- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Maine Avenue Fish Market
Categories: Food Specialty Food Seafood Markets Restaurants Seafood Seafood Markets, Seafood [Edit]
1100 Maine Ave SWWashington, DC 20024
(202) 484-2722
- Nearest Transit:
-
L'enfant Plaza Metro Station (Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow)
Smithsonian Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Mitch G. said: "I am pretty picky about my Chinese. For the DC area, I think I am gonna go with this one because they offer speedy delivery in the 10 mile radius and they are thoughtful when you order. Their Manchurian chicken is not for those…" read more »
182 reviews for Maine Avenue Fish Market
Review Highlights
"The crabs were juicy and flavorful."
(in 71 reviews)
"raw oysters 6 for $6 @ Captain White's."
(in 10 reviews)
"Jimmy's Grill has crab cakes to DIE FOR."
(in 5 reviews)
Loading...
182 reviews in English
-
Review from Rob P.
1/10/2012
By the time someone tells me they've been living in DC for X number of years and have never been to the Maine Avenue Fish Market, my palm is already squarely in my forehead. This is a rare DC gem that I remind myself about when I'm frustrated with all that's wrong with this city.
Even though this is a skip and a jump from the National Mall, you do have to walk under the creepy 395 bridge and through the urban wasteland that is L'Enfant Plaza, so it's a rarity to see a lot of tourists here. I'm not complaining about that...
The selection here is truly excellent. You can buy nearly anything that comes out of the sea. Prices are reasonable, though I haven't noticed a huge variation between vendors. You can often find better sales at the supermarket, but frankly, the quality simply won't match what you'll find here.
I've never ordered anything cooked here. These guys look like they know how to catch things from the sea, they don't look quite so competent in cooking them well. -
Review from Annie S.
San Antonio, TX
2/8/2012
I grew up by the coast so seafood is my life. After moving to Texas, the sight of fresh shellfish and other types of seafood all disappeared. I was so excited to find this market when the boy and I were visiting for the weekend.
The seafood here is so fresh and the price is beyond reasonable. They cook the seafood right in front of you. We got tons of blue crabs and sides. If I am ever back in town again, this definitely will be the spot I visit first :) -
Review from Ali H.
2/1/2012
Delicious, fresh seafood at bargain prices! I came here to get lunch on a particularly balmy January day and left with a tummy full of perfectly seasoned cooked crab and shrimp. The downside was the extremely uncomfortable nature of being a single woman wandering around looking at fish whilst tens of men yell at you from every vendor. "Hey Lady! Come over here! I'll get you whatever you want!!" It felt like wearing a "tourist" sign whilst walking around the shopping district in Tijuana. Not my cup of tea. I'd definitely come back here the next time I'm in DC, but if I'm alone I'd head straight to cooked-food vendor (less socially stressful), or take some friends with me before venturing into the fresh market area.
Either way, great food. Not a lot of places to sit and eat it, but there is a little park area a 10 minute walk away. -
Review from Mandy A.
12/5/2011
This place is nuts. We walked from the Jefferson Memorial and tried not to look too touristy. I'm sure we stuck out like a big effing sore thumb but no one ran us out of the place or anything. We walked out from under the viaduct and saw the big first market and I was confused and rattled and my mom and husband just wanted to eat. I didn't want to pull out my phone like a big dork because these people were hardcore and were giving me the hairy eye.
After asking about crab and fried shrimp, we were directed around the corner to a long line from a window. We kept walking and found Captain White's. Husband got sick of our indecisiveness and ordered a platter of fried shrimp, fries and mac and cheese. I stole some of all of that and it was great.
Mom and I hovered by the crabs until a very nice guy named Tony (I think) caught my eye and generously helped us out. I told him I had no idea what I was doing and he said he'd take care of me. He threw a half dozen female crabs in a basket and steamed them for us with the old bay seasoning. Threw those all in a big paper bag and handed us a mallet and told us to have fun.
It was about this time, my mom and I realized we had no idea how to actually eat a whole crab. Much hammering and swearing and bleeding later, we got to the good stuff. It was delicious but way too much work. I still recommend it for the atmosphere and the experience but maybe husband had it right going for the fried shrimp. Oh and our "half dozen" was really eight crabs for $7. Can't beat that with a stick. Or a mallet.Listed in: 48 hours in Washington DC
-
Review from Mike B.
