Essex Seafood House (two) — Restaurant in DeLand

I really love seafood and growing up on the North Shore of Boston Massachusetts I know what it should look like and how it should taste. I used to go to Essex MA for seafood all the time before I moved to Florida and really wanted to find a place that served fresh seafood like they did back home. Just a quick note, they are a Cash Only restaurant and don't have an ATM available at their location. Go online and check out their menu to get an idea of what you'll need for cash before you head out the door.

I wasn't disappointed with the food at all. I ordered a fried seafood plate which comes with haddock, shrimp, scallops, clams and either french fries or onion rings, I ordered the onion rings which are handmade, light and crunchy. Everything was cooked perfectly and the taste was beyond my expectations. The portion size was perfect, just the right size for one person. The scallops were big, tender and juicy. The haddock was flaky and melted in your mouth. The clams were soft and tender like they're supposed to be and the shrimp were cooked the same, tender and delicious. The coleslaw was also delicious. It's a little pricey but worth every penny in my opinion. This was a taste of home I've been searching for....

Every year for over 15 years, I've driven 2 hrs to meet up with friends and have lobster rolls at Essex, which had always served generous helpings of lobster at a very reasonable price. Two days ago, I met up with a friend there. We had the whole place to ourselves for most of the time we were there. We were in for a surprise. Not only had the prices doubled but what a great disappointment we had with our lobster rolls. We were served a hot dog bun with a scant amount of lobster (1/4 of the past serving portion of lobster), that would not stay perched on top of an overflowing mountain of lettuce. It was a sad little roll at $25 a pop. Also, my onion rings were greasy and cold. After adding up the tab for food for two, tip, cost of gas, to get there and back home, made it clear to me that Essex no longer merits the extra effort or loyalty. We won't return. P.S. I must commend the servers who were very...

Going in for the first time. Been driving by this place for the past 2 years going to work never knew it was a restaurant the building looks like a doctor's office. Driving by at 55 + mph signage sucks it is too small to see unless you stare at the sign or stop. I was told from my co-workers that I would like the fried shrimp. I told him I will see in a few minutes at lunch time........ It was good But compared it to other restaurants Steve's diner is still better in Daytona beach. For only $13.99 which you get bread, choice of soups, shrimp and a side dish.....Here at Esses the taste is different that's all I can say. Hush puppies are good. Got the onion rings their a little too thin for me you have to bunch them up to get a good bite. Not sure the portion size I was supposed to get the plate meal i only got 11 shrimp 7 hush puppies a lot of thin onion rings and spent over $21 plus...