A great spot to grab a quick bite and a beer. Ordering à la carte can get a little pricey, but it gave me a chance to try several different tacos. The whole experience reminded me of Wahoo's back when they first opened--the casual vibe, the flavors, and even the crowd. I tried the Mahi Mahi Taco, Ono Taco, and Lobster Taco. The lobster was the standout: flavorful, well-balanced, and easily my favorite of the three. The mahi mahi and ono were a little on the dry side, but the house salsas were outstanding and completely changed the meal. They added the moisture and punch of flavor the fish needed. Without those excellent salsas, I think the tacos would have been fairly average. The food took a little longer than expected to come out, but luckily I had a cold beer to keep me company. I wouldn't make a long drive just for this place, but if I'm anywhere nearby, I'll gladly stop in again. In fact, I wish it were closer to my house because I'd probably be here every week. It's definitely earned a spot on my list whenever I'm in the area. read more

Catalina Fish Kitchen - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Walking in tonight after not being here for five years felt the same as I remembered. That relaxed beach feel with all the ocean photos, fishing nets and wood tables. Nothing fancy, just comfortable. I even saw the owner walking around cleaning and keeping an eye on everything, which says a lot. The staff still has that warm family vibe and you can see why this place has been here mow for 30 years. Tonight I went with the fish and chips. The fish had a nice crispy coating and the inside was soft and flaky without being heavy. The wedges had great seasoning and the slaw with a squeeze of lemon worked really well with it. Added a little tartar and it was exactly what I was in the mood for. Next time though I'm going back to my usual... either the fish tacos or one of their bowls. Already looking forward to it! read more

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Great Go-To Plain Jane spot for delicious fish. Reasonable prices. Beer and Wine. I'm a repeat customer.

Trying to put Catalina Fish Kitchen back in my lunch rotation! I always forget about CFK because it's so hidden. But after going to Trader Joe's just down the street, I thought I'd pop in for lunch. It was still just as I remembered. Food comes out hot, and the seafood is always perfectly tender and never over cooked. I got the shrimp kona bowl, and it was enough that I had leftovers. I couldn't believe how many shrimp they put in the bowl! As I kept digging, I kept finding more! The vibe is casual, and feels like a locals only hangout, which I love about it. It's like a well-kept secret, because it's so unassuming from the outside. Parking is plentiful too, since it's in the industrial part of of Costa Mesa. Tip: don't forget to stop by the toppings bar, where you'll find lemons, limes, salsas, tartar sauce, and more! read more

Catalina Fish Kitchen - Shrimp bowl - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place has been here forever it's got great vibes and cozy, ez parking. The fish and chips , fried shrimp are very good, my kids love the food. The Kona bowls are good but yall need to calm down with the carrots-no body wants that many carrots in those bowls read more

Amazing service and food! We got a huge platter of fried fish and French fries!!! Took enough home for 4 more meals!

Fantastic local seafood spot. Great food. The smoked Abaco is awesome. they run daily specials that are really good deals. read more

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This is one of my favorite restaurants. I come here 2 to 3 times a week, the food is excellent. I would highly recommend their salmon, tacos, fish, and chips and clam chowder soup. I would highly recommend this place. read more

A friend suggested this place, and I am glad we had lunch there this week. I tried the swordfish taco plate, and it was delish. I would recommend and plan to eat there again. It's a hangout surfer look and the food, service and ambiance is great. I highly recommend it. read more

I've been to CFK before, but it has been a long time. This is a neighborhood place on 17th in CM, not too far from where my regular crew and I golf. One of the guys in the group paid, and we all had the combo with a salad, salmon/rice/veggies and a drink. To begin, the salad was good sized, and had a lot of fresh veggies. CFK is a casual place, so you can choose your dressing and condiments and the self service bar. The salmon was fresh, nicely cooked and moist. I wish I could cook fish like this at home. I paired the fish with a slightly spicy, black salsa that went well with the salmon. Regarding the ambiance, you order at the counter and your food is brought out to you. The service was friendly, albeit a tad slow based upon not too many customers being present. One of the guys in our golf group lives in CM, and he is introducing the rest of us to his go to places. He hasn't steered us wrong yet. read more

Catalina Fish Kitchen - Small Field Greens Salad with Crispy Noodles (inc in combo) fresh veggies - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Place was garbage. Fish was over cooked, service was, well a lack thereof I must say. I mean come on. Not hard to cook fish if that's the only thing ya sell is seafood right? You can tell that the fried food oil is never even replaced and or cleaned as the fried shrimp I got was so dark. Do better guys come on! read more