12/17/2011
Good stuff is to be found here. Unfortunately some pretty shoddy tasting sandy oysters from one of the vendors selling "cooked" food was also to be had.
Mountainous half pound of jumbo shrimp were good, but as with anything you order here, you have to work your way through the shells.
Steamed corn was meh, $2 an ear and it was super-meh.
The Cevice was excellent, and as someone else mentioned, the highlight of the market. I also tried a stuffed crab, it was good but had gone cold pretty quick. -
Review from Kelly Y.
11/15/2011
I have been to DC a total of 5 times. Just when I think I have seen all of DC, this 5th time manages to surprise me again about DC. I finally found The Fish Market! As someone who lives in landlocked middle America, the sight of a real seafood market just makes me jump for joy! And I am not disappointed when I get closer, either! Everything is fresh as can be; the prices are good, too! And what did I say about food served in a styrofoam box? Even better! I did not think anyone could make fried headless, shell-less shrimp good, but one taste has me getting my own order and finishing it. Then comes the steamed crabs. Oh, I was so happy to stand there( no chairs!) next to the river by the long tables and digging crab meat out of the shells.
My only disappointment is I cannot, cannot bring some back to the hotel and cook it for later! -
Review from Chris W.
Springfield, VA
12/29/2011
Great variety of seafood available- all varieties of crab, shrimp and whole fish. Reasonable prices and prepared the way you need it! Parking is tough...
-
Review from Alex K.
Pleasanton, CA
11/16/2011
I had an awesome experience coming here even in their off season. This was where Anthony Bourdain ate the crabs at the market.
At Jessie Taylor's I had steamed crabs, raw oysters and clams. All of it was delicious, except maybe a little fishiness from the clams. If you can, ask for the female crabs because they taste way better than the male ones. They also have roe! -
Review from James W.
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a wonderful place to pick up seafood, especially raw oysters. If you would like, they will basically cook anything you buy. In the search for repeat business, we got more than we ordered from both vendors we bought from. That's always nice. Crab was delicious, but a lot of work for how lazy I am. We didn't order it, but the fresh fish here looked appetizing too -especially the salmon fillets.
My chief complaint is that there isn't much, if any at all, seating for dining. We kicked it to the curb and ate crab, but some wooden picnic tables could be a big plus. -
Review from Linda T.
8/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cooked crabs: Get them at Captain White and have it cooked for you as it is complementary. Just leave a tip. Oh, and give yourself about 1 hour of waiting time for cooking the crabs. I know, they'll tell you it will only take 25 minutes but it's all lies! Good crabs though!
Parking: Brush up on those parallel parking skills because parking on the street is one of the best things you can do for yourself! Go into the parking lot and you may have to wait a bit longer to not only get in but also to leave. -
Review from Samuel C.
New York, NY
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
A true fish market in downtown D.C. I was looking forward to coming here the entire week to enjoy some seafood but was sorely disappointed this time around. I've been here several different times, in the middle of the winter, summer time, spring and fall. For some reason this time around, it wasn't a great experience for me.
First I had a dozen oysters that weren't cleaned well. Ruined my oyster experience and I love oysters. I got this from the area where you could stand and eat overlooking the water. Forgot the name of the stand that sold it but I bought a couple of other items just to give them a second chance. I ordered the maryland crab cakes which they nuked in the microwave and it wasn't even that hot. How do you mess this up?!?!? Put it in the microwave and make sure it's hot before you serve it to a customer. Another disappointment. Lastly the one redeeming food choice we had was king crab legs. You really can't go wrong with this and especially for the price. They just steamed it right there for us, put some old bay seasonings on it and it was that simple.
There is a small filipino bakery in the middle that has some of the best cakes I've ever had. If you stop by this market, make sure to get some cake for yourself later on. Your belly will thank you later.
I am curious though... all the stands make a lot of cooked crabs that they don't sell out completely at the end of the day... besides packing them up, freezing and storing them, how long do they keep this rotating out on the stands? -
Review from Albert A.
Hialeah, FL
11/16/2011
For those that happen to visit DC, please make it a point to stop in and visit this fish market that is on the river. Its a rather long walk after you been sightseeing, but a short cab ride for those who want to save their feet!
We visited this spectacular jewel of a find which reminded us a lot of Pikes Market in Seattle but much much smaller. The seafood is as fresh as it gets. We stopped off and looked at all those offering the fresh catch and ended up stopping at Jimmys Grill to have the crab cake balls. (The Best of DC) and then to Capt White for the freshest oysters & clams. The shrimps are steamed and ready to go as well.
Didnt have an crab, but saw quite a few buy a few pounds and they serve it in a brown bag with corn (extra) and spices for you to eat there or take home.
Eating lows, there are no seats ( big -), but the view is great (big +) and worth it. We met up with a couple at Ebbitts Grill the night before which were not familiar of that place and found them here as well checking it out and he was estatic with the great choices.
I would tell you that this is another of those hole in the walls which must be visited and sampled. Oh yeah, all the shacks are on barges which are tied to the pier and the customers are on the pier itself.
Enjoy! -
Review from Jelila M.
7/18/2011 1 photo
I've been coming here since I was a kid for fresh fish and crabs, and it's been pretty much the same as always - really crowded, noisy, smelly, with lots of good seafood. They have great prices on various sizes of shrimp, live blue crabs, clams, oysters, more types of fish than I have ever seen, and other seafood (for example this past weekend, live blue crabs were about $14/dozen). You can also have the live crabs steamed for you right there while you wait.
The vendors also have prepared food and sides such as crab legs, steamed shrimp, crab cakes, raw oysters, fried chicken, corn, coleslaw, hush puppies, etc. One had several desserts and cakes that looked really good, although I haven't tried them. If you want to have your meal there, there is limited seating in the area, or you can take it a little ways east down Water street and eat at one of the benches or tables around.
Go early to get faster service and better selection (around noon or before). -
Review from Helena G.
Chicago, IL
7/23/2011 1 photo
The fish market is a cool place with lots of fresh crabs and oysters.
I bought some blue crabs and they steamed for us (poor guy he might have the worst job in the world... at least in the summer!!).
I loved this experience, but in my opinion the fish market has 2 big issues. One there is no place to seat. And the other is the pollution in the river with lots of plastic bottles in the water and the unpleasant smell. -
Review from Mac O.
San Diego, CA
9/1/2011
Mass confusion. Floating cook house, two lines for ordering only one has a sign that reads "order here" too bad if you failed to realize the shorter line was also available, hahaha!
All items are heaped together in a single container, hey no big deal if that was the only complaint but, these guys got three of the five items we ordered WRONG!! Warning... language barrier exists. I asked if there was any place to sit? The server said "yes... I think you can sit over there, pointing around the corner..." turns out ~~ he was wrong! The stand up and dine tables were inexplicably roped off!
Lots of people in line, for what looks like inexpensive food, but we never got to taste it, since I returned the food. Which, to their credit, was simple enough... I just wonder who finally got to eat that 5 pounds of battered stuff? hahaha... -
Review from Bill B.
Bellingham, MA
11/15/2011
I am from New England so I know good sea food and it perplexes me that this place gets good reviews. The clam chowder was a lumpy tasteless bowl of cream, the crab cakes not only had little or no crab, they were overlooked and dried out. My fried clams could pass for fish flavored pork rinds and to top it off the waitress had a massive attitude problem. Bad night? I don't know, but this place lost me.
-
Review from Jess C.
Washington, DC
3/29/2011 2 photos
It was a perfect Saturday morning at the maine ave fish market. After getting off a L'Enfant Plaza and walking towards the water for 5 minutes, we soon eyed at the Maine Ave Fish Market.
Now I know where to get my favorite freshly shucked oysters!! They were pretty big and fresh and tasted "clean." I enjoyed them very very very much.
3 oysters for $4
6 oysters for $7.
12 oysters for $13
Also enjoyed the strawberry lemonade for $2.50.
This place is frequented by a lot of locals, and it was a huge diverse crowd. Loved it! Order and then grab a table (standing only) inside the clear plastic tent, and enjoy your meal while looking at the water.
At first, I couldn't decide which vendor to go to, but honestly, it all seemed the same, and the prices were all the same too. So I would just go to one who seem the nicest, like the one man even gave me a free crab to try out; it totally made my day. -
Review from Candace Y.
Elk Grove, CA
4/26/2011
I heard about this place on Yelp and ~had~ to check it out while I was visiting DC.
The walk from the Metro station is not bad. You really shouldn't drive, because finding parking would be a nightmare! When we went, there was a traffic jam of cars trying to get in.
Once you get up to the seafood stalls, there will be a crowd of people all hungry from seafood ahead of you. Waiting in line to order can be trying, but it is all worth it if you love good seafood.
We tried the variety platter of seafood, with scallops, fish filets (large!), shrimp, hush puppies, and cole slaw. We also got an order of the fish and shrimp ceviche.
The scallops were meaty and tender and delicious! The fish was good, and the shrimp was good. The cole slaw was pretty bland, and the hush puppies? Well, we ended up feeding those to the seagulls.
The ceviche was the hands-down winner for the meal, however. There were big pieces of shrimp and fish. The combination of fresh chopped ingredients made it all spicy and refreshing without any peppers.
Very, very tasty! -
Review from Heather T.
State College, PA
5/17/2011
I'm pretty sure this is the place my friends brought me to when I was being a tourist in the area. Although when I went there I only got a soft shell crab sandwich at one of the stalls but it was absolutely amazing! For about $13 I got about 2.5 soft shell crabs (more like 3). It was definitely worth it. It's a great place to get fresh seafood to either bring back home to cook, or have them cook it for you.
I can't wait to go back and try the other food they offer. -
Review from Arlin B.
3/4/2011 2 photos
A friend told me about this place ~ The Maine Ave Fish Market, that is a must stop by while in DC. It was fantastic! There were several vendors and they all had most of the same fresh shell fish to choose from but they offered different fresh fish options based on what they caught earlier that day. Their prices were cheap compared to fish markets on the West Coast.
Most of the vendors offered cooked seafood as well as fresh. There were long lines waiting to order fresh cooked shrimp and crab, but it was the huge fresh oysters that made my day while visiting the fish market! They were delish! I sampled oysters, shrimp, crab and fish from at least five different vendors. The flavors were different at each stop ~ very good to excellent.
Because the lines are so long, you need to be strategic with your visit and scope out which vendor you want to visit first. As you wait in line take the opportunity to meet new people you don't know and watch the crowds as they shift from vendor to vendor. You will discover the people you don't know waiting in line are very friendly and eager to chat with you. You will also discover the crowds tend to move in sequence together from left to right. Take the opportunity to move into an area after the mob moves on to another vendor.
I had a great time, ate lots of fresh sea food and looking forward to my return trip! -
Review from A T.
Washington, DC
6/3/2011
Ohmygoodness. Lots of snapping fresh crabs and fish and oysters and lines that are 3 deep with people jostling to get their orders in. It's confusing and hectic and a whole lot of fun! Get your seafood to go, or eat it there at one of the counters facing the water. Nothing beats watching the sun set as you gnaw on fresh crabs, juice dripping down your chin.
Do note that parking is limited. Your best bet is to Metro it to L'Enfant and walk over. -
Review from Linda K.
Arlington, VA
3/8/2011
This place is AWESOME for oysters when in season, crab balls (at Jimmy's), and most of all -- the freshly steamed blue crabs! Most of the seafood is saline-injected crap trucked in, but would serve just fine if one is going to be boiling/frying en masse with heavy sauces or seasonings. But everything else takes second place to crabs and beer. I LOVE CRABS AND BEER!
I'd advise consumers to be informed, aggressive, and selective. Otherwise, your oblivious, meek, sissy ass is going to get taken for a ride. -
Review from Peter C.
Whenever it gets warm in DC I usually make a trip out here to get some fresh steamed crabs! It's so fresh and they make it to order. You can order anywhere from a dozen up to the bushels. There's also an area where you can stand around and eat it all right there. They serve all tons of seafood such as oysters, crawfish, crabcake sandwiches and many many others. You can order food to eat, as well as seafood to cook at home. It's great!
It does get packed though but it's sooo worth it in my opinion. I can't wait to go back this year! -
Review from Ali A.
Arlington, VA
4/15/2011
Having worked downtown for several years, I thought I had eaten at every restaurant/deli worth mentioning. This place is truly a hidden gem. Upon arriving at the hectic parking I felt as though I had dug through the cooler at a barbecue ten times, only to find a lone beer upon scouring it's contents one last time.
The walk from downtown is pleasant and brisk with only one semi dangerous road crossing. There are a number of options in terms of the food, but honestly just check this place out. It is a ton of fun to browse the ichtyoid offerings and then dine on everything fried. There is ample space to eat on location with a great view of the Potomac. it is perfect for a long lunch on the weekend after spending your morning at the museums or monuments. -
Review from Kara R.
1/13/2011
Fresh shucked, delicious, huge oysters for only about $1 each, and all the crab you can eat for pretty decent prices. It's the freshest, best seafood I have had since moving to the East Coast.
In true East Coast fashion, the oysters were HUGE, and a great deal. The Dungeness Crab was less of a good deal because it isn't really found in the area - much better on the West Coast - and was all pre-cooked. All was made up for in my first blue crab experience. I prefer Dungeness or King Crab overall, but these little guys were fresh, cheap, and amazing.
Walking distance from the Jefferson Memorial, it makes for a really nice stop on a DC walking tour. It was nice that Dana and I didn't have to worry as much about parking this way. And it seemed like there weren't too many tourists, which was nice after walking around the monuments all day.
My only complaint is that if you get the shellfish cooked for you, it can be a little overcooked. My Asian roots prefer undercooked seafood to overcooked, and so I was a little sad when my crab was firmer than I'd like and sticking in the shell. Small potatoes, really, as it was the first time I'd had it in a while. There's also prepared foods, like crab cakes, which Dana had and loved.
Something for everyone, including Anthony Bourdain, who did a show here a while ago. Totally worth it to follow in his footsteps, but also for a delicious, cheap meal. -
Review from Park W.
New York, NY
5/3/2011
This review is based on one visit (April 2011).
My brother has been talking about this place for months, and I never expected much from it until I went. It's a great place to go with a group of people, as it is fun to select your food, wait to have it prepared, and then stand or sit outside along the river while enjoying your eats. Also, you can sample more things if you order as a group.
Some tips: it definitely helps to have a female do the ordering. Keep your receipts handy, since you have to hand it to the man who steams your food for free. Remember to tip the person who steams your food!
I tried a whole bunch of things, but my favorites are: sea scallops, lobster shrimp, clam chowder, strawberry lemonade. I suggest not getting your seafood seasoned-- have them steam your seafood and add your own salt or pepper. -
Review from Elina Y.
Washington, DC
1/9/2011 2 photos
The spicy smell of Old Bay, the crackling sound of scorching hot deep fryers and fresh oysters nestled under a hint of lemon and hot sauce.....
I"m positive heaven has seafood like this. Its just GOTS TO.
Been here time and time ago. Ever since I was a toddler, my dad would come here and pick up a big ol' bushel of crabs.
The ONLY reason why 4 and not 5 stars?
See the lobster photo I added? That juicy, succulent piece of meat TOOK FOREVER to get after we placed an order. What exactly is "forever"? Maybe I'm over exaggerating? NO. I AM NOT. It was not a weekend and not even peak lunch/dinner time. There was no ridiculous crowd or line. After being patient and waiting about 35 minutes, knowing it was being steamed, we finally asked how much longer. They said "Soon".
"Soon" could mean 10 mins, 20 mins... But really? Another 30 mins?
But I didn't want to leave and I was reeeeeeeeeeeeeally looking forward to the lobster and it was reaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllly incredibly hot and delicious and so worth the longest wait of my life for freshly steamed lobster.
Please don't anger a hungry little asian girl, it could get bad for a lot of people. -
Review from Linda C.
