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    Fish Guts

    4.5 (365 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 6:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

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    FISH GUTS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

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    Baja fish tacos
    Ona R.

    Love this place! Fresh fish and flavorful tacos!!!! I'm so impressed and not even mad that one can't mix and match because I want to try everything here! Small establishment but they make you feel at home, get you seated as quickly as they can and server your food hot and fresh. These are also some of the best fish tacos in San Diego. Can't wait to be back!!

    Fish n chips
    Priscilla K.

    Came here a few minutes before opening and there was still a line! Parking can be tricky because you only have the option for street parking. Once we were seated though, our orders were taken fairly quickly considering there was only one person working! We ordered everything on the menu basically, except dessert. The smoked fish was not available that day, but we got to try all the tacos, and we got seconds on the coconut shrimp. The fish n chips was brilliantly reinterpreted with the potato salad, the coconut shrimp was delightfully crispy and coconutty, and the swordfish was also good due to the yummy slaw. I had to ask twice for hot sauce though because it didn't have the heat I needed, but with it, it was superb! Would come back - though earlier next time to beat the line. One wish: (I wish they'd hire more people.) She was extremely professional despite the fact that she was the waitress seating people, taking orders, bartending, clearing dishes and tables, and being the cashier too! For a place doing SO well, I hope the owners would consider hiring more staff.

    De Espada tacos - tasty
    Kate F.

    This place doesn't have any take home containers so you can't order to go or take home anything. I wanted to try their smoked fish dip but knew I wouldn't be able to finish it on my own but I was told they don't have anything to give you leftovers in. I don't think I have ever been to a restaurant that doesn't have any take home containers The de Espada tacos were good but it's annoying you have to sit and eat there. For lunch, I like to grab and go. It was pretty crowded at noon on a Wednesday too. It was good but I probably won't come back

    Fish and chips tacos

    I was excited to try Fish Guts in Logan, but unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. The atmosphere was very bland--there was no music, which made the place feel quiet and boring. The service wasn't great either. The female server seemed stressed and wasn't very friendly or welcoming. The food was just mediocre, especially for the price. I ordered the Original Baja fish tacos and the fish and chips. The tacos were $12 for just two small tacos, which I felt was overpriced. What really surprised me was that the "fish and chips" came in taco form, which wasn't what I expected at all. I also ordered a drink, but they didn't have straws, salsa, or any condiments available, which made the meal even less enjoyable. Overall, I didn't think the food or the experience justified the cost. I'd rather visit a local food truck, pay under $2 per taco, and enjoy better flavor and value. I spent $33 for 4 tacos and a beer. Unfortunately, I won't be returning.

    Shrimp tacos
    Amy N.

    First time here, came here while visiting San Diego. We tried the Baja fish tacos, shrimp tacos and fish and chips. We also tried a Michelada and a few of the different margaritas. The service was great and the restaurant was clean but small. You sit bar style. I recommend giving this place a try.

    Fish taco
    Hannah W.

    Delicious no frills taco spot for fish tacos. Friendly service, delicious/fresh/quality food with a little kick. Can't ask for much more! This was probably the best fish taco we tried in San Diego.

    Steven H.

    Fish Guts in Barrio Logan is the kind of place that proves you don't need a fancy setup to serve outstanding food and drinks. The space itself is pretty simple, but what comes out of the kitchen absolutely delivers. On a recent Friday evening my partner and I grabbed seats at the bar and shared a few different tacos: the De Espada (swordfish), De Coco (shrimp), and the Estilo Baja fish taco. Each one was excellent in its own way. The swordfish taco in particular stood out, but honestly all three were fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. We were served by a friendly young waiter whose name I unfortunately didn't catch. He mentioned he grew up in the neighborhood and was genuinely warm, attentive, and outgoing. Service like that always makes the experience feel more personal. For drinks, I had the Pepino Santo, which I highly recommend. It was refreshing and perfectly balanced. My partner tried the Smokey Mango and enjoyed that one just as much. If you're used to grabbing tacos across the border in Tijuana, the prices here might cause a little sticker shock at first. But for San Diego, and especially for tacos of this quality, the pricing really isn't surprising. One small tip: if it's a chilly evening like it was when we visited, you may want to sit inside away from the open windows or bring a jacket. Great tacos, great drinks, and a relaxed neighborhood vibe. We'll definitely be back.

