Yesterday, while browsing Facebook, I came across an invitation for two to attend a special preview at California Fish Grill's new Concord, CA location before its grand opening on Monday, July 13. I almost forgot that the invitation included two complimentary entrées, which made the experience even better! I ordered the Salmon & Swai Combo Grilled Plate with rice, choosing both the Garlic Butter and Cajun Style seasonings. The fish was cooked perfectly--fresh, flaky, and well-seasoned. The rice was surprisingly flavorful, and the Cajun Style had just the right amount of spice without overpowering the fish. It paired wonderfully with both the salmon and swai. My wife ordered the Classic 2-Piece Battered Fish & Chips. She really enjoyed the fish, saying the batter was light, crispy, and not overly thick, allowing the fish to shine. The only downside for her was the fries, which weren't quite as memorable as the fish. The restaurant has a simple, clean, and inviting atmosphere with a spacious indoor dining area, plus outdoor seating if you prefer to dine outside. What stood out just as much as the food was the staff. Everyone we encountered was warm, welcoming, and genuinely friendly. Great customer service makes a big difference, and I hope they continue providing that same level of hospitality after the grand opening. Overall, we had a wonderful first experience. If you're looking for fresh, flavorful seafood at a reasonable price, California Fish Grill is definitely worth checking out. Welcome to Concord, and best wishes on your grand opening! read more

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The food is actually kinda decent for the price. The fish and chips was salty but they fried it well. 3pc for $15 is also hard to beat. The poke bowl, on the other hand, was pretty bland. I mean I guess we can't compare to actual poke places... There's an app sign up offer for a free everything protein bowl with the purchase of a drink. Highly recommend doing that. The bowl on its own is $13. Food aside, the staff was pretty nice. Nothing against the staff. read more

Restaurant is clean inside bathrooms very clean as well. Service is great very attentive and they remove your tray and trash off the table there are no trash cans in restaurant. I'm a regular I get the branzino and it's delicious the grilled flavor definitely comes through and the seasoned olive oil makes it a nice light and healthy dish with plenty of protein! Definitely one of my go to spots for a healthier choice . read more

California Fish Grill - Branzino with Brussels sprouts my favorite! - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

You know when you have that fish craving, I decided to place a to go order at California Fish Grill in El Cerrito. Placed my order online, and was ready when I arrived. The staff are pretty friendly and helpful. They have a nice dining area and were pretty clean and inviting. I don't go to often, but whenever I get food here, I have no problems. The clam chowder, sea bass, and sweet potato fries are one of my faves. If you're a fish person, I do recommend Cali Fish Grill. read more

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The El Cerrito Plaza has seen quite a few establishments come and go from this specific location where California Fish Grill is today. But for real, how fun to have something different come to our neighborhood with a focus on a healthier, fast-casual experience. I'm not a huge fish fanatic, but I do appreciate having an option as a newer mom for something unique. And California Fish Grill has a kiddo menu, exterior seating as well, and beer/wine/a small, new cocktail menu. They also have kiosks if you want to just order from there for convenience. Quick and efficient. On our particular recent trip, we ordered the Kids Teriyaki Chicken which comes with white rice and a juice box, but we subbed for the beans. We also ordered our favorite, the Dynamite Shrimp Bowl ~ you can pick your base (white/brown/cauliflower rice or salad), and I usually add avocado to mine. The shrimp are quick fried in this dynamite sauce that is just that, dynamite! Super yummy and a dish that I just can't jump ship, or shrimp ha, for anything else on the menu! They have a couple new power bowls on the menu as well like an Island Teriyaki Chicken Bowl and Avocado Veggie Bowl too. Something I must also add are the sides here are a must ~ we love the Parmesan String Beans, but the New England Clam Chowder and Brussels Sprouts are also solid choices. This go around we had the Parmesan Garlic Bread which was just okay. The Plaza has plenty of parking. Pricing is a bit more steep for fast-casual, but understandable given market pricing out there. I look forward to coming back to the fish grill soon for a change from our typical routine. And love the newer chicken additions to the menu as well! read more

California Fish Grill - Our spread ~ PARMESAN GARLIC BREAD, PARMESAN STRING BEANS, KIDS TERIYAKI CHICKEN, DYNAMITE SHRIMP BOWL - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

First time here! Came in for lunch and was highly satisfied and full. The shrimp had a delicious, crispy coating and was cooked perfectly. My sister loved her dish as well! 10/10 read more