Over 13 years this is my first review CFK continues to shine. From the highest quality fish to the fresh baked bread to the perfectly crisp tortilla chips, excellent beverage selections and the wonderful relax surf atmosphere, and always friendly personal service. What else could you ask for? read more

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Costa Mesa, Ca. Meh. That pretty much sums it up for me on this day. My friend had a shrimp burrito which was huge and full of shrimp, which he really liked. My choice was grilled swordfish that was disappointing. The slice was 3/8 of an inch thick, and it was a bit overcooked. Fortunately it wasn't too dried out, it was edible but didn't have much flavor. I think the way to go here are the tacos or burritos, the grilled options just are not cost worthy. Well at least it's cheaper than Kings. read more

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This place is a hidden gem. The prices are great, the food is fantastic and the service is outstanding. Portion sizes are very generous. The white clam chowder is some of the best in the area. The tartar sauce is the best I've had at any restaurant. The ambiance is like a cozy little seafood shack you'd find along PCH. Great place. It is now my go to for my seafood cravings. read more

Fantastic Find! It's the original fish shack you have in your foodie imagination. First rate. Bowls were yummy and I'm coming back for the smoked albacore and tacos. read more

Went in for lunch and decided to try the salmon plate. The service here is good. They bring your food out by calling your name. You have to get your own salad dressing and tartar sauce from the bar set up. This is nice because you get what you are going to use. The food came out cooked just right and very tasty. I can't say enough about how good the food is here but I think if you're looking for great fish, definitely give this place a try. read more

Catalina Fish Kitchen - Grilled salmon plate. - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I had the Swordfish BLT. Fish seemed fresh, bacon was fully cooked and the bun was good. There is a condiment bar with tartar sauce, etc. It came with steak fries which were nicely crisp on the outside. Everything was piping hot. You order at the counter and they call your name when it's ready. As in most places, you are better off ordering a bottled drink rather than something out of a dispensing machine. Parking is good. The place is pretty barebones but the food was good and everyone working there was friendly and efficient. I would certainly go back. read more

Absolutely loved this place when I was in CA. Catalina Fish Kitchen is a hidden gem. The lobster burrito and the shrimp ceviche were my favorite go to meals. read more

Layout & decor is nice, but food is just ok... Maybe it's just an off day or I simply ordered the wrong items, but really wasn't impressed with the chicken Kona bowl and king burrito. In general, the food is really bland and tastes like something I can muster up at home. Also, the Kona bowl had half of the avocado that's gone bad, so that's a little disappointing. I do, however, like the layout & decor. The aquarium adds a nice touch to this laid back setting and the arcade game (dig dug) is also pretty cool. I can see this as a place to hang out and have a few drinks. Would I go out of my way to come here? Doubt it. But if I'm in the area, I may give their happy hour a try. read more

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First-time customer, but sadly, I won't be back. My fish & chips were overcooked to the point I joked, "i could drive nails with them.". So crunchy, my wife in another room, heard me chewing! The fish was dry and had little taste after so long in the fryer. I gave up and threw my entire dinner in the compost. read more

This is a classic hole-in-the-wall. It's a little off the beaten track on 17th Street in Costa Mesa. My son drags me to some strange places around this town, some crazy expensive places and some not so good places. The Catalina Fish Kitchen is not cheap, but it's reasonable for the taste and the ambiance. The theme is surfing. The menu features a "Big Wave Burrito," a "Big Kahuna" burger, and "Kona Bowls." My son always orders the Noserider Nachos or the LSB Special. I'm boring when it comes to seafood. I'm a fish and chips man. (The fries here melt in your mouth.) The salsa bar is well-stocked with tartar sauce and malt vinegar, along with other goodies. The soda fountain is self-serve, but the owners have recently decided to limit refills ($1 per refill). The tables are wooden benches and well-stocked with plasticware and napkins and a large bottle of ketchup. There are multiple television screens, but nothing interesting was on when we were there. The surf theme and decor are more impressive. There are two clean restrooms in the back. There's even an old-fashioned video game table for you nostalgic types. I gave it four stars because of the single-serving soda fountain price. If the cups were bigger, I'd be more generous. However, a small 16 oz. cup with ice barely washes down a meal. read more

