Do you order seafood when dining out in San Diego? Living in an affluent city on the Pacific coast that’s home to over 145 self-identified seafood restaurants, you might assume that the seafood you’re eating out is local. Unfortunately, a recent study determined that more than half of the seafood restaurants in San Diego never serve local catch. What’s going on here?
U.S. exports of fish and seafood reached a record level of $5.3 billion dollars in sales in 2014, meaning most of the seafood landed off of our coasts is caught and immediately exported abroad for other countries to consume. At the same time, we are eating more seafood than ever, with the average American consuming 15.5 pounds per year. And most of that seafood is being imported from abroad.
Our seafood restaurants here in San Diego reflect these national trends. Of the 145 restaurants in San Diego that identify as seafood restaurants, 62 agreed to participate in an eight-question survey, and of those, only nine reported that they consistently carry San Diego-landed seafood. Eleven reported that they carry it occasionally, and six were unsure. More than half of the restaurants surveyed, 33 to be exact, reported that they never carried San Diego landed seafood.
What can be done to promote greater offering and consumption of San Diego landed seafood?
Restaurants are an essential part of the local food system in San Diego, and they can have a huge impact on the increase in demand of local seafood, the same way we have seen them change purchasing practices with other food items like local produce and beer.
Of the 145 seafood restaurants, most were independently-owned, and this offers even greater hope. These individuals can institute meaningful changes in their sourcing and on their menus without the barriers of corporate red tape. But it really comes down to us as consumers.
Diners vote with their dollars, so when we go out for seafood, it is essential to ask where your seafood was landed, and to support restaurants that make an effort to source and serve local catch.
By dining at any of the recommended seafood restaurants listed below, you can directly support San Diego’s local fishing community and the fight to put local seafood back on local plates.
Seven Dock to Plate Dining Options in San Diego County
1654 India Street, Little Italy, San Diego
Located in the heart of Little Italy, Ironside Fish & Oyster Bar is known for the serving local catch. The menu changes daily based on what was landed earlier in the morning. From $1 oysters to rockfish ceviche, this is one restaurant you should eat seafood at.
1403 Scott Street, Point Loma, San Diego
If what you’re looking for are some tasty fish tacos, Mitch’s is the place to go. Located in Point Loma overlooking the marina, Mitch’s is an incredible seafood restaurant sourcing and serving local catch. Similar to Ironside, Mitch’s transparency of where the seafood originated from is posted on their menu.
2978 Carlsbad Boulevard, #110, Carlsbad
Traceable seafood is a major component within sustainable seafood and this is precisely what Land Water Co. highlights. Every piece of nigiri and sashimi has its origin listed on the menu, so you know exactly what you’re eating and where it is from.
750 N Harbor Drive, Point Loma, San Diego
Another Point Loma seafood favorite is The Fish Market. This restaurant carries seafood from all over the pacific including San Diego. This restaurant makes an effort to highlight local catch such as mahi mahi, Thresher shark and rockfish.
1815 S Coast Highway, Oceanside
Want a unique dining experience that offers local and responsible sourced seafood? This is the place for you. This restaurant takes its time to minimize waste, using as many parts of each seafood item as possible. With an extensive menu ranging from rolls to elegant sashimi plates, this is the perfect restaurant for any sushi lover.
2415 San Diego Avenue, #110, Old Town, San Diego
In the affluent neighborhood of Mission Hills, seafood lovers can have their seafood with a latin twist. This restaurant greatly advertises its menu by highlighting they only served seafood based on the seasonality and availability of the species. At Ceviche House, everything is made to order. If what you want is ceviche, the Puerto is the chef’s favorite!
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, 598 Harbor Lane, Downtown San Diego
In the heart of downtown San Diego, seafood consumers can head down to the Tuna Harbor Dockside market every Saturday morning. Fishermen bring their local catch and sell it offering species ranging from rockfish to box crab depending on the time of year. Here at Loaf and Fish, you can find the Fukushima family making fresh sandwiches and tacos. It is the perfect example of catching, cooking, and selling local seafood. This way, you can eat and shop at the same time!
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