Restaurants Near the Freshest Seafood: Where to Go and Why It's Important
While you can get "fresh" seafood just about anywhere, the freshest seafood is the stuff that is caught and served in the same day. If you are not in-the-know, there are certain states where you should go for specific fresh seafood items. If you want it absolutely fresh, not more than eight hours old, here are the states to go to for specific seafood items.
Maine for Lobster
More lobster is caught off the coast of Maine than any other state. It is also the number one requested seafood menu item by both Maine residents and tourists because it is the freshest lobster you will ever eat. There are also three kinds of lobster caught and served in Maine restaurants, so be sure to order one of each kind if you visit.
Alaska for Snow Crab
This massive crab, which closely resembles a giant spider rather than a crab, is caught off the coast of Alaska in the Bering sea. It is called snow crab because it is harvested in the most frozen of waters with ice floes surrounding the fishing boats. Its tough crustacean shell has to be cracked open with shell crackers before you can get to the delicious, sweet crab meat inside. The legs can be served by themselves, or you can order the whole crab while dining in restaurants near the Alaskan coast.
The Great Lakes States for Walleye, Yellow Perch, Freshwater Salmon and Lake Trout
All four of these tasty freshwater fish are served in fish fries along the coasts of the Great Lakes. Make sure you dine in a restaurant on the water and request the "fresh catch of the day" to get the best fish. Many of these lake fish can be enjoyed all year, but they are best when they are harvested during spawning season.
Florida for Red Snapper
Red snapper fish are lightly salty, delicate fish that lends itself well to many recipes. As Florida's favorite food fish, you can find red snapper on almost all of Florida's menus, including Tony Roma's in Orlando. As with other fresh-caught fish, it is best sampled close to the area where it was caught. Ask the waiter or waitress if the snapper came from the local fish market that morning, or if it is frozen. You will want to sample the fresh fish market purchases and not the frozen fish, regardless of how the restaurant came about the frozen red snapper.