DFW Oysters

[battman1_2000]

I remember when you could get oysters by the bushel for around $25 and on the 1/2 shell for 10-20 cents. That being said...is there anywhere in the DFW area where you can get bulk oysters at a "decent" price? I get ill when I go to certain markets and see TX oysters for 95 cents apiece. I'm wondering if a drive to Southern LA might not be worth it.
Now Louisiana oysters...that's another story!!

[horseshoe]

The oysters at Big Fish in Grapevine are very good and not a bad price.

[Analisas mom]

There use to be a place in Plano that sold them in Bulk it was called Fish Mongers. 972-423-3699. I am not sure if they are even open anymore but I use to by them in like 25lb bags.

[the_sneeb]

Rex's usually has a few northeastern oysters and a gulf or two varietals on the half shell. Not cheap, but fresh.

[katkl]

I've seen live oysters for sale at Super H Mart in Carrollton. I don't know what they charge for them, but I go there for seafood occasionally and their prices are usually very good.

For oysters on the half shell at prices that won't make you choke I love Nate's on Midway in Addison. Bonus: Nate's seafood gumbo is to die for.

[CocoaNut]

Enjoy them while you can at whatever price. Very sadly, it looks like once again the government is going to protect us from ourselves. There's various moves to ban/treat/limit Gulf Coast oysters in the next year. If you google "gulf coast oysters" you'll see what I mean, but here are 2 links:

http://www2.dothaneagle.com/dea/news/opinion/editorials/article/beware_the_deadly_gulf_coast_oyster/104692/

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/...

[twinwillow]

The only oysters available in Dallas restaurants now are, "pasteurized". You can tell by the yellow bands around them.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&am...

[twinwillow]

Let me clarify my above post. The pasteurization applies only to gulf oysters.

[CocoaNut]

Just spoke with someone who lives on the coast and was told that a reality check was done and the ban has been lifted.

[twinwillow]

Good news. The taste will tell.

[DallasDude]

I was at Half Shells in Plano recently and tried the gold band oysters, and they are not like live oysters. They have a cooked texture about them and not as fresh tasting. A bit chewy, a slight rubbery mouthfeel, and not the natural flavor. I was dissaponted to say the least. Much more expensive, too.

And to the OP, there are several places that have 25 cent oyster specials like Seafood Shack on Tuesday and Pappadeaux has them for 3.95 a dozen for a limited time currently.

[CocoaNut]

I didn't think about it at the time, but was at Flying Fish in FW over the weekend. Had the (fried) oyster, shrimp and catfish combo. I'd never eaten an oyster quite like those. The flavor was ok, but the texture - very rubbery and a couple of them just plain wouldn't "chew". I'll bet they were the pasteurized ones.

S&D is my "usual" haunt for gulf coast offerings - for the price, haven't found any better in Dallas, but will definitely call ahead and check before my next visit with them. However, their half-shells are $$$ at about .65 - 70 ea.

[DallasDude]

There is no reason for a restaurant to use a gold band for a fried oyster. I notice these places the fried are cheaper than raw, which is the opposite of what it should be.

[twinwillow]

'Dude, I really like the food at the Seafood Shack. Especially their shrimp tostada. But, I find their oysters, scary tasting. Really, bad!

[DallasDude]

That tostada is greatness. But I only eat the oysters on Tuesday and they fly through them. Very fresh on my visits. The taqueria down the street a bit on Webbs Chapel called Christina is now mirroring The Shack's specials.

[twinwillow]

Hmm. Yum, yum. I'm at the Seafood Shack for lunch every Monday for their $1.50 shrimp tostada special.

[CocoaNut]

Living in land-locked Dallas, skainky tasting oysters is one very good reason I don't go in search of bargin-basement priced seafood that’s likely past it’s prime - particularly of the raw variety. Properly stored, raw oysters have a shelf life of 5-7 days, so if these are only “good” on Tuesday, then they are either old (bad) or have been mishandled.

Just spoke w/a friend on the coast in MS. Oysters are available at a local market for 31.00 by the 100 ct. They’d be a little cheaper if bought directly off the boat at the harbor and no doubt, a little less if bought in bulk.

But given handling and refrigerated transportation costs, also allowing for a profitability margin and restaurant overhead pricing, I’d certainly question the source/quality/freshness of product when priced less than what it can be purchased hours out of the water. But that’s just MHO..... and I’m talking about U.S Gulf oysters.