Race Street Fish & Poultry Market
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
23 reviews
San Jose, CA
"Aside from the small size, this place is Mexican supermarket heaven. I love that I can get great Mexican food products right in downtown…" read more »
40 Reviews for Race Street Fish & Poultry Market
The best place to get some fish and chips or just some grilled fish. The grilled salmon is always perfectly seasoned and moiste, comes with sides of herb rice and steamed veggies. Customer service is always top noche. The dining area is always clean and the restrooms are well kept which is a big plus!!!
On the other side of the store is a meat and fish market where they sell fresh lobsers, crabs, fish, rabbit, poultry and whatever you're in the mood for. They also have a great selection of cajun spices to season your meats with.
One of the last family-owned places in the world, Race Street does a great service. They are purveyors of quality seafood and poultry. A throwback to a time when specialty markets were the rule, not the exception.
Here's one of the reasons Race Street is great: turkey necks. Want to make the best gravy in the world at Thanksgiving? Buy 5lbs of turkey necks and make a couple quarts of turkey stock out of 'em. Stock so thick, it gelatinizes in the fridge. You won't know what to do with yourself when you taste the gravy...amazing. Race St. helps you with your haute holiday cuisine.
Also, they have the best seafood in the city. All kinds of fish from all over the place. Only critique I have is that they don't have fish bones in stock for my fish stock. But neither does anybody.
When I need something fried I come here for the fish 'n' chips. Pretty damn good. Fries could use some work, because they come a bit soggy, but they're aite.
I wish there were more place like this, but unfortunately, Safeway killed the specialty shop. Bastards!
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This is another one of San Jose jewels. If you like real fish and chips this is the place to go. If you want fish that is not fried they can handle that as well. They cook the fish over a fire outside.
Nothing fancy about the place. You order at a counter and take your food to your table. But the quality of the food is excellent. I don't go anywhere else for fish and chips in this town....
So, okay. I AM a vegetarian. The full-fledged impossible kind who doesn't eat anything with parents- including eggs and yes, fish.
BUT. Even I know- this place rocks. It's my go-to spot for seafood hankering (not entirely health-conscientious) friends...
So, no. I don't eat here.
HOWEVER! In addition to being a San Jose institution (Really. People GIVE DIRECTIONS based on this down-town landmark) , the Race Street Fish Market has never failed as my "friends from out of town" quick lunch spot winner. I just tell them it's historic AND you can now get deep-fried Twinkies. Our nod to Southern culture.
Big fan.
WOW I LOVE THIS PLACE
I am a borderl ine Vegetarian ~ meaning if it walks i aint eatin it if it swims it is fair game..
i went here with a co-worker and had grilled skrimps and tilapia... TO DiE for.... I cant even fo into detail how fresh and so clean clean there fish is.
K so I go back again with my bF and his parents and they about fell over... My BF even commented that the Salmon he ordered was almost as good as the Salmon he had in Alaska when we went on out cruise.
I HATE SALMON BTW ~ But i was smoohtly convinved by the sales guy behind the counter to try a FREE peice of smoked salmon hmm hmm D Licious,.
Having the BF's parents over for dinner tonight and heain over to by some of that Yummy smoked Salmon and this crab au grautin in this big ole Lil mermaid Bra cup..
Dinner id going to be fancy tonight...
If you havent had this place you gotta try it... i love seafood and this is the best I've had in a long long time.
