The Coastal Bend region of Texas offers a culinary journey that celebrates the bounty of the sea. From quaint seaside eateries to upscale restaurants, this area is a haven for seafood lovers seeking fresh, flavorful dishes.
Among the many seafood specialties found in the Coastal Bend, ceviche stands out as a local favorite. This zesty dish, featuring raw fish cured in citrus juices and mixed with various herbs and vegetables, perfectly captures the essence of coastal dining. Visitors and locals alike can explore a diverse array of ceviche preparations, each showcasing the region’s commitment to sea-to-plate perfection.
1) El Rey Del Mar
El Rey Del Mar offers a delightful ceviche experience in the Coastal Bend area. This seafood restaurant specializes in fresh, flavorful ceviche dishes that showcase the region’s bountiful marine harvest.
The menu features a variety of ceviche options, including the popular Diablo ceviche. This dish is known for its refreshing, lemony taste and generous portion size. It comes accompanied by a large plate of crispy chips, perfect for scooping up the tangy seafood mixture.
El Rey Del Mar’s commitment to quality is evident in their use of locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant takes pride in serving the freshest catches from the area’s abundant seas, ensuring each ceviche dish bursts with authentic coastal flavors.
Visitors can enjoy their ceviche in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant’s dedication to sea-to-plate perfection has made it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
El Rey Del Mar
Address: 18530 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 91335
Phone: (747) 277-0209
2) La Playa Restaurant
La Playa Restaurant brings the flavors of coastal Mexico to the heart of the city. This vibrant eatery offers a tropical escape with its tiki bars and inviting patio atmosphere.
The menu showcases an array of fresh seafood dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients. Patrons can savor popular offerings like garlic shrimp, fish ceviche, and fish tacos.
La Playa’s ceviche stands out as a highlight. Made with the freshest catches, it tantalizes taste buds with its zesty flavors and delicate textures.
The restaurant prides itself on serving high-quality seafood in a relaxed setting. Diners can enjoy their meals while soaking in the laid-back coastal vibe.
La Playa Restaurant caters to seafood lovers seeking an authentic taste of Mexican coastal cuisine. Its commitment to fresh ingredients and traditional recipes keeps patrons coming back for more.
La Playa Restaurant
Address: 5210 San Mateo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Hours: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm daily
Phone: (877) 585-1085
3) Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill
Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill offers a scenic dining experience on the Texas coast. Located in Rockport, this restaurant specializes in fresh seafood and unique “Marina Munchies.”
The menu features a variety of coastal favorites, including their popular ceviche. Prepared with locally sourced seafood, the ceviche at Paradise Key showcases the flavors of the Coastal Bend region.
Diners can enjoy their meal while taking in breathtaking views of the bay and wildlife preserve. The restaurant’s panoramic indoor seating provides a comfortable atmosphere year-round.
In addition to ceviche, Paradise Key serves other seafood dishes, steaks, and tropical drinks. Their commitment to freshness and quality makes it a standout destination for seafood enthusiasts.
Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill is accessible by both car and boat, adding to its coastal charm. The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, with extended hours until 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Paradise Key Dockside Bar & Grill
165 Cove Harbor North, Rockport, Texas 78382
Phone: (361) 729-6000
4) Blackbeard’s On The Beach
Blackbeard’s On The Beach offers a unique ceviche experience on Corpus Christi’s North Beach. This pirate-themed restaurant serves up fresh seafood with a side of local history.
Located in one of the oldest buildings on North Beach, Blackbeard’s purple exterior is hard to miss. The restaurant has been a destination for seafood lovers since 1991.
While known for its wide-ranging menu, Blackbeard’s ceviche stands out as a must-try dish. Made with locally-sourced fish, it captures the essence of coastal Texas flavors.
The restaurant’s proximity to the beach ensures the freshest catch for their ceviche and other seafood offerings. Diners can enjoy their meal with a view of the Gulf of Mexico.
Blackbeard’s also offers an extensive selection of margaritas to complement their seafood dishes. The combination of fresh ceviche and a well-crafted cocktail creates a perfect coastal dining experience.
