Two years ago they stopped serving Mahi Mahi because of harmful and unsustainable fishing that upset not just the fish themselves, but the larger ocean ecosystems as well. They then found Fishery Improvement Projects in Costa Rica and Peru that are committed to decreasing the harmful bycatch and now serve our Mahi Mahi with a clear conscience.
- Starters
- Bowls & Salads
- Grilled Plates
- Sauces & Sides
- Sandwiches
- Coastal Tacos
- Classics
- Beverages
- Kid Approved
- Mahi Mahi
Wild Caught and Responsibly Sourced
For nearly 2 years, we have kept Mahi Mahi off our menu as unsustainable fishing threatened our ocean ecosystems. Now, thanks to an incredible. effort, Mahi Mahi is back and better than ever.
[https://www.cafishgrill.com/pages/mahi-mahi] - Wild Caught
Our wild-caught fish are harvested through the least invasive means possible, to ensure the ecosystem is preserved and to avoid catching unwanted species. We insist on methods that limit untargeted bycatch.
- Mahi Mahi
Known for it firm white flakes with mild flavor, this popular fish is great in flavor and pairs well with a variety of sources. - Sockeye Salmon
Brilliant red orange, robust flavor, velvety texture. A perfect wild-caught choice that pairs well with a myriad of sources. - Clams
Delicate sweetness, firm yet tender texture, mild saltiness, perfect for bisques and chowders. - Calamari
Firm yet tender, mild oceanic sweetness, well balanced with crispy outer crust. - Ahi Tuna (Yellowfin)
Brilliant crimson red, firm meaty texture, clean mild flavor, the steak of the ocean, wonderful grilled or seared rare / medium, perfect for poke preparations.
- Mahi Mahi
- Farm Raised
For our wide range of farm-raised seafood, we commit to working with as many certified-sustainable fisheries as possible, and with those who share our dedication to responsibly-sourced seafood.- Atlantic Salmon
The natural currents and nutrients in the ocean-fed parts offer our Atlantic Salmon a natural habitat to thrive. The result is optimum marbling, firm flaky texture that is rich and full flavored. - Louisiana Delta Catfish
Firm white, mild tender flakes, takes well to spices, clean craveable taste, great grilled or fried. - Tilapia
Harvested from pristine waters yield delicate white flakes and clean mild flavor similar to sea bass. - Swai (White Fish)
Incredible taste that is reminiscent to sale, moderate firm white flakes, pairs well with Cajun spices. - Shrimp
An ocean gem, versatile, firm white meat, slightly pink with sweet sea notes. - Branzino (Sea Bass)
Lean protein, rich in Omega-3. Firm yet tender flakes, delectable flavor fit for discerning seafood aficionados and newbie fish eaters.
- Atlantic Salmon
Nearly two years ago we stopped serving Mahi Mahi. This was not because it wasn't popular, delicious, or affordable. It was still all those things. Instead we chose to stop serving Mahi Mahi because our research, in partnership with the internationally recognized Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, discovered that a huge majority of Mahi Mahi was caught with harmful and unsustainable fishing. Upsetting not just the fish themselves, but the larger ocean ecosystems as well.Our Mahi Story
Instead of avoiding the problem, we decided to be a part of the solution. We identified Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) in Costa Rica and Peru that are committed to decreasing harmful bycatch* and reaching MSC certification. We sent team members to Central and South America to actively engage and have committed to support the FIP efforts as long as they continue to make meaningful progress towards their goals.
We are happy to say we can now serve our Mahi Mahi with a clear conscience. Because at California Fish Grill, we're proud of the fish we serve, and equally proud of the fish we won't.
* Bycatch is the unwanted fish and other marine creatures caught during commercial fishing for a different species.
- Swordfish
- Mahi Mahi
- Ono
- Swai
- Pollock
- Ahi
- Sockeye Salmon
- Sea Bass
- Atlantic Salmon
- Louisiana Delta Catfish
- Trout
- Tilapia
- Calamari
- Shrimp
- Pick Your Protein:
- Mahi Mahi
- Pick Your Style:
- Garlic Butter Sauce
- Pick Two Sides:
- White Rice
- Seasoned Tomato & Feta
Always add on a Skewer to your order!
