Locals Open New Seafood Market and Restaurant in Ocean Beach

Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill Opens With Much “Finfare”

by Bob Edwards

There’s been a lot of activity and happy faces at the foot of Santa Monica Street where a new restaurant, Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill, has opened. Excited locals and other San Diegans, food blogs, and a film crew from a major TV network have all been checking out or publicizing the opening.

It has always been this reporter’s policy to not review any restaurant before it has been up and running a month or two to give it a chance to iron out the inevitable issues that arise with an opening. I am going to make an exception in this case because there don’t seem to be any issues!

I’ve paid a couple visits to Blue Water and service, food quality, cleanliness, and a good vibe have been spot on each time. It’s probably because Blue Water’s original storefront on India Street has been thriving for years now (#1 rated seafood restaurant in San Diego, per Yelp) and the owners have clearly figured out how to efficiently run their business.

Fish Of The Day. All photos by Bob Edwards

After months of remodeling and hard work, they have recreated the Mission Hills restaurant’s style and great food in Ocean Beach.

Blackened Leopard Grouper Taco

Although the restaurant offers fried fish and chips, poke, sea weed salad and other tasty items, the main event for most customers seems to be the fresh grilled fish. When you place your order at the counter you specify the species of fish you want (I’ve had grouper, halibut, and scallops) and a marinade or style (I tried blackened, lemon garlic butter, and chipotle).

You can order your fish as tacos, sandwiches, salads, or plates with salad and rice.

Each item I ordered was cooked perfectly. Although the marinades were tasty they were applied with restraint, allowing the flavor of the fresh fish to come through beautifully. If you want to spice up your tacos, there are 4 or 5 different types of hot sauce at each table.

A couple of my dining companions tried the fried fish and chips and fried fish tacos and though they didn’t offer any to share with me, they reported that it was prepared perfectly, crisp on the outside and “melt in your mouth good” on the inside.

Fresh Fish On Ice

Blue Water’s owners, Judd and Matt Braun, are Ocean Beach locals who grew up within blocks of the restaurant and attended Point Loma High School. Many staff are locals, too. Seafood is sourced locally when possible and all seems to be the highest quality.

Wine and beer, including local craft beers, are available.

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives Crew at work

During my most recent visit on February 19 there was a particular excitement in the air as a film crew from the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” was present (minus host Guy Fieri) to film a future “Where Are They Now” segment for the show.  This will follow up on the original episode that featured the Mission Hills Blue Water store. That episode aired in 2009.

Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill is located at 5083 Santa Monica Avenue in Ocean Beach. It is open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM.