Divas visit Walts

Seafood seemed to be on everyone’s mind as we headed down Tamiami Trail when a huge fish caught our eye. Why not! We’ve passed it so often and never stopped in to explore. That was definitely our loss! Walt’s Fish Market has been around for over 60 years, starting as a little market on Whitaker Bayou for the Wallin family to sell what they had caught that day. Customers began asking for fried fish sandwiches and a restaurant was in the making! Their current location is a down home place divided into two sections – the store and the restaurant – and their slogan “The fish we sell today, slept in the bay last night” prominently hanging overhead. We liked the friendliness of the place immediately. It’s extremely casual, well lit (much to the dismay of Detail Diva) and a very knowledgeable staff. We perused around the store checking out interesting spices and sauces and the wonderful deli counter with fresh fish. This is definitely a place to consider when you’re looking for the freshest fish around!

They serve beer and wine, thank goodness, so the Divas set about trying to make up their mind. Fortunately the selection is not large so we weren’t overwhelmed by too many choices. A variety of white wines for everyone and we were ready to review the menu. What choices! Twenty different appetizers, a few delicious sounding soups, green salads and seafood salads, sandwiches and dinners. Our mouths were watering as we scanned the menu. We decided on Broiled Amberjack with new potatoes and corn on the cob, Seafood Scampi – shrimp, flounder and scallops broiled in garlic and white wine, and Red Snapper filet. While we waited for dinner we sampled a wonderful clam chowder soup, crab cake, smoked mullet and shrimp cocktail. So many fishy delights! The dinners were served promptly and we dug in. All dinners had generous portions but we did our best to follow our mothers’ orders and eat everything on our plates. The food was simple, tasty, very good, and the cost was under $20 apiece! Stop by and check out this Sarasota institution! Divas appreciate your comments!

Walt’s Fish Market
4144 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34242 941-921-4605