Blackbeard’s On The Beach
3117 Surfside Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78402
Phone: (361) 884-1030
Website: blackbeardsonthebeach.com
5) Harrison’s Landing
Harrison’s Landing offers a unique seafood dining experience in Corpus Christi. This waterfront restaurant boasts stunning views of the marina, creating an ideal setting for enjoying fresh ceviche and other coastal delights.
The restaurant’s menu features locally-sourced seafood, ensuring the freshest ingredients for their ceviche dishes. Diners can savor the bright flavors of lime-cured fish combined with crisp vegetables and zesty seasonings.
Harrison’s Landing is more than just a restaurant. It also houses a gift shop and offers boat tours, making it a versatile destination for visitors to the Coastal Bend area.
The establishment’s Tavern on the Bay is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. It provides a relaxed atmosphere where guests can unwind while enjoying their meals and drinks with a scenic backdrop.
Live music events are regularly held at Harrison’s Landing, adding to the vibrant ambiance of this seafood destination.
Harrison’s Landing
Address: 108 Peoples St T-Head, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: (361) 881-8503
Website: www.harrisonslanding.net
6) Water Street Oyster Bar
Water Street Oyster Bar has been a staple of Corpus Christi’s seafood scene since 1983. This coastal gem offers fresh Gulf Coast seafood in a vibrant atmosphere.
The restaurant’s origins as a converted transmission shop add character to its unique coastal ambiance. Locals and tourists alike flock to this flagship establishment of Water Street Market.
Water Street Oyster Bar prides itself on serving the freshest seafood from the Gulf. Their menu features a full sushi and raw bar, along with classic coastal dishes.
Visitors can enjoy specialties like Texas wild-caught shrimp and Gulf blue crab cakes. The restaurant also offers gluten-free menu options and a popular Sunday brunch.
With its commitment to quality food, service, and people, Water Street Oyster Bar has become an essential part of the Corpus Christi dining experience.
Water Street Oyster Bar
Address: 309 N Water St, Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: (361) 881-9448
Website: www.waterstreetoysterbar.com
7) Doc’s Seafood & Steaks
Doc’s Seafood & Steaks offers a picturesque waterfront dining experience in Corpus Christi. The restaurant boasts stunning views of the Gulf Coast, providing a perfect backdrop for enjoying fresh seafood and hand-cut Angus beef steaks.
Doc’s menu features a variety of Gulf seafood prepared to diners’ preferences – grilled, blackened, or fried. These dishes are served alongside Doc’s rice and seasonal sautéed vegetables, showcasing the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients.
While ceviche isn’t specifically mentioned, Doc’s focus on fresh Gulf seafood suggests they likely offer this coastal favorite. The restaurant’s waterfront location ensures diners can enjoy their meals with scenic views of the coast.
Doc’s Seafood & Steaks has earned a reputation as a Gulf Coast legend, attracting both locals and tourists seeking a memorable dining experience. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating options, allowing guests to fully appreciate the coastal atmosphere.
Doc’s Seafood & Steaks: 13309 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418. Phone: (361) 949-2845. Website: docsseafoodandsteaks.com
8) Laguna Reef
Laguna Reef offers a unique ceviche experience in the Coastal Bend. This restaurant combines fresh seafood with stunning waterfront views of the Laguna Madre.
The establishment prides itself on serving locally-caught fish, prepared with care and expertise. Their ceviche showcases the flavors of the Gulf, featuring a mix of citrus-cured seafood and vibrant regional ingredients.
Diners can enjoy their meal on the outdoor patio, taking in the serene atmosphere of Bluff’s Landing Marina. The restaurant also offers a special service for anglers, cooking their freshly caught and cleaned fish filets.
Laguna Reef’s menu extends beyond ceviche, offering a variety of seafood dishes that highlight the bounty of the Texas coast. The casual setting and friendly staff create a welcoming environment for both locals and visitors.
4242 Laguna Shores Rd. @ Bluff’s Landing Marina, Corpus Christi, TX
Phone: (361) 937-2600
9) Pueblo Viejo
Pueblo Viejo offers a taste of authentic Mexican seafood in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. This restaurant is known for its generous portions and flavorful dishes.
The ceviche at Pueblo Viejo stands out as a highlight. Diners can choose between shrimp or fish ceviche, both prepared with lime, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro.
