Wahoo's Fish Tacos

I miss our San Diego location so much. When I was heading to my grandsons soccer game, I recognized the shopping center while sitting at the light. Made the suggestion to see if my favorite citrus fish tacos was still around. So off we went after the big win. Did not disappoint! Music was good, just a tad loud. Felt like I had to shout over it.

Carlos and Jayden were SO helpful. The food was so good. We remember Wahoo's from visiting years ago. The food and choices seem to keep getting better and better. We had the Crispy Fish Tacos and Spicy Fish Sandwich. We loved it. And the service was wonderful.

Fantastic food and service every time! Friendly and attentive staff and management. They always go out of their way to have uplifting, human interaction and make sure their guests feel cared about. Some of the best staff in Encinitas!

After many years of curiosity, I finally tried Wahoos! I really enjoyed the plate I got that included fish and rice and cabbage slaw and beans. It felt balanced, healthy, and flavorful. One of those meals that felt indulgent in all the best ways. This is now going to be one of my regular spots for healthy dinner when I’m not feeling up to grilling my own fish!

A must when in town. Excellent food!

+1

Wahoo’s Fish Taco has always been one of my favorites since I was a child. They have such great food & the employees are always very friendly. Fun fact, I lost my first tooth at this location, so it will always have a special place in my heart and I will always make sure to stop here when I’m in town. Carlos took our order today and was very nice. He recommended the rice krispy treat and it was phenomenal!

Really cool spot off the beaten path. You would never guess such a tastey treat would be hidden inside a random shopping center, but here it is! I had the shrimp tacos with the slaw, and it hit the spot. I feel great right now! It is a healthier alternative as well. The service was friendly and fun, and on top of it. Fast with no quailty lost. Will be back!!!

I haven’t been back to Wahoo’s for several years and I don’t know why- it was delicious. 2 fish taco plate with citrus slaw, black beans, and brown rice. Next time I’ll take a photo before I inhale the delicious food. I’m definitely coming back with my 7 year old daughter.

Wahoo's is an excellent taco chain. The restaurant has a good vibe and the tacos and sauces are delicious. Out of all fast-ish food places, Wahoo's is certainly inside the top 10% of them.

Awesome food. So unique.

When we arrived a few minutes before official time open of 11am, Wahoo's doors were unlocked so we entered the quiet restaurant. It didn't stay that way. Although, we were the first to enter the store, I noticed, people waiting in their cars. Wahoo patrons quickly followed so we allowed others to order first before us since we weren't ready with selections. We, party of 3, feasted on yummy fresh fish tacos plate and french fries! There is a petite yet robust salsa bar with Maria's salsa, a Wahoo's speciality. Heard Wahoo's radio advertisement on Relevant Radio 1000. As an unbastardized Catholic, cleaned up from receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation aka Penance aka Confession, I thought mistakenly we were lovingly mandated to fast on Friday for the good our our souls. However, during Christianity's highest holiest season, we don't. It's feast time! Besides, I chose to go to Wahoo's because fasting or not, Wahoo's has great food! Also, Divine Mercy Sunday (see image below) was coming up Sunday April 28. This Second Sunday after Easter is a special time to receive Mercy, God's highest form of love, the holy indulgences, FINCH: Feast, Indulgence, Novena, Chaplet, Hour of 3pm Holy power hour! Come early for a leisurely lunch🍲🙏🌼😇

Marilou Hobrock

When we arrived a few minutes before official time open of 11am, Wahoo's doors were unlocked so we entered the quiet restaurant. It didn't stay that way. Although, we were the first to enter the store, I noticed, people waiting in their cars. Wahoo patrons quickly followed so we allowed others to order first before us since we weren't ready with selections. We, party of 3, feasted on yummy fresh fish tacos plate and french fries! There is a petite yet robust salsa bar with Maria's salsa, a Wahoo's speciality. Heard Wahoo's radio advertisement on Relevant Radio 1000. As an unbastardized Catholic, cleaned up from receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation aka Penance aka Confession, I thought mistakenly we were lovingly mandated to fast on Friday for the good our our souls. However, during Christianity's highest holiest season, we don't. It's feast time! Besides, I chose to go to Wahoo's because fasting or not, Wahoo's has great food! Also, Divine Mercy Sunday (see image below) was coming up Sunday April 28. This Second Sunday after Easter is a special time to receive Mercy, God's highest form of love, the holy indulgences, FINCH: Feast, Indulgence, Novena, Chaplet, Hour of 3pm Holy power hour! Come early for a leisurely lunch🍲🙏🌼😇

Alexa Utnage

Wahoo’s Fish Taco has always been one of my favorites since I was a child. They have such great food & the employees are always very friendly. Fun fact, I lost my first tooth at this location, so it will always have a special place in my heart and I will always make sure to stop here when I’m in town. Carlos took our order today and was very nice. He recommended the rice krispy treat and it was phenomenal!

