Mi Compa Chava Marisquería — Restaurant in Mexico City

CDMX Eats 2024 #65, Mariscos #10: This was our second visit to Mi Compa Chava. We arrived at 11:30 on Sunday and were seated as soon as the restaurant opened at 12:00. We were able to grab one of the handful of outdoor tables, too.

We started lunch with an order of drinks: passi margarita ($150; tequila and mezcal, yum!), Cascahuin añejo ($160), and a pacifico ($55). We paired that with an order of oysters (6pz; $380) and three almejas chocolatas ($100/pz).

The margarita was delicious and great for the price. I was surprised that I preferred the oysters to the clams, but everything was super fresh and delicious.

After the raw start, we added an order of camarones zarandeados ($590), the tostada cachetona ($320), and two oyster tacos ($145/ea). The grilled shrimp were delicious. They were huge, easy to eat, and the char/smoke flavor was fantastic. The tostada cachetona was/is basically a mini version of their La Señora Torres. Surprisingly, the oyster tacos may have been my favorite. While they aren't huge (and are a bit pricy), the flavor and texture was sublime!

In addition to the good seafood, Mi Compa Chava also offers many fun drinks including beers with oysters and/or grilled shrimp. I also think they have the best micheladas in Mexico City.

In addition to the food, the service was impeccable. Multiple servers continuously, proactively brought things right before I needed them. I also really enjoy the vibe: both the inside and outside are extremely buzzy. If you come on the weekend, I recommend getting here by 11:30. Otherwise, make a reservation (far in advance) for a weekday lunch. They also have another location in Coyoacan that's not as crowded.

While I highly recommend eating here (and will likely return), it is quite pricy. If you get here and the queue is just too long, I highly recommend eating at Marlindo just a 3-minute...

Great food, intransparent waiting system

Arrived shortly before opening on a weekend and was greeted with a long waiting line. Very understandable due to the restaurant’s great food and reputation. What was not understandable, though, was how a group of Caucasian foreigners who were a few people behind us immediately got a table.

I approached a waiter and asked for an explanation and they only said “it’s because they’re 14 people.” Don’t know why this was reason enough when there were at least 50 people in front of them that could have been seated instead.

We decided to let it go and patiently wait to be seated. Until a person (customer) signaled for two other people way behind us to to come up because “we got a table for you”. Surprise surprise, where did they get seated? In the same 14-seat party. They obviously did not know one another because the guy who signaled them introduced the newcomers to the group.

This was when we decided to move to a different restaurant. The food truly is fantastic but we definitely won’t be returning for a while as this experience left a bitter taste in our mouths.

By not having a proper, transparent waiting system, this created long-lasting negative experiences to us and the other people in line who witnessed and criticized the same...

Food was great, we enjoyed everything so much so we came back the next day.

Only complaint I have is that the waiters basically demanded (which is illegal) a 10% tip. Now normally, that’s not an issue. We are used to being informed before ordering, which they didn’t, my issue was in the tasteless manner that they went about it. They stated that it was mandatory, which is not stated anywhere nor is it reflected on the receipt which is has to. He stated “Please understand us as we have to pay a percent” which I assume he meant they had to split the tips amongst the group, which honestly as a paying customer I don’t see how that’s our issue. He also informed us how his coworker from the day before was upset we didn’t leave him the 10% tip & the difference in the quality of service was noticeably different the second time we went there. Remarks like that wholeheartedly ruined my experience after enjoying such a great meal.

Tips are not mandatory and if they are we are to be informed before ordering and should be reflected on your receipt. Please know that all tips are voluntary and if this happens to you please make a complaint, inform them that what they are doing is illegal, or ask for a manger. If the 10% tip is mandatory it will be reflected on...