Arlington, VA
I'm surprised how few people know about this place. This is a fantastic outdoor fish and seafood market. Go for fresh shrimp, fish, clams. There are several vendors that sell cooked crabs with plenty of Old Bay!
-
Review from Robert S.
Washington D.C., DC
1/4/2011
Walking along the water, surveying the fish I am reminded of home. On a warm summer day when the aura of seafood, people and car exhaust blends together into a cocktail of scents - I am home. There's always something new to see on each visit. There's always something new to eat on each visit. There's always someone new to meet on each visit.
Home. I miss the working docks from where I came and often think of my father and uncles working as these people did selling the day's catch. It's a labor of love, a labor of back breaking pain that some like my father and uncle can never leave.
I am home when I walk among the strangers, finding friendly faces in fish brought in from far away places. Let your senses flow and be stimulated by all that is around you here at this market. This is a wonderful place for a sometimes cold and impersonal city. -
Review from Jon N.
Garden Grove, CA
10/12/2010 1 photo
If you're not sure which vendor to go too just go to one with a huge crowd, hahaha.
FRESHLY SHUCKED OYSTERS FTWWWW
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Last time I was here was about 12-13 years ago when I was visiting the East Coast. I can pretty much say that it's the same. Everyone's fighting for parking, it's crowded as hell, and each vendor looks pretty much the same as the next.... but it's THE PLACE to get seafood in the area.
While waiting in line most of the people were surprisingly friendly. I struck up a conversation with several people while waiting in line. They seemed to just be happy to get their hands on some quality seafood at "reasonable" prices.
You can't tell from the pictures but all of the booths/vendors here are docked ships. Yes, the "store" is rocking back and forth because it's really a boat. It's like a food truck but a lot more extreme.
Maine Avenue Fish Market - 93+ Points -
Review from Lisa R.
7/16/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Dirty and delicious, come here to get your street vendor freshly shucked oysters (or raw clams, if you're into that kind of thing), and super yum yum clam chowda to go. Parking IN the lot is terrible, and getting out is nearly impossible with all the foot traffic and free range children, so I recommend parking on the street and grabbing the first spot you can find (I cheated, I have a smart car, in your face!)
P.S. - Most vendors accept food stamp debit cards!
P.P.S. - D.C. Issues food stamp debit cards. -
Review from Steven P.
Washington, DC
7/27/2011
Cheap fresh live crabs. Stumbled upon this place in the Spring looking for the Tidal Basin. Great find. There are a number of vendors, some busier than others.
Avoid the places that sell pre-steamed seafood; you don't know how long they've been sitting there. I went to the vendor to the right of all the busy stuff. It's the one that has a sign that warns you something approximating "no ticket, no food."
Get live crabs. Tell them how many you want, and have them steam it. I asked for 1/2 a dozen and got 8 medium females because two just wouldn't let go. $7 bucks for a brown paper bag full of delicious seasoned steamed crab--good enough for 2 people. They don't scrub the crabs before steaming, however, so that may turn some people away. Anyhow, I'm not sure that other vendors do. -
Review from Paola G.
9/22/2010
When in the mood for seafood, and when Im not too lazy to drive I always go get fresh fish from the DC market, especially on Saturday morning and Sunday at noon.
While im buying my seafood I love to get the clamchowder soup and a big tray of fried shrimp. I forgot the name of the exact kiosk, but you will notice it bc its always packed.
They have crabs and Shrimp in sizes you never knew existed. lol
(far end on the right of Captain white I think) -
Review from Jon L.
Washington, DC
5/19/2010
Really? Four and a half stars on 101 reviews and nary a dissenter among them?
I suspect it may be an utter lack of character elsewhere in the city that makes the stench of this place come across as "charming." The fish market is a bunch of stalls all selling the exact same products (shrimp and crabs, shrimp and crabs) sunk into a concrete hole underneath an overpass. Traffic driving to it is a mess, parking is abominable, the layout of the place is chaos, and the prepared foods (crabcakes, bisque, etc) are mildly overpriced and only okay.
What am I missing? Does everyone else actually love this place, or do they just not know better? Maybe the fish stench in the thick sticky heat of a humid summer day spent on asphalt makes people goofy? What is it?
