Victus Members enjoy the following perk when visiting this restaurant:
10% Off the Entire Check
Lately there has been a huge surge in “fast food” eateries that go above and beyond the “almost-food” offerings of places like McDonald’s and Taco Bell; places that promise a quick, inexpensive bite that still tastes great and is made with real, fresh ingredients. A recent addition to this club is Cevich, a sweet little Manhattan spot serving up quick, cheap, and portable ceviche. Now there’s something you don’t see everyday.
Located just off of Union Square, Cevich is well located to serve those looking for a quick lunch while shopping, post-yoga class, or just enjoying an afternoon in the park. The space itself is small (as a large amount of their business is to-go), but it’s brightly colored and there are a few tables and bar stools for those wishing to dine in –the best seats in the house being the two hammocks hanging near a table in the corner (though I wasn’t lucky enough to be able to try them out, due to their popularity. womp womp.) One of the co-owners of the place, Lindsay Goldstein, was working the counter when I placed my order and was super friendly and helpful –informing us that it was “Mother Clucker Monday” and we got $2 off our burrito. Awesome. In fact, Cevich has a number of promo deals like that –another being Taco Tuesday, buy 2 get 1 free. And who doesn’t want a free taco?
For those of you unfamiliar with the in’s and out’s of ceviche –it is a popular seafood dish in Central and South America, the origins of which date back thousands of years. Though the dish varies based on where you’re eating it, its main ingredient is fresh, raw fish cured in citrus juice and seasoned with chili peppers. It is served with a variety of side dishes, such as avocado, onions, corn, or plantains. Cevich offers a number of customizable options, ranging from the traditional ceviche to new twists on the dish –ceviche burrito, anyone? You can choose your fish (shrimp, salmon, or whitefish), have it served with greens, quinoa, or coconut rice and get it in a bowl, a taco, or a burrito. (There is also a pulled chicken option, for those of you who like your protein cooked by method of fire.) We chose to try both ends of the ceviche spectrum and ordered a “Wild Tiger” bowl (a traditional Peruvian citrus ceviche) with the Ahi Tuna that was on special, and an “Off the Hook” burrito (whitefish ceviche, guacamole, chipotle garlic sauce, pepper jack cheese, and coconut rice).
Now, when your main offering is raw fish, freshness is of the utmost importance. This might lead one to question how it’s possible to do ceviche in a grab-and-go kind of setting. But, from my experience, you have nothing to worry about with Cevich. The fish was extremely fresh, and both of the dishes were really good. The tuna bowl was light and chilled, and would be an especially great lunch on a hot day. My favorite part was the side of Peruvian seasoned popcorn that came with it –it added a great crunch to the dish. The burrito was a bit more substantial due to the warm coconut rice and cheese, but though it was filling it didn’t feel heavy at all. It was like a mexican, thai, ceviche mashup (really cool flavor combos), and was certainly the healthiest burrito I’ve ever eaten.
All of Cevich’s sauces are made in-house, their ingredients are all super fresh, and they offer low fat, gluten-free, paleo, and dairy-free dishes. It’s great to have a fast food option that isn’t loaded with preservatives, salt, and oil and doesn’t make you feel like you’re hurting your body. With the summer heat approaching, Cevich is a great choice for a quick, healthy lunch that won’t slow you down. Oh, and you can even order online and have your ceviche delivered right to your doorstep.
Lauren is a New York based actor/singer/writer. She is a graduate of the American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theater School Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University as well as the College of the Holy Cross. She’s a fan of beer, pasta, and academic establishments with unnecessarily long titles. Find her on stage, or online– she’s there often.