Phil's Famous Cioppino for 2
Posted on 11/06/2022 1:27:55 PM PST by nickcarraway
The Central Coast staple, Phil’s Fish Market, opened their new Castroville location, on Saturday. After 20 years of service in Moss Landing, the iconic Phil’s Fish Market had to move because the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute did not renew its lease.
"Instead of seeing the ocean they see artichokes,” says Phil DiGirolamo, Phil’s Fish Market Owner.
The location is right next to the Castroville sign off Merritt Street.
"You go down to Moss Landing and you go to what we call the island. There are no more cars, there's no more people there, it's almost deserted. When Phil was there, you'd go down the main drag and there'd be cars there and there'd be people there and it was alive. It sort of just died,” says Lou Calcagno, a Moss Landing resident.
The new location was full of customers for their soft opening, despite announcing solely through word of mouth.
"It was hard to find parking on the street. The answer is people will find Phil's. Wherever. No matter where it is. People will find Phil's,” Debby and Nolan Kennedy said.
The location is just 3 miles down the road from the old location, in a historic building.
"Which was a school for years and was built in 1869. It has a good feeling to it,” added Phil.
Phil said the menu is staying the same. Folks travel far lengths to eat their famous cioppino, calamari and more. The food options are influenced by Phil’s Italian background.
Carlos Hernandez and his family traveled more than two hours just to eat at Phil’s.
"Two hours, yup, just to come out and eat,” Hernandez said.
"Phil's Market, you can't beat it. It's worth the drive. Believe me, been coming here to the new location, well first day, but the old location for years. I recommend it highly,” said Robert, a customer who traveled from San Jose.
But above the food, it’s the community connection that keeps people coming back for decades.
"I've known him for a long time and his heart and soul is in this […] I think Phil does it for the love of cooking and the love of working with people,” Calcagno said.
Community members say this addition to the city of Castroville will change its culture.
“Now he’s going to come to Castroville and make Castroville famous because he made Moss Landing famous," Calcagno said.
Phil said despite the move, he will continue to maintain the Phil’s Snack Shak and cioppino truck at Moss Landing.
The grand opening will take place sometime in the coming weeks, but the exact date is not decided.
Phil - responsible for my seafood habit in the late 80’s. Interesting guy and he can cook too.
Castroville is mostly Mexican restaurants. Hopefully the locals will warm to seafood.
Well, it’s close enough their existing clientele should be able to get there. Hopefully everyone will find out. They have a decent media profile. They’ve been on the BBC, and Food Network/Bobby Flay.
I’ve been there several times!
Phil's Famous Cioppino for 2
Having a fish market/restaurant next to an aquarium does raise some questions. Like what was in the fish stew that day.
What State????
California. On the Pacific Ocean.
Castroville used to have the Central Texas BBQ in the late ‘80’s when I was at Ft Ord. Excellent.
Sounds so YUM!!
I used to work at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. I quit in 2000, left CA and never went back.
MBARI had moved Phil’s original shak on the Moss Landing beach across the street to the bay side. They moved the entire building. Guess they decided to move him again.
Phil lost the property when importing things other than squid.(drugs)MBARI floated his market for years. I used to have peanut butter and day old toast in the morning.
nice guy; opportunist. He used to sneak salt water from our tanks to keep his critters alive.
The Central Texan was not good. It was excellent. Best brisket on the west coast. They needed more than 4 tables!
Sorry, slow on the draw.
Phil’s was housed in a couple of buildings owned by
the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. The aquarium is a sister organization in Monterey. Phil lost the property that was his fathers when he was busted for drugs. (Importing other than squid). Clinton pardoned him. David Packard bought the property with one bid of $750K at auction and built MBARI on the site.
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