How Macdonald Avenue Ended Up as Richmond's Fried-Fish Street

"That's three fried fish shops on one street." That was how the Grandview Independent summed up the August news from central Richmond, ending a short item about a restaurant changing addresses.

Boulevard Fish & Barbeque, a mom-and-pop shop that had served fried fish in Richmond for 15 years, left its longtime spot on Cutting Boulevard for 3231 Macdonald Avenue. That one move gave Macdonald three fried-fish counters along a single stretch of road. This fall, the city and Richmond Main Street are also holding free family events on Macdonald, so the avenue is worth knowing block by block before the Halloween and holiday dates arrive.

Three counters, one avenue

Here is the cluster as Grandview laid it out in its August 12 report.

Grandview puts CJ's eight blocks from Boulevard's new door and calls JJ Fish & Chicken "even closer." All three serve fried fish, and each pairs it with something different. CJ's leans on barbecue and catfish, JJ adds gumbo and wings, and Boulevard brings the menu it built over 15 years on Cutting. Richmondside's Nosh roundup lists the Boulevard menu as fried snapper, sole, prawns and other dishes.

The paper also joked about a fourth. If The New Snapper's Seafood Restaurant ever left its spot on Ohio Avenue, it wrote, Macdonald "could be looking at a fourth." Still, a local paper can now picture a Richmond street where fried fish is the default, and that only became possible this summer.

The building on the 3200 block already had a kitchen history

The address Boulevard Fish moved into has fed people before. Grandview notes that an earlier stop on its Burrito Trail series found Rincon Michoacano Taqueria at 3231 Macdonald, in a building that had also housed Los Macias Taqueria and El Paraiso Cafe.

Boulevard Fish came to Macdonald from a known location with an established following and a 15-year track record. It took over a storefront that people already knew as a place to eat. The fish cluster took shape through one long-running local business picking a new address on a street where two similar shops already operated.

Central Richmond's other food news from late summer followed the same pattern. The newcomers set up in spaces that already had a history.

On 23rd Street and near BART, new owners took over familiar spaces

Two restaurants opened on 23rd Street in August. Grandview describes that corridor as known for its Mexican, Salvadoran and Guatemalan restaurants.

Amor Grill Falafel and Shawarma, 930 23rd St. Amor moved into the former El Sabor Sinaloense space, which Grandview said had been closed for some time. According to Richmondside, plates come with a choice of protein, rice and two sides and start at $16. Wraps, sandwiches and family-style platters fill out the menu. Falafel and shawarma are new to this stretch, so the corridor's mix got wider.

Antojitos Caseros by El Cuscatlan, 969 23rd St. This one adds to the Salvadoran food the street is already known for. Grandview reports it appears to be affiliated with Salvadoran restaurants in Hercules, San Pablo and San Rafael. The menu centers on corn and rice pupusas, soups such as frijol con costilla, pescado, res and pata, and platos típicos, plus a small burger and sandwich section. Richmondside points to the churrasco Salvadoreño combo of grilled steak, chicken, prawns and chorizo with chimichurri, rice, beans, cheese, salad and tortilla, for about $30. In August its posted schedule listed Wednesday through Sunday service.

Back on Macdonald, near the Richmond BART station, Casa Latina Supermercado opened at 1500 Macdonald Ave. in the former Rich City Rides space. Richmondside reported that it carries goods from across Latin America, fresh produce, a carnicería and party supplies, and held a grand opening celebration on August 18.

Put the summer's moves on one map and Macdonald Avenue gained a full grocery with a butcher counter near BART, a third fried-fish shop near the 3200 block, and two new restaurants on 23rd. Two of this fall's public events are on Macdonald near those spots.

The fall calendar happens on Macdonald too

Two of the free community events between now and December are on Macdonald Avenue. The other two are elsewhere downtown.

• Fall Festival, Saturday, October 24, noon to 2 p.m., Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave. Richmond Community Services Recreation is hosting this free event with a petting zoo and a hay ride around the park. The city's event listing also describes it as a way to see what programs are offered for youth, adults and seniors. Nicholl Park's address is 3230 Macdonald, and Boulevard Fish is at 3231.
• Halloween Stroll, Thursday, October 29, 5 to 6:30 p.m., The LOT, 1401 Macdonald Ave. Richmond Main Street runs this free, family-friendly event with The LOT. Plans include a pumpkin-themed photo booth, pumpkin painting for kids and a trick-or-treat stroll. The LOT is at 1401 Macdonald, and Casa Latina is at 1500.
• "Juntos Creamos/Together We Create," through November, Richmond Museum of History & Culture, 400 Nevin Ave. This exhibit of work by children ages 2 to 5 is free to see. It opened with a reception on October 17, as Richmondside's weekly events list noted.
• Downtown Holiday Festival, Tuesday, December 8, 4 to 7 p.m., East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. Richmond Main Street presents this free festival with the Center and The LOT. It offers gift bags for children, free photos with Santa, and theater and music performances by EBCPA students.

The two Macdonald events fall at two points on the avenue. The 1400 and 1500 blocks have The LOT and Casa Latina. The 3200 block has Nicholl Park and Boulevard Fish's new storefront.

A Saturday on Macdonald, start to finish

This Saturday, October 24, works well for a first visit. The Fall Festival runs midday, and both fried-fish anchors on the eastern stretch are near the park. Here is one way to plan it, using the hours reported in August:

1. Start at Nicholl Park by noon. The Fall Festival runs until 2 p.m., with the petting zoo and hay ride.
2. Eat lunch at 3231 Macdonald. In August, Grandview listed Boulevard Fish & Barbeque as open Monday through Saturday, so Saturday falls inside its week.
3. Try a second fish stop, or save it for next time. JJ Fish & Chicken at 3600 Macdonald is the closer of the other two shops. CJ's BBQ & Fish at 2401 Macdonald is eight blocks the other way.
4. Go to 23rd Street for dinner, or plan a weekday visit. Antojitos Caseros posted Wednesday through Sunday service in August, and Amor Grill's plates start at $16.
5. Finish with groceries at 1500 Macdonald. Casa Latina's carnicería and produce section make it the place to stock up for the week.

These hours come from August reporting, so check with each business before you go. The next Thursday puts you back on Macdonald for the Halloween Stroll at 1401 Macdonald, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on October 29.

I'm Mark Choi, and I pay attention to which storefront a 15-year-old fish shop picks as its new home, because those moves change how a street feels long before any listing does. If you'd like to know what's changing on the blocks around you in Richmond, Mark Choi is happy to talk it through. Start Your East Bay Home Search.