California Fish Grill - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

We had just arrived and were hungry for California seafood, so we figured this was the place. The process is to order from the counter and pay, then pick it up when it's ready. The Taco Tuesday special seemed like a good deal, so I went with it. I chose the cajun salmon protein, even though it probably isn't caught locally. For sides, I chose miso slaw and seasoned tomato & feta. The food was prepared pretty quickly. The tiny side of tomato & feta was nice, but the miso slaw was the better choice. My cajun salmon was disappointing. The pieces of fish were tiny and didn't provide much flavor. It was especially sad when compared to the crispy fish, which cost less and had huge pieces of fish. I would recommend the crispy fish. read more

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The food is amazing, and it is prepared in no time. The staff is friendly and helpful and the facility is spotless. I like their (fake) china and the fact that they use real cutlery instead of plastic. What else do you want? Maybe, cushions for the chairs as they are metall and very cold. Other than that, I love this place! read more

California Fish Grill - Salad with grilled salmon/Cesar salad with shrimps/chips and salsa - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

This was my first time. Food was fresh and delicious and the Pineapple and Strawberry Mint drinks were so fast and refreshing. Service is Top tier! Look forward to coming back again! read more

The fish and chips were great! Big pieces and fresh. The restaurant was clean and the staff were very friendly.

I ordered the shrimp and avocado Caesar salad online, but I was disappointed with the quality. The avocado was already bruised, black, and clearly not fresh. Some of the salad leaves were also turning black and looked old. For the price, I expected fresher ingredients and better quality control. read more

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May 16, 2025 2:13 pm The two fish taco serving joints that we frequented, Rubio's Pleasant Hill and Vallejo closed months ago and I really miss them. By chance I heard about California Fish Grill and drove there ASAP with eager anticipation. I entered and saw the familiar Rubio's look with the Rubio's style sustainable fish poster and i started to feel at home. Then... What a disappointment You order from the cashier and wait for your name to be called. The cashier leans against the cash register screen and stairs into space while we look at the wall menu. I wish this place used hairnets. His hair looks matted and unkempt like my daughter's hair. I dont like that dred look on my daughter and don't want her near my food either. The cashier doesn't look or sound as if he has a vested interest in this place having repeat customers. After a bit of a struggle we get him to mumble through our order. We didn't add a tip with our payment. I had a battered Swai fish taco (Swai- a farmed catfish wannabe imported from Asia). It took me a few bites of batter until I found a little bit of fish. The fish portion size looked substantial but it was an illusion conjured up with air-puffed batter. My wife had the Shrimp and Swai combo. She reported that the fish had no taste to speak of, she doesn't like the Caesar salad dressing and she dislikes rosemary on her zucchini. For some reason we asked for a coke and they gave us a can without telling us a soda fountain was available. I complain to her about the noise level and she complains to me that the floor is dirty. By chance I saw our cashier half heartedly sweep that spot just about one minute earlier. After you dine and leave, they will pick up your mess for you. We left very unsatisfied and next did something I have not done in my entire life. We decided to have a second meal right after this one. On the way home we stopped in Hercules for a very satisfying TOMMY'S BBQ of delicious sausage, greens, potato salad and bread. All this for the same price spent earlier including the tip their cashier received. We won't be making that drive again to California Seafood Grill. read more

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WOW FACTOR? Yes. The Parmesan String Beans were absolutely delicious. HAVE AGAIN: Cajun style sea bass (Branzino) was very good but not very cajun. Pineapple skewers were very good. Diced Zucchini & rosemary were good. read more

What a great place. We were greeted as we entered which I appreciated. The clerk was very sweet and answered ally questions. I got the fish taco combo. They arrived pretty quickly. They were fabulous!! I got French fries and zucchini as sides both of those were just so so and I don't think I'd order either of those again. Their drink selection was not the regular sodas you see i tried 2 different ones both were excellent. Restaurant & their bathroom was very clean. Lots of parking close by. If I'm in that area again I will definately stop by. read more

