Malibu Fish Grill - Santa Ana

There's a new fish in town.

Or to be more precise, a new place to eat fish. And who doesn't need to eat more fish nowadays; that is, unless you are pregnant or nursing. Okay besides that, we could all do with less red meat, pork, and grease, right? Well, alright...only if you don't ask for garlic butter to be brushed onto your fish, and oh yeah...you probably shouldn't ask for the fries either.

Okay, well let's say you did intend to eat healthy. At Malibu Fish Grill, you can. First, choose the rice pilaf instead of fries, and cajun spices to top your fish instead of the garlic butter. Yes, here you have ample opportunities to feel good about what you eat and the best part is that you aren't paying the usual King's ransom (yes, I'm talking about King's Fish House) for a plate of grilled fish and two sides. Average price for a such a meal at Malibu Fish Grill? Around eight bucks.

If you are familiar with California Fish Grill, which has locations in Anaheim, Cypress, and Gardena, you'll get Malibu Fish Grill immediately. They are cut from the same cloth; a "fast-casual restaurant" with something finally worth eating. Both specialize in grilled fish of various species (mahi mahi, salmon, white roughy, etc.), and they also offer fish tacos complete with a salsa/tartar sauce bar.



Malibu Fish Grill, although it's got the sleek lines and finish of a chain, does the food right. A "special" of trout was grilled expertly, with the skin lightly charred while the fish was still moist. The butterflied fillet was then brushed by request with garlic butter and placed on top of grilled pita bread, served along side rice pilaf (or fries) and a salad dressed with Italian.

The rice pilaf is good (eventhough I've never been a fan of pilaf in general), but the fries are better. These are your typical fish n' chip fries, but since they are cooked to order and tossed with salt in a metal bowl, it trumps anything you'd get at, oh lets say, Denny's. Okay, I know, that's really not much of a comparison. But seriously the fries were crisp, hot and dusted with parsley (nice touch!).

They've also got fried calamari baskets, crab cakes, and even shrimp brochettes; all of which I intend to try during my next visit.

Yeah, I know. It'll be stretch if I tried to make the case that deep fried calamari and crab cakes were healthy. But as long as it's not red meat, or bacon, it's gotta be good for me right? Right?

Malibu Fish Grill
(714) 550-9121
2321 E 4th St
Santa Ana, CA 92705