Ocean Beach is one of the last genuinely scruffy beach towns in Southern California, and South Beach Bar & Grill fits right in. Sitting at the ocean end of palm-lined Newport Avenue since 1992, with the half-mile-long OB Pier stretching into the Pacific just across the way, this place made its name on the Mahi fish taco: a creation so legendary locals just call it “the taco” and expect you to know. The long wooden bar stocks 22 tequilas and more than 40 beers; the upstairs deck delivers sunset views that make the whole town glow orange. South Beach doesn’t take reservations, didn’t accept credit cards until fairly recently, and still has no Wi-Fi. Some things you don’t fix.