    James H.

    Stopped by Fish Guts and was seriously impressed. Their crispy fish tacos are legit -- perfectly fried with great crunch and tons of flavor in every bite. Everything tasted fresh, well-seasoned, and thoughtfully put together. Service was really good too -- friendly, fast, and welcoming without feeling rushed. If you're in San Diego and craving excellent fish tacos, this spot absolutely delivers. Simple, delicious, and done right. I'll definitely be back.

    Blackened swordfish
    Valerie T.

    After several attempts to catch them open, I finally made it to Fish Guts an easy addition to my San Diego taco tour and well worth the wait. I'm always drawn to inventive seafood tacos, especially when they showcase different preparations, and this spot absolutely delivered. We sampled the blackened swordfish, the estilo Baja white fish (light, crisp, and exactly what you want from a classic), and started with the smoked fish dip all paired with margaritas that were dangerously smooth, more like fresh juice than a cocktail. Nothing missed the mark: from the rich, smoky dip to the perfectly seasoned blackened taco and the satisfying crunch of the fried option, each bite was thoughtfully executed. A detail I loved each order comes with two tacos, making it ideal for sharing and tasting your way through the menu. The freshness of the fish really shines and sets the tone for a proper taco crawl. Though the space is on the smaller side, with limited indoor seating and a cozy patio, it adds to the charm. It's the kind of intimate setting that invites you to linger, people watch, and take in the vibrant artwork that defines Barrio Logan. The staff is quick and detailed with honest feedback. A couple of notes: they're closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and parking is street-only, so plan accordingly. But once you're there, the flavors more than make up for any extra effort.

    Amy D.

    Delicious fish tacos in sd!! The fish tasted so crispy and fresh, but my favorite was their coconut shrimp tacos. I loved that their tais came lots of cabbage in too that helped balance out the fried foods. I actually really liked how small the store was because you got to look out into the street and really enjoy the view, making it a really charming place to have a quick lunch! I definitely recommend it and if I'm in the area, stopping by again !

    Very nice location here
    Chris M.

    All I can say is I really loved this place. It was one of the top food places I was able to fit into my few days in SD, and their tacos were so fresh and this was one of the very few places that lived up to the hype. The Fish Sandwich was amazing. As you can see from my pics so got an assortment of tacos and took recommendations from the staff- who I believe was the owner. He was very friendly and eager to please. The fish tacos were superb, probably my favorite and that's why I stopped in there. When I make it back this is on my priority list to see them again.

    Fish tacos
    Monica M.

    Okay okay okay yes there is a line but the wait is worth it!! Make sure you get in line early so you get a seat quickly otherwise bring a chair to sit while waiting jk. So it was our first time here we were told to leave room to try the fish tacos here and they were super good so we're the drinks!! Great place suitors in front of the main road where you get to see the low riders pass by. Great spot!! Located in the heart of Chicano Park!! A must when here!!

    Baja
    Ari J.

    Yo, Fish Guts the name, kinda nasty on the ear, Sounds like a horror flick, but the food's sincere. Walked in like "damn, who named this spot?" But one bite of them tacos and I forgot. Baja tacos so fresh, it erased the crime, Even the shrimps spit bars in rhyme. Slaw cold, place got flair, But callin' it Fish Guts? My guy, you don't care! Still, respect to the barrio, flavor's on lock, Five stars for the food, zero for struttin' cock. So if you can stomach the name, take the ride, Fish Guts forever ugly name, bomb inside.

