Stopped by on a beautiful May Grey day and ordered the Explodo dog after I found out it had all that kimchi in it. It did not at all disappoint. Wanted to get Russian River's Funky Foeder, but there were out so at least they had Chula Vista Brewing's Super Juice. Knew I wanted a sour to wash it all down. My fiancé ordered the Fuego dog which he said was hella spicy, just the right amount of jalapeños. He followed it up with Russian River's Velvet Glow. It was surprisingly nice and the weather wasn't all that bad so we even got another round of drinks and a pickle. All in all, a great spot. Will be coming back! read more

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Update to Dennis the rude owner: Instead of acknowledging a legitimate customer concern, you chose to be dismissive and defensive. That's not customer service--it's a refusal to take accountability. A business owner sets the tone for their organization, and your response reflects poorly on both you and your company. Customers don't expect perfection, but they do expect professionalism and respect. Unfortunately, your reply demonstrated neither. If your intention was to show that customer feedback doesn't matter, you've succeeded. I hope you reconsider how you communicate with customers in the future because this type of response damages trust far more than the original complaint ever could. Very bad customer service. Workers just stare at you and expect you to know they do last call 30 mins before closing when the door is wide open and the neon open sign is still on at 7:30 you expect there still to be service instead you are met with a very rude lady. Second time in one weekend I was meet with a very rude worker at this place. Good luck getting something you want here without attitude read more

Beautiful views and decent hot dogs, definitely more catered to beer lovers. I absolutely adore this little shacks vibe. The decor and interior is AMAZING. Somewhere I could sit inside and feel so cozy. We ordered the pretzel, Explodo Dog and Chili Dog! Both of which came out decently fast. We did not get beer, since my fiancee is sober and I am not a beer drinker. But I do think this is THE place to go if your looking for cool beers on tap. I have never seen Pliny the Elder in the wild on tap before. We got our dogs and sat outside to enjoy the bag view. It was stunning! My Explodo dog was so good! I loved the kimchi on top, it was fresh spicy and delicious. The snap of the dog was delicious too! My fiancees chili dog was good, but nothing to write home about. The pretzel was dry and gross, id avoid. Overall if your craving a beer and dog, this is the place to go. But if your not a beer fan? Maybe look elsewhere. read more

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Literally the best beer menu! Great staff and location, i always stop by when I can for a beer and a hot dog to enjoy the best view in San Diego. The food menu is limited but I'd rather eat at a place with a smaller menu where everything is delicious than a large menu where everything is mediocre. read more

This place is a mandatory stop if you are in Point Loma. Their hot dogs and sausages are delicious and they have many unique beers on tap such as Russian River Brewings Pliny The Elder! I would have included a photo of their Explodo Dog, but it look too delicious to wait. read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Beer with a view - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

Incredible location with both indoor & outdoor seating. Friendly staff with fast service. And sn epic tap list! Nothing better than drinking a Pliny while relaxing on the bay! read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Menu - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

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Honestly, this Is probably my favorite spot in San Diego now. I just discovered Fathom on 5/17/2026. My fiancé surprised me by choosing that spot and knowing that I love hot dogs, it made it special. The service was outstanding, and the staff was so chill. The scenery is obviously chill specially on a cloudy day! Honestly cannot wait to go back!!!!!!!! read more

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Great little bait, beer, and sandwich shop right on the pier! We were staying at a nearby hotel, and my teenage son wanted to go fishing, so we rode our bikes over and picked up some frozen squid for bait. They had an awesome selection of local beers on draft, and it made for the perfect afternoon....enjoying a drink while my son fished nearby. You do have to keep beverages in the designated area, but we could still clearly see him a few hundred feet away casting his line. The pier had fishermen/women of all ages, a few families, and it felt like more of a local spot than a tourist attraction, which we really liked. We didn't try the food this time, but they had hot dogs, burgers, and other casual sandwich food options available. We'll definitely be back next time we visit to see what's on tap! read more

