Remember how I just like sharing things for no particular reason? Well, I’m back to share photos and opinions about ceviche & shrimp cocktails.
According to Wikipedia, ceviche originated in Peru, and remains a popular South American dish. Overall, it’s just raw fish that has been marinated in citrus juice. In my experience the fish is usually shrimp (but it doesn’t have to be), and the denaturing process from the citrus soak gives the fish a cooked appearance.
By contrast, shrimp cocktails are cooked and peeled shrimp served in a glass with cocktail sauce (a tomato-based savory sauce, sometimes just horseradish in ketchup). Since shrimp cocktails aren’t South American I don’t expect them on Mexican restaurant menus…but there they are! I like to think they’re there in place of real ceviche because shrimp cocktail is kitschy and familiar to North Americans, while ceviche is more likely to be unknown and intimidating.
So far I haven’t seen ceviche and shrimp cocktail on the same Mexican menu, but when I do I’ll order them both! Until then, one or the other is the perfect light lunch for me.
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For the sake of simplicity, this is in chronological order. The reviews will be at the bottom of this post, and I’ll try to pair the photos. This is the kind of post that I will slowly update until forever, so if you’re really into ceviche and shrimp cocktails make sure to bookmark this post and check back every few months.
Taqueria Guadalajara – Lubbock, Texas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fresh and delicious! My very large glass was packed with shrimp, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. The limes and Valentina on the side were perfect. It was very easy for me to share bites (nobody else at our table had ordered their ceviche before), and I was pleasantly satisfied. Not too heavy that I needed a nap, and not so light that I wanted a quick taco.
Catrina Taqueria Cantina – Sherwood, Arkansas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another solid four stars for real ceviche marinated in lime juice! This one is the perfect size for me to enjoy at eat entirely, so others may want a taco on the side. I love the simple fresh flavors here, and especially the pickled onions. This one often comes with a bit of pico on the side, but you can easily ask for more! I usually order this with no intent to share. Yum.
Señor Tequila – Sherwood, Arkansas ⭐️⭐️
Good and disappointing at the same time. Good because ceviche was on the menu, and good that I was able to ask for the glass (copa de ceviche is not on the menu, but tostadas are)…but bad because it was sweet. Mister Jupiter identified the sweet taste as “ketchupy” and I agreed. I’ve never had sweet ceviche before and I didn’t love it. For the record, our margaritas were sweet too, so maybe their chef just prefers everything sweet? Either way, I’ll probably try it again anyway – for science. It may have been a fluke, and I’ve got $5 to test that hypothesis.
Taco Mama – Hot Springs, Arkansas ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This darling chalice is on the menu as “Mexican Shrimp Cocktail” and boasts poached shrimp (instead of citrus marinade). It was barely spicy and generally pleasant. I typically don’t eat lunch at all (I don’t get hungry that early), but I gave this light bite a chance and I’m happy that I did. Next time I’ll ask for more limes and a side of pico de gallo. The house margarita on the rocks was good too – my kind of lunch spot!
And that’s all for today! If you know of a stunning ceviche or a shrimp cocktail that puts all others to shame – leave a comment below so I can try to taste it for myself.
I’ll update again when I try one or two more ceviches or shrimp cocktails.
This post was last updated September 2021 🦐 🍅 🥑 🌶
Lady Jupiter 