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The big Five. No doubt in my mind about it. To be completly honest, I didn't even check out the poultry section...Because I was blown the F away by the Fish section! Let me walk you through my experience. Pulling up to this place isnt anything special, it has an average sized parking lot with a grill burning out front. With a little luck, my amigo and me found parking in the lot right away. From the outside it doesn't look like anything too special but once you walk in, its hard to not notice the specialness of the place. When I walked in I expected the place to smell like the seafood section at the grocery store. I was wrong there, it smells like food inside. You know what they say about the smell of fish right? Fresh fish doesnt smell like fish. Their selection of fish had everything from crab cakes to baby octopus. It was by no means the largest of selections, but it was definately good for what the place is. You have to understand, the selection of different types of seafood is due to supply and demand. Fish doesnt stay good too long. I was impressed though, fresh looking and good selection. Now to the food, I walked up to the register and ordered the squid and fish plate and they gave me a number. A short time later my number was called and I got my food. There is a soda fountain so you can refill your drink whenever you want. They also have thoes pumper things that give you as much tartar sauce, ketchup and cocktail sauce as you want. I loved their Tartar sauce. Something about that stuff was F'n amazing. At the table, there is vinegar, hot sauce and salt and pepper awaiting you. From there, your set. I got two pretty big pieces of fish and a shit load of squid. They didnt taste like deep fryer grease, they tasted like good food if ya follow me. The fries were good too. The fish tasted fresh as was expected and the squid was good. I would definately recommend this place to any seafood lover. The guy on the grill outside where we sat was cooking up something that smelled great, he was cooking garlic bread on the grill too. awesome. I'm going back for sure.
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After having Race Street Fish & Poultry in my bookmarks forEVER, I took a group of my friends here today for lunch. I would love to report a 5-star like everyone else seems to boast but our experience wasn't so hot, almost bad. I really liked the idea of this place but if you're paying over 50$ for 4 peoples lunch and then have to eat on picnic tables, I expect the food to be great. The only thing I'd come back for are the salmon skewers... they were great.
I ordered Shrimp Etuffie over a bed of rice and instead of the coleslaw it came with, I very specifically substituted the 'healthier' steamed zucchini (which I paid extra for). I also added on 2 skewers of grilled Salmon. What I got - deep fried zucchini instead of grilled and rice that was not cooked well, mostly hard.
I give 3 stars cause when I took the rice back, the manager, Mike, immediately fixed it and put on more shrimp. I didn't take the zucchini back because my boyfriend had already stolen some of it before we realized it was supposed to be my grilled dish.
My bf said his fried chicken and fish was ok, nothing special. My girl friend's grilled talapia was good but her scallops were over-seasoned and her rice, hard like mine. Our other friend thought he ordered grilled fish and chicken but got a deep-fried plate instead... that may have been our error in ordering though. He doesn't remember if he specifically said 'grilled' so they might have assumed fried.
I like the environment and may be tempted to try it again in the future but I think you have to be really careful with your ordering. And next time, if my grilled veggies are deep-fried, I'm taking them back too!
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o.k., so i'm no pillar of health by any means, frankly most of my diet consists of booze, french cheese and cupcakes, but for some reason i am slightly neurotic about my meat, poultry and seafood being the purest it can possibly be. go figure? i am quite the enigma. race street is destination numero uno for wild mexican shrimp for my summertime shrimp boils, rocky free range chickens for roasting and dry pack scallops for frying (in butter of course). i wouldn't come here for anything exotic, and the sushi grade fish is not as good looking as say tokyo fish market in berkeley, but for san jose it holds up just fine.
the staff are a bunch of cranky as hell old dudes, which i find oddly endearing. they bark orders at each other and carry on about whole foods being the red devil and whatnot....
pass on the fish and chips from the cafe- frozen crinkle cut fries are just gross.
(if you have time, run across the street to queen's donuts and ice cream. grab yourself an old fashioned and wash it down with a chocolate milkshake before going home to prepare your free range chicken. that shit is livin' HEALTHY.)
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What can I say... fresh fish with friendly help.
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Fresh seafood! They even crack cooked crab legs! Dear god I can't believe it took me a year to find that out!! Everyone on staff is great and ever-so-helpful. Don't know how to cook certain types of fish? Surely, someone here has got at least a dozen ways to prepare it. These guys know fish and I love them for it!
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I guess I don't even need to review this place since everyone else has said what needs to be said, but I guess I'll just throw my 5 stars in with the rest of them.
Best Place to Buy Seafood!