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I needed to feed the soul today so the obvious thing to do was to come here. This place will forever be my favorite place in San Diego to enjoy a bite and brew! Fathom is my ultimate favorite view-; PL peninsula, the bay, the city... the trees and birds... the diverse demographic just exploring, thinking, fishing...embracing the breeze and oceanic vibes...its so peaceful, even with all the activity on the water. It's definitely dog friendly, but it IS located on a fishing pier so just be aware and safe if you go out on the pier away from the Fathom patio (which is a patio protected by a pirate, phew, no danger gets past him!)... Pro-tip: There is a lot of wildlife in Shelter Island so maybe leave reactive pups at home for this adventure? Ducks, squirrels, thousands of bird species and marine animals need to enjoy their peace too...and you certainly don't need your arm ripped out of the socket by the force of your dog's excitement lol! The abundant draft beer selection is top notch (Russian River options, amongst the many- even Non-Alcoholic beer for folks like me)...best selection in town! They serve a lot of handhelds. This. Is. Brilliant. While one hand holds food (you won't want to set anything down between bites), you can use the other hand to take pics of vessels on the bay rolling in and out, jets taking off from Coronado, sea lions, annoying selfies... your beer, a fishing pole... The lumpia (I think family recipe?) is a huge portion, perfect to share or destroy on a solo mission! They make their own sausages, each served between the buns; the chicken pot pie sausage is my favorite! The hot dogs are served in flavorful, creative variations. One has mustard, bacon; jack cheese and home made kimchi (The Explodo)... seriously, have you ever heard of that or an opportunity to try that? I order it without the bacon and it's delicious! I crave their loco moco, like daily... We ordered one of everything on the menu to share so my friends could try everything during their visit- but the pics are my top faves! The staff and owner foster a terrific place for us to kick back, catch up with friends, and enjoy being on the water with the ocean breeze! Don't miss an opportunity to embrace all of the charm that Fathom offers! This was a cool segment by San Diego Magazine: https://sandiegomagazine.com/watch/sdms-guide-to-san-diego-food/san-diegos-best-restaurants-fathom-bistro-bait-tackle/ read more

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Fathom Bistro is a hidden San Diego gem, no doubt. It's a bit off the radar if you're not in the local know but this is literally my favorite place for brunch in all of San Diego where the rose-all-day-instagram-brunch scene otherwise reigns. Dennis runs a tight little ship, the place is super clean, the food is excellent, and the beer list is legendary (especially by today's standards of craft beer lists).Get the Loco Moco, my husband highly recommends the curry gravy version but both versions are great -- the hand ground burger patty makes it. My personal favorite is the Spam & eggs, a large shareable portion. The other food is great too, husband loves the brat, I favor the burger, and my son loves the Explodo dog. Go, grab a seat and while away the morning or afternoon. People catch interesting things on the fishing pier, we saw someone pull in a little octopus once! Boats large and small bob by all day. Birds circle but do not encroach. It is a scene. It's the kind of place that it makes you happy to know exists. read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

Such a great beer selection! I love coming for brunch menu on the weekends and paring my loco loco (curry sauce option) with a local beer on tap. Also enjoy watching the locals fish off the pier while I eat. read more

Hidden gem in San Diego! Stopped by Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle and was seriously impressed. I ordered the gyro burger and it was next level -- juicy, perfectly seasoned, and packed with flavor. Easily one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. The vibe of the place is super relaxed and welcoming. It's the kind of spot where you can just chill, grab a bite, and enjoy the atmosphere without feeling rushed. Great food, great energy, and a perfect place to unwind. Definitely coming back -- highly recommend checking it out if you're in San Diego. read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Gyro Burger - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

A very unique place. A tackle shop on the pier, that also happens to have a great beer list with lots of local options and fantastic sausages and burgers. Service was quick and friendly, a fun and interesting place to visit. read more

Great location on the San Diego bay channel. Average food, no seafood besides a poor boy sandwich . Good beer selection . Come for a beer and views read more

One of our favorite places in the city. Great beer. Cool deep sea vibe. Can't beat the views. Our kids love the lumpia, beignets and adjacent playground. Don't miss the Japanese curry! Nice people working there - and we always meet good people hanging out. Support local. read more

