Oceanside Broiler

We went for Fathers Day. (Which also happened to be my husbands birthday) We decided to try a new place we have never been to before. Thank God we made reservations for 10:00 am. We were greeted at the door by a young lady, who took us near our seats. The reason I say near our seats and not too our seats, is because she pointed and said, and I quote, «sit there». It was not a good first impression. This isn’t a «seat yourself» kind of restaurant. We were not asked the usual questions like, have you dined with us before? Or, your waiters/​waitresses name is _​_​_​_​_​. Just a point and «sit there» welcome. (she did this with everyone she seated in our area «sit in booth #2». «Sit in the booth on the left of the fish tank». Point and sit. We decided on our own to go to the buffet because we sat for 15 minutes before we ever saw a waitress. Our waitress showed up and asked us our drink order. I ordered a bottle of champagne and 5 glasses, and regular drinks. The champagne was served fairly promptly by a gentleman, but only 3 glasses. Took another 5 minutes to get the other 2 glasses. I also informed the waitress that it was my husbands birthday, and we’d like to acknowledge that. She said just to let her know when we were ready and she would bring him a birthday treat out.
The buffet was full for our first round, and the food was decent (the tuna and swordfish were WAY overcooked and very fishy). Except for the Prime Rib (which was their advertised Father’s Day meat.) The sliver of prime rib was so thin, that it literally had holes in it. I had to ask for a second slice. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was Father’s Day! Meat and potato kind of men there. And they were getting slivers of prime rib. Not to mention that we didn’t get our ordered drinks for about 30 more minutes (soda, coffee, tea and water). My granddaughter stopped eating because she was thirsty. I flagged down a bus boy (because we didn’t see our waitress anywhere). 7 more minutes before she showed up with drinks.
On our second round, the buffet was out of nearly everything. There was no one refilling things. People were not happy. It was nearly $ 35 a person, serve yourself, with nothing to serve yourself. (And it wasn’t all that busy. There were empty tables all around us). My husband never did get his birthday acknowledged because we had to have another waitress go find her so we could ot and leave.
Unfortunately the first impression will be my last impression for this restaurant.
The location is beautiful. To bad the service didn’t match in beauty.

My first experience there was fantastic. The food was good (I had the salmon that time). Service was pretty good. My second visit was disappointing. My third visit was so absolutely awful that I will never go back.
Let’s start with the reasons it gets two stars.
*The bread they bring to the table is fantastic. Fresh and tasty. A real treat. 1 star for that.
*They get one other star for being in a great location. Right on the harbor. Perfect for ocean sunsets and seal watching.
Now on to the reasons I won’t be back.
I will be focusing on the last time I went. I have had not so great experiences here before but the last time was most certainly the straw that broke the camels back.
First thing first, we get there shortly before the dinner rush typically starts. (Though I’ve never actually seen a ‘rush’ of any kind there. Red flag) There were several empty and dirty tables. We sat in the back patio area. No one ever came by. We sat for at least 15 minutes waiting for a menu, water, table settings, or even just a human being to stop by the table to say they will be right with us. It never happened. By the way, they definitely were NOT busy. Maybe 3 or 4 tables were occupied in the area we sat.
We finally ended up grabbing our own menus. We all figured out what we wanted to eat and still no one came by. (20 – 25 minutes into our visit) Eventually we had to flag down a bus boy. He went to get our waitress. (Which took another 5 minutes at least). She was… not friendly. But not rude either. She had a fast food cashier attitude. Indifferent, non apologetic. What courteousness she managed to muster up was so incredibly fake even my 9 year noticed.
She took our order and got us water. (Which as you can guess, was never filled unless we flagged them down to get it. And yes, we waited a reasonable amount of time with empty glasses before flagging someone down)
About 10 – 15 minutes go by and our waitress comes back to the table to tell us that there was a problem with their ‘ticket machine’ and our order had been lost? What? Since she didn’t actually write it down, we had to give our order again. Even more disappointing was that 10 – 15 minutes had passed before the problem was realized. Here we are, 45 minutes in and we are only just able to get our food order in.
We ordered a few happy hour appetizers and split a main course meal. My child got a kids plate.
We were expecting to get the appetizers first and then our main course. Everything came out at once. But we were missing one of our appetizers. (spicy fries) We waited about 10 minutes before saying something thinking they would eventually bring them out. When we finally did inquire about the fries, the waitress told us that we didn’t order fries! WTF lady?! We were confused by this as we had to give our order TWICE. Both times we told her we wanted fries. She went to the back and immediately came back with our fries. They were cold and stale. Soggy and kind of rubbery at the same time. *sigh*
It was obvious to us that the fries had indeed been put in the order but she just neglected to bring them out. So they sat there. For 10 minutes. We complained about the inedible fries and they eventually brought us a new batch. They did take them off the bill. But by the time we got some edible fries, we were finishing up our meal and ready to go. We all had a couple of fries and ended up leaving the rest. All the food was ‘eh’ that day.
Oh and that delicious bread that I mentioned in the beginning? We never got it during our meal. Despite asking several times. I asked one last time before we left the table and she finally brought some out in a to-​go container. This was especially annoying since we saw her give bread to another table that came much later than us and we didn’t get ours until at least 25 minutes after them. (I know, 1^st world problems, right? Still annoying though) This was not the first time this happened. We had the same experience with the bread the two previous visits.
After tip (yes, I tip regardless of the terrible service. But it was the lowest tip I’d ever given at 12%) the bill was about $ 86. For three people. Some happy hour apps. One entrée. A few beers and a kids plate.
The price combined with the terrible service was enough for me. Never again. In fact, the only reason I’m writing this review is because they sent me a coupon for $ 25 off my next visit. Not even a decent coupon like that could get me to go back. I’d rather spend $ 86 on grilled cheese and spam sandwiches and eat those for a month straight than go back to the Oceanside Broiler.
Get new management in there, retrain your staff and it could be a decent restaurant.

