Quest for sand dabs

[peacockangel]

Hi - I'm looking to purchase fresh (not frozen) sand dabs (not rex sole or dover sole)...any one have any locations?
Like perhaps a cash and carry venue downtown or a good reasonably priced fish market?
Thanks

[bucktown]

Patty's Place in Seal Beach serves them. They're really fantastic if you are in the area.

[peacockangel]

Thanks for all the replies - I did find some at the farmers market in Long Beach on Sundays.

[The Chowhound Team]

We've split off some discussion of cooking sand dabs to a new thread on the Home Cooking board. You can find that discussion here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/690280

[Andita]

I just bought sand dabs this afternoon at Gordon's Fish Emporium on Pico. Now I'm looking for a good recipe.
I have also bought them at the little fish store on Fairfax - 2 blocks north of Beverly Blvd.

[Jack Flash]

The fish monger at the Pasadena farmers' market occasionally has them (Saturday mornings). I can only assume they were the real thing (they also sell sole).

http://jandpwestcoastseafood.com/loca...

[Will Owen]

Yes, I've gotten some from them too. It's kid of a hassle, as they do these long, drawn-out negotiations with every customer over a few fish, while the rest of us wait in an interminably long line. When the woman is dealing with me, I'm always aware of the long line behind me and trying to get her to crank it up a bit, always to no avail. And I'm what they call a Type B personality. I guess she must be a Type D...

[Jack Flash]

I've never noticed there being any negotiation so much as conversation. Hope I haven't keep you waiting too long behind me!`

[Will Owen]

Conversation is lovely in and of itself, but when we're queued up to buy something perishable is not the time or place. Especially when some of us are carrying heavy bags, since we left the fish purchase until last...

[Mattapoisett in LA]

I saw some today with the Vendor at the Mar Vista Farmer's Market. Can not confirm their lineage but it might be a place to start. or Check with Seafood Paradise in Rosemead where they have a lot of live and whole seafood available.

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Mar Vista Farmers Market
Venice Blvd and Grand View Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Seafood Paradise Market
8955 Garvey Ave, Rosemead, CA

[Will Owen]

Fish King in Glendale is the most likely source I can think of. Dry Dock, which sells at several farmer's markets, has them sometimes for pretty cheap, but you have to filet them yourself.

[Bob Brooks]

I went to Fish King a while back specifically to buy sand dabs. They gave me Rex sole, insisting they were the same thing. Not so.

[Will Owen]

That is terribly discouraging; I had thought these guys were trustworthy. Too bad.