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    Chef John's Fish & Chips

    4.3 (893 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Chef John's Fish & Chips Fish & Chips Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    CHEF JOHN'S FISH & CHIPS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Chef John's Fish & Chips

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    Reviews With Photos

    * Fried Fish * Fried Fish * Fried Zucchini  * French Fries
    Monica A.

    ** Fried Fish Friday ** We've been wanting to try this place for a while now..... Bucket list . So happy we made it out. This is a little hole in the wall place. VERY busy. Everything was fried to perfection with a tempura batter. The fried fish filets were HUGE!! We most definitely should've shared. Now we know when we go back.... This is a must try spot.

    Henry T.

    Good: That may have been the best piece of fried and breaded fish I have ever eaten. And I've been to London and had fish and chips over there before. Crispy outside, enough to hold together and not fall apart as it cools, but not so much that it was hard to cut or chew. The fries were also excellent. No salt, which is how I like it. And, like the fish, they were uniformily crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The meal also didn't eat too heavy, which is nice. I was thinking about getting the two piece meal, but thankfully didn't go there, as it would have been too much food. Bad: The restaurant's interior decor could use a refresh of sorts. Definitely has the feel of a hole in the wall restaurant. The drive-thru lane was closed, which was disappointing. The menu isn't on the board behind the registers. Instead, it's on a table in front, which separates the cashiers from the customers. Also not a fan of charging $3 for a can of soda as a drink. Or that I had to ask for a plastic knife to cut up the piece of fish. I get that it would be less cost prohibitive (and more convenient) to have plastic utensils but this food definitely needs hard silverware to cut and eat. The wait time for the food is 20 minutes, which also isn't ideal, though the exemplary cookery on the fish and chips does make it worth it. From the road, the restaurant appears closed or fenced off due to the construction fencing around the former brewery next door. It's hard to tell where the restaurant actually is when you approach it from the west.

    Calina N.

    Let me start off by saying I am a fan of this place. These are some solid fish and chips. It's NOT oily at all which is what I appreciate the most. It also doesn't break apart easily. Chef John definitely perfected his batter recipe down to a tea. I came on a Friday afternoon around 2pm for a late lunch. I heard about this place from social media and decided why not give it a try since I was in the area. When I pulled into the lot it was almost full and when I walked in almost every table was filled with people. The first thing that caught my eye was how pricey things were. Now I will say the portion of the protein is HUGE. The fish is long and hefty. I think I'm just not used to paying almost $30 for fries and fish. Maybe $20 is more reasonable but in today's economy this is definitely going to hurt a lot of people's wallet especially for the area. If the coleslaw was standard I would say it makes the price better but you're just getting the protein and fries and no drink so it seems like a rip off. I get it. Aside from the pricing. I thought it was weird how the lemon slices aren't standard but considered a "sauce". Again. Usually when I eat fish and chips lemons and coleslaw is standard so having to add it on is definitely a choice... Those are really the only cons I have about this place. Due to social media it has benefited the business but at a cost of having a longer wait for customers at almost all times of the day. Waiting 30 minutes, for a "fast food" type joint is kind of crazy. However, as a family owned business with husband and wife and daughter just working I can give them some grace. As they probably didn't expect to blow up as they did. So my verdict is, I can see why the locals hit up this spot. At the end of the day they are a business and things like wait, pricing of ingredients going up it's all something we can't really control, so if you can put all that to the side this place is a solid find.

    Fish. Chips. Coleslaw. Fried zucchini.
    Loren C.

    I would call this place, the epitome of a British chippy shop. It's a tiny little restaurant, a few tables, and one thing they do amazingly well, which is frying anything and everything. Put in your order, feel free to split a one person meal because that's more than enough food for two, and be prepared to wait. There are three people working, two cooking, and one running back-and-forth between the register and the kitchen to help clear things out. Their fish, shrimp, fries, and zucchini are all expertly fried, very fresh tasting, which means they clearly changed their oil consistently, and everything tastes really good. I would personally prefer a little more salt in my batter, but that's my personal preference. Still they do a magnificent job on the fish and all the seafood. If you're craving that British isles sort of meal, this is the place to do it.

    Menu
    Norma D.

    Heard all the hype so I had to try! Food is cooked as you order so it's hot and fresh. I had the fish & shrimp with the onion rings. Everything was amazing. I loved both but if I had to choose I'd say the shrimp was the hit!! The fish was a really big piece so you will get full. Those onion rings were delicious and huge. When you order the cashier tells you it will be about 35 minutes. Pretty accurate, but worth the wait. The place was packed for lunch so come with your patience because your food comes out fresh & hot. I'll be back.

    Fish and Chips
    Pedro G.

    Support family owned restaurants! Who doesn't love some authentic fish n chips right? Chef John's Fisn & Chips is a must try. Local to Lemon Grove, the restaurant offers a unique look both inside and outside. Unlique these corporate fast food chains nowadays that look boring and cookie cutteresque, Chef John's establishment is appealing to the eye. Food is made to order, so you know not to question the freshness of your plate! Yes it can be a wait, but definitely worth every minute of it. Portions are  generous , and although the price point may be a bit steep, you get what you pay for and that's quality eats here!