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Listen, I admit it. I can be a real food snob, which explains why I go to El Cerrito Plaza only for groceries, especially since Bed Bath & Beyond closed. Anyway, it was Jamie W who was interested in coming here, so being a good husband, I tagged along not knowing this was one of a 58-location, California-based seafood chain I had never heard of before. They serve only sustainably sourced seafood, which is a definite plus. The place operates much like a Chipotle when it comes to what to include in your order. Jamie confidently ordered the $15.25 Grilled Louisiana Delta Catfish with the $1.50 Avocado on top (photo: https://yelp.to/hlX6hVD9Qd). He went for Diced Rosemary Zucchini and French Fries on the side (photo: https://yelp.to/eju4EW6qMB). The catfish and the fries were kinda underwhelming on their own, but the zucchini was a winner. Jamie just thought it needed something to lift the flavor beyond the sauces offered. I decided on the $11.75 Grilled Tilapia with the Cajun Style and Garlic Butter Sauces (photo: https://yelp.to/8ff_P_SdDF). The sauces really just masked the flavor of the fish. I did go for the Diced Rosemary Zucchini as well as the $1.99 Green Salad which helped offset the heaviness of the sauces (photo: https://yelp.to/agAXlScDYq). We decided to share the $7.99 bowl of Clam Chowder which we agreed was pretty good (photo: https://yelp.to/8mH9z8rwxk). You probably have to come here a few times to get used to the ordering. At least I'm more informed for the next time. FOOD - 3 stars...pretty standard fish from a taste standpoint...the chowder was the most memorable item AMBIANCE - 3 stars...fairly fast foody SERVICE - 3 stars...interaction was straightforward TOTAL - 3 stars...a bit on the meh side RELATED - Exploring El Cerrito? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2VyCP18 read more

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I've been going to this place pretty much once a week minimum because is close to my house, and the food is so delicious and very healthy. The other day I had a chicken bowl and the dish has everything from greens to the protein. The service was great. Also the ambiance there as well. I will high recommend this place. read more

California Fish Grill - Chicken bowl with brown rice. - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

I frequent this place, In the beginning everything was hot and fresh The last few times I've complained the food was lukewarm looked double dipped and this past Tuesday one of my tacos looked fresh and the other Cajun one was chopped in pieces and burnt. I asked one of the workers if the taco is supposed to look like that she responded yes! I agreed because I didn't wish to complain and left it there. I will stay away until they can get back on track. read more

California Fish Grill - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

The food is pretty good and has decent size portions. No other positive notes that blew me out the water for a place like this.

Now that Rubios is gone, I didn't have a place I could get decent beer-battered fish tacos... until today! Had a random craving and ended up here with my wife after running some errands. Clean place, workers -- especially the woman expediting -- were working hard and doing a great job. Fish was not overly battered! One improvement for me would be a thicker tortilla. I took two bites into my taco and the tortilla started to fall apart. Either that or more flat pieces of fish without it being all jagged because of the deep fried batter. My wife loved the tortilla tho. She got the Cajun Fish so probably different experience. read more

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I love this place.Food is good,easy to get grilled fish.Service is normal.Ambiance is not bud. read more

California Fish Grill - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

I don't tend to eat at chains much, as you can probably tell from a history of my reviews. But if I'm going to eat at a chain, this is a pretty decent choice. You can be as healthy, or unhealthy, as you want to be. I chose healthy, getting the catfish last time and the wild rockfish this time, with brown rice and kale slaw as sides both times. (Actually, this is my third time, my best friend likes this place and chose it, but I don't remember what I got the first time.) The fish was nicely grilled, fully cooked, and fall apart tender. Apparently they debone it. It was good, as was the rice and slaw. Service was friendly, although we did sit on the outside patio and had to go in to check on our order. Ambiance is typical chain ambiance, a little too polished plus a soda dispenser. Rest rooms were clean. This is not the sort of place I would seek out, but when my bestie wants to go there, I go happily. read more

The portion where small not worth the money. It wasn't too flavorful, it was mediocre. I've been to other California fish grill and this didn't compare to the other in california. I would recommend for religious people on Fridays. Because not too many places serve fish. The place was clean, but smelled funny . Not like a people cooking fish . Indoor and outdoor sitting , but this place was not busy unlike other seafood places . Staff look tired , had no energy read more

California Fish Grill - Fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

This place is good. Not exactly fast food but not fancy. I had the cajun shrimp tacos. They were a bit too sweet for my taste. I would get something else next time. They have healthy options. I had a kale salad that was pretty good. I would go back. read more

Met up with a group of friends here for lunch and it was great because they let us sit and visit with each other without making us feel that we were taking up space. There were seven of us in the group, so we took up two tables. We each ordered meals and beverages. I asked for a sample of the sea salt mango fruit juice because I wasn't sure if I'd like the addition of sea salt to my beverage and they very happily let me taste it before ordering. It was surprisingly delicious and very refreshing! I also ordered a miso salmon salad that was featured on the ordering kiosk, but they gave me the wrong thing. The salad I ordered had salmon and avocado with a miso dressing, but the one I received had quinoa in it and no avocado. Since it was really good anyway, I didn't say anything. I definitely would've liked the salmon to be a little less cooked, though. I think it was my fault because I forgot to tell them I wanted my salmon to be medium rare; there was actually no way to choose medium rare when ordering at the kiosk, but I should have told them anyway. I think this is a great place to meet up for lunch. Kind of fast food, but not. Reasonable prices and lots of parking since it's in a shopping mall. read more