    De espada

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    Fish Guts Reviews in Other Languages

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    Mothership

    Mothership

    4.3
    (950 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    This was a serendipity find and it gives off enigmatic vibes, they had amazing selection of vegan…read morefood especially their scallion pancakes, loved the vibe and the place Menu is intriguing and has a speak easy kind of entrance, must try for vegan people! The server helped us understand the menu and they accomodate all dietary restrictions

    Have been wanting to try this place for a while. Having a Vegan friend in the group this was…read moreperfect. We finally were able to get reservations. Yes you need reservations. The place is very small, a couple of stand up bar top tables and around 10 total tables. I would recommend this place only for a group max of 4 people. Very interesting and cool mix of Signature drinks. They also had non alcoholic beverages. The whole menu is plant based. Drinks were very interesting and really good. Food is Spanish style tapas. Small plates to share. I think we ordered almost everything in the menu Bread, Potatoes, Rice, Tofu, Bao Bun Sandwiches and Savory Pancake. Every dish was delicious and nicely presented. Place was medium loud and it felt that you actually entered another planet like in the tv series of Star Trek. Bathrooms looked like the elevator of a starship. Outstanding decor. Service was really good until the part that they rushed us through our dinner. That is why I put 3 stars. No where I saw that seating was maximum for two hours but they even rushed us more. Our reservation was at 730pm and they took us out of our table at 9pm. Very nicely they told us that we had to leave because they had another reservation. We were not even through our second cocktail and we had to leave it half drank. That is why my 3 star rating. I think that was very rude. For four people to celebrate a bday an hour and a half is very little time to share. It was a nice one time experience but that is all. I was planning to go again with another friend but with this time limit I would not repeat the place.

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    Noble Experiment

    Noble Experiment

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.5 mi
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    I'm not an often a cocktail drinker. So when the bartender asked what I'm looking for I was ill…read moreprepared. From his view, it probably sounded like "I'm Ron Burgundy?" (It definitely did). His questions guided my indecision towards a Berkshire Old Fashioned that was fantastic despite my fumbling to get there. With the warm up round over and the old fashioned loosening up my creativity, round two was set to be a knockout. I love coffee (specifically strong espresso drinks), so I asked for a strong, coffee infused, punchy cocktail, but with a different base of alcohol from the old fashioned. What came out was the best cocktail I will probably ever have in my life. The bourbon cocktail with coffee liqueur (and a number of other garnishes I will never remember) hit the bullseye. Flavorful, strong, bold, delicious all at the same time. Unfortunately (?), this was a noble experiment so I'll forever be chasing the white whale of what this drink was. But that's the allure.

    My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

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    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Bartenders creations.
    Bartenders creations.
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    Kindred

    Kindred

    4.4
    (2k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    Vulture is dead. Long live Kindred!…read more I'm glad my prayers were answered. I guess I prayed to the right deity, because the Vulture Martini is back. I have had a few martinis in my day, and this one may well be the best. The Dirty Martini may be the second best. I'd probably stop there, but my wife loved her Brooklyn during our last visit, and she is not even a big fan of peach. Skewers are still great. I missed out on one of the pickled things. Was it a pear? Not sure. The carrots were good. I missed out on my opportunity to try the French Onion Soup at Vulture, so I was really happy to see it on the Kindred menu. Surely this could win over carnivores. Vive la soupe à l'oignon française! Maybe I will try the Steak Frites next time, which I think is another Vulture holdover. It was great to see Kindred busy on a Monday night. Let's support the vegan places, people. Peace

    I want to start by saying I appreciate KINDRED as a place for people to get dietary restrictions…read moremet and not feel bad about it. I've gone over the past decade with friends/family alike and 60% of the time it's been solid. As I've looked around before posing, it seems the restaurant is in a steady spiral downward over the years. I've had great service here and it sucks to say this evening was such a poor experience. I hope everyone working can be on the same page moving forward to avoid this happening again to others. I decided to come by for birthday dinner and figured 8pm was a decent time to still get great food and service. We made a reservation in advance and got to a table in 5 minutes. That's wonderful, always love that for anyone. The non-alcoholic drinks are always a favorite as someone who's been sober for years. However, it all got much more complicated after that. After not hearing or getting any updates from the server for 50 mins on our appetizer, we asked if everything was ok and if they had potentially forgot about our order. It's happened before no worries. The server said no and it just takes a while. That's fine and fair, it's to be expected on a skeleton crew for a Wednesday night shift. It was odd to see at least 4 tables and groups who had been seated after us get their food before us. When we got our Doom Bloom, around 8:55pm, over 50% of it was burnt to a crisp, the smaller mushrooms had been completely blackened to a point where you could just taste charred. Something tells me this is not the best way to serve food to others but what do I know as someone who's been coming here for years. When we got our Mind Melt and BBQ Jackfruit, which was another 50 minutes later now around 9:40pm, these entrees had met the same fate. The BBQ Jackfruit sourdough was so dry and burnt it tasted like a saltine cracker left in a campfire as a joke. The fries were overcooked, super dry, and stale all at the same time. It's like it was left in the heat lamp for 30 minutes or far too long to be enjoyed for what would be great food. My partners food thankfully wasn't to the same degree as mine but still not great. We were checking with ourselves quietly to make sure the other wasn't loosing it or if we were missing out on something. People will be people and that will never change. I hope some else won't have to spend over $100 with tip included to get the same service we got. I cannot imagine how bad things are behind the scenes for this to be a standard the staff are okay with and that they perpetuate based off other recent reviews in this matter. It was embarrassing and a waste of money. I do not recommend coming here given how this situation has transpired. My stomach still hurts while typing this review on my sofa at home.

