Casa Villa’s menu runs from breakfast to birria, and its Seafood category holds a run of shrimp starters that are easy to confuse: two aguachiles, a ceviche and a coctel. They look alike on a screen and arrive very differently at the table. This guide explains what separates aguachile from ceviche, compares the listings using the menu’s own descriptions, and suggests what to order for one person or a group.
Aguachile and ceviche: what separates them
Aguachile comes from Sinaloa, in northwest Mexico. Shrimp, usually butterflied or thinly sliced, goes into a chile and lime dressing and is served right away, so it keeps an almost raw texture. Tasting Table’s comparison says the original dressing was chile water made from crushed chiltepin peppers, with lime added in modern versions, and that it is usually finished with cucumber, onion and avocado.
Ceviche is the longer-marinated cousin. The same source says it is “cooked” in citrus juice for roughly 20 to 30 minutes, and that it is widely considered Peruvian. Aguachile skips that wait.
Menus bend these definitions. Casa Villa’s ceviche lists orange citrus and mango, and its aguachile lists lime juice and mango slices, so read the ingredients on each listing.
The shrimp starters on the Casa Villa menu
The Seafood category lists four starters that fit this guide, plus a tostada:
- Mango Aguachile: listed without a description on the ordering page.
- Chiltepin Aguachile (SP): shrimp, chiltepin chiles, lime juice, onions, and cucumber and mango slices, served with chips.
- Shrimp Ceviche: red peppers, cucumber, orange citrus, red onions, mango and avocado, served with chips.
- Coctel de Camaron: cooked shrimp, house-made spicy sauce, avocado, red onions, cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro and serrano peppers.
- Shrimp Tostadas: two tostadas with grilled shrimp, mixed peppers and onions, cabbage, avocado, pico de gallo and chipotle aioli.
The menu tags the Chiltepin Aguachile “(SP)” without explaining the tag on the listing, so ask the staff if you need to know what it signals before you order.
Chiltepin Aguachile and Mango Aguachile
Aguachile is the one to order if you want the sharp, chile-and-lime end of the category. The Chiltepin Aguachile (SP) is the better-documented of the two on the menu: shrimp, chiltepin chiles, lime juice, onions, and cucumber and mango slices, served with chips. Chiltepin is the same chile Tasting Table names as the original base of the dish, so this listing is close to the traditional idea.
The Mango Aguachile has no description on the ordering page. The name suggests mango plays a larger role, but the menu does not say what else is in it or how hot it is, so ask the kitchen if heat matters to you.
Order an aguachile if:
- You like bright, sharp flavors and want something cold to start, with chips to scoop.
- You are happy to ask one question about heat before ordering.
Menu card — Chiltepin Aguachile (SP)
Listed under Seafood on the Casa Villa ordering page as shrimp, chiltepin chiles, lime juice, onions, and cucumber and mango slices, served with chips.
Shrimp Ceviche: the citrus and mango version
The Shrimp Ceviche is the gentler read of the group. The menu lists red peppers, cucumber, orange citrus, red onions, mango and avocado, served with chips. The citrus here is orange, and avocado is on the list. The menu does not list chiles in this one, though it does not say how hot it is either.
Order the Shrimp Ceviche if:
- You want a fruit-forward shrimp dish rather than a sharp one.
- You like avocado and mango with seafood.
Menu card — Shrimp Ceviche
Listed under Seafood on the Casa Villa ordering page as red peppers, cucumber, orange citrus, red onions, mango and avocado, served with chips.
Coctel de Camaron: the cooked-shrimp cocktail
The Coctel de Camaron is a different format. The name translates to shrimp cocktail, and the menu describes cooked shrimp, a house-made spicy sauce, avocado, red onions, cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro and serrano peppers. Two details set it apart from the other starters: the shrimp is described as cooked, and the listing does not mention chips.
Serrano peppers are on the list, so it is not a mild order by ingredient. The menu gives no heat level, so ask the staff if you want a number.
Order the Coctel de Camaron if:
- You prefer cooked shrimp to raw-style shrimp.
- You like a saucy, chunky cocktail with avocado and tomato.
Menu card — Coctel de Camaron
Listed under Seafood on the Casa Villa ordering page as cooked shrimp, house-made spicy sauce, avocado, red onions, cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro and serrano peppers.
Shrimp mains and handheld options
If a starter is not enough, the same category continues with shrimp mains and handheld items:
- Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo: shrimp in a house guajillo chile sauce, served with rice, a cucumber salad and handmade tortillas.
- Camarones a La Diabla (SP): shrimp in a spicy salsa, served with rice, a cucumber salad and handmade tortillas.
- Shrimp Burrito and Shrimp Burrito Mojado: listed in the Seafood category without descriptions.
The two plates share the same sides, so the choice comes down to the sauce.
What to order for one, two or a table
A few combinations follow from the descriptions above. They are suggestions, not set menu pairings.
- Solo and light: one starter, either the Shrimp Ceviche for a softer plate or the Chiltepin Aguachile for more bite.
- Two people: one aguachile and one Coctel de Camaron, so you can compare raw-style and cooked-shrimp side by side.
- A table: order the Dip Trio and Chips and Salsa from the Appetizers category to share, then add one or two seafood starters and a plate such as the Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo.
If you are ordering for allergies, call the restaurant. The menu does not list allergen details.
Hours, location and how to order
Casa Villa is at 840 Willow St #400, San Jose, CA 95125, phone (408) 382-9491. The website lists Sunday and Tuesday to Thursday, 9 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 9 AM to 10 PM. Monday is not listed, so check the ordering page for current hours.
Order through Casa Villa’s own page rather than a third-party app. The restaurant receives the full order with no app commission.
FAQ
What is the difference between aguachile and ceviche?
Aguachile comes from Sinaloa and is served right away, so the shrimp keeps a nearly raw texture. Ceviche is marinated in citrus juice, typically for 20 to 30 minutes, according to Tasting Table. The two overlap on a menu, so read each listing’s ingredients.
What shrimp starters does Casa Villa list?
The Seafood category on the ordering page lists Mango Aguachile, Chiltepin Aguachile (SP), Shrimp Ceviche and Coctel de Camaron. It also lists Shrimp Tostadas.
What does the Coctel de Camaron include?
The menu describes cooked shrimp, a house-made spicy sauce, avocado, red onions, cucumber, tomatoes, cilantro and serrano peppers.
Is the Chiltepin Aguachile served with chips?
Yes. The menu describes shrimp, chiltepin chiles, lime juice, onions, and cucumber and mango slices, served with chips.
Where is Casa Villa and when is it open?
It is at 840 Willow St #400, San Jose, CA 95125, phone (408) 382-9491. The website lists Sunday and Tuesday to Thursday, 9 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 9 AM to 10 PM. Monday is not listed, so check the ordering page.
Order shrimp starters at Casa Villa
Pick an aguachile, a ceviche or a coctel, add a plate if you are hungry, and order straight from the restaurant. Ordering direct means Casa Villa gets the full order with no third-party commission.
