The food is excellent! Smothered Grits is a must try!! The service is very punctual and well worth the wait!!! read more

Super bomb eats. They are only 3 blocks from the house and just now getting around to trying them. My girlfriend and I both thought our orders were amazing The portions and big so bring your appetite read more

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I came all the way from Long Beach, and Surf & Soul was absolutely worth the drive! The food was incredibly tasty, the service was excellent, and the owner was beyond accommodating and genuinely kind. You can tell they truly care about their customers and the experience they provide. I highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area--you won't be disappointed. Get you some! read more

Unreal. Been looking for some good comfort food since I moved to SD from Louisiana. This place is SO GOOD. Fried catfish and chicken was delicious and the rice and gravy is out of this world. The folks working there were awesome. Can't wait to come back for some fried pork chops and greens. read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

I almost don't want to review this spot because I wanna keep it a secret LOL but the food here is so delicious. My partner has said this is the closest to home cooking she's used to where she's from. I got the blackened shrimp and grits with a blueberry lavender lemonade. The gravy that is in the grits packs so much flavor to the dish. The grits were the right consistency and that lemonade was gone in less than 10 minutes. This is a place to pick up food, no dine in seating but service is great nonetheless! read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Shrimp and grits - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

The shrimp & grits were delicious and the catfish basket was thick & perfectly fried. I will be back to try more of the menu soon. Take-out only so call ahead or be patient because it's that good! read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Catfish basket and shrimp & grits - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

I definitely recommend this place to everybody, the catfish was good, but the mac & cheese was so flavorful. I'm not the biggest fan of the chicken wings. The service here was also really good although they were read more

My partner and I came on a Wednesday after I had been wanting to try this spot for some time and he had great things to say Recommend calling in an order since they do take some time and it is just a store front so waiting around can take a minute, we went with the loaded fries and the Wednesday wing special, specials are usually posted on their instagram so definitely recommend taking a look there!! Good came out hot and tasted fresh! The order of tenders was huge and very saucy, the loaded fries were also super good and whatever gravy they use was amazing! Definitely want to come back and their their soul section of the menu which is available on the weekends! read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Wednesday wing special Buffalo garlic lemon pepper tenders and a side of fries - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

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I notice the line is a bit shorter for lunch.  4 orders in front of me and 5 came after me.  Price has gone up a bit at $27 for a 2 item combo.  I ordered fried pork chops and fried catfish.  Wait was a bit less than 15 minutes. Fried catfish was fried in a crunchy cornmeal batter.  I liked the salt and pepper seasoning.  Catfish was a bit overcooked as the edges had dried out and were hard.  Center part was not as moist as I'd prefer. Fried pork chop was coated in a hard crunchy batter and seasoned with salt and pepper.  While I liked the flavor, the pork chop was dry. Marshmallow topped brownie was extremely sweet with the melted marshmallows topping the sweet brownie.  Loved the brownie flavor but I not sure I like my brownies that sweet. Surf and Soup is takeout only so I walked a block to my car and ate there.  I found it unusual that the catfish and pork chop were not hot with that fresh out of the fryer aroma.  Instead they were warm like they had been sitting under a heat lamp.  If the food was sitting under a heat lamp it shouldn't have taken more than a couple minutes to put everything in containers and fill orders.  Felix's Bbq remains my favorite spot for fried catfish or pork chops. Staff was very nice and orders are getting out faster but the food quality has gone downhill. read more

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Visited this spot last week and it was a truly delicious experience! I came on a surf day which means they sell fish dishes I believe. I parked and ordered with a nice young lady who had great customer service and she told me that it would take about 25 minutes for it to be done. They cook your food fresh. I ordered the catfish basket that came with two filets and a breadstick as well as the southeast smothered fries. The southeast smothered fries were by far my favorite dish. The fries are loaded with cheese, green onions and even turkey gravy! Don't knock it until you try it. I had a little bit of the lemonade of the day which was peach but didn't get to finish it. I would definitely come back on a surf or soul day. Great food and worth the price! read more

Food I would definitely buy again whenever I visit this town. Every dish was flavorful, fresh, and worth coming back for on my next trip.

