Mariscos El Pacifico Seafood Bar and Grill — Restaurant in Jacksonville

Travelling with a friend who wanted seafood in Florida on our way down to Orlando, but didn't want a generic chain restaurant. Mariscos delivered amazing food, but that said, I can see why the reviews are so varied.

First off, I want to emphasize that the food was incredible. We were seated near the kitchen and every dish that came out looked as spectacular as the gorgeous photos on the website. But while the food very much matched the website, if you look at the website photos and layout it is very easy to assume that this restaurant is a sort of elegant fusion style place and it absolutely is not.

While the food is delicious and very elegantly presented, the restaurant is small and unpretentious with an atmosphere more like a boisterous neighborhood pub/bar than a fine dining establishment. There is a live mariachi band what we found quite delightful, but other reviewers are completely accurate when they say that the restaurant is very loud--both the mariachi band and the regular music that plays. The customers are almost entirely local and latino, which argues strongly for the authenticity of the food but if you're looking for an elegant, serious place for a romantic date or to have a quiet dinner out, then guys, THIS IS NOT IT. This place is like a fiesta, complete with families. co-workers meeting up after work, soccer games and popular tv shows on four or five large screens. enormous beverages (seriously, largest soda glasses I've ever seen) and...

This place offers standard Mexican fare, with extra seafood choices, that's not worth the price or the effort. I have a very specific food allergy that has never created issues when I go out, as long as I make restaurant staff aware. It's not unusual for waitstaff to get management involved in serving my table, as I do ask very specific questions, but these people stood in front of me complaining in Spanish how my request to not add sour cream or cheese was too much work. Even after explaining my allergy to beef and pork, the manager tried to get me to order steak instead of chicken, and had the gall to still serve me steak after I told him again that it would make me sick. When I told the waitress that they served me the wrong food. She scoffed rolled her eyes and snatched the plate off the table. I had hoped it was because she was annoyed with the kitchen, but the way she's slid my corrected food back in front of me, made me feel like they were more annoyed with me than I was with them. They didn't even offer to bring out a second basket of chips while I wanted for my corrected order. My husband was pretty much done eating by the time my food finally came out, and when the bill came, they didn't discount a single thing, even though what they served me could have killed me. As sick as I am today, I have to wonder if they just took that steak burrito scraped it into the garbage and put a chicken burrito onto the same plate. I will never go back to...

This place just opened 5 months ago. It used to be a breakfast place. They have done a great job so far. Every Spanish dish I had today was delicious and felt homemade. You come in and hear Spanish music.

Chicken taco and carne asada tacos were on a corn tortillas with chopped onions and cilantro. Simple and didn't need any salsa although they had some if you wanted them. The food took a little bit but I have to say it should when it's all made fresh.

Sope - carnitas was well seasoned and juicy, with guacamole, and queso fresco. All with some crema, lettuce and more deliciousness.

The beer! 2 for 1 bucket. Each bucket had 6 beers.

For dessert we all had churros. 4 pieces in an order and a chocolate dip came with. The meals for 4 people and the drinks, including beers were all less than $60.

We all already have plans to come back and order food for lunch since...