Fat Fish Cantinagrill is a trendy and affordable spot in Pacific Beach to enjoy Mexican food with a Southern California twist. Located on the corner of Mission Boulevard and Garnet Avenue, it is just one block from the ocean and the famous Crystal Pier. The restaurant’s layout offers small and intimate spaces for quiet conversation over a shared meal to large and airy spaces for your group’s lively get-together. Eat lunch on the sunny patio amidst ocean breezes, hang out in the bar devouring super cheap tacos and watching the Padres go nine innings, or enjoy a meal with your family or a romantic dinner for two in the partially enclosed main dining area. Fat Fish can accommodate all your dining needs.
Fat Fish Cantinagrill Ambiance
Gorgeous stone walls with large glass windows make up much of the restaurant’s exterior with plush greenery lining the walkway to the entrance. Once inside, you’ll see an elegantly rustic dining room to your right and a fantastic full bar to your left. The main dining area is full of natural light during the day with wood flooring, tables, and chairs. At night it transforms into a more intimate and romantic setting with soft lighting from contemporary chandeliers. The Cantina Bar on the other side of the restaurant offers a large, wide-open bar with high-top tables along the walls and windows. Eight widescreen televisions cater to the sports enthusiast in you. The quaint patio has an organic garden vibe by day and a low-lit romantic ambiance at night.
Fat Fish Cantinagrill Food
When dining at Fat Fish Cantinagrill, expect Southern California cuisine with the flavor-driven influences of Mexico. The menu features seasonal harvests, the freshest Pacific seafood, California prime aged beef, and local fresh poultry. Start your beach morning off right at Fat Fish with house specialty omelets, house benedicts, beach house hashes, or Baja breakfast choices to name a few. A must try is their Puerto Nuevo Lobster Benedict – butter poached Maine lobster tail with soft boil eggs, fresh asparagus spears, chopped cilantro, and lemon hand-whipped hollandaise, complimented with a side of roasted potatoes.
The Fat Fish menu has several items for those with a sophisticated palate, but also offers plenty of options for children to enjoy. Salads, combination plates, enchilada plates, tortas, wraps, as well as fresh grilled seafood and specialty plates from the grill, oven, and pan make up this unique lunch menu. For those who are still in the mood for breakfast, you’re in luck; the Baja Breakfast selections are served until 3 p.m. Get dinner going with nut crusted brie with a mango chipotle glaze from the starter menu. Choose from a wide range of fresh grilled seafood, grilled and roasted meats, and Mexican favorites like tacos, enchiladas, and combination plates.
If you’re looking to just grab a light bite and a few drinks with friends, check out the Cantina bar opposite the main dining area. Here guests can enjoy tacos, mini tortas, burritos. and other bar eats. The Cantina Fry is a must try for all first-timers – fish and chips with a Mexican twist. The Cantina bar offers a lengthy cocktail menu, draft and bottled beers, wine, and an extensive agave collection. Taco Tuesday is served in the Cantina bar, and is a great place to mingle and relax after a day out in the sun.
Fat Fish Cantinagrill: The Details
Fat Fish Cantinagrill is the sister restaurant to World Famous on Ocean Walk. Happy Hours are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday where you can enjoy $3 house margaritas. Happy Hours for food are extended from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Get the $9 lobster tails on Mondays, and $1.25 street tacos or $1.75 shrimp tacos on Taco Tuesdays. Wednesdays, you can enjoy ½ off all appetizers, and Thursdays it’s $2 fish tacos with live music by the Latin band Cantua. All NFL games are up for viewing at Fat Fish Cantinagrill on NFL Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays. Food and drink specials are available during games.
Fat Fish Cantinagrill Neighborhood
Either before or after you eat at Fat Fish, make time to walk to the end of Crystal Pier to watch the locals surf the waves and maybe see a dolphin or two. Take a walk along the boardwalk while the sun sets; it is the perfect place to people watch, and you may even see legendary SloMo gliding by. Find the latest beach fashions on Garnet Avenue, or pick up a few souvenirs along the Ocean Walk boardwalk. Check out the active nightlife, from playing pool to dancing. Traveling with kids? Stop by The Baked Bear after lunch for personalized handmade ice cream sandwiches; it’s a block to your left as you exit the restaurant. Rent bikes from PB Surf behind World Famous and head south on the boardwalk to Belmont Park for rides, an arcade, and even laser tag. This San Diego neighborhood is poppin’ with things to do.