Mariscos El Submarino Makes a Splash in Jersey City
When we heard that Mariscos El Submarino, a beloved NYC Mexican seafood joint, had opened in Jersey City, we were s thrilled. It’s exciting to see another elevated Mexican spot dropping anchor in such a prime location downtown. The restaurant’s new outpost sits at 103 Columbus Drive (just steps from Grove Street PATH), when noodle and dim sum joint East Flour used to be (RIP). The new spot brings delicious West Coast Mexico flavors right to our doorstep. This casual-yet-trendy marisquería earned a cult following for its fresh aguachiles and ceviches, and even The New York Times ventured to Queens to sing its praises.
Walk into the bright, lively space and you’ll immediately pick up beachy, Pacific coast vibes. West Coast-style Mexican seafood is the star here, and the menu reads like a greatest-hits of Sinaloa and Baja California: zesty ceviches, citrus-spiked aguachiles, and inventive seafood cocktails. The owners hail from Sinaloa, Mexico’s coastal seafood capital, so we gather that authenticity is front and center. In fact, Mariscos El Submarino is famous for its aguachiles – think of it as ceviche’s bolder cousin, with shrimp “cooked” in lime and jalapeño-chile sauce – offered in verde, rojo, even mango-habanero varieties. Jersey City hasn’t seen anything quite like this, and it’s a refreshing change. After one meal here, we can confidently say this place delivers an ocean of flavor and a fun dining experience to match.
La Chaparrita
One of the standout dishes we tried was La Chaparrita, aptly nicknamed “the small tower” of seafood. It arrived as a colorful mini seafood tower layered with shrimp, octopus, and fish ceviche, all slathered in a smoky aguachile negro sauce. On top, like a crowning jewel, sat a crispy fried shrimp drizzled with the house’s special sauce. The presentation was a show-stopper; vibrant green avocado slices and ruby-red sauce against the medley of seafood made it almost too pretty to eat. But eat it you must: each bite of La Chaparrita is a festival of textures and tastes. You get silky, citrus-marinated fish and tender poached octopus mingling with sweet shrimp, and then a hit of that dark, rich chile-lime marinade tying it all together. The freshness is remarkable; everything tastes like it was pulled from the ocean that morning. We loved the contrast between the cool, tangy ceviche below and the warm crunch of the fried shrimp on top. Scoop a bit of everything onto a crispy tostada (they provide plenty on the side), and you get the perfect bite – bright, spicy, crunchy, and downright addicting. La Chaparrita manages to be both upscale in concept and messily fun in practice, epitomizing what an “elevated” Mexican seafood dish is all about in a casual setting.
Camarones Zarandeados
If you’re a shrimp lover, the Camarones Zarandeados will knock you flat in the best way. This grilled shrimp dish arrives butterflied; split and splayed open, shell-on, flame-kissed, and lacquered in the house’s signature zarandeado marinade. It’s smoky, savory, and deeply satisfying, with a hint of citrus and chile that lingers on your lips. Unlike the saucy camarones cocidos, these pack their flavor straight from the grill: charred edges, juicy centers, and that unmistakable depth that only open fire can bring. There’s a whisper of heat, just enough to keep each bite interesting, and the shell helps lock in all that rich, smoky goodness. A squeeze of lime wakes them up with a fresh hit of acid, cutting through the richness like a pro. You’ll want to use your hands here… dig in, get messy, and don’t leave a single shrimp behind. Even suck the juices from their heads. They would have wanted it that way.
Camarones Zarandeados is the kind of dish that reminds you why grilled seafood never goes out of style.
Aguachile Verde
Of course, we couldn’t leave without diving into an aguachile, and the Aguachile Verde lived up to its reputation as a star of the menu. This is the classic West Coast Mexican dish they’re known for, and one taste made it clear why. The aguachile verde came out in a rustic clay bowl, gleaming like an emerald lagoon of goodness. Inside were glistening shrimp; butterflied and raw but “cooked” to a delicate opacity in all that lime juice, plus crunchy slices of cucumber and red onion, all submerged in a vibrant green chile-lime broth. On top, fanned out like a little deck of cards, were slices of ripe avocado, and the dish was accompanied by crispy tostadas for scooping. The presentation was both beautiful and inviting: it looked refreshing and spicy all at once.
And the flavor? Absolutely electric. Each bite delivers a bold wave of bright citrus and chile. The first taste is tangy and refreshingly acidic, thanks to plenty of fresh lime, followed by a kick of serrano pepper heat that wakes up your palate. Yet it’s balanced. The chili’s spice never buries the other flavors. You still taste the briny-sweet quality of the shrimp and the cool crunch of cucumber with every mouthful. In fact, the seafood here is so fresh and tender it almost melts in your mouth, soaking up the lively marinade like a sponge. The Aguachile Verde is spicy for sure (have a drink handy if you’re sensitive), but it’s the kind of slow, enjoyable burn that keeps you going back for more, lips still tingling.
Piling some shrimp (which are huge, by the way), avocado, and cucumber onto a tostada yielded one of the best bites of the night. Imagine the perfect harmony of soft, crisp, spicy, and smooth. This aguachile tasted like a trip to a beachside mariscos stand in Sinaloa or Nayarit, yet here we were in Jersey City, loving every second of it. The portion was generous (definitely sharable), but you won’t leave overstuffed. It’s a knockout dish and a true testament to what makes West Coast Mexican seafood so special.
Also, be sure to sample their selection of hot sauces. The Marisquera Black and Red are particularly nice with the aguachile.
Mariscos El Submarino’s new Jersey City location is a big win for local diners. It brings an exciting splash of West Coast Mexican seafood culture to a neighborhood that’s hungry for it. Between the vibrant flavors of dishes like La Chaparrita, the finger-licking grilled shrimp, and the ultra-fresh Aguachile Verde, this spot delivers a one-two punch of freshness and bold seasoning that’s unlike anything else in town. The food manages to feel elevated and adventurous while keeping a friendly, down-to-earth vibe; exactly what you’d want in a prime downtown eatery. It’s the kind of place where the quality of ingredients and depth of flavor can convert even the uninitiated into seafood fans. If you’re in Jersey City and craving something new, Mariscos El Submarino will not disappoint. Grab a seat, order a round of aguachiles and ceviche, and get ready to feast, the Hudson just got a lot more delicious.
¡Buen provecho!
Mariscos el Submarino (Jersey City)
📍103 Christopher Columbus Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07302
📞 (551) 256-9134
🕒 Hours: Monday–Sunday, 12:00pm – 10:00pm
🌐 mariscoselsubmarinonyc.com
