The Dining Duo had a real treat this past Sunday at the Shrimp Dock in Bearden, 5210 Kingston Pike.
This is a place we frequent for the freshest seafood: shrimp, yellow-fin tuna and, yes, one of us loves baby octopus.
On this day, we decided for the sit-down menu and were fortunate to beat the lunch crowd that lined up to the door. Behind the counter, Kathy, was incredible. She greeted everyone as an old friend with patience, knowledge and meticulousness to every order. We complimented her on her lack of fluster under what could be a pressure cooker (no pun intended) which she attributed to “years” of industry experience.
The process is very much like a restaurant although you have a fresh seafood market running simultaneously. A customer orders a meal, takes a seat and is called to pick up when ready. A drink case is available for drinks. Payment is made after the meal at the register with any other purchase.
The Dining Duo had two delicious meals, both ordering the fried oysters. Both chose fried okra with one choosing hush puppies and one jambalaya. All was fresh and the oysters were plentiful and the best either has had in recent memory! Big, plump and not the usual dried out nuggets you get at some places. We can’t wait to return.
There is a wide variety of items from the kitchen on the menu from seafood plates, seafood po’boys, seafood tacos, plus any fish from the counter can be grilled, blackened or fried.
We tossed our plates, went to pay, asked for a filet of fresh yellow-fin tuna and 2# of octopus to go. Kathy knew exactly what we had ordered, got the rest of our order with no fluster or seeming impatience to hurry regardless of the busyness of the lunch crowd.
The Shrimp Dock has other locations, but we can definitely recommend the Bearden location and Kathy!
Hours vary: Monday-Thursday: 10-6 (Kitchen 11-5), Friday: 10-7 (Kitchen 10-6), Saturday: 10-8 (Kitchen 11-5), Sunday: 11-4 (Kitchen 12-3).
The Dining Duo is looking for the “hidden gem eateries “where the locals fill the breakfast and lunch hour; those local haunts tucked into the out of way or right on the way places missed in the hustle and bustle of the day. Email us your recommendations at email here.