I'm simultaneously happy and unhappy with Race Street Seafood, and not merely because of my whimsical nature! I'm happy that I have such a place so close to where I live - I love supporting individual fishmongers like this (ditto with butchers and greengrocers). What's especially nice is that the fish they have is fresh and the guys that work there are helpful and friendly. I can never decide what I want to buy when I get there, and I never feel rushed ... no matter how crowded they are.
I'm unhappy because I love fish on the bone... and they don't have very much of that. The only thing they have on the bone seems to be trout. Everything else is sold as fillets. I really miss whole fish like European Seabass (not chillean seabass). Even snapper on the bone would be good... descaled and stuffed with rosemary and lemon and grilled skin on .... yum!
In short, good place to get fillets of fish, fresh and beautiful. I would however like to see a little more variety (Hamachi, european seabass, chinese variety of fishes etc) and also more fish sold on the bone.
something that hasn't been mentioned.
historic.
this place has been around since my pre-teen years. decades!!! a great accomplishment for them.
fishy fresh to death y'all
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I was planning on making cioppino and needed to buy fresh seafood (shrimp, halibut, crab & clams). I was going to be in the San Jose area for an appointment so I packed up my cooler with ice and headed out. I have been wanting to check this place out for years and was excited. When I walked in, the gentleman behind the counter asked "Can I help you?" I said I wanted to look at what they had real quick. Talk about a DISAPPOINTMENT!! The selection of fish wasn't very impressive and they were quite expensive. So I'm standing there and the gentleman behind the counter is carrying on some conversation with one of the regular customers or so it seems. He stood there talking to him for 10 minutes and wouldn't even look my way. There was another guy behind the counter but was busy doing something else and would look at me from time to time without saying a word. I was getting angrier by the minute but I just stood there like a dumbass waiting to be helped. The guy (not the first one, he was still yapping his yap) finally ended up coming over and I ended up buying clams only. This place is a dump and I will never ever go back. I will say this however, the clams were quite good and that is the only reason they are getting a star at all.
hella cool place to eat. i love the food.
Excellent place for fresh fish. We usually pick up grilled fish to go. It comes with rice and steamed vegetables. The rainbow trouts and halibut are tasty in canjun style. Inexpensive fresh healthy food for a weeknight afterwork.
Market side update: The service was great. We picked up some fresh shrimps, king crab legs, scallops and clams. The fish monger was helpful and he selected each clam for us. When we cooked it at home for cioppino, each one is live and good. Very pleased with the service and quality of seafood.
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I won't buy fresh fish from anywhere else.
The service is great. All of the people working the fish counter are very friendly and knowledgeable about what they are selling and even offer you tips on how to cook the fish if you want it.
We also get our fresh Thanksgiving turkey here every year. You can pre order and walk right in to pick up your fresh, high quality, never dry turkey.
Why would i ever go anywhere else?
I have found my OYSTER HEAVEN!!
After living near Race Street Seafood/Poultry Market for quite a while, I finally ventured on over there and I am one happy camper!
Oysters are only $10.20 for a dozen!! You can also buy them by the 1/2 dozen. They had 2 types but I got the GOOSE POINT OYSTERS and they were already pre-shucked. They were wrapped closed in some blue packaging. Absolutely delicious and fresh. WAY BETTER than the ones at some restaurants. I actually think some buy these and just use them. No messes at all.
They also sell tons of fresh seafood and across the way is the SEAFOOD KITCHEN (closed on Sundays) which carries lots of freshly made seafood items (both grilled and fried).
This is my new oyster place when I need to get an oyster fix. No more paying high prices for oysters at places like Hawgs or Yankee Pier for me!
SEE PICS!
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Good food has alot of options to choose from. Good clam chowder. everything is good, a quick lunch type of place.
Good food at good prices. I had never been here before, and after what seemed like an hour of deliberating, my co-worker suggested we try something new... so we did. One half of the location is a fish market, and the other half is the restaurant. I had the daily special which was 1 piece of fish and chips, and a bowl of clam chowder. I was afraid that it may not be enough, but the 1 piece of fish looked like one whole filet of a fish. More than enough food because, I didn't finish anything! The only thing is, pretty much everything is fried or comes with french fries... but all tasty if you don't mind it!
After a long and frustrating search, the wife and I have finally found our one-stop seafood and poultry market: Race Street Fish & Poultry.
Unable to tolerate the foul-smelling fish dept. at our local Safeway and the very pricey but very mediocre farm-raised Salmon from the Santa Clara Fish Market Restaurant's seafood counter., we chanced upon Race Street while in the neighborhood a few weeks ago.
The store is very clean and appealing, visually and scent wise. And it offers a very nice selection of fresh fish and poultry at very reasonable prices. The wild salmon is the best I've tasted since I caught my own off the coast. My wife has so far sampled and loves the red snapper and halibut. If you feel like splurging, try the crab cakes cooked lightly in olive oil. The guys behind the counter are very friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient.
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After driving past this place to get to Safeway for the past year, I decided to yelp it and check out the reviews....well the reviews were positive so I decided to check it out.
Oh man, I can totally get hooked to this! I'm not even a fan of fish and chips and the people on yelp said some good things about it so I decided to try it and thought it was great! Huge portion of fish and the fries are decent. The service is great as well. Good prices as well.
I'm coming back for more!
I am slightly biased as I used to work here when I was in high school a decade ago, but my opinion would probably be the same otherwise: This is hands down THE place to go in the South Bay for fresh seafood. The price is reasonable and the quality has always been high. Their selection is somewhat lacking, but you can definitely find most of your seafood needs here.
The cooked crabs and the fresh-baked bread are delicious.
Got food poisoning after eating the salmon that they cooked for me. Wjen I brought it to their attention I was told... "oh no, it was some other reason, not us..." This was a big turn off and I can't bring myself to go back there. If they'd only owned up to the possibility, I would probably feel different about it.
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Came about this place when I went to go meet up with a friend for lunch. Paradiso, the place I originally intended on going to, as I found out was closed on Mondays. Bummer.
Anyways, went here, and got the Monday special, (2pc. Fish and Chips) for $6.50. Not too shabby. The fish was very good, but the chips not so much. But whatever. Now I know where I'm going to get my seafood fix.
I'm indecisive. So are my friends/co-workers. So it was no surprise yesterday when we drove out of the parking lot, turned onto Hamilton and were approaching our first red light when I first turned to my buddy and said "so where are we eating today?" and he replied with "I dunno, figured I'd let the traffic lights dictate where we turned". Classic.
Long story (and drive around San Jose) short, we ended up here on Race Street. Fresh fish, fast service, self dispensing tartar sauce, and an entire counter of fresh seafood to peruse if you have time to kill. I got the grilled talapia and was glad to find their default preparation method is to cajun season it and almost blacken it. It was delicious. It came with veggies too which were decent and rice which was clumpy and not worth my while.
I'm reserving one star for when I have a chance to go back and purchase some seafood from the market side of this place. I'm sure it won't disappoint.
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Two words: fresh fish. That sums it up for this place that has been open for over the 20 years I have been in the Valley. Great place to "buy" fish and shellfish. Fresh means fresh and their salmon, halibut, swordfish, etc. is really great tasting and never frozen.
I don't recommend their dining area. Lots of fried stuff for some reason and smells fishy. Rating is for buying great seafood.
During crab season, I head down to RS and select two of the freshly caught crabs. Have them cracked and cleaned at no extra charge. Head home, spread the newspaper out, get a nutcracker, some seafood red sauce, a beer and its feast time, baby!
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Good place to get fresh fish. A bit pricey, but fish seems to be getting more expensive everywhere anyway. So, might as well go here and spend a couple buck more and get good quality.
The best damn fish market in the Silicon Valley! 60+ years of experience can't be wrong. If anyone knows of a better place to buy FRESH fish and poultry, I'd like to know about it.
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Five stars for the excellent sushi grade tuna that we have bought from Race Street Fish.
