Blue Ocean Market in Morehead City, NC, is a hidden gem that has captured our hearts and taste buds! As self-proclaimed seafood enthusiasts, my partner and I make it a point to visit this extraordinary market whenever we are in town, even going out of our way to do so. The selection of fish at Blue Ocean Market is truly impressive. From the moment you step inside, your senses are greeted with the tantalizing aroma of the ocean's bounty. The vast array of fresh seafood options, including the star of the show—the salmon, is a sight to behold. The quality and freshness of their fish are unparalleled, ensuring a delightful dining experience every time. Aside from their exceptional fish selection, Blue Ocean Market surprised us with their small salad selection that packs a punch. The freshness, coupled with the vibrant assortment of toppings and dressings, made for a refreshing and satisfying accompaniment to our seafood feast. It's not often that a market excels in both seafood and salad offerings, but Blue Ocean Market truly delivers on all fronts. As visitors from New York, we are no strangers to quality seafood, but Blue Ocean Market has managed to capture our hearts with their unparalleled offerings. The dedication to sourcing the finest seafood and the commitment to exceptional customer service make this establishment a true standout. The staff at Blue Ocean Market is friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure your dining experience at home is first-class. Their passion for seafood shines through in their recommendations and willingness to share their expertise, elevating the overall experience to new heights. We can't stress enough how much we appreciate the lengths we go to visit Blue Ocean Market. From the moment we walk through the door, we are transported to a seafood lover's paradise. The combination of outstanding salmon, an extensive fish selection, and a surprising selection of salads makes this market a must-visit for anyone seeking an unforgettable culinary adventure. Blue Ocean Market is a seafood haven that continues to impress us with its remarkable offerings. Whether you're a local resident or a traveler passing through, the outstanding quality of their fish, particularly the salmon, along with the delightful small salad selection, will leave you craving for more. Trust us when we say that a visit to this market is well worth the detour, and you'll find yourself planning your next trip back even...
Read moreBlue Ocean Market has great fresh seafood of all kinds: fresh whole fish- grouper, tile, flounder, mahi and so much more, I've never seen such a selection of fresh fish; shrimp- you could get them whole, devained, peeled and devained; they even had alive crawfish... Whatever whole fish you picked they would butcher in house for you into beautiful filets. The best part of Blue Ocean Market was the staff, they were all so incredibly nice, knowledgeable, thoughtful and made us feel like family. I truly enjoyed my visit to Blue Ocean Market, talking with the ladies, watching the butcher do his work, all worked so hard and made sure all our questions were answered or just explained things to educate us, it was a nice bonus to my trip to there. Everyone was so friendly! A few awesome facts about Blue Ocean Market: they will buy your fresh catch from you if you want to sell it while in/around Morehead City, just call them up after your finished fishing. The owner does a lot of the fishing himself but also he has a fishing expedition company that will take you and your peeps out for a fishing adventure. They buy from local fishermen, so they also help support their local economy. When your near Morehead City (we were stay in Emerald Isle and made the drive there because a friend said they always had a great selection of fresh fish and they didn't disappoint) and your looking for great fresh fish to cook up a delicious dinner with or maybe you want crawfish or shrimp to make a low country boil (my personal favorite and that's exactly what I did with my shrimp and it was super delicious, fresh shrimp makes a world of difference) or maybe you want to get a whole fish cut into filets to vaccum seal and freeze for another day- whatever your needs Blue Ocean Market will do their very best to meet them with a friendly smile and a warm Hello!! I highly recommend stopping by, they won't...
Read moreCarteret County is home to various fresh seafood shops. Blue Ocean is comparable to others in both price and quality.
What I have encountered here (twice now in the last few months) that I have not at other shops around the county is straight contempt lol. Not from every employee- one young lady in particular was incredibly helpful.
Maybe it's because I'm not a seafood restaurant that buys huge amounts at once (though it seems that spending well over $100 each visit should at least earn a cordial interaction)?
At any rate, this last visit was my proverbial last straw. I'd rather buy from someone who doesn't act like I'm a waste of time because I'm unsure if I should order oysters washed or unwashed (btw, per the overly-exasperated woman, it's unwashed if they will remain in ice for the evening, washed if they will be cooked immediately). If employees are tired of explaining, idk, maybe make a sign? If you only want to sell to chefs or restaurants who are more experienced, maybe stop marketing to the casual consumer?
Truly, Idk very much about seafood. Seafood isn't my job. In the future, I'll drive ten more minutes and skip the side of condescension that is now regularly served at...
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