A flavor memory brought back to life. Our family traveled to Puerto Vallarta about 3-4 years ago, and one of the things we love most about traveling is getting off the beaten path and exploring places that feel a little more authentic and local. On that trip, we ventured deep into inland/semi-coastal Jalisco and ended up at a little eatery called Ok Corral Restaurant & Bar in Cabo Corrientes. The food was incredible, but one dish in particular stole my daughter's heart: pescado zarandeado, specifically red snapper. She loved it so much that she basically stole my food. Since that trip, my daughter and I have had a little mission of our own: find that fish again and find the version that brings back that exact flavor memory. Then we found Las Nuevas Islas in Fontana. From the moment we walked in, the experience was fantastic. The staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, but what really stood out was how much they cared about getting my daughter's meal right. We let our 9-year-old explain to our waiter what she remembered about the fish from Mexico. She asked if they had red snapper. He initially told us they were using tilapia, but mentioned that they had just received a shipment of fresh fish and was almost certain there was some red snapper in it. He went back to check. Sure enough, they had it. But he didn't stop there. He asked to see the picture we had from Mexico so he could see how the fish was seasoned and cooked. He took that information straight back to the chef and asked if they could prepare it the way my daughter remembered it. And my goodness, they absolutely nailed it. The fish was cooked perfectly, beautifully seasoned, and had that charred, savory flavor we had been trying to find for years. Watching my daughter take that first bite and seeing the smile on her face was worth the trip alone. Our waiter jokingly asked her, "How is it? Do you like it?" She looked at him and said, "I'm sorry, no, I don't like it... I LOVE IT!" Seeing the smile on his face after hearing that, and seeing my daughter relive a flavor memory from a family trip years ago, was one of those little moments that makes a restaurant experience much more than just dinner. We also had the fish ceviche tostada, which was incredibly fresh, bright and refreshing, and my wife had the fried fish tacos, which were perfectly battered and delicious. And that green serrano salsa deserves its own mention. It is seriously spicy, but absolutely delicious. The restaurant itself is huge, with a great open feel, a beautiful and simple bar, a stage for live music, and an overall atmosphere that feels incredibly welcoming. But what we'll remember most is the people. The waiter could have simply said, "We don't have red snapper." Instead, he went looking. Then he went back again. Then he talked to the chef. They listened to a 9-year-old describe a fish she remembered eating in Mexico years ago and did everything they could to recreate it for her. That's hospitality. Las Nuevas Islas didn't just serve us a great meal. They helped our daughter bring a little piece of a family memory back to life. If you're looking for Nayarit-style mariscos, pescado zarandeado, fresh seafood, great service and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, I can't recommend Las Nuevas Islas enough. We came looking for a fish we remembered from Mexico. We left with a new favorite local restaurant. read more

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Came here early and had a great dinner with my family. The restaurant was easy to locate and very clean. The servers were polite and accommodating, and the live music created a really nice vibe. The only downside was the wait time for our food, but it was understandable since they were short-staffed. Overall, the food was very good. I had the shrimp cocktail, which was prepared really well, and they were definitely generous with the shrimp. I'd love to come back and try other items on the menu! read more

Las Nuevas Islas - Live band - Seafood Near Me - Fontana, California

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Amazing service great oyster shots the weekends are the best !!! Also their tostadas mixta are amazing read more

Las Nuevas Islas - Seafood Near Me - Fontana, California

Yeah, unfortunately its just not the place for mariscos that we had in mind. place is nice but food needs some work

Large restaurant with plenty of seating, there is a stage so may have live music. Shrimp cocktail and ceviche tasted fresh. Shrimp and fish tacos were delicious. Friendly staff but server was slow and lagged on checking in with us. Think this spot may be new so might be getting into the groove of things. I'd definitely go again. read more

It was a nice place for Seafood the food was on point this place was Lonely no other costumers just us read more

