Mariscos Chente’s Zarandeado is Still Amazing (And Only $15/lb For a Limited Time)
The recent trials and tribulations of Mariscos Chente, the westside Sinoloan seafood specialist, have been well documented on the interwebs. At the beginning of 2009 the spot was elevated to prominence by Mexican food guru Bill Esparza, for serving the best Pescado Zarandeado (whole charcoal grilled fish) outside of Nayarit. And at the beginning of 2010 a conga line of bloggers followed suit with their praise. I was particularly excited, not just because I had just moved here from a city that has absolutely nothing even remotely like Sinoloan food, but also because I live in Culver City- a five minute drive away from this seafood heaven.
Then, disaster struck (for me anyway). It was reported that the grill master responsible for the zarandeado, Sergio Panuelas, had moved to Mariscos Chentes (note the “s” at the end) on Inglewood Ave. near the airport, a branch of the restaurant owned by a different member of the family. And the message was clear: Mariscos Chente is dead. Long live Mariscos Chentes! But how could this be? So much of grilling has to do with a well seasoned grill, and Mariscos Chente was still using the same grill, right? And didn’t Sergio’s co-workers learn anything from watching the master? There’s no way he could have been manning the grill every single day of the week. Is it crazy to think that the zarandeado could still possibly be good? Well, despite hearing some not so great things, I finally managed to take the plunge and return to Mariscos Chente.
And here is what I found…
Posted at 11:15 am, March 9th, 2011 under Culver City/Mar Vista, Mariscos Chente, Mexican.
