Massachusetts: BEST Seafood In America?

Massachusetts: BEST seafood in America? With a headline like that, my answer is YES! Our great state owns seafood, in MY humble opinion. Have you ever had Legal's clam CHOWDA. It is so amazing it should be ILLEGAL.

Unlike baseball, the summer seafood rite of passage never lets us down.  Each year, we look forward to that first clam bake or lobster roll. Whether it's a visit to the Cape, or a Saturday afternoon in the beautiful Boston Seaport, we know that seafood here, is special. But wait! What about other states? I know it is hard to believe, but there are other places that you can get delicious seafood.

When I worked in Chicago, we found a restaurant known for stone crabs. You may have heard of the famous Joe's Stone Crab. Oddly, born and raised in Massachusetts, I had never had a stone crab before. I had to travel 1000 miles west. Joe's Stone Crabs, a chain that is so popular, you have to make a reservation THREE WEEKS in advance. The stone crab claw, features, a tough, thick shell, almost as hard as stone. The meat inside, is AMAZING. Plus Joe's has this special dipping sauce that makes the three week wait, worth it. It is heaven on Earth. So, YES, while to me, Massachusetts is NUMBER ONE for seafood, there are other places, that offer great seafood as well.

The website Restaurant Clicks, found 15 American cities known for great seafood.

Massachusetts: BEST seafood in America? Is it on the list?

According to clicks:

So this place may be the most under-the-radar option to feature. However, the seafood options available in Georgetown, Maine earn it a spot alongside some of the best cities for seafood on this list.

The area of Georgetown represents the thick peninsulas making up the coast of south-central Maine.

It's Alaska, nuff said....

Portland restaurants wait to receive their prized local catch at the height of their season.

Seafood like Dungeness crab, salmon, and albacore tuna appear to be great fanfare on Portland menus.

Not just for cheesesteaks anymore! How about Octopus?

According to clicks:

Located about an hour inland from the Gulf of Mexico, Houston proudly features Gulf-caught seafood on its menus throughout this bustling city.

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, is known for their delicious seafood. Above, two of the regions most experienced fisherman.

Clicks says:

.....this region provides a huge variety of seafood. A total of 348 species of finfish and 173 species of shellfish thrive within the Chesapeake Bay.

In addition to their famous crabs, this region boasts one of the only places in the world where wild oysters are harvested.

Seafood with a touch of Hollywood out West! There is nothing more amazing than fresh tuna. The west coast waters offer some of the most delicious fresh tuna you will ever experience.

Channel some Hollywood glamor with dinner at a chic, contemporary seafood restaurant. Yellowtail, marlin, and albacore can all be caught in the deep sea, with buttery halibut and sea bass closer to shore.

California cuisine frequently features a light and healthy touch, highlighting fresh, local ingredients. 

Mahi Mahi is the way to go in Miami! Add to that, nearby Cuba adds an influence.

Clicks says:

Popular seafood dishes like Mahi Mahi, grouper, Spanish mackerel, and snapper feature prominently on menus in this South Florida city.

It's on an island, the only one on the list. And..it's surrounded by water. There, it's all about traditions.

Clicks says:

Poke, pronounced POE-kay, represents a delicious, seafood-heavy dish that is native to Hawaii.

Diced fish, like salmon, tuna, or shrimp, is combined with rice, vegetables, and spicy and sweet marinades.

This fresh fish bowl recently became popular in the United States, with Hawaiian food rising as a popular food trend.

Clicks says: Look for Southern and Cajun influences on menus, like shrimp and grits and etouffee.

Crab cakes and seafood in steam pots show the New England and East Coast touches in Charleston restaurants. 

Of course, like all of the restaurants on this list so far, Charleston is also known for its oysters.

CRABS!!!

The Maryland Blue Crab received the honor of Maryland State Crustacean in 1989. This crustacean is the most valuable seafood crop for the state of Maryland.

Unlike the large and easy-to-eat Dungeness crab native to the West Coast, the Maryland Blue Crab is much smaller.

Clicks says:

San Francisco is heavily influenced by Chinese culture, as well as Italian traditions. Both of these cuisines use San Francisco’s local catch beautifully.

Dishes like linguini with clams and salt and pepper crab demonstrate each food tradition’s adoption of local seafood.

In addition to clams and Dungeness crab, dishes like the Italian fish stew called cioppino and, yes, oysters, rank as San Francisco treats.

Jambalaya. Gumbo. Shrimp and grits. So many of the most iconic dishes of Louisiana’s Cajun cuisine revolve around the bounty found within the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River Delta.

ALWAYS #1 to me. Legal's TUNA BURGER is to die for. The CHOWDA, DA BEST. I had both yesterday.

Clicks says: This gorgeous spot welcomes a wealth of seafood to menus throughout the city, from contemporary American restaurants to traditional Italian bistros. A variety of fish could be called Seattle’s specialty, including

One of the most iconic images of the Seattle seafood scene is the bustling Pike Place Market.