### What to choose instead
Order fully cooked seafood if you’re uncertain about the restaurant’s handling practices.
Grilled salmon, baked cod, roasted trout, or thoroughly cooked shrimp can all be excellent choices.
Certain people should be especially cautious about raw or undercooked seafood, including pregnant individuals, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
## 10. “Mystery Fish”
Perhaps the biggest warning sign on a restaurant menu isn’t a particular species.
It’s a lack of information.
A menu might advertise “fresh catch,” “white fish,” “reef fish,” or simply “local fish” without specifying exactly what you’re eating.
That can make it difficult to assess mercury exposure, sustainability, allergens, or even whether the menu description accurately reflects the species.
You don’t need to interrogate your server every time you order seafood.
But if the restaurant gives you little information, asking one simple question can help:
**“What species is the fish, and where was it sourced?”**
