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Florida

JB’s Fish Camp

Opened in 1979 and located right on Mosquito Lagoon on the Canaveral National Seashore, you can sit outside and watch manatees and dolphins swim by. “I love their clams and they actually have the clam farm behind the restaurant,” says chef Brandon McGlamery (Prato, Luma on Park). “They are also the only clams I purchase for my restaurants. Anyone can buy them on-site to take home.”

859 Pompano Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169

T: 386.427.5747 | www.jbsfishcamp.com

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish

This is a smokehouse that's been around for over 50 years. Red oak smoked fish, icy cold root beer, German potato salad, and a side of smoked fish spread equals delicious, just ask chef Greg Baker (The Refinery). “It is quintessential Florida and they serve up some of the best smoked mullet known to humankind.”  Chef Chad Johnson (Epicurean Hotel, SideBern's & Élevage Restaurants) orders the smoked fish spread sandwich with a side of coleslaw, “it’s simple and perfect.”

1350 Pasadena Avenue S, South Pasadena, FL 33707

T: 727.381.7931 | tedpetersfish.com

Nick’s Seafood

“Nick's and Sticks is what everybody calls it,” reminisces chef Philip Krajeck (Rolf and Daughters) about his former hometown hangout that opened in 1956. “It's an old Florida fish house that used to be a fish camp. If you're here when it’s warm, blue crabs are the way to go, just get blue crabs on a tray, a pitcher of cold beer and hang out watching football. It's that kind of place.”

7585 Florida 20, Freeport, FL 32439

T: 850.835.2222 | www.nicksseafoodrestaurant.com

Rustic Inn

Chef Paula DaSilva (3030 Ocean) loves this quintessential waterfront seafood house that opened in 1955 and is known for their garlic crabs. “Get ready to smash and eat all the crabs you can. And if you don’t like crab, they have an array of fresh seafood dishes to choose from. This place embodies old Florida and you can grab a seat outside and watch all the giant iguanas near the water.”

4331 Ravenswood Road, Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312

T: 954.584.1637 | www.rusticinn.com

Garcia's Seafood Grille

“This is old school,” says chef Cesar Zapata (The Federal) about this seafood market and restaurant overlooking the Miami River that opened in 1976. “You sit outside, enjoy the view and drink some beers.” Sushi chef Makoto Okusa (Makoto) comes here for the fresh fish at lunch. “ I love that you really get a feel for an active fish market.” Chef Michelle Bernstein (Michy’s) also loves the whole grilled fish. “I think you should always order the staples here. If spiny lobsters are in season, have them thrown on the grill or the whole yellow tail snappers on the grill.”

398 NW North River Drive, Miami, FL 33128

T: 305.375.0765 | www.garciasseafoodgrill.com

B.O.’s Fish Wagon

Roll up in flip flops and shorts for fish sandwiches on Cuban bread with key lime mayo served out of a rusty truck. Thirty years ago, legendary local Buddy Owen started serving fish sandwiches out of a pick-up truck. Many hurricanes later, the wagon is still around, and a featured part of the kitschy shanty decor. Chef Norman Van Aken calls it “low key” and recommends ordering their seafood sandwiches.

801 Caroline Street, Key West, FL 33040

T: 305.294.9272 | www.bosfishwagon.com

Hogfish Bar & Grill

Located on Stock Island, just before you hit Key West. “It’s a hard to find place, but it is like the original classic joints of Key West back in the day,” says chef Norman Van Aken, a long time Key West resident. “Their specials are a good bet. They also do great smoked fish and hogfish sandwich. You’ll enjoy its raffish charms.”

6810 Front Street, Stock Island, FL 33040

T: 305.293.4041 | www.hogfishbar.com

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New York | The Hamptons

Lobster Roll (Lunch)

The Lobster Roll restaurant, affectionately called Lunch, became a summer roadside destination in the 1960s, with the current owners buying it in 1978. They’re known for their lobster rolls, but they have a long list of beachside dishes like chowder, steamers and clams on the half shell.

1980 Montauk Highway, Amagansett, NY 11930

T: 631.267.3740 | www.lobsterroll.com

Washington DC / Annapolis Area

Bethesda Crab House

Opened in 1961, they serve Chesapeake Bay blue crabs steamed with Old Bay seasoning. You sit at paper-covered tables alongside politicians, local families and famous chefs like José Andrés (ThinkFoodGroup) who loves this classic neighborhood spot. “The owner knows how I like the blue crabs and always says to me ‘you want them medium-rare.’ I just say, ‘no, I want them cooked right!’ They also serve shrimp, crab cakes and oysters.

4958 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814

T: 301.652.3382 | www.bethesdacrabhouse.com

Cantler’s Riverside Inn

“They’re right on the dock and it just gives you that sense of mood and time and place,” says chef Cathal Armstrong (Restaurant Eve). Opened in 1974, overlooking Mill Creek, they have a large seafood menu. “It is indicative of what the Chesapeake Bay offers.”

