El Barco Mariscos

Amidst a sea of Mexican-style seafood joints in West Town, El Barco Mariscos stands out—and not just because the restaurant is shaped like a boat with a pirate figurine in front. Beyond its eclectic decor, the Mexican mainstay is held in high regard for its shareable, budget-friendly portions of zingy seafood cocteles, bright caldos (aka soups) swimming with shrimp, octopus ceviche, fish empanadas, and queso fundido loaded with shrimp. The fact that you can savor such a feast at an affordable price point, whilst dining in a wood-filled room decorated with fake swordfish and sharks, is just icing on the cake.