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Looking for a quick bite in the Berkeley area and not wanting to do the usual fast food offerings, we came across California Fish Grill. We placed the order for pick up through our iPad and around 1:23 pm and it was ready around 1:35 pm. Not bad! The inside was clean with nice decor. There is nothing comparable to it in our home city of Seattle. We ordered the Cajun Salmon sandwich (on a grilled brioche bun ,mixed greens, tartar sauce and dynamic sauce) and the Crispy Fish Sandwich (with a grilled brioche bun and the same ingredients has the Cajun Salmon but with pickled onions added). We ordered a side of drilled asparagus which was simply great! read more

We always have a good experience here. Got the grilled Swai and grilled Tilapia with a side of shrimp skewers. Cajun sauce on everything. Chose the regular fries and kale slaw for the Tilapia 2 sides and upgraded to sweet potatoes and caeser salad for the Swai. The fish serving sizes are decent. 2 filets for each order. The sides were also decent sized. The fish was moist and flavorful and not over sauced. The sides were decent size and flavorful. I think the entire meal set us back $35, which is pretty good for the amount of food we received. Will definitely come back! read more

We hadn't tried the El Cerrito location yet and it had been over a year since we last visited CFG. The cashier was super helpful, assisting everyone with the self-serve order station. My wife ordered 3 grilled shrimp salads for us and my mom, with the shrimp extra grilled, and we also got the fish and chips to share. The salad was packed with shrimp, and the lemon dressing was spot-on. The fish was a nice bonus. Overall, we really enjoyed the meal. read more

California Fish Grill - GRILLED SHRIMP & AVOCADO SALAD - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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Everything is great here. The avocado veggie bowl is tremendous. I stopped going to Chipotle for the CA Fish Grill. I do not order rice with my orders. Far better options read more

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California Fish Grill in El Cerrito...now I don't have to go to Walnut Creek to eat them. I am surprise that there is a California Fish Grill in El Cerrito. It is alot different compare to Walnut Creek. It has a self serve check out that allows the customer to see what they served instead of looking up at the menu....different compare to Walnut Creek. You can still go to the cashier if you need help. El Cerrito location is smaller than Walnut Creek. It took me awhile to figure out where the restroom is at. A lot of custoemr were going inside their kitchen thinking the restroom is inside there. Plenty of parking since it is located in El Cerrito Plaza. read more

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Food is great if you are a fan of old-time fish n'chips! I haven't tried the other dishes, but the fish is fresh and crisp and the fries are delicious. The kale slaw was interesting but probably more than that if you like kale. Which I do not. read more

CA Fish Grill is the newest addition to El Cerrito Plaza, located just next to the empty former BB&B store. We've been waiting for them to finally open for awhile, so were quite excited when they finally did and we got a chance to try them out. Since we were dining in and it was busy, we claimed a table first while I went up to order. I noticed on the table a sticker indicating the option to get a free taco for sign up for their text messaging, so I did so and was presented with a link to a QR code. Come time to order on their self-serve kiosk, I realized there was no place to enter the QR code to redeem it! I had to then jump lines to the counter, for someone to ring me up (apparently this requires a manager override to boot) at the register. Then I had to get back in line to wait for the self-service kiosk again because they only accept cash at the counter, so they couldn't process the rest of my order. While waiting for our orders, they apparently call out the last 4 of your PH# as your order #. This was not indicated anywhere, so it was a bit confusing while waiting for your order. They do send you a text notification when your order is ready however, so that was helpful. Apparently a PH# or email is required to order, which I imagine would be a major blockage for those who do not wish to disclose their information. Since there was two of us, we got the Battered Fish Taco and Cajun Salmon Taco as our freebies. While the Cajun Salmon was pretty decent, we both LOVED the Battered Fish Taco. Not only was it pretty well sized, it was perfectly battered, while very moist and juicy inside. For our entrées, my wife ordered the Tilapia w/ Seasoned Olive Oil, and Diced Zucchini and Kaleslaw as her sides. And for me, I opted for the Louisiana Delta Catfish w/ Half Cajun and Half Garlic Butter, with a side of fries and diced Zucchini. Both fishes were fresh, and prepared well. And the dishes pretty enjoyable. The trays that are served with your order are heavy metal, and quite large. Which make them cumbersome to carry, and they wind up dominating the vast majority of the table's real estate. Orders took a bit of time to come out, but this was not unexpected given the steady volume of both dine-in and take-out orders. read more

