Fish in San Diego. Help.

July 6, 2008 9:11 PM

Where is there an actual fish market in San Diego?

I know there must be one! I am desperate to find it.

You know the kind - tons of fish lying in huge piles that are perused by chefs in the early mornings.

Anyone?

posted by brynna to food & drink (7 comments total)

Point Loma Seafoods
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:36 PM on July 6, 2008

Yeah, Point Loma Seafoods is the closest I've seen that's open to the public. If it's just buying lots of fish you're after: we used to buy fish wholesale through Chesapeake Seafoods (this was about ten years ago - not sure whether they're still under that name) for very large parties.

If you're after fish from a purely aesthetic POV, go to Ensenada. The fish market there is awesome (though most of the fishermen don't permit photos - some catches are illegal, I think).
posted by paselkin at 10:13 PM on July 6, 2008

I'm with them. Closest I know of is PL Seafoods. Which I love, by the way.
posted by miss lynnster at 6:30 AM on July 7, 2008

Nthing Point Loma. The thing is, from what I know, San Diego doesn't have that large of a commercial fishing market any more, so I think the Fisherman's Wharf type thing that you're looking for doesn't quite exist. Back before the 90s when we still had a gigantic tuna fleet, it might have been different.

If I'm thinking about the same place as paselkin, Chesapeake Seafoods is on the waterfront of San Diego Bay just north of Seaport Village.
posted by LionIndex at 8:50 AM on July 7, 2008

Hmmm I will definitely check out Point Loma.

I'm kind of depressed about the quality of food in San Diego. Time to move.
posted by brynna at 12:26 PM on July 7, 2008

Depressed about the quality of food in San Diego? In the land of Robertos carne asada burritos and Rubios Pesky combos? The 8th largest city in America has no good food to eat? HUSH, YOU!

BTW, the reason there's no real fish market is that commercial fishing isn't the big thing there, there's more harpooning and spearfishing. (I know all about that this 'cuz I grew up next to this guy.) Everything else at the market is from fish farms except the local delicacies. According to the PL Seafoods website:

During the months from October thru March, our locally caught California Spiny Lobster is available. They have no claws, however the tail meat is firm, sweet, delicate and mild. These crustations are sought after from all around the world. Another locally caught delicacy is the Pacific Swordfish. From early summer thru early to mid-fall, the Swordfish we buy is caught using harpoons. The fish are sighted, then the fisherman "runs up" on the fish in order to "stick" the fish with the harpoon. This fish is then brought on board and cleaned immediately in order to preserve the quality of the meat. Over harvesting, is a non-issue with this style of fishing. The fish are chosen, caught and sold in the same day. The cards are stacked on the side of the fish for sure.
posted by miss lynnster at 1:27 PM on July 7, 2008

I used to get most all of my fish at Seafood City in National City. They have tons of fresh fish just laying out on ice. If you're lucky, you can get to the live blue crabs before they get scooped up by the other locals. Not sure if this is what you had in mind.

2nding miss lynnster, Roberto's is great. San Diego has the best authentic carne asada in the world, which I crave on a regular basis. SD also has the best Filipino cuisine. SD is a delicious city (but not nearly as delicious as LA or NY).
posted by jabberjaw at 5:15 PM on July 7, 2008