BYOB Buzz: Mariscos El Veneno

Their eats: The chill is setting in. You arrive home to find the heat’s kicked in for the first time, and that funny heat-just-kicked-in smell has permeated your apartment. Before long, you’re going to be digging out your parking space, marking your spot with a rusty folding chair. Get away from it all at vibrant coastal Mexican spot Mariscos El Veneno.

Open for three months, this instantly popular East Ukie Village BYOB is the sister restaurant to the West Lawn spot (click for details) of the same name. While the name translates to "poisonous seafood," don't worry—the only potential threat in the joint is a dried puffer fish stuck in an overhead fishing net along with other kitschy aquatic decor.

The menu, much like the atmosphere, is all seafood all the time, inspired by the food of Nayarit, one of Mexico’s west coast states. Choose from a variety of lobster, shrimp, oyster and fish dishes. The chapuzon del mar ($20), gives you a taste of just about everything, including octopus, oysters and shrimp. Quick bites such as shrimp tacos ($2.90) and ceviche ($6-$9) are available for those with smaller appetites or budgets.

Your drinks: There’s no need to get too fancy with the beverages at a place that makes you feel like you’re in a crab shack on the beach. Mariscos staff says most diners like to kick it with a couple of cervezas. Make a quick run to Rothschild Liquor Mart (1532 W. Chicago Ave. 312-421-1562) where you can find cold six-packs of Negra Modelo ($6.39), Tecate ($7.29) or Dos Equis ($8.19). Mariscos El Veneno does not charge a corkage fee.

Emily Hiser Lobdell is a Metromix special contributor. metromix@tribune.com