- Succulent Shrimp
- Slightly Pink with Sweet Sea Notes
California Fish GrillResponsibly Sourced
We only serve seafood that is rated Best Choice or Good Alternative by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program or Eco-Certified by a third party.Seafood Watch
Monterey Bay Aquarium Official Partner
For 20 years Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch has been a leader in global marine conservation, educating producers on sustainable harvesting practices, and monitoring the fishing industry's impact on the environment.
California Fish Grill
WIKIPEDIACalifornia Fish Grill
A chain of restaurants located in the Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento metropolitan areas and Las Vegas which specialize in seafood.The menu focuses on flame-grilled seafood. They also offer bowls, tacos, and fried seafood.
- Their slogan is "Liberating the Love of Seafood".
- The chain was founded in 1998 in Gardena, California.
- As of February 2021, California Fish Grill has thirty-eight locations in California. It also has a location in Phoenix, Arizona and a location in Nevada.
They claim to use sustainably sourced seafood. The seafood is wild-caught or farmed following the Seafood Watch advisory list by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
California Fish Grill Celebrates 25 Years of Business
QSRDec 2023
A fast-casual pioneer in serving sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Since the first restaurant opened on December 1, 1998 in Gardena, California Fish Grill has been dedicated to providing guests with a delicious, casual dining experience centered around high-quality, affordably priced seafood. Over the past 25 years, the brand has become a cherished neighborhood destination for seafood enthusiasts across Arizona, California, and Nevada.With a commitment to sustainable practices, the restaurant brand has not only satisfied palates but also contributed to the well-being of our oceans. California Fish Grill's commitment to sustainability has earned the support of Seafood Watch, a leading advocate for responsible seafood practices. By aligning with fisheries that share this commitment and actively monitoring their progress, California Fish Grill demonstrates its dedication to being a catalyst for positive change in the seafood industry.
At California Fish Grill, guests will find a wide selection of sustainably sourced wild-caught and responsibly farm raised seafood options including Ahi tuna, Branzino (sea bass), Mahi Mahi, salmon, swai and shrimp. Whether it's expertly cooked on the grill or golden from the fryer, all meals are prepared to order with high quality ingredients.
The heart of the California Fish Grill menu is a build-your-own grill plate for those who want to customize their meal. Guests can combine grilled seafood with sides for dozens of combinations of meals that are less than 600 calories. Other popular items include prepared to order Battered Fish & Chips and Dynamite Shrimp with a little heat and lots of flavor.
California Fish Grill's expertly crafted menu items include tacos, bowls, salads, and sandwiches as well as a wide variety of sides and sauces.
CFG CEOOur 25th anniversary is a remarkable milestone in the competitive restaurant industry, and a testament to the support and loyalty of our guests. We proudly serve our guests exactly what they want – healthful, sustainable, and great-tasting seafood at an affordable value. Since our first location opened, we've added 54 more and look forward to continued growth and bringing guests together in many more communities for years to come.- Bob Holden
2024
California Fish Grill Eyes East Coast ExpansionOrange County Business JournalCalifornia Fish Grill
They have up to 11 new restaurants in the works for 2024, and will end the year having doubled their total number of locations in the last five years, as they expand to markets outside California.Opening 26 new locations since 2020, the Newport Beach-based fast-casual seafood chain ended 2023 with 55 stores, including nine spots in Orange County. At the end of 2019, California Fish Grill operated 29 stores.
The restaurants, spanning 2,500 square feet on average, are in California, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The latter two were first-time markets for the restaurant chain in the last few years. California Fish Grill's growth has come under the watch of Chief Executive Bob Holden, who joined the chain in 2014, when it counted eight restaurants.
The chain is eyeing expansion in East Coast markets such as Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. in the coming years.
Fishing Improvements
big part of California Fish Grill's business model is to ensure serving sustainable seafood, and the return of its mahi mahi dishes after two years off the menu has highlighted the chain's priority of finding the right suppliers.The management team removed the fish from its restaurant offerings when they discovered that the supplier at the time had not met responsible sourcing standards.
California Fish Grill joined the Seafood Watch program of its existing partner, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to find a new source for mahi mahi, which proved to be difficult, according to Holden.
The aquarium helped the restaurant chain identify fisheries in Costa Rica and Peru known as fishery improvement projects (FIPS) that used better fishing practices and met the Seafood Watch program's qualifications. These businesses are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as well.
The restaurant also sends team members on-site to the suppliers to help support and keep track of their work.