We tried this place for first time as part of the Taste Black food tour and wow. Impressed. Normally, we are NOT fans of fried food, but in expert hands we like! And the fried catfish here was perfect...NO greasy fingers. Tender fish with a light coating. Other favorite thing we tried were the greens. So good. We were also lucky enough to get a serving of the peach cobbler. Wow. We would prefer more peaches and less cobbler/sauce, but still the flavor was excellent. We had the food "to go" and it was super fresh. read more

Surf & Soul Spot - sampler: favs are the catfish and greens! - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

Pork chops, deep fry to gold imperfection, cheese, grits, creamy tasty smooth and delicious. I also got the catfish basket with fries and accoutrements. It was a walk up situation, but it was good. The staff was kind and a beautiful lady brought me my food kudos to the Chef can't wait to come back and get some of those sides and the price was right. read more

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If you're in the area and craving a delicious blend of coastal cuisine and soulful comfort food, Surf and Soul is a must-visit! This vibrant eatery captures the essence of San Diego's laid-back lifestyle while delivering a menu that's bursting with flavor. Ambiance: As you enter Surf and Soul, you're welcomed by a bright and inviting atmosphere. The friendly staff greets you with warm smiles, making you feel right at home. There is no dining, all orders to go. Order a head of time to avoid the wait times. Food: The menu at Surf and Soul is a delightful fusion of fresh, local ingredients and comforting classics. One of the highlights are the fried lobster tails and salmon sandwich...It's a hearty option that's both satisfying and packed with flavor. The menu differs each week and the desserts are rotated also. Banana pudding was good Overall Experience: Surf and Soul in North Park is a fantastic spot to enjoy a meal that feels both comforting and refreshing. With its delicious food, friendly service, and inviting atmosphere, Whether you're a local or just visiting, make sure to stop by and experience the unique flavors that Surf and Soul has to offer! read more

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I've been missing that southern soul food so I decided to try this place out! We tried the fried chicken plate with collard greens & gumbo as the sides. Also the fried catfish plate with gumbo & Mac & cheese. The fried chicken & the collard greens were okay, not amazing. But the fried catfish, gumbo, & mac & cheese were really good! The plates also came with a cornbread & small dessert on the side, which was a biscoff cake. The dessert was also really good! The plates are a hefty ~$22, but it does come with 2 sides, cornbread & a dessert so the portion size is good. But I did wish they gave more catfish, they only gave 2 pieces. Overall, I'd come back again, but I'd skip the chicken & I'd probably try something else! read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Fried chicken plate & fried catfish plate; collard greens, gumbo, mac & cheese - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

It's a take out spot so no sitting you must call your order of u will wait 25 min surprisingly I was very happy. It wasn't done in 25 minutes. They actually did less but do call if you can. I didn't know this. The fish was good. The grits were delicious. I don't know if I'll get a 7.50fillet of catfish again but surprisingly everything was very yummy read more

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Hidden Gem of San Diego My first time visiting Surf and Soul, I ordered the Fish hook sandwich. Lemme tell y'all it was absolutely phenomenal. The catfish came with two pieces on the sandwich. I added tomato and some kind of lettuce on there. Coleslaw hit different, I recommend getting the coleslaw on the sandwich. Tartar sauce was great as well. The fries were okay and the banana pudding was good. Overall, I had a great experience with this restaurant. It's takeout only and they got my meal ready in 15 minutes. I'll be coming back here. read more

4 stars The Surf & Soul Spot is the definition of comfort food done right! Every dish is packed with flavor, heart, and soul -- you can taste the love in every bite. From seafood to Southern classics, it's all delicious, but let me tell you: the fried catfish is an absolute must. Crispy, seasoned to perfection, and just melts in your mouth. The ambiance is chill and food is always taking it to go, the vibe is always warm and welcoming. Service is solid -- friendly and fast, even when they're busy. You can tell they take pride in what they do. I've been a fan since day one, back when they were serving out of a little church kitchen -- and it's been amazing watching them grow while keeping the same heart and flavor. This place will always be one of my favorites. read more

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Great takeout spot. Crispy well seasoned fried catfish, well seasoned greens and red beans/rice. The desert was a delicious sweet potato cheese cake on graham cracker crust with a praline topping and topped with a Biscoff cookie. Worth the wait, made to order. read more

Sooo delicious Great portions I was surprised to see you cannot dine in at this location. You must find street parking to get to this place. And walk up to the window/counter to order and wait outside to pick up your order. I parked on the street a couple of feet away from the location. There isn't a big sign and it isn't a big restaurant so you may miss it if you aren't careful. The man that greeted and took my order was friendly, kind and helpful. I had the shrimp and grits and let me tell you I would go back just for that!! The shrimp was a nice size perfectly seasoned and the grits with the cheese was perfection Soo good. If I lived closer I would return daily. My mother had the fried fish and she isn't a fan of fried but said it was well seasoned. The breadstick that came with the order was delicious as well. I ordered the banana pudding for dessert. It was prepared well, cold, sweet and light. It just wasn't as flavorful and delicious as the other food but that's totally okay because everything else was great. I wish there was an option to sit inside and dine but the food still seems made fresh and packaged well to go. I will definitely be returning read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Shrimp & Grits - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food delishous. Order to go. Fish was golden brown fried in fresh grease. You get enough grits for 2 people cheesy. Great service! It look close from outside, but know they were open. read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Jumbo shrimp and fish golden brown - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

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Food was gasss I got the catfish and my husband got the shrimp and grits definitely recommend! The young man taking orders was very nice:) sorry forgot to take a before pic read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been here once before and had a great experience. They are just down the street from my house but far away from work. Finally had the opportunity to try them again. Today I had the fried chicken wings, baked beans and turkey gravy rice and the most incredible dessert. All were delicious. The wings needed a little bit more seasoning but were perfect with the hot sauce. They were nice and crunchy even after running an errand before taking them home. The beans are loaded with meat and had great flavor. The turkey gravy with rice was very rich and tasty, but just a little on the salty side. The caramel apple cheesecake was the star of the meal though. I'm going to dream about that perfect buttery, sugary delight for a while. Great meal, reasonably priced. The prep time wait was well worth it for the meal. Great service and communication. I will make an extra effort to come back and try the rest of both menus. read more

Surf & Soul is really good. I've been here several times and it's always high quality food whether a surf or a soul day. Not only tasty but a good sized serving too - you won't be hungry anymore after. I'm a big fan of this place. You may have to wait a bit, but always worth it to me. read more

Service was quick and the lady taking orders was friendly. I ordered just a side of mac n cheese. After fasting for 3 days, I was looking forward to comfort food. Unfortunately, the mac n cheese was soupy and had an odd flavor. Also almost $9 for a tiny order. Drove out of my way to visit this restaurant, not worth the visit. read more

Ordered today, I do not eat fried food very often, so this was quite the treat. The ranch was a little heavy on the mayo side, and I expected the wings to be a little bit more traditional, however, they were fried to perfection, with a flakey out, and the fish sandwich was absolutely phenomenal. This is was a very rich meal, and I can tell they put a lot of thought and love into their product. I recognize this, and I commend them for keeping quality ingredients without sacrificing taste. I definitely will bring my wife back so she can try this place out, was an awesome treat today. read more

OMG today was my first time eating at Surf & Soul. I had the fried shrimp and cheesy grits, I mean delicious. I will most definitely be back. Hats off to the Chef. Oh and the young man was very pleasant great customer Service . read more

If it's your first time here, you definitely want to make sure that you park either on the main street or around the corner. They don't have a seating area. They just have a person that's outside with a table that takes orders so don't expect to come and sit and eat. The service was kind of fast. I say we waited about 30 minutes for a food, but they were pretty busy. The customer service is wonderful. The guy was very welcoming and just so quick recommended food. read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Shrimp Crazy Fries - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

Love this food! The garlic Parmesan wings are my favorite! I wish they served them everyday. The staff is friendly and the food is hot and yummy. Definitely try them out if you're in San Diego read more

I was so excited to try this place after my husband showed me it online. But we made it too late on a Saturday, they do sell out quick. So we decided to visit on a Monday , they don't sell out during the week. We got their special of the day which was fried chicken with hot honey I think? It was DELICIOUS. Also got the fried cat fish which was equally as good. The dessert for the day was the strawberry shortcake cheesecake and it was so good I didn't want to share. So rich in flavor. Keep in mind if you go on Friday or Saturday be there early. It is only takeout and sometimes sell out within an hour. I wish they had outside seating but they don't. There is nothing like this in San Diego! Don't forget to tip! read more

