Hands-down the best seafood and fish taco place in San Diego! A must order is the Taco Especial with smoked fish, shrimp, scallops, tomato, cilantro, onion, melted cheese and avocado. I highly recommend pairing this with the chipotle sauce, which is offered along with all of the other sauces. The Battered Fish Taco and Tuna Ceviche Tostada is also a must. Every time I have visitors to San Diego and they want authentic Mexican Food I take them to Oscar's. I won't eat my fish tacos anywhere else! This place is definitely a local establishment. Note that parking is tight in the parking lot, but you can also park on the street around the corner. The food is worth the search for a spot if the lot is full. This eatery is legit! read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Taco Especial - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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Oscar's came highly recommended by a bunch of SD locals. I've been here three times and it hits every time. Some highlights: -Mixto Ceviche: ceviche with shrimp and fish. Comes in a personal sized cup and can be shared as a group or as part of your entree. -Grilled Octopus/Pulpo Taco: I'm always a little hesitant about grilled octopus because it's hard to prepare and can end up being really chewy. It was grilled perfectly here! The chunks were big enough so you get the squid flavor. It also comes with a sweet/spicy sauce which was unexpected but really yummy. -Battered Fish Taco: my favorite dish! Huge flaky piece of fish that's fried really well. Not too much rough and you can really taste the fish. -Chips and Guac: fresh made guac! Get it as a side order and you can add to your tacos too. It can get really busy here. Our food took longer than expected and you have to wait around for a table too. Parking lot can be a hit or miss. Try to come during off hours! read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Grilled Octopus Taco (Pulpo) + Battered Fish Taco - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food is great! I ordered the battered shrimp and fish taco, as well as the octopus (pulpo) taco. I CANT STOP SAYING IN MY HEAD "OH MY GOD THIS IS SOOOO GOOD!" because it is... I was dining alone so I couldn't really express myself. I also ordered the pineapple spinach agua Fresca. Very refreshing and surprisingly really good. I was hesitant to order pineapple with spinach?! But when I tried it, I loved it right away. Service is quick. I came on a Saturday night and it was packed. People come and go and spot the next group of people who's leaving so you can get your own table. Tables can be left a little dirty but I didn't really care about it. Anyway, check this place out! I'll be coming back for the ceviche next time! read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Battered Fish Taco, Battered Shrimp Taco, Grilled Octopus Taco (Pulpo), pineapple spinach agua fresca - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Fish tacos are a San Diego staple, and Oscars is said to be the best restaurant for them. Grilled Fish Taco: Best of the meal. The fish was grilled to tender, paired with smooth avocado puree and fresh salsa--a rich and satisfying bite. But! The biggest surprise is the tortilla--it was on the softer side, yet surprisingly chewy. Smoked Fish Taco: A classic and San Diego signature dish. The fish was shredded into small pieces, giving it a smoky flavor and a slightly dry texture. The taste was nice, but you don't really feel the meat in bites, so it was slightly less impressive. Fish Ceviche: Marinated in lemon juice, the proteins denatured, making the fish appear white and fully cooked, but it still had a firm, raw texture. Completely different from other raw fish ceviche I've had. But! Incredibly tangy!!! The first bite was so tangy it was almost painful; it was only after being served as tapas with tostadas that I gradually got used to it. Lemon juice, tomato, and onion--it was easy to imagine the refreshing taste, while the rich aroma of avocado nicely balanced the harshness. Shrimp Ceviche: The shrimp appeared to be cooked; they weren't large but were quite fresh, with firm and tender meat. See above for other details. The restaurant is located in a small food court, with very limited parking and seating. It may be inconvenient for groups of four or more to dine in. read more

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First time trying Oscar's, which came highly recommended by a friend. We just wanted takeout so I was happy to see they offer online ordering for pickup. I ordered 2 battered fish taco and selected 3 salsa options (pink, green, red), but I think only the red was included + white sauce (not sure what it is). This made me wonder why asked customer to select if they aren't actually gonna include it. If that's the case, it should be made clear at pickup so customers know to pack it themselves, especially for first-time customer like me. Fish taco wasn't as crispy as expected (unlike kiko's) and would probably taste better if it comes with the salsa sauce. I also got ceviche mixto to try both fish and shrimp, but honestly the fish was the highlight. I actually put in the note to request more fish ratio than shrimp, but i instead received more shrimp than fish. Next time I'd just order the fish ceviche on its own. Food is ok in general, but the online ordering experience definitely left a bad taste in my mouth read more

