke was a bit bland. It just tasted like plain tuna to me...fresh, but plain nonetheless. The crudo of the day was Himachi and it was fantastic. Really fresh tasting Himachi perfectly accented with yuzu, jalapeño peppers and some other flavors. The steamed mussels were also very good. A large bowl with huge tender mussels. The broth was perfect....the right amounts of garlic, wine, and oil to accent but not overpower the mussels. I would have liked more French bread to sop up that delicious broth. The grilled asparagus was a little too salty for me. My son had kids sliders and fries. He liked the sliders. The fries were great...tasted like McDonalds, which everyone knows is the standard bearer for good fries. When we go back, I'm getting my own order of fries. They would be great with the mussels....kind of like an encintas version of moules frites. They had some really interesting local beers on tap. We had a pitcher of a local orange wit that seemed to go really well with everything. Dessert was rediculous...the creme broule was hands down the best I've had. And I know my creme broules. The blueberry peach cobbler was also very good.....but a day later, I'm still thinking about that creme broule.

    (4)

  • Chestie J.

    Yummy, yummy fresh zesty fish tacos! Cool vibe, nice outdoor seating options. Fast service. Good, casual date night spot. Cozy vibe, cool atmosphere, and tasty food.

    (5)

  • Johnny E.

    Amazingly fresh fish cooked perfectly. I love how u order at the counter. Great staff. It gets crowded because it's worth the wait. I went back 3 weeks in a row. If u don't like this place ur an idiot or are in a bad mood. Keep up the great work!

    (5)

  • Ilene T.

    Absolute perfection.

    (5)

  • Anita H.

    AMAZING!! A great Yelp review led us here. We'll be back again and again! Grilled shrimp, sautéed corn off the cob, grilled asparagus, and grilled yellowfin. Yum and yum. Go early to avoid long lines. Assign a member of your party to watch for a table while someone is placing your order. Top quality ingredients, excellent kitchen, and cool setting.

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    High quality fish house in North County. Yummy fish tacos, seasonal oysters, desserts. Everything is made fresh in house, which I love. Super clean, super casual, neighborhood joint. We always end up ordering more. Delicious fries and burgers if you don' t like fish. No frills, keep it simple, just great fish for your fish fix.

    (5)

  • Sarah A.

    So maybe we hit it on a bad night, but I was seriously disappointed. We had fish tacos, which weren't worth finishing because they were so greasy and heavily breaded. Btw, this was not happy hour - this was dinner time. They let you place your order and then you have to find a seat - good luck. I had to snag a shared table while my sister waited in line for at least fifteen minutes. I feel that the management is greedy - why continue to take food orders if there is nowhere to sit? I guess if customers continue to patronize them with the current system, they have no incentive to change. I wish I could have that hour of my life back to eat a good fish taco.

    (1)

  • Wong Fook H.

    Great fish sandwiches, good beer selection, reasonable prices. I love the self-serve format. Good job!

    (4)

  • Amy S.

    Excellent sea bass dinner, REALLY good sweet corn and asparagus - YUM! Staff friendly. Good local beer selection. Backyard patio feels a bit closed-in but nicely done. Prices were unclear - ordered "fish plate special" which appeared to be $12 95 but really was $17.95.

    (4)

  • alex b.

    Great fresh fish and amazing fish tacos. Food and service can be a little slow but food is worth the wait!

    (4)

  • Meghan D.

    Very disappointing. One word sums it up...soggy! Soggy batter on the fish, four small shrimp on a po' boy that was mostly bread and a mountain of onions, not to mention the soggy french fries that were inedible. Will not be returning.

    (1)

  • Julie H.

    The food was amazing! I had the poke for starters and it was delicious, followed by the best baja fish tacos i've ever had! and for dessert the creme brulee with chocolate sauce was the best creme brulee i've ever had as well! The atmosphere was great, the staff friendly. I will become a regular at this restraunt!

    (5)

  • Jo S.

    Something's amiss. My hubby and I are visiting Cardiff-By-the-Sea for the weekend. A local surfshop recommended Fish 101 in Leucadia for having delicious seafood. We arrived early Saturday evening (before 6) and found ample parking in the rear. The place had a cool but very casual set-up. I was looking forward to a little more refined restaurant for a romantic meal. The fact that we had to order at the front was offputting. Nevertheless, the staff were very friendly, with warm, welcoming smiles. We chose to sit in the patio which reminded me of someone's backyard patio, a nice one. We ordered the calamari, rocket salads, grilled yellowtail tacos for my husband, and grilled yellowtail with rice and slaw for myself. After ordering, we thought we had maybe over-ordered. Not the case. Out came the calamari. The flavors were good. A pleasant surprise were the paper-thin slices of battered/fried lemon. The calamari was a bit leathery in texture; I think because the batter was too heavy. No matter, we still ate it all. Flavors were excellent. The rocket salad was simple and tasty. I repeat "simple." Arugula, olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, and shaved cheese. $5 is not bad for a restaurant, although I couldn't help but think I could recreate it for under a buck; but then, what fun is that? The grilled fish tacos were "meh." Hubby said they were fishy. He's kind of picky or sensitive when it comes to fish. I'll be eating his 3rd taco for lunch. He said the peach (?) salsa was good. I tried the salsa, but couldn't tell what it was. He wasn't impressed by his dish. I guess I'll find out tomorrow, but one can hardly judge when they're eating leftovers. My grilled fish was great. I thought the fish was seasoned and cooked to perfection. I did not need the tartar sauce that accompanied it. It was not fishy at all. The slaw was on the sweet side, but delicious. The rice was...well, white, sticky rice. Not much you can say about that; it is what it is. Perhaps offering a pilaf would dress up the plate. I had no complaints though. I was very happy. Now for the reason I gave 3 stars. We sat next to a party of four. Their server came out to check on them at the end of their meal and offered them dessert. They ordered from their table a variety of delicacies. On our other side, another party of four arrived and were eating dinner. My husband and I waited and tried to get the attention of a server to get a box for the taco and order some dessert. Not a single server checked on us. There were 3 servers handling the patio. One gal with a beachy tan talked to us when we first sat down because I flagged her down with a question about their menu, a different male server brought us our food, and yet another gal was serving another table. Not a single one of them gave us the time of day after they served our meal. The male explained the dessert menu to the 1st table and brought out their selection: 1 of everything. My mouth was watering and my eyes were lusting after their desserts. The tanned gal shortly thereafter explained the desserts and chatted to the other table and was taking their dessert order while they were still eating dinner! No one came to our table. My husband finally got the attention of a busboy who graciously brought us a box and then foil for the taco. NONE of the servers checked on us or came to offer dessert. My husband said, "What are we? Chopped liver?!" And that is exactly how I felt. I was sooo looking forward to trying the pumpkin cobbler and apple cheesecake. We waited a little longer, received no love, and walked out...to have a fresh baked cinnamon bun and chocolate glazed donut (yum) and crappy coffee from a bakery in Encinitas. But that's another review. *;)

    (3)

  • Ken D.

    Stopped by this afternoon. Party ordered Fish taco plates, clam chowder, fish and chips along with a scallop appetizer. Place was clean. Service was very good, almost to good. As soon as you were in the process of putting down your fork after the last bite, someone was there asking if they could take your plate. They were not that busy where they needed the tables. Maybe they needed the dishes? Anyway it was almost annoying. The food was good. Prices were acceptable to on the high end for what you get except for the scallop appetizer. One thin sliced scallop with sauce and garnish for $10? While the taste was fine, at that price not again. Fish tacos were good but a bit pricey. Great presentation with interesting sauce and fresh mashed avocado. Fish and chips? Very good batter. Slightly greasy. As with the fish tacos, white fish, but a stronger fish taste than most white fish. Not spoiled, just a stronger fish taste..Not rockfish, cod, haddock, hake etc. Don't know what it was. Not my favorite. Fries were good. Tarter sauce good. The clam chowder was very good. $5 for a small shallow bowl. You be the judge on value. Beer selection no problem. Not thrilled with a bottle of Mexican Coke for the price. Of course no refills that way. In this day and age, really a no go. Overall I would go back but would be more careful what I order and will ask more questions ahead of time.

    (2)

  • Jon G.

    In looking at the other reviews I discovered that this place opened two days before we ate there. So the little bit of confusion about how to order and where to sit is easily explained and no doubt rectified. We had dinner on May 19th. My wife had the salad with the grilled fish of the day (yellowtail) and I had fish and chips. Both were outstanding. The fish and chips beer batter was light with a hint of beer flavor, and the fish was perfectly cooked. The fries (chips) are thin style and arrived hot and lightly salted. My wife's salad looked great, and the bite of fish I had was great. We also had a side order of asparagus with garlic aioli. We were full so passed on the dessert. All in dinner cost us about $24. Definitely going to revisit. The only drawback that got to us was the combination of concrete floor and loud music made us shout at times.

    (4)

  • Kelly P.

    Wow... Loved Fish 101! If I lived closer, I would be here at least once or twice a week! The food is fresh and very reasonably priced for the quality! We started with a grilled shrimp cocktail and a grilled fish taco and the had the grilled halibut and 2 sides - grilled asparagus and a salad and the shrimp po boy sandwich and fries. Yum! Will definitely go back! The owner is also personally involved in a aspects of the restaurant - greeted regulars, bussed our table and brought out our check. Very impressed! And I'm not just saying this as my first yelp review!!!

    (5)

  • Clifford C.

    Overall: -Great cozy vibe, decor and atmosphere -Fresh oysters, enjoyed the selections. -Tried the grilled/fried fish tacos, fresh but flavor was ok. Grilled fish -Tried fish n chips, generally on the steaky side, pretty good -Tried grilled fish sandwich, ok -Good craft beers on tap Cons -on the pricier side. the couple times we've been, we've avg a total tab of $40. i've been to several other restaurants with same freshness, but cheaper. Generally, i'd probably give 3.5 stars, but rounded up given friendly service and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Tony L.

    Wow! What a great meal at Fish 101! We thought we would just start with a few small bites from the "starters" menu, but as the half dozen freshly shucked oysters (with mignonette, yum), crispy calamari (super tender and served with lemon aioli), tuna poke (with crispy wontons) and scallop crudo came out, we knew we had to stay for more! (the scallops in the crudo were super sweet/fresh and paired perfectly with the blood oranges and micro-cilantro). When asked what we should try next, our server eagerly suggested the grilled shrimp tacos (he said he eats them everyday) - so how could we resist? We now know why he eats them everyday (Thanks, Earls!) ... they were excellent ... the shrimp was grilled just right (tender) and had a little fresh shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and tasty guac! We could have eaten a dozen more ... but restrained ourselves in order to try a cup of clam chowder (don't order this if you want that pastey stuff with tough clams ... this is the real deal ... tender clams in a flavorful cream broth with a hint of bacon and leeks - awesome) and the grilled salmon with organic greens ... we chose the asian dressing which was just right with a light hint of sesame while letting the fresh greens and thinly shaved radishes shine through. Not to mention the salmon ... it had that perfect balance of slightly crispy grilled outside with the slightly undercooked center that melts in your mouth ... definitely was that "spa" type dish that makes you feel healthy ... so of course we had to order dessert! Turns out the chef's wife is a trained pastry chef and her desserts did not disappoint!! We ordered the black bottom creme brulee and the strawberry shortcake ... both presented in mason jars (really cool) ... the creme brulee had the surprise at the bottom of a dark chocolate sauce, so with a bite you got the "crunchy bruleed sugar" with the creamy vanilla custard and the bittersweet gooey chocolate sauce - delish!!! Fresh strawberries, moist cake and whipped cream made the strawberry shortcake a comfy flashback to homemade desserts! Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that each came with homemade cookies ... loved the hint of ginger in the crackle top chocolate cookies that came with the creme brulee. Man, wish we lived closer as this could easily become a regular spot for us ... but guaranteed it will make us stop in Leucadia whenever we are traveling to or from SD ... or maybe the chef/owners could be convinced to open a location in LA ... (get more Fish 101 t-shirts made fellas, I want one!)

