McMullen Fish House — Local services in Saint Petersburg

I've lived here for more than a decade and never paid notice to this place which I assumed was 'just' a bait shop. But a visiting friend said she heard from other locals that it was a family owned business that also sold food. THe menu is handwritten on a board behind the register because it changes according to what was caught fresh. I've only begun eating seafood in the last year and this was NOT the fishsticks from my childhood nightmares. My friend tore into the smoked Mullet while I had fish tacos for the first time in my life. I mean, I made a pig of myself, eating all of it in one sitting. I can't recall now if it was fried mullet or grouper with homemade pickled slaw and fresh chunks of mango (I don't care for mango but it paired perfectly with the fish). THere was shaded seating on picnic tables out behind the building and while the canal isn't much of a 'view', I was happy to sit by the giant smoker because it smelled wonderful. I met John, one of the owers and he was a gem! Despite being very busy on a Saturday, juggling fish and customers, he always checked on to make...

Best fish and chips this side of Cape Cod. I’ve been to several fish places in St Pete and I literally had to return my order - mediocre.Fare bordering on terrible. THIS was the best fish and chips I have had In a long time. The cod is white, thick and fluffy. The batter is light and crispy, the fries are delicious. This is a relatively new restaurant which is blooming into a dockside must for clean fish, and great dishes. These Massachusetts born boys know their stuff. Don’t judge, but I went back later that day for another helping of fish and chips for dinner. I’m telling you to not drive past this place. If not just for bait, it has the freshest fish and shrimp, Go to the back to big yellow trolley and...

This has quickly become one of our favorite local spots. They’ve made us feel like long time regulars since day one. We ride bikes down, carrying a rod and a bait bucket. McMullen cooks us up some grouper cheek nuggets, tacos, and peel n eat shrimp made to order. You can choose your fish right out of the coolers. We head out back with a rod and cast off the dock while we wait. Anyone is welcome to connect to the Bluetooth speaker and play some easy listening tunes. McMullen cooks everything up in a trolley they’ve fitted as the kitchen. We eat our delicious lunch, buy some bait, and get back on the bikes to go fishing. It’s the perfect afternoon. One I’d be more inclined to keep secret if it wasn’t...