Craving tacos so fresh you can taste the ocean breeze? At Spencer Makenzie’s in Ventura, locals literally check the tides before ordering, because the grill shines when the surf cooperates. This casual seafood spot serves up crisp, beachy flavors with wallet friendly prices and a chill patio that feels like a mini vacation. Come hungry, leave salty, and start planning the next visit before you hit Thompson Boulevard.
Signature Grilled Fish Taco
The signature grilled fish taco at Spencer Makenzie’s is the reason folks set their watches by the tide chart. You get flaky, perfectly seasoned fish tucked into a warm tortilla, with crisp cabbage, fresh pico, and a silky sauce that hugs every bite. The char on the edges whispers of the grill, coastal air, and patience.
Each taco lands bright with lime and a kiss of spice. It is light yet filling, beach friendly, and surprisingly affordable, especially for this level of freshness. Order two, then remember you will want three.
Grab a patio seat, listen to gulls, and watch plates disappear. You will understand why locals keep it simple here.
Seared Ahi Taco With Wasabi Cream
Seared ahi gets a quick kiss from the grill, leaving ruby centers and smoky edges that practically melt. The wasabi cream slides in smooth, adding gentle heat without overpowering the fish. Sesame and citrus brighten everything, making each bite feel like a breeze off Surfer’s Point.
The tortilla carries a light toasty snap, holding ahi, slaw, and sauce in a snug wrap. Nothing drips excessively, so you can eat happily on the patio. It is the kind of taco that asks for quiet focus.
Pair it with a cold drink and a side of chips. When the tide rises, the flavor seems to get even livelier.
Crispy Shrimp Taco
The crispy shrimp taco crackles softly before the first bite. Plump shrimp wear a light, golden jacket that keeps its crunch even with sauce and slaw. A squeeze of lime wakes the sweetness, and the tortilla catches every little crumb.
Chipotle cream brings mellow heat, the kind that lingers politely and leaves you smiling. The cabbage slaw cools things down, adding clean crunch and balance. It is snackable, shareable, and dangerous if you are counting tacos.
Locals swear by doubling the order and letting the second sit a minute. Somehow the flavors hug tighter, and the crunch still holds. That is patio magic.
Battered Fish Taco Classic
When the swell is up, the battered fish taco answers with golden confidence. The batter is airy, delicate, and never greasy, creating a shattering crust around tender fish. It feels like a boardwalk staple upgraded by careful timing and hot oil.
The toppings stay classic: cabbage for crunch, white sauce for cool, and pico for snap. A lime wedge is non negotiable, brightening every mouthful without stealing the show. It is the kind of taco you can eat fast or slow.
On crowded days, the line moves quick and the fryers sing. You will finish one and instinctively order another. Trust that instinct.
Blackened Fish Taco With Avocado
This taco brings the sizzle with a peppery blackened crust that locks in juicy fish. Each bite slides from smoky to creamy as avocado cools the spice. Cilantro and lime kick up freshness without crowding the star.
The tortilla is lightly blistered, warm, and just sturdy enough to hold everything together. There is a perfect contrast of heat and softness that keeps the rhythm going. It is bold, bright, and totally beach ready.
Take it outside, breathe in ocean air, and let the spices settle. The flavors feel alive, like a sunset in motion. Add a second taco if you crave a longer moment.
Grilled Mahi Mahi Plate
When tacos are not enough, the grilled mahi mahi plate steps in with clean, meaty satisfaction. The fillet shows deep grill marks and a gentle citrus glaze that keeps it bright. Rice fluffs alongside, while slaw brings crunch and calm.
It tastes like a day off with keys tossed on the table. You will want to chase each forkful with a sip of something cold. The portion feels generous without slowing you down.
Take your time and let the charred edges do their thing. This plate celebrates restraint, heat, and timing. Simple ingredients, precise grilling, pure coastal charm.
Poke Bowl Special
The poke bowl special blends market fresh ahi with creamy avocado and sesame sparkle. Each cube tastes clean and lightly seasoned, letting natural sweetness lead. Rice underneath is warm and tender, soaking up soy and citrus.
Seaweed salad adds oceanic snap that complements rather than overwhelms. It is comfort food for sunny days, breezy evenings, and everything between. You can eat slow, but it disappears fast.
Ask for an extra sprinkle of scallions if you like a sharper finish. The bowl travels well to the beach, too. Just do not forget a napkin and a scenic spot.
Clam Chowder Cup
This clam chowder comforts like a sweatshirt after sunset. It is thick but not heavy, with tender clams and potatoes in every spoon. A little pepper and herb lift keeps it from slipping into dull.
