10 Markets In Delaware Where You Can Buy Seafood Straight Off The Boat
By Kim Magaraci|Published August 27, 2016
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Kim Magaraci
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Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
The Delaware Bay is famous for its oysters and blue crabs, and with over 100 miles of coastline, Delaware’s watermen are skilled at finding the best of the best in the bay and in the ocean. That’s why local Delaware seafood is sort of a state treasure – because we know that our hardworking Delawareans are out there on the water bringing in some of the freshest seafood on the east coast. We’re a spoiled group of people, because not only are there waterfront and dockside restaurants where we can enjoy fresh seafood, but we’ve also got access to plenty of seafood markets in Delaware where you can buy seafood that’s come in same day.
Most of these seafood markets also sell frozen food from around the country, although that’s not true for all of them. A majority will steam your crabs for you for free, so if you’re looking to get dinner on the table quickly, they’re safe bets. These places are all in different areas of the state and they’ve all got different stories behind them, but they’ve all got one thing in common: they sell local Delaware seafood, and they only sell the best of the best.
Local Delaware seafood lives on at Bailey's which has been a part of Frankford for decades. You can pick up freshly caught Delaware crabs here, either live or steamed.
Tom and Terry's Seafood Market has been a family owned operation for over 30 years. Stopping by for locally caught fish is always a great decision. Local Delaware seafood is always delicious when it comes from Tom and Terry's.
Many people stop at Pleasanton's on their way home from the beaches, so it's always busy in the summer. Get fresh crabs here any day - and rest assured that they're straight out of the Delaware or Chesapeake Bay.
Crab Connection's waterman, Bobby, heads out on the water every day to bring in fresh crabs for this Little Creek spot. You can call ahead and place your order - otherwise, it's first come, first served. They'll sell hardshell or softshell crabs live or steamed, and you can also grab peelers, shrimp and clams.
Wiso's specializes in fresh blue claw crabs - live or steamed. They also feature clean crabs, garlic crabs, shrimp, clams, lobster tail, king crab, dungeness crab, snow crab, mussels and scallops, if you're really looking to do it up. If you're not in the mood to cook, you can pick up fresh, homemade jumbo lump crabcakes, stuffed shrimp, softshells and soups, too. Wiso's is a great one-stop-shop for local Delaware seafood.
The Salty Wave has a great selection of fresh seafood, including live crabs. Because they're owned by the wholesale supplier OC Fish Co, most of their crabs are Maryland Blue Crabs that come in regularly from fishermen on the Chesapeake Bay. You don't get much fresher than that!
Fresh crabs straight from Delaware Bay crabbers is what you'll always find at Crab 73 in Townsend. They specialize in local Delaware seafood and have great connections to local crabbers. You'll also find peelers, shrimp, clams and more at Crab 73.
Local Delaware crabs and shellfish are available at Copp's, which is sort of a Lewes locals' secret seafood market. Because it's a little bit off of the beaten path, you'll find a great selection of large crabs and great prices, before they've been picked over.
Hook 'em is an Indian River Marina landmark, and nearly every fisherman's first stop for tackle and bait. What many people don't realize is that they've got fresh local seafood seasonally. Turns out, there are perks to being the bait supplier to a huge number of Delaware fishermen.
39401 Inlet Rd Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
If you don’t feel like cooking but you still want some high quality Delaware seafood, check out our Best Seafood in Delaware roundup and choose to make reservations instead of dinner tonight.
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