    John A.

    Although we had to wait 1/2 an hour for our food, it was totally worth it. Enjoying dinner with the wifey. Chill spot. Everything was really fresh & delicious.

    Business Hours and telephone number
    Victor F.

    Good quality fish and shrimp. Small family owned business in Lemon Grove. Only a few tables available for dine in. Somewhat of a small menu. Expect to drop a coin here. Service is slow as there are only three employees. Cook, prep and cashier. I ordered 4 fish, 4 shrimp, two fries and a coleslaw and total was $70 + a 45 minute wait.

    Dining Area
    Ali B.

    It's been a while since my last visit to Chef John's. Today it wasn't busy in the dining area but the pick up service was busy. The food is still very tasty. We ordered the Fish and Shrimp plate which included fries. The prices however have increased over the years like most places so we don't eat here as often as we would like. 2025/9

    Inside restaurant
    Matt H.

    Great fish and chips the portions and quality are fantastic,hush puppies were great too. They give you plenty of all the condiments and the service is wonderful.I highly recommend this little Gem for great fish and chips.

    Fish & Shrimp
    Doug A.

    This place is busy (probably due to video from a Social media food influencer). I went on a Saturday only to be told that wait would be 45 minutes. I left. Went back today (Monday) and it was still busy. Ordered 1 fish/ 4 shrimp, onion rings, & fried mushrooms. While the portions were large. Was it worth the $50+. No. The fish & shrimp had no flavor. The onion rings were huge and tasted good. The mushrooms were very large and alright. The wait was approximately 1 hour. Probably won't return.

    Picture of Restaurant
    Sal F.

    Documenting the food and sharing the food experience at a old school family-owned seafood spot named "Chef John Fish & Chips " in Lemon Grove. After all these years, we finally made time to checkout it out. Validating that the food is made-to-order, on that same note I want to share and confirm that the food is fried, crispy, and fresh. (On a sidenote) if you do not like well cooked french fries , simply ask or request at the time of your order for a (light fry) on the french fries. We ordered Chicken and fish combination plate, and Fish and Calamari combination plate. Our order took about 10-15 minutes. Raising awareness: it's nice at Chef John Fish & Chips that they have ice cold water to drink and provide ice cold water to drink as a alternative to buying cans of soda. Expect to spend say $60.- $70. dollars for two people, and/or say $100.00- $120.00 dollars for three people. So, if your in the mood for fried, crispy, and fresh food check out Chef John Fish & Chips for yourelf.

    Fish and chips (fries under lol)
    Jennifer O.

    Finally got to try this place after passing by it for so many years!Ordered the zucchini for $13.99 and their 2pc fish n chips for $25.99. Fish were huge and so good!! The place could use a little tlc tho. Trash were over filled to the floor. There was only 1 cashier which i think is the daughter and 2 elderly couple cooking and preparing. Waited 45min but it was worth the wait! Got there around 6p and since they close at 7p, you could only order to go.

    Fish and chips

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    3 days ago

    It's a liquor/grocery convenience, store ridiculous I would not buy fish there did not look clean. I walked right out.

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    Page 1 of 23

    Ask the Community - Chef John's Fish & Chips

    Is the fish farm raised or wild caught and is it cod?

    Haddock

    Is the fish frozen and battered by a distributor?

    No! They do everything by hand at the restaurant. Some of the best fried fish & shrimp that I have ever had.

    Malt vinegar to go with fish & chips?

    You have options. Some people like it with that, some like it with tartar, lemons, and some people like it with ranch or ketchup. They have it all.

    Is their indoor dining back?

    Yes, there is indoor dining. We just ate there on May 10, 2022.

    Do they have indoor dining?

    Presently (3/5/22) there is no indoor dining. Just take out

    Do they have indoor dining reopened yet?

    I don't think so, yet.

    View All 7 Questions

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    Brigantine - OYSTERS ROCK

    Brigantine

    4.0(1.2k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Brigantine is my husband's and my favorite place for lunch or dinner! You really can't go wrong…read morewith anything on the menu. It has become our go-to spot for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. I had the opportunity to meet the owner during a business interview (while c-19) and was genuinely excited to meet the person behind such a successful restaurant. He was very humble and welcoming, which made the experience even more memorable. The food is consistently excellent, the atmosphere is inviting, and the staff is always wonderful--truly a 10/10 experience every time. I highly recommend Brigantine Seafood Restaurant to anyone looking for a great meal and outstanding service.

