The Oyster Shell

Love The Oyster Shell! This is a tiny restaurant and the owner does all the cooking. If you want fresh simple seafood try it. We have been going for years and always have a great grouper sandwich. The chowder is one of the best around. Although we do not eat oysters, many of our friend say they very good. Very fair prices .

The Oyster Shell is the real deal. This restaurant has been around for over 30 years, and while they don't have the most the extensive menu, what they have is solid. As the other reviewer noted, if you want the soft-shell crab, be sure to call ahead since they do run out.

My favorite is the grouper sandwich (which you can get broiled), and my shell-food loving family all enjoy the fried oyster sandwiches. The chowders never disappoint, the Caesar salad is delicious, but most importantly, the hush puppies are TO DIE FOR. These are the gold standard by which I judge all other hush puppies.

If you love seafood, you really can't go wrong with The Oyster Shell. I almost didn't want to write a review, because I want it to remain a local secret.

Honestly, the only reason I'm not rating this place higher is because I don't like fried foods.  The Oyster Shell is literally all fried fish, with a couple of salads and broiled dishes thrown in for variety.  When I first moved to Florida, waaaaay back in 1995, my mom asked a new neighbor where was good for an easy meal the first night in a new place.  They recommended The Prawnbroker or The Oyster Shell because they've both been there forever, they were super close, and both had good food (at the time).  

We went that night and it's been one of my mom's favorite for years.  She generally calls ahead to make sure they have soft-shelled crabs, which she loves.  I like them, but I only really eat the legs because they're super crunchy.  The inner part is squishy, and I would rather be able to pick a crab apart steamed with bay all over it than just eat the whole thing...  It's a personal thing.

I usually go for the ceasar salad or the seafood chowder.  Or both depending how hungry I am.  My dad goes for the fried clams or fried oysters.  I prefer the clams of the two, the oysters get a texture I don't care for, but overall still very tasty.

The food, for all it's fried, is never leaden in your stomach, it's never super-greasy.  It's not over-salted.  They don't put a ton of lemon or tartar sauce on it for you, it's on the side, but they still give you plenty.  Their slaw is good.

It's a solid restaurant that's been there for ages.  Though, if you like soft-shell crab, call ahead to make sure they have them: they run out a lot.