Oscars Mexican Seafood
Taco restaurant · San Diego
746 Emerald St, San Diego, CA 92109
Highlights
Smoked fish, battered fish, octopus & surf and turf tacos
Smoked fish, battered fish, octopus & surf and turf tacos
"This casual taco chain from Tijuana-raised Juan Bernardo Montes de Oca, beloved by locals and travelers alike, showcases a large variety of Mexican-style seafood tacos ranging from smoked fish to grilled and battered options. With locations in Pacific Beach and Hillcrest, Oscar’s isn’t limited to just tacos: tortas, combination plates, vegetarian options, and breakfast dishes (try the breakfast burrito with smoked fish, bacon, ham, chorizo or steak, or the breakfast torta) are also on the menu. As far as standouts go, the Taco Especial comes with smoked fish, shrimp, and scallops dressed in generous amounts of cabbage, onion, cilantro, and avocado. It doesn’t get more San Diego than this." - Roxana Becerril
"Oscars is an ultra popular Pacific Beach hangout for casual seafood, often frequented by beachgoers and surfers. Its smoked fish tacos topped with cabbage, avocado, and cheese are standout but the house take on classic fried and grilled fish tacos, topped with the requisite cabbage and pico de gallo, are also worth ordering. The Hillcrest outpost serves up the same supple taco while the fish shop on Emerald Street remains closed for remodeling." - Candice Woo
"For some really good fried or grilled fish tacos, Oscar’s Mexican Seafood should be your first stop. The place is pretty casual, there’s usually a line, and the tacos come with the classic toppings: shredded cabbage, onion, tomato, cilantro, and avocado. Depending on what’s available that day, you can order fresh yellowtail or snapper in a burrito, torta, or plate, and there’s some great ceviche and shrimp, chorizo, and veggie tacos, too." - ligaya malones
"Oscar’s might be across the street from what’s technically the La Jolla border, but it’s on this guide because they make the best tacos around. Go for the smoked fish: chunks of tuna wrapped in a melty layer of cheese are balanced by crisp cabbage, sweet tomatoes, and sharp red onions. The battered fish is also great, and makes a satisfying crunch with every bite. And when it’s hot out, cool off with their ceviche loaded with plump shrimp and slices of white fish drenched in a tangy-and-salty citrus marinade. This laid-back spot has limited seating, so get an order to go and bring a towel over to Tourmaline Surf Park. " - sabrina medora
"Don’t be fooled by the appearance of this hole-in-the-wall spot. It’s got the best tacos in town. Yeah, we said it. The smoked fish taco—wrapped in a meaty layer of gooey cheese— is THE move. The saltiness of the fish and cheese is well balanced by fresh cabbage, sweet tomatoes, and sharp red onions. And, because one taco is never enough, we also recommend the battered fish, which comes piping hot with a thin, crisp layer of batter. And for an unassuming casual spot, their ceviche is better than a cold lemonade on a hot day. Plump succulent shrimp mixed with substantial slices of white fish are drenched in a bright and refreshing citrus mix, tossed with red onions and tomatoes. Served alongside is a crunchy tortilla which is just as good on its own as it is when scooping large mouthfuls of ceviche. You won’t find any gruff faces here; despite the extremely limited (mostly sidewalk) seating, Oscar’s has got a fair few staff members, ready with a smile, a conversation, and encouragement for you to come back again soon." - Sabrina Medora