California Fish Grill is committed to feeding seafood to their fish-loving guests today and for generations to come. When they became a Seafood Watch partner in 2018, California Fish Grill was already a leader in sustainable sourcing - having previously met their commitment to only serve seafood rated as Best Choice, Good Alternative or that is eco-certified to a standard that Seafood Watch recognizes.California Fish Grill
California Fish Grill Reintroduces Sustainably Sourced Mahi Mahi, Reinforcing Commitment to Responsible Seafood Practices
Restaurant MagazineCalifornia Fish GrillThe renowned fast-casual restaurant destination for delicious, sustainable healthier seafood, is thrilled to announce the return of sustainably sourced Mahi Mahi to its menu. With an unwavering dedication to responsible sourcing, California Fish Grill has identified sources from the pristine waters of Costa Rica and Peru and partnered with fisheries that align with the company's mission of sustainability in order to reintroduce this popular seafood.
With more than 50 locations in the West and counting, California Fish Grill is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The fast casual restaurant is the perfect destination for seafood lovers who appreciate great taste, value and a welcoming environment. Offering an array of sustainably sourced seafood varieties including Atlantic Salmon, Branzino, wild-caught Mahi Mahi, and classics like Fish and Chips, California Fish Grill prepares each dish to order using fresh ingredients and a wide variety of flavorful sauces. California Fish Grill invites guests to join the brand on an inspiring journey towards sustainable seafood practice, knowing that your choice supports positive change in the seafood industry.These fisheries, known as Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPS), are continuing to work toward better practices and have been positively identified by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program.
"We partner with a verified group of artisanal fishermen that have a proven history of mindful fishing practices which will promote the enjoyment of this delicious Mahi Mahi for many years to come," said Chef Louie Jocson, vice president of food and beverage at California Fish Grill.
Mahi Mahi enthusiasts can indulge in a variety of healthier mouthwatering menu options, including Mahi Mahi Tacos, Cali Bowl, and Grilled Fish Plate. The restaurant brand offers three tasty choices:
- Mahi Mahi Grill Plate Wild-caught mahi regular or petite with choice of our famous sauces and choice of two sides
- Mahi Taco Combo Cali-Style Two grilled mahi tacos with cilantro-lime slaw, tomatoes, pickled onions topped Cali-Style with sliced avocado, corn salsa and chipotle aioli served with rice, beans and soft drink.
- Mahi Bowl Cali-Style Grilled mahi on a base of rice and beans with diced chilis, cilantro-lime slaw, pickled onions topped Cali-Style with Sliced avocado, corn salsa and chipotle aioli.
A Journey Toward Greater Sustainability
California Fish Grill is a leading advocate for responsible and sustainable seafood practices and their decision to reintroduce Mahi Mahi reflects their commitment to responsible sourcing. Nearly two years ago, the company identified that their initial Mahi Mahi source did not support sustainable seafood practices. In response, California Fish Grill proactively removed the popular item from their menu and embarked on a mission to identify a new, more sustainable source and advocate for positive change in red-rated Mahi Mahi fisheries.After thorough research, California Fish Grill identified fisheries in both Costa Rica and Peru that support sustainable practices. By actively engaging with and monitoring these fisheries, California Fish Grill ensures that their sourcing decisions are supporting environmentally responsible practices allowing this delicious seafood to be enjoyed now and into the future.
Endorsement from Seafood Watch
Seafood Watch, a leading advocate for sustainable seafood practices, provides science-based assessments to help businesses understand sustainable seafood sourcing around the world.The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program relies on science to assess the environmental sustainability of seafood products on the U.S. market and then uses those findings to transform how seafood is fished and farmed. A California Fish Grill partner since 2018, Seafood Watch recognizes the pivotal role that businesses can play in incentivizing improvements in the seafood industry.
SEAFOOD WATCHWe endorse California Fish Grill's decision to actively engage with these Fishery Improvement Projects and illustrate how their purchasing power can support fisheries that are demonstrating progress toward environmental responsibility. As part of their commitment to sourcing Mahi Mahi, California Fish Grill diligently monitors the Fishery Improvement Project work plans, ready to explore alternative sources if the FIPs do not exhibit credible and measurable progress toward sustainability. This commitment reflects California Fish Grill's determination to be a catalyst for positive change in the seafood industry.- Shawn Cronin, Seafood Watch Market Engagement Director
Two years ago they stopped serving Mahi Mahi because of harmful fishing. They are proud of the fish they serve, and equally proud of the fish they won't.