    (5)

  • Jenn M.

    We went here three times during a recent vacation to Leucadia, and every visit left us wanting more. We had oodles of grilled fish, Baja tacos, calamari, fish n' chips, fried fish po'boy, shrimp cocktail, root beer float, fish w/ salad, fries, asparagus, crème brûlée, bread pudding, sautéed corn, and lots of microbrews. EVERYING was perfectly cooked, super fresh, fast, and very reasonably priced. Think two filling entrees, two sides, two microbrews, and dessert for about $40! We came with 4, 5, and 8 people at different times in the evening and the staff was always extremely friendly and accommodating of our needs. The restaurant exudes a clean, relaxed, minimalism that we valued in place of the expensive fusion places that take up so much of the So. Cal culinary scene.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    great food, beer and staff. surprisingly great burger too! that's what i order there now. good selection of ipas and other beers. ask brian to plug his ipod in if you like island reggae...he's got good music. the only bad thing is that they're closed on mondays...

    (5)

  • Carrie M.

    I've been wanting to try this place forever and I am so glad I finally did. Hubs and I went here for an early dinner- I got a grilled fish taco and a fried (Baja) one. He got three grilled ones (silly, healthy hubs). The tacos came with salsa and guac (impressive). All were mahi mahi and delicious. Bigger than we expected as we were there in time for happy hour. Nice. Oh and hubs really dug the Baja- very lightly fried and not greasy. He said next time he'd swap one of his grilled out for that. Also went ahead and ordered the creme brûlée based on other reviews. Thank you to everyone who recommended it- I love creme brûlée and am 8 months preggo and was looking for a splurge. This was it! Served in a half mason jar with chocolate on the bottom and a cookie on the side. What else could you ask for? I normally wouldn't dig chocolate in my cb but this was an amazing tasting chocolate and damn, if that cookie wasn't tasty as all heck too. I was nice and shared but didn't really want to. Def can be crowded- we ended up sharing a table with a random couple and the line was way out the door by the time we left but well worth it. Great food is pretty hard to come by in SD. Oh, and all the food we saw from salads to mussels to burgers looked just as tasty and fresh as what we had. Go here and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Diane T.

    Awesome fish tacos!

    (4)

  • Jim T.

    Best fish and chips in North County!!! Good service, very friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Mark S.

    My kind of place: simple, unpretentious with great food at reasonable prices. Mussels were very meaty. Kids' "fish sticks" were actually perfectly respectable fish 'n chips. Wine list is limited, but good values.

    (5)

  • Paris France W.

    love this place. fresh fresh ingredients, great affordable price. i like the back outdoor tables. very clean. great vibe.

    (5)

  • Toni M.

    We really like this place, we have dined there numerous times, the fish is fresh and good. The outdoor patio is casual and a good addition to this location. This is a difficult location because nothing seems to make it here. For Fish 101 to succeed, you need to stop over salting the food. Every time I go there, I can taste way too much salt on my fish, salad, veggies, etc. The mussels are delicious, but way to salty too. Another recommendation is for the fish taco plate, please add beans and rice for that price. I will not order the fish tacos again, because I am hungry after eating them 3 in an order and I am not a big eater. The fish taco plate is overpriced with nothing on the side. We really want this place to make it, so please take my recommendations to heart.

    (3)

  • Monica A.

    Love this place. Eat here at least once a week, dine in and takeout. Fresh fish, super simply prepared but incredibly tasty. My one BIG beef is if you come with friends and order on different tickets, your food never comes out at the same time. More than once, one of us in our party has finished his meal, before the rest even gets their food. This is something they REALLY need to figure out.

    (4)

  • Andy G.

    Nice little place that has that relaxed beach feel to it. We had the fish and chips, fish was fresh and batter was not oily at all. Staff was very friendly while being busy.

    (4)

  • Chad B.

    Well, I just finished eating 2 of the 3 best fish tacos I've ever had. Apparently, all fish tacos should be made with grilled yellowtail in my opinion. I didn't know I felt that way until just now. I've been to Fish 101 twice, and the food has been excellent both times. Last time I had a half dozen oysters, some appetizer that was delicious and a fish sandwich. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because I haven't had enough of the menu yet. I've lived across the street for the last 2 years and seen 3 restaurants come and go in this location. However, none of them were this classy, nor had a menu this appetizing. I hope these guys (the owners work there and are very friendly) get the word out, and I hope they get support from the community because this is a little known gem in the area. Best of luck fellas. I'm gonna go finish my 3rd grilled yellowtail taco.

    (4)

  • Theresale L.

    small causual restaurant off of pch in encinitas leucadia. the patio out back was nice and relaxing.fresh yummy we love it...good, healthy fresh food

    (4)

  • Dianna N.

    Hooray! The spell has been broken! Loved Fish 101. We found the food fresh and tasty, the service friendly and the ambiance reminiscent of great neighborhood eateries in the City. The outdoor patios are charming and comfortable. Since it was our first time this evening we did not rank it as a 5 star, but look forward to our next visit to confirm the restaurant's consistency and our fondness for this new local spot. The tres leche dessert was very yummy! Thanks Fish 101 and we are happy to have you in our neighborhood. We've been back several times and yes, Fish 101 is consistently good in delivering great food and a friendly environment! *****

    (5)

  • Carol S.

    Being that I recently relocated from NYC, and I am a brat when it comes to restaurants... Fish 101 is by far the best, freshly prepared food I've come across in the San Diego area. The food is well prepared and fresh, in a casual setting. My new weekly food fix :-) A MUST have!!!

    (5)

  • Erica J.

    I'm going to make this place a weekly spot! The menu is unique and the atmosphere is easy going. The clam special soaked with beer and cream was amazing. The tacos are fresh and easy. The outdoor patio is the place to sit on a cool evening with heaters and dangling lights. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quick bite or someone who wants to chill for a while. I didn't have the oysters...but will next time!

    (5)

  • CC R.

    Shuckin' great! Loved the food, ambiance and crew. These guys serve quality food! Yummy starters(Poke is a must...Oysters too). Have to go back and sample more dishes. Didn't leave without trying the delicious tres leches desert. The style of the restaurant is very casual chic with modern decor and eco friendly products. Owners are very friendly and know their culinary arts. Great fit for Encinitas. Thanks for coming to North County!

    (5)

  • D D.

    The concept looks cool, but falls short. Cafeteria eating with mid to upscale prices. The staff is friendly and attentive, but this restaurant is not about ambience.

    (2)

  • José L.

    This is the first time I'm writing a review for a restaurant I've already reviewed, but its a merited first. Wanting to throw a surprise birthday dinner at the restaurant, I e-mailed Ray about a week in advance. He was prompt, professional, and very accommodating in his response. They don't take reservations, but Ray helped me find a time that would make the most sense for a group so big. Once there, with a group of 14 or so, Ray, Brian, and the staff were super helpful and patient as we waited for the birthday girl and lingered well after. True to form, the space was comfortable, the ambiance warm, and the food fresh and delicious. It's a bummer that the best we could do was offer them some beat-up birthday cake, but it was great to see our friends fall for this place as hard as we have. I used to live right down the road and recently moved considerably farther away; my only lament: that I can't dine here more often. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Tracie M.

    Took the family to Fish 101 and loved it! Great patio seating area for the kids. Had both the grilled fish and baja fish tacos. Yum! Also had to tuna poke and mussels as appetizers...both were excellent...I'm ready to go back for more. Kids cleaned up their kids meals and we topped it off with the creme brulee with dark chocolate sauce and strawberry shortcake. I have to say that the creme brulee was the absolute best! We'll definitely be going back soon!

    (5)

  • Jess B.

    Unfortunately this may be my first 1 star review restaurant review (my only other 1 star was for a rip-off oil change place). My husband and I were so excited to try this place after reading the good reviews on Yelp but we have never been so disappointed (since it's only been open for 2 weeks maybe the good reviews were from family and friends of the staff). I met my husband here after work and as I was doing circle after circle around the block trying to find parking I pulled up behind him while struggling to find a spot as well (there is a parking lot but it has about 4 spots and it was full). When we finally found parking and went inside we found it to be a cute little place. We looked through a very small one page menu with only a small selection and decided on the fish tacos. The tacos were good but not great only including 3 small tacos and nothing else (sides are extra) for $10.95. The tacos also came with small tins of salsa and guac which were both half filled. I hate to say this but for $10.95 I can go to Rubio's and get about 5 tacos that come with side dishes as well. Needless to say about an hour after eating our 3 little tacos we were hungry again. It's too bad I can't recommend this place since it's so nice to have a new fish restaurant so close to us in La Costa but bad parking, small selection, and over-priced decent food is just not enough to give it a better rating.

    (1)

  • Kimi W.

    If you want the BEST fish tacos at a great price, go to Fish 101. Seasonal sides, grilled brussels sprouts with onion & bacon, or grilled asparagus are also delicious choices. Desserts: black bottom creme brulee & tres leches cake & ice cream superb. Fresh from the sea, oysters of several varieties. We went back twice within the 3 days while we camped at S. Carlsbad State Beach. Parking very limited, but it's worth going 'round the block until you find a spot.

    (5)

  • Beth C.

    I am not a huge fish eater and still I love, love, love this place! The patio is fantastic with lights strung across the top creating a dreamy atmosphere perfect for warm summer nights. You seat yourself and order at the counter, which could disrupt the mood, but the staff is so great (and willing to start a tab and bring add-ons to your table) that I don't mind. Everything is fresh and local, with unexpected twists and flavors. We have been twice this week and will definitely be back again soon. The poke appetizer is amazing and I really enjoyed the arugula salad. For the more adventurous fish eaters in the group, a dozen fresh oysters brought to our table were a huge hit. The menu is a little different every time you go, but you know you can count on fresh fish, unique specials and desserts to die for. To top it all off, the beer selection is awesome! Now if we can just keep the tourists from discovering this fun new beach-side spot.

    (5)

  • Stacey C.

    Great atmosphere. Good fish. Fair prices. Sooo Fresh! Love the outdoor patio area.

    (4)

  • Glenn M.

    Great food at reasonable prices. Very fresh fish!! Only down side is very limited seating and you have to order at the counter instead of table service. Worth it though!!

    (4)

  • Christie B.

    Was excited this place finally opened, but on my first visit was told by one staffer that dogs are allowed on patio, then by another that they're not. Left without ordering, won't give it another chance.

    (1)

  • louise e.

    fantastic new spot. clam chowder and black bottom cremè brulee are off the hook. great laid-back vibe to this place...i will be back.

    (5)

  • shauna a.