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Stopped by here for a quick snack of one fish taco because it was later in the afternoon and I had dinner plans. Well I should've canceled dinner plans and just eaten five more beer battered fish tacos at Oscars! It was so so delicious, a large, hearty fish portion, and everything was seasoned so well, including the pico de gallo and the sauces that you can add on the side. Must try! read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Free soup! They gave us all a cup of "fish broth" which I sipped for a bit until realizing there were nice chunks of fresh fish at the bottom. The seafood salad was amazing and an amazing value too. Tacos, super fresh. read more

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We came here before arriving to our hotel. It was quite busy at 1:30pm on a Friday. We ordered their Shrimp Ceviche, which was so fresh. Delicious! We also got the Spicy Shrimp Taco and the Taco Especial. I think it did lack a bit of flavor, but still, a better taco than you can expect in other cities. The service is a bit slow, so if you're in a rush, make note of that. Enough indoor and outdoor seating. read more

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My must-have in San Diego was fish tacos. My companion's friend recommended Oscars Mexican Seafood for just that. We came on a weekday during lunchtime. It wasn't busy, and we snagged a table outside, since I had my pup. Companion did the ordering, but the inside isn't too big and super casual. You order and pay at the front, and they bring your food out or call you. There's self-serve salsa and utensils. Service was kind and efficient. First off, they provided a complimentary consomeé. It was hearty and warm! We also got chips which were crispy. For tacos, we got the Battered Fish, Battered Shrimp, and Grilled Octopus Taco. My favorite was the Battered Shrimp. It had a nice flavor, a lighter breading, and was tasty. The fish was fine but not outstanding. The octopus was great! It was my first time having an octopus taco, and I enjoyed its chewy texture. I'd say you need to add salsa, because without it, there's not much seasoning or flavor. The tacos themselves are bigger than a typical street taco and hold well. I wasn't blown away by any taco, but it was good. If you're a visitor or local to San Diego, a visit to Oscar's Mexican Seafood would be fun if you like seafood tacos. But if you're not a fan, I'd say pass. This is one of their two locations off University Ave. with free parking in the shopping plaza out front. read more

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Great fish/shrimp tacos but the meats and seafood were a bit overcooked Wish they had like a salsa verde - most were crema The scallop ceviche was the best thing ever read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Been to this location a few times now! Service is a bit on the slower side. Complimentary fish stew is always nice! 4 of us ordered: battered fish taco $3.50 in a flour tortilla $1.50 surf and turf taco $7 ea atun adobado $8 (pineapple and al pastor) taco especial $8.25 ea smoked fish taco $7 ea mixed ceviche (fish and shrimp) $9 Some seating inside and outside. I personally ate the fish taco as a burrito, taco especial, and surf and turf. They are always loaded with good flavors! Could definitely be seen on the pricier side. Limited street parking. read more

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Absolutely fantastic food! Easily the best Mexican seafood I have ever had. I am someone who loves Mexican food and loves seafood, and I have tried many Mexican seafood places. This is by far the best. The ceviches are delicious! read more

Every time I go to Oscar's it just gets better and better. The shrimp & chorizo taco might be one of the best tacos I have ever had. I'm serious. Shrimp & chorizo is a match made in Heaven. Lemon & Lime, Paul & John, PB & J can all take a backseat to the flavorful chorizo dancing around the fresh prawns. Service is funny and was ribbing me about asking for no cheese. One time they gave out complimentary soup. Just nice and generous staff. It's clean inside and they have a tv to watch World Cup games which a bunch of people were. If you are doing a taco tour of SD, Oscar's is a must stop. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Shrimp & Chorizo Taco with no Cheese - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Exceeded my expectations as a novice San Diego seafood eater, which was recommended by a local friend! Food: Battered fish tacos were well seasoned and fresh salsa toppings to tie the flavors. We enjoyed the battered fish over the shrimp taco which was our overall favorite. The skirt steak taco was good, but bless your taste buds and choose the seafood options. I wanted elote some street corn after the beach to beat my craving. It was super crunchy topped with my liking of just chili and lime which hit the spot. Also, the employee was so kind with his benevolent act of generosity and gave our table fish stew samples. Unexpectedly the portion was a whole cup, I was beyond delighted with the chunks of white fish, earthy veggies and nourishing tasteful broth. It was warmly comforting which I would grab a bowl next time !! I appreciate the variety of seafood dishes to appease all parties Service: Uttermost stellar hospitality and thoughtful service to our group. Treated us with care to ensure we had a lovely dinner Ambiance: Good decor with wood and chromatic metal look. Everything was clean and well kept! Overall: Will visit again for battered fish tacos and stew! read more