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    Bar area. Ig @mel_foodie_ventures.
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    False Idol

    False Idol

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Went here with advance knowledge of the place during our PHX to SD whirlwind vacation to see Bob…read moreDylan at the Rady Shell. Had to put in our names, as there is only so much space on an early Saturday evening. Took all of 10 minutes before entry was granted. Led inside to a standing room-only table. Lady friend got the Saturn, myself the 151 Swizzle. I probably did the wrong thing and didn't allow the ice packed on top of the swizzle to melt thoroughly enough into the drink to dilute the 151 overproof black Demerara's rum. Nae worries, brah. It was delicious. Affordable tiki-theme cocktails, decor(!) and atmosphere is why this place will remain popular and a must visit when in Sandy Eggo. Top notch!

    What a fun nightlife spot! If you're looking for a fun place to grab cocktails, this is definitely…read morea spot worth checking out! **Located inside Craft & Commerce Walking into False Idol honestly feels like you've been transported somewhere else. It's hidden behind Craft & Commerce, and once you step inside, the immersive tiki atmosphere really sets the mood. The decor, lighting, and sound effects all come together to make the experience feel fun and memorable. Just know, if you are hoping to sit down, good luck! A lot of reservations are made in advance. However, at the bar, if you see a reservation sign and they're not there yet, staff will let you sit down once it's time to get up for the reserved party. DRINKS: 9/10 The cocktails were creative, well crafted, and definitely strong enough to make you feel like you were getting your money's worth. I also loved how much attention they put into the presentation. Every drink looked like a piece of art and added to the whole tiki experience. SERVICE: 9/10 The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They took the time to answer questions and made great recommendations without making us feel rushed. AMBIANCE: 10/10 This is easily the highlight of the experience. The entire space is beautifully designed, and every little detail makes it feel like you've escaped into a hidden tropical bar. It's cozy, intimate, and unlike any other place I've been to in San Diego. Reservations are definitely worth making since the space is on the smaller side and fills up quickly. The only reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars is that, while the experience and ambiance were amazing, the drinks are definitely on the pricier side. I understand you're paying for the craftsmanship and atmosphere, but it's probably not somewhere I'd visit regularly because of that. It's common for tiki bars to be pricey so it was to be expected. Overall, I'm really glad I finally got to experience False Idol. If you're in San Diego and enjoy creative cocktails in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, I'd definitely recommend checking it out at least once!

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    Tiki themed decor
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    Books & Records

    Books & Records

    4.3
    (406 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    Happy Hour is all day on Wednesdays, which is a huge plus…read more The menu has a great selection, and this place always has a solid ambiance. Everything came out quickly, including the drinks. I genuinely wasn't dressed up and still received some of the best service I've ever had at a restaurant. Dalton was an absolute all-star, even though he's a Dodgers fan. A+ service. Even when he had a good number of tables, he still checked in regularly to make sure we were happy and had everything we needed.