Grab a cup if you want a warm-up before tacos. The steam curls upward and carries a buttery aroma that invites another sip. Oyster crackers add simple crunch that never gets old.
On cooler evenings, the chowder warms fingers and mood instantly. You will remember how good simple can be. Pair it with a fish taco for the coziest combo in Ventura.
Chips And House Salsa
Sometimes all you need is a salty crunch and a bright dip. The chips arrive warm with a sturdy snap, built for scooping without breakage. House salsa lands fresh, tomato forward, and quietly spicy.
This basket works as a pregame for tacos or a friendly shareable. It disappears quickly while you scan the menu and watch the line. The salsa clings nicely, leaving a citrusy trail.
Add guacamole if you want extra richness. Otherwise, let the simplicity shine and save room for mains. It is the easiest decision you will make on Thompson Boulevard.
Grilled Street Corn Cup
The grilled street corn cup is small but mighty. Smoky kernels wear cotija and chili dust that sparks with lime. Sweet, salty, and tangy meet in a tidy scoopable form.
It is easy to share, though you will want it to yourself. The cup travels well from counter to patio to beach walk. A perfect companion for fish tacos when you crave a sidekick.
Stir it between bites to keep flavors balanced. Every spoonful wakes up the next bite of seafood. That is how side dishes earn regular status here.
Aguachile Style Shrimp Special
This special brings zippy, lime forward energy to the table. Shrimp swim in a vibrant green sauce with cucumber crunch and onion bite. Cilantro floats over the top like a breeze through palm fronds.
It is refreshing, cold, and a little fiery, perfect before heavier items. The acidity keeps you reaching for another forkful. You might even pause just to let the chill and heat mingle.
Pair it with a crisp drink and watch the afternoon open up. It is exactly the dish that makes tides and timing feel important. When it is on the board, do not hesitate.
Spicy Chipotle Fish Burrito
Sometimes you need a handheld feast. The spicy chipotle fish burrito delivers grilled fish, fluffy rice, and beans hugged by a gentle burn. Chipotle sauce rolls through every layer with smoky warmth.
The wrap is tight, the foil practical, and the portion generous. It is easy to split, though finishing solo feels like a win. Each bite hits creamy, spicy, and savory notes in sequence.
Take it to the pier and let the breeze cool the heat. You will find yourself planning a nap or another order. Either option is respectable here.
Kids Fish Taco Combo
The kids fish taco combo keeps it simple and cheerful. Mild seasoning, soft tortilla, and friendly toppings make it an easy yes. Fries arrive crisp, with just enough salt to make smiles wider.
Parents love the portion and price, since it is clear and fair. The drink keeps little diners happy while you handle your own tacos. No fuss, no mess, just quick comfort.
If curiosity sparks, add a lime wedge and let them experiment. It is a gentle gateway to bolder flavors. Everyone leaves with fewer negotiations and crumb filled high fives.
Sweet Potato Fries With Sea Salt
Sweet potato fries land hot and glowing, dusted with sea salt that pops on the tongue. The outside is crisp, the inside soft and sweet, perfect for dipping. A creamy sauce adds balance without stealing the show.
They pair brilliantly with seafood because of that natural sweetness. Take a fry between taco bites and watch flavors jump. It is an easy upgrade that turns a snack into an experience.
Share if you can, but expect the basket to vanish. These fries do not linger long on any table. Order a second if you see elbows reaching.
Local’s Choice Taco Trio
The taco trio lets you sample the coastline in three bites. Mix grilled, blackened, and battered to find your favorite rhythm. Lime wedges line the tray like little surfboards ready to launch.
It is the smartest play on a first visit, or a reliable habit for regulars. Each style speaks differently, yet they harmonize on the same plate. Nothing feels redundant when the grill timing is this sharp.
Post up outdoors, watch Thompson Boulevard flow by, and take your time. The trio is a tide chart for taste, rising and falling beautifully. You will leave confident and satisfied.
Housemade Horchata And Lemonade
Cool down with housemade horchata that is creamy, cinnamon dotted, and quietly sweet. Next to it, the lemonade beams bright and tart, perfect after spicy bites. Together they set an easy pace without weighing you down.
Take small sips between tacos and let flavors reset. The horchata smooths edges while lemonade snaps everything awake. It is a tag team built for board shorts and sandals.
You will likely finish the glasses faster than planned. That is fine, refills solve everything. Just save room for one more taco before the sun dips.