What's your favorite kind of fish or shellfish? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
I’m a seafood lover. I love to discover new seafood spots whenever I’m traveling and sample different styles of fried fish, lobster or crab, or maybe jumbo shrimp. Every summer, my girlfriends and I pack up the car and hit the road. In planning out our road trip route, we always factor in the best places to eat along the way. This year, I’m thinking about a route that includes shore points and cities that have the best-rated seafood restaurants. Taking it a step further, I decided, what if I seek out black-owned seafood restaurants to visit? While I’m finalizing where my girls and I are heading this summer, I went on a quest to find black owned seafood spots around the country that I’d like to check out at some point.
Dining Discounts: Enjoy AARP discounts at a variety of national chains and local restaurants, including popular seafood spots.
Here’s what I found. You might want to check them out while you’re traveling, or maybe there’s one near you on the list that you can stop in to.
SOUTH
Ocean Social
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Owner: James Beard award-semi-finalist chef, Tristen Epps
Specialty: Upscale fresh coastal cuisine
Known for: Swordfish t-bone, whole baked fish, chic decor and magnificent water views
Seating: Yes. Reservations may be needed
Website: https://www.edenrochotelmiami.com/dine/ocean-social/menu
Hurst Restaurant and Seafood
Location: Kennar, Louisiana
Owner: Felton Hurst, Sr. and wife Marilyn Hurst
Specialty: Traditional Southern-style seafood and soul food
Known for: Fried fish, red beans and rice, smothered steak.
Seating: Yes
Website: www.facebook.com/Hurstrestaurant/
The Boiler Seafood Atlanta
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Owner: Founder and CEO, Chad Dillion
Specialty: Seafood boils and fried seafood platters
Known for: Fried king crab, margarita flights and boiler brunch specials
Seating: Yes
Website: theboileratlanta.com
Bankhead Seafood
Location: Bankhead, Atlanta, Ga.
Owners: Rappers Clifford “T.I.” Harris and Michael “Killer Mike” Render bought the 50-year-old eatery from the late Helen Harden.
Specialty: Southern fried fish combo platters and baskets
Known for: Large portion platters of fried catfish, pollock, shrimp, crab cakes, hushpuppies, and sweet tea
Seating: Yes
Website: bankheadseafood.com
501 at Néné’s Cajun Seafood and Grill
Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Owner: Leah Sumpter
Specialty: Cajun Signature Seafood Boils Bags
Known for: Cajun crab legs, lobster tails, crawfish, fried okra, peach cobbler egg roll
Seating: Limited. Take out or delivery (5 miles)
Website: https://501nenes.com
Mr. 3s Crab Pot
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina (and other locations)
Owner: Community activists Rod and Rana Brown
Specialty: Seafood combo platters. Voted the Best Seafood in the World by Taste of Charlotte.
Known for: Mr 3s Super Seafood Platter
Seating: Very limited. Primarily take out
Website: https://mr3scrabpot.com
Chef Skip 757
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Owner: Virginia Beach native Chef Christopher “Skip” Skipper
Specialty: Deep-fried seafood delicacies.
Known for: Crab cakes, fried oyster po boy sandwiches, Philly cheese steaks
Seating: Yes
Website: ChefSkip757va.com
SOUTHWEST
Krustaceans Seafood
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Owner: Chris A.
Specialty: Fried seafood and seafood boils
Known for: Fried lobster tails, loaded seafood baked potato
Seating: Yes
Website: krustaceansdallas.com
WEST
Gumbo Social
Location: San Francisco, California
Owner: Chef Dontaye “Mr. Gumbo” Ball
Specialty: Gumbo
Known for: Gumbo and vegan gumbo, po boy sandwiches, freshly made pork rinds
Seating: Yes
Website: GumboSocial.com
Fishbone
Location: North Hollywood, California (and other locations)
Owner: A franchise by hip hop entrepreneur Percy “Master P” Miller
Specialty: Classic Southern-style fried or grilled seafood
Known for: Cajun fried catfish and po boy sandwiches, and Southern side dishes
Seating: Yes
Website: www.Fishboneseafood.com
NORTHEAST
Monk Seafood
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvaniaia
Owner: Henry Jeffrey Monk has owned the spot for two decades
Specialty: Seafood boils, fish sandwiches, fried fish combo platters
Known for: Alaskan king crab, sautéed blue crab, fried shrimp
Seating: Very limited, primarily take-out
Website: https://www.facebook.com/1Monk.Seafood/
Kelsey’s Restaurant Atlantic City
Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Owner: Husband and wife team Kesey and Kim Jackson
Specialty: Southern-style seafood and barbecue
Known for: Fried whiting, shrimp and grits, specialty cocktails. Weekend brunch buffet
Seating: Yes
Website: kelseysac.com
Seafood Kingz 2
Location: City Island, Bronx, New York (and one other location)
Owner: veteran Chef Darryl Lelie
Specialty: Seafood dishes with soul food trimmings
Known for: Crab legs, snow crab legs, lobster tails and scratch-made cornbread
Seating: Yes
Website: seafoodkingz2.com
Eleven Circuit
Location: Oak Bluffs, Massachussetts
Owner: Chef Ralston and wife Mavis Francis
Specialty: Restaurant and bar/nightclub serving American breakfast, lunch and dinner with a Southern/Caribbean twist
Known for: Fried stuffed snapper, deep fried lobster, seafood boils, oysters, burgers, breakfast, late night and cocktails
Website: elevencircuitmv.com, https://www.facebook.com/ElevenCircuit
MIDWEST
Docks
Location: Chicago, Illinois (multiple locations)
Owner: President and CEO Ben DeBerry
Specialty: Fried take-out sandwiches, combos and platters
Known for: Whiting filet “Fishwiches,” jumbo shrimp, Dock Berry Shakes
Seating: Limited
Website: www.docksfish.com
Savoy
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Owner: 30-year food and restaurant industry veteran, Jai-Lee Dearing
Specialty: Elevated comfort food
Known for: Lobster tails, oysters, chops, craft cocktails and live jazz
Seating: Yes. Reservations recommended
Website: savoydetroit.com
What's your favorite kind of fish or shellfish? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