I’ve come here twice and had great food both times. The skewered shrimp are excellent, as was the ceviche. Even the garlic bread was awesome. My mom loved her cioppino. The service has been super friendly and helpful both times we’ve been. I’ll be back.
* There’s a buy-​1-​get-​1-​free coupon in the Entertainment Book.

We came here to celebrate a birthday. We had a birthday coupon to use. I had also printed out a coupon from the «get1free» website. Since we did not use the coupon I passed it to a large group of 8 people. We were immediately visited by Aaron the manager who blasted us for sharing the coupon. Talk about a downer on an otherwise great time. The buffet was great, the servers friendly and helpful, and then this guy. Accusing us of giving away his money. It was a coupon from a website, easily accessible to John Q. Public. After his threatening and aggressive tirade I won’t come back here. And it was a favorite place to visit. And the other diners who witnesses his unprofessionsal actions agreed
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Came here because we got an awesome coupon for buy one entrée and get one free. The food is great if you get a coupon I would definitely try it out. The host that sat us was super friendly/​outgoing which was a nice first impression of the clean and well decorated restaurant. Unfortunately most of a customers experience is in the hands of the server… our server Melissa was not pleasant, not delightful, not informative and overall just dry. I can’t speak of the other servers I’m sure they’re great, or our server Melissa might have had an off night but probably won’t be back here just because of the crappy service my family and I were provided.

We with my boyfriend saw a large aquarium, it’s very beautiful! Cubbyhole, i want will come back the next month again. Thanks!

Seating arrangements were fast. The lady that was our waitress wore too much perfume. Please waiters and waitresses don’t wear perfume or cologne. The fish tacos had no taste. I had better fish tacos at a fast food restaurant. The coconut shrimp was delicious and even the clam chowder. Best clam chowder I have tasted in California. The waitresses was available but not attentive on our needs. She was more into grabbing the empty dishes from our table than realizing that we wanted more water. When we asked she forgot to bring it. I had to ask twice. My petpeeve: I can’t stand it when busboys come around and Interrupt our conversation because they to pick up the dishes from our table. Why, are you out of dishes??? It was okay. I may go back to try the coconut shrimp and check out the quality of your bartenders by trying out some drinks.

Stopped in for some happy hour deals in a cute spot with a view of the harbor. The atmosphere is great here if you just want to sit outside or semi-​outside and take in the harbor.
The patio had its own bar, and we sat and watched a sunbathing seal for a couple of hours. Drinks were okay — nothing spectacular. Same with the happy hour food. I had a mahi taco, which was just okay. Others in my group had quesadillas, and they were pretty basic. Something you could easily make at home, really.
Overall, it just seems like you’re paying for the view/​location at this place. Even with happy hour pricing, it seemed a little expensive for what you get. But it was a fun place to sit and enjoy company.

As always it was good – nice selection for brunch. The wait staff was excellent – very attentive! The brunch ends at 2 – we got there at 1, but the food was still fresh and delicious.
A bit pricey, but not out of line.

The resturant has a nice clean appearance. The staff was very good. Unfortunately, the quality of the meal was very disappointing and the cost was high.
I just had the worst red snapper. I think it must have been frozen for over a month. It had absolutely no taste of snapper at all. It was very dry and salty. It reminded me of Bacalo.
My wife had the fish and chips and she said the fish also lakes flavor.
We also had the calamari tempura. Again, flavorless seafood. I can only imagine It had to be frozen to lose the natural flavor.
I fell like I just spent $ 70 at a Long John Silvers.

