Is Mesa Street becoming seafood row?

It's odd. And it's always been odd to me. When I lived in Juarez there were quite a few seafood restaurants. Next to Chinese food, people of the region have sought to break the burrito and steak monotony with seafood. I'm a huge fan of fresh seafood; most of my seafood cocktail memories involved seafood near the sea. Or at least in locations darn near the sea. Clearly, here, we are not by the sea.

Yet day after day, another one pops up. I'm talking about Pacifica, El Barco, and the upcoming Villa del Mar. Add these to Shellsy, Puerto Vallarta, the Little Shack, La Mar, and Los Aguachiles. Have I missed any? Some places claim to get daily or almost daily shipments of "fresh" seafood. What they mean by "fresh" varies. It really is possible to get certain types of fish and shellfish flown in fresh or flash frozen. And I can't complain. Most places that I've been to have left me satisfied. Keep in mind that I mostly stick to shrimp cocktail (Mexican style—as opposed to shrimp and dipping sauce). I can’t help it; it’s how I beat the heat.

I’ve been trying to do the rounds at these places and have not really had a bad shrimp cocktail. The one at La Mar was a little bit too sweet for me (but that can be addressed by requesting it less sweet. The one at Shellsy was very good, and as I recall had more avocado than others (by the way, at this place, I wanted to try everything--the fish tacos looked outstanding). The Little Shack adds more texture than other places by adding tiny, perfectly diced vegetables. I believe Puerto Vallarta does this too (or is it their ceviche?). And off-Mesa, there has always been Barrigas. They have a traditional, good one.

As I make my way from place to place, I would love to know your opinions. Is Mesa Street becoming seafood row (I've noticed a similar phenomenon on the far East side)? Or are as many restaurants closing as are opening? Do you eat seafood on the border? What makes a good seafood place here? Do you have any recommendations (places, specific dishes)?

Comments

[Raul]

East Side La Costeña is excellent. It is located right behind La Terraza on Montwood.

[Raul]

Also Fishmart on Lee Trevino in front of Hanks HS.

[cptexas]

There is Del Mar & Grill on Stanton by the Wells Fargo bank. It is very good and the service is great. I agree with the seafood row thing. I just wonder how they are all going to survive. I know I'll be a regular at Villa Del Mar since its close to home and consistently good. Just like Juarez. Need to try Pacifica next. Anyone tried it yet? Puerto Vallarta is good, we like the food very much but the service and tiny place keeps us away.

[Emcee]

Yeh, I'm a bit skeptical of eating seafood in El Paso restaurants. And what's with all the sushi restaurants? You need really fresh fish for that. I've limited my shrimp eating due to the harm that shrimp farms do to the environment in Southeast Asia (where probably almost all shrimp in EP comes from).

[El Gabacho Borracho]

Fishing boats are often out for months at a time. When they dock, is that fish fresh? Or just fresh frozen?
Any city with an airport can have fresh fish these days. Welcome to the 20th century.

[edubble]

Senor Fish off of Mcrae and i10 next to Ranchers Grill is better than most in el paso.

[J]

Maria Chuchena has closed its doors at the Mesa location.

[ct]

Well, I generally inhale large quantities of spray paint and liquor, then submerge my head in my aquarium and try to catch algae eaters for MY dose of seafood. As for Mesa street becoming "seafood-y", how would I know? I live in the Northwest. Sorry.

[ct]

Oh, and by the way, it's the 21st century lately, Gabacho Borracho.

[Superanuation]

Do you eat seafood on the border? If you ask me that question my answer would be "YES!". I've heard most of the restaurant in mesa street cooks best seafood dishes.

[Doug Vidakovich]

Taco Fish should be on your list. I recognize that El Paso is somewhat off the seafood path, and since moving here in 2006 have steered away from anything that said fresh seafood. Pelicans has always been reliable though the original Mi Piaci on Doniphan often brought in Chilean Sea Bass which they would offer for sale, but at a pemium price. Taco Fish openend down the street from where I live and quickly became a favorite place for me to get a fish taco. Maria Chuchena served bad salmon and I'm not disappointed they closed (too much hype IMHO). But, it is obvious that El Paso's taste for seafood is growing and eateries like the Little Shack have found their niche offering simple, tasty, inexpensive fare with less hype and back to basics goodness.