We always stop for lunch at IB Hess after the big VW show, Air Cooled Fiesta, and it never disappoints. We live in Alpine and there's Hess up there, too, but they don't have the tacos. ALPINE HESS NEEDS IB's TACOS!! Alpine needs Jasmine, too. She was awesome and the Alpine location could use her smile and energy. My only suggestion for IB is to make sure those little fly propellers are charged every night. Those flies are hella aggressive. read more

Horchata latte and fish tacos and the birra great!! Nice relaxing vibe also love that i can have fish tacos early with the breakfast menu now One con staff is inconsistent sometimes i can order my food and drinks at the coffee area. Sometimes i have to order food at the other side wish they would make up their mind idk ‍ read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

Mike Hess IB is nestled a few steps away from the beach. The sea breeze, ocean smell, while sipping a cold Grapefruit Solis beer on a hot San Diego day, is the way to spend a sunny afternoon. The space is an outdoor restaurant where you go to a walk-up counter to order your tacos and beer. Your drink is given to you upon payment and the wait is generally 5-10 minutes for food, depending on the time and day. The downstairs area is family friendly with cornholes, rows of picnic tables lined up and a fire-pit. Though it's near the beach, the ocean views are obstructed by a building. The upstairs, however, has a better view of the ocean. It is more of a countertop seating area, lined up with stools and it gives you a peek of the ocean. Now let's talk food, because lets' be real, that is why you're reading this review. The Fish Taco, Surf and Turf Taco and Queso Birria are our favorite go to. That first crispy bite of the Fish taco thats covered in chipotle and lime aioli is delightful. The Surf and Turf has the perfect balance of shrimp and beef. The Queso Birria is a decent size that leaves you nice and full and wanting more just because it's that tasty. They also offer a variety beers, including some ciders. They even offer a few cocktails, like a Paloma. The service is a bit inconsistent. Servers bring out your food and that's the last you'll see of them. Since it's a counter service type of spot, I guess it is to be expected. Aside from that, it's a great spot to grab a quick taco and refreshing adult beverage while taking in the ocean breeze. read more

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Amazing fish tacos! The Mike Hess Fish Tacos come with Basa fish topped with shredded cabbage and pico de gallo on a flour tortilla. The chipotle and lime aioli dressing was The Bomb. read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Mike Hess logo on beer bar mat - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

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We went right at opening and it was VERY quick service you pay at the register then sit down with your number, they have a very well stocked salsa bar and I have NEVER had a bad food experience here! The drinks are amazing the also have a selection of local brews on tap, It was kinda hot that day but most of the place is shaded so it felt nice and breezy outside. There was only one server/cashier and she was training the other girl but the trainer was doing her absolute best! Enjoy this alot! read more

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The tacos were cheap and decent, we came here on a random night which happened to be trivia night which was cool. I got the shrimp tacos which were a good portion for the price read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

Decently good place to grab a quick bite, hang out with friends, perfect for large groups, and to get some good beers. It's a pretty large out door area with alot seating for large parties. The tacos were unique fun flavors and just tasted okay. read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Chicali, Crispy Shrimp Taco, Quesi Birria Tapatia, Baja Burger - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

Mike Hess Brewery, Imperial Beach, CA location right by the beach is always a fun hangout. This brewery is outdoors only with enough seating for large groups and heating lamps, fire pits perfect for the chilly nights after the sunsets. We enjoyed their beer "Micheladas," (Mexican beer Bloody Mary) and their IPA beers. You can order delicious tacos with homemade corn tortillas and recommend the following: *Carnitas tacos (pork) *Surf and turf tacos *Mike Hess Fish tacos *Chicali Tacos (steak) *Mexican sweet churros They offer breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30am-11:30am. Bingo is available on certain nights. You can take a walk on the beach afterwards towards Mexico during the day. There are some hotels, shops, restaurants and desserts near Mike Hess. It's very close to the Imperial Beach Pier. We had great service. Check it out when in the area! Happy Yelping :) read more

