Really great server! Quick friendly service Great menu Really nice patio dining Prices are fair Food was really good Clam chowder was amazing Fishermans platter was good Definitely recommend read more

See all

Really good clam chowder! Love love love pismo and all the amazing local joints! Definitely recommend patio seating! A delicious spot with a view! Fresh food! read more

If you're in Pismo Beach, Brad's is a must stop. My family and I come here every time we visit. Brad's Restaurant is one of those classic spots that just feels like part of the town. The service is always friendly and welcoming, and Ken, our server, was hilarious. He kept the table laughing the whole time and made the experience even better. The food isn't fancy or over the top, but that's kind of the point. It's consistently good, satisfying, and exactly what you want after a beach day. If you're visiting Pismo Beach, don't skip it. It's a local staple for a reason. read more

This is our 2nd time here. Our first was over 10 years ago and now we're back to celebrate my husband's birthday. We ordered the same as what we ordered 10 years ago. 4 pcs Fish and Chips and BBQ Beef Ribs. Our server which I forgot to asked her name was really nice. I highly recommend this place, and it's just a half block from our hotel Beach House Inn. Seated at the patio table . read more

See all

This was very unfortunate. I love seafood and eat it everywhere (San Francisco restaurants are a high favorite). Sadly, I ordered this dish and it was really bad. The gravy looking sauce or soup was not appetizing at all, and it is the first time I've ever seen a sauce like this in seafood; it doesn't work. This dish lacks seasoning completely. I had to put salt and pepper and lemon just to get taste out of the fish, shrimp, and scallops. The picture is after I stopped eating. I feel like I might get sick. Really unfortunate that I spent so much money on this dish. Would never have it again. read more

Brad's Restaurant - Seafood Combo $37.50 - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Original staple in Pismo Beach. Always fantastic Service. Great beach breeze and ambiance. Food is delicious. My favorite go to is the Shrimp & Crab Louie. It abounds with seafood. Yum!!! The fish and chips is fantastic too. Chowder? Why yes. Visit Brads for the food, great service and Pismo nostalgia. You'll be glad you did. read more

See all

Ordered the crab & shrimp Louie. Grey egg, week-old onions, and grey crab. Completely disgusting. Never again. read more

Brad's Restaurant - Crab & shrimp louie - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

A must stop for us when along the Central Coast. Among the Pismo Beach competitors for Best Clam Chowder", Brad's wins my vote year after year. I cannot resist their sourdough bread bowl with chowder. SO MANY clams and not a too thick or watery base - perfect! Hubs likes their generous and perfectly cooked burgers and we both enjoy their French fries! If BBQ is your jam, come to BRAD'S! 6 days a week during summer and weekends throughout the year, check out the crew flamin' it up as you walk by their oak pit and seated outdoor patio area. Skewers of delicious shrimp, succulent ribs and regional favorite, Santa Maria style tri tip are H-O-T T-O G-O! Chuckle at tourists waiting in line elsewhere to stand and eat clam chowder whilst you stretch out and relax in your comfortable, air conditioned booth. The family refurbished the restaurant a couple of years back and it's beautiful. Brad's has been lovingly cared for and closely watched over by the same family since 1953. Not fancy, but homey and friendly. Although I DO miss the Trivial Pursuit cards at the tables! iykyk Oh! And fish and chips???? Heck yah! Brad's got you covered! Want a tip: if you're over 55 and looking for a "simple taste of Brad's", go with the Sr. Traveler's Special (or what I call Evie's deal), my mom used to look forward to arriving in Pismo, getting settled, the walking to Brad's for a bowl of clam chowder, some nice French bread and a glass of wine. Thanks to Brad's family for keeping this special corner of Pismo so lovely, delicious and a spot where we know we will enjoy filling our bellies! Cheers! "CC" read more

See all

Went there for dinner with a family of a 6. Service was amazing, our waiter was the best, very attentive and quick. Food was very good, clam chowder was amazing. My son got the Tri-tip steak and it was the some of the best I have ever tasted. read more

We found Brad's on Yelp after trying to get into a nearby restaurant that laughed at us for thinking we could just walk in. I called Brad's and they were so helpful! When we arrived we were pleased by the beautiful restaurant and amazing staff. So many different employees came to our table to ensure our needs were met. Our server was so kind and the food was incredible! We ordered the beef ribs with sauce on side, a seafood medley dish with garlic bread and the sauce was to die for! We finished the night with a round of root beer floats which was fun after a nice bottle of Cabinet. We will definitely be back! read more

