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With the warmer weather upon us (finally), we are getting some serious ceviche cravings.

I'd love to hear about folks' favorite spots for ceviche that are not too fancy or upscale. E.g., I am sure Spring makes one hell of a ceviche but on a Saturday afternoon when we feel like having some fairly priced ceviche with a beer from the bottle that's not what we have in mind.

I have in mind something more like the (shrimp) ceviche at Delicias Guatemaltecas Bakery/La Luna del Xelaju (2901 N. Kedzie Ave).

Anybody have any favorites they are willing to share?

Thanks!

Irazu on Milwaukee makes some decent ceviche, nice and tangy, pretty fresh white fish. Plus, you can get them to make it mild, medium, or hot. I fell in love with the dish when I went to Costa Rica, and so far Irazu does the closest I've found, and it's cheap, in a relaxed atmosphere.

On a side note, I also ate something called "Mediterranian ceviche" while in CR and haven't been able to find it here. It's only slightly limey and served in olive oil, as if it was marinated/cooked in lime juice and then removed from the marinade and put in olive oil. Served with TONS of fresh chopped garlic and cilantro (and the previously mentioned olive oil). Heavenly. Anyone know where I can find it in Chicago? I think I'll have to try making it myself soon.

Irazu
1865 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago

La Cazuela up in Rogers park on Clark near Lunt (next to Dona Lalis if that helps) does an excellent ceviche tostada and serves cold beer to boot.

GWiv and I had lunch there a few months back. Search the other board,I believe there are some pictures.

John

John,

What other board?

I would also recommend Las Islas Marias and El Barco's ceviche.

Top, La Cazuela fish ceviche, bottom, La Cazuela octopus ceviche.


Enjoy,
Gary

La Cazuela
6922 N Clark
Chicago
773 338 5425

Las Islas Marias
4770 W. Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL
773-637-8233

El Barco
1035 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
773-486-6850

A couple of other places not already mentioned:

There's this growing chain of Mexican places around town, justly famous for their home-made tortillas, perhaps you've heard of it, La Quebrada. They have a plainish shrimp ceviche. What's much more gusty, is a fish ceviche "Acupulco style" in a bracing lime bath. I ask for extra jalepeno's and it is about the most perfect cup of ceviche I have found around town. Various locations including one now next to Steve's Shish Kebab House on W. 63rd street, how many people get to have 2 of their absolute fav. places next to each other?

Frontera and all the Geno Bahena places serve the same marlin ceviche. Or would it be more accurate to say that Bahena continues to serve the ceviche he learned from Frontera. I think of this ceviche as safe if you know what I mean, but it's good too, and something I nearly always order at those places.

Mi Familia (3624 W. Fullerton) is a small, hardly discovered Peruvian place in Logan Square. What makes their ceviche special is not the abundance of canned sea creatures but the searingly hot (insist) blend of peppers that support the dish. The restaurant owner will actually have you eating the pepper mix on crackers without the fish, and here's a dirty little secret, it's a lot better that way.

I know you want not fancy, but the yellow tail sashimi ceviche at Sushi Samba Rio is like butter (I mean like spicy butter). Get an order at the bar. Walk out. You'll have not spent more than some of the other places mentioned.

Rob

I'm not as big a fan of the la cazuela ceviche as some (i find the texture of the fish a little tougher than I'd like) but I do really like their octopi as well as the whole fish

another place that has a nice shrimp (as well as fish) ceviche, if it is still around is la perla del pacifico in melrose park. Do any of the folks that way know if it is still in business? I called a couple of weeks ago but go no answer. I'd be disappointed if it was, as I loved their crab sarandeado

oh, las islas marias has another location as well, just a little north of midway

Perla del Pacifico
2410 W Lake St
Melrose Park
(708) 450-0097