    I really wanted to like Books & Records, but the service left a lot to be desired…read more After checking in, we waited a bit for our table, which was understandable. Once seated, though, we sat for about 20 minutes without anyone acknowledging us. I eventually had to flag someone down just to get water. We then waited even longer for our server to take our order. Because service was so slow, I ordered all of our drinks and food at once since I wasn't sure when we'd see our server again. What stood out even more was watching a couple seated next to us receive immediate attention. They were greeted, served water right away, and the woman was offered a purse hook. Meanwhile, we were sitting there with our purses shoved beside us and weren't offered the same courtesy. It may seem like a small detail, but combined with the lack of attention, it made us feel overlooked. The drinks came out quickly, and the chicken satay and mac and cheese were decent. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out food-wise either. The highlight of the evening was definitely the live music. The performers were fantastic and created a great atmosphere that honestly was the only enjoyable part of the evening.

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    Interior
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    Botanica Art & Cocktails

    Botanica Art & Cocktails

    4.4
    (318 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Immediately fell in love with this quaint and chicly decorated speakeasy lounge. The staff was…read moreincredibly personable and helpful. The vibe was relaxed and unassuming. When I made the reservation, it was noted that there is a 1.5 hour limit on the table. Thankfully, Botanica isn't incredibly stringent about this rule as it gave us more time to eat, drink and be merry. My friend and I split the bill and I paid $87.49 with tip included. Here's what we had: Blistered shishito peppers - mild spice but flavorful New York strip yakitori - ordered two of these because they were that good! The steak was tender and the sauce rendered an umami flavor Botanika roll - tasted fine, but it ate one note. You can taste the citrusy parts but not much else. Mochi dessert - you can only get dessert if you order the pre fixe chef menu, but since our waitress didn't know this, she put the order in and gave it to us! We were incredibly grateful because it was the perfect end to a good meal For cocktails we ordered Spirited Away, Dragon of the West, Kyoko Sakura & Heads will Roll. All of the cocktails were beautifully presented and quite tasty.

    This place is calm, creative, and has the right low lighting without feeling too dark to see. The…read moredrinks are pricy, but very unique, and they have a special emphasis on aesthetic. The bartenders are nice and give good recommendations. It is attached to an art gallery and is supposed to have art displays in the bar area, but unfortunately they were all turned off when we were there.

    Photos
    Japanese Gin for the win!
    Japanese Gin for the win!
    Polenta and Wild Mushrooms
    Polenta and Wild Mushrooms
    The Dream

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    The Dream
    Charade

    Charade

    4.5
    (79 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    First time here. Definitely out of our comfort zone but enjoyed the show. Cas, Mj and Josie were…read moreamazing host and had great hospitality. Come visit!!!!!

    As the self-appointed king of speakeasies, I'm back at it with another one. After having dinner in…read morethe area, we stopped by Charade for some drinks on a Monday night. I parked on the street close to the dinner spot I went to and then walked over to Charade. Ambiance (5/5): Charade is a speakeasy so here's your clue. It's located inside Balboa. Look for the room with the arcade games and you're on the right track. Once you enter the speakeasy, you'll immediately be impressed with the old school charm. It seats roughly 20-30 people and there's a bar on one end and a stage on the other end. Old school red curtains add to the vibe. And here's the best part. On Mondays, it's jazz night. Local musicians will play which makes for a great time. Service (3/5): There was one bartender working when we were there. Overall, she provided pretty good service. There was one comment she made which rubbed me the wrong way but no biggie. Food (N/A): I had dinner prior so were on a liquid diet. I did notice that they have a few snacks available like popcorn. Drinks (4.5/5): When you think of speakeasies, you think of elevated cocktails. I look for creativity and an interesting blend of flavors and ingredients. The menu here, while not huge, has some interesting options. Outside of the menu itself, the prices are reasonable (especially for California). And they make you stiff drinks which is always appreciated. Taking into account the cocktails and the ambiance, Charade is an awesome laid-back speakeasy. Make sure to stop by on a Monday for jazz night. That takes things up a notch.

    Photos
    Burlesque fridays
    Burlesque fridays
    The jazzy sound of Sip & Curl
    The jazzy sound of Sip & Curl
    Back room at the Charade

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    Back room at the Charade

    Fish Guts - seafood - Updated July 2026

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