California Fish Grill - Louisiana Delta Catfish w/ Half Cajun and Half Garlic Butter, with a side of Fries & Diced Zucchini & Rosemary - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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My 2nd review. This restaurant did not disappoint . And I had it delivered still Hot! The sea Bass ( Branzino ) was so good i did not want it to end. I had it served grilled with seasoned olive oil the skin was seared perfectly and was so delicious and was crunchy the way I like it ! The fish was perfectly prepared as well , flaky and moist ! I had kale salad which was crispy with just the right amount of dressing! Hubby had the sawia and grilled skewered shrimp combo and throughly enjoyed his meal , with The zucchini and fire roasted corn were a nice surprise! Go try it ! If you like fish , there is a large variety of fish there's a selection for their preparation . And there are kids meals too! read more

California Fish Grill - Sea bass ( with crispy skin) and sweet potato fries ! Was double the portion but i was - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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This place recently opened in El Cerrito Plaza where the pizza place used to be. I ordered the ahi poke bowl and substituted rice with cauliflower rice. Also added avacado. Both were an added cost. (standard sides available at no additional cost). Beer and wine on the menu along with a variety of non alcoholic drinks.. No table service. You order at the counter with an order machine or a human. Nice healthy lunch with a spicy kick! Coming back to try other dishes on the menu! read more

California Fish Grill - Ahi Poke Bowl - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

Came in on a sunny Saturday because I was hungry (but had plans for a big dinner) and was looking for something "light" to eat. I ordered the grilled Swai with rice and zucchini, with the garlic butter sauce. The sauce was divine, but garlic and butter go well on anything so no surprise there. The swai was tasty, grilled pretty well, and altogether it was a filling meal with the rice. I added avocado as well. I would not recommend the zucchini as it was a bit flavorless and cold... I'm one of those people who like to eat things at the temperature they're meant to be consumed at (no cold pizza for me!) and was not a fan of the cold zucchini. read more

California Fish Grill - Grilled swai with garlic butter sauce (+ avocado) - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

Located by Marshalls it Opens @ 11am. Indoor/outdoor seating. Good option for healthy eats to-go. Easy pay.

I've been a fan of the other California Fish Grill locations and was excited to see this one pop up in El Cerrito! The location is perfect and convenient with plenty of parking! I had the Kaleslaw and Fish and Chips, forewarning the fish and chips plate is huge and the beer batter is amazing. Definitely recommend this quick counter serve spot if you're in the area and hungry! We also loved the stubborn soda that is made with cane sugar, big plus! read more

California Fish Grill - Fish and Chips - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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Fast casual at its finest. I think this location used to be a Pasta Pomodoro. Regardless, you get dandy food gor a decent price. Their ordering system isn't 100% straight forward but you'll get the hang of it in a minute. Any problems arise? They are probably on it before you can say anything. Check it out! read more

California Fish Grill is a casual restaurant in El Cerrito plaza. It's a great spot to have lunch before getting groceries at the nearby Lucky's or Trader Joe's FOOD - Generous portion sizes :)) - Fish and chips: I really like the crispy batter on the fish and chips! - Kale salad needs more dressing SERVICE: - You can order at the counter, or order on a gigantic screen next to the counter - Very well-staffed read more

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I was looking forward to checking out this new local restaurant. We went in mid week to avoid weekend crowds. It's a healthy choice restaurant, similar to those I've seen in southern CA, wear you pick your protein, pick you sides and sauces. It's a fun approach to convenience dining. This place also had kiosks where you could make your selections and pay ahead, then they text you when your meal is ready to pick up. All pretty self-serve. The dining area had many tables, some bar height and others regular. We ordered the chowder - which was pretty good, but not fanciful - no bacon and flavors rich, but not loaded. We also had the calamari - frozen manufactured vs with rings and tentacles. Also, the raw tuna bowl, white fish and fries, paleo salmon and grilled asparagus. The seafood was mostly good, but it seemed a bit under seasoned. It was cooked perfectly, however. The asparagus was overcooked, not bright green and swimming in the sauce. The tuna bowl was not like a traditional poke bowl, so it's probably not good to compare, but it seemed scarce. The meal was ok. The place has only been opened a month, so I'm sure they are still working out the bugs. We'll give them another try in a few months. read more

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Heard this place was good snd today I had to try the fish and chips. I got fries and a kale cole slaw. I've had kale snd kinda my nose up But this was delicious!. And the price $10.99 you cannot beat. I'll come back! read more

California Fish Grill - 2 PIECE BATTERED FISH & CHIPS - Seafood Near Me - El Cerrito, California