Point Loma Seafoods

[DoctorQuality]

While i've always found blue water to be much tastier and fresher than point loma, occassionally i get the urge for a clam sandwich that can only be cured by point loma. on this past trip i noticed that the majority of the fish for sale in the counter was previously frozen. i found this odd considering their prices were fairly high for not having fresh inventory. has it been that i never really paid attention to the counter and they've always sold previously frozen fish? i guess i just figure if you're going to a fish market and paying good money for fish, you'd figure it is the freshest around.

[ibstatguy]

I'm going to throw in my two cents with a vote for Bay Park Seafood.

[keena]

You cannot find fried scallops here and being from the NE I miss them. PLSF has some wonderful fried scallops and that ( and their lemonade) is worth the trip.
P.S. The guy is just helping to direct you to open spaces in the small lot. No valet that I can see. And if you are in the LJ area, El Pescador is great. I've never had anything bad from there (and the surfer guys that work there are so nice!)

[ibstatguy]

try Sportsmens Sea Food over at the Mission Bay marina, near the Hyatt. I seem to recall that they do fried scallops. Their fried squid/calamari beats PLSF.

[Alice Q]

Am I crazy or isn't all fish frozen at sea for safe keeping? That was my impression - and I do know that all sushi is supposed to be deep frozen before serving to kill parasites - it's required by law. Check out this article for more info - http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/08/nyr...

[ChinoWayne]

No, all fish is not frozen at sea. Depends upon how far out the fishing grounds are from the fish market and how long it will take to get it back, and probably what species is being fished, and whether or not it is a "factory fisher" or an independent boat. Back in the '70's I can remember seeing fishermen in small boats with outboard motors landing on the beach with fish for the local fish market in Newport Beach. That certainly happens today in a lot of places around the world - everything does not come shrink-wrapped and extruded from a corn mill. ;-)

[Alice Q]

We have very little locally caught fish in our markets in SD anymore. Tuna fishing is a big part part of the local history and used to sustain the local Italian community - up to around the 70's. My understanding is that what "wanker" is saying below is pretty much right on.

[DougOLis]

In Kitchen Confidential Anthony Bourdain mentioned something about all Chilean Sea Bass coming frozen. He railed on seafood pretty good in that chapter and it's definitely made me think twice about what I'm buying/ordering.

[wanker]

Uh reality check. Most seafood is frozen, including most sushi grade fish. Most fish is frozen at sea either in the actual fishing boats or when the fish is processed at sea in the large processing boats. The only exception is true "locally caught" seafood, such as yellowtail or spiny lobster when in season in SD. With that said, properly frozen will not affect the taste or quality if done properly. Thus a good quality fish monger is one that properly handles the fish and has good turn over. Dont' be turned off just because your seafood was frozen at some point.

[cstr]

That's why the fed reg requires all fish to show it's origin so that you can be informed about what you are buying.

[cstr]

Frozen isn't as bad as it sounds, when the fish is fresh (I mean still flipping around on the boat), flash freezing only creates small ice crystals, thus minimizing damage to the flesh. When thawed, this product is as good as getting it live off the boat.

[jessicah]

Never bought fish there before but their fried clams are so damn good.

[sdnativa]

I bought some Alaskan Halibut there yesterday. It was frozen. It was excellent and price was good. There were plenty of fresh selections. I dont think it is a fair statement to say they dont have 'fresh inventory'. Some catches are seasonal. Next time, if there is a next time, why dont you talk to the guys behind the counter about why certain offerings are previously frozen, instead of posting misleading information on the internet?

There is no valet parking. There is a parking lot attendant during peak hours and in the summer. He will direct you to an open spot, or have you wait until something opens up. They have issues with the parking lot filling up; during the sportfishing season there is a problem with the lot being used by people other than customers.

If you dont like the prepared food, fine. That is a separate subject than the fish counter. PLSF offers the best fish in the area which is why it is has been so successful and popular for at least 30 years. Some of the fish is very expensive; the wild salmon when it is available, will run you $23.00-$25.00 per lb. Same for fresh swordfish and alaskan halibut when in season. You can get cheaper fish elsewhere bit the quality will not be the same.

I frequent Blue Water as well for ther prepared food; the counter fish prices are just as high as PLSF, if not higher.

[Ewilensky]

I like Point Loma Seafood and it is high up there when looking for fish to cook. I also like the prepared counter as I love their tuna fish sandwiches -- a bit expensive -- but worth it.

Man, I miss their shrimp salad sandwiches that are no longer on the menu...

Makes a nice stop when heading up for a picnic at Cabrillo.

That said, there are times I walk in, and the chaos of the store has me leaving within a few seconds.

[cstr]

I agree about flash frozen at sea, i.e. halibut from AK. is very good quality and taste, how about all that sushi we eat, most is frozen at sea. Think your eating fresh, not frozen Toro?

[DiningDiva]

I was always amused by valet parking at a fish market. What type of fish was it that was frozen. Not all fish has year round availability, perhaps what you saw frozen was a fish with limited availability during winter months.

[DougOLis]

Yikes, that's pretty bad if they're selling frozen fish. I was already pretty lukewarm towards them but now that just confirms that I should stick to Blue Water Grill and El Pescador.

[Josh]

Never liked Point Loma Seafood. Felt it was like El Indio, and only popular because of longevity. Flame away. :-)

[mikec]

There's certainly things on the menu at PLSF that make you go "eh". However, I have been fond of their Dungeness crab sandwich for over thirty years. I was fonder of it when it was $2.39, though... ;-)

El Indio has always sucked in my book...

[Beach Chick]

Nailed it..
Been going to PLS for many years and though I love certain things like the calamari sandwich and the nostalgia of it all, it really has become it's own worst enemy..
DD..had to laugh on the valet..wtf..who would of thunk?
Flame away is such a great line.