458 Forest Beach Road, Annapolis, MD 21409

T: 410.757.1311 | www.cantlers.com

Mike’s Crab House

“I think eating blue crabs here on the bay is about as good as it gets,” recommends chef Haidar Karoum (Proof, Estadio, Doi Moi). Mike’s has been serving Chesapeake Bay crabs since 1958. You can pull your boat right up to the dock and sit outside at picnic tables overlooking the South River. “You get a couple of dozen crabs and pitchers of beer. I grew up in this area and it's one of the great regional specialties.”

3030 Riva Road, Riva, MD 21140

T: 410.956.2784 | www.mikescrabhouse.com

South Carolina

Bowens Island

“When you want somebody to feel the lowcountry, you come to Bowens Island and you eat shovels and shovels full of roasted oysters,” says Sean Brock about this dive that opened in 1946. Hominy Grill’s chef Robert Stehling calls it a “very traditional gathering kind of meal. It’s on the water and features local shrimp, oysters and fish. They are famous for their oyster roast.” Chef Robert Carter (Carter Kitchen) loves the big open pavilion dining on the marsh. “It’s a great hole in the wall, celebratory fun place to go and it’s on a barrier island so it’s a beautiful setting. They take oysters and roast them on an open fire. You can get Frogmore stew, which is a great lowcountry dish - corn, sausage, potatoes, and shrimp with Old Bay on them, just no broth. There is a broth, but it’s strained off.”

1870 Bowens Island Road, Charleston, SC 29412

T: 843.795.2757 | www.bowensislandrestaurant.com

Shrimp Shack

Order from a take out window and sit on a screen-in porch or picnic tables. Matt and Ted Lee recommend ordering their specialty, which is the shrimp burger, made with owner & captain Bob’s just-caught shrimp. His wife Hilda prepares the burgers the same way local fisherman have been doing for years - beating them with the bottom of a Coca-Cola bottle.

1925 Sea Island Parkway, Saint Helena Island, SC 29920

T: 843.838.2962

New England

Red’s Eats

They’ve been feeding locals and tourists since 1938. Each lobster roll contains a pound of fresh lobster and melted butter or mayo is your call. Recommended by Susan Povich (Red Hook Lobster Pound) who spent her summers here eating their famous lobster rolls.

41 Water Street, Wiscasset, ME 04578

T: 207.882.6128

Lobster Shack at Two Lights

Nine miles south of Portland on the coast, they've been making lobster rolls since the 1920s originally as the Lobster Shop. It was sold to the current family in the late 1960s and renamed. You can sit outside on picnic tables overlooking the picturesque rocky shore. Chefs Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Jeil Lopez (Piccolo, Blue Rooster Food Co) recommend you order  “the lobster/crab roll or fried clams. There are amazing views, set right on the water.”

225 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

T: 207.799.1677 | www.lobstershacktwolights.com

Spinney’s Restaurant

A favorite oceanfront destination of Susan Povich (Red Hook Lobster Pound), Spinney’s opens from May to October. Sit inside or out and dine on live lobster pulled from the tank, lobster rolls, clams, chowders, and New England fish.

987 Popham Road, Phippsburg, ME 04532

T: 207.389.1122 | www.spinneysonpophambeach.com

Belle Isle Seafood

Although they’ve relocated to newer digs just ten minutes from Boston Logan Airport, Belle Isle has been serving New England staples like oysters and fried clams for decades. Chef Ana Sortun (Oleana, Sofra Bakery and Cafe) recommends you come here for “the best lobster roll.”

One Main Street, Winthrop, MA 02152

T: 617.567.1619 | www.belleisleseafood.com

The Clam Box

“There is something about Ipswich’s Clam Box that will forever be cemented in my head; great (not just ‘pretty good’) fried, whole belly clams,” says chef Matt Jennings about this North Shore eatery that opened in 1935. “Get ready to stand in line for a good reason. Pile it high with crispy (and somehow not greasy) onion rings freshly out of the fryer, a side of ‘tahdah’ sauce (yes, that’s for fry dipping too - don’t embarrass yourself by squirting ketchup all over the place), and you’ve got yourself one hell of a summertime snack. Congrats. You have achieved fried clam eating perfection.”

246 High Street, Ipswich, MA 01938

T: 978.356.9707 | www.ipswichma.com/clambox

The Bite

Chef Tony Maws (Craigie on Main) comes here for “fried clams and New England clam chowder.” Opened in 1988, this little hut near the docks features a chalkboard listing the day’s fresh seafood. Watch the fishermen bring in their catch while you snack on fried clams, oysters or Quahog chowder.

29 Basin Road, Menemsha, MA 02552

T: 508.645.9239