Fish King

The inspiration

Fish King opened in 1948 as an independent fish shop in Glendale, back when most Southern California cities still had one^1,2 . As supermarkets and corporate chains took over, it became one of the few independent specialty fish markets from that era still standing, surviving on quality and service^3,1 .

Who's behind it

He ran the business on his own from 1968 and grew it from a small two-case storefront into the multi-storefront market it is today^3,4 .

What to order

• Crunch fish sandwich: fried whitefish on a French roll with lettuce, tomato and tartar, praised for its simplicity .⁵

What people are saying

LAist notes the shop is almost always busy with people ordering lunch or picking up seafood to cook at home, and praises the quick service without any skimping on freshness⁴ .

Why you should try it

Fish King is a working fish market as much as a restaurant, so the seafood on your plate comes from the same cases the neighborhood has shopped from since the 1940s^3,4 . If you are staying nearby, it is an easy, low-key stop for poke, fried fish or a cooked-to-order catch you can eat in or take back to your room^5,4 .