Branon McCain

Really cool spot off the beaten path. You would never guess such a tastey treat would be hidden inside a random shopping center, but here it is! I had the shrimp tacos with the slaw, and it hit the spot. I feel great right now! It is a healthier alternative as well. The service was friendly and fun, and on top of it. Fast with no quailty lost. Will be back!!!

Derek Petersen

I haven’t been back to Wahoo’s for several years and I don’t know why- it was delicious. 2 fish taco plate with citrus slaw, black beans, and brown rice. Next time I’ll take a photo before I inhale the delicious food. I’m definitely coming back with my 7 year old daughter.

Lucy Bechtle

Awesome food. So unique.

brian suchy

Wahoo's is an excellent taco chain. The restaurant has a good vibe and the tacos and sauces are delicious. Out of all fast-ish food places, Wahoo's is certainly inside the top 10% of them.

Carlos is the best ever! He is always getting our order correct and is so friendly! We love coming here. Such awesome staff!

While visiting family, I had lunch here a few days ago. I ordered my usual #2 with crispy fish tacos and chicken enchilada. The food was much better than my local Wahoos on Warner Ave in Huntington Beach. It's seems like the HB location has been skimping on portions, so much so, that I will no longer eat there. However, I would definitely eat here again when in this area.

Staff is always so courteous, well mannered and very professional!! Food is great and fresh!!

Always loved it! Still amazing. Go with the 1988 tacos!!

Ive been eating at Wahoos since 1988 in Costa Mesa at #1. Fed 4 kids every week a kids bowl with black beans, rice and chicken for 10 years straight. I absolutely love Wahoos and the Lee brothers are a class act. Used to run the Costa Mesa location. Every time I am in Newport I head over to Wahoos for a meal. My favorite? The fish tacos on corn tortillas, with citrus slaw, black beans and white rice. I also love the 1988 burrito. And don't miss the Maui onion rings. Yum. The Encinitas location is fantastic.

Bangin Food, Setting, and Customer Service. This was my first time to this location, but it definitely won't be my last. The burritos are super yummy, and I like the salads, tacos, and soup, too! I would only suggest a better green sauce, more like a salsa. I'm a super saucy lady and love good sauces to match my meals. Other than that, an epic drop-in spot for lunch or dinner.

Carlos was super helpful and friendly, my first time trying it out, will be back.

Stopped in for an early dinner the other night and Tim was amazing! Very hospitable and accommodating. Super friendly and awesome service! We will definitely be back. We are long time Wahoo’s customers and you never disappoint. Thank you Tim!

Steph B

Staff is always so courteous, well mannered and very professional!! Food is great and fresh!!

Crystal Eileen Rowe

Carlos is the best ever! He is always getting our order correct and is so friendly! We love coming here. Such awesome staff!

Beau Gayner

Ive been eating at Wahoos since 1988 in Costa Mesa at #1. Fed 4 kids every week a kids bowl with black beans, rice and chicken for 10 years straight. I absolutely love Wahoos and the Lee brothers are a class act. Used to run the Costa Mesa location. Every time I am in Newport I head over to Wahoos for a meal. My favorite? The fish tacos on corn tortillas, with citrus slaw, black beans and white rice. I also love the 1988 burrito. And don't miss the Maui onion rings. Yum. The Encinitas location is fantastic.

Michael D Griffith

While visiting family, I had lunch here a few days ago. I ordered my usual #2 with crispy fish tacos and chicken enchilada. The food was much better than my local Wahoos on Warner Ave in Huntington Beach. It's seems like the HB location has been skimping on portions, so much so, that I will no longer eat there. However, I would definitely eat here again when in this area.

Casey M

Bangin Food, Setting, and Customer Service. This was my first time to this location, but it definitely won't be my last. The burritos are super yummy, and I like the salads, tacos, and soup, too! I would only suggest a better green sauce, more like a salsa. I'm a super saucy lady and love good sauces to match my meals. Other than that, an epic drop-in spot for lunch or dinner.

Christina Meyer

Stopped in for an early dinner the other night and Tim was amazing! Very hospitable and accommodating. Super friendly and awesome service! We will definitely be back. We are long time Wahoo’s customers and you never disappoint. Thank you Tim!

Good food, super expensive for portion sizes. Carne asada burrito had hardly any meat. More fillers than meat. Other than that, good.

Wahoos is always great. And the sunset chopped chicken salad is good but you have to make sure you get all your items. And the last several times I've gotten this salad they forgot the pepitas. Check for your dressings, etc.