Surf & Soul Spot is hands-down one of my favorite restaurants in town! It's a Black-owned business that consistently delivers delicious, made-to-order meals packed with flavor and soul. Every bite is seasoned to perfection, and you can taste the love and care that goes into each dish. The customer service here is always top-tier--friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. One of the highlights is their rotating lemonade flavors; there's a new one every day, and every single one I've tried has been absolutely delicious. It's little touches like that that keep me coming back. The fried chicken wings and french fries are my favorite. I'm a big fan of fried fish, but I've never been able to order it here since catfish is the only option--and unfortunately, I can't have catfish. It would be amazing if they offered another type of fish in the future because I know it would be just as fresh, crispy, and flavorful as everything else they serve. Parking can be a little tricky depending on the time of day, but trust me--the food is more than worth it. If you're able to call ahead and place your order, that's a great way to skip the wait. Either way, your meal will be hot, fresh, and satisfying every time. Supporting Surf & Soul Spot means supporting a Black-owned business that brings heart, soul, and incredible flavor to the table. If you haven't tried it yet, don't wait--you're in for a real treat! read more

This was my first time going and it was definitely a good experience. Food was great and service was great . The daily lemonade left me feeling happy. Prices are very fair and worth every bit . read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Catfish Sandwich - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

I'm eating rn and let me js‍ Food came to us hot, burning my lap, everything came when they said in 25 min on a Monday afternoon, they packed everything in the bag, and everything was fresh and well seasoned! Support Black Business!!! 10/10!! I got the Catfish and Chicken Wing Basket $20 ea. It was a nice setup to pay and order, you order and wait for it to be ready and pick it up, the weather was nice so we didn't mind being outdoors read more

great food, and even better customer service. I had to wait for fresh food last trip so they gave me a golden ticket for this visit. I'm temporarily living here from Atlanta and this is the best food I've had since being here! I will be back! read more

You woulda thought I done won a million dollars the way I was singing and dancing after I licked the plate clean after eating their grits and catfish. Came on Juneteenth and my ancestors were surely smiling down upon us that day. The food smacked. Plain and simple. And don't get me started on that tartar sauce. It was fire. The meal cost 20 bucks and there's about 10 things to choose from. It's all too go. It took about 25 minutes to get my order and it was worth the wait. Parking is trash which is the only bad thing about it. It's all to go orders. I can't wait to come back here! read more

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Delicious and definitely not something you find often in San Diego. I got the fried catfish, baked Mac and cheese, and rice with Turkey gravy. Pros: savory and delicious. Great options for a wonderful home cooked meal experience. They give you good sauces for dipping and an amazing dessert as part of the combo. Friendly staff and easy ordering process. They do a different menu whether it's the weekday or weekend. Something for everyone. Cons: not much parking so plan on finding a spot down one of the side streets. Takes a bit to make so call ahead to order. read more

Family owned restaurant that serves dynamite classic soul food with some 5 star fine dining flare with seasoning, boldness, and richness. All of the seafood has been coastal caliber. Either fried or fresh, the quality is there. What blew my mind here was the potato soup! Topped with deep fried croissant and cod pieces?! Seriously? And the soup itself was a huge portion and so amazingly rich. Price was fair too, like $19 bucks and can feed up to 3 people. Parking is limited next to the store. There's also no inside seating. I highly recommend ordering in advance and picking up. Dude waiting on customers was kind. Called me sir, when I'm just a dude. read more

Surf & Soul Spot - 12/10 potato soup. The hot sauce it's served with is pure luxury. - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California

Very yummy banana pudding. The lemonade could be more sour but if you like sweet it's for you. I wish you could purchase sides separately correct me if I'm wrong. Pork chops on the tougher side, would come back to try the weekend menu. read more

These folks speak my love language.. The proteins are fried to perfection, the sides slap and the sauces hit the spot. Also, you get a dessert with every plate.. what's not to love? Don't forget to call in your order or you'll be stuck waiting for thirty minutes ;) read more

First let me say the service is great everyone is polite , helpful, and happy to be there! Who wouldn't be the food is fantastic! I must say the chicken wings are spot on so crunchy and delicious not greasy!! sides we like best were the greens AMAZING! beans and rice, and yams. We've only been on Saturday which is Soul food!! Going to go during the week to try the baskets. You must try this place!! read more

Surf & Soul Spot - Chicken wings, black eyed peas and rice, and the yams!! - Soul Food Near Me - San Diego, California