    Very impressed . I had read a write up on them awhile back and having been meaning to try them. I went with my hubby and 3 yr. old . was able to seat at the bar stools at the front and enjoy a 5 star dinner with Organic wine for under $50. This place had a line out the door the whole time I was there . Food quality is perfect and vibe is super laid back . My new favorite place ! I had shrimp fish tacos ,my husband the fish and chips and my daughter the fish sticks. Her child fish sticks were better than some top notch restaurants fish and chips !

    (5)

  • Stacey W.

    First the owners of Fish 101 used to own Tokyo A Go- Go in the Mission in San Francisco when it first opened, and that place was AMAZING. They sold that place a while ago and migrated to good ole North County. The location of this restaurant has been many things since I moved here about 5 years ago. So I think most of the locals are rooting for them to do well. I have eaten here about 5 times since they opened and have tried apps, beers, specials, sandwiches, salads and desserts. Their sandwiches and tacos give you the most bang for your buck. A large . portion that will fill you up. I like that they get fish locally and have some very tasty oysters on happy hour most days. Their appetizers were delicious but on the small side. I recently really enjoyed their tres leches cake which was unique with a hint of cinnamon. The muscles and grilled shrimp cocktail were good and fresh. The wedge salad with blue cheese and bacon was lovely, but quite small for the price. The staff is very good, but the service is spotty when they are busy. I think this has do to the way you order, which is by standing in line. It's fine for when the restaurant is on the slower side, but when you have eaten your fill you need to stand back in line to get your bill which is sort of a drag and can kill a sweet buzz. Speaking of which they have some lovely beers on tap here. Definitely check them out and give them some love.

    (4)

  • Ann K.

    I love that this restaurant isn't overwhelmed by a TV....it's the first restaurant that has survived this location so far. It has a fantastic, inexpensive happy hour and great mix of flavors. The mussels are delicious and the happy hour tacos are the best! I just wish there was more seating because I had to go somewhere else last night because the place was filled up at 5 o'clock....GOOD for FISH 101! Great Leucadia joint.

    (5)

  • P F.

    The positives. Very fast service. One orders at the counter and recieves a number to put on table. Food arrived within 5 minutes. That was where it ended. We had ordered Clam Chowder soup and the grilled fish and had asked whether it was moist. The counterperson recommended another fish for more $$, so we took his recommendation. The soup was good but the fish dish was probably the worst I have ever had. It was a tiny portion, probably about 3 oz and super thin like bacon, obviously very dry as I probably could not cook fish that was that thin and retain any moisture, but why even bother it should have been thrown out or ground into cat food. The place was very cramped and noisy, but that could have been forgiven if the food was ok. The price for what we got was outrageous and compared with a restaurant we ate at the night before in Long Beach for over twice the price was a really poor value. Summary is overpriced and awful quality food. Will not go back in spite of the great reviews others have given it.

    (1)

  • Carol S.

    omg yum-oooo!!!!

    (5)

  • Jacqueline S.

    I have eaten at this restaurant 3 times. The food ranges from OK to very good. However, the service can be terrible. During my most recent visit, my friend and I waited 40 minutes, but our food did not appear. When I inquired about our order, I was told it had been lost. I know orders occasionally get lost, but we had tickets to a play and were running out of time. The waitress assured us our food would be delivered in 5 minutes. 15 minutes later it hadn't appeared. We had to leave. I demanded our money be refunded, and we were given our orders in takeout cartons. However, the waitress followed us out of the restaurant, grabbed my friend's arm and told her "you know, it's not the end of the world." I should mention that we are middle-aged women, and I found the treatment we received by these young servers not only disrespectful but rude. The servers there do not understand that they are in a service business. I should mention also that whenever I've gone to Fish 101 with older women friends, the service has been chilly at best.

    (2)

  • Dane F.

    The place was packed with people all squished in like sardines in a can. Servers got easily overwhelmed with the large number of people. However, the food was very good and a good value with lots of options. Our entire group had far more to eat then we should have. It was a fun place. There was a mishap with one person in our party who just couldn't seem to get their meal even after several attempts.

    (3)

  • Sherpa M.

    Perfectly prepared fish with many nice, healthy or not so healthy side choices. I appreciate the simplicity, family friendly environment and look forward to returning!

    (4)

  • Becky D.

    Great casual atmosphere. The grilled fish is amazing, very fresh and simply prepared. The creme brûlée is a must have. The ice cream is a cup size and a little pricey for $5. We got the salted carmel syrup, which was really amazing.

    (5)

  • Paula I.

    We love the Oysters and mussels. We have been here many times and never have been disappointed. Love that we can go casual but have 5 star food. The service is wonderful and fast. Desserts...well that is putting a cherry on top of an already great night. Ok, plus I have the sweetest date to eat dinner with. :)

    (5)

  • Suzanne I.

    Fish 101 exceeded my expectations and for once in my life, I can now say that I enjoy eating mussels! I've never had any mussel so fresh and clean in taste. For only $9, our group of 4 shared their giant plate of steamed mussels cooked in white wine, leeks, garlic and tarragon. I'd gladly travel miles just for this heavenly appetizer. For my meal, I had a yellowtail grilled fish sandwich and was in awe by how GIGANTIC [easily enough for two people] and delicious it was. Even though the place was crowded at 7pm on a Sunday evening and the only available seating was outdoors in the front of the restaurant in 50 something degree weather, our group had a wonderful dining experience because we were so happy with our food. Remember: If you come here on a cold evening, make sure you bring a jacket. Note: Parking can be an adventure to find on the street, just keep an eye out, accept the fact that you probably won't find a spot directly outside the front door and remember that walking is good for your health.

    (5)

  • The Baja M.

    4.5 stars Great fish and shrimp tacos. Nice restaurant with a good casual vibe.

    (4)

  • Meng M.

    The reviews were pretty impressive so we decided to try this place out and I am so glad we did! It was after lunch time when we came in so parking was not a problem but with the kind of food they serve, I'm sure this place is packed during lunch and dinner. The restaurant feels like a beachside shack, very relaxed and a very nice place to spend with your family. The menu is not overwhelming but you kinda want to try everything! I looooove the calamari. Its easy to overcook squid and when you do, it becomes chewy and almost unedible but this one is cooked perfectly. Well seasoned and the cornmeal gave it great texture. My dad had the grilled fish. I never had the chance to taste it because I went and order fish tacos then when I came back, his plate was clean! So I guess it was really good and healthy too. Seaweed salad was spot on! My mom had the Poke. It was a bit salty for us but it was fresh and clean. My fish tacos, cooked perfectly and the quality of fish is great but kinda lacking flavor. Overall, the food, the place and the crew were awesome! I'd love to go back and try everything on the menu. How I wish we live nearby.

    (4)

  • Sarah W.

    Love the fresh, simple menu. All fish are wild-caught (or have been when I've gone), and everything's always grilled to perfection. Great for quality oysters. There is usually a huge line during dinner hours, but it moves fairly quickly. And it can be a little anxiety provoking to try and wade through the crowds to find a spot to sit after ordering, but we've always prevailed. I can't imagine doing that routine with kids or a larger party (it's just myself & my husband dining), but that doesn't seem to deter either from dining here.

    (4)

  • Leslie Y.

    Love their happy hour special, love the fresh fish. Not a bad thing I've had here. So far I've had their mussels, clams, oysters, creme brulee, salads, clam chowder, and fish tacos. I've never been disappointed. Whenever I can convince people to come to north county to hang out out with me, I always recommend this place. Lots of good beer. Love the outdoor covered seating, great seafood. Not a single bad thing I can think of.

    (5)

  • Brigitte E.

    We'd heard rave reviews about Fish101 from many friends and finally gave it a try. We've been a few times now and ordered the "fish of the day"--been delighted every time. I do not know how they prepare the fish, but it is so moist and super fresh. We have tried the fries (crispy / thin and perfect), seaweed salad, black beans and cole slaw. All were great. I noticed quite a few people eating the hamburgers--they must be good. Certainly look delicious. I did not expect the restaurant to be so casual. This is a place where you can wear your shorts and flip flops and enjoy outstanding seafood at very good prices, and chat with some of your local Encinitas neighbors at the community table. The staff is also super friendly and welcoming. Don't worry about the line outside, it goes fast. They take your order and serve your meal very quickly.

    (5)

  • Sharon V.

    A nice find...now I can't stop coming here. Instantly fell in love with Fish 101. I had never been here before but the first time I went here was a group of friends right before the holidays. No one in the group had been there before either so it was a first time for all. Expect counter service when visiting and if it's super busy (weekends) and a table isn't available, just order your drinks until you find a table and then go back and order your food. Seems like a pain...but trust me, you don't want to get your food when you're still standing and waiting for a table. Come on a non-busy night, you'll likely find a seat right away. I prefer the back patio area to enjoy my meal. At night, there is plenty overhead lighting and they have heaters to keep you warm. Just make sure you grab a table near the heater, otherwise, you might get chilly. So...onto the food! I've tried several things since I discovered this joint. Here are my favorites: --Ahi Tuna Appetizer. I just might have to get this every time I come here. So fresh, flavorful and delicious. The wakame it's topped with is pretty darn good. I can eat a bowl of it... --Muscle Appetizer: I've got this 2 of the times that I've come here and if dining with a large group (or perhaps a small one with a big appetite), this is something you don't want to miss. Ahhh! So good...just get it and thank me later. --Fish Tacos: I've had both the grilled and the fried...and of course, the fried is better. The tacos do tend to fall apart when they get soggy but worth the fight. --Fish & Chips: A favorite for my hubby....and for me too! The fish pieces are very large and we can usually share a two piece (with that ahi tuna appetizer). The guys that have worked here each time we've come have always been very attentive, friendly, super helpful and provided great service. They're quick to clear your table but not in a get out of here, people are waiting for your table kind of way. Just to make you more comfortable. The only con about this place is that it is a little pricey. You can order an app, two entrees and glass a wine or two..and easily get up to $50+. I will tell you this...the food is WORTH IT! I'll try to come during happy hour next time so save a few bucks.

    (4)

  • Lianna S.

    Fish 101 has really stepped up their game so I'm gonna bump them up a star. The fish portions in the tacos are more generous now and they've added a lot of healthy sides to the menu. Prices are on the higher end for an order and sit down place but you get what you pay for. The fish is really fresh and high quality. Service is efficient and the manager is on the ball with expediting orders once you grab a seat. I really enjoy eating on the back patio but it's always so busy that we get stuck at a community table. If that's not your thing come on a weeknight or get it to go.

    (4)

  • Raaab J.

    The food here is great. The service is awesome. We got there around d 5-6 ish there was a line but it went fast. Found seating outside. Food came out quick. Clam chowder was on point. We will be back!

    (4)

  • Karen L.

    We love the fish here! And love the happy hour prices on oysters Tuesday - Fridays. My only complaint is that $1 oysters are not available on Saturdays and Sundays. We live 27 miles away (south and west in Tierrasanta) and hate driving on the I-5 during that rush hour!

    (5)

  • Angie W.

    Good fish and they have a delicious vanilla soft serve ice cream with the best salted caramel sauce, it is sooo good. I like this place. That said, I can't give it more than three stars because of the 'if-y' service you get - sometimes it's friendly, other times ... not so much. Too, the wait can be really irritating when you consider the fact you've got to wait in line to place your order in order to get a number so that you can take a seat and wait for your food to be delivered. A lot people skip this step, though, and instead have members of their party find seating first while they wait in line to place their order. Seems to me the owner would put up a sign, as many restaurants owners do, that says "Must wait to be seated after you've paid for your food." But they don't, so that part can be a bit unnerving making the whole dining experience just OK. I should mention, too, that the parking is awful, you must park on street - and now trying to find parking on the street (especially around dinner time) isn't easy. Another draw-back. I was a little disappointed to be honest. I think this place could be a whole lot better if they cared enough to work on making it so.