    We had a wonderful Mothers Day eating on the patio in a relaxing and pleasant environment. I did…read moreenjoy the tables are spaced out and you don't feel crowded. We really enjoyed the shrimp and crab fondue! We then got the steak they serve for brunch, crab cake Benedict and French toast with some kind of nuts encrusting it. The food was very good the stand out was the French toast. The crab cake was cold and not well caramelized, ( that was my meal can't give a star for that) which on Mother's Day is understandable for how busy they were. I wouldn't order it again. The open faced taco steak surprise was well received and flavorful. Overall a pleasant experience and will return to try other offerings. The waitstaff made the day feel wonderful. Thank,

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    Guanatos II Mexican And Seafood - Three Rolled Tacos

    Guanatos II Mexican And Seafood

    4.8(44 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    I don't even know where to start except WOW. After trying an amazing mariscos food truck the day…read morebefore, I was hooked and it was all I could think about. I wanted to find a sit down spot that could deliver that same citrusy, flavor packed experience and this place was everything. We came in pretty close to closing without realizing, and I hate doing that because I know how it feels working in food service, but the staff still maintained such a great attitude. We were told to seat ourselves and while the inside was way too hot to sit comfortably, the outdoor patio was perfect. Our server brought out water and menus almost immediately and even after realizing they closed at 8pm, we never felt rushed at all. The menu is full of mariscos classics like ceviches, aguachiles, tostadas, and larger plates. Prices range from affordable to a little higher, but the portions definitely reflect that. My husband and I both got tostadas to start. I got the La Special and he got the aguachile tostada, and thinking the portions would be small, we also ordered carne asada fries and a California burrito... which we definitely didn't need... BUTT I am glad we got them because YUM! The tostadas were a 100/10. The portions alone felt more than an appetizer/snack. The La Special was loaded with raw shrimp, cooked shrimp, and octopus, all super fresh with great texture. I just wish there was a little more avocado. The aguachile had that perfect citrusy, spicy kick that makes it addicting. Incredible, and I mean it. Our server also brought out a variety of sauces like chipotle crema, green salsa, red salsa, and sour cream. I added some chipotle sauce to the carne asada fries, which already came with guac and sour cream, and it took it to another level. The portion was huge, especially compared to places charging $20+ for fries. These were around $15 and came with crispy fries, flavorful meat, and a good amount of cheese. The California burrito was $12.99 and really filling with carne asada, fries, and cheese. The tortilla was soft but held everything together well and it hit exactly how a California burrito should. I seriously left with no complaints. The service was amazing, the food exceeded expectations, and this is definitely going into our regular rotation.

    I use to go to the National City location... But I feel like this one is better!…read more Friendly staff and plenty of seats! Food is great! Never had anything I didnt like... Can't go wrong with getting their frescas...

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    Guanatos II Mexican And Seafood - Inside

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    Jamul 23 - 160$ what a steal for king crab, dungenous crab, and lobster!

    Jamul 23

    4.3(48 reviews)
    9.4 mi

    BEST LOBSTER BUFFET! Mother's Day brunch buffet. I booked a reservation a month in advance to…read morecelebrate this special day, as no walk-ins are allowed that day. It's located in a quiet spot, away from the smoky casino on the hotel side. We were told there was a 90-minute limit when we got seated, but we ended up staying there for 2 hours. There were lobster tails, crab legs, mussels, scallops, steaks, sea bass, salmon, and lots of different sides to choose from. Our server was very friendly and attentive. It was such a long 50 minutes drive for us, but it was definitely worth the gas and time!

    I've been here probably 5 times now, and so here is a detailed rundown of if you should spend $60…read moreand up at this buffet. (TLDR, it is worth it if you LOVE seafood... of course.) And shout out to the girl around my age, she was restocking everything almost constantly! She was keeping all the food fresh and flowing!!!! She had on some pretty lashes and she was strong as hell, carrying oyster plates and fruit plates. She saw me loitering by the fruits since I was disappointed that there wasn't any more pineapple and immediately let me know she would grab some more for me. She actually went above and beyond. I wish I got her name! Food: They used to have king/snow crab legs and prime rib, but now it's just dry steak. I could barely choke it down with their ajus. I was actually so excited to try the lamb but it was insanely gamey and almost ruined my appetite. It was so dry and it was like powder on my tongue. I really regret starting my meal off with it. Their prime rib used to be sooo juicy. I was shocked. The lobster, crab, and shrimp cocktail was delicious and fit my palate very well. My family loved their oysters. Plate after plate after plate of oysters and lobster... that's how you do it! The lobster has 2 kinds, fried and grilled. The grilled was surprisingly way more salty than the fried and slightly more rubbery. After 2, I went straight for the fried ones. Crispy, more tender and juicy, and it was like they had infinite lobsters. Each one is cut in half. The shrimp was huge and plump and the crab was pretty good. I tried a few of their side items like the peppers and potatoes, not bad, but not much else. I was there to get my money's worth. The rest of the stuff wasn't restocked as much, like the lumpia, broccoli beef, but i DO WISH I TRIED OUT THE CHILAQUILES BAR. But that's meant to fill you up on the cheap stuff. My mom tried the siete mares but she said it was pretty gross. Super salty, no other flavors. It changed locations and I really prefer the old one more. It was definitely bigger. It is very pretty though, overlooking the hills with ample bar seating. It can get a little packed but nothing crazy. If you go during the morning, you get a better deal. It's definitely worth a mini road trip if you reeeeally like your oysters and lobsters.

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    Jamul 23 - Ambiance

    Ambiance

    Jamul 23 - The softest biscuits

    The softest biscuits

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    Carvery station

    Chef John's Fish & Chips - fishnchips - Updated June 2026

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