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I can't wait to go again!! Oscar's was amazing, best seafood tacos I've tried. The restaurant is a bit small and had limited seating, so we ended up eating outside, but it was a beautiful day. I tried the tacos especial (fish, shrimp, scallops) and grilled octopus and they were both amazing! I would get 2 tacos or 3 if you're really hungry. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Taco Especial, Grilled Octopus Taco - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

I was somewhat in the area and craving a good fish taco and stumbled upon Oscars. The parking lot is very small and fortunately I was able to get the last spot. The restaurant itself is not big with very limited seating but fortunately only one other party was there at the time. Ordering is done at the register and orders are brought to the table. Unfortunately, I do not remember exactly what tacos were ordered since ordering was a bit sporadic based on what sounded good on the menu. Once the tacos came, everything looked good and tasted even better. The seafood in each taco was very fresh and the avocado slices on top were just as fresh. The salsa was also very good and complemented each taco very well. If I am ever in the area, I definitely would want to go back to Oscars Mexican Seafood. My only tip for others is to hide any valuables in your car since I did see a few sketchy people walk by the parking lot while I was dining. The next time I visit, I will make sure to make note of which tacos I order! read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Tacos - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Not super busy on a Wednesday evening. The store isn't super big so it could be harder to find seating when it's busy, but luckily we had a few tables to choose from. I got the battered fish taco, surf & turf taco, and smoked fish taco. There's a fridge with lemon slices and sauces, including a chipotle sauce that I liked the most. The sauces did feel a little watery in the consistency though. I liked the battered fish taco best, then smoked fish, then surf & turf. The battered fish was classic, smoked fish tasted pretty unique, and I felt like the steak and shrimp in the surf & turf were a bit on the tougher/drier end. I also thought the tortillas were on the drier end as well and could've been softer. I don't think the tacos here top other San Diego taco spots for me personally, but still solid tacos and glad I got to try Oscars once. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - 3x battered fish tacos, surf & turf taco, smoked fish taco - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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Oscars is a must try! From their delicious battered fish tacos to the kind customer service. It was my first time trying Oscars and the lady that took our order was super patient with us, which I appreciate. We ended up ordering the fried fish and shrimp tacos. Our tacos came out fresh and the wait wasn't too long. The shrimp was decent, but the fish tacos really stole the show for us! Crispy and juicy protein. Be sure to pair it with the sauces at the fridge up front. We also got a complementary cup of seafood soup which was warm and hearty. Will definitely be back for the fish tacos! read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Battered Fish Taco & Battered Shrimp Taco - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Oscars is one of my favorite taco places! Gotta get the orange sauce. Otherwise its just ok Really enjoyed the fish battered taco and the bacon and shrimp with the cheese. The regular shrimp is ok. The chips and guac are also ok. The chips have a thicker harder texture to them read more

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Oscars in Hillcrest remains one of my absolute favorite spots. Huge shout out to Odra, Olivia, and Maria who are always so welcoming and make the vibe here even better. These ladies know how to hold down the fort! I decided to branch out from my usuals this time and I'm so glad I did. I tried the grilled fish salad, and it was literally the salad of my dreams. It felt like a fresh take on an Asian chicken salad but with perfectly cooked fish, it was massive, delicious, and actually really filling. I also went for the bluefin ceviche this time and was honestly blown away; the quality is just next level. We shared the ranchero burrito too, which I loved because it's so straightforward and no unnecessary frills, just a generous amount of protein and great flavor. Everything was delicious as always. If you're in San Diego, this place is a must! I can't not have Oscars when I'm out there its such a delicious place. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Our Oscars team working today was top notch! They answered all our questions, were quick to serve our order, and offered us a free fish stew sample) my parents loved) and were so kind. The bluefin tuna ceviche looks small, but has a generous serving of tuna and is very fresh and nice kick. My dad enjoyed the Seabass burrito, and my mom also got the grilled Seabass taco and grilled shrimp taco. I had the Oscars combo with a grilled octopus (pulpo) taco & grilled especial mixed taco , and a pineapple spinach agua Fresca. The Fresca is so nice and refreshing! Not too sweet and the mint in the cup is a nice touch. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - 5/17/26 - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Great tacos in a relaxed space. Vibe felt authentic and casual. I liked the battered fish taco and the grilled shrimp taco a lot! It definitely needs the spicy sauce though, otherwise it's a bit plain. The fish taco is great value for under $4. The other tacos are more expensive but come with a bunch of avocado and veggies on top. The service was also super friendly and efficient -- we got free fish/veggie soup to sip on while we waited for our order. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - tacos - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