    (3)

  • Amanda G.

    Love love love this place Great for kids, wine on tap (can't ask for more than that), probably best salmon I've ever had but only got one bite seeing my 3 year old and 1 1/2 year old devoured it Will definitely be back

    (5)

  • Keely J.

    LOVE Fish 101! Local, fun, hip and great food. I have never been dissatisfied with anything on the menu. The oysters are amazing. Prices are fair for the quality of food, and awesome service. The fish sandwich is filling and always my go-to entree. Also, when the bok choy is in.... GET IT! Soooo good. I wish I could cook my own bok choy as well at home. I seriously thank Fish 101 for even turning me on to bok choy... Overall, a great place.

    (5)

  • Erica K.

    love everything i took a bite of. i think you could pretty much order everything and be satisfied. tried oysters which were fresh and delisH! i haven't found a place with a good mignonette in southern california but fish 101 is SPOT ON. the only other place i loved the mignonette to the point where i wanted to drink it was in norcal.. amazing try the daily specials! i got the sweet corn which omg.. THIS IS WHAT CORN IS SUPPOSED TO TASTE LIKE. fat nuggets of gold and flavor. and the albacore takaki was light and refreshing. local burr on tap. mussels were buttery and the sauce wasn't overwhelming. i still felt healthy hehe all the seafood is fresh and worth it! MUST GET IS THE DESSERT! had the nectarine and blueberry cobbler in a jar. real fruits with that cookie topping and gigantic ice cream dollop on top. hot and cold. chunky and smooth. all those textures, flavors, and temperatures mix all in for happy belly. haii. i come for you soon again.

    (5)

  • Karen N.

    Really fresh seafood. The yellowtail fish sandwich was huge and so flavorful that my husband said he didn't need the burger that he was craving. Just go! Friendly service and great menu choices!

    (4)

  • Redd K.

    Decided to try somewhere different to kick off my bday wknd. This place is quaint. Enjoyed the heat lamps for outside seating. Family friendly. Possibly the BEST calamari I've ever had, not to mention housemade tarter sauce and VERY TASTY lemonade!....YUM. The steamed mussels were just on. Cooked well. But I wasn't a huge fan of the broth. Great service and atmosphere. Get there early...it gets pretty busy rather quickly. The only critiques I have: (1) The fish & chips, although cooked to perfection, needed salt. (2) The menu isn't very extensive...nevertheless what they do have is well executed.

    (4)

  • Krista H.

    Last friday was my 3rd time to Fish 101 and I finally got a chance to give them a well deserved 5 star review! Very well thought out decor and menu. I am obsessed with oysters, so you cant beat $1 oystas for HH from 4-6! We ordered Chef's Creek from BC last week and they were fresh, chilled, and amazing! I find it difficult to find good oysters in North County, and Fish 101 knows their oysters, they are shucking machines! Other reasons for my 5 star review: Amazing fish tacos Great beer/wine selection Mussels are excellent Great selection of seafood! Music is ALWAYS on par with my mood, reggae :) Awesome vibe Awesome service, thanks to Brandon and staff for always putting up with us! See you soon and keep shucking! :) Krista

    (5)

  • Andy C.

    Amazing beer & food. Amazing happy hour prices. Amazing location. Amazing friend staff. Nuff said... COME HERE FOR THEIR GREAT HAPPY HOUR PRICES!!!!!!!!!!!!

    (4)

  • R. O.

    Big fan of this place. It's simple food, good service, laid back vibe. I love that you can open a food tab like you would a drink tab at a bar, and snack away. Their oyster happy hour is the main reason why I go, but their calamari and fish tacos are really good, too. Tiny parking lot in the back - be prepared to park in the neighborhood streets nearby and walk in.

    (4)

  • Tate M.

    I went there last night... as I write this, it's not even dinner time and I want to go again. One day I heard a lady say "I've never had anything on the menu that I didn't like!" and I was all like... "pffff, whatever... that cant be true. Besides, you look like you get the same fish plate every week, never touch fried fish or an oyster, and wouldn't touch a french fry if it looked like it had potential to be your next rich ex-husband." But, this cougar wasn't lying! I want another fried fish Po'Boy right now... with a tall boy of PBR... Ok, Who's coming with me?!?!?!

    (5)

  • lya x.

    First time here and was very satisfied! The staff was attentive to our needs and very inviting :) I looked forward to the happy hour specials so I ordered 5 oysters (raw) and 1 grilled fish taco. My bf got the fried fish po' boy with side of fries. Also, some beer on special. My itty bitty oysters were super fresh and very tasty. Now I know why they have such great prices for these (to get rid of them) and there was a side of lemon based sauce that made them stand out from the rest. Must try! Can't complain for a buck! Fish taco was perfect size and came with a side of guac yumm! The fried po' boy was gi-normous and very hot! Beware, it's fresh out of the fryer. I had a bite and it was fantastic for a po' boy! I will definitely come back but, probably when it's not happy our so I can try the "normal" sized oysters. I'm sure they're bomb!

    (4)

  • Kelley H.

    This place is our favorite go to for a little date night. I always get the Fish & Salad Plate because I stick to eating Paleo. My husband always gets the Fish Sandwich and loves it. The food here is great and is actually underpriced. It reminds us of our favorite Restaurant back home which is double the price for the same food quality. Beware weekend nights after 7pm are hoppin' and it does become a bit crowded but it's obviously because its such a rad joint.

    (5)

  • Mari V.

    Another great local spot! The food is really, really good! It's a little pricey but it is so fresh and flavorful that it's worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Ali J.

    I gotta say, I would eat here every week if it were closer to home - maybe more! Their fish is always fresh and their desserts are just as delicious! In fact, I follow them on Facebook just so that I can see what will be on their dessert menu! This spot is definitely a great addition to the Leucadia casual restaurant scene. Down to earth and simple yet the quality and innovation is as good as it gets and has not disappointed us once. This is our go-to place for a night out with friends or to grab some great food while heading down the coast. My only complaint is I wish it was a tiny bit bigger, but the vibe is so refreshing that it might spoil it...so scratch that, I have no complaints!

    (5)

  • Claire S.

    I've been here about five times, and each time it has been delicious. Their food is served quickly, and every time it is fabulous. My only complaint is that often times there is no where to sit, even though the patio and restaurant are already cramped with tables (some of which making it very difficult to get in and out of your table). This often leads to waits upwards of 40 minutes, which is not very nice for a quick dinner out, and though I don't mind, my friends have often ended up impatient and hungry. Twice of the 5 times I've been they've messed up my order, bringing me fish instead of shrimp taco, but I ate them anyway, because they were equally delicious. Because this restaurant is on the street, I've often times had to park at the motel next door. If you're looking for a quiet nice restaurant, this isn't really your best bet (especially if you don't like crowds), but if you like a relaxed atmosphere with good food and don't really mind a wait, this would be a delicious meal out. If you're going to come here, try a week day, because they are usually over-run on weekends.

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    Stopped here for late lunch. Had white sea bass, fries, and slaw. Also the Mahi Mahi burrito. Very good. Not many people here and since it was our first time had extra help from waiter, Cole, a nice young man who really went the extra step for us since one of us in wheel chair. We definitely will be returning to enjoy more of the items on the menu. Probably around the same time of day since there was no problem with parking and we are not on a "work" schedule. Thanks to the Manager for having such a nice employee with a wonderful outgoing personality.

    (5)

  • April M.

    So you want to seduce your date, but you have no game and/or you're too cheap to take her somewhere fancy schmancy.. SOLUTION: Happy Hour @ Fish 101 - Tuesday through Friday between the hours of 4pm to 6pm. Fresh Shucked Oysters are $1. SCORE! Don't even think about it. :P I'm allergic. :( Cool, chill place to relax & unwind after a long, drab day at work. Grab a beer or a glass of wine and order the Baja Fish Tacos. They're legit. Creme Brulee is divine. Service could be better/faster. Parking is hard to come by during peak hours.

    (3)

  • Susanna S.

    Not dirt cheap food, but there were flying gnats everywhere! This place gets 3 stars for the nice char flavour to the mahi mahi.

    (3)

  • Brie K.

    I really liked Fish 101. It was a unique dining experience and I'd love to try it again. It can be crowded, but that's a pretty good sign of a place that you have to try! The menu changes constantly based on availability of fresh fish and local/seasonal items. I tried the fish tacos and they were INCREDIBLE! The environment at Fish 101 is very unique. It's mostly high-top seating inside with long tables. Because of the crowdedness, you're likely sitting across from your partner and sharing a table with several people. It makes for a casual atmosphere but not the place for a first date or a serious conversation. They have an outdoor patio that is a bit more private and intimate. Smaller tables are outside with hanging lights and heaters when needed. You order your meal at the front of the joint, they give you a number, and then you sit and wait for the food. It wasn't a long wait, but the prices for food could be a bit high. Keep in mind: the food is fresh and the fish is fantastic! Give it a try if you're in the mood for great fish in a casual environment!

    (4)

  • Rafael P.

    Great fresh fish and nice service. I like how cool and nice is atmosphere here from the people serving you, to their decor and set up. I'm sure I will be back again for more. We had the albacore tuna poke, fish tacos and the fish sticks for our son. Everything was really good. The only thing that I would comment that they could get better was that they brought our food in parts, which was OK for us but not for our little one, his food came last and he got a bit upset.

    (5)

  • Daenerys S.

    CROWDED. Wait on line for drinks and food and still the expect a tip for the ONE time the server elbows through a hectic crowd. No privacy. Fish tacos are nothing special. BLAND. Rubio's makes a better fish taco for a third of the price. Wooden tables and chairs are uncomfortable. Did I mention people are practically on top of you the entire time!? Parking is also a hassle. Glass of wine was over priced and small. Won't be back.

    (1)

  • Jen L.

    Whenever I ask my 8yr old where he wants to go for dinner - its 101 Fish House! I feel the same way... I love the vibe of the place, super chill, family friendly (but fun for dates/girls night out too) the people that work there are always friendly. We like to sit on the back patio, I'm in love with the strings of lights overhead, really pretty. The food is so yummy - I usually get the grilled fish with a glass (or mason jar, rather!) of wine & my son loves the sliders & root beer float! Love you guys! keep up the great work!

    (5)

  • William B.

    We were up in Encinitas for the day and I scoped this place out as a dinner possibility, wary that it might be a little to cutesy-divey and with food that didn't quite justify the annoyance. It's pretty much what I expected. Brussels sprouts with bacon were good, but no more than the sum of their component parts. Grilled romaine lacked the courage of its convictions, and was more like a Caesar salad that hadn't been cut up. The fish sandwich was remarkably tasty (hurrah for pickled onions), but still wasn't as good as what I can get at El Pescador, near my house. As for the decor, I don't mind "fish shack chic," and I don't mind the lack of table service, but like everybody else, I think getting wine in a ball jar is a little silly. The biggest issue is that the place was darn cold-- there were some meager heaters for the patio out front, but none for the inside, and with both the front and back doors wide open the whole time, a nice cross-draft kept us quite chilly. Maybe this is just a device to keep us from lingering. We didn't.

