This California Seafood Restaurant Serves A Giant Shrimp Platter Made For Sharing

One tray of shrimp here is built to feed two to four people. It arrives loaded with sliced vegetables and potatoes, all seared a la plancha with a signature house seasoning.

The menu calls it world famous, which is a bold claim for a shrimp dish. Then again, the family behind it has been selling seafood since 1956. That kind of track record earns some bragging rights.

I like how the whole meal feels designed for a crowd. Nobody guards their own plate. Everyone reaches into the middle, and the tray becomes the main event.

This spot sits right on the water in Southern California, with boats docked just past the patio. There’s even a counter where you can pick your own seafood.

And if you’re coming with a hungry crew, the oversized seafood tray might just steal the whole show.

The Shrimp Tray Everyone Ends Up Fighting Over Politely

Sharing gets a lot easier when the food lands in one giant pile. At San Pedro Fish Market – Long Beach, the World Famous Shrimp Tray is the dish that sets the tone.

The tray brings together shrimp, sliced vegetables, and potatoes. Everything gets seared a la plancha, which means cooked on a hot flat griddle.

Then comes the signature seasoning, the part the family is known for. It coats the whole tray, so every bite carries the same bold flavor.

The tray serves about two to four people. That makes it a smart pick for a date, a small family, or a few hungry friends.

I believe the best part is how casual it feels. You don’t need fancy manners when everyone is reaching into the middle together.

Plan to grab extra napkins before the tray shows up. Shrimp and seasoning tend to travel, and your fingers will be part of the process.

Bigger appetites might want to think ahead, though. The menu has larger trays waiting for exactly that situation.

Bigger Crowds Get Bigger Trays, And Some Include Whole Lobster

Four people sounds like a lot until you see the Super Tray. It’s built for four to six guests, which turns dinner into a full family gathering.

The Alamitos Bay Tray also serves four to six people. Its name nods to the bay right outside the restaurant, which is a nice local touch.

These larger trays can include shrimp, whole lobster, fresh fish, and mussels. Calamari, crispy whole tilapia, and a veggie mix can also join the lineup.

A crispy whole tilapia on the table is quite a sight. It turns the meal into something people will pull out their phones to photograph.

For groups of two to four, the Captain’s Tray is another option. It gives smaller tables a second choice beyond the famous shrimp.

Picking the right tray mostly comes down to headcount. Count your crew honestly, including the cousin who always says he isn’t that hungry.

Going too big is not a terrible problem, either. Takeout boxes exist for a reason, and seafood leftovers make a pretty great lunch.

Ordering a big tray also keeps the table talking. Everyone shares, passes, and swaps favorites until the platter looks almost empty.

Flying Solo? The Shrimp Comes In A Single Serving Too

Good news for anyone dining alone or with a picky partner. The World Famous Shrimp Plate offers a single-person portion of the same signature tray ingredients.

You still get shrimp, sliced vegetables, and potatoes. The seasoning and a la plancha cooking stay the same, just in a smaller package.

I can’t imagine a better fix for the classic shrimp dilemma. You want the famous flavor, but your friend wants tacos.

The plate lets everyone order what they actually crave. Nobody has to compromise or pretend they’re happy splitting something they didn’t pick.

It also works well for a quick weekday lunch. The restaurant opens at 11 AM Monday through Friday, so a midday shrimp break is possible.

Weekends start even earlier, at 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. That opens the door to a late-morning seafood meal by the water.

Trying the plate first is a clever move for newcomers. If you love it, you’ll know exactly what to order when the whole group comes along.

Think of it as a delicious test run. A small plate today could easily become a giant tray next weekend.

Pick Your Own Seafood Right At The Counter

Shopping and dining happen in the same building here. Guests can choose their own seafood at the fish counter, which adds a fun hands-on step to the meal.

The counter sits on the first floor of this two-story restaurant. It’s a nod to the family’s roots as a true fish market.

Choosing your seafood feels a bit like grocery shopping with a much better ending. You point, they cook, and your pick shows up ready to eat.

For folks who prefer a menu, there’s a Create Your Own Plate option. It lets you build a meal around the seafood and style you like most.

Kids may especially enjoy the counter. Seeing whole fish and shellfish up close turns dinner into a mini science lesson.

A little planning helps here. Decide roughly what you want before you reach the front, so the line keeps moving smoothly.

Asking questions is part of the fun, too. Staff can help explain options if you’re unsure how something should be prepared.

This setup gives each visit a personal touch. Your meal reflects your choices instead of a fixed recipe somebody else decided.

Shipping Containers, Two Stories, And A Marina Out Front

Shipping containers usually carry cargo, not diners. At this restaurant, real containers are part of the building’s design, honoring the original San Pedro Fish Market.

