This place has been opened for 30 years and is a favorite among locals.. We had asked several different people their favorite restaurant for seafood and they all gave Magaly as their definitive recommendation. One of the best fried fish I have ever had.
It is perhaps 3 blocks away from a really nice strip of markets as well, where one can walk their lunch off..
But you enter this non descript storefront and dont think much of the place.. Eventually, you are taken through to the back seating area which is much more spacious and comfortable.. You can also get a clear view of their tiny kitchen and the few cooks working there. Tables filled with locals eating beautiful plates of food. Once we noticed all of this, we were no doubt excited..
We asked to order a whole fish and the woman left our table and returned with two beautiful fish.. One was a Porgy looking guy and other a red snapper.. Both were clear eyed and fresh.. We asked for the Porgy looking guy.. This is a very good sign as I we have been served frozen fish at other places nearby. But, if the place has a lot of local traffic, there is no time to freeze fish.
We asked for the fish to be fried and covered in garlic.. Or Ajo... The fish was amazing.. It was fried perfectly, it was pre-marinated and sliced with three cuts on each side.. Meat was cooked perfectly, outside crispy, little bits of outside bone were crunchy and edible.. But, the star was how well the fish was seasoned with the garlic rub.. Damn, so good..
We also ordered their Fish Soup.. Another staple in the area but, this was amazing.. The stock was super rich, dark and fishy.. Their was various cuts of fish, shrimp and some shellfish added to this stock.. We could not stop eating this soup.. One could tell the time and care that went into the stock.. The added in seafood was cooked perfectly.. There was even a large tail section of a snapper in it..
We also ordered shrimp diablo which is like a sweet and sour sauce added with a little chipotle.. Served with fries and rice I believe.. While this is a local favorite dish, this was my first time having it.. While the shrimp were fresh and cooked perfecltly and the fries fried perfectly, the actually dish is not my favorite.. But, if you like diabla sauce, this is a great version. .Don't get me wrong we ate every last bite but, it is more personal preference.
Lunch with a few beers and mezcals Was less the 25 dollars USD.. Much less actually..
This was among the best meals we had in Mexico... This is a must visit.. Get the fish soup, the fried fish with garlic and then try something else. read more