Husband and I like coming here when we are looking to dine out but stay close to home. We started coming here before it changed owners and restaurant name. Food is good. I was bummed to find out that they recently took sushi off the menu. It was a perfect place for me to get sushi and my husband to get a regular dish. We will still come around for the happy hour. The happy hour menu is great. This place is also a great place to have get togethers. We had a small party in the patio once and another party in the bar area. It was perfect. Not too fancy. Just casual enough.

The food and atmosphere was very very good. The service was excellent!!! We went there for my mother-​in-​laws 91^st Birthday. Jean our server made our dining experience as great as it was. She was simply amazing, and added great value to an overall very nice 91^st Birthday Dinner.
Paul G

I had a burger and my boyfriend had fish and chips. First of all do not order any margaritas my drink was super watered down, It was the worst margarita ever. Just water lemon and ice. The coffee was good. The fries where the best part of my meal. Came here because I had a buy one entrée get one free. I will not be coming back.

I went for a bike ride and ended up here. I forgot it was Mother’s Day and thought no way would we be able to find a place that could seat us. Oceanside Broiler had plenty of seating. Hmmmm makes you think? Why wouldn’t they be packed like everywhere else? Well I was to find out.
Nothing terrible but not super impressive either. Happy hour would be the way to go here but it being Mother’s Day it wasn’t available. So we ordered our OK food at double the price it would have been for happy hour.
Beautiful location and setting. Outside patio is spacious and has a bar. I guess this must be new because many people showed up with their dogs and weren’t allowed on the patio because of the addition of the bar. Probably would be a cool place to hang out during happy hour. The food to me just seemed worthy of the discounted prices of happy hour.
My favorite item that I ordered was the cobb salad. Super crispy bacon and plenty of it. Lots of egg and tomatoes but the chicken was a little bland but the saving grace was the ranch dressing.
Our server was hit and miss. It was Mother’s Day so I gave her a break (but it really wasn’t super busy soooo)
All in all I would come back but really only for happy hour. Or maybe I will stick with the Lighthouse.

Great change from the monterrey Cannery. Food was good. Can’t beat the view. Our server Johnny was awesome.

My husband and I came for a friends birthday on a Sunday! Their brunch was seriously to die for! They had everything from chicken and waffles to Chopin to blackened salmon and biscuits and gravy! Their food was delicious and at $ 26 it was well worth it.
The restaurant itself was beautiful, clean and had outside patio seating where you got a gorgeous view of the harbor.
Their bloody Mary’s were average. Lacking on the flavor side.
The service was fantastic! We had a great server named Bailey! She was so on top of it and was great. I used to be a server so I get picky with my servers reviews. She listened to our huge party of demands for drinks, spoons and whatever else and was quick and had a great smile! She made our whole experience definitely enjoyable.
I can’t wait to bring my parents and my inlaws back here again!

We haven’t been here for awhile, we didn’t like all the changes they were making. They seem to have finally figured it out. We were quite impressed with the food and the service by Andrea was outstanding. Plus the view is unbeatable.
We’ve been here a few more times and still love it. The house Merlot is great, the happy hour menu is pretty extensive and very good. We always request Andrea, she is very efficient and super friendly.
This has become become our regular date night destination.

Well we didn’t go here to eat so I cannot rate on food. But their outdoor patios, there’s one in the front and the back, are simply lovely.
We sat at the back patio at the bar. The views of the harbor are gorgeous. The service was great. The drinks are a little on the high side but you’re paying for the view.
They have a decent selection of craft beers, and nice small appetizers… It’s a good place to stop while biking Oceanside.

Talk about a turn around!!!
Decided to try the O’ Broiler because we had a two-​fer coupon! Last experience at their opening was so bad we decided we wouldn’t be back… But… My parents went and loved it. With a coupon in our pocket and a sunny day we ventured forth!
Great experience! Happy hour 11 – 6 Monday-​Saturday and 3 – 6 Sunday. Lots of apps to choose from and a great glass or two of cab that was so good plus the view!!! Done! WER’E back!!! So happy!!!
With our coupon we split a Cobb salad $ 16 and the half fried combo $ 16. Salad was AWESOME!!! Huge! Fish and shrimp were great smaller serving but well cooked served w fries and a Thai slaw. And the bread!!!
Dory, our server, was friendly and professional. This isn’t a quick serve spot. With the view, a glass of wine or… Sit enjoy the view and the food.
Lots of great improvements, comfortable seating, delicious food and drinks and one of the best views!

This place was pretty good. The bread was pretty amazing (never required, but always appreciated) and seemed really fresh. The food was good, I had the Mahi Mahi and my husband had the coconut crusted salmon. Both we great! The vegetables were sad though, just squash and zucchini. I wanted a better healthy option but I guess they were going for cheap over something good.
The service was not great. Our server only had three tables but forgot two or three requests from us and we had to remind him. He also said he was coming back right away but went to the other two tables first before us reminding him again.
The food was good enough that we’ll give it one more try. But there are a lot of good places close by…