Oysters for shucking - West Los Angeles / Southbay

[Foster0524]

I've learned to shuck oysters a few weeks ago and it's like all of a sudden I've discovered a new world. It used to be that oysters on the half shell were expensive indulgences ($3 a pop at Mastro's, $2+ pretty much everywhere else) but now I've done a little hunting and found some markets that sell them for a decent price. I'm here to share what I've found so far and to see if anyone out there has any advice for me and my fellow oyster lovers.

1. Whole Foods El Segundo & Santa Monica -- $1.29 a pop for Fanny Bay oysters, which are delicious, medium sized oysters from Canada.
2. Bristol Farms Manhattan Beach -- Same Fanny Bay oysters, but slightly cheaper at $1.25.
3. Santa Monica Seafood Co, Santa Monica -- $1.69 each but had a couple different varieties, I remember seeing Kumamoto oysters.

Anyone know of other places to buy fresh oysters for home consumption at a decent price?

By the way, shucking oysters is surprisingly easy to do, I'd definitely recommend learning it if you're an oyster lover.

[Clinton]

Responding to an old post, just got back from Northgate Supermarket in Lawndale where I just bought some small raw oysters on ice for 42 cents apiece. Haven't tried them yet but they look good. Just wanted to pass this on.

[ferdlap]

You'll have to go downtown (the adventure is worth it!) but here's the place:

http://www.americanfish.com/

[Jase]

Have you tried the Wednesday Santa Monica farmer's market? The couple of times I made it there on a Wednesday, there was a oyster vendor. Several varieties unshucked and they also served it shucked for a good price.

[buttermarblepopcorn]

If you're going to try a farmers market with farmers market prices, you needn't venture as far as Santa Monica if you live in the South Bay -- Torrance's farmers market has a seafood vendor, and though I don't know about prices, I've seen oysters there.

[Baron]

Quality Seafood at the Redondo Pier has a huge selection of every kind of oyster, clams and shell fish you can imagine. Not sure of the price point. But do give us some of your secrets on how to shuck the little beauties.

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Quality Seafood
130 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA

[carln]

Quality Seafood isnt particularly cheap but they have the best selection of oysters in LA. There are probably 20 varieties at any given time.

Carlsbad Aquafarms have stalls at a lot of farmers markets (Saturday Santa Monica, Sunday Santa Monica, etc) and they grow and sell 3 different local varieties. They sell them for $10/dozen which is about as good of a price as you are going to find. Their oysters are pulled out of the water the night before they are sold at the markets.

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Quality Seafood
130 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA

[Foster0524]

Thanks Carln, I have heard good things about Carlsbad aqua farm before, $10 a dozen is a great price. I'll check them out at farmers markets for sure!

[Servorg]

Some of the downtown seafood places, such as LA Fish, http://www.lafishco.com/index.php sell oysters starting at 90 cents a piece ($10.80 a dozen).

[Foster0524]

Thanks Servorg, that's also a great price, I'll definitely have to drop by sometime to check them out.

[omieurhomie]

I know the hollywood farmers market has kumamotos and fanny bays for $1 a pop on Sundays.

Servorg, do you have anymore suggestions for cheap quality oysters in the downtown area? Thanks in advance :)

[Servorg]

You could check with Pacific Fish http://pacificfreshfish.com/ downtown. Not sure of their prices, but worth a call.

[Foster0524]

Thanks Baron, I have been to Quality seafood before and it was a great place to sample, but it was still a little pricy since some of them went up to nearly $3 a pop. I wonder if they'd sell oysters cheaper if they didn't have to shuck them for you. I'll see if I can go back and find out.

There's not much to shucking an oyster, a solid oyster knife and a clean kitchen towel is all you'll need. Bed Bath and Beyond sells a OXO one for about $8.

I actually learned just by watching videos on YouTube! Search for "How to shuck oysters" and you'll find at least a dozen of instructional videos from professional chefs and oysters shuckers. I think a good oyster to start practicing with is the Fanny Bay since it's not too big or small.

Thanks again!

[carln]

Unfortunately there is no break in price at Quality Seafood if you are taking them home unshucked.

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Quality Seafood
130 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA