8 seafood shacks and fish markets to visit this summer at the Shore
What would the Jersey Shore be without seafood?
From shacks serving fried clam strips and lobster rolls to markets stocked with the catch of fishermen who have been fishing local waters for decades, there are plenty of options for seafood lovers.
Whether you want to eat at a restaurant where the fish is so fresh it was swimming this morning, or you want to bring seafood home to cook, these seafood shacks and markets have you covered.
Ahearn's Seafood Market, Waretown
For the last 60 years, this hometown seafood market has served locally caught shrimp, clams and scallops straight from the boat. It also serves fresh filets of cod, local flounder, mahi-mahi, farm-raised and organic salmon, swordfish and more.
The market has a frozen selection, too, including king crab, octopus and coconut shrimp. If you want prepared dishes to take home, try the lobster macaroni and cheese, or shareable platters of lobster tail and cocktail shrimp.
Go: 158 Wells Mills Road; 609-693-3486, ahearnsseafoodmarket.com.
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Blacky's Clam Stand, Stafford
This spot sells one thing and one thing only: clams. And according to locals, they're the best.
This tiny shack, perched along Bay Avenue near miles of bay salt flats, has been the go-to for LBI-area visitors for decades. Don't let its weathered appearance fool you: Blacky's sells some of the freshest clams for an unbeatable price ($45 for 100, and around $5 for a dozen; prices may change).
The stand opens at 10 a.m., but get there sooner rather than later because clams are first come, first served. Blacky's is usually closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Go: 1128 East Bay Ave.; 609-597-4260.
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Cassidy's Fish Market, Barnegat Light
Viking Village Inc. is the commercial fishing operation that supplies the fish market, bringing in scallops, flounder, bass, tuna and more depending on season and conditions. Product quantities are updated on the market's website regularly.
Go: 1801 Bayview Ave.; 609-494-8140, cassidysfishmarket.com.
Cottrell's Seafood & Take Out, Waretown
"From our boat to your table."
That's the motto at Cottrell's, and it's earned the market a cult following.
Known for cuts of fish that will melt in your mouth, like cod and salmon, plus chowders and fried seafood baskets of crab cakes and scallops, there's something for every seafood lover here.
Go: 94 Main St.; 609-693-4052.
Crabby Rick's Shore Shack, Normandy Beach
This classic Jersey Shore fried seafood shack is a "blink and you'll miss it" kind of place with beachy ambience and outdoor seating.
"The whole vibe at Crabby Rick’s feels more like you are hanging out at a friend’s beach house who happens to be cooking up some delicious seafood," reads the restaurant's website.
Try a blackened fish sandwich with spices and tartar sauce, fried clams with tartar sauce, popcorn rock shrimp with surf sauce, or fish or shrimp tacos with tomatoes, cilantro and slaw.
Go: 3626 Route 35 North, Normandy Beach section of Toms River; 732-830-0700, crabbyricks.com.
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Jody and Jodee's Fishery, Neptune
This family-owned and operated fishery was established in 1976 and sells a variety of products based around locally sourced seafood.
"Most of our fish is local, caught either off of our boat, the XTC out of Belmar, or from other local fishermen in South Jersey," owner Jodee DiStasio said in a previous interview. "The tuna, mahi-mahi, bluefish and sea bass come off of our boat, but the shellfish often comes from local fishermen in the Barnegat area."
Fresh fish can be brought home, but the fishery also has a variety of steamed and fried seafood meals available for takeout, including soft shell crab and Cajun catfish sandwiches, steamed Old Bay shrimp, and a fisherman's combo with breaded and fried flounder, shrimp, scallops and whole belly clams with french fries, housemade coleslaw, lemon and sauces.
Other highlights include custom-made party platters and in-house smoked salmon.
Go: 223 Route 35 South; 732-775-2718, jodysfishery.com.
Keyport Fishery, Keyport
According to its website, this fishery originally known as "Wilson's" opened in 1936. Some still know it as Wilson's, and while there have been many owners, one thing hasn't changed: the fresh seafood.
Keyport Fishery is another market and restaurant all-in-one, serving fresh catches like grouper, American red snapper, flounder and swordfish daily. Chowders and fried seafood platters are available, too.
Go: 150 W. Front St.; 732-264-9723, keyportfishery.com.
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Skippers Seafood and Sea Dogs Grille, Barnegat
This seafood shack is perched along Route 72, among the pines of New Jersey's Pine Barrens.
On one side is Skippers Seafood market, known for fresh scallops, clams, crabs, flounder, seafood dips and other items to take home, like their melt-in-your-mouth Key lime pie.
On the other side of the parking lot is Sea Dogs Grille, a small restaurant serving lobster rolls, a panko-breaded citrus grouper sandwich with lemon, lime and citrus mayo; raw bar options like clams and oysters; and baskets of jumbo butterflied coconut shrimp with fries, coleslaw, corn on the cob and corn bread.
Go: 647 Route 72; 609-698-4430, skippersseafoodmarketnj.com.
Sarah Griesemer and Pari Walter contributed to this story.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA Today Network New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore seafood shacks and markets to visit this summer