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We love it here. We don't frequent IB but when we do Mike Hess is a non-negotiable stop for us. Great staff, awesome outdoor seating, lawn games, fire pits, kid and pet friendly.... Can't ask for more! OH! AND the beers and cocktails and super cool coffee cart are super cold and refreshing. WAIT THERES MORE... the tacos * chefs kiss * the food is great. We've never had a bad meal here. Don't miss out. Don't go anywhere else... Mike Hess is a non negotiable stop in IB :) read more

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Come and support this delicious restaurant. Beautiful sounds of the water, fresh food, great drinks, among the hospitality is awesome. Friendly staff will bring a smile to your face. Awesome sunsets. A dream spot that has been around for years. read more

We came to IB just for fun to walk on the pier. We happened to park right in front of this place and decided to give it a try after our walk. We walked in and loved the set up (seat yourself, long shared tables). They had a good selection of drinks, we didn't see anything on the food menu that drew our attention so we didn't get anything to eat. We were looking forward to playing corn hole with our kid, but the bean bags were checked out despite the fact that no one was playing. We enjoyed our drinks by the fire pit. I hope to return some time and not just enjoy this nice patio, but also try some food and play some corn hole. read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Enjoying a drink and relaxing. - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

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Oh, this is a chain also. I don't normally review large chains, but if it's small enough for me to be unsure, then it's probably fair game. Got three tacos. I think it was the ossobucco, Hawaiian chorizo, and fish taco. They......errrr, they're not great. And with how easy it is to get good tacos around here, I don't think this quite passes. Out of the three, I would say the ossobucco was probably the best, between the meat, cilantro, and spicy green salsa. Even then, calling this "osso bucco" is......courageous. The chorizo was alright. The fish taco was probably the worst, slightly chewy fish with iceberg lettuce and tomato. Yum. I would review my drink, but I can't quite remember what I ordered. I can say that it was sour and has not much alcohol in it. read more

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The fish tacos are the bomb! Not over or under cooked, but flavored with love. I can't wait to come back! The guacamole and chips were also nice. Service was friendly and prompt! Open seating area is comfortable, but be aware of sea flies trying to taste these culinary treats! read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Fish tacos with guacamole/chips - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

"I can take you at this register," said the cashier...then, he proceeded to leave to go outside and do some work out there. I stood there, confused. When he FINALLY returned, he stood there-waiting for me to order. Well, I ordered the French Toast (which specifically states on the menu that it comes with MAPLE SYRUP). The mediocre French Toast was served with imitation syrup. When I asked about the Maple Syrup, I was told that "Oh, that's just for marketing." Okay... I also ordered a Breakfast Burrito which was by far the WORST I've ever had! Not only was it filled mostly with eggs, but the French Fries were dry, cold, and tasted old. For the meat, I replaced cthe bacon and sausage for chicken-YUCK! The chicken was undercooked and tasted like rubber. I spat out my Burrito THREE TIMES... I kept hoping for a better bite. The last bite had the distinct taste of "food poisoning," so I was DONE! I tried to get the taste out of my mouth with the "sour, old" tasting OJ. Needless to add: I will NEVER return to eat here... read more

First...such a great collaborative spot with coffee and a huge outdoor seating area! The staff was friendly. The fish tacos were really good! Great beer selection also. read more

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We walked down to Imperial Beach and heard that the locals like to hang out at Mike Hess Brewing of San Diego. Great relaxed environment close to the pier. We went before there was much happening. There was only a sprinkle of folks there. One 4 top had two smiling golden retrievers there. I was told they were regulars. The corn hole game is set up and lights are draped around the patio area. You order at the counter and take a number. However, a really nice fella came over to ask if we wanted any additional items. Very personable and engaging. And of course we ordered more items. BTW-Good luck with your band! I had a glass of rosé. It was a mighty pour and summer was in each sip. The guys had a beer or two. I ordered the Mike Hess Fish Taco and the Tropical Salmon. The tropical salmon did not seem as fresh as the others. However, the Mike Hess Fish Taco was delicious. I ordered a second one because it was so good. My husband's favorite was the spicy shrimp taco and the osso bucco taco. I sampled them and agreed they are worth the chew. I had a side of Frijoles de la Olla which rounded out the meal nicely. So many great salsas and sauces created an added level of tasty fun. We all had a great relaxing time together. read more

