There is something irresistible about the sound of hot oil crackling as fresh fish hits the fryer, a promise that something deeply satisfying is only moments away.
Along California’s long and varied coastline, fried fish has grown into a shared ritual, shaped by fishing towns, beach cities, and generations of cooks who know exactly how crisp is crisp enough.
From seaside shacks with picnic tables overlooking the water to long-standing counters where locals have ordered the same dish for decades, fried fish in California carries both comfort and character…