Coni’Seafood — Restaurant in Los Angeles

MÉXICO (Nayarit) 🇲🇽 Eat the World LA review: There is a lot to unearth about the history of Coni'Seafood and Mariscos Chente, two of West Los Angeles' most beloved Nayarit-style seafood restaurants. The history can all be traced back to 1987 and the Inglewood backyard of Vicente "Chente" Cossio. Multiple locations, swaps, different chefs here and there, etc. It is all out there on the internet to read, or maybe a good conversation in person if you want to chat with the three generations of family involved yourself, but for now I will just focus on and be in awe of the food.

As I wrote last year after stopping in directly after a flight to LAX, the Inglewood Avenue location of Mariscos Chente has a special place in my heart. They also kept another location, first painted white with murals of palm trees and marlins on the exterior, then a less fun blank orange, on South Centinela that I never made it to. In late 2017, the name was swapped and the color scheme changed to a sleek grey-blue to match the first location of Coni'Seafood on Imperial Highway in Inglewood (which was the original Mariscos Chente back in the day). Sr. Cossio's daughter Connie was taking more of the reigns on the family empire.

Prepare to board your direct flight to Acaponeta, a town in the north of Nayarit near Sinaloa known for its seafood and proximity to Playa Novillero, possibly one of the world's nicest places to sit in a thatched hut and eat while enjoying the sound...

I originally came here to try the ceviches which are great on their own and I do recommend. But its their Zarandeado that shines brightest. It is the best I've had in LA and even against most I've had in Mexico. They keep it simple & balanced with the seasonings to allow the flavor of the fish to also be present. You'd be surprised how some places will over season/sauce fish to the point that you can't taste the fish. I also recommend the Caldo Mixto. It's a huge bowl of their version of Cioppino/ Bouillabaisse. Definitely go with one or more people. Portions are generous and can easily be shared. Price of for Zarandeado is by weight(before cooking) and usually the smallest us 1.5kilos(a little over 3 pounds). Its definitely designed for more than one person. Be prepared for a wait if you order it, they don't do any kind of early prep for it. It is sliced opened, butterflied, and seasoned when ordered. It's grilled over a controlled flame and usually takes 30+ minutes. But that'll give you and your party an excellent opportunity to try some Ceviche(large portion, so easily shared). Additionally, the Zarandeado is served whole so the head, tail and bones are there. If you're in a rush I recommend you try something else. This place is a seafood only restaurant. No chicken, no steak. So don't bring anyone who doesn't eat seafood thinking there's at least a chicken dish they can...

After a great workout at the Culver City Stairs, I was seriously craving ceviche — and found Coni’Seafood on Google Maps. Let me tell you, this spot is a gem. I ordered the Aguachiles, Ceviche Marinero, and an agua de pepino — and after that hike, it hit just right. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and super satisfying.

Now let’s talk about the salsa they bring out — super spicy, but so good. Our mouths were on fire, but we kept eating it. 😂 It really took everything to the next level.

The Aguachiles were packed with flavor — bold, citrusy, spicy — exactly how they should be. The Ceviche Marinero was super refreshing and perfectly balanced.

We tried ordering a michelada, but the server let us know they don’t serve liquor. Instead, he suggested a michelada with mineral water... and let me tell YOU — we were skeptical, but it was shockingly good. Like, “how is this this good without beer?” good.

This place exceeded our expectations. Nos encantó — great service, amazing food, and the perfect post-hike reward. If you love mariscos and can handle some heat, you need to check out...