The menu features a variety of seafood options beyond ceviche. Camarones Pueblo Viejo, a dish of bacon-wrapped shrimp with vegetables and cheese, showcases the restaurant’s creative approach to coastal cuisine.
Pueblo Viejo’s margaritas receive praise from patrons, complementing the seafood selections. The restaurant’s extensive menu ensures options for various tastes.
Visitors appreciate the large serving sizes, with many noting that dishes like the ceviche can easily serve multiple people.
Pueblo Viejo, 291 SW Port St Lucie Blvd, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34984. Phone: (772) 336-5828
10) Kiko’s Mexican Food Restaurant
Kiko’s Mexican Food Restaurant brings a taste of Baja to San Diego. This popular eatery specializes in fresh seafood tacos and burritos.
Kiko’s is known for its original Baja fish taco, which has been featured on local news and TV shows. The menu also offers shrimp, octopus, scallop, and mussel options.
Customers praise the OG fish tacos and spicy shrimp tacos. Daily specials are available, including Taco Tuesdays for fish tacos.
The restaurant started in 1983 and has become a local favorite for Mexican seafood. Kiko’s serves beer, micheladas, and refreshing aguas frescas like jamaica and tamarindo.
Kiko’s Place operates as a food truck located in a liquor store parking lot on Friars Road, near the University of San Diego.
Contact: Kiko’s Place The Seafood King, Friars Road, San Diego, CA. More information can be found on their Yelp page.
History of Ceviche
Ceviche has ancient roots tracing back thousands of years to coastal South America. This iconic dish has evolved over time, spreading across regions and cultures while maintaining its essence of fresh seafood “cooked” in citrus juices.
Origins and Cultural Significance
Ceviche’s origins date back to the Moche civilization in Peru around 100-800 AD. These coastal people developed an early form of ceviche using local Tumbo fruit to marinate fish. Archaeological evidence suggests similar dishes existed up to 2,000 years ago in Peru’s coastal areas.
The dish held cultural importance for ancient civilizations, who valued its flavors and preservation properties. As fishing techniques advanced, ceviche became more prevalent. It spread through trade and cultural exchange, adapting to local ingredients and tastes.
Spanish colonizers later introduced citrus fruits, which became integral to modern ceviche recipes. The dish gained popularity throughout Latin America, with each region developing unique variations.
Evolution of Ceviche in Coastal Bend
Ceviche made its way to the Coastal Bend region of Texas through cultural influences and the area’s rich seafood resources. Local chefs embraced the dish, adapting it to showcase the Gulf Coast’s abundant marine life.
The Coastal Bend’s ceviche evolved to incorporate regional flavors and ingredients. Gulf shrimp, red snapper, and other local catches became popular choices. Restaurants like Sea Ranch pioneered ceviche dishes that highlighted the area’s seafood quality.
Coastal Bend ceviche often features a balance of tangy citrus, fresh herbs, and carefully selected spices. Chefs experiment with unique additions like tropical fruits or locally sourced vegetables to create distinctive flavor profiles.
Ceviche and Local Ingredients
The Coastal Bend’s ceviche scene thrives on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. This commitment to quality and sustainability elevates the dining experience for seafood lovers.
Freshness and Sourcing
Coastal Bend restaurants prioritize freshness in their ceviche preparations. Many establishments partner with local fishermen and markets to secure the day’s catch. This ensures peak flavor and texture in every dish.
Popular fish choices include red snapper, grouper, and mahi-mahi. These species are abundant in the Gulf waters off Texas. Chefs often select firm-fleshed fish that hold up well to the citrus marinade.
Local produce also plays a crucial role. Restaurants source tomatoes, onions, and cilantro from nearby farms. Some even cultivate their own herbs to guarantee freshness.
Sustainable Seafood Practices
Coastal Bend eateries increasingly embrace sustainable fishing methods. This approach helps preserve marine ecosystems while delivering top-quality seafood to diners.
Many restaurants work with suppliers certified by organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council. These partnerships ensure responsible fishing practices and traceability of seafood sources.
Some establishments go further by featuring lesser-known, but equally delicious, fish varieties. This practice helps reduce pressure on overfished species. It also introduces diners to new flavors and textures.
Seasonal menus are becoming more common. They reflect the natural cycles of fish populations and help maintain biodiversity in local waters.