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This is a place I've wanted to like for years. It has a great out of the way location and a fun beach/surf atmosphere perfect for its Costa Mesa location. A lot of people like it, but I probably won't be back. Then again, I can at times be a slow learner, so one never knows. This trip I ordered the Mahi Mahi plate priced at $20.00, which I ordinarily would consider to be be reasonably priced. It includes a green salad, the fish, rice, and grilled vegetables, which I washed down with a Corona as one does. None of the food save for the rice was very good to my taste. The Mahi, if it was Mahi, and if it was fresh, seemed to me to be overcooked; it tasted more like over seasoned and overcooked swordfish. I won't bore you with a critique of the vegetables and the salad. Suffice it to say most of the plate went into the trash (it's self bussing). The service was good and friendly, and I have no gripes in that regard. The drill is you order and pay at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. It works. If I return, before ordering I will ask them what is the best thing you serve, order that, and then judge accordingly. Cheers! read more

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I have only been here for happy hour so I have limited experience with the menu. The wine pours are great here though. Gumbo bacon fries were great but the clam chowder was way too thin for my liking and needed a kick. We will be back to try some of their fish and chips, they looked great coming out. read more

Catalina Fish Kitchen - Gumbo & Bacon Cheese Fries - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ambiance and service were good and the food, "It was alright..." 'Expected more for the $$. (Shrugs) It wasn't horrible, it was just okay. Paul M & I were visiting the strip mall like plaza, took a tour of the Kung Fu school a few doors down. I suggested getting something to eat as it was almost 2:30pm and didn't have time to eat lunch earlier. I pulled up yelp* and Catalina Fish Kitchen had a nice four star rating; let's do this! Menu board 1 - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=gdiXJ3H3BbZ7LWJFx1hE0g&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Menu board 2 - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=pPbWZZseqb1lPsv14_01ow&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ I was a bit surprised to see as many people in the restaurant, midweek and after the lunch rush. I took that as a good sign. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=aPQZMhd5wMoPFl9svLE8fA&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ The order: LSB Burrito (Lobstyer, Bay Shrimp, Bacon) - $16.50 Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Il3CjW8RSZKV-D9ev0uevQ&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ 16 oz drink - $2.50 Grand total w/tip: $25 Paul M ordered the grilled chicken sandwich; the report on it was "too dry." ($12.50) Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=OGSDs6XA0o-bJ6aoQIeNng&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Refried beans, chips & small salad - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=J8tNFhOu83_bALi157XfHw&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ (Beans were watery & soupy.) It's a cool little place, chill vibe and folks hanging out for some grub and to talk story. Fun layout and decor. I'm not in the area too often so doubt I will return anytime soon. However, I did recently find a great Italian place in the neighborhood and WOULD make the drive for a return visit. (Pasta Connection) Happy Hour may be the time to come; good deals. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=uHQlfoi8YI2S64OlY9cdsA&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Overall, the Catalina Fish Kitchen is okay. I somewhat expected more but such is life; you win some, you lose some. - A hui hou! Overall rating; 3 Stars Food: 3 Ambiance: 3 Service: 3+ Value: 3 read more

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One of the best grilled swordfish tacos I've ever had... So dang, reasonable... You don't go for the View... You go for the food...

Ok so this place is a hidden treasure! Great food, seafood is fresh. Chill atmosphere. Tables to sit at and a seaside cafe vibe. Friendly staff. read more

The drink dispenser is full of mold so disgusting. Just want to have some ice cubs and did see all the black mold and I was regretting that I ordered food there if they don't see the mold there how does the kitchen look like . I will never go back read more

Food was not worth writing about. It is self service. Sounded better on line. It was disappointing. The interior is very retro basic.

I hate leaving bad reviews for small businesses but the positive reviews here really didn't match my experience. it's a cool little place, nice people, beers on tap, good salsa bar - but as someone who has grabbed a fish taco at Great Mex, Hole Mole or Que Vida (on 17th) I can't imagine who would prefer this. maybe there are better menu items than the ones I tried because people seem to like it. I don't recommend the Baja fish or shrimp tacos or the "lobster" taco. I hope your experience will be better. read more

It's tough for me to give this place three stars because what I ordered was very tasty (The King Burrito - which was a special - see pic). But the Mrs. and my BIL both ordered Chargrilled Plates (Swordfish and Hawaiian Ono, respectively) and they were so both outrageously overcooked...like you needed a good knife to cut through them. This place is a fish kitchen so they ought to know better. Now...there was a lot of good stuff that happened too so that's why they still get three stars. 1) the decor is so chill and relaxing. I could stay here all day. 2) the staff could not have been nicer. I'd drink beers with them any day. 3) the mango sauce that came with the Hawaiian Ono was really tasty (but unfortunately necessary (see above). 4) The shrimp cocktail (which was very nice) also came with an amazing cocktail sauce. I mean amazing. 5) The aforementioned King Burrito was both huge and amazing. So, what have we learned today? If you're ordering a chargrilled plate, you MUST tell them to back off on the cook or you will be sad. I might just go back and see if I can get them to cook it right to see if it's as good as I think it can be. read more

