Oscar’s Forced Out of Pacific Beach Location — Landlord to Launch Copycat Taco Shop
After 14 years of serving the North Pacific Beach community, Oscar’s Mexican Seafood has permanently closed its original location at 703 Turquoise Street. But this isn’t just another case of a lease ending — it’s a story that’s raising serious concerns among longtime fans and small business advocates.
Oscar’s recently announced that their former landlord is planning to open a new restaurant in the same space — one that mirrors Oscar’s menu, setup, and identity. In a public post, the team made it clear: the new spot is not affiliated with them in any way. “Don’t be fooled,” they wrote. “We have permanently left the building.”
It’s worth noting that the landlord’s name — Oscar Morales — has no connection to the Oscar’s brand or its founders. The similarity in names is purely coincidental, and the owners of Oscar’s Mexican Seafood want to make it absolutely clear: the landlord is not part of their business.
In a heartfelt statement, the team at Oscar’s shared:
“We began Oscar’s with the mission to serve quality fresh seafood. We have always tried to do our best. We built a reputation and a loyal customer base which we are thankful for, especially thankful and indebted with the La Jolla & PB community. Oscar Morales, our former landlord, kicked us out with the intention to profit from our hard work. Thank you very much for the continued support, we appreciate it more than words can say.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Oscar’s has dealt with copycat tactics. After leaving their Ocean Beach location, a similar situation unfolded — a new business moved in and began offering strikingly similar dishes and branding.
How You Can Support the Real Oscar’s
Oscar’s isn’t just a place to grab a taco — it’s one of the most recognized names in San Diego’s food scene, built through word-of-mouth, unbeatable flavor, and over a decade of honest work. Their Baja-style seafood tacos, smoked fish creations, and homemade salsas have earned them national recognition and a fiercely loyal following.
If you want to support what’s real, here’s how you can help:
- Choose the official locations: Oscar’s is still open and thriving at 746 Emerald Street in Pacific Beach and 646 University Avenue in Hillcrest. Those are the only official Oscar’s locations — and the best way to enjoy the real thing.
- Visit their website: To explore the full menu or learn more, head to oscarsmexicanseafood.com.
- Follow and share on social media: Stay updated and help spread the word. Find them on Instagram at @oscarsmex.
- Prioritize authenticity: If you see a taco shop trying to look, feel, and taste like Oscar’s — but it’s not Oscar’s — think twice. Supporting originals over imitators helps keep San Diego’s food culture authentic and community-driven.
Spread the Word
If you care about protecting local businesses, now’s the time to speak up. Share this story with friends, post it on social media, and help make it clear: the new restaurant at 703 Turquoise is not Oscar’s. The more people know, the less power these copycats have.
Support the original. Eat at the real Oscar’s. And help keep San Diego’s food scene true to itself.
The images in this news brief were provided courtesy of Oscar’s Mexican Seafood’s Instagram, @oscarsmex.