Great food! Cool atmosphere. Love the giant BEAR sticker. Did not love Alvarez stinky, your wasting my time, attitude lol. It was bad. But rest of staff had smiles :)

Good quality fresh ingredients. Not the cheaper pricing of your small local Mexican food spot but worth it. Fairly quick service and good cust svc.

Fish tacos taste really good but all 4 fell apart in our hands because the double tortillas are small, weak, not well-made and overstuffed. The beans and rice were good and all of the food was hot. The tortillas just need to be more sturdy. We both found the tacos made with citrus slaw to be a little dry. The service was very good and prices were at the $$ level out of $$$$$.

We miss having a Wahoo's so close to home (literally less than 6 miles away) so whenever we are close to one we make a point to stop and bring home our Baja Rolls and burritos. This was the first time I have been to the Encinitas location. Staff was fairly friendly and we got our order pretty quickly. They have a new cocorita but were sold out (not their fault but was bummed couldn't try it). We brought the kids an outer reef burrito with carne asada and a few orders of our favorite Baja Rolls to share. My husband got a burrito as well and we ordered the ceviche. Everything was tasty per usual when eating at all Wahoo's! The ceviche was new for me and was very flavorful. It was spicy and packed with shrimp and fresh veg on a bed of lettuce and served with a bag of freshly made chips. All in all good stuff!

Mark

Fish tacos taste really good but all 4 fell apart in our hands because the double tortillas are small, weak, not well-made and overstuffed. The beans and rice were good and all of the food was hot. The tortillas just need to be more sturdy. We both found the tacos made with citrus slaw to be a little dry. The service was very good and prices were at the $$ level out of $$$$$.

Brandi P.E.

We miss having a Wahoo's so close to home (literally less than 6 miles away) so whenever we are close to one we make a point to stop and bring home our Baja Rolls and burritos. This was the first time I have been to the Encinitas location. Staff was fairly friendly and we got our order pretty quickly. They have a new cocorita but were sold out (not their fault but was bummed couldn't try it). We brought the kids an outer reef burrito with carne asada and a few orders of our favorite Baja Rolls to share. My husband got a burrito as well and we ordered the ceviche. Everything was tasty per usual when eating at all Wahoo's! The ceviche was new for me and was very flavorful. It was spicy and packed with shrimp and fresh veg on a bed of lettuce and served with a bag of freshly made chips. All in all good stuff!

Good nutritious food. I used to eat at this place almost every day the original one in Costa Mesa however that was 30 something years ago. I was happy that the food was very similar to what it was then although it wasn't as great of an experience as I remember it back then I felt a little more franchised and the one thing that kind of was strange as it felt a little fishy when I first walked in and the food was great and I didn't get sick or anything like that it was great but but it smelt a little fishy which I wasn't used to.,,,, it also needs to be a real bargain and it felt a little more expensive more on the medium-priced meals instead of a real bargain like it was but again that was quite a long time ago. The gentleman that was running it was was very courteous and attentive although I had a hard time understanding his English at times. All in all I didn't regret being there and which is why I gave it a four-star don't know if it will be my favorite spot to eat that it was it was quite delicious!!

John Johnson

Good nutritious food. I used to eat at this place almost every day the original one in Costa Mesa however that was 30 something years ago. I was happy that the food was very similar to what it was then although it wasn't as great of an experience as I remember it back then I felt a little more franchised and the one thing that kind of was strange as it felt a little fishy when I first walked in and the food was great and I didn't get sick or anything like that it was great but but it smelt a little fishy which I wasn't used to.,,,, it also needs to be a real bargain and it felt a little more expensive more on the medium-priced meals instead of a real bargain like it was but again that was quite a long time ago. The gentleman that was running it was was very courteous and attentive although I had a hard time understanding his English at times. All in all I didn't regret being there and which is why I gave it a four-star don't know if it will be my favorite spot to eat that it was it was quite delicious!!

Nice staff, great decor...the knock? Underwhelming food. Got the spicy chicken sandwich, couldn't taste any spice at all. Got the Cajun fries, they came out plain. Got the tequitos and asked for guac & cheese on top. They came out with melted cheese on top with the guac on the side. Ordered a guavarita...it was alright. Came towards the end of our meal and was sent to the wrong table first. This was the first and last time coming here.

Fish tacos were a little disappointing. Small, pricey and not that big on flavor. Would not come again.

Decent. Fairly bland - i had the taquitos - but good beer options.