    (3)

  • Jackie M.

    I was in town visiting a friend and we decided to have seafood for dinner. After a little search of local seafood restaurants we decided on Fish 101. We thought it would be your typical sit down restaurant but ended up being surprised by the set up. You get there, you order and pay, they give you a number and you find an open spot to sit. I was a little worried we would be standing around waiting for a spot since it was quite busy. However, after we ordered we immediately found a seat. There was plenty of room. I ordered a half dozen oysters half Hollie Wood Zen (BC) half Shigoku (WA), steamed mussels no bread, with a side of asparagus and baby broccoli. The oysters were fantastic! Then came the muscles and they looked great. I didn't expect there to be parmesan cheese on my asparagus since I'm currently off dairy, but rather than sending it back I was able to scrape most of it off. The baby broccoli had bread crumbs on it which I did have to send back because of gluten intolerance, but they had no issue replacing it with a bread free version. When everything was said and done my plates were completely empty. This place is so delicious I will definitely be coming back!

    (5)

  • S G.

    The food here is spectacular!!! I have had nearly everything on the menu and it's all so delicious! It's very easy to eat healthy here as well, which is nice when you go out to dinner. I would list my favorites but I think it's too long. Suffice to say anything you get here you will like. Oh, and they even have gluten free beer! Staff has always been really nice. I agree with other reviews that seating can be a challenge - but what can they do about that? Not serve food that is as good as it is? Go early - tons of seating before 6...

    (5)

  • Beverly H.

    I have eaten here a couple times before and the food was wonderful. This time, I ordered the fresh fish of the day tacos. A fish that was new to me. The counter guy described it so good, i was willing to pay $13.95 for 3 tacos to go. YUKK. The fish had no seasoning whatsoever and measured about 1 inch by 2 when I could finally find it under the ridiculous amount of cabbage. No flavor whatsoever. What a disappointment. I will not go out of my way to go there again.

    (2)

  • Lisa A.

    Came here on a Saturday evening. Ordered the mahi mahi fish plate with kale/mushroom/quinoa, asparagus and brussel sprouts. The food was not even okay. Fish was nothing special, boring, and not delicious (had a weird smell). The kale/mushroom/ quinoa was good maybe missing some spice. The asparagus was ruined by the parmesan cheese and brussel sprouts were ruined by the bacon. Actually that bacon was the worst part of the whole meal, making the dish smell weird. Maybe I was here on a bad night, but usually I love seafood places. This place needs to retake fish restaurant course 101.

    (2)

  • Corey F.

    i've been meaning to check out this spot since it opened about a year and a half ago. Since I live up in L.A. it was a little while before we made it down to North County. Since we've been waiting to go here we tried a bunch of things and ordered way more than we should have. Surprisingly though, there were no leftovers. The food -- We started with some clam steamers. I don't think these are on the regular menu. Definitely different. They had a little snaz to them. Leeks and a nice clammy broth. Winner! Next we had some oysters, which are farmed just down the coast. Nuff said. The beer battered tacos were solid as was the grilled salmon plate. We also shared a bowl of chowder that was excellent as well. Not your typical heavy, heavy cream. Good stuff. The albacore tataki was impressive too. Well seared with micro greens and a citrus soy reduction, if i recall. We wrapped it up with a couple of desserts that the owner had suggested. I think he mentioned that his wife makes all of the desserts. They too were good. I think the standout was the bread pudding. Go check it out. Arrive early, as its a popular spot ... especially during the summer months. Definitely can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • Emilee Q.

    There is no service at this restaurant, alright food. I went with a party if 4 and 2 of us got our food and ate it before the other 2 even got theirs! We went to ask about the other plates and they told us they would check on it then ignored us. Terrible service, ok food.

    (2)

  • Shelley C.

    How the heck does this place not have all 5 start reviews?! Most amazing fresh fish and delish sides. I'm obsessed. We have a 10 month old and it can be crowded and packed, but we've always managed to find seating (knock on wood). Food doesn't take long to come out, and is fresh as can be! We love this local gem!

    (5)

  • Erica Y.

    So glad I stumbled upon this awesome little restaurant! We were in the mood for casual but also some seafood. Usually the quality of the food dips a little when served in a casual atmosphere but not here! We had a variety of oysters and they were SO good! Wanting a bit more, I got the Oyster Po'Boy Sandwich which ended up being loaded up with yummy vegetables and about 5 pieces of battered fried oysters. It ended up being a little hard to eat as a sandwich so I ate it like a salad with a side of bread. BF got the fish tacos and said they were good. It ended up starting to rain in the middle of dinner as we were sitting outside (what are the chances?) and we ended up under a broken umbrella that wouldn't really stay open but oh well, they tried to make it work in the sudden downpour. The staff were all very nice and tried to help us stay as dry as possible. The place is very small with limited seating during busy hours but definitely gives off a cozy vibe! It's great for a dinner date or dinner with the family. Parking does suck but worth it! Might as well throw in a nice walk with dinner.

    (4)

  • Brigette S.

    We have been to this restaurant about 3 times now and I don't know why! The staff are NOT friendly, they act like they are put out. The food really sucks! The oysters on happy hour are probably the only thing worth while. I really think the last visit will be my last, I have given them enough chances. A tip: teach your staff how to be of service, they really need some training.

    (1)

  • Kristen W.

    Great happy hour...we love to grab a few fish tacos for an early dinner, even if it means trekking up and down the 101. Be prepared to sit outside, and possibly share a long picnic table with other guests!

    (4)

  • Philip C.

    Those of you who know me; know, I don't prefer fish. Pretty much last choice for me on any menu. Friends who live in the area however do like fish as does Sylvie and they suggesting going here. It was a good call. I had a halibut sandwich with grilled romaine and the corn sauté. It was wonderful. Sylvie had a salmon plate with brocolini and a salad. Our friends had the salmon sandwich and the maui-mahi sandwich. We also shared oysters and an seared ahi appetizer. Everything with the exception of the grilled romaine was delicious. The grilled romaine really ought to have been called grilled salt lick. Assorted cookie dessert was amazing. The parking sucks as it does for pretty much every business along the 101 in that area. Modestly priced for the food quality but appropriately priced given the very casual atmosphere. Bring your own wine and pay the corkage. The wine list is at best pedestrian. Next time I have to eat fish, I would choose it again.

    (4)

  • Meryl R.

    I could eat here everyday!!! Everything is simply delicious.

    (5)

  • Bruce J.

    Excellent food! I had the seafood curry and Brussels and it was amazing. It's not a traditional restaurant, but order your food and try to find a place to sit and the staff will bring your food to you. I arrived with my family on Friday evening around 6:30 PM and the line was out the door. Oysters were all sold out by then as well. Great place to dine and enjoy the SoCal weather!

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    Fish 101 is not your typical beach fish restaurant. By that I mean that they're not out to take every buck you've got for fresh fare. We came here based on Yelp reviews and we weren't disappointed. The place is ultra casual from ordering "Starbucks Style" to sharing a table built for 10 with another group. The calamari appetizer was excellent. Perfectly fried. They even fried some lemon slices. Very good! One son had the clam chowder. Heavy on the potatoes, could have used a few more clams. Between the four of us we sampled what seemed like most of the goods. My son got the fish and chips -- the two piece was more than ample for his big appetitie. Two very large, moist white fish surrounded by a thick crispy fried shell. I don't normally eat fried food, but his leftovers were too good to pass up. The fresh fish included yellowtail, haddock, white sea bass and salmon, which we did not have at our talbe. All of the fish was grilled and slightly over cooked (costing them one star.) The sides were outstanding -- grilled asparagus, broccolini, slaw and fries. All perfectly cooked. Beer selections included several local brews and national brands. My wife ordered the creme brulee to go. It was amazing! You really can't go wrong here. Next time we're in town, we'd defintiely come back.

    (4)

  • Ginger K.

    Yummy seafood restaurant. Parking is a pain in the ass. Seriously. But the food was worth it. I got the halibut with seaweed salad and bokchoy. mouthwatering. Hubby got the mahi mahi fish tacos. Also really good! We also got a prawn cocktail. These were the best part! The prawns were seared with a glaze of some sort, really good. Cocktail was good too. We got a big beer to share. I think it was the stone smoked porter, it was good but I have had better beer. All in all, I still give it 5 stars. The food was really good! Though we paid for it. hefty bill. And again, the parking was awful. There is a motel next door with scary looking men standing out front staring. I kindof worried that my car would still be there when I did find a spot. I ended up parking several blocks away. And it got really crowded, we were lucky to find a good spot.

    (5)

  • Charlie C.

    I yelped this place since I'm from Temecula and thanks to yelp and the quality of Fish 101, we had the most delicious quick dinner! Will definitely come back to Leucadia just for this place!

    (5)

  • Aison N.

    Highlights of the restaurant: - Super fresh fried calamari + Seaweed salad + Belgian beer = Magical taste combination - Pleasant warm and casual ambiance - Reasonable price Just OK: - The fish tacos had fresh, quality ingredients, but not prepared in any especially interesting way. - Parking is a bit of a pain. Give yourself 5 mins to find a space and 5 mins to walk to the place. Bon appetit, fish fans!

    (4)

  • Courtney K.

    We love this place!!! We often bring our 2 year old in because we know we are going to get great, efficient service, great food and everyone is so nice. It's kid friendly, which isn't the easiest to find and we totally appreciate places we can still visit with kids as we don't want to give up going out to restaurants. The fish tacos are the best, my husband loves the wedge salad and they have a great happy hour. Great Job Fish 101!

    (5)

  • Francesca H.

    I had high expectations.... but it didn't live up to it. We showed up at 4pm hungry. Easy to find a seat at this time but I noticed we weren't the only ones showing up right at 4pm. Sat in the back with the heaters and lights which was a nice casual atmosphere. Service was very nice and gracious. We had 12 Happy Hour Oysters (good), Calamari (good), Baja Fish Taco (eh), Grilled Fish Taco (eh), Grilled Cheese (ok), Fish Sticks (eh), $3 Dos Equis Tap (yum), Quinoa Side (ok), and the Chocolate Bottom Creme Brulee (YUMMM). Overall - there needs to be more seasoning with those Fish Tacos and the Fish Sticks. Just too plain. Considering the $50 Tab - I just wanted to enjoy this more.

    (3)

  • A L.

    I'm a fan. I like the calamari, the poke, the fish tacos, the fish and chips... Cool local vibe, and we can take the whole family!

    (5)

  • Amy H.

    So, this place is pretty great. Here are the things I love: The french fries The oysters The calamari The po'boys The ever changing dessert menu The incredibly/friendly knowledgeable server we always get (I can't remember his name!) I also enjoy coming here with girlfriends, downing a couple beers and piggy out on the aforementioned foods. Go! You won't regret it.

    (4)

  • Dean P.

    There is an art to grilling fish. Finding the balance between raw and charred. Unfortunately, both the yellowtail and California sea bass my wife and I shared here recently were both on the charred side. The yellowtail was so overcooked all the flavor was basically gone, overpowered by a nice crunchy layer of char - not something I mind on a thick burger or steak, but doesn't work for me on a 1/2 inch cut of fish. The staff was very friendly, the atmosphere quirky-cool, and the fish seemed to be high quality, so I'm giving 3 stars instead of lower, but we were pretty disappointed by what we got for our $40.

