New Mexican Seafood Restaurant Packed All Weekend In Joliet

JOLIET, IL — For the third straight week, Joliet welcomed a new restaurant that hopes to be a big hit in the community. The new Pop's Italian Beef opened Jan. 24 at 1866 West Jefferson St. On Feb. 1, the Portillo's Pick Up triple drive-thru opened at 1444 N. Larkin Ave. And on Saturday, Mariscos El Pulpo opened at 808 West Jefferson St.

Mariscos El Pulpo has filled the vacancy created when the long-time owners of Truth Restaurant chose to retire and put their property up for sale in May 2020.

Roger Ayala is the owner of Mariscos El Pulpo. He told Joliet Patch that his new Mexican seafood sit-down restaurant was unbelievably busy this weekend, particularly on Sunday.

His new restaurant features dine-in and carryout.

"A lot of people come in today," Ayala remarked Sunday evening. "We have been so busy today and yesterday, too. People have been waiting for something on the west side."

Mariscos El Pulpo is now open daily. Its hours are: 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10:45 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. on Sunday.

The restaurant has a large parking lot in the back, along Raynor Avenue.

Mariscos El Pulpo is in the process of obtaining its liquor license, and Ayala expects to have it soon. The menu offers of appetizers, cocktails, plates, soups, trays and specialties.

Joliet Patch asked the new restaurant owner and his staff to name some items on the menu that are expected to become crowd-pleasers.

They suggested the following:

For plates: Filete Marinero: Tilapia fillet with shrimp and octopus. Plates include rice and salad.

Huachinango Frito: A La Mexicana, A La Veracruzana, Al Arbol, Al Habanero, Al Chipotle, Al Mojo De Ajo.

For specialties: Molcajetazo Al Chipotle: shrimp, octopus, scallop, mussel and crabs.

For soups: Caldo 7 Mares: shrimp, crab, octopus, fish, scallop and mussels.

For trays: Charola De Langostinos includes A La Diabla, Con Habanero and Al Arbol.

Cola De Langosta Rellena includes stuffed lobster tail, shrimp, octopus, scallops, crab meat imitation, in a cream mild spicy sauce.

For appetizers: Ceviche De Pescado, small or large. It's fish ceviche.

Mariscos El Pulpo has two phone numbers: 815-630-3088 and 815-630-3097.