San Pedro Fish Market and Grille: Where Big is Oh-So-Beautiful

(Gerry Furth-Sides) San Pedro Fish Market and Grille already has your full attention week-days because it is at the very desolate end of Harbor Boulevard at the almost end of what is an almost empty huge parking lot in San Pedro.   That same parking lot, right along with the restaurant that seats close to 400 outside, also get your attention on week-ends and in the summer because is it jam-packed. It got our lasting attention because it was one of the most genuinely hospitable, fun places we’ve ever visited, and reminded us of eating out in Greece.  It is a family run operation and the Ungaro family does it beautifully.

The restaurant claims the crowd comes for their high quality, fresh shrimp, delivered fresh daily from the San Pedro Fish Market.  The Shrimp Platter for Two and the shrimp Tacos are signature items.  And the novelty adds to the attraction because you can pick your own from a counter and have them cook it (grilled or sautéed) and then eat outside in the fresh air overlooking the water.  The restaurant offers inside dining, with a small bar, and the few week-day customers there between lunch and dinner seemed to be having such a good time they would be there for supper, too.

In spite of confusion (we were at the wrong location because of GPS listings), Orlando the manager of the location, Maria the restaurant manager and Francesca were only too happy to help us anyway.  Orlando and Francesca have been a part of the staff for nearly 25 years, and their enthusiasm is absolutely infectious.  Orlando told us that the San Pedro Fish Market used to be packed on holidays.  Now “every week-end is a holiday,” he laughed.

Shrimp tacos are cooked to order with San Pedro Fish Market’s signature seasoning and served grilled or deep-fried on corn tortillas topped with fresh cabbage, onion, tomato, cilantro and signature sauce.  The prices range according to the fish or seafood, from Vegetarian Tacos ($2.25) to Salmon ($5.25).  In the middle are Calamari or Scallops  ($3.25) Tilapia ($3.50), Red snapper or Orange Roughy ($4.25), or Alaskan Halibut or Swordfish ($5.25). Introductory specials are run continuously with celebratory specials  run every so often.  See details on the website.

The World Famous Shrimp Tray for two people.  The meal starts with a salad and clam chowder, also fresh and straightforward.  Francesca took great pride in bringing us all three dressings so we could see which one we liked best.

The Shrimp Platter comes with a pillowy big, buttered roll to make into a sandwich.  Lemon wedges and spice sauce are also on the table.  There is an abundance of diced potatoes along with the smaller size shrimp for easy eating.

Founded as a small neighborhood fish shop, San Pedro Fish Market grew from humble beginnings to the largest restaurant on the West Coast. In 2018, the families behind the legendary waterfront San Pedro Fish Market expanded their horizons by launching a new, fast-casual dining concept: San Pedro Fish Market Grille.   This bustling, high energy dockside eatery offers delicious seafood plates made from the highest quality ingredients, cooked to the customer’s requests. With three locations in the South Bay, the Ungaro family continues the tradition of serving fresh seafood to the waterfront community and beyond. For more information, including menu items and locations, visit www.spfishgrille.com.

If you aren’t too full, or want to walk the waterfront and have dessert, a soft serve is right across the way.  And the market has the last words that you take with you: