I'm one of these folks that can't wait to take a vacation to the Gulf area so I can feed my cravings for Gulf seafood, along with Italian one of my favorite dishes. I've heard about Lash's seafood before and since I just reviewed Ard's Seafood I wanted to see how Lash's compared to it since Ard's Seafood had won several People's Choice awards. Now that I've tried Lash's I can honestly say Ard's should be so glad they are in Decatur because there is no way that they would take an award from Lash's. As I said I love Gulf seafood and now that I've found, and tried, Lash's Seafood Market I, along with anyone else that loves Gulf Seafood, have a choice. I can drive the 397 miles to the Gulf or now thankfully I can drive under 19 miles to Highway 101, just down from Elgin crossroads, and have just as good of Gulf seafood as if I was at the Original Oyster House.
Lash's Seafood Market, not to be confused with Lash's Seafood Restaurant which is through the Fisherman's Resort Campground although both places are owned by the same folks. is located on Highway 101 just past or within eyesight of Walton's Restaurant. They have three types of shrimp so if you want the fresh you need to request it and order it accordingly as if you get the $6.99 fish basket, at the front counter, then you will get frozen shrimp, which I'm sure is also good but that is not the one I'm reviewing here. I got a combination platter of 6 regular large gulf shrimp and 1/2 order of Popcorn Shrimp and both tasted great. It also came along with fries, slaw, and 3 hushpuppies but because I don't like slaw I got extra fries. I also ask for a sample of Gumbo (another dish I always crave) and the Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, along with the Seafood Gumbo (same as Chicken & Sausage except with shrimp added) and it was tied for the best I've had, at least in this area with New Orleans Transfer but since New Orlean's Transfer is no more I have to say it's the best I've had.
I've been told that the food is the exact same as you get at Lash's Seafood Restaurant, the one through Fisherman's Resort campground, and I don't doubt that it is true because not only is it the same owner's and cooks but they actually cook and prepare the gumbo at the Seafood Market then transport it to the Restaurant. The Restaurant though is only open after 4PM and on Thursdays, Fridays's and on Saturday. I look forward to trying some of the other dishes available at Lash's Seafood especially the Crab Legs which they will prepare for you right out of the fresh seafood cooler at market price. I always hate when I give glowing reviews because someone will ultimately believe I have ownership or some interest in the place or worse that they will think I only give glowing reviews but neither are the case. I am not connected with Lash's, have any interest in it and they totally earned a glowing, Top Honor's review with me. I understand that my own reviews are subjective to me and according to my own taste but I can't imagine anyone that loves Gulf Seafood and Gulf Shrimp coming to any other opinion about Lash's, at least if they order the fresh shrimp.
That said I can only think of one other place (locally) that can compete with the quality and taste that you get at Lash's and that's from George's Steak Pit which also has excellent fried Shrimp. I actually don't care as much for George's Steaks as I do their seafood but that's another review. I'm glad Lash's Seafood Market is as good as it is because whereas you have a very limited time to eat at the Restaurant the Seafood Market is open Monday-Saturday 8am until they close down the cookers at 5:45PM. This is a link to their Facebook page. It used to be a convenience store/gas station but no longer are the pumps there so more parking, which at times is needed. As I like to be able to say with many of the reviews I have done "this place is worth going out of your way to visit".
As far as the portions, well it was far more than I could eat as can be seen from the photo(s) below.
They also have daily Lunch Specials which today was the Country fried steak
It's also a fresh seafood market so if you want to take some home for you to prepare/cook then they can accommodate you in that area also.
The poor fellow below was also a frequent visitor at Lash's, from what I've been told, but usually is left disappointed because the food is so good that most people don't have any scraps to toss to him.
