Hidden treasures of the sea

Local foodies—from Chowhound to OC Weekly’s Edwin Goei—have quietly been hailing Mariscos Puerto Esperanza in Orange as one of the best Mexican seafood restaurants around. The family-owned eatery is hidden in a strip plaza and may be a bit hard to find (it’s behind the Chevron gas station), but once you find it, you’ll be rewarded with a bounty of deliciousness from the sea: Grilled rock lobsters in a smoky chipotle sauce, marinated whole striped bass that’s slowly grilled to perfection, calamari tacos, and another must-try: the camarones azados, grilled shrimp slathered in a delectable citrus mustard sauce.

Mariscos Puerto Esperanza is located at 1724 N. Tustin St. in Orange.
714.998.3599

Hours:
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday
11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

www.mariscospuertoesperanza.com