Fried fish is a delicious, juicy treat that can really satisfy a seafood craving. But where are the best places to go when you’re looking to buy some tasty fried fish? In this article, I’ll share my top recommendations for getting your hands on the crispiest, crunchiest fried fish in town.
Local Seafood Restaurants
One of my favorite places to buy fried fish is local seafood restaurants. These types of restaurants often specialize in frying up fresh catches of fish with light and crispy breadings. Here are some top local seafood spots to check out
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Ford’s Fish Shack – This popular local chain is known for its wide selection of fried fish baskets and platters, Everything comes out piping hot and super crunchy,
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Talk of the Mountain Crab Cakes – In addition to crab cakes, this spot makes fabulous jumbo fried shrimp with a great crunch.
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Skrimp Shack – True to its name, this casual eatery serves up delectable fried shrimp along with fish options like catfish and flounder.
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Hawk & Griffin – An English-style pub that nails the fish and chips with tender fish inside a crispy beer batter outer shell.
The hands-on attention at local restaurants results in fried fish that stays extra crispy and never gets soggy. Support these local businesses for your fix.
Seafood Markets
Don’t overlook seafood markets and fishmongers when looking for places to buy fried fish. Many will bread and fry fish fresh while you wait or have pre-fried options ready to take home. Here are some top seafood markets for fried fish:
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Ocean City Seafood – An expansive fish market with a wide fried seafood menu including shrimp, catfish, oysters and more.
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Sunny’s Seafood & Deli – Grab fried whiting, salmon patties and shrimp at this market’s deli counter.
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Today’s Catch Seafood – Get fried fish platters along with homemade side dishes like mac and cheese.
The fish at seafood markets is super fresh, leading to delectable fried creations. Ask what was caught recently for the tastiest picks.
Food Trucks
Food trucks are expanding their menus beyond burgers and tacos. Look for seafood trucks in your area dishing out crispy fried fish on the go. A few to look out for:
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Fisher of Men – This roving food truck is known for fish tacos but also sells fried fish sandwiches and baskets.
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A Southern Fish Fry – Get Southern favorites like fried catfish and hushpuppies from this truck.
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Island Fin Poke – Known for Hawaiian poke bowls but also whips up fried coconut shrimp and wontons.
Food trucks are a fun way to sample fried fish and you can follow their social media to find current locations.
Grocery Store Seafood Counters
Don’t overlook the seafood counter at your local grocery store when craving fried fish. Many now bread and fry fish and shrimp fresh. My top grocery stores for fried fish:
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Giant Eagle – Large selection of fried fish like cod, tilapia and walleye sold by the piece or platter.
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Wegmans – Extensive seafood bar with sushi-grade fried fish options and jumbo shrimp.
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Harris Teeter – Fried flounder, mahi mahi and shrimp available at the seafood counter and prepared foods.
Grocery store fish counters offer convenience and affordable prices. Swing by to see their daily offerings.
Best Types of Fried Fish to Buy
Now that you know the best places to buy it, here are some of my favorite types of fried fish to look for:
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Cod – Pacific cod is a white, flaky fish that fries up tender and mild. Atlantic cod makes great fish and chips.
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Catfish – Farm-raised catfish has a sweet, mild taste. A Southern favorite!
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Flounder – This flatfish has a delicate texture that stays moist inside a crispy coating.
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Mahi mahi – Also called dolphinfish, the lean flesh of mahi mahi fries up firm yet flaky.
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Shrimp – Large shrimp like Gulf and jumbo retain their plump juiciness when fried.
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Oysters – Smaller oysters like Blue Point fry into delicious salty, briny bites.
Try some of these top-rated fried fish types on your quest for maximum crunch and flavor.
What Makes the Best Fried Fish?
When buying fried fish, what qualities should you look for to ensure excellence? Here are the tell-tale signs of great fried fish:
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Color – The coating should be golden brown, not pale or dark. This indicates proper frying time.
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Crunch – Listen for an audible crunch when you bite in. The coating should shatter, not bend.
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Texture – The fish inside should be moist and flaky, not soggy or dried out.
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Light breading – A thin, crispy layer of coating allows the fish flavor to shine.
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Temperature – It should be served hot and crisp, not room temperature or soggy.
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Freshness – The fish itself should smell ocean-y, not fishy or ammonia-like.
Seeking out fried fish with these ideal qualities will lead you to the best eats. Don’t settle for limp, greasy fish!
Tips for Keeping Fried Fish Crispy
It’s so disappointing when you bring home fried fish only to have it get soggy and limp. Here are my tips for keeping your fried fish crispy:
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Eat it immediately if possible. The longer it sits, the faster it loses crunch.
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Request your fried fish be packaged without sauce or moisture. Sauce can make the coating soggy.
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Transport it home in a paper bag, not wrapped in plastic or styrofoam. Paper allows moisture to escape.
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Keep fried seafood separate from other wet or saucy items. Nearby moisture causes steam which softens the crispy coating.
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Re-crisp it at home briefly in a 400°F oven if needed. Just 2-3 minutes should revive the crunch.
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Enjoy your leftover fried fish the next day tossed into a salad, taco or pasta. The flavors still pop!
With proper handling, you can extend that coveted crispy crunch for at least a little while.
Healthy Alternatives for Fried Fish
If you’re looking for healthier alternatives to enjoy that fried fish flavor, you have options! Here are some of my favorite ways to lighten it up:
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Oven “fried” fish – Coat in crispy panko breadcrumbs and bake at 450°F instead of deep frying.
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Grilled fish tacos – Get smoky charred flavor by grilling marinated fish like mahi mahi or tilapia.
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Crispy fish sticks – Buy pre-made frozen fish sticks and bake or air fry instead of frying.
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Broiled fish sandwich – Top a broiled white fish fillet with tartar sauce and lettuce for a lighter sandwich.
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Ceviche – “Cook” raw fish like halibut in citrus juice for a refreshing marinated dish.
You can definitely satisfy a fried fish craving without all the added grease and calories. Give these healthier techniques a try!
The Takeaway on Buying Fried Fish
