90292 Eats: Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill
Welcome to our new blog series, 90292 Eats, which explores dining in Marina del Rey. The staff of the Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau is more than happy to try out our local restaurants and point you in the right direction of what to order. Bon Appétit!
Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill
Numex Caesar
Fresh Mex fans rejoiced when signs for Sharky’s went up in Villa Marina Marketplace—the small chain’s next closest store is in Beverly Hills—and watched for months while the space next to Irori Sushi was gutted and reassembled into a welcoming counter-service eatery with warm wood accents and the brand’s signature bright orange paint. Sharky’s may not be the place for days you’re craving a plate of enchiladas oozing with cheese (though there is a version on the menu), but you will find more healthful recipes for tacos, salads, and fajita bowls composed of high-quality, organic meats and veggies. Also attractive is this joint’s price point. Few entrées exceed 10 bucks, except for wild-caught seafood, which we’ll let slide.
The Yums
California taco
The California Taco is your classic lettuce, tomato, cheese and choice of protein. We tried one with steak, which needed a bit more seasoning, and a second with chicken, which included perfectly cooked white meat. A side order of chicken tortilla soup was filling on its own, and packed just enough kick to get those sinuses clear.
A half order of the NueMex Caesar with a protein add-on would’ve been enough for a light lunch, but on our visit, we went with just the greens, complemented by pepitas, chile croutons, cotija cheese, and creamy poblano-infused Caesar dressing.
Don’t skip the house-made juice choices at the counter. Watermelon-basil, pineapple-lime, and ginger tropical tea were available in early May, but the menu may change periodically.
Watermelon-basil juice
The Details
Find Sharky’s in the Villa Marina Marketplace near CVS
4731 Glencoe Avenue, Suite B5, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
310-301-4441; sharkys.com