We love this place. We bring our tourist friends here right off the plane. Amazing views that can't be beat. The food is good. The Lumpia make a perfect little smack to share. Great beer selection.The vibe and attitude are always cool. I once saw the guy run out of the bar to help someone reel in a fish! Love it here. read more

Really wanted to like this place more than I did. Decent parking, not too crowded even on a summer weekend and great views, obviously. Solid beer list. We were told our burgers would be done in 12-15 minutes. Not too bad for made to order food. It turned out that most of this time was to allow our burgers to be over-cooked...as in well done and actually a little flavorless besides the outer char! I'm a medium rare guy, so this was a no-go for me. Our group agreed that a burger is medium unless otherwise specified. I eat very few burgers, so I need to try to specify doneness from now on. But I also don't want to be difficult. Considering the other good reviews here, this was a surprising error. Too bad- the burgers looked to be hand formed and about 1/3 pound. Even though our burgers were $15+, no fries or any other sides were included or available, save for a $2 bag of chips- no thanks. This is unusual. Perhaps they don't have a fryer? They could easily drop a handful of chips or some bag salad on the side and even add $1 to the prices to cover it. I get that pricing is up due to COVID and new minimum wage, but I don't feel like we got good value. read more

Always a great spot. Interesting choices; GREAT beer. A must go to sport when I'm in SD.

This place is has a lovely view of the harbor as well as downtown and all beyond San Diego. The food was delicious, everything was balanced and fresh! Service took a while but everything is made with care. The only downside is that we were still hungry after our meal. I think if we had a beer on their menu we would totally be full because it usually pairs well but we opted out to be a little healthy. Something to consider next time! read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Wedge Salad and Baja Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

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Consistently best draft list in SD - not just American styles but Belgian and German selections as well. And these guys actually clean their draft lines too - your lager won't taste like last month's raspberry sour! Solid food menu and killer weekend brunch menu as well. Great views, great vibes and great staff make this our city's top 5 spots to get a beer and some food. read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle is a special oasis on Shelter Island in San Diego. I've been coming here since 2017 when it was just a wee Tackle Shop. Always friendly service and I love the theme and vibes for old seamen and fishermen. Nothing beats their sausages and dogs, along with the dogs that cruise in for snacks. Badass beer selection to boot! This is considered real life buried treasure - run, don't walk! read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Front Entrance of one of the coolest places on Earth! - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

(UPDATE : Hello Dennis. You're right I should have gone directly to the manager. Thanks for the encouragement to do that next time and I will. Regarding the sauerkraut and mushroom comment, I realize what I'm talking about was chopped red cabbage and grilled onions instead of mushrooms. I feel like you're response may have been a bit harsh but obviously you thought my review was. I hope the feedback was helpful as you've got a nice place there. Best wishes to you) ----- I wanted to love this place. We were here in the area for an overnight getaway and someone recommended it. And the reviews looked great. Definitely the kind of vibe our family enjoys. The positives are that it was a really nice view there on the pier. And the service was good. Miggs was very friendly and helpful. However, and I am not a picky eater, and neither are my family, but the food was really disappointing. You could tell that it was fresh ingredients but it was all flavorless or overcooked. The lumpia looked like it had nice ingredients but it had no flavor. The bierwurst sausage was dry and flavorless and overcooked... the sauerkraut and mushrooms on top lookedgreat but just tasted burnt and again had no flavor. The exploded dog was pretty good... Maybe a 7 out of 10... but the hot dog inside tasted like it had been cooked earlier and reheated... kind of had that shriveled charred look on the outside as if that's what had happened. The Greek dog sounded great but it had one thin slice of gyro that was also dry and overcooked. Again, wanted to love this place but was really disappointed. I guess the one food highlight was one of us ordered the pulled pork sandwich and that was decent. And to the owners, I'm sorry to post this here, but my wife wouldn't let me go to the counter to tell you... honestly based on all the good reviews, I almost wonder if there's maybe a new chef or something that just hasn't figured out the seasoning and cooking times... read more

Great little place on the water. Good beer, good food, wonderful view and fun decor. I always make a point of going here when I am in San Diego. read more

I frequent this cozy little pier often because I like to go fishing here sometimes. They have a wide array of beers on tap and sell some quick bites. However, their hot dogs are tiny! You can finish it in 4 bites. I wish they did a little more with their hot dogs such as a bigger toasted bun or added some type of side to make the meal more filling. I think next time I get food here I would probably opt for something else. The service was awesome though and the vibes are immaculate with the view of downtown SD. Plenty of seating as well. read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

They have a great view. Anything Al fresco is a winner in my book. Try the local IPAs if you have a chance.

