Top 10 Seafood Shacks

Our latest impossible task for epicurious.com is to name America's Top 10 Seafood Shacks. Given a certain need for geographical diversity (they can't ALL be in and around Charleston, SC), here's what we came up with:

http://eat.epicurious.com/restaurant/sterns/index.ssf?/restaurant/sterns/seafood.html

I have been to 4 of these places and they are all great experiences

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Stern

Our latest impossible task for epicurious.com is to name America's Top 10 Seafood Shacks. Given a certain need for geographical diversity (they can't ALL be in and around Charleston, SC), here's what we came up with:

http://eat.epicurious.com/restaurant/sterns/index.ssf?/restaurant/sterns/seafood.html

I'd have thought you'd list SOMETHING in Louisiana. I mean it's true, it's hard to think of one that limits itself to seafood, but then I haven't explored that far afield from New Orleans. Still, Uglesich's, just to give one example, sure qualifies as a "shack" and serves great seafood (along with much else).

In fact, I don't see anything on the Gulf Coast at all but there are 5 spots in New England. I think that says something about what kind of seafood you like (or possibly what part of the country you're most familiar with) more than it says about the quality of the "shacks".

By the way, Swan Oyster Depot is about 6 or 7 blocks from my home and I hardly ever brave the line of tourists to get in any more. But I'd kill for a good oyster loaf from Cajun country.

I've been to three of them. Bortell's (with lake trout, king and coho salmon, and steelhead), The Place (back when it was still Whitey's Roast Clams) and the Clam Box.

Only two (of ten) for me, but both the Swan and The Clam Shack land in my all-time (any cuisine) Roadfood Top Ten!!! Mmmmmm.

Great list, but to have to narrow it down to ten does a disservice to about 90 other places. I'd nominate the Crab Shack in St Pete.

Cheers, John

The Sundancer did the clam thing in Ipswitch (SIC) I think a few years a go. It was built like a paper container for clams. I t look so neat that I had to stop. I went in and order a huge amounts of clams the from huge menu they had. I enjoyed them on my way back to Portland, Maine.

I had been over to Gloushershire (beat me up for spelling it wrong) to see the site for the movie "The Perfect Storm" I went to the bar where the portions of the movie was at and had a few beers.

I certainly enjoyed the clams at this colorful place.

Lleechef is aware of the location and she coached me on how to spell it and the name but you know us old folks, we CRS

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Stern

Our latest impossible task for epicurious.com is to name America's Top 10 Seafood Shacks. Given a certain need for geographical diversity (they can't ALL be in and around Charleston, SC), here's what we came up with:

http://eat.epicurious.com/restaurant/sterns/index.ssf?/restaurant/sterns/seafood.html

OHHH yes they can, lol!

Just like the east coast and the west coast enjoy driving their SUV's using oil from the Gulf of Mexico, it seems that your site enjoys leaving out the Greatest Shrimp, Crawfish, Crab, and Catfish houses from the gulf coast, out of your site.

Thanks A Lot,
Dave
Georgetown, Colorado

Hey...You left out The Lobster Roll (Affectionately known as LUNCH) in Napeague, Long Island, New York.
The Terry Family has been operating this little shack on NY 27 located between Amagansett and Montauk for many years. Their main specialties are-what else- their Lobster Roll, their calm chowder, adn their Strawberry rhubarb pie. If the Lobster Roll is Crowded, you can always go to the Calm Bar, about 100-200 yards from the Lobster Roll. VERY good Calm chowder!!!

My personal favorite when visiting Oqunquit, Maine is....
"BARNACLE BILLY'S"......lobsters are exactly as they should be...steamed....little bit of butter...maybe a tad drop of lemon and pick away!! Great ambiance....wooden picnic tables....seagoing paraphernalia....what more could one ask for...other than delivered to your door...?!?!?!?

Lines wend their way down the block...must be a reason!!

LAURIEGEE52

Don't forget the incredible freshwater fish from the Great Lakes. I had the most wonderful perch and walleye from a carry-out fish market on the coast of Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio. I wish I could remember the name, but it sits right next to the city park on the lake. The fresh fish comes in the back door and right out the front either raw or cooked.

BILLY USED TO CATCH THE LOBSTERS HIMSELF AND MANY A TIME EW WOULD SIT OUTSIDE WHEN HE PULL IN THROW HIS WIFE A LOBSTER THAT WAS JUST CAUGHT AND WE CHOWED DOWN ON IT FOLLOWED BY FRESH BLUEBERRY PIE BARNACLE SERVED THE FRESHEST CRITTERS EVER.

These must all be great places; I've been at 5 of them and have loved them all. Missing from this list for me are Sid-Mar in Bucktown, New Orleans (for real food and unchic atmosphere) and Chauncey Creek Lobster Pound on the small shore road near Ogunquit. I must confess I haven't been there recently, but started going there over 40 years ago when it was Herb Withams' place, and still loved it decades later, in its only slightly renovated version. I always wondered why anyone would go for the touristy Ogunquit experience when a short drive away was this tucked away, simpler gem.

I'm sure these are great, but if you really want great seafood may I suggest both...

Dupris & Blacks in Abbeville, LA

Epicurious moved your article to a new location. The URL is:
http://www.epicurious.com/restaurants/best_eats/seafood

Got to eat at Swan Oyster Depot earlier this month; it had been a decade.

Scott

quote:

Originally posted by syrup1970

Epicurious moved your article to a new location. The URL is:
http://www.epicurious.com/restaurants/best_eats/seafood

Got to eat at Swan Oyster Depot earlier this month; it had been a decade.

Scott

Did you get some candy for desert next door at See's?

 
Pie Diva and I made a stop at Bortell's Fisheries on our lap of Lake Michigan.  Bortell's is in our 2008 version of Roadfood and is located on a winding beach road.  We might have missed Bortell's if not for the dozens of cars along the road and in the lot, & a line of people waiting for fish.  We stopped the next morning on the way out of Ludington and were first in line. 
 
We purchased Norwegian Salmon.
 

 
Lake Trout.
 

 
And Whitefish.  Despite the many bones, Pie Diva's favorite is the Whitefish.
 

Looks great!

JRPfeff-
Thanks for the nice report from Bortell's.  The fish looks great.  It has been several years since my last visit, but this has me thinking a trip that way is necessary.

Michael Stern

Our latest impossible task for epicurious.com is to name America's Top 10 Seafood Shacks. Given a certain need for geographical diversity (they can't ALL be in and around Charleston, SC), here's what we came up with:
http://eat.epicurious.com/restaurant/sterns/index.ssf?/restaurant/sterns/seafood.html

Apparently, this link is old and has been removed.
 

buffetbuster - Western Michigan is really a beautiful area, but seems sparsely represented in the Roadfood books.  The reviewed places are few and far between, so you are on your own if you are looking a lot of stops. 
 
I'd like to recommend a really nice family restaurant we ate at in Mackinaw City, but I'll be darned if I can remember the name of the place.

That would be Darrow's. I know you had something else on your mind.

My family loves Boon Docks in Panama City Beach. It's actually a short drive from PCB, but well worth it. If you aren't there by 5:00 you'll be waiting for a table. They do have a small bar and live music for waiting customers.