South Beach Fish Market

3640 South Coast Highway, South Beach, OR - (541) 867-6800

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Posted By Jim Scheppke on 2/8/2008 8:09:00 PM

In 1994 a reporter for the Oregonian newspaper traveled the entire length of US-101 from Astoria to Brookings looking for the best fish and chips on the Oregon coast. He found it at the South Beach Fish Market, just south of Newport, and I agree.

The secret is the freshness. All the fish is right off the boat and is cooked only after you place your order. The breading is very light and flavorful, but doesn't mask the quality of the fish. The selection varies with the season, but most of the year you can get fresh tuna, salmon, halibut, oysters, and calamari. The best choices, I think, are tuna or salmon.

Another unusual item offered in season is the Dungeness crab burger, which is really a giant crabcake on a bun. I wish they made it a little spicier, but it's worth a try. There's also a great fish market here and you can order by mail from their website. They now have a branch location at the Newport bayfront, so if you are down there with the tourists, you can get the same great food.

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

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"Halibut is a gentle-flavored sort of fish, but it blossoms in South Beach's crisp-fried coat. The meat's moistness is enhanced by that golden crunch."
Michael Stern

"The chips are nothing special, but the fish is so fresh-tasting, and has a nice garlic hit from the batter."
Terry Taylor

"Smoked fish."
Terry Taylor

"There's 1/4 pound of crab in this baby!"
Jim Scheppke

"There are lots of choices, but I like the fresh tuna the best."
Jim Scheppke

"Dungeness crab needs no adornment whatsoever. This cocktail is a fine way to precede a fish-and-chips meal."
Michael Stern

"You know the crab is fresh when you walk by the pots on the way in."
Jim Scheppke

"Place your order at the counter and watch them fry it up."
Jim Scheppke

"Located just south of the bridge on Highway 101 in Newport, Oregon."
Terry Taylor

"The Captain's Platter is 2 oysters, 2 hunks of halibut, 2 scallops and 2 prawns."
Michael Stern

"Signs along the parking lot fence tell the variety of things available. Not listed: salmon jerky and 'salmon candy,' the latter moist, sweet, and smoky."
Michael Stern

"South Beach boasts that its salmon burger, like the shrimp burger and crab burger, is made on premises. Maybe, but the salmon and chips is so much more salmony and rich, I would always pass on the burger to get the whole pieces of fish."
Michael Stern