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The seafood was very good! I ordered the ceviche tostada and the empanadas, and they were the best I've had in the Inland Empire so far--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The waitress was very nice and helpful, and the manager even came to our table to check on us, which really shows great customer service. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Went in the afternoon on a Wednesday. It was completely empty- so we were worried at first. But we stayed because I didn't think the yelp reviews could steer me so wrong. Chips and salsa were delicious. My mango margarita could have used some flavor and tasted like a bland smoothie. But that was the only thing I would say was not up to the reviews I read. Everything else my family and I ate was flavorful, just the right amount of spice and wonderfully seasoned. Definitely will be back if we are in area again! read more

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Yes this place is great Has live music And plates come fast. Good service Come check this place out read more

Melissa was a great host! She got all our orders in and out as well in a timely manner. Always is so welcoming when we come in. Ambiance wise, very clean as well. Food wise, it's always great! Very delicious food as well. Always a pleasure coming in & being helped by Melissa. read more

I give this place a 10/10 the service was great, we got our food fast. I recommend Maleficio, campechanas and the best tacos gobernador. And finally the micheladas the place is really nice and clean. Prices are very affordable. If you like seafood you must try this place. Gina and Jorge were great. read more

Place was okay alcohol was overpriced waitress took forever probably won't be coming back bathroom was plugged too

The food is delicious, I ordered a fish ceviche and a pescado zarandeado. Bomb !!! The service was great read more

Great spot with fresh, vibrant flavors! The cucumber lemonade was incredibly refreshing, perfectly balanced and not too sweet. The taco gobernador was a standout. juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Definitely a place I'd come back to! read more

Great food, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Everything was delicious, and the staff was attentive and friendly. Highly recommended read more

Por primera ves visitamos el restaurante y la verdad nos encantó lo que comimos, los tacos de camarón y el agua chile 10/10 El aderezo de los tacos de camarón me hicieron viajar a Nayarit , el servicio estuvo excelente, creo que los demás platillos estarán buenos 100% recomendado , si visitas por primera te ara recordar que estás en un botanero por las costas de Nayarit read more

The Agua chiles, taco gobernador and ceviche are delicious! Very friendly staff. Definitely recommend

This place is amazing it's definitely a hidden gem! If you want great service & fresh food this is the place in Fontana 10/10! Will be coming back as soon as possible! read more

What I received was chopped up meat on a plate Instead of guacamole they sliced up some avocado! Very disappointing read more

Las Nuevas Islas - So this is the smoked marlin. I thought I was getting actual fish - Seafood Near Me - Fontana, California

Came at lunch on a Sunday. From the outside you're like ummmm is it a restaurant?!. BUT, once you walk in it's a big space with fun lively decor. Good Music on, fast and friendly service and the food is delicious! We got the shrimp empanadas and ceviche cocido to share. Fresh and hit the spot. The empanadas came with a salsa just like I like puro serranos and lemon lol come! read more

I love this place. MUST ORDER: taco gobernador, camarones zarandeados, enchiladas, langostinos & mejillones haha. Everything I've tasted has been delicious. The service is great, it's a new location so I can't wait to see it grow. Good music, good food, good service. read more

Las Nuevas Islas - Enchiladas - Seafood Near Me - Fontana, California

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Been beee twice, enjoyed both meals. The shrimp ceviche, empanadas, and carne asada with shrimp plate are all menu items I'd recommend. Also, the chips and salsa are really good. Both times I've been here, the service was equal to the food, really good. read more

The place is epic. Parking is amazing. The place is huge. So much space. And the food is extremely good. My fav was the mussels and grilled fish fillet. The sauce game is on another point. Love this location. read more

Las Nuevas Islas - Seafood Near Me - Fontana, California

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Very Delicious food I would definitely go there again,loved the food the admisfere, services & the people we're awesome had alote of fun while dinning out!!! read more

Came here on a Saturday afternoon place was empty no wait .I ordered a shrimp cocktail and my husband ordered a mojara frita the service and food was great. read more

Great for lunch! Good tasting food. Quick and friendly service. Nice decor. I visited mid week for lunch. Haven't tried on weekend

I visited this restaurant on a week day with my kids, the service was great and the food was sooo good! read more

