MIAMI – A Key West native is taking over Miami’s seafood scene.
The family-owned spot is making a splash in South Florida and gaining national attention, being the only Miami restaurant to make Yelp’s Top 100 seafood spots.
And this isn’t the first time the hidden gem has gotten national attention.
Two years ago, they made another annual list that ranked the best seafood restaurants in every state.
Mario Palazon is the captain at FreshCo Fish Market & Grill in Kendall, and he brought his family along for the ride.
The Key West native opened up his restaurant in a shopping plaza, located at 12700 SW 122nd Ave., in 2018, and it’s been a family affair ever since.
His daughters and wife are a part of the staff, and his son is the chef.
“Cooking is definitely more than love. It’s a passion, it’s a culture, it’s my family. I believe it’s instilled in my blood,” Marko Palazon said.
Mario definitely brought the Key West vibes to Kendall. It feels like you walked into a seafood spot on Duval Street.
The restaurant is small but mighty. This year, they landed number 13 on Yelp’s annual list of top 100 seafood restaurants.
No other Miami restaurant made the cut.
“The quality is what I think by far keeps them coming back. They know they’re getting fresh fish off the boats every day,” Mario Palazon said.
They operate as a market and a restaurant, where you can do take out or sit in and pick your produce.
“You’re seeing the fish that you’re going to order. There is nothing hidden, nothing frozen. You’re actually being able to see and get your food cooked right before your eyes,” Mario Palazon said.
The menu is filled with classic seafood dishes with a South Florida twist.
“I cannot stress to you the fact that we probably have the freshest seafood in Miami, and you will get hooked. That is why our moto is “I got hooked at FreshCo,’” Mario Palazon said.
The family is opening up a new spot in downtown Doral this summer. They’re aiming for a June opening date.
Click here for more information about FreshCo Fish Market & Grill.