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After a long day, our larger family was able to eat and partake in trivia night. Our food was prepared quickly and server was pleasant, despite our later arrival (just before last call for food orders). With the fire pits going, small clusters of patrons enjoyed their food and the music. We ordered the beer flight and I scored the glass to take home. I had two Ossobucco tacos, which were hearty with a tender meat and all the fixings. The kids had tacos, a hot dog, and fish and chips. The adults also ordered a tuna tower and a variety of tacos. The prices are reasonable - we just yearned for them to stay open a bit longer. read more

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Had a great experience here and it keeps getting better every time we come back. Esther and Jessica are always on it. Super attentive, quick, and you can tell they really care about making sure everything runs smooth. They've honestly become people we look forward to seeing when we come in. They take care of everyone the right way and keep the energy up without it ever feeling forced. Shoutout to Mike Hess as well for putting together a solid team and overall great experience. Good service, good vibes, and just consistently a place we enjoy coming back to because of them. read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

This place is a go-to for me -- I'm here a few times every month, whether it's with family or meeting up with friends. The beer is great, the tacos are seriously delicious (my favorite is the crunchy shrimp!), and the atmosphere is always a good time. I also really like that you can order individually and keep your own tab -- it makes it super easy to just pay for your own stuff without having to split a bill. It's also a great spot for families since there's enough space for kids to run around a bit. The only downside is the ordering setup can be confusing. Sometimes there are servers, and other times you have to get up and order at the counter -- and on those days, the line can get really long. It's especially confusing if you're new, and even as a regular I'm not always sure what to expect. That said, I keep coming back, all of the time, because the food, drinks, and vibe are worth it. read more

Stopped in early afternoon for some tacos--and of course a beer. The vibe is super cool, with outdoor seating right by the beach, making it a great place to relax. The beer was solid, the food was delicious--what more could you ask for? Definitely a perfect spot to hang out with friends! read more

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Omg this place is 10/10 the food was delicious. The service was great the girls are very friendly. And the area is huge and clean. I recommend my friends and family to come . read more

Great food and beer with a great view. Walking distance to petco for a great pre game meal and drinks

by far my favorite restaurant in IB! Always consistent, always friendly, and fast service. I switch off between the tacos depending on what I'm feeling, but every single taco I've tried has been amazing. The birria is by far my favorite! 1 order comes with 2 tacos, so in this picture, we accidentally ordered 7 (3 for me, 4 for the other person) and left with 14 tacos Not complaining Can get busy on the weekends! If you don't mind a more relax, casual spot, this is it! read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

Very dis appointed in food. Also service is not like it was couple years ago on our visit. Outdoor patio is nice. About it. For the price, it was very disappointing . read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Swimming in canned cheese. Not very pleased with food . Service from couple years ago has dropped to terrible. - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

Large restaurant with tons of outside seating a block from the beach. You order at the counter and they'll bring your food to your table. We ordered the fish, crunchy shrink, and spicy shrimp tacos. They were all good and loaded with toppings therefore more filling than they look. I really like the fluffy soft flour tortillas that they use. Tastes freshly made! read more

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This place was absolutely amazing. The staff was unbelievable. They were absolutely amazing. And the food was amazing as well. And the coffee. Was absolutely amazing. I hope to come back for the Hessfeast in August. I highly recommend this place. You wouldn't be disappointed. read more

Awesome as always. This is a must stop destination when visiting IB. Great selection of beers and the line cider blueberry pomegranate was amazing. Go. read more

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Wow, apparently it's been a while since I updated this, so here I go... Top quality craft beer choices. And for N/A, they have absolutely the best root beer, which they brew themselves. Reminds me of the A&W from when I was a kid. Favorite craft beer is AFP. For a south of the border style, there's a nice and light "Lager del Sur" and a grapefruit inspire tasty one, "Grapefruit Solis The food...a collaboration with Quiero Tacos. Besides the usual suspects with tacos, they rotate a special food item every month or so. Also several breakfast options before noon on the weekends. Choice quality stuff. LOVE osobuco (shank meat), and a delicious bean/pulled pork style concoction (charros frijoes) and fabulous, on site sauces. Favorite? Serrano, north of medium on the scoville scale. For the bold person, you can ask for "Habanero" which they keep locked up...very spicy... Very friendly staff, both for beers AND food. Additionally Mike Hess participates in a few charities such as oncology for children, and some benefits for our Vets. His annual "HessFest" is a must do event, benefiting the aforementioned charities, several bands, and a variety of food stands, right next to the IB Pier, every August read more