Brad's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

While splashes line was around the corner per usual, I knew brads could save the day ;) after all this is my pick between the two anyway! No wait to sit for 2, got walked straight to a booth and after 2 minutes had our drinks AND food order in! Very speedy which was perfect because we just had a 2 1/2 hour car ride with no bfast As I was typing this our food arrived literally that was the fastest service ever! The clam chowder is seriously so flavorful and the sourdough bread is the perfect pair, bread doesn't get terribly soggy so its longevity in the bowl is great! The broth to the soup was excellent and I topped it with hot sauce to make it even better! I definitely give this my recommendation for clam chowder in Pismo! read more

Brad's Restaurant - Clam chowder bread bowl - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

My family and I were looking for different types of food as most wanted BBQ and another wanted seafood. We ended up at Brad's as we were walking down by the pier and noticed some grilling with a sign that says they grill with an Oak Pit. I pulled up the menu online and also saw that they had seafood. We walked in about an hour before closing and were immediately greeted and seated. There were seats available indoors and on the patio but we settled with the indoor seats. We liked the different menu options but decided on all grilled items: marinated tri-tip, tri-tip sandwich, salmon and a grilled chicken avocado sandwich. The tri-tip had the marinated flavor but my son is used to smoked tri-tip but this one is grilled. He didn't love it but was impressed with the portion size. I loved my grilled chicken sandwich as the portion was generous and could taste the oak flavor in the chicken. The salmon was good and the tri-tip sandwich was OK. The one thing here is that the BBQ items come with beans and your choice of salad or fries. There are no side upgrades so if you want vegetables you will be charged the full price for the veggies plus you will get the sides that come with the meal. We were pleased with the service as it didn't take long to order, receive the food or check out. This is a good location close to the pier. 3.5 stars! read more

See all

Would be 5 stars if they allowed dogs on patio. Best Clam Chowder and Fish N Chips in the area. Service is amazing. Just can't go as often because we have a dog'. read more

We came for the Traveler's Special (including a bowl of clam chowder, bread with butter, and a glass of house wine) and it did not disappoint!! The clam chowder was DELISH, and so creamy. Pro-tip: add hot sauce to your chowder, and get a second pad of butter in case you're butter lovers like us! We sat outside in the beautiful sun, under the table umbrellas. Our server was super nice, and everyone working there was friendly and helpful. read more

Brad's Restaurant - 2 Traveler's specials in the sunshine at their patio tables. - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

See all

Great wait staff! The clam chowder and fish and chips were great, but the halibut was phenomenal! Great day to sit outside!

I hate to do this but I have to give my honest review. The service is horrible. Aside from the nice two men at the door I was completely ignored and finally gave up on my food. I'm trying to pay for my beer and the waiter is acting like I'm not sitting here. I wish I could give a review on the food which looks very yummy but I can't get service. Maybe next time. read more

We loved it! What a great place to stop for lunch just inside the iron gates on the patio. Perfect! Monica was our server and she was perfect. We enjoyed their clam chowder, fish'n chips, fries and onion rings. Everything was good. And, yes, we would stop again if in the area. read more

We wanted clam chowder; ppl were lining up for the one across; hubby chose Brads for better dining experience. He chose a great spot. We got to dine in without the crowded-ness.. Best part the have one do the best sautéed dish! Ordered: Clam chowder bowl Senior broiled cod Senior cup of chowd Sautéed seafood Fish tacos Hands down it was soooooooo goood! I was upset that I couldn't try the one we originally set to go but best decision ever. This was soooo delicious and flavorful. Can't wait to come back here. Thank you Brad's Restaurant. The service was so great and friendly..love the out door dine in; quite the atmosphere to relax. Hidden gem. read more

See all

We always have to stop here for clam chowder whenever we're in Pismo! The best clam chowder spot in my opinion!! Calamari was also good and had a nice little crunch! The service was great and fast! We sat at their outdoor patio because the weather was so nice! read more

Brad's Restaurant - cup of clam chowder & calamari - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

My wife and I spent the weekend in Pismo. Came in for dinner. The waitress was very friendly and pleasant. Came by several times asking if we needed anything else. We shared a plate of fish and chips. We also ordered clam chowder and salads. I wish I could have given you 5 stars. The chowder fell a little short. It was mostly potato. Very little clams. I was a bit disappointed. Other than that a great evening. read more

Forgot my order of fries for 2 to go orders. I don't want to go back in traffic for a refund or a credit. Please make sure your to go orders are correct before you hand to the customer. You guys charge a lot of money for food service Should match the price you pay. Both Manager and server who gave me my food were not friendly at all. MAKE SURE YOUR TO GO ORDERS ARE CORRECT!!!! read more