Las Nuevas Islas - Empanadas de camarón - Seafood Near Me - Fontana, California

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Been here twice now. I really like the langostinos. My husband likes the ostiones. I've liked my campechana coctel. He said his tostada de ceviche was good too. read more

excellent location, excellent service, excellent food, live Nortenio and Banda Sinaloa music is off the hook, really good environment, highly recommend, super clean, plenty of parking , I give it a 10 all the time I go , family orient for sure read more

Service is wonderful, generous portions, good prices, very clean inside. Marlin tacos are phenomenal! Very seasoned, flavorful, & cheesy. read more

Food was great! beer was ice cold. Abel took care of me great service highly recommend

I don't know how this place is so well reviewed. The food was really bad the mariscos had zero flavor other that the shrimp heads. The service was decent but if you messed up service with that little of people you are really bad. There were no more than two families there including the whole time. They don't have their liquor license, so don't expect a real margarita. The shrimp empanadas were so greasy. I have never in my life seen a empanada like that. I opened it up to show my in laws that there was hardly shrimp and grease poured out. Not dripped, but poured. The ceviche oysters had zero flavor. The shrimp cocktails were boiled shrimp put in a margarita cup with the shrimp water and nothing else. The guy told us that it's a make it yourself shrimp cocktail. That's how it is from the region. The place is ok looking they been open a year and have a new banner up still instead of a sign. Just so many things that were wrong with this place. Should have known To leave once the place was empty on a Saturday night like that. Hope you guys improve from here but I won't be back. You guys should have refunded my whole meal once you knew we were leaving to go to a different restaurant. Instead of telling me this is your culture of Mexico's food. Not my first mariscos. I have had a ton of mariscos. This was was the worst I ever had. read more

Came here for a birthday lunch. Was empty when we walked in. Really nice decor inside. Music was going at a good volume. The tables were clean, the waitress was very nice, she only spoke to us in Spanish. We got a Cucumber Limon agua fresca which was so tasty, and the chips and salsa had great flavor and enough spice for my nose to run, which I like. I am vegan so, I was only able to order a salad and fries off their sides menu. The waitress let us know the beans are cooked in oil so that's another option. My husband got two ceviches. The Marlin ceviche was warm because it was cooked, good flavor, good texture, no spice.. The Executive ceviche had raw pieces which is traditional because it's cooked in the juice however there wasn't enough time for it to cook before being served. Flavor was good and was spicy. We enjoyed our experience. read more

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Great service and great food! The bathrooms were quite dirty, but understandable because they were busy. Sherri read more

This is truly the best marisco spot in the IE! I ordered the tacos gobernador and they were delicious, the cheese pull is unreal! So full of flavor and the agua de pepino is one of the greatest drinks they offer. The waitresses are attentive and friendly even when busy 10/10 recommend this spot! read more

Las Nuevas Islas - Tacos Gobernador Agua Fresca de Pepino - Seafood Near Me - Fontana, California

Service is top notch! Place is huge and has a really nice decor. The food was great and the prices are reasonable, we ordered the aqua chile and empanadas de camaron and man it was bomb ... again service was top notch, they seem to really care about their customers ... we will definitely be back because this place is a hidden gem for anyone that wants some good legit mariscos in a really nice environment. read more

My friends and I went to try this place out because we were looking for a place that had mariscos. We found it on Yelp and it did not disappoint! I ordered the fish ceviche and the flavor was delicious!! It hit the spot! I also ordered the aguachiles and they were delicious but spicy! The waitresses were very nice and attentive to us. I plan to come back! read more

The food here is amazing and tastes fresh. The service is here is 10/10. The waiter checked up in us periodically and attended us with great attitude. read more

Las Nuevas Islas - Taco gobernador - Seafood Near Me - Fontana, California

The New go to spot, this is the new nuevas islas location that opened on foothill and cherry and this place just feels like home. Drinks are super good with different variety of margaritas to beers and the best seafood as if you were in Nayarit. The Music they play here is always good vibes and there's no wait time. read more

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Soup broth had no flavor, very small bowl, fried fish was very small. Chips and salsa very good. I can tell they just are starting. Lots of room for improvements. Very nice people though. read more