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Went here specifically for their red clam chowder as it is difficult to find. Great chowder, great price, and large portion. Very prompt and polite service. read more

Awesome lunch spot! May even go back and grab a bowl to go for dinner! Their veggies were awesome on the swordfish plate! Yum read more

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The best local seafood around. Period. I work down the street so I'm here 1-2 times/week minimum I almost don't to leave a review because this is such an amazing hidden gem but Chris & everyone are all super friendly... pair that with amazing, quality food and they deserve to be appreciated The seared ahi tacos are my favorite, also the white clam chowder on cold days, but I've never had anything I didn't like... I can't even remember eating anything that I thought was just ok read more

Glad CFK has survived the pandemic; since my past Yelp review, I married that boyfriend and in recent weeks, we stopped by Catalina Fish Kitchen to pick up burritos and head to the beach. Surf and big fishing still make the decor relaxed authentic. Indoor picnic tables and a street-facing counter allow you to be as social or alone as you prefer. No real shakeup from the past few years. The variety of fresh fish and seafood on the chalkboard menu and in the glass display persists: mahi, salmon, oho, scallops, etc. If you have friends / family who don't want seafood, options are available too. Pricing still reasonable for fresh caught seafood. Self-service salad dressing and salsa bar next to the drink fountain. Takeaway containers are available for the salsa. Decent ebb and flow of customers for a weekend evening. Order at the counter for dine in or takeaway. Reasonable wait time for the food. 3-stars due to either to the cashier not recording "no rice, no beans" for the burrito or to the cook for not fulfilling that order. Diabetes makes these ingredients difficult to eat and not have health complications later. read more

My number one go to. Awesome food, fun venue, great people. Best bang for the buck. Don't wait, go now.

Hidden gem in Costa Mesa! Great vibe, great food! The value is excellent! Very clean and tons of sauces & dressings! Beer and wine! Check it out! read more

The food is averaged priced (for this day and age) and they have a good selection of various dishes. There's fish, shellfish, salads, soups, etc. The also have pitchers of beer, which was good for our group. My only gripe is that while they closed at 8 PM, we still had a couple of our friends join us around 7:30 and, by then, they had removed all the items from their "salsa bar" (salsa, dressings, vinaigrette, ketchup, hot sauce, etc.) They had to go dig through the push cart where all those items were moved (and no longer on ice). read more

Those of you who read my reviews no that I am a big fan of fish and chips. In fact, I will drive way out of my way define a really good spot that makes authentic fish and chips. So my girlfriend and I we're out on a Saturday night looking for a place to grab a bite to eat and she suggested the Catalina fish kitchen. I asked if they had good fish and chips there, and she said that they did so it was a done deal. One of the more interesting things about this place is it is tucked away in an industrial area. And during the day it would be very easy to overlook. At night, it is lit up like a casino, and is very easy to spot. which is a good thing, because you don't want to miss it! I will tell you this, they have one of the most expansive menus of any fish place I've seen. I figured I would order the fish and chips sampler, which also came with shrimp and calamari. It was a ton of food, and possibly one of the best fried fish meals I've ever had. The place itself has a great vibe, like one of those places that you almost feel is in your house the staff was wonderful, the food was cooked exactly how I ordered it, which is a nice change of pace. The fish is very fresh, and I have to tell you this, the sauces are amazing! The tartar sauce is simply the absolute best that I've ever had, their cocktail sauce for the shrimp is out of this world, and I can't wait to go back there to have some chips with the salsa that I had. To really do have to go try this place, as it is one of, if not THE best fish places in Costa Mesa. The bottom line? Go here now, even if it's 4:00 in the morning, and sit in your car and wait until they open. You will have some of the best fish you've ever had in your life. read more

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My wife and I have been coming here for about a year and this is our go to place whenever we are in the Costa Mesa area. Food and service are always excellent and this place has an amazing cozy atmosphere and décor. Staff and the owner are always welcoming and friendly. Unlike many small places of this size they have and alcohol license so you can have a drink with your meal. read more

This place is a hidden gem! It's located near the Trader Joe's off 17th Street and is always good. Its charming, old school surf/ marine decor is cozy and fun- a nice break from the modern, all white and metal look that so many places embrace due to today's trends. You can get beer and wine, parking is easy, and there is some outdoor seating as well. Food has always been good- and the prices are as well. It's not a gourmet experience by any means- so if you're looking for that, this isn't for you. Just casual, order at the counter and take your number kind- of -a deal. read more

Catalina Fish Kitchen - Kona bowl - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California