How much does Oscar's Mexican Seafood cost?

Fish tacos are $3-5, ceviche tostadas are $4-6, burritos are $8-10. A family of 4 can eat for $25-40 total.

Is Oscar's good for picky kids?

The fish tacos are surprisingly kid-friendly. For very picky eaters, cheese quesadilla, chips with guacamole, and plain rice are safe options.

Is Oscar's near the beach?

Yes -- 5-minute walk from Pacific Beach and Tourmaline Surf Park. Many families order tacos and carry them to the beach.

Does Oscar's have seating?

Limited outdoor seating (a few sidewalk tables). Most people take food to go -- to the beach, a park, or the car.

Oscar's Mexican Seafood

Name: Oscar's Mexican Seafood
Address: 703 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA, 92109, US
Telephone: (858) 488-6392
Rating: 4.5

Rating

4.5(4,100)

Family of 4

$25-$40 (fish tacos $3-5 each, ceviche tostadas $4-6 each, burritos $8-10 each + drinks = $25-40 for a family of 4)

Duration

0.5-1 hour

Best Ages

Best for all ages

About

Oscar's Mexican Seafood is a beloved Pacific Beach institution serving some of the best Mexican seafood in San Diego at prices that seem like a typo. This small counter-service spot on Turquoise Street has been feeding surfers, families, and locals with fresh fish tacos, ceviche tostadas, and massive burritos since 2009.

The ceviche tostada is the dish that made Oscar's famous. A crispy corn tostada loaded with lime-cured shrimp and fish mixed with tomato, onion, cilantro, and avocado. At $4-6, it is one of the best food values in San Diego.

The breakfast burritos available from opening (8 AM) are massive and can fuel two hours of boogie boarding. At $8-10, they are a budget-friendly way to start a beach day.

Oscar's operates on pure counter-service. Walk up, order, pay, and take a number. Outdoor seating consists of a few sidewalk tables. Many families order and carry their tacos to the beach, eating on the sand with ocean views -- the best free dining ambiance in San Diego.

There is nothing fancy about this place -- no table service, no decor. What it has is extraordinary food at extraordinary prices in a neighborhood that embodies the casual San Diego lifestyle.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Limited

Nursing / Changing

Not Available

Kid Meals

Limited

Setting

Indoor & Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Lunch between 11 AM and 1 PM for the freshest prep. Avoid the 12:30-1:30 PM rush on weekends. Morning (8-10 AM) is great for breakfast burritos before a beach day.

Wait Times

5-15 min during lunch rush; 0-5 min off-peak

Nearby Food

In Pacific Beach: PB Fish Shop (excellent grilled fish, $10-14), Sushi Ota (world-class sushi hidden in a strip mall, $15-25). Pacific Beach boardwalk restaurants offer oceanfront dining at higher prices.

Why Kids Love It

Oscar's Mexican Seafood is the kind of place that changes how kids think about fish tacos forever. This no-frills counter-service spot serves ceviche tostadas piled high with fresh lime-cured shrimp, fish tacos with perfectly battered cod, and breakfast burritos that fuel an entire morning at the beach. The portions are generous, the flavors are vibrant, and the prices are shockingly low.

Kids who think they do not like fish tacos will reconsider after trying Oscar's. The batter is light and crispy. The fish is fresh. The toppings create layers of flavor that are appealing rather than intimidating. For pickier eaters, the cheese quesadilla and chips with guacamole are reliable fallbacks.

The setting is quintessential California casual: order at the window, sit at an outdoor table, and eat with your hands while watching Pacific Beach life stroll by. For families with antsy kids who cannot sit through a 90-minute restaurant experience, Oscar's delivers better food in 20 minutes flat.

Pro Tips from Parents

The ceviche tostada is the signature item -- order at least one to share
The breakfast burrito is a massive, excellent value fuel-up before a beach morning
This is perfect beach food -- grab tacos and walk 5 minutes to Pacific Beach to eat on the sand
The smoked fish taco is the sleeper hit -- less ordered but incredibly flavorful
Multiple locations -- the Turquoise Street location is the original and closest to the beach

What to Bring

Cash or card (both accepted)
Napkins (it gets messy)
An appetite

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$25-$40 (fish tacos $3-5 each, ceviche tostadas $4-6 each, burritos $8-10 each + drinks = $25-40 for a family of 4)

Tips to Save

This place is already incredibly affordable.
A family of 4 can eat exceptionally well for $25-40.
Order at the counter, grab a table outside, and enjoy some of the best Mexican seafood in San Diego at prices that would not cover a single entree at a tourist restaurant.