I loved Brad's! We had breakfast there both Saturday and Sunday when we were in town for the car show. Everyone there was so friendly and nice. Very accommodating on both visits. The first day, the guys were there early and us ladies were there about 10am. The food was great and they have a lot to choose from on their menu. The second day, there were 12 of us there at the same time. We were all seated at tables/booths next to each other. They were able to seat us by a back wall (we had one person in a seated walker), so that was very comfortable for our group. read more

Brad's Restaurant - Enter here! - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

This place is amazing!!!! Literally everything I ate here the other night was so good. To top it off, the service was phenomenal so I can't reccomend this place enough. If your looking for a place with a large variety, then this is the place for you. From seafood to Bbq, they truly serve it all and the food is killer. My wife got the salmon and it was a HUGE PORTION OF FOOD AND PACKED WITH FLAVOR. She rated her meal a 9 out of 10. I went with the fish and chips and the fish was so fresh! I rated my meal a 9 out of 10 also. Overall, come here. I honestly think this place is way better than splash cafe next door so don't sleep on them! You will not regret it at all. Thanks Brads for the great food, can't wait to come back already. Till next time! read more

See all

The best buffalo clams in the Central Coast. Got here shortly after the BBQ closed, but after seeing how bummed I was that I wasn't going to get my them, Leo found a way to get them for me Best Service ever, Thank You Leo read more

My family always comes to Brad's when we are in Pismo Beach. We came over spring break(Monday) and it was not busy at all. Wait time was less than 10 minutes. Hostess was friendly & so was our server. The food was yummy. I have no complaints. 10 out of 10 in my books read more

See all

Came to Brad's for a casual dinner and tried the fish and chips along with the tri tip sandwich. The food overall was solid, with a few standout elements and a couple things that could be improved. The fish and chips were generously portioned. The batter had a good crunch and the fish inside was moist, though a bit more seasoning would have taken it further. Fries were crisp and hot, and the tartar sauce was house-made, which added a nice touch. The tri tip sandwich came piled high and had a nice smoky flavor. The meat was tender and the roll held up well without getting soggy. A little more sauce or a tangy element might have brought it all together better, but still a satisfying option if you're in the mood for something hearty. Service was friendly and laid-back. Our server was attentive without hovering and made sure drinks stayed full. Food took a little longer than expected, but the place was fairly busy and it wasn't a dealbreaker. The space has a classic roadside diner feel with a coastal twist. It's casual, with both indoor and outdoor seating and a steady mix of locals and tourists. It works well for a relaxed meal without a lot of fuss. Brad's is a reliable choice for a no-frills, satisfying bite near the beach. Worth a visit if you're nearby, especially if you stick with the grill items. read more

Brad's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

*In search of the best Chowder in SLO, Brad's Restaurant, 5th out of 6 restaurants sampled, can you say paprika?* We were just walking along downtown Pismo Beach. Just finished Hoagies' chowder and the wife decided to line up for some to-go clam chowder at Splash Cafe. The wait as usual is long so I said to myself, why not grab one to go at Brad's? Entering the restaurant, I mentioned to the server I just wanted some chowder to go. He said just hang tight and we will have it in a moment. I could say that unequivocally, Brad's indoor seating is much superior to Splash Cafe's. And don't get me started with their patio seating; such a nice place to have your meal. We got our clam chowder much quicker than Splash. We ate our soups at our hotel. Brad's clam chowder tasted paprika. Too much paprika in fact, that any savory briny taste of the clam chowder is all but lost. Don't get me wrong, I do like the paprika taste but not the expense of the delicious taste of the clam chowder. Paprika, that is all I could remember of the soup. Creaminess was good and the potatoes were diced just fine, maybe a hair large. Brad's patio seating looked stellar. I would consider trying them out and seat at the patio area ~ minus the clam chowder. read more

Server was great. Sea food is not fresh. Clam chowder had almost no clam. Women's bathroom had toilet paper and a seat cover along with other trash on the ground. To clarify we were told by our server, after asking, the sea food is not fresh read more

Food is always great, serves'is also great, been eating at Brads for years, never disappointed

Quiet restaurant next to the famous splash restaurant. Waitress was friendly and provided good service. I don't carry wallet with me so I was able to ApplePay. I ordered the seafood omelette. It was good portion size. read more

Brad's Restaurant - Seafood Omelette - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Our server Ken was so engaged and was so funny, my kids were laughing and having a good time. The clam chowder was great but being next to splash cafe makes people overlook it but it tasted amazing! Its nice place to eat with plenty of space considering how crowded downtown pismo can be. read more

