Point Loma Seafood in San Diego, California: Fresh from and by the Sea

There are many bay-front seafood places here on the San Diego Bay, but it is a good bet that none is more beloved by the locals than Point Loma Seafood in Pt. Loma is. This wooden fish-market/deli/seafood restaurant is located just off from Harbor Drive between Shelter Island and Spanish Landing. The inside is more a fish market than a restaurant. You can actually sea the fish coming in and getting processed straight from the bay!

This place is ALWAYS busy. You go in, look at the menu, order when you get to the counter (which might take a while if you get there between 10:30AM-2PM), pay and loiter around before picking up your food when your receipt number is called. There is plenty of seats indoor and outside... the best of them for me are on the concrete steps overlooking the marina. You do have to pay attention to your food as you eat it, though. The California gulls here are so free of fear of human that they will try to finish your crab sandwich for you if you don't look out.

The price is on the high side, but, by Jove, it's worth it. The menu offers a variety of seafood sandwiches, sushi, salad, and seafood cocktails. I've never had their sushi since there are many good Japanese restaurants around. This joint is known for its sandwiches! The $8.31 squid sandwich is the best in town. Totally fresh sourdough bread and perfectly fried squid with finger-licking good tartar sauce. You've never had a truly good squid sandwich until you've tried it here. The same goes for the scallop sandwich. At $13, you'd think it'll have to be heavenly to be worth that much.... and it is! There's enough scallop in the thing to fill a sumo wrestler or two. If you have a yearning for clam chowder, do go for the sourdough one... It is a little pricey at $6.45, but I can guarantee that you won't regret it. Portion size is very good.

This is a cash only establishment (there's an ATM machine handy) that still does roaring business even in this economy. A real testament to how quality product can survive many storms. If you are in the area (or just landed at San Diego International Airport) and want a good lunch that will remind you of your good fortune at being in America's Finest City, scoot over to Pt. Loma Seafood on Emerson Street at Harbor Drive. Never mind the diet... there's plenty of scenic walk/bike paths around here to alleviate your guilt after that scallop sandwich.

Point Loma Seafood (www.pointlomaseafoods.com) : 2805 Emerson St., San Diego, CA 92106. Tel. (619) 223-1109 Opens: Mon-Sat from 9AM - 6:30PM, Sun from 11AM - 6:30PM. Cash only.