I came across this place after watching some YouTube videos about Popotla, a fishing village…read moreapproximately 10 miles from Rosarito Beach.
I like watching Mark Weins and his adventures with food, as I am quite the foodie myself. Therefore, I found myself at Mariscos La Estrella or "Star Seafood."
This place is located at the far end near the water and has a nice view, where you can see the fishermans' boats come ashore with fresh catches of the day.
We walked in and were seated right away. They start you off with complimentary fresh tortilla chips and ceviche. The ceviche was okay but did not taste that fresh.
My friend and I shared the region's signature delicacy, a Cangrejo Marciano, or "Martian Crab." We waited about 15 minutes for the order. The crab is large, deep fried in butter, served with beans, rice, and fresh tortillas.
Unfortunately, I can't say it was out of this world. I believe this place is overhyped. Because the crab was deep fried, it shrunk and the crab meat in the claws were more shredded rather than in chunks, making it a lot of work to eat.
While the concept is cool, as they give you a big rock to crack your crab... the meal was about average. I had to use a lot of lime to even out the butter flavor.
The rice, beans, and tortillas were also a bit dry unfortunately. Service was great and our female server was very attentive, filling our waters and taking away our dishes promptly.
It was nice to visit this place and I love supporting small businesses. However, I think I will try a different place next time for fresh fish. Overall 3.5 stars.
Happy eating!
Yelp Review #56- 2026