I didn't order food here just a strawberry lemonade! It was frozen slushy. Visit 12/10/24 Love the location. The seaport village is a beautiful one stop spot for San Diego Visitors. The bartender/cashier was nice. He made sure I stayed connected with my crowd when we all split. My teammates ordered lunch here. The tacos and chips looked yummy! They all seemed to enjoy their food read more

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Superb tacos and superb beer. First time visiting this location but I would say that the open concept by the beach is perfect on sunny days. It will get a little cold even with the space heaters so if you're staying past sunset bring something warm. Staff seemed to be very connected to the customers and were mingling and having a good time. As a visitor I could feel the strong local energy here and would definitely stop by when I'm around next time! read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Fish taco and Ossobucco - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

One of the best fish tacos I've ever had...tortilla was warm and had a little crunch, while the fish was battered and deep fried to be light & airy with a perfect crispy coating. The dressing and cabbage were also just the right amount with creamy flavor. We went back another night before we had to head home to the Bay. Wish they'd open up a spot in the Bay Area too! read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - 3 Fish Tacos and 1 Surf & Turf...all delicious! - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

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Got a taco and beers here well the Carne asada taco was Drowning In juice seriously wtf? It's an ok spot by the pier I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

6/26/26 2 visits a week apart, twice they forget to bring us items from our order. The first time they said they'd issue a refund and never did. Refund just never came. Second time she couldn't find my closed tab to be able to refund me the money. SOL. read more

I came here for a work event on a Friday around noon. I love that you can order coffee or beer at the bar because I was certainly in a coffee mood however, a lot of my coworkers opted for the beer. You order the tacos a La carte so you can try a couple if you want. Service is quick you order at the counter and then they bring the food out to your table. The vibe is great. They have plenty of seating and games for kids to play and it's a really nice atmosphere. read more

I love the location of this unique beer garden in Imperial Beach, CA. They have a fantastic choice of tacos and of course, the fish tacos are outstanding. The choice of beers don't disappoint either and the prices are reasonable. I always visit when in Imperial Beach. Service is good! read more

If you like Tex Mex, this is your spot, if you like seasoned food, keep it movin'. So bummed, this use to be a fav ! Maybe they forgot to order salt in their last restaurant depot order? read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Basic Birria - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

Good tacos. So good been there twice in 2 nights in a row. 2 persons. Plenty of food. Night 1 $30 1 Crispy Shrimp 1 MH Fish 1 Surf & Turf 1 Holy-Viche. Came in a cup with good chips. Night 2 didn't do the viche again, it was good but didn't feel the need to repeat. $30 1 Crispy Shrimp 1 MH Fish 2 Surf & Turf 1 iced Tea Order at the kiosk. If you want water, you also need to ask for it then and there. They hand you a number. Self serve salsa bar has a red, green, onions, cilantro, and a few other options. Nothing to fret. Utensils are also there. Take a seat. Oh, when they flip the screen be ready for it starting at 18%. There is the "other" option. Amd on to-go orders you need to grab your own napkins. Pro tip - don't eat at the tables by the stairs up to the 2nd deck. The flies will kill you. read more

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i need to do shout out for Jess or Jessica.. i took my wife ouf for lunch/drinks today 6/9/2026.. and i cant be more happy with the service! food 10/10, drinks 10/10!! service from jess 100/10! she treat us like VIP guest! i'll be sending friends and family to mike hess ib! just to meet jess! mike hess! jess is a rockstar! not an usual reviewer but i had to jump in here and leave my review for this girl! thank you jess for everything! read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - best espresso martinis in IB! - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

Since I don't drink I can't rate this place based on that. But I did try a couple of their veganized tacos. The portobello playero and the portside zucchini. Very tasty! Not bad, but a little pricey. read more

Birria tacos are 0/10 and shrimp tacos 0/10 Quality has gone down. Which is usual for a business once they get popular. Food has downgraded forsure . read more

Mike Hess Brewing - Imperial Beach - Breweries Near Me - Imperial Beach, California