As a friend pointed out, if you want fresh fish go to Whole Foods where you know the quality is good and the selection is big - just because the fish market is next to the water doesn't mean the fish just came out of it. -
Review from Lia M.
8/10/2010 1 Check-in Here
I loved this place! We enjoyed a perfect summer Saturday afternoon here, eating crabs (for the first time ever), watching the planes land, and relaxing. I really liked the crabs, especially with the Old Bay seasoning.
I was a little overwhelmed at first, but slowly took it all in and figured out what to do. We went after lunch time, and it was not so crowded. Easily found street parking (lucky) and ate a ton of crabs. Did not buy any fish, but will come back & check out more items. Though others have mentioned a bad smell, I did not find the smell super strong.Listed in: I see you lookin', baby,…, Tony, I love you!
-
Review from Minh D.
8/4/2010
Found this place on a DC trip. It's kinda hidden, messy, and parking sucks. They sell fresh seafood and also have stands that sell cooked foods. We came here for the cooked goods of course!
Ordered a crab cake sandwich and some crab soup. Both delicious! Being from the west coast, I love east coast seafood. The crab cake was fluffy and flavorful. Word of advice: Don't eat the crab soup on a 100 degree day! I was sweating double-time. However it was awesome. Prices are reasonable, maybe a little pricey.
There's no tables or a sitting area, we ended up eating on top of our car. But was it worth it? Yes. -
Review from Rob O.
Falls Church, VA
8/2/2011
I'm reviewing the fish market based only on my experiences purchasing live blue crabs. This place is outstanding. Take a cooler or two and have them pack the crabs on ice for you. The crabs I've purchased here have always been extremely fresh with outstanding flavor. They will even roll the coolers out to your car, which is a plus because sometimes you have to park far away and the crabs can be heavy.
-
Review from Jennifer X.
Rockville, MD
5/21/2011
Really cool place to check out in DC! Smells a little fishy, but if you like seafood it's really authentic and you can't beat the seasoning - my friend bought four packs of it!
-
Review from Deborah H.
New York, NY
4/26/2010
Why doesn't NYC have an open air seafood market?
*pouts*
Where the prices are great, selection is fresh, and people are friendly?
*shakes fist*
How is it even remotely possible that neither Porkchop nor I heard of this place until recently? We made our way over on the day of the Cherry Blossom Festival via bike and had an extremely pleasant experience: a dozen oysters for $12 (our guy actually gave us a couple extra) from Jessie Taylor's, blackened catfish (seasoned to perfection, though I saw the catfish is imported and farm raised), corn pudding (oh hallelujah), clam chowder (good but very rich), and a crab cake (deep-fried, but good) from Jimmy's. The wait for the ready made food was seriously ridiculous, but the owner put on the best show I've seen in awhile by entertaining his hungry guests and giving away an exorbitant amount of free food (like coconut cream and cherry pie, both delicious, drinks, sandwiches, chowder, etc).
There's plenty of seating along the wharf, assuming the weather is good.
I was seriously considering toting a few crabbies or fishies in my backpack but decided against it, considering we still had many activities before we'd see a refrigerator...
Biking here was tres easy, but I overheard people say that driving is a little trickier. -
Review from Christopher C.
Washington, DC
4/2/2010
It's no Tsukiji, that's for sure (or even Pike Place), but the Maine Ave Fish Market is fun none the less. Despite being located on barges on the Southwest waterfront, the fish itself is actually trucked in from Jessup, Maryland.
Good selection of whatever you're looking for: bushels of live crabs, oysters, cherry stones, baby octopus, and all variety of shrimp in addition to a multitude of finned creatures. There's even fresh produce. Interacting with the gruff sellers is all part of the fun. And if you don't want to deal with scaling that rock fish yourself, they have a place that will gut and clean it for you (for a few bucks, natch).
You can also get steamed crabs, shrimp and crawfish, and shucked oysters and clams for eating on site. While it probably can't compete with Whole Paycheck for quality and pristine freshness, the Maine Avenue Fish Market has it beat hands down on selection and price. It's certainly much better than Safeway or Giant. I would however, avoid on very hot days, or if seafood smells disturb you.Listed in: Southwest DC...
