Bear Flag Fish Co. in Newport Beach
![Bear Flag Fish Co. is a vision of seafood simplicity, the type that should exist along every waterfront but that rarely does.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3c26db5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x390+0+0/resize/586x390!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F57%2Fc04b58b916d081f2a5203492da58%2Fla-fo-find01-ll3u66nc.jpg)
Bear Flag Fish Co. is a vision of seafood simplicity, the type that should exist along every waterfront but that rarely does. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
![Bear Flag Fish Co. in Newport Beach](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/58dc1bc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x427+0+0/resize/586x427!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc6%2Fe8%2F2f34fdadc095003239414747750e%2Fla-fo-find02-ll3u5knc.jpg)
The Bear Flag Fish Co. in
![Bear Flag Fish Co. in Newport Beach](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7288998/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x406+0+0/resize/586x406!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6a%2F63%2F4cf9171d596b12bbde19af324c29%2Fla-fo-find03-ll3u6wnc.jpg)
The grilled swordfish sandwich begins with a soft and sturdy baguette from the local C’est Si Bon Bakery. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
![Bear Flag Fish Co. in Newport Beach](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6f3d564/2147483647/strip/true/crop/308x425+0+0/resize/308x425!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff4%2F8b%2F88601704ab7e984f6428c738ed59%2Fla-fo-find04-ll3u7cnc.jpg)
The wall decor at Bear Flag Fish Co. helps set the mood for loyal customers. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
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![Bear Flag Fish Co. in Newport Beach](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/547d3f9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x402+0+0/resize/586x402!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F1b%2F88d63aa0af47196db7acd4fd095f%2Fla-fo-find05-ll3u55nc.jpg)
The market’s seafood case is front and center at Bear Flag. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
![Bear Flag Fish Co. in Newport Beach](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c31deed/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x337+0+0/resize/586x337!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F21%2F90%2F533388b71f761ca139e542e93e35%2Fla-fo-find06-ll3u4anc.jpg)
There’s almost always a line at Bear Flag Fish Co., which retains its beach-town vibe. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)