TJ Oyster Bar- great seafood, but no oysters, in Bonita

Yes, you have found mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog.  Kirk has stuff to do, ed (from Yuma) has places to go and Cathy is blogging about a place to eat. 

I mentioned in a prior post that in December I had met up with fellow food bloggers and friends, canine cologne, Dennis and Carol, for a food crawl around South County- Chula Vista and Bonita.  Of the many places we stopped at that day, our first was here-where I took this photo of the exterior.  In December.

As I tend to be cautious about writing about any place until I have returned a few times, all the food in this post was consumed at this location, in a small mall on the same block just West of the McDonald's near Otay Lakes Road on Bonita road.  

However, I do know the small storefront will be moving soon to just East of the McDonald's (and the Vons) in this same block very soon.  The new location looks a lot larger. In any case, the food here is excellent and the lines out the door may be diminished with the new building.

In December, we sat at the front counter, which consists of six stools, to enjoy some tastes of what is offered at this primarily seafood Mexican restaurant.  

We shared a large coctele and fish tacos.  Everything was fresh and tasty and I wanted more, but in retrospect was glad we kept along on our crawl, because this was just the first of so many new-to-me places that day.  

The fish taco was beer battered, not heavy and the fish was light, flaky and tasty.  The coctele-

had plenty of octopus in it (there were no oysters that day, despite the name of the place) and a very refreshing tomato-lime-cilantro sauce that the seafood was melding in.

I had to return with The Mister a few times. 

One day we went, before crowds showed up and shared a fish ceviche tostada ($2.75) and a shrimp ceviche tostada ($3.50).  Each of the ceviches were made to order and so crispy-fresh tasting.  The respective seafoods were citrus-tangy and you could still taste the respective 'meats'. I have returned just for ceviche, which is really nice on these hot Summer days.

Of course we realized at some point that the fish tacos are 99¢ every day and ordered two on another visit. We basically drive by and if there is a parking space, we stop, otherwise we haven't, because the parking lot is an indicator of available table space. I think the seating capacity inside is about 20.

I had been curious about the "Pescadilla" part of the menu and on another visit, we ordered the $7.50 Mariscos/Seafood Pescadilla. It's a quesedilla, filled with sauteed seafood.  Buttery, garlicy sauteed seafood. Served with rice, this is way more than a meal for one. Very rich, very filling, and now a regular order.

As of now, at the current location, the menu is on the wall and the cash register, where you order and pay, is right in front of you when you walk in the door.  I hope the menu and quality of food at the new location stays the same.

TJ Oyster Bar 4246 Bonita Road 91902 (619)267-4577

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Dennis]

Wow time flies! I need to finish my post on this place too. That was a fun day!

[caninecologne]

Ooh, i did not know about the 'pescadilla'! must try it soon! i'm glad they're expanding because that place is usually packed! nice post!

[Cathy]

It was a fun and delicious day, Dennis. Looking at the photos made me then look at the dates...
The pescadilla was a great flavor surprise, cc. I am so glad you introduced TJOB to us. The new location looks like it has a lot more seating, but I hope that's the only change.

[ed (from yuma)]

Another great find; you seem to be specializing on Mexican seafood spots. I am amazed at how many there are.

[Christine]

Fresh seafood ceviche and fish tacos made to order? Sounds tasty! Hopefully the new location will maintain their standards.

[Cathy]

Well, ed, you noticed. The Mister and I do enjoy both Mexican and seafood and usually default to one of these mariscos places when we can't decide...or happen to be driving and decide to stop.
It really is popular, Christine, and that's because of quality. Seriously good.

[Carol]

I've only been able to bring the Mister here once since our crawl but I really want to go back. Love their coctele.

[Cathy]

It seems that it is a destination, Carol. But so rewarding (and Hans and Harry's is right down the street) I didn't remember the crawl being all the way back in December...time flies!