    (3)

  • Brian W.

    not the best service, but food is awesome

    (4)

  • Celia L.

    Loved it!!! Great Great service! love the beer in the mason jar... very fresh very friendly, exquisite food!

    (5)

  • K S.

    Parking sucks, not much room for seating, long lines, short hours and pricey! After you place your own order at the front, good luck finding a table. The servers will walk by your table a few times before you need to grab them to get a lousy tea refill. Oysters were pretty good and fresh but small for the price. The fish and chips were soggy. The clam chowder had more vegetables than clams and watered down.

    (2)

  • Kay N.

    I love the ambiance here..it's so welcoming! The staff is super friendly, and their food is AMAZING!! Fish tacos were bomb.com . I love that they served beer in mason jars. The patio out back was nice and relaxing. We tried to come back and order dessert, but everything was sold out.. I couldn't believe it. Hope to come back during happy hour to slurp down some oysters and enjoy their famous desserts. :)

    (5)

  • Suzanna L.

    Reasonably priced, good sized portions. I had the yellowtail sandwich, and the fish tasted freshly caught and had a nice char but I thought it was a bit overcooked. This place was fairly bumpin' on a random Tuesday evening at 7:30, so we had to grab a seat at the communal table.

    (3)

  • Melissa L.

    If they have the seafood curry, I would definitely recommend ordering it. It's light but flavorful and they give you lots of fresh and delicious seafood. Their side - kale, quinoa, and mushrooms was yummy as well. The fish tacos were fresh but bland, so you may want to add some Sriracha to it. This is a great casual place to grab a bite to eat.

    (4)

  • Sonny N.

    The good: laid back ambiance, beer and wine in mason jars, solid happy hour oysters. The bad: runny and insubstantial chowder, fish and chips are mushy and bland (same goes for Baja fish tacos), grilled fish tacos aren't bad, but they aren't that good either. Stick with a grilled piece of fish or oysters and beer. That being said, I really wanted to like this place more, but it's just not that good.

    (2)

  • Jennipher W.

    This is a favorite of mine as well as my husband and son. Amazing fresh fish and oysters. Great beer and dessert selection. Doesn't get much better then this in North County for seafood

    (5)

  • Mata S.

    Busy & loud during the nights. Good food. Heaters outside. Nice cozy inside. You have to order your food and take a number to your seat. A waitress will bring you your food. Free lemon water! (save money on drinks!) $2.50 for a small iced tea? not cool I would come back.... maybe some day.... if I blew a flat tire like right next to it and was starving then sure :)

    (3)

  • Ali E.

    I love this place. The food was great and tasty and staff was so friendly. I deffenatly come back.

    (5)

  • Rose A.

    Awesome fresh seafood joint with reasonable prices. Cozy feel inside with nice lighting. The back patio would be ideal on a warm summer night. The place gets packed and parking can be challenging. Orders are taken at the counter and then you seat yourself. Condiments, utensils, and water are located at a table where you help yourself. The grilled yellowtail was lightly seasoned. I thoroughly enjoyed the grilled asparagus with truffle oil, sea salt, and Parmesan. I regret not getting a double side of this. Instead I got the seaweed salad. But for ~$12, I'm not complaining. The halibut fish sandwich came on a French roll with one side for under $12. Decent beer and wine selection. Could be improved. The desserts looked yummy. I will most def return for their oysters which seem to change And they have at least 2 varieties. They have an amazing happy hour that I want to catch.

    (5)

  • Amy V.

    This place is really nice - casual atmosphere, great outdoor space, and the food is delish. I got a fish plate - fish was perfectly grilled, sides were fresh. There was a large group of us and we all enjoyed our meals. They have good happy hour prices, but warning - it gets really busy.

    (4)

  • Kathy K.

    fish 101 is my ideal 5 star restaurant 1. cute little place off PCH 2. fast & friendly service 3. chill/fun/classy ambience (has a fresh clean feel to it) 4. literally everything i put into my mouth was BOMB.com 5. dessert. HOOOMG. too good. everything was just so fresh and delicious! i dont even know where to begin! get the scallop ceviche! the flavors took me back to my vacation in puerto vallarta get the mussels! they give you so much and its so delicate and savory get the oysters! (MUST COME FOR THEIR $1/oyster happy hour deal) the sauce that comes with the oyster is...just try it. its just.SO .GOOD. get the tataki crudo! UGH. again- SO. GOOD. everything here is just perfection. i left feeling guilt free despite trying their black-bottom creme brulee and starwberry rhubard w/ ice cream. i wanted to try the tres leches but they didnt have it today :c..maybe next time/tomorrow/the next day/&the next hehe

    (5)

  • Jas. K.

    A little planning (or a scout for your large party) will be useful (and well worth it) to lasso a spot for this winner that serves up simple and pure grub for the seafoodie. Grilled daily specials and $1 oyster happy hour really lines em up. They manage to make it all come out fast, too, no small feat. I will miss the daily crudo and the poké....mmmmmm.

    (4)

  • Alice G.

    Great place for grub. Small joint with a cozy atmosphere. It can get crowded with the wait and the first come first serve style of seating, so you'll have to wait. Parking is hard to find around here. Atmosphere: Cozy and hole in the wall-like. It's small, expect to sit next to strangers if you're a small party using a large table. When I came here there was a wait that wrapped around to the outside. They use canning jars and cute striped paper straws for drinks, cute concept for a restaurant. Food: My boyfriend and I decided to get the mussels, oysters, cup of clam chowder, and the creme brulee. 1. The mussels were delicious and with the right amount of butter. The sauce wasn't overwhelming and did not feel oily. This is one dish I would definitely get again. 2. Oysters were a hit or miss depending on what they're serving that day. It's a small portion so it's not really worth it in terms of price, but if you're in the mood for oysters and wanting to try them out go ahead. After going to Casamento's these oysters felt small, but you cannot compare restaurants located in two different parts of the U.S. Also the oysters were from different locations too. 3. I actually did not like their clam chowder, I felt as though it was watery and full of vegetables and lacking clams, it was a disappointment. 4. Creme brulee, was interesting with the (dark?) chocolate at the bottom and the small cookie on the side. I overheard at another table the bread pudding was good, but unfortunately by the time I ordered dessert they were out. Verdict: I would definitely come again for the food, and the price isn't bad either.

    (4)

  • Hansen H.

    My new favorite place in North Country! I was born and raised up here and spend a lot of time in Leucadia, my favorite community. Fish 101 is a great addition to the scene. The cozy atmosphere has a very casual feeling but also makes it seem like you are out to dinner at a top of the line restaurant. The back patio is a perfect setup; unfortunately I have only scored seats back there a couple times because of the popularity of this place. The food is amazing. I haven't tried a lot of the options but the grilled fish tacos and Baja fish tacos are to die for. By far the highest quality fish tacos in North County. I do wish I could get a combo plate with one grilled, one fried, and one shrimp taco. That would be a great menu item. I am also a huge beer geek and this place always has something that satisfies my palate and goes well with the fish tacos. Whether I am in the mood for draft Mexican beer or some Hawaiian style ales, they have something for me. The price is a little steeper than places that I usually frequent but it is totally worth it and I never leave unsatisfied or feeling like I didn't get my money's worth. If you are a penny pincher like me then get there in time for happy hour before 6pm. Keep it funky Leucadia!

    (5)

  • Jillian R.

    "Quality seafood at an affordable price" pretty much sums this place up. Almost everything we had was awesome. Starting with the oysters: fresh, chilly, tasty and a nice variety of 3 to choose from. Second, the shrimp ceviche was amazing! It was a little bit spicy with the bold, citrusy ceviche flavor and came with the good thick tortilla chips to scoop it up. The cup of clam chowder on the side was very tasty too. The only thing we didn't love were the fish tacos (both regular & the hamachi special). They weren't bad, they were just kind of bland. But I would absolutely welcome the opportunity to go back and try something else! Also, they serve the drinks in Mason jars...I just love when restaurants do that :)

    (4)

  • Nell C.

    Headed back for more Fish 101 goodness! I loved my experience equally as the last but found my food selection indifferent. I had the Fried Rockcod Po-Boy Sandwich. The rockcod was a bit to greasy and next time I will ask them to ease up on the Aoli sauce. As I raved about the Creme Brulee and yearned to try their Tres Leche, I found that I wasn't a fan. Don't let that discourage you from trying it. It is just a personal preference and I love their creme brulee.

    (3)

  • Hennessey T.

    It was a lucky find. We were visiting Legoland from the SF East Bay and headed to the standby Fish Market in Del Mar when we ran into traffic and got off the freeway. The fish was so fresh. We've had Ono in Hawaii and this was just as fresh or fresher. The selection of oysters was fantastic and so fresh. Also had great mussels and great local brew beers.

    (5)

  • Jenny L.

    Damn good fresh seafood... If you want to avoid the crowds, come for a later dinner on an weeknight. It's crowded for a reason, complainers. As for price, you get what you pay for-- well worth it because the quality is excellent. Fish 101 is a blessing to the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Matt D.

    I have no idea why anyone would go here. Here's why: 1. No parking -- OK, goes with the neighborhood but it's an additional hassle that's not worth it unless the food is good, which it isn't. 2. Long lines all the time -- not only do you have to wait a long time, no wait staff means you have to get back in line for a second drink or a dessert. 3. Horrible ambiance -- it's just a dim, disheveled room with cold, metal chairs like you'd find in a prison. 4. Noisy -- you can't hear the person across the table from you because you are basically sitting in a box with hard walls and ceilings with nothing to dampen the sound. 5. Lousy food -- I got overcooked salmon that was dry and flavorless with a pile of plan brown rice (no butter, no flavor, just plain rice). Salmon is one of the easiest fish to cook. The fat in it gives you more margin for error and overcooking but they still managed to screw it up. And I don't know what the point of plain, dry rice is. This place is like a culinary kick to the groin. You would honestly fare better at one of those generic fish house like King's. Seriously, this place has nothing redeeming about it.

    (1)

  • Reese R.

    Went here with the boyf- sorry, fiance- on our anniversary weekend. We tried the oysters - Kumamoto , Driscoll Bay, and Kusshi. We're not really fans of Pacific oysters, so we enjoyed the K's the best. Also the clam chowder, steamed mussels, and fish tacos (grilled and breaded). Great selection of beer, good wines. We will definitely make it a point to make the drive back down here.

    (4)

  • Leslie I.

    We came here specifically for happy hour - oysters on the half to be more specific. They were excellent especially for the price. Nothing fancy, but the cocktail sauce was solid as was the mignonette. We washed it down with a pitcher of beer. We were in between meals so we didn't stay long (thank goodness because there was a really annoying woman sitting behind us who kept shrilling). I'm dying to go back and try the rest of the menu and buy a "we shuck" t-shirt.

    (4)

  • Mary Hoppins O.

    I think it's funny/odd when people say this place is expensive. It's so reasonable for what it is: the fish sandwich is so good, with a draft beer. The shrimp cocktail, awesome. Yeah, it's not dirt cheap like some crappy fish taco place, but the fish tastes fresh, they have oysters, and it's a good place for a chill but fun dinner. If someone judges this place poorly b/c of parking, that is a stupid reason to give a place less stars. Are you too lazy to walk a few blocks? Fool!

    (5)

  • Lynn S.

