Insider Pages Reviews for Anthony's Fish Grotto

4 Stars: Anthony's Fish Grotto is # 1 (by Robb S.)

Robb S. — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:31:00 GMT

I found the service to be exceptional the waiters and waitress were friendly and attentive, the food was great, some of the best sea food I have ever had. and the view refreshing, to sit on the waters edge and watch the sun set with my wife was more than I could ask for. I would recommend Anthony's Fish Grotto to any one that comes to San Diego.

1 Stars: Nice View, Poor Food (by OAT)

OAT — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Being a resident of San Diego for many years, I tend to stay away from tourist spots but I was invited to have lunch there .
The view in the dining area is second to none but the entrance and the dining room itself have the feel of a bargain casino from the 80s.The food is not much better. Nothing seemed fresh and not surprizingly tasted frozen. Everything on our plates was fried and breaded.
Presentation on the plate also was also stuck in the 80s. Sadly enough, unjustified prices on the menu are more for the view than for the quality - or lack of it - of the food. Stay away or just have a drink for the view and eat elsewhere. San Diego has so much better to offer.

1 Stars: Four star prices...... (by CSMobileUser)

CSMobileUser — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I would definately not recommend Anthony's. Being originally from Monterey area in CA and now in Tucson my wife and I thought we would try this place out on a recent visit to SD. To start the restaurant looks like an OLD Las Vegas buffet. The prices are way over the top for the quality of the food. Truly four star prices at a one or two star quality level. The New England clam chowder was decent but they ran out of sourdough bowls. I had the Anthony's fresh catch special for $20 and it tasted like frozen fish and not fresh at all. My wife had the battered shrimp platter for $25 and only got 9 pieces of shrimp. The food presentation looked like a ren year old placed it on the plate. I actually cannot complain about the service my waitress was excellent.

2 Stars: Not the real thing (by Lauren M.)

Lauren M. — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:22:00 GMT

Anthony's is where people end up who don't know the great places to get fresh fish in San Diego.

There are small restaurants attached to fish markets like the Fishery, El Pescador and and Point Loma Seafood and then fancier places like Oceanaire. All are good choices.

1 Stars: Don't waste your cash on this tourist trap (by A F.)

A F. — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:47:00 GMT

Yeah, the food used to be something special waaaay back in the day. Now it's just a tourist trap with major crowds near the airport. Save your cash and skip it.

4 Stars: Seafood (by Tina P.)

Tina P. — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:35:00 GMT

This is a fun and great place to come down to get grab a bite to eat with the family. I love coming down here on a sunny weekend and grabbing some fresh fish tacos and watching the boats. Great San Diego hangout!

5 Stars: The outdoor eatery is THE BEST (by Jennifer D.)

Jennifer D. — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:04:00 GMT

This is right on the harbor, and has fresh fish every day. I take every out of town guest here. It is a must visit in San Diego. The outdoor area always has a line and you will have to scope out he place a while to find a table but it is well worth it (and kinda fun). The fish and chip basket is the best in San Diego. And the best part is that it is not that expensive.

5 Stars: THE BEST (by SHARON R.)

SHARON R. — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:00:00 GMT

Been eating here since they opened. Always wait for a window table. Sits out over the water... Great food. Good service...A little noisy, but food and view make up for it. Always a wait... Parking is bad, really bad. Always good food , never changes.

5 Stars: MANHATTEN CLAM CHOWDER!!!! (by Yao L.)

Yao L. — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:35:00 GMT

One of the few places that offers a clam filled Manhatten (Red) Clam chowder. The fish is always fresh and they serve an amazing sun dried tomato garlic butter with their fresh baked bread! Consistently delicious and great floor to ceiling views of the harbor in the dining room.

4 Stars: Anthony's Fish Grotto (by Sophia M.)

Sophia M. — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:32:00 GMT

Best Fish n Chips that I've ever tasted. The food was very good, the service was excellent, the menu had a wide variety of items to choose from. The restaurant was very spacious.

5 Stars: The Best! (by Melinda L.)

Melinda L. — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:57:00 GMT

Five months ago I took a vacation in San Diego. The desk clerk at the hotel I stayed in recommended Anthony's. I went for lunch and was not disappointed. There was no waiting time and the atmosphere and food were great. I had great service. It was so good that I went back the next night for dinner. I plan to go back to San Diego soon just so I can go to Anthony's.

5 Stars: Great FOOD!! (by awdreviewer)

awdreviewer — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:00:00 GMT

My friends and I were visiting from out of town and walked to this place (near our hotel). We ordered the calamari for appetizer and it was delicious and cooked to perfection! My boyfriend ordered fish tacos and they were delicious, I ordered the Kabob (recommended by our waitress) and each item was delicious and cooked to the perfect texture. The rice pilaf wasn't really liked by my friends but the cole slaw was also delicious. HIGHLY Recommend this place!!

4 Stars: FRESH (by aaron b.)

aaron b. — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:21:00 GMT

It's true that this is a casual fast food, just perfect for a quick lunch or dinner while sight-seeing in San Diego. I just had lunch there today. The salad I had was fresh and nicely chilled. The main course was a breaded, pan fried squid steak that was tasty and the portion size was large. A side of rice pilaf was a good match and fresh bread was included all chased down with iced tea. The service was great and fast.

1 Stars: Not very good (by restaurantcritic26)

restaurantcritic26 — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

This restaurant has rather tacky decor, so don't go here if you're hoping for good ambiance. The food was mediocre to bad. Lobster and crab stuffed mushroom should be served without the mushroom. The fried platter is not very good. Shrimp had too much breading, scallop was not fresh, and clam strips were much more rubbery than normal.

4 Stars: Locations makes it (by jalu3)

jalu3 — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Anthony's Fish Grotto is a local chain of seafood restaurant that prides itself on its hometown origins, length of service, and fresh catches. Because if this, it has become one of the most trusted seafood restaurants in the area . . . but by no means does that make it the best.

The selection of dishes range from the basic (chowder, fish and chips) to the middle upper end (lobster, locally caught fish, flash frozen alaskan afair). One can get these at other locations, but its the location that makes it ideal for us locals. Located right on the bay, and not to far from highway access, and the airport . . . the sunsets over the bay make this an ideal location for those who wish to avoid the higher price locations.

However, I guess, you get what you pay for. The wait for a good seat, even on a slow night, is long and tedious. The food is good, but by no means outstanding. And the service is nothing to start praising, being mediocure at best. But, one saving grace, is that it is consistent. You know what you are getting into when you come here.

4 Stars: Quick Food and Great Clam Chowder (by Brian G.)

Brian G. — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 12:18:00 GMT

Anthony's is a San Diego tradition and has been around for decades. The grotto continues this tradition of good hearty food while having a great central location. The grotto is a great place to grab a bite to eat while enjoying the embarcadero. The food is fast and well priced, There are great views of the bay from the deck of the grotto with self seating. If you are looking for something a bit more "formal" try anthony's resturant right next door!

PROS: Great food, Fast service
CONS: