My fiancé and I were looking for a new place to try. We had driven past a different restaurant and didn't see good reviews. We ended up finding this place and I'm so glad we did! The restaurant is in the parking lot next to a tire shop so we missed it the first time however, not too hard to find. Lots of ample parking in the evening. Loved that their hours sign had they were closed Mondays to "recharge"! Made me want to go in even more. Upon entering, we were received with such a friendly and warm greeting by Anna. She helped take our order and had us sit. It is an order at the window inside, then take a seat (pay at the end). My fiancé got a shrimp burrito, I ordered the shrimp in garlic butter sauce. OMGGGG! Mouth watering. The presentation on my dinner plate was beautiful. Oh, and their tortillas are home made! I ordered an extra side. Really great food and service - can't wait to go back. read more

I still come back to this spot often and it doesn't disappoint! Would recommend you give them a try food is very good. read more

Pampa-Rara - Menu as of July 2026 - Seafood Near Me - Apple Valley, California

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Their oysters are to die for. Their hot and spicy shrimp is so spicy but its really good. The fish and shrimp tacos are pretty good. The paella is definitely a must try. Their shrimp cocktail and ceviche are a little on the sweet side but not bad. It's a pretty good place. Great service. Nice little hole in the wall you should try. read more

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Love love love pampa-rara the couple that run it are so nice and there food is amazing I'm a big fan of the breaded fish plate with rice and beans I got this last night and it never disappoints homaide tortillas just an all around good experience love you pampa-rara read more

This hidden gem in Apple Valley, CA has the best fish and shrimp tacos I've ever had. Their service was warm and friendly. Definitely a place we will be coming to soon. Thank you for a delicious and healthy meal. read more

Pampa-Rara - Best Fish and shrimp tacos. Red rice and salad. - Seafood Near Me - Apple Valley, California

One of my favorite places ever! It's all home made and amazing and the owners are so nice one of the best little secrets here

Amazing food & service, Love all the old decorations. It's definitely a hidden gem in the high desert read more

Hidden gem!! Their homemade tortillas and salsa are amazing! Don't be scared off when you pull up-the restaurant is cozy, the owner is friendly, and the food is delicious. read more

Love some Pampa-Rara. We always enjoy their homey environment and good down home food! They will prepare in advance and its ready and waiting. Specials everyday are a good value read more

Chicken mole only made on special occasions. I had it for lunch today. It was delicious! I can't wait until the make it again! read more

Pampa-Rara - Seafood Near Me - Apple Valley, California

Love this place, the food is always fresh and delicious! Been going here for years. Ana is amazing!

Ain't gonna lie this a perfect example of a hole in a wall. Legit would of never thought there will be a reason to go to Apple valley until I ate at this restaurant. No offense Apple Valley you are beautiful in your own way. You can tell the chef and staff at this restaurant take pride and passion when it comes to their food. Everything is made as if you were eating it fresh at home. The restaurant has a chill vibe where It makes me forget I'm in Apple valley. I had the camarones a la Diabla dish which didn't disappoint. That b had my fucken scalp sweating in a good way. Yea place was torch recommend and will re visit . Dank review for this place is a 8.8/10 read more

Pampa-Rara - Seafood Near Me - Apple Valley, California

Best Mexican food in the High Desert, their tortillas are as good as it gets . Best shrimp tacos I've ever had

This hole in the wall place has been on my list for a while and it was nice to finally get to stop by. The shrimp Diablo and asada fries were good. The fish tacos were 4 star for me. I'd definitely get these again. The restaurant vibe was like being at your Mexican Grandma's house. Very sweet. The owners were very kind! read more

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Great service and the food is second to none! They treat you like family. I love their fish and shrimp tacos!

TOTALLY worth the Detour Even the beans and rice are full of flavor. I had the flavorful Garlic Shrimp dish, exceptional!! My husband got shrimp tacos & said it's the best shrimp tacos he has ever had. I'm telling you this place will not disappoint. It's a little family restaurant. BIG on flavors! read more

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I ordered a fish burrito and a few other items, first visit and last. The burritos had more beans and rice than anything else. I'm not the target consumer. read more

Yelp community suggestion for the win with this one. I randomly heard this was a top Yelp pick and wanted to check it out with the family. I'm so glad I did. This is a cute, quaint restaurant in Apple Valley. The vibe is family friendly, clean and well presented. The food?!? Top notch. I describe it as eating food at someone's house who can really cook. Well seasoned, down home, fresh and fast. We started with aguachiles and guacamole. This was my first time having aguachiles. Very spicy (you can order to your taste) but even with the spice if was so freaking good. Like a party in my mouth. And the cilantro and cucumbers provided the perfect contrast for the heat. I couldn't stop eating it! Entree: we wanted to everything. We had the garlic shrimp, enchilada with red sauce (it was a special) and shrimp and fish tacos. I ate a bit of everything. Garlic shrimp was the star. Not a fan of shells on shrimp but the sauce made up for it. Enchiladas were cheesy goodness. We tried steak and pork. Both were meaty and well constructed--not messy or too saucy. I also enjoyed the tacos. Perhaps the fish was a little big for the taco but that's an easy fix. Overall, five stars. I hope to return. Also the service was great. I felt like a regular. read more

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Delicious food. Made to order. Good vibes. Like going home and your mom says are you hungry. read more

Pampa-Rara - Shrimp ceviche - Seafood Near Me - Apple Valley, California

The handmade flower and corn tortillas are amazing very authentic Mexican food and the service was great and always with a smile. Been there 6 times in two weeks great stuff. read more

Welcoming people, Anna and Ricky! Ricky helped me make some food choices. Everyone at our table enjoyed our food. Outstanding salsa and chips (crispy and crunchy)to begin with. I bought salsa to take home. My pork burrito even without a wet sauce was moist and tender with great flavor. Same for the chicken burrito. Sister had the tacos and loved them. The horchata has the best flavor! And Anna spent great quality time speaking with our table. Their restaurant has been in existence for 12 years and I can see why. Fun decor with antiques and books. Many brought in by customers. Pampa-Rara doesn't just serve excellent food, they offer a wholesome and down to earth experience. As they say in Germany, "Ganz gemütlich". Full of heart and soul. Very welcoming. Thank you to Anna and Ricky and to their support staff! read more

Best Mariscos in the desert! Had their shrimp cocktail and fish taco plate was so delicious!! Owners are welcoming and attentive. Everything is homemade the tortillas are so good, will definitely be returning to this gem in the high desert read more

Some places you just know are outstanding the moment you step inside. The service was personable which means alot, the ambiance and decor are also inviting and scream fun! The food though O EM GEEEEEE!!! I have a golden rule which is to never eat seafood in the desert or mountains... unless it has really solid reviews and this place gets a 10 star out of 5 review from me! Please please please open one in big bear!!! Ill be there alot!!! I had fish ceviche, shrimp tacos and an order of oysters... oh and a michelada. All were fuego af!!! Every bite was a pleasure to my tastebuds! I even got the slight euphoric feeling I get when consuming really healthy good food... er well the oysters michelada amd company probably had a lil something to do with that but heck yeah... I literally love this place! PAMPA-RARA is the place you have to go that you have not been to yet (trust me) and if you have been, you know and you will be back soon!!! Vamos!!! read more

The food tasted homemade and the lady taking orders made you feel like she was welcoming you into her home. So sweet! Food was HOT, fresh and truly delicious. We ate it so fast we didn't get a picture unfortunately. I had the Garlic Shrimp with beans and rice. The garlic butter sauce over the rice was 10 out of 10. (It is peel and eat... fyi) my husband had the Carne asada fries. Both plates were delicious. I wish we lived closer!!! We would be back if we did! read more

Ordered the aguachiles and the camarones a la diabla. Both were authentic and delicious. The spice hits nice, leaving your mouth tingling but not overbearing. After living in Lancaster/Palmdale for 15 years, and then the Victorville area for the last 2 years, I'd say this place is the best Mexican food I've had in the high desert. Also, the staff was amazing. Genuinely kind and accommodating. Right away it felt like you were at a friend's house as they were serving you their homemade dishes. My only regret is not tipping them more. read more

PAMPA-RARAAAAAAA This place is next level in classic Spanish seafood! Everything we've had here is on point and then some. Only complaint is that we're not closer to the restaurant. Probably a good thing, or I'd be at about 300lbs. read more

A very friendly staff and a cozy atmosphere. Delicious food! I ordered the fish plate, it was so good! Definitely will go back!! read more

Staff was very friendly and the service and food was amazing! Probably the best fish tacos I've had in a long time. The home made tortillas were delicious. read more

The best family run restaurant in the desert. My favorite restaurant owners and the best Mexican food in the desert. Handmade, authentic, and delicious. read more