The structure rises two stories, with seating both indoors and outdoors. Big groups can fit easily, since the space hosts around 450 guests.

Out front, the marina does a lot of the decorating. Boats sit docked nearby, giving meals a relaxed harbor feel.

The patio is the place to be on a sunny day. A waterfront table pairs nicely with a tray of seasoned shrimp.

Sunset dinners bring an extra bonus. The sky changes color over the water while the food keeps arriving.

You’ll find it at 6550 E Marina Drive in Long Beach, CA 90803. Parking is available on site, which is a welcome perk in Southern California.

Requesting outdoor seating is a smart move if the weather cooperates. Indoor tables work great on cooler or breezier evenings.

Either way, the setting matches the menu nicely. Seafood simply tastes more fitting when you can see the water from your seat.

Save Room, Because The Rest Of The Menu Fights Back

Shrimp trays get the spotlight, but the supporting cast is huge. The menu stretches from crispy shareables to soups, salads, sandwiches, and tacos.

Crispy Shareables come with calamari or shrimp. Brussels sprouts, Zucchini Fries, and Fish Ceviche round out the starter lineup.

Clam Chowder is a cozy choice for cooler days. A Caesar Salad offers something lighter if the tray already looks massive.

Taco fans can pick Baja Fish Tacos or Grilled Shrimp Tacos. Both feel right at home on a sunny California patio.

Sandwich lovers have options too. The Grilled Salmon Sandwich and Crispy Fish Sandwich keep things simple and handheld.

There are also burgers for anyone who isn’t feeling seafood. That makes group planning much easier when tastes don’t match.

Plates like the Crispy Whole Fish bring another showstopper to the table. It’s a strong pick for diners who want something dramatic without ordering a full tray.

My advice is to order one starter for the whole table. Chowder or calamari can hold everyone over while the main event cooks.

Sides And Sweets Deserve Their Own Little Spotlight

Garlic bread and a giant shrimp tray make a natural team. Bread is handy for soaking up every last bit of seasoning left behind.

Other sides include Corn on the Cob, French Fries, and Housemade Coleslaw. Street Corn and the SPFM Veggie Mix add even more variety.

Adding a couple of sides is an easy way to stretch a tray. A small group can turn the shrimp into a fuller spread without ordering another platter.

Corn feels like a classic match for seasoned seafood. It’s sweet, simple, and fun to eat with your hands.

Then there’s dessert, which nobody should skip without a good reason. The lineup features Tres Leches, a Churro Donut, and Choco Flan.

A Churro Donut sounds like two treats joined forces. Honestly, that’s the kind of teamwork I fully support.

Choco Flan blends chocolate cake and creamy flan in one slice. Tres Leches brings a soft, milky sweetness that ends a salty meal nicely.

Sharing dessert fits the whole spirit of the place. Grab extra spoons and let the table decide which treat wins.

Kids, Strollers, And Even Pups Are Welcome Here

Family dinners can get complicated fast. Here, things are simpler, since the restaurant is kid-friendly and offers high chairs.

Little ones get a lively setting with boats to watch. The fish counter adds another reason for curious kids to look around.

Pets are welcome too, which is great news for dog owners. Your furry friend can join the outing instead of waiting at home.

The outdoor patio likely suits pets best. Fresh air and water views make the visit more relaxing for everyone involved.

Big groups can breathe easy as well. The venue handles events for up to 462 people with private and semi-private spaces.

Catering is available for gatherings away from the restaurant. Full buyouts are an option for truly huge celebrations.

Wireless internet is offered on site. That can be useful for work lunches or for parents juggling quick tasks.

I love how the whole place seems built around togetherness. From shared trays to party rooms, it keeps groups at one table instead of scattered apart.

A Family Story That Started Back In 1956

Mackey Ungaro, an Italian immigrant, opened the original market in 1956. Back then, it went by the name Vista Seafood.

Today, San Pedro Fish Market is a fourth-generation family-owned business. Mike Ungaro serves as CEO, keeping the family name at the helm.

The Long Beach location opened in early 2020. It brought the family’s famous trays to a fresh waterfront home in California.

Those shipping containers in the design tie it all together. They honor the original market while giving the new spot its own personality.

Planning a visit is easy. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, and until 10 PM on Friday.

Saturday stretches from 10 AM to 10 PM. Sunday runs from 10 AM to 9 PM, perfect for a slow weekend meal.

Happy Hour starts at 3 PM Monday through Friday. Takeout and delivery are offered too, if staying home sounds better.

Nearly seven decades of seafood know-how land on every tray. Gather your crew, claim a table, and let that shrimp do the talking.