One word about Playas… FRESH! Over 7 types of ceviche are made fresh everyday. Fresh bolillos are used for the tortas everyday. Leo, the owner and a restauranteur for 37 years, admits that he sometimes sells out of certain items on busy days, but because of his dedication to freshness, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Playas serves street tacos, burritos, seafood cocktails, tostadas, and salads, but like the name says, ceviche and tortas are the specialties. You can order their ceviche as an entree, or by the pound with 1-day notice. All meats are slow cooked and shredded, and daily specials are available like potato tacos and mango shrimp ceviche. On cold days, give them a call to see if Leo is cooking up a special batch of green chicken pozole, albondigas or cosido.

In the dining room, mariachi music plays and the walls display Leo’s love for Long Beach and the baja beach scene. Over 30 bottles of hot sauce line the counter for your choosing, and glass-bottled Mexican sodas fill the fridge. 

Take a bite of Leo’s ceviche, and you can almost smell the ocean air and imagine the waves.