Some fish markets promise fresh fish. But very few are so devoted to the craft that they hire their own fishermen to go catch their inventory for them!
That’s the level of devotion to freshness that you’ll find at Bear Flag Fish Company, makers of the best fish tacos in California.
Bear Flag has two locations in Newport Beach, California. One is on Lido Key, and the other is further south in the Newport Coast area.
Bear Flag is a restaurant, but it’s a lot more than that. There’s a startling secret behind the restaurant’s success; on staff are two full-time fishermen, and the restaurant maintains its own fleet of three fishing vessels.
These boats go out each day into the Pacific Ocean and catch local fish to supply the restaurant. That gives Bear Flag complete control of their process, from the ocean to the table.
It also allows them to focus their menu exclusively on local fish. Although you’ll find a couple of items that come from further away, the vast majority of what’s served at Bear Flag is caught right off the coast, making it both fresh and authentically SoCal.
Interior & Vibe
The interior of Bear Flag is nice without being fussy. It’s a counter-service restaurant, so you won’t find white tablecloths. The vibe is more oyster shack than Michelin star dining, although the nautical-themed interior and nice patio seating make it a lovely place for a date night or a somewhat fancier meal.
Ordering at Bear Flag is simple. You walk up to the fish counter and see what the fishermen have recently caught. Common fish you’ll find are ono, opah, swordfish (Bear Flag’s specialty), salmon, and more.
You choose your fish and then pick your preparation. Again, everything is simple. The standard preparation is to have your fish grilled in a taco. Bear Flag will grab a good piece, grill it fresh, and put it on a simple tortilla with some slaw and a bit of their signature Tommy Sauce—an aioli that goes perfectly with the fresh catch.
The cheapest generic white fish is only $5.75 in a taco, and more premium fish go up to about $9 per taco.
I find that two tacos at Bear Flag is plenty for a meal. They’re large and filling. My favorite is the ono or opah—relatively fatty fish with much stronger flavor than the standard white fish.
In addition to tacos, you can also have your meal as a simple fish plate with a piece of grilled fish and a few sides. That makes enough food for a full dinner.
Appetizers & Extras
The appetizers at Bear Flag are worth covering too. I love their chips (which are homemade) and guacamole or pico de gallo. You might want to add a bit of salt, but otherwise, it’s a perfect way to start the meal.
Being in California, Bear Flag also blends in some flavors from other cuisines.
Their Hawaiian-inspired ahi tuna poke is some of the best I’ve ever had, with big chunks of freshly caught tuna, sesame oil, and simple veggies.
They also have a Peruvian-style ceviche and Japanese-inspired sushi.
Again, the fresh fish is at the center of every dish on their menu. They don’t offer any fried fish options, choosing instead to let the flavor of the fish itself shine through.
Alongside the fish, Bear Flag serves a small variety of beers and wines, as well as clever cocktails. Again, that makes it more of a full dining experience than your standard fish shack.
I love their mules, and their beef selection is small but well done.
Overall, Bear Flag’s simple preparation–and its secret fishing fleet bringing in the best local catch–make it my favorite place in California for fish tacos.
The next time you’re in SoCal, you need to check Bear Flag out!
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