Under the white arch between Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo, you will find the quaint fishing village of…read morePopotla. Besides being in the news for drugs and human smuggling, Popotla is known for their fresh, daily caught seafood.
Mariscos La Guerita is a restaurant here. Made from leftover lumber and the blue vinyl tarp, this ghetto- fabulous eatery was visited by Anthony Bourdain. To find this place, just look for a banner that says "Antoni Bourdan visits Rosarito Popotla".
It's a bit intimidating if you do not speak Spanish. First, purchase your seafood from the countless vendors on the beach. (Fish range from 20-50 pesos per kilo) Once you purchase the fish, take it to the fish cleaning station. They will clean your fish for a tip. ($1 a fish) Take the cleaned fish to La Guerita and they will cook it up to your liking for about 30 pesos a fish. They will provide you with rice, beans, tortillas and an assortment of hot sauces. While you wait, make sure to check out the other stalls for their Cóctel de Mariscos or have a few beers.
There must be crack sauce in the oil. Pescado Frito and the fish tacos are among the best I've had. (My wife has tried many times to duplicate the flavor but never can.) Spider crab and the sea urchin not so much. In the winter months, look for the brown box crab. It is better than the Alaskan variety.
If you are in Rosarito, Mariscos La Guerita and Popotla is a great alternative to Puerto Nuevo. (Lobster Village) Just make sure you don't need to go to the banos. (bathroom) If you do, it's 5 pesos and a tetanus shot.