Finding the Best Coconut Shrimp Near You

Coconut shrimp is one of those appetizers that seems to be universally loved The crispy, coconut-encrusted shrimp combined with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce is pretty hard to resist! If you’ve been craving those tropical flavors, you may be wondering where can I find the best coconut shrimp near me?

I’ve done some digging to uncover the top spots for coconut shrimp in various cities. Here’s what I found, along with tips on how to track down great coconut shrimp close to home.

Checking Review Sites

One of the easiest ways to locate restaurants serving up delicious coconut shrimp is to turn to review sites like Yelp The listings offer real feedback from diners about the quality of the coconut shrimp

For example, searching Yelp for “coconut shrimp Los Angeles” surfaces hot spots like:

• Lobster & Beer – “I loved the subtle hint of coconut on the coconut shrimp.”

• Rutt’s Hawaiian Cafe – “The coconut shrimp platter was delicious.”

• Bubba Gump Shrimp – “The coconut shrimp was MY favorite, it was sooooo good.”

Reviews highlight key details like the coating, size of shrimp, and dipping sauces. This helps you determine which spots are worth a try in your area.

Checking Menus Online

Rather than relying solely on reviews, you can go straight to restaurant menus posted online. Many restaurants showcase their most popular appetizers like coconut shrimp on their website’s menu.

Chain restaurants like Red Lobster even allow you to pull up the menu based on your location. Their Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp description highlights the piña colada sauce – so you know the flavors to expect.

If a restaurant’s menu isn’t available online, you can always call and ask if they serve coconut shrimp before you visit. This small step prevents unnecessary trips if it’s not on the menu.

Looking for Telltale Signs

When driving around town, keep an eye out for restaurants that are likely to serve coconut shrimp on their appetizer list. Signs to look for include:

• Seafood restaurants – Seafood-focused spots often highlight shrimp.

• Tiki/island bars – The tropical theme pairs perfectly with coconut shrimp.

• Steakhouses – Surprisingly, many steakhouses offer coconut shrimp as a starter.

• Hawaiian restaurants – Hawaiian cuisine has strong coconut and shrimp influences.

While not a sure guarantee, these cues can help you quickly identify restaurants with a higher likelihood of coconut shrimp menu options.

Trying Seafood Markets

If you want to skip dining out and make coconut shrimp at home, swing by your local seafood market or grocery store seafood counter.

Pick up a package of fresh large shrimp, bags of shredded coconut, and breadcrumbs. Then whip up a piña colada sauce with pineapple juice, coconut cream, and rum.

Making it yourself lets you control the ingredients and spice levels perfectly to your taste!

Coconut Shrimp Cuisine Types

Beyond the telltale signs above, think about which cuisine types frequently utilize coconut and shrimp:

• Hawaiian – A popular appetizer in Hawaiian restaurants.

• Thai – Coconut milk and shrimp feature heavily in Thai curries.

• Caribbean – Tropical flavored dishes are a Caribbean staple.

• Cajun – Cajun cuisine isn’t afraid to pair shrimp with sweet flavors.

• Seafood – It’s hard to find a seafood restaurant without coconut shrimp these days!

So if you love those cuisines, look specifically for those restaurant types to increase your chances of finding tasty coconut shrimp.

Trying Coconut Shrimp Hotspots

Based on reviews and recommendations, here are some top cities across America known for exceptional coconut shrimp:

• Los Angeles, CA
• New Orleans, LA
• Las Vegas, NV
• San Diego, CA
• Miami, FL
• Honolulu, HI
• New York, NY
• Chicago, IL

With coconut shrimp so prevalent on menus these days, most US cities have multiple restaurants preparing stellar versions. But the destinations above seem to shine when it comes to serving up crave-worthy coconut shrimp according to foodies.

Cooking Coconut Shrimp at Home

Rather than dining out, whipping up coconut shrimp at home lets you control the recipe and tailor it to your preferences. Here are some easy steps for homemade coconut shrimp:

• Buy raw jumbo shrimp and peel/devein them
• Set up breading station – flour, egg wash, coconut/breadcrumb mixture
• Coat shrimp in flour, dip in egg wash, then press into coconut mixture
• Fry or bake until shrimp are opaque and coating is crispy
• Make piña colada dipping sauce with pineapple juice and coconut cream
• Enjoy immediately for maximum crispness

Homemade allows you to use fresh, quality ingredients. And you can experiment with alternate coatings like almond flour or panko.

Bonus Places to Find Coconut Shrimp

Beyond restaurants, here are a couple unexpected places you may encounter tasty coconut shrimp:

• Food trucks – Some food trucks serve up coconut shrimp po’ boy sandwiches or tacos using the popular appetizer topping.

• Frozen aisles – Check freezer sections for convenient bags of pre-breaded frozen coconut shrimp you can quickly sauté or air fry at home.

So don’t limit your search to just sit-down restaurants. Think outside the box for other potential sources of satisfying coconut shrimp!

Satisfying Your Coconut Shrimp Craving

Coconut shrimp has become so popular that most cities have multiple dining spots preparing the dish. By harnessing the power of reviews, online menus, telltale restaurant signs, and cuisine types, tracking down the best coconut shrimp in your area is totally doable.

And seafood markets make grabbing the ingredients for homemade coconut shrimp a breeze. Either way, get ready to enjoy the irresistible flavors and textures of crispy coconut shrimp in all its glory! Just be prepared for these coconut-crusted bites to disappear fast whenever you whip up a batch.