Cox's Seafood Market — Local services in Tampa

After shopping here since 2005 and driving down from Hudson to shop for the last 6 years. I’ve ignored the minor issues for years like; buying a “pound” of scallops only to get 12-14 ounces of scallops and the rest water, the scales being heavier in store than at home when I portion things out, and the occasional small amount of a double charge to name a few. Since the quality and services were over the top it was easy to over look. However the quality began to slip, as did the customer services, and the frequency I was overlooking things seems to be every trip.

The straw that broke the camels back is when they were trying to wrap sushi grade tuna in newspaper, no wax paper in between or anything. I wouldn’t eat a sandwich without washing my hands after reading a newspaper. Much less be ok with someone wrapping a fish that I plan to eat raw, serve to my family, and that I’m paying a premium for. There’s been quite a few studies showing how dangerous the ink in newspapers can be, so why anyone would be ok with ingesting them is beyond me.

When I asked about it I was met with defensiveness and a condescending tone from the lady picking my selections. She then went on to say this is how they always do it. I know for a fact I’ve never bought anything from them wrapped in newspaper since I’ve been a customer. When I said no that’s never been done like this before, she shrugged her shoulders and just chuckled. She didn’t offer a better solution, just an “oh well”. As the owner was looking on from the back obviously oblivious, that was it…. I decided it was time to find a new seafood market and vote with my dollar. What was our go to spot and who we recommend to everyone for fresh seafood is now a place we won’t walk in again.

This use to be the best spot in Tampa for fresh seafood, but now it’s just a sub par fishy hole in the wall. I did find a new seafood place with higher quality, a bit more expensive though I’ll gladly pay it! I was fooled for years by the tradition and nostalgia of Cox’s; don’t make that mistake. If they are cutting corners like this up front who knows what’s they are doing...

It has taken me a little over two years to write this negative review as I tried to put my negative experience behind me. The review is now fresh and center as my neighbors and I were talking about local seafood markets to buy fresh seafood at.

Two years ago for Christmas Eve dinner I bought six fillets of Sea Bass, or what I was told was Sea Bass. When I got home, I opened the butcher paper to find 6 fillets vacuumed sealed with the labels partially tore off reading "Halibut". Since this was Christmas Eve dinner, Cox was now closed, I had no other option then to cook the fish for dinner.

On the 26th of Dec, I called Cox to share with them the "bait and switch" on my fish order. I was then instructed to bring the fish back to the store for a refund or exchange. I explained this was for Christmas Eve dinner and I had no other option then to consume the product.

At that point, I was told there were no options and they did not believe me. I asked if I could email or text photos of the fish in the packaging with the labels to show I was mislead on the product being sold. The person from Cox simply said "no" and hung up.

About three months ago I decided to give Cox another chance as I was near their location and wanted Stone Crab and Snapper. I placed my order and upon check out explained my previous experience with the person at the cash register. My complaint was simply ignored with "you must have the wrong place" and then my cash was taken for my new purchase.

Upon coming home, I opened the $130 in Stone Crab only to find the claws were not cracked as originally requested at the market.

I have only been to Cox twice and have to say it is the least professional, untruthful, expensive fish market in Tampa. I would love to see a local news station conduct an investigation on the shady practices Cox's uses to deceit their clients. I am sure I am not the first, nor will I...

I can't imagine going in here and not coming out satisfied. Whether I buy something or not. This place is a local family Tampa staple and one of the last of its kind. For good reason! Fresh, local fish and other hard to find small market options as well as fresher versions of what you get from the bigger markets. At competitive prices. It's always clean. Tell me where else I can go to get fresh oysters to take home and shuck myself,slurping over the kitchen sink, and risking accidental suicide with a slice to the old atery..cuz I don't know one. They have a range of everything from Crawfish in from New Orleans or King Crab legs from God knows where, while also getting the most amazing fresh grouper, mullet, and sheephead (a.k.a the poor man's lobster) from out of our own backyard......backbay! You know what I mean. They will cut almost anyway you can think of if you know how to ask nicely. Handy with the knife! This place gets busy so take a number (or ask who got last) and chill while you pick out the necessary accoutrements . So, next time your watching travel channel and you get hungry for something good, just go to Cox Seafood. Love this place. Close...