Usually our experience at the Costa Mesa Wahoos is amazing, every time we come in from Arizona we make sure to stop by. But this time we came to the Encinitas location. This restaurant deserves three stars from me solely because one of the female employees that checked us out. We were first in line and she didn’t greet us as we were standing there waiting. Instead she looks at the regulars behind us and says “are you ready” to them and their rude selves proceed to just walk ahead of us anyway without even asking if we were in line. We decided to not make it a big ordeal and let the mistake pass. But once we finally get to the check out she greets us with a sassy attitude saying “are you ready now?” I don’t understand why great locations hire snotty people who ruin the experience. This location is great otherwise than the experience with this employee. Check her. Never write reviews but this was really annoying hearing her speak to my girlfriend in the tone of voice that she did. Can understand if she was a teenager but this was a whole woman.

Great option for a quick casual lunch. The fish tacos are very well seasoned and the salsas are good. The service is quick and friendly. Prices are good.

Pretty basic. I had the 1988 fish tacos. Taste and volume was not too bad, but the fish seemed a bit overcooked. The tortillas seemed undercooked for their thickness. Try the wahoo hot sauce - its really spicy!

Scott Greenwald

Pretty basic. I had the 1988 fish tacos. Taste and volume was not too bad, but the fish seemed a bit overcooked. The tortillas seemed undercooked for their thickness. Try the wahoo hot sauce - its really spicy!

Teresa Manjarrez

Great option for a quick casual lunch. The fish tacos are very well seasoned and the salsas are good. The service is quick and friendly. Prices are good.

Morgan Malone (Mo)

Decent. Fairly bland - i had the taquitos - but good beer options.

First, intro, the bad, then the good! I've eaten more tacos than most people, and throughout the 90's, lived in what I call the Taco Capital of the world, Tijuana... The bad:: It was just a mediocre fish taco (the 1988). TACO is in your name. The corn tortilla was not up to task, and just fell apart onto my plate and made a big mess. Also, it boasted a heaping pile of shreaded cabage that outweighed the fish in the taco. Cabage should be a light amount for crisp freshness and texture, it should not take away from the star ingredient, the fish. My bad was i didnt realize the 1988 came with cheese, which in my opinion doesnt work with fish, but to each their own... disapointed! The good, besides the tortilla, the beans, rice and service were VERY GOOD. Everything was also clean, including restroom and I still give two thumbs up. Just i have trouble forgiving you for the sad taco. Lol.

Maybe my palette isn’t ready (privileged) for this “fusion” but literally wasted money on grub that a stoner (like myself) whips up with available ingredients left over from their slow cooker. I grew up hearing about this place but definitely am disappointed in the people who vouch for this place. If you are hungry and stuck in this shopping center sure go ahead and get your fix of this fusion. At first upon entering I was overwhelmed with the variations of the food options so I went with the apparent reviewed Go-To’s. Had a bite of all three of the different “style” fish tacos along with the Kalua pulled pork bowl. Interesting flavors but nothing worth noting.

Two burritos, two taco plate and a chicken bowl almost all rice and it’s $51+tax and they want a tip too. Just can’t do it anymore. Used to love this place but the protein portions, prices, and ask for a tip on top of their inflated minimum wage makes it a no go anymore

3rd time in a row this Encinitas store took my take out order, repeated it back correctly, then proceeded to screw it up so I could find out when I got home. And they have the NERVE to request a tip. Really?? Idk if it’s the kitchen help or at the register, the customer service here is awful!

dan guillory

3rd time in a row this Encinitas store took my take out order, repeated it back correctly, then proceeded to screw it up so I could find out when I got home. And they have the NERVE to request a tip. Really?? Idk if it’s the kitchen help or at the register, the customer service here is awful!

David Straight

Two burritos, two taco plate and a chicken bowl almost all rice and it’s $51+tax and they want a tip too. Just can’t do it anymore. Used to love this place but the protein portions, prices, and ask for a tip on top of their inflated minimum wage makes it a no go anymore

I don't understand the good ratings here. I was the only one standing there waiting to place an order, whatever, it happens. But the burrito I got tasted worse than average, undercooked chicken and rice. The 2 salsas I tried were disappointing as well. It was my first time here and maybe came on a bad day. I wish I had a bagel next door instead.

Food was good but the service really sucked the old man Mexican with mustache took our order was really rude, we won't be coming back, I don't recommend this place,service is really bad.

Visited the one on North El Camino Real in Encinitas, ordered the citrus slaw burrito with Wahoo fish. Got three bites into it before I had to return it. Fish tasted spoiled, was not good. Explained issue to a server who appeared very disinterested. Offered to re cook. Really? I will never eat at this establishment again, and be sure, I will advise friends, family and co workers of the same

This is for the Encinitas location. Overly casual unresponsive person taking your order at the register. After mobile repeats, we tried to order two shrimp tacos, and one grilled fish taco. They simply did not seem to understand or care that they did not understand. We ended up with two grilled fish tacos, and one shrimp taco. The food itself was bland and uninterest.