Gypsy Jan - 5-8-2012 at 04:36 PM
Mariscos Popotla is on the free road a little bit north of the Blvd. 2000 intersection and should not be confused with the equally excellent JR's Fish
Tacos which is farther north near the large Pemex that is near the Rosarito Beach Hotel.
Mariscos Popotla has been there for many years. They have a very tall sign that is easily visible from the toll road, but if you are heading south
and pass by, you have to drive to the Puerto Nuevo exit and turn around.
Two of us ordered the mariscada - shrimp, scallops and octopus c-cktail with a flavorful sauce, served in large, epically heavy molcajetes (granite
bowls)-(Eeps, I do not know how to do a strike-through correction, I should have said lava bowls, as my sweetheart pointed out.)
The mesera first brought us a small bowl of house made chile de arbol sauce, and then they automatically brought out three tall squeeze bottles of red
sauce, green sauce and crema, along with the requisite bottles of Tapatio, Salsa Huichol and Castillo Salsa Habanero.
In addition, they delivered a large basket full of Saladitas packages (Mexico's Ritz crackers).
We received endless refills of the chips (the first bowl tasted a tad stale, but the follow up bowls were fresh), terrific freshly made guacamole and
a very good hamburger with freshly made fries that pleased the picky eater in our party.
Since I didn't pay the check, I am ball parking the tab. The mariscadas cost 89 pesos each, the guac cost 50 pesos, the burger/fries cost 47 pesos.
I don't know what the sodas cost, but my Bohemia beer cost 26 pesos.
The service couldn't have been more friendly or solicitous.
We had a fabulous, delicious lunch on the patio, sitting under a palapa umbrella, with an ocean view if you walked over to the corner that wasn't
overshadowed by the La Jolla highrise condominium development.
P.S. The patio had some of the best, well-engineered playground equipment I have seen. A merry-go-round with lovely, fanciful animals - ponies,
lamb, turtle, etc. Also, there was an egg-shaped wire cage with inside seats, designed to be activated by a central wheel control, like the teacups
ride at Disneyland.
[Edited on 5-9-2012 by Gypsy Jan]
[Edited on 5-9-2012 by Gypsy Jan]
Udo - 5-8-2012 at 05:04 PM
We have driven by the place dozens of times.
Thanks to your report, Jan, we will be sure to stop there next time out.
[Edited on 5-9-2012 by Udo]
willardguy - 5-8-2012 at 05:35 PM
will definitely try it. two weeks ago I was at the other jr tacos getting my quesoron fix and the squeeze bottle with the green sauce was clogged so I
tried to open it with a plastic fork, couldnt do it so I just sqeezed harder. almost got a car driving down the road, the table,the fence,completely
covered my left arm and left a thousand green dots on a black tshirt. but what a taco! whats the scoop on the really big taco joint between the two?
its always busy. dont remember the name but on the beach side.
SteveD - 5-8-2012 at 08:42 PM
We've been stopping at the othe "JR." fish taco place by the PMEX just south of Rosarito for a few years, but they were closed for much of December
and January. So we started to go the Popotlas Jr. We think it is much better with a more varied menu. Marlin tacos. Tacos with cheese. Four
squeeze bottles of sauces to add to your tacos (the pink one is smoky like chipolets). Great chips and salsas. Soups. Lots of combo lunches and
dinners.
Usually my wife will just hace a shrimp taco, more than enough for her. I will have a taco, but also something new each time. In 5 or 6 times there,
everthing has been great.