Brad's Restaurant - Fish and Chips - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Oof poor Brad. I'm so confused about the raving reviews about their clam chowder. It said award winning on the menu but it was the worst clam chowder I have had. It was chalky and tasted of uncooked flour. It left a film on your tongue. It had no flavor of clam. There was paprika sprinkled on it and I was unsure why but maybe it was masking the bad taste. It definitely didn't add anything. By the end of our meal, it had thickened to the point of paste. So disappointing. The waitress was nice but the food was lackluster. Everything tasted frozen. Even the bread on the side. The prawn cocktail was a bit chewy. The salad consisted of cafeteria low budget lettuce. My husband said his fish tacos seemed microwaved. Oddly the best thing was my kid's fried shrimp. read more

Brad's Restaurant - Clam chowder and salad. This was before it turned into a clumpy paste-y mess. Even the bread tasted frozen. - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Omg!! We walked into this gem. Greeted quickly and friendly our server Theresa is amazing and the good omg amazing! I had the chowder and fried fish tacos fire!!! My husband had the tri tip salad I g the portions are super generous. We highly recommend this place read more

Husband and I were on a recent vacation to the Pismo Beach area. We tried Brads Restaurant and it was a great experience! The decor was vintage with big roomy booths with nice cushioned seats. I ordered the clam chowder and the fish and chips. Our waitress was nice and the food came out quickly and it was HOT not lukewarm. The clam chowder was the best I have had here. Waitress brought out hot sauce and oyster crackers without me even having to ask. The fish and chips were perfect! Not greasy! Hot and delicious. Don't miss out on this gem if you go to the Pismo Beach area. read more

See all

I always visit this spot with my family and friends when we visit and it always hits right! I love getting the clam chowder bread bowl with cheese and bacon and it tastes delicious every time! The service is great as well as the restaurant. I love sitting outdoor where we can enjoy some fresh ocean air! read more

See all

Located a 5 minute walk from Pismo Beach Pier. This famous restaurant serves great fish and chips as well delicious barbecue dishes. I highly recommend their baby back ribs, which comes with sour dough bread, beans and rice. Absolutely loved their tri-tip steak, well seasoned and perfectly cooked. Spacious indoor seating and clean restrooms. read more

Best clam chowder I've ever eaten! I should have just got a larger clam chowder and added the additional seafood on top! The ambiance was nice as we sat on the patio and felt the cool breeze. The waitress was one of the best servers we've ever had! read more

Brad's Restaurant - Large bowl of clam chowder and a tri tip sandwich. - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

See all

I was pretty excited to try Brads Restaurant, so my husband and I ventured out and decided to have a late night dinner Thursday night Yes, we knew they were closing at 900pm so we made it there at 800pm. We already knew what we wanted the fish and Chips, so they quickly sat us down, our waitress came to our table in a rush, took down our order, brought our food and quickly came to give us the check. Not once did she check on us. The food was good, but I was very disappointed because It was not a good first experience, so we will not be going back :( read more

Brad's Restaurant - Fish and Chips - Seafood Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

I'm being a bit generous with the stars based on better experiences on previous visits. We were eating light and ordered the calamari appetizer and a mushroom burger to split. Service was good and portions were reasonable. The burger was very juicy yet well cooked. The fries were well seasoned, a bit high in sodium, which made them very tasty of course. Calamari was rings and tentacles, the tentacles were good according to my wife, however, the rings were very tough, according to both of us. I've had calamari at dozens of places. I am quite familiar with what it should be like, and this was not it today. I can't say that I've ordered calamari from Brad's before, nor do I think I would take the chance. I've had many other dishes and been extremely satisfied so I do not hesitate to return. Indoor seating is reasonable booths with upgraded cushions, etc. Outdoor seating is always nice, but on Friday afternoon was just too busy. read more

My friends and I went to Pismo Beach for our senior ditch day and wanted a restaurant where we could sit down and enjoy time together. We chose Brad's restaurant. The ambiance felt beach-themed with soft background music, and when the temperature dropped, the servers turned on the outdoor heaters near our table, which we appreciated. Service was uneven throughout the meal. There were long gaps between check-ins, and at not point my water wasn't refilled for about 16 minutes. I ordered the seafood sampler that came with fried shrimp, clam strips, calamari, and cod. The food arrived at mixed temperatures--some items were hot, others lukewarm or cool. The texture and taste suggested it may not have been prepared fresh to order. The meal was acceptable overall, but not memorable. Based on this visit, I would likely choose a different restaurant next time. read more