Mariscos El Jato Jr.

2936 East 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
+1 323-264-6590
$$$ Seafood restaurant , Restaurant , Taco restaurant
(1637 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Mariscos El Jato Jr. is a straightforward, family-run seafood spot tucked into a busy part of East Los Angeles where flavorful Mexican coastal dishes take center stage. If you’re after hearty plates of shrimp tacos, aguachile, or a generous helping of mojarra frita, this is the kind of no-frills place where the food’s freshness and bold flavors do all the talking.

The vibe here feels like sitting down for a meal at a relative’s house — lively, bustling, and very much rooted in the local community. The small dining area often fills up, especially on weekends or midday rushes, making it clear the food draws regulars and newcomers alike who don’t mind waiting a bit for a quality meal. It’s busy but energetic, with friendly staff moving swiftly to keep up.

Parking is a common challenge, with only a handful of spots behind the restaurant and street parking in the neighborhood usually scarce. Weekday daytime visits tend to be less stressful for finding parking than weekends when the place really packs up.

On the plate, expect classic coastal Mexican seafood staples: shrimp tacos dorados that arrive crispy and fresh, ceviche served with bright, tangy flavors, and tostadas sturdy enough to handle generous toppings without falling apart mid-bite. A shrimp cocktail or a plate of bacon-wrapped shrimp showcase the kitchen’s flair for balancing texture and spice.

This spot suits those who appreciate an authentic approach to seafood tacos and cocktails without the fuss of upscale presentation or silence — it's more about sharing good food in a warm, casual setting filled with the energy of a hardworking local crowd. If you’re visiting with friends or family and want to dive into reliably fresh seafood dishes in an unpretentious environment, a midday weekday might be ideal to avoid the busiest times. And if parking is tight, rideshare could save you some hassle.

Highlights
Has fast service
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves cocktails
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Difficult to find a space

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

1637 Reviews
Katherine Sanchez

29 Nov 2025

The service was really great . The man charging was handling everything well . The staff was really busy I didn’t see not 1 employee stop to take a small break . I love our Los Angeles people especially our Hispanic and Mexican working so hard. The parking is limited. There are only four spaces in the back parking lot and they are usually occupied. Also, if you want to place an order. It’s best to see recommendations online in order over the phone as the wait time could be a lot. My wait time was Thirty six minutes. It was worth the weight, but if you definitely have plans for the day or can’t stand on your feet too long, then it’s best to place orders over the phone. The food was so good we got the Mixto de Mariscos for tostadas . Also ordered the fish to make fish tacos . Everything was finished clean . These dishes served a party of 6 people , 6 hungry people . Everything was also packed properly. Things I would suggest is to do some remodeling to the the section close to the kitchen . Also a better spot to have the cash register instead of having people walk down close to the kitchen and the section where they bag and prep the orders as there are many employees walking in and out with customers. It isn’t safe for any of the parties . I also think that it would be nice for the restaurant to have a speaker that goes outside to call out order numbers, or names under the order .Besides that I enjoyed the service and the food so much . Thank you El Jato Staff

Edgar Espadas

06 Nov 2025

Parking is very limited. Also street parking is tough. But worth the wait and hassle. The fish tacos, and shrimp cocktails were amazing. The taste is fresh and good. The atmosphere is like eating at a family members place. Great experience.

Jeannine Laupsa

06 Nov 2025

The place was packed, the food was delicious and for two people we paid $40.00 and we tried 3 different plates. Well worth the wait.

Oscar Giron (Biggie)

05 Nov 2025

Tostadas de pescado for brunch! Excellent choice. Fresh ceviche. Really hard tostada not easily broken into pieces. But the music was way too loud could even hear the person next to you.

Erick Villanueva

21 Oct 2025

This place was way overdue for a visit. Believe when I say this family establishment goes beyond excellent service and quality. To all this visit took place on a Friday midday so parking was not an issue. Be warm that is not the case on the weekend. Parking will be tough and strongly suggested any ride share options. The seafood here is simply amazing, One fish taco alone is more than enough to fill you up but if you want to have their mix ceviche that's a plus! Their Jamaica is a must in my book. Once again much love and respect to the staff and will be coming back for more great stuff in the future.

Stephen Lee

20 Oct 2025

Update: Haven't been here in a while. Still the best shrimp tacos ever and at a great price! Best Mexican seafood restaurant in East Los Angeles and probably Los Angeles if you factor in the price. 5 shrimp tacos, 2 fish tacos(more like fried fish platter), ceviche, and a round of sodas for 38 bucks. It's pretty spectacular. Oh and a top notch homemade salsa to die for. Got there early seated right away. Food came out right away. Nice people and great service. The list goes on and on and on and on. A gem in East Los!!!

Heidi Padilla Ruvalcaba

11 Oct 2025

Fresh Mexican seafood options. Dining can be loud at times when the banda and cumbias enhance the experience. Friendly staff, excellent to go service and fast when you order ahead via phone. The mixed botana is very generous and can feed 2 people easily. Fish/ shrimp tostada or fish tacos are easy picks if you don't know what to order on your first visit. I ordered 1 fish tostada order to go, it was under $7 with tax.

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