Chose this precious little oasis one eve when hunting for a new place to taste. Found on Yelp as Pampa-Rara.. I headed out to its location on Navajo Rd, just yards south of Hwy 18. The street front signage said Mariscos, so I double-checked the address to see if I was at the right spot. YUP! It is .. Mariscos IS Pampa-Raras! Parking is limited here, tho no issues the evening I visited here. Lovely pair of outside seating options greet you as you approach the entrance. Colorful window detail reveals the food fare offered here. Very attractive! Entering this lil gem, you are met with a festive delight for the eyes and nose. Aromas of fresh, meaty, saucy foods and HOMEMADE TORTILLAS being prepared in view as I arrive at the order window. Their menu is on the wall to the right of the window. Went with fajitas, tho wanted shrimp and chicken. The kind lady, Anna (who i soon learned is the owner) said she would gladly prepare that option as all their food is made to order. I also ordered the carna asada nachos fully loaded, plus a long neck Dos Equis beer. I just had to enjoy these with a local crafted beer. Was pleasantly satisfied with their limited beer options as they indeed complimented their menu items. Anna then said pick a table, your food will be served shortly. Although the dining area is small, I easily found a table. There were 3 other tables with patrons, yet not really busy. In the meantime, I soaked in the ambience, gazing at the shelves of ol' hardcover books, vintage typewriter, camera, phonograph, focal point of printed newspaper on couple walls. A fine poster of Gone with the Wind movie too. Beautifully simple and very inviting here. Food came in less than 15 min. Sizzling hot and HUGE in portions. Smelled wildly wonderful and those CORN TORTILLAS, MMmmm so fabulous, just had to order extra! Shrimp was plump, perfectly cooked!! Tender strips of breasted chicken grillled with bell peppers n onions were equally perfect! Carne asada was tender, flavorful, and not at all salty like some places serve. Plenty of toppings on the nachos, it's a meal in itself. Food was served in large to-go containers, smart really cuz I knew there was no way I would finish these mega sized meals! See the photos for more detail.. Finished as much as I could, then went to the window for lids. Anna asked how everything was. I couldn't be more satisfied with her tasty food. I almost forgot that I needed to pay, as even though you order at the window, you pay at the end of your meal. Anna said she wants her customers to be happy with their food before they pay. What an incredible oasis to visit when you want REAL, DOWN TO MEXICO SHORES, TASTY, FROM-THE-HEART food!! I WILL TRULY be a regular here. You MUST give this Pampa-Raras aka Mariscos a try. For simply delicious food and down home dining. read more

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At first glance, Pampa-Rara is a smaller seafood joint but when you walk inside, it gives off a cozy "homey" vibe. The food portions are big for the price that you pay which is always a plus. The food is Very good and the service is exceptional. The lady at the front was super nice and friendly. Plus, they have Taco Tuesday for a dollar! Can't beat it. I highly recommend and we will be coming back in the future! read more

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OMG!! I have lived in the area my entire life and never knew about this restaurant. Went today and got their shrimp tacos and immediately called back to tell the lady who answered the phone that they were HANDS DOWN thee best shrimp tacos I have ever had in my entire life. An absolute hidden gem of a restaurant in the desert!! read more

Delicious food, super friendly service, very fair prices! Their tacos, YUMMMMM!! Their shrimp, again, YUMMMMM!! It's a hidden gem that some people may ignore because it's small and kind of hidden on Navajo road in Apple Valley, trust me, you will not be disappointed!! read more

I went with the shrimp cocktail and a shrimp taco. The service was great and there were plenty of seats for our family.

The food was delicious! We had the fish tacos and carne asada tacos. The place is decorated real cute too. We were welcomed and thanked for dining. read more

Pampa-Rara - Carne asada tacos - Seafood Near Me - Apple Valley, California

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Amazing customer service. This is a true family restaurant. Good food! Good prices. Beautiful atmosphere. Will be back.

Went there today for our first time Its a very friendly environment And the food is amazing i drove here because of the news break article about there food and it doesn't disappoint There garlic shrimp was on point and so were there shrimp tacos do miss out on this gem in Apple valley read more

Hole in the wall for sure! Shrimp cocktail was the best, along with the drinks and service, all excellent

HOLY COW!!!! Their fish tacos are absolutely incredible! The beans, chips and home made guacamole are all top notch! Cool vibe and music but the FOOD IS THE STAR OF THE SHOW HERE! A MUST if you're in the ar read more

Pampa-Rara - Fish tacos are perfection!! - Seafood Near Me - Apple Valley, California

The food was good. The food is different, the place it self is really out dated. I would come back. The people are more than great here. There nice, and friendly the place is clean clean read more