My boyfriend has been very eager to show me this place. He really enjoyed going here and I must say, it's pretty good for what it is. I didn't order anything but chicken lumpia ($9), and personally thought it's a good amount for the price and it wasn't that bad! I'm Filipino and I thought it was pretty good. There were only two staff members working when I visited, but they managed to serve the food in a reasonable amount of time. Yes, I only ordered 1 food lol but still pretty good! I can't wait to come back and try their hot dogs! This spot is located right on the pier, which is a popular area for fishing, so I feel like some days will be crowded. Lots of locals & tourists in the area! A pretty sweet spot to get a beer! read more

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Fathom Bistro bait & tackle is a lovely spot on Shelter Island offering ice cold draft beers on tap and a whole menu of gourmet food ranging from sausages, burgers, and there famous Loco moco! I decided to come here after a morning run to enjoy some great beer and food, and that's exactly what I got! Fathom is located on the fishing pier off Shelter Island, where you can see many fishermen cast their lines praying for their next big catch. As we enter inside, we notice a beautiful colorful menu of the draft beers on tap and a sign informing us that the menu does change. A good friend recommended the Pliny Elder, which is an IPA by Russian River, and is 8% ABV. I also went ahead and ordered the Loco moco with Japanese curry. The seating arrangements are open, and they have plenty of chairs and tables alongside the pier to enjoy your time in the great outdoors and, most of all, soak up that fine San Diego Sun! The beer was yet crisp and smooth and very flavorful and ice cold. On the other hand, the Loco moco was looking magnificent and stellar. The beef patty was hand formed and grilled to perfection, releasing all juicyness from the fat and protein inside the patty. It was nestled upon a lightly scrambled fluffy egg laying over a bed of white rice. The star of the show was the Japanese curry smothered along top of the beef patty all the way down to eggs and rice. I really enjoyed combining all 3 ingredients together and taking a super bite while washing it down with my scrumptious IPA. Customer service was second to none and provided service with a huge generous smile! The staff seemed to enjoy working here, and their pride could definitely be seen while entering this fine establishment. Please come check this place out for their amazing breakfast plates and lunch specials, but most of all, there variety for draft beers on the tap they offer because I guarantee this place will not disappoint! read more

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Great selection of microbrew on tap, including snacks and munchies. Cool vibe, in this Shelter Island shack. The location is ideal for boat watching and fishing. Service is fast and friendly. read more

Great lumpia and pulled pork sandwich with kimchi. Nice seating area. Weather can be cold bring a sweater.

A must while in San Diego, sit and people watch outside on the mosaics table. Migs behind the counter was so amazing in taking care of us. We had to try the Loco Moco with Japanese Curry Sauce. A large Hamburger patty hand made on top of a delicious fluffy scrambled egg atop white rice all covered in this rich curry sauce. Had a little cal pinser and enjoyed the sunshine and fisherman. They have a small intimate tables and counters inside and tables on the patio read more

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I dropped my brother off at the airport and didn't want to deal with rush hour traffic. I felt like getting food at a place away from said traffic and remembered this gem of a spot on Shelter Island. I haven't eaten here in a long time, so it was nice to be back to enjoy the indoor and outdoor ambience while I waited for my order (takeout). The lady who helped me was really nice and honest, telling me my order would take about 15 minutes to prepare, which was not a problem. There's lots to look at here from the nautical decor to the calmness of San Diego Bay. Great place to eat for locals and visitors alike. No alcohol for me today, but they have a wide selection of beer. I ordered the Bratwurst for myself and the Spicy Italian sausage for my boyfriend, who was at home. Our food was still hot by the time I got there and we enjoyed our meal very much. We'll eat there next time! I look forward to trying their other menu items. read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Haha - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

