It’s a beautiful time to be a seafood lover in San Diego. Tuna Harbor Dockside Market occurs every Saturday at the Port of San Diego. Catalina Offshore Products helped introduce sea urchins as one of the most prized delicacies of the sea. Tommy “The Fishmonger” Gomes remains perhaps the most recognizable face of San Diego seafood. And now, the Fishermen’s Market of North County brings fresh catches straight to consumers every Sunday in Oceanside.
Just don’t call it a fish market. “We’re a fishermen’s market,” says founder Travis Tielens. “Much like a farmer’s market, but with all the commercial fishermen taking their catch directly off their boats and into the people’s hands,” he says. No wholesalers, distributors, or other middlemen are taking an extra cut. Just fresh fish at good prices, Tielens promises.
“You would go to some of these high-end fish markets and they’ve got tuna priced at $36 to $44 a pound. Over here at the market, it’s anywhere from $20 to $25 a pound,” he explains. Plus, he adds, you can’t get fish any fresher in many places—often, the catches are still alive. “As far as freshness, it’s unmatched.”
Fishermen’s Market of North County launched the weekly market on April 28, and it’s only grown since then. “The word’s really starting to get out there, so it’s been consistently busy,” says Tielens. It’s local fishermen’s busiest season right now, and he says they have plenty of variety every week, from tuna to halibut, yellowtail, oysters, scallops, sea urchins, spot prawns, and especially sardines and mackerel.
According to Tielens, most fish markets don’t even carry them because they’re so perishable, but those last two are unique to the market. But as more and more people discover the health benefits of those species, he’s seen demand significantly rise. To ensure safety and quality, he says the market’s board has a dedicated inspector to check fishermen’s tickets to double check everything has been caught within 72 hours. “We’ve got very strict rules,” he explains. “We’re setting ourselves apart from the rest by being very diligent with the freshness.”
He estimates there are usually around eight to 12 commercial fishermen selling their fresh catches every week, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to Joe’s Crab Shack. Most vendors are longtime locals, including himself. Tielens says that while it took a few years to organize and get the proper permits formally, he wants to keep the market small. “We’ve always kept it a tight-knit group, so we work well together,” he says. “We’re just keeping it local, keeping it fresh, and not getting sidetracked from that.”
Now that the market is running, Tielens says they plan to introduce a recurring cooking demonstration series with a different local chef every month. The first is this Sunday, July 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with chef Davin Waite of Wrench & Rodent and The Plot, and it’s completely free to attend. Plus, “We’re gonna have free samples to hand out to people,” he adds. “It’s gonna be a cool little event.”
San Diego Restaurant News & Food Events
Watch Rugby & Drink Beer at Kairoa Brewing Company This Friday
If you didn’t manage to snag a ticket to the New Zealand All Blacks vs. Fiji Rugby at Snapdragon Stadium this Friday, you can still get rowdy for rugby at Kairoa Brewing Company. The New Zealand-inspired brewpub’s “Bring The RUCKus” beer release party kicks off at 2 p.m., and the game starts at 7:30 p.m. Plus, reps from Garston Hops will be on hand until 6 p.m. to chat about the hops used for Kairoa’s latest collaboration beer with Societe Brewing and Burgeon Beer Company.
Beth’s Bites
- 858 Burger is officially open in La Jolla in the old Classic Burger spot. I’ve got a hankering to try the signature 858 burger with bacon jam and dirty fries… maybe afterward, I’ll walk it off on a stroll to the Cove. (Look, but don’t touch or tease the sea lions, for Pete’s sake!)
- Everyone’s wallets feel the pinch these days, so I’m always looking for a good deal. Luckily, The Amalfi Llama at Westfield UTC just launched a prix-fixe lunch menu for $35 and “Summer Friday” specials for a limited time. Check out their menu here.
- Michelin madness is in full swing, and our local dining scene is no exception. La Jolla’s Ambrogio by Acquerello got a nod in the latest update, which may signal a starry future. The official 2024 Michelin Guide California ceremony will take place on August 5, so good luck to the whole team!
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