    We always have a great time here, love the food and the people. Usually start off at Happy Hour because my husband loves raw oysters and you can't beat their Happy Hour deal. I get the grilled fish taco and then after we finish that we order something else to share. Tonight it was the mussels (from Baja) and fries. The broth that the mussels are cooked and served in is fabulous - leeks, white wine, garlic, tarragon. We cleaned our plates and bowl!

    (5)

  • Tara K.

    I really like this place! Came here with my friend on a weekday for happy hour. The place is really clean despite how small it is. Ordered the fish tacos & a small ice cream. The fish tacos were huge and fresh tasting!!! And the prices are so fair! The ice cream was super delish too, although smaller than I had anticipated...probably a good thing lol. The staff is friendly and attentive & I would definitely come back here when I am in the area!:)

    (5)

  • Katherine P.

    Good FOOD. Good SERVICE. and GOOD lookin' people (the people who work there and you .. yes you!) what else could you ask for?

    (4)

  • dawn e.

    So yummy! Super fresh and creative !! Loved the catch of the day, mahi mahi, picked 2 of the side specials... While I was waiting for my food I was drooling as the staff walked by with other orders! Seriously so good. It was full of family's when I went on a Sunday afternoon/ evening ! Seriously my new favorite! A must if you want perfectly cooked fish! Prices were good for the quality you get and staff was helpful and nice!

    (5)

  • Serena M.

    Love coming here with the family or for a more romantic meal with my husband. Great grub, simple but good quality. The atmosphere is down to earth and the service is fast and efficient. Love the mussels and the calamari - I will try the oysters next time...

    (4)

  • Rickey J.

    we love this place. Line is out the door cuz the fish is so fresh and yummy. you have to be in the mood for a casual, loud atmosphere or don't come here for sure. the table situation can be annoying but we've never waited longer than 15 minutes for one. We have shared a table out front with other people, but really enjoyed it. food is consistently good which is what makes us fans. Oysters are delish but can sell out early. corn side dish is out of this world. The seafood salad is my fave, so fresh and dressing is outstanding, my husband is a fan of the fish tacos. Worth going,, go early if lines bug ya. Not open for lunch, hoping they change that soon.....

    (4)

  • Tommy L.

    Oysters were good, but fish sandwich and fries were subpar. Fish itself was good, but the sandwich was on a chewy flavorless white roll, and with the mayo, lettuce, and tomato, you couldn't really taste the fish. Also the piece of fish was a little skimpy. The fries were definitely pre-frozen and also had a chewy texture. This was the only time in recent memory that I did not finish my fries at a restaurant. It wasn't terrible...but not that great either.

    (3)

  • Dan R.

    This place was great! I had their fish tacos for dinner. I found the food was fresh and flavorful while still being very healthy! The atmosphere was relaxed and the staff was friendly and helpful. I hear they have great Happy Hour deals as well! I will go back again!

    (5)

  • Lily E.

    HIghly disappointing. From the service to the sit down, right down to the food. WOW what a let down. First we are in this heinous line, on a friday. Ok, Thought this will be worth it. It was not. I couldn't understand why people where waiting for a table AFTER they ordered. Apparently they take your money first, then its up to you to find a table. And if you can't find a table, they won't put your order in. (Makes for a bad stressful experience)We get to the register have a word or two with the cashier guy. Had some negative comments exchanges. If this was in LA, it would have already gone under , quickly. We don't put up with this kind of service and food. By the time we did find a table, they brought our food. Okay, hoping for at least a bang to recover from the entrance experience and shit service. NOPE.. the hits just kept on coming. Not only was the fish dry as hell, it was tasteless. This is a dish I could have easily made myself and grilled it to perfection. The staff was weirdly unorganized as well. Very unprofessional. I can see how the people in this area put up with this. they don't know better. in fact, they welcome that kind of service and shit food for whats in the area. WOW, Never again. Your better off driving a couple more miles to Carlsbad, and waiting 20 minutes more for KINGS Seafood. At least there "ITS WORTH THE WAIT" and a little extra for the mussels and fish. Whats the lesson here? N E V E R again! :) I would not recommend this place.!!! Not at all.

    (1)

  • Robert P.

    This is a small, busy, casual, no nonsense eatery. I've tried several items from their menu and all were good but the Fish and Chips (3 times) was the best ever.

    (4)

  • Kelly C.

    This place constantly blows my mind! The food, the vibe, the culture, and the heartbeat that is in this place is amazing! I am constantly inspired by the amazing community presence that Fish 101 has!!!!

    (5)

  • Thi N.

    Small causual restaurant off of PCH in Encinitas/ Leucadia. Great Happy hour specials $1 Oysters of the day, Specials on drinks and Tacos. Indoor/ outdoor seating with picnic benches... Order first then sit down and food will be delivered to you. If you come early, the food comes out pretty quickly... Oysters were fresh, Mussels were good and tacos were yummy. I would definitely reccommend this to people traveling/ living in the area.... There needs to be more restaurants like this in that area.. good, healthy fresh food.

    (4)

  • Benjamin L.

    Probably not too much else to say about this place that's already been said from previous reviews. This place is excellent, was visiting Del Mar this summer and went with my family of 5 for dinner on a Friday. Everything was delicious, great food, great drink, great music. Only advice is if you are with a bigger group on a crowded night have someone claim a table before you order.

    (5)

  • Pam W.

    Very good food---especially the fish curry. Best curry with a slightly different taste I've ever eaten!

    (5)

  • Mister M.

    What a little slice of yum!! The fish is SO fresh, it always just melts in my mouth. And oysters on the half shell....bring them on! I really gotta remember to go back for happy hour! $1 oysters....better get your shucker ready! Service is always friendly and on top of things. Sometimes gets busy and hard to park, but well worth the effort!!! Alomst don't want to tell people how good it is so I can get my favorite table! haha

    (5)

  • Nancy T.

    This was our second visit. Had a great meal, the fresh grouper plate. They had a special side of bok choy that night and the food came out really fast. Fish was cooked simply and perfectly. Definitely will go here again. We probably got there around 7:45 pm on a Saturday night and there were 5 fresh fishes listed. By the time we ordered, there were only 2 left. So just be aware of that when you go.

    (4)

  • Erin F.

    I love this place, holding a star because I think its just a little pricey considering there is counter service and community seating, but the food is great, so its nearly worth the little extra $, and the neighborhood doesn't mind- there's always a line. Fish is so fresh and the sides are seasonal, amazing, awesome, and I love the old-timey paper straws....nice touch. I wish i could afford it every night! lol

    (4)

  • Ava L.

    Dinned here with my boyfriend on a Wednesday evening. First finding parking, is rediculous. We had to drive South and North on 101 coast highway about 4 times before we found a spot. You cannot park in the motel next door or a man will come out and yell at you (didn't happen to me but I saw it happen to someone). Once we found a spot, someone took it as they could see us trying to back into the spot! But that is another story in it's own. ANYWAYS..... By the look of the line outside, I was excited to try some new local seafood! You pay at the counter and get a number and you find a seat. Maybe it was the time of day we went that it was busy, or maybe it's always busy, but there definatley weren't enough seating options. Luckily, we found somewhere to sit, the second table on the inside. To some people, they do not like to dine where people are able to stare at them the whole time. Well we are one of those couples. If you eat on the patio, or inside, people will stare at you while they are waiting in line to order (believe me I was one of those people staring). The best tables are on the back patio. We finally got to order- Calamari, Oysters, and Fish Tacos. The Calamari was yummy! The sauce that comes with the order makes it even better! The fish tacos were okay, they were dry to me and didn't have much flavor, the thing that made the taco was the toppings on it. My boyfriend made a good point that he enjoyed that it wasn't like your normal fish taco that is drenched in white sauce. Last but not least, the Oysters. Maybe it was because they were "happy hour" oysters, but they were a sad sad excuse for oysters. For Happy Hour, Oysters are $1 each, the sizezs of the actual oyster you swallow, was maybe half the size of my pinky finger. Maybe because I love to eat Oysters at seafood restaurants, but, normally, they are bigger than what they gave us. I wish that the person who took our order would have told us that they had different oysters and warned us that the Happy Hour ones were so darn small. The food here wasn't bad, but the ambiance isn't great and waiting in line for OK seafood isn't something I would want to come back for. I am happy I tried it, but I don't think I would be a returning customer.

    (2)

  • Shaun M.

    Our family of four took a So-cal vacation (D-land and Magic Mountain) and heard from the locals about this great new fish place. We loved the food so much that we ate there three times in the same week! Highlights: Mexican shrimp, fish and chips paired with local micro brew, fish tacos, don't forget the Black bottom creme brulee, it rocks! Our non fish eater had the sliders and loved them! We ate twice at the restaurant and did take out on night, it's all good. The staff is very friendly and we never felt rushed. Heading South on 101... Fish 101 is a must stop.

    (5)

  • Alee B.

    Omg what I find! Definitely coming back! Great quality seafood. Super fresh. Get the fish tacos Baja style. Batter is light & crispy. Mussels are clean not chewy whatsoever and the broth is amazing. Definitely coming back for happy hour!

    (5)

  • Cherilyn J.

    Fresh and delicious. Casual but top notch quality and preparation. From starters, to main course, its all yummy! Don't forget to save room for jaw dropping desserts made by the wife.

    (5)

  • Dale L.

    Great fresh selection, crisp presentation, fresh decor and friendly efficent service. Take it to the bank you need to be here, Dale

    (5)

  • Julie T.

    Big wow. Happy hour oysters for a buck, and gorgeous ones at that? Had a side of brussel sprouts that have me ready to sell everything and move into the area just to have a continuous source. Go early, though. Becomes a mosh pit after 5:30.

    (5)

  • P H.

    Had dinner at Fish 101 last night thanks to YELP. What a great little find in our beach community. Everything was so fresh! The grilled fish plate, the fish&chips, the fish tacos, calamari, & grilled shrimp appetizers were all cooked perfectly ...along with 2 of last nights special sides....grilled asparagus and the brussel sprouts w/bacon! Service was lightening fast and the atmosphere on the patio was intimate and friendly. John Park's friendly, casual, down-to-earth personality shows in his restaurant. Service is fast so the tables open up pretty quickly. Will definitely be going back! Pat H

    (4)

  • Sheri F.

    We went to Fish 101 with friends on Friday night and I am so excited to have found this great local spot. It was our first visit and I was a little overwhelmed walking in the door but the vibe was fun and relaxed. There was a good crowd inside and a pack of people came in right behind us. We managed to luck ourselves right into the order line despite the fact we had no idea what we were doing. My husband snagged a four-top on the back patio while we scanned the menu and ordered a bottle of Pinot and two apps to share. We checked out the specials board which noted the fresh fish of the day, veggie options and happy hour specials. Although it was crowded the guy at the register was super patient and relaxed. I mentioned it was our first visit and he asked if we had any questions. As per my usual, I blurted out something absurd like "How big is everything?" He kindly responded that apps were small plates and entrees were, well, entree size. I was pretty impressed with his response considering how dumb my question was. We ended up with two grilled yellowtail entrees, the grilled shrimp and fish and chips, as well as the albacore tartar and fried calamari apps. The food came out to our table surprisingly fast and everything was delicious. My shrimp were PERFECT - fat and just the right amount of chewy. The fish and chips was light and airy, which I didn't even know was possible. Needless to say, we cleaned our plates and glasses. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this place, it's just all good and I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Danielle M.