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Short review: This is the place you recommend for someone that you dislike and they want a burger. Long review: I was curious about this place since it seems to be at great location and it happened to have a high rating so I thought there was no way this couldn't be terrible. I also didn't see any pictures of burgers here, even though it has its own section, especially since they have their own burger called "Fathom Burger" so it must be unique. Asking the staff what they recommended for my burger but he kept ignoring me and just kept saying "what you want?". I ended up ordering it with double patty and provolone cheese and a bag of chips since he wouldn't recommend anything. When it was finished and he handed me the burger, he couldn't even look at me in the face when he delivered this monstrosity. I was so confused when I looked at it but after examining it, they gave me a fucking hotdog bun for a double cheese burger and I thought he forgot the top bun but no, it was just one hotdog bun at the bottom. I even put the other half on top to see if it would be good at all but this thing looked like hot garbage. Also they must have dropped the burger patties into a tub of salt cause god damn that shit was so salty. I would rather eat a mcdonalds burger thats been left in the fridge for 2 weeks. They didn't make the chips so that was alright. Would not recommend this place unless I hated them. Their hotdogs might be better but I wouldn't even risk it here. Decor is cute though. read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Gross ass burger on a hot dog bun - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

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All the beer lovers know about Fathom, but the average out-of-townie or even local San Diegan might not have even heard of Fathom which sits on a quiet fisherman's pier in Shelter Island. Do mind the parking lot when you seek this spot out as there are signs that warn against reversed parking (even though this is the safest way to park, imo). Fathom operates the bistro and a small bait and tackle store next door. The bistro, serving the food and beer, be as quant as can be one with maybe two 6-seaters inside and the remaining tables outside on the pier. Order inside from the small window where an often surly worker will assist you right and quick. Their specialty be that classic sausage/ brat and hotdog and 20 taps often occupied primarily by IPA's. Honestly, I've never eaten their food, haha; only popped in for them easy pickings of PTY during that annual tapping (limit 2 16oz pours). Views are always outstanding outside, staring out into the bay to watch the boats rumble by or simply to snoop on the fisher people's happenings. I reckon this could also be the perfect sunset party out on the pier to drink in all the classic SD sights. Whatever the reason for your visit ends up being, know that you won't be disappointed at this no frills unique SD eatery. read more

Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle - Hot Dogs Near Me - San Diego, California

There's no judgment when I get a beer and a plain hotdog. I love the consistency and the friendliness. In all seriousness, it's a little gem of excellence in food and service. My only complaint is that I wish they were open more often. read more

This is my happy place. Awesome beer collection, fun house made sausages, and the most unsuspecting yet delicious burger around. Keep meaning to checkout weekend brunch, but I like sleep. Their outdoor tables are the perfect place to watch the sunset with a cold beer in hand, good company, and playing some games. Watch out for the one table with an umbrella hole if you do though, lost many a game pieces to that hole. People watching is top notch and it's always fun to see an enthusiastic fisherman reel in a catch. Staff is chill, place is mellow. It's my fave place to go every time I'm in town. read more

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Best place in San Diego to enjoy a beer. One of the things that makes this place enjoyable is that it is small, not a large chain, the owner tells the jerks to not come back, giving us regulars a place to sit. Amazing view! Great beer!! Good people read more

Spam plate was delicious and location was unbeatable. Staff was very kind. We were shocked and delighted to be able to buy a 2xl shirt from their merch. read more

This place is as amazing as it's name. It's got a vibe like Cheers but with vintage sea nostalgia. A 1965 James Bond aquatic themed movie played on the TV while the sun set across the bay behind San Diego's downtown. A regular said it's one of the best beer menus in the city. I had an delicious lambic beer bursting with cherries. I can't wait to go back! read more

Beer...dogs...ocean...what more could you even want (well...it was a little cool out so more sun would have made it 11/10) Great Bartender...and will definitely be back. read more

I like the place. I really like the eclectic music. Not a fan of the fact that there is no bathroom. The food is great. The craft beer selection is great. The service is kinda weird. The white guy who was behind the counter just gave us a blank stare when we arrived. Overall, though, I recommend this spot. read more