The battered fish taco was amazing, it had plenty of flavor. I wasn't a fan of the grilled shrimp taco. It was hard to find the shrimp while eating the taco. It only had about three pieces in there for what you spent. I also got the grilled fish taco as well and the grilled fish taco didn't have much flavor. The side sauces that they give you with the tacos are amazing. I'd highly recommend. I believe it's like a cilantro lime sauce to add to all the tacos because they do seem a little dry. Customer service here was OK. There was a language barrier, but after translating, we were able to place our order successfully. This location also has inside and outside seating. read more

Their grilled octopus taco is my favorite seafood taco EVERRRR!! I would drive down to San Diego just for this!!! Octopus ($8.75) -- EXQUISITE!! Absolutely phenomenal. The octopus is tender, perfect texture, good amount. Spicy Grilled Shrimp ($7.50)-- Not memorable, just ok, wouldn't get again I do remember liking their battered shrimp tacos so I have to come back next time for redemption!! But all their tacos come with big pieces of avocado and lots of fixings so they're all pretty hefty!! This location is nice because there's a parking lot in the front and they have both indoor/patio dining. They also give complimentary fish stew samples!!! Super nice of them!! I was surprised to find chunks of fish in there as I thought it'd just be a sample of the broth, but no, they're very generous here. The house-made salsas are stored in the fridge along with the limes. Those are self serve. They also have a little rack of spicy (store bought) salsas and hot sauces. I just slather on their orange and green creamy salsas, and while I can't pinpoint the flavors, it just adds to the taco and makes it extra delicious. Love this place and will be coming back again! Next time I want to try their ceviche too! read more

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Came here at around 1:30 on a Saturday, and it was really crowded, be prepared to wait at least 40-60 minutes for food. There's one person at the front counter completing each order, so it takes about 3-4 minutes to complete each order. The crowd died down after around 2:30, so go during off peak hours to avoid a wait. This is one of my favorite fried shrimp taco places in San Diego. This visit, I ordered the fried fish taco, the fried shrimp taco, and the grilled shrimp taco. The fried shrimp taco is great, the flavors are well balanced and the vegetables are fresh. The battered shrimp is nice and crispy, well seasoned, and well cooked. The other two were ok but nothing special. The fried fish taco was a big soggy, even though I ate it pretty quickly after it came out. Ambiance is very casual and you order and pick up at the counter. My rating is just for the food. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Battered Fish Taco, Battered Shrimp Taco, Grilled Shrimp Taco - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place was everything I dreamed of and more. I used to live in Baja Mexico and these battered fish and shrimp tacos took me back to a beach in Mexico. The bottles of sauce are so good I could drink them. The tuna ceviche is likened to poke with a sesame Asian sauce, I loved it! Small shop, but fortunately it wasn't packed yet when we went! read more

This is a solid fish taco spot with a mom and pop charm. We were greeted with samples of the fish soup and treated with the utmost hospitality. We ordered the surf and turf, smoked fish, spicy grilled shrimp, and breaded fish tacos. We'd enjoyed the surf and turf the most because of the flavorful steak. The sauces they offer are also a great add on. There was plenty of parking (rare for the area) and the shop was clean and well maintained. A great spot for families. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Smoked Fish Taco - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Whenever I visit San Diego, I will try to make it out to Oscar's just to get the beer battered fish tacos. It's even better if you can make it for happy house. The tacos are a must try and their sauces are really good. I've had a breakfast burrito once and it was so freaking good. The ceviche is also worth trying. It can get really busy here and parking is a nightmare. But trust, it is worth it for the food! read more

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The best fish tacos I have ever had. No contest. If you're looking for some mind blowing seafood tacos, you have to check out Oscar's! Compared to their other, more coastal locations, the one in Hillcrest is a bit cozier with a great parking lot and lesser crowds. My favorite has to be their Battered Fish Tacos. Amazingly crispy cod topped off with their homemade slaw. Drizzle a bit of their spicy avocado green sauce on top and you've got the perfect taco. A serious must-try! Other favorites include their Surf & Turf Tacos which come absolutely loaded and their Mixed (Fish & Shrimp) Ceviche which is insanely fresh and limey! read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Battered Fish Tacos & Surf & Turf Tacos - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Food: Battered Fish Tacos (10/10) - veggies tasted fresh, the limes were so juicy here, the sauces paired well, and fish was made well with a soft inside and slight crisp on the outside Torta de Oscar (10/10) - large portion size and packed with many layers and flavors. loved how cheesy it was as well Service: The lady was so nice! Straightforward ordering process at the counter and waiting for your number to be called. You can self serve yourself some water and grab sauces and lime that are all put out. Ambiance: Casual spot with some seats inside. Lots of natural light coming in from the big windows. read more

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The food is so amazing and so are the workers. Such a warm and welcoming group of people!