It consistently the most flavorful and delicious tuna we eat. There really is no competition for price, either. We went over to an asian fish market in Saratoga (won't say the name) and they had very small prepackaged sushi grade tuna steaks for $40 a pound! The same fish, actually better looking color and texture, is only $18 a pound at Race street!
Have not tried the take out food but judging from the other reviews here maybe we should.
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I cannot understand why the BAY area is so lacking when it comes to seafood. Race street is definitely a rare gem.
I like this place in every way. Price is great, quality is high and the staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. My only complaint is the small selection of items available.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
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FRESH! Great selection. The dungeness crab meat (no shell) is to die for, my only advise is to get it early or call ahead to reserve it because it goes fast. They always have plenty of the whole crab and legs still in the shell as well as many other varieties of sea food. The fresh baked bread available is a nice touch.
High quality, knowledgable and friendly staff. Definitely go.
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My mother took me here a long long long time ago, and I visited it today with my boyfriend after craving some fish and chips for days. Honestly, if I can remember this place after only being there once when I was way younger- that says something. I went there today and I ordered some fish and chips and some shrimp- they even have daily specials...and of course the fish there looks fresh and delicious! Theres another place over in Menlo Park called Cooks Seafood- decent but I would have to say Race St is better.
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Clearly an oasis in the wasteland that is/can be the South Bay. Thank goodness I found this place since it was getting to be too much to drive up to Crystal Springs Fish Co.
I'm a snob when it comes to fish. I worked on commercial fishing boats for 12 seasons, so I know skanky snapper from sublime suzuki.
These guys always seem to have wild salmon, extremely fresh crabs, tuna, and halibut.
I won't go anywhere else.
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Truly one of the only places in the bay area for seafood. For fresh seafood of course. My family has never gone anywhere else for a fresh crab or lobster during the holidays. But preorder early as they do tend to sell out for holidays.
They also have a great barbeque for lunch and such where you can get an assorment of grilled fishes.
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One of the bay area's freshest seafood joint. Walk in and look to your left and you will see all the fish and poultry displayed in the meat cases ready to be purchased. Look to your right and order your meal. Fresh, tasty and nicely priced. The menu selections are good. Fried or grilled your choice, the flavors for all the food are very good. The grilled veggies are the best. I keep coming back for more!
GOOD STUFF!!! A friend brought my wife and I here and I've been a loyal customer ever since. You're going to walk out smelling like fried fish or a smokey grill but the food is excellent!!!
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u kno ur in a filipino household if u smell fried fish in the house...so i dont care how this place smell b/c dammnit i love seafood...fish especially...
so i had lunch here with my significant other...i had the grilled ahi tuna with rice and veggies....and people...please do not smother the fish with spicy sauce...keep it simple...juz squeeze a slice of lemon and that's it..especially with grilled/bbq fish.. and if it's fried???those balsamic vinegar will do..don't even bother with tartar sauce... i like this place and i like their fish...
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This isn't a place that will excite you too much, but it's convenient. It's a fish market with a restaurant area attached to it, and if you're not into seafood... there isn't much else here. This place is known for cooking its food directly on the grill, or in the fryer, without it being pre-cooked, so the freshness is evident. Sometimes, the wait can be rather long, particularly during lunch-rush hours, but it's what you should expect from a place that is cooked on order. However, if you're not a big fan of deep-fried seafood, then you might want to try another place. You won't get a large selection of grilled fish or seafood pastas here, so you have to be in a mood to eat something that isn't all that healthy. As far as the service, it's your typical over-the-counter service, so don't expect anything extraordinary. But, some of the fun of going to places like this isn't for its service, but for the environment. Something about eating at a place where you see a lot of different fish, shrimp, and crab displayed... with the sound of the deep frying behind the counter... is sometimes attractive. It's not a place for the business types looking to impress CEO's or executives, but if you are looking for a casual, noisy, busy, and down-to-earth place... Check it out.
Fresh meat and seafood, closest place to get organic Rocky chicken/.
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