Via-Mar Restaurant Express

"For a daily dose of cocteles, fish and shrimp tacos, tostadas, and more, get to the longstanding Via-Mar Seafood truck on Figueroa. The few-frills walk-up spot is still turning out some of the neighborhood’s most flavorful fried fish, all served in a friendly outdoor space." - Cathy Chaplin, Eater Staff

"Between blasting Latin radio hits, heavy traffic flying by, and a front-row view of the car wash across the street, eating at Via-Mar is always an experience - and the food here also happens to be great. This Highland Park counter-service restaurant has a fantastic whole fried mojarra that comes out crispy on the outside, flakey on the inside, and pairs well with a generous squeeze of lemon. When it’s time to migrate towards tostadas, the salmon and avocado ceviche version alternates between fresh, sweet, and spicy with its cucumber, soft mango, chili powder, and bright citrus. It also comes with some non-traditional mix-ins like carrots, which add an extra crunch to the fatty salmon as it melts like butter from sitting in lime juice. Via-Mar offers some Japanese and Chinese condiments as well, like soy and oyster sauce, to complement the fresh fish. All in all, something about this tostada feels like a lavish salmon sashimi dinner, but for only $12 - and all while sitting on a stool with Karol G playing in the background." - sylvio martins

"Between the blasting Latin radio hits, heavy traffic flying by, and a front-row view of the car wash across the street, eating at Via-Mar is always an experience - and the food here also happens to be great. This Highland Park counter-service restaurant has a fantastic whole fried mojarra that always comes out crispy on the outside, flakey on the inside, and pairs well with a generous squeeze of lemon. When it’s time to migrate towards tostadas, I recommend their salmon and avocado ceviche that alternates between fresh, sweet, and spicy with its cucumber, soft mango, chili powder, and bright citrus. It also comes with some non-traditional mix-ins like carrots, which add an extra crunch to the fatty salmon as it melts like butter from sitting in lime juice. Via-Mar offers some Asian condiments as well, like soy and oyster sauce, to complement the fresh fish. All in all, something about this tostada feels like a lavish salmon sashimi dinner, but for only $12 - and all while sitting on a stool with Karol G playing in the background." - Sylvio Martins