Sure fish tacos came from Baja originally and sure it was probably angel shark and thresher before cod/halibut/haddock/flounder/wahoo, but there is something about the simplicity of fresh corn tortilla, fresh fish beer battered, thinly sliced cabbage, crema, salsa, lime. With TJ influencing it's very common to see avocado/guacamole added. Oscars keeps it original and keeps things fresh. They season the fish, beer batter which most places don't. Most places rely on the acoutremounts. I personally wished they didn't offer flour tortillas or used red onions and used a seasoned crema, use guacamole more than avocado slices. It's a bright, clean place that's simple. The burrito is the one dish that I like flour versus corn and which can actually hold full bites of ingredients. Cucarachas are good, but could use garlic (would really do well if it was more of a North Shore style). Garden Seafood salad is solid as it's a little bit like a ceviche. Their ceviche is one of the places that I consistently get the scallop more than the shrimp. They smoke their own fish for their torta de oscar and the fishermans torta is fantasitc with spicy, texture (skip the cabbage here) . It's pricey, but when most places skimp on the seafood and freshness you don't regret spending the money here. I really want them to have a campechana. Service is pretty good for how casual it is and you'll think you order too much because it looks and sounds so good, but I've never left stuffed to the gills even eating a burrito, torta, ceviche. read more

A Unique Seafood-Only Taco Spot Another great Mexican spot in San Diego, but what makes this place stand out is that they focus only on seafood -- and they do it really well. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I got the adobada taco with fish, and it was hecka good! It had that classic adobada flavor -- I think they use tuna -- and the portion size was generous. It's one of their specials, so if you see it on the menu, definitely grab it. 10/10. The surf and turf taco was also excellent. The combination of steak and fish had amazing flavor -- another 10/10 for me. Service was great, too. They even gave us free fish soup, which was delicious. The ambience is fine, but just a heads up: seating is limited and parking can be a bit tight. If you're looking for fantastic fish tacos, this is the place to go. Prices are on the higher side, but the portions are larger than your average taco, so it's worth it. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

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Normally I absolutely love Oscar's but do NOT order from DoorDash. I specifically asked for the chipotle sauces as it's our favorite and we got nothing. It was the driest tacos for like $80+ for 6 tacos. Don't give the option to add sauce per taco that's $10 each if you can't follow the instructions. read more

Omg!! Seriously the best tacos and ceviche!! This place is a must!! Food was so fresh. Staff was helpful and great!! read more

I've been here multiple times since my first review, and I must admit that I stand corrected! Now that I've made homemade horchata, it can definitely have the thick residue at the bottom if it isn't completely strained. So, my apologies!!! I actually LOVE the Horchata con Fresas from here! And, they have the BEST FRIED FISH tacos that I've ever had! The customer service is always great, too! The ambiance is okay-clean, but not fancy. read more

Great place for fresh seafood tacos, tortas, etc. Absolutely love anything with their octopus in it. All the items are crafted to really highlight the seafood and seasoned well. Large selection of various hot sauces to add extra flavor to what you order. Fast service and clean despite the high turnover. read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

Counter ordering and small seating area on the patio. Service was quick and food came out fresh and loaded with toppings. The fish was fresh and delicious. Super filling tacos! read more

Oscars Mexican Seafood - Smoked Fish Taco and Battered Fish Tacos - Seafood Near Me - San Diego, California

This smoked fish taco was not something I expected to enjoy, because most places cut time and cost when preparing. However, the fish dip was very delicious and I would order it again. Everything we had was tasty. Everything was clean and the staff was nice. read more

I've been here many times and haven't gotten around to writing a review. I finally got the opportunity to come back to San Diego, and Oscar's is always a must! The way it works is that you order up at the counter and pick up your meal on the other side when it's ready. I got the surf and turf taco which was packed with shrimp, steak and fat slices of avocado on top. It was quickly made and ready to serve. I ate it with their creamy green and orange sauce (idk what the actual names are), which was full of flavor and added a slight kick of spice to my taco. The price of this taco may be steep but it was definitely filling. While we were eating, they were offering cups of complimentary soup. It was very tasty with veggie and chicken pieces. Parking has always been a struggle, but I will always recommend coming to Oscar's if anyone is visiting SD. read more