Did a Shrimp Tray Really Save the Business?

Welcome back to Fi$H Factor, where multi-generational grit meets visionary hustle. In this episode, Mike Ungaro shares the high-stakes origin story behind San Pedro Fish Market’s most legendary dish: the World Famous Shrimp Tray.

It’s 1982. The family’s in deep—operating out of a parking lot, drowning in debt, and racing to open by Good Friday. Then El Niño hits, soaking their only seating and threatening everything they’ve built.

What came next wasn’t luck. It was pure innovation. With some borrowed barbecue pits, a few bell peppers, and a whole lot of hustle, they created the shrimp tray that would put San Pedro Fish Market on the map.

How San Pedro Fish Market survived economic collapse, torrential rain, and construction setbacks

The moment fajitas inspired a shrimp tray that became a global seafood sensation.

Why innovation and adaptability are the keys to family business longevity.

How the “build-your-own tray” experience became a social media magnet

The behind-the-scenes origin of one of America’s most Instagrammed meals.

Whether you’re a foodie, entrepreneur, or just love a great comeback story, this episode brings you the heat, the hustle, and the heart behind one of the West Coast’s most iconic dining experiences.