St. Paul Fish Company
| Address: | 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA |
| Phone: | +1 414-220-8383 |
| Site: | stpaulfish.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–8PM 8AM–7PM 10AM–6PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 5
A
A Private User
Although I had sampled their great soups in the past, this was the first time I went to St. Paul Fish Market for a full meal. I was going to sample a couple of different oysters, have a soup, and then try the $12.95 steamed lobster. Before I could order, the server alerted me to the "Monday Special," steamed mussels in a garlic and butter sauce for $4.95. She didnt have to say that twice! She also mentioned that oysters were the "Thursday Special" with two for the price of one. How could we Scots pass up a deal like that? The setting and decor will take you to the typical Maine, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island sea food market who also cook and serve their own wares. In other words, it has that wonderful atmosphere about it. The mussels were the best I have had in many a year including my years living in Naples, (Italy) where I used to order them to start just about every meal. They were also a large enough order to have been the main course. The New England style clam chowder came next and it was so rich and creamy that I could tell that I had better take most of it home so as to leave room for the lobster, which, by the way, was extracted from the tank in front of me when I first ordered. The lobster itself was delicious not over done, and of a size that wont crash your diet, circa one pound. It was served with drawn butter, french fries, and cole slaw. The fries were run of the mill and the cole slaw was OK but could have used something more ...but then again I have spent a lifetime trying to perfect coleslaw on my own and I am still trying to at least duplicate the slaw served at the old "Five and Dime" without success. I cant wait to try the oysters on the half shell and the fried clams. The St. Paul Fish Market is a treasure that I have missed until now. You wont feel rushed. If you are going for the lobster, bring a sea food fork. It will make your life a lot easier. If you are one of those unprepared people who dont carry a sea food fork around with you regularly, well, just go anyway. You wont regret it.
MA
Maureen Brock
This is a two-part review. First: Seafood Market ***** (five stars+) We bought fresh scallops to prep at home for our anniversary a month ago and they were outstanding. Sweet, butter-rich, reasonably priced. Made for a decadent meal. Will definitely be back for our special seafood dinner needs. Second: Restaurant ** (two stars) I eagerly anticipated the markets famed lobster dinner my husband took my daughter and I to for my 30th birthday today. I was very disappointed. Yes its only 12.95, but after stellar reviews and a great experience with our scallop purchase, I thought it would be good - not outstanding, but good. The clam chowder was good, not too rich. The shrimp skewer which our 2 year old enjoyed was good, not great, but the little one liked it. Now the lobster dinner. Again, I wasnt expecting to be blown away. This was my husbands first time eating lobster and he complained about the claw texture. I tried it because I think its the best part, and his was actually awful. Mushy, chalky and bitter. My claws were great, but my fish itself was also slightly bitter. Mine was forgiveable for 12.95, but my husbands was not. It was downright unappetizing and he isnt keen on trying lobster again (ack!). The server was also sub-par and I was surprised! The reviews painted a picture of excellent service - which we received at the counter on our previous visit - but our waitress was hurried and disinterested and not willing to help us navigate through the dinner. Its a Tuesday night and there were 2 other tables the entire time we were there. She never refilled our empty water glasses which was just annoying. I waited tables back in the day and thats Server 101...I digress. I would say that we would be back to try the po boys, but with the frankly crappy service and bitter tasting fish, Im not so sure. Stick to the market itself.
MA
Marie B
My first experience here was definitely not great. Im the type of person to read reviews before making a decision and for the most part the reviews were pretty good. Also, Ive been hesitant about trying them out the last few months but finally decided to go. I called to place an order prior to my break. The girl who took my order was very friendly and the food was done within the timeframe she gave me whic is why I even have it 1 star. The guy cashiering was not friendly at all. A simple small smile would help but he came off a bit like I was irritating him. Today is Wednesday, the day after July 4th, so it wasnt extremely busy. I felt unwelcome so I left. My fries were burnt, coleslaw was unflavorful and honestly so was my lobster roll and lobster bisque. I was so pissed, Ive only had a lobster roll from one other restaurant here and it wasnt great, which is why I wanted to try another one. It was sooo bland. My lobster bisque was gross. I was so underimpressed. Even though I come to the market at least twice a week, Ill be sure to keep walking past here next time.
MI
Michelle Dowell
Man, so many good reviews, guess I shouldve been more careful and read which ones were for the restaurant and which were for the market. I went on a Sunday looking for excellent raw seafood and purchased a red snapper and a pound of gulf shrimp. Prices are high but I was expecting that given the location and what quality I thought I would receive. I got everything home on Sunday and wasnt ready to cook it so I put the snapper in a vacuum seal with some herbs and oil and let it sit in the fridge. I shelled and de-veined all the shrimp, dried them off, and put them in an airtight container with some paper towels like Ive done 1,000 times in the past. The snapper was good - I prepared it on Monday night. I went to grab the shrimp Tuesday night and they were rancid. Not just a little off...rancid. Opening the container stunk up my whole kitchen. I had to toss them. Im from Houston, I am very familiar with gulf shrimp and fresh shrimp dont go rancid in 2 days. Only giving 2 stars because the snapper was good. Will not return.
TH
Thomas Brunhart
I travel a lot. I was out with a client in Chicago and we started chatting about places we really, really, enjoy and one place took up a good part of the conversation: St. Paul Seafood in the Public Market in the Historical Third Ward of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have had many of their seafood delights and I have fallen in love with their lobster roll. Spoon size hunks of lobsters on fresh Texas toast with coleslaw and fries on the side. I would give this place 5 stars without hesitation for its food. But I have one issue: they have a policy not to let you "take out" an order when they have their specials. It just gives me a pain in the buttocks that I cant take their great cuisine home to share! So I am docking them a half a star! :9) But seriously, the food is great at a great value. The ambiance of the Public Markets hustle and bustle makes for great people watching. Try it out, for fresh seafood there isnt a place like it in Milwaukee.
