My Meal Cost: $23.49 for 2. Health Rating A. Yelp 4 stars
I hope that everyone had a happy holiday season as we finalize 2016 I'm in the home stretch for Eating Garey Avenue. After ham, roast beef, and all the holiday fixings, it was a great time to take the Lovely Mrs. C out for a nice fish lunch, so we headed to the Grove Center on north Garey just south of Foothill Boulevard. Since this will be my stop for this and the next four weeks (through January), we walked around to familiarize ourselves with it. With the Assadiq Islamic school just to the north, this is a diverse area of the city with hispanics, muslims, and African-Americans all converging and the makeup of the center reflects that. In addition to the 5 restaurants here (3 middle eastern, 2 Latin American) there is also a blend of a smoke shop, barber shop and beauty salon, and a bakery among other businesses.
Today's adventure took us to Pescaderia Mr. Fish. This is a site that we've been going to for over 25 years. Originally, to us, it was the Hamburger House, a standard diner style sit-down restaurant which was average but good for a quick inexpensive meal. It then had at least one other incarnation (Chinese Fast Food?) before becoming Fat Burger. This was exciting as I've eaten at others in the chain and liked it. However it closed a fairly short time after opening. Next it was (wait for it) Fat Burger? Yes, it reopened as Fat Burger and I assume under a different franchisee, but I really couldn't tell the difference. I think I got the opportunity to eat there about twice before it closed once again and was gone. Finally it sprang to life as Mr. Fish which is a fresh seafood market that also cooks the fish that you buy per your instruction (another fish market in town is Pomona Fish Market in downtown, the one with the great neon sign).
Once inside, the place is spacious with about 10 tables for four or more and a high-top counter along the windows. The Fat Burger counter has been replaced with iced fish coolers where the fresh seafood is displayed. You can purchase any fish by the pound to take home and cook, or they will cook if for you either grilling for frying per your pleasure. In addition to fish they also have produce, tortillas, and a selection of sauces and other fish related items, as well as tortillas.
They also have a wide selection of dining options. Some of these are also "by the pound." One that was on special was grilled shrimp dinner for $19.99 per pound and included beans and rice. The counterman told us that it was plenty enough for two. We saw one that someone had ordered and it really looked good and large enough for two (maybe 3 or 4?). We promised ourselves that in the future we'd try it as a to-go meal for one of those times we didn't want to cook, but didn't want to go out.
They have a selection of seafood tacos from $1.99-$2.59. They include shrimp ($2.59) fish, octopus, asada and carnitas. They have the same options available as Burritos or Tortas ($5.99-$6.99), Tostadas ($3.15-$4.99). The also have fish, shrimp or 7 Mares soups, several ceviches, and oysters.
Dinner plates are available with everything from Fish & Chips to a dozen oysters, shrimp cocktail, seafood appetizer plate, to a seafood salad.
Today's adventure took us to Pescaderia Mr. Fish. This is a site that we've been going to for over 25 years. Originally, to us, it was the Hamburger House, a standard diner style sit-down restaurant which was average but good for a quick inexpensive meal. It then had at least one other incarnation (Chinese Fast Food?) before becoming Fat Burger. This was exciting as I've eaten at others in the chain and liked it. However it closed a fairly short time after opening. Next it was (wait for it) Fat Burger? Yes, it reopened as Fat Burger and I assume under a different franchisee, but I really couldn't tell the difference. I think I got the opportunity to eat there about twice before it closed once again and was gone. Finally it sprang to life as Mr. Fish which is a fresh seafood market that also cooks the fish that you buy per your instruction (another fish market in town is Pomona Fish Market in downtown, the one with the great neon sign).
Once inside, the place is spacious with about 10 tables for four or more and a high-top counter along the windows. The Fat Burger counter has been replaced with iced fish coolers where the fresh seafood is displayed. You can purchase any fish by the pound to take home and cook, or they will cook if for you either grilling for frying per your pleasure. In addition to fish they also have produce, tortillas, and a selection of sauces and other fish related items, as well as tortillas.
They also have a wide selection of dining options. Some of these are also "by the pound." One that was on special was grilled shrimp dinner for $19.99 per pound and included beans and rice. The counterman told us that it was plenty enough for two. We saw one that someone had ordered and it really looked good and large enough for two (maybe 3 or 4?). We promised ourselves that in the future we'd try it as a to-go meal for one of those times we didn't want to cook, but didn't want to go out.
They have a selection of seafood tacos from $1.99-$2.59. They include shrimp ($2.59) fish, octopus, asada and carnitas. They have the same options available as Burritos or Tortas ($5.99-$6.99), Tostadas ($3.15-$4.99). The also have fish, shrimp or 7 Mares soups, several ceviches, and oysters.
Dinner plates are available with everything from Fish & Chips to a dozen oysters, shrimp cocktail, seafood appetizer plate, to a seafood salad.
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| Top is the Lovely Mrs. C's shrimp plate. the shrimp were placed on a piece of foil which overlapped the salad. This kept the shrimp hot and the salad cool. To the right is the remainder of the chips and salsa. Below left is the fish burrito with lime wedges and a green salsa, and to the right is the order of fries (note that this is a HUGE order of fries). |
So, now it was decision time. The Lovely Mrs. C decided to try the Shrimp Plate (Camerones al Gusto). She was given the choice of grilled or breaded and fried shrimp. She chose the breaded shrimp, and a bottle of Mexican Coca Cola (they still use cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup used here in the USA).
I decided to try a fish burrito. Again, I was asked if I'd like it grilled or battered and fried. I chose battered because that just sounded to me like what a fish burrito would be. I ordered a fountain diet Coke and a side order of fries.
We were then given a plate of tortilla chips and a bowl of salsa, along with our drinks. The food was prepared to order so it took probably 10-15 minutes during which time we munched on the chips and a very hot salsa. The lovely Mrs. C would do a quick dip with just the very edge of her chip about every third chip and declared that was all she could handle. I, on the other hand, did full scoop dips but it definitely left a fiery impression.
When the food arrived, Mrs. C was pleased that the shrimp were put on a piece of foil which kept them hot but shielded the salad, which they overlapped, and kept it nice and cool. She allowed me to have a taste of the beans which I found to be decent, creamy pintos. She declared the rice to be moist and good. It also came with foil wrapped tortillas. She was especially impressed with the salad, which came with a small side of ranch dressing, saying that the lettuce, cucumber, red onion (which she took out), tomato, and yellow and red pepper, was quite good and refreshing.
My burrito included a couple of pieces of flaky, tender fish along with rice, avocado, cilantro, and tomato. The first half was eaten without any accouterments and I was very pleased with the flavor combinations. As I got to the second half I decided to try it with the green hot sauce provided, but I have to say that it was so hot that it overpowered the other flavors. I then tried it with some of the red salsa from the chips and this was a little better, if you like heat it would probably be a good combination. Finally I took advantage of the lime wedges provided and this brought a nice freshness to both the fish and the avocado which made it even better. My only comment would be that the rice and other items in the burrito made the breading a bit soggy so you didn't get the crunch that I usually like in a fish taco, but I wouldn't let that deter me from ordering it again (although probably grilled). The fries were a very large portion and we only ate about half of them, be warned. They came with seasoned salt which meant that they were a bit salty but with a good flavor. The were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, just as a good frie should be
A very pleasant after holiday meal and we'll certainly be back.
Will have to try! I hear the fish tacos are great. Can't wait til you get to Los Jarritos!!!
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