    We dined at Fish 101 for the first time last night, and loved it! The casual vibe is just perfect for families. (As the mother of an 8-week old baby, that is important to me!) And, the food is delicious! A true fish haven is a rare find in North County, and this one is much needed. My husband and I both enjoyed the simple wedge salad. We also ordered one plate of grilled fish tacos, and one plate of fried fish tacos. Both varieties were tasty. And, the fry batter was impressively light. To cap our meal, we ordered the pumpkin cobbler; a perfect seasonal dessert for a brisk autumn evening. We will definitely be coming back!

    (5)

  • Jessica B.

    Great fish tacos - both baja style and grilled. Go during happy hour for $1 oysters and $2.50 fish tacos. The patio is super fun with lights and picnic style tables. Service is really good. Overall, a fun place with delicious, fresh fish.

    (4)

  • Justin L.

    I love everything about fish 101. The food is amazing, cooked well, with so many different sides. The service is number 1, the atmosphere is fun and cozy. Brian is the man, thank you guys for the great food, and great times. Anytime visitors come to town this is exactly where I take them. It's always jammin inside, so we try to come a little later, after the rush.

    (5)

  • CB F.

    Great place for a fresh and healthy dinner!

    (5)

  • Maile Y.

    I agree that this is an awesome awesome place to get perfectly prepared fresh fish at a great price with AMAZING wine paring options. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the ambiance is a bit more casual (though still pretty cool - the back patio is really neat). I just with i lived closer - because then it would for sure be on my rotation. thanks Fish 101! Oh and don't let me forget the diving chocolate bottomed creme brulee! Still thinking about that dessert.

    (4)

  • E T.

    We've been waiting six long years for a real fish joint to finally make it to San Diego. (That would be as long as we have lived here). You know, a place that actually knows and loves fish. Figures it took some folks from San Francisco to make it happen. Thank goodness they finally arrived! We were greeted by Ray, who pointed out the specials and offered us a welcome and menu. We ordered at the counter, took a seat and the servers brought our fare. We had the scallop ceviche (unbelievable...fresh, spicy, delectable, served with fresh chips and guac), the largest sweet Baja black mussels I have ever seen (no grit, sweet, not one was served with a closed shell), and fish and chips with skinny fries. Everything was perfectly done, from the food and service to the wine list. Sadly, we were too full to try the desserts...which looked amazing. Innovative, smart and reasonably priced wines, local fantastic beers. Nice patio and relaxed, family friendly vibe, with a good inexpensive children's menu. And lovely looking oyster we did not have a chance to enjoy... Head a little north of Leucadia Blvd. on the 101...you'll be happy you did.

    (5)

  • Genevieve K.

    Again they killed it!! Baby bok choy was amazing and the grilled fish taco with guac and salsa was gr8. Ray is a saint, taking orders from confused tourists and locals alike. Brian is always a pleasure:)

    (5)

  • Annie F.

    My favorite! My go-tos are the Fish tacos and grilled shrimp plate, always leave room for desert. Seriously great atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious fresh seafood. We're lucky to have them in the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Kevyn H.

    Amazing! Went last night with my family, and we all said "this food is delicious. We're definitely coming back." We kept tasting each other's food and were so impressed with the flavors and freshness. The halibut was phenomenal. And the happy hour fish tacos wowed me. You've got to try this place.

    (5)

  • Nicci P.

    These guys know how to do fish! This is by far one of my favorite local spots and I love to bring out of town guests here. The fish is always fresh and is hands down the best I have had anywhere. It's nice to enjoy top notch food in a more relaxed environment! My only complaint is this place is small and when hit with a dinner rush it can be quite loud, crowed and a bit off putting.

    (5)

  • cookie m.

    We drive by this place and see all the people and scratch our heads - what is it that we are missing? If you want fish and chips and outdoor seating at a super friendly family restaurant - go to Jamroc down the 101 - so much better and quality/price is so much better. Seriously. Don't get why anyone would go for this bland place. Let alone wait.

    (1)

  • Joey M.

    Food Is Great! No complaints there, but everything else in this place needs help for the price. $60 for 2 people and I had to seat myself and get my silverware from the silverware station. Wait what!? Other fish houses in the area offer quality food and service for that price, so I have to ask why would I go back?

    (2)

  • Eileen K.

    LOVE this place...think fish shack without the fear of Hep A. PROs Super casual, order at the counter and take your number to one of their picnic like tables. Service was excellent, and unexpected being it was an order at the counter kind of place. FOOD was delicious. We had a dz oysters, the grilled fish plate, grilled fish taco plate and our friends had baja style fish tacos. Everyone absolutely loved their food. Reasonably priced. CONS Loud inside, I would try to get an outside table next time, but they were packed!! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Christine L.

    LOVE this place. What a cute spot! Glad we found it. First off, the food is delicious. Oysters were fresh and the shrimp tacos were light and tasty. The ambiance is chill and the restaurant was clean. We sat in the outdoor patio which I really liked. The string lights and heat lamps were a nice touch since it was evening time. The service was beyond great! Brian was super friendly and made excellent recommendations. He made us feel very welcome. There is so much more on the menu to try so, we will definitely be back. Hooray for a new favorite spot. :)

    (5)

  • Emilio T.

    No pretense, just consistently good food with nice portion sizes, and awesome happy hour specials on oysters. There's a laid back vibe that is good for a casual date or a quick bite and a beer after the beach. The back patio is kid friendly, and I've always seen young couples with toddlers hanging out. Don't skip out on the desserts.

    (4)

  • Not M.

    This place is awesome and a welcome addition to the local food scene in North County. We had the oysters: incredibly fresh and tasty mahi mahi crudo: amazing, spicy salmon: melt in your mouth delicious with corn on the side Atmosphere was very upbeat and the workers all had great attitude. Overall, just a nice casual restaurant that serves up great food!!

    (5)

  • Michael U.

    This is an early review for Fish 101, which just opened on May 17. It is located in the cursed home of Jaws Fish Taco and many others that came before it. First of all, they did a great job of redecorating and remodeling, adding a patio on the back with heaters and umbrellas. The staff are young, attractive and eager to please. You order at the front and get your number, which I don't really have a problem with, although there were plenty of people that could take an order. The menu is diverse with starters, grilled and fried entrees, salads and sandwiches. We had the Albacore Tuna Poke, which was fabulous and came with some cool wonton chips as an extra-crispy shovel for the poke. My wife had the grilled shrimp taco plate, also excellent. I had the steamed mussels, the only problem is that they come with two small pieces of grilled bread, not enough to sop up all the great juice. If any restuarant can break this location's curse, this is it. I can't wait to get back and try the Po' Boys, the salads, and maybe even the panko breaded fish sticks off the kid's menu. Welcome to Leucadia!

    (4)

  • Hans C.

    This restaurant is overpriced. There is a disproportion between price and service. Beware of add on charges. Quality of food was good but portions were too small.

    (2)

  • Lucas E.

    Po boys all the way , these were incredible. And who can go wrong with a good plate of oysters. Fun little place , comfortable ,awesome vibe , definitely be back soon!

    (4)

  • Lance R.

    We Keep going Back. every Date Night... I cannot get enough... we had the grilled shrimp salad, the Tataki , amazing fish and chip and of course the MUSSELS.... My wife and I Collect heart shaped rocks at Ponto beach and We got served Up a Heart Shaped Oyster.... That was over the TOP ... Shuckin and servin up the LOVE... Thanks John Park for doing the right thing...

    (5)

  • Aimee W.

    We went here when this place had just opened and now coming back after 2 years and it's just as good as we remembered, and now extremely popular. Great fresh, fantastic seafood here - plus a good kids' menu with sliders for my 6-year-old. Love the style of the place and it was super quick and efficient service. Will come back a few more times before we leave.

    (4)

  • TACH C.

    LOVE IT! My wife and I were visiting San Diego for our wedding/hoenymoon and had heard the buzz about this place. We wanted to eat at a restaurant that captured the spirit of sunny San Diego. The vibe was perfect, casual, beach, surf atmosphere with an outdoor back patio. The food was delicious, especially for the price! We are not used to getting the kind of quality at these prices in our city. We would eat here weekly if we had a Fish 101 in my neighborhood. Try the grilled fish plate and the creme brûlée!

    (5)

  • Richard R.

    Well if my kids like it and are asking for it then it's a PLUS. The food is fresh and served with a smile. The only down fall is the size of the place and parking "good luck" the waits here are to much for the kids at times. But if you are lucky enough to score all the above then it's gonna be a real treat. I LOVE THESE EATS! Great job to FISH 101. Cheers and enjoy

    (5)

  • Carolyn W.

    My whole family enjoys Fish 101. My husband and I love the fresh fish...my kids (not yet fish eaters) like that they can get a grilled cheese. We also like the casual atmosphere and outside seating. My only wish is that you could reserve a table for a larger party.

    (4)

  • Marshall W.

    I'm in a four star mood! This restaurant is a little surprising, as from the outside it looks like a neighborhood dive, but the food is divine and first rate all the way. I love seafood, and need to go back again a few times and catch the dishes I passed up. The only drawback is that the clam chowder is a little skimpy on the portions and needs to be thicker and more clams added. Other than that, the meal was super. They offer oysters at $22 dozen and you have choices of types. They were fresh, and freshly shucked.

    (4)

  • Louis C.

    Incredibly fresh fish at a great price. Chill place, good beers and wines, super relaxed and attentive service. Wish it was a bigger place but then again the quaint nature keeps it family friendly. And this is a testament to if you have a great product people will come... there has only been around 17 different restaurants that have tried this location in past years, glad folks are stickin with Fish 101 couldn't be more deserving folks.

    (5)

  • Lu L.

    This was a warm welcome to the North County area.This little gem serves up great grilled fresh fish,super fish n' chips,yummy mahi mahi tacos and a number of other things.Parking is scarce since it is street parking.Can get fairly crowded on weekend nights.Expect to wait in line.Cozy front and back outdoor patios.Friendly staff.Good happy hours during the week.Nice beer and wine selection.Right on 101!

    (4)

  • Aaro R.

    The bomb! And we are picky. Fresh, tasty and great local place.

    (5)

  • Wes G.

    Great food, good decor and solid vibe, looks like we will finally have a keeper at this location. Even better that I can walk two blocks to it:)

    (5)

  • Christopher B.

    I stopped here and sampled a few items (but came mainly for some fried Calamari) - the ambiance, service, and prices were all decent. However, the Calamari was awful! It was way overcooked and had a leather-like texture. Granted, I was spoiled with great Calamari in the Mediterranean less than a couple weeks ago... but, it really was that bad!

    (2)

  • Teresa A.

    My new favorite place!! What a happy hour! Fresh California and BC oysters for $1, fish tacos, clam chowder -- EVERYTHING AMAZING AND WELL PRICED! Woo hoo! I love living here!!

    (5)

  • Alexis G.

    Amazing meal at Fish 101. Great atmosphere, very inviting and family friendly but also a good spot for a group of friends to chill and have a relaxed meal with quality food and wine. Fish was fresh and every dish was better than the next. Reasonably priced so you can sample a lot of the menu. Outdoor patio with heating lamps and picnic style tables were a perfect complement. Service was friendly and I definitely liked being able to order at the register--great when you are dining in a group. 5 stars all around.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Fri
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : No

Fish 101

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