2.16 Giovanni’s Fish Market
Posted on May 6, 2008
Filed Under American, Seafood |
Morro Bay is a beach town about 200 miles northwest of Los Angeles. On a recent trip I had the pleasure of dining in the area, and the result is this quick back to back weekend series. Come back tomorrow for even more seafood as we head down the coast to Pismo Beach. Today, though, we’re sticking to the beautiful town of Morro Bay. Known as a fishing port and a tourist town, Morro bay has a good selection of seafood restaurants and I’ve got my sight locked on this one. Giovanni’s is one of those half-seafood-market, half restaurant places. It came highly recommended for their fish and chips, and while I’m game for fish and chips, what I’m really here for is their oysters and crabs.
The restaurant is right on the waterfront and has only outdoor seating with a great view of Morro Rock.
Cute signs.
They have a giant crab boiler right out front, next to the live crab pool. I’m getting hungry just looking at this.
The bowl of clam chowder ($3.99) benefits greatly from having celery in it. It’s thick and chunky, the rich flavors jump out at you. It’s a good bowl of chowder.
I’m a huge fan of oysters now ever since I had some great raw oysters in San Francisco. This half dozen of oysters on the half shell is $7.50, which I consider to be a pretty decent deal. It’s extremely fresh and tasty, while the sauce is good, I like them with just a squeeze of lemon.
Fish and chips ($7.99), Alaskan Cod, lightly breaded and fried. The fish is fresh and flaky, crispy on the outside and hot and moist on the inside. Very good fish and chips. The fries are good but nothing extraordinary.
Finally, the piece de resistance. Giovanni’s had these babies cooked at $9.99 a pound. I had them pick out a big feisty Dungeness crab and here we are. The crab is fresh, obviously, because it was alive not 15 minutes ago. The shell is filled with chunky, full pieces of meat. We tore through this crab in minutes.
Giovanni’s offers a great deal of variety of seafood. You can go for great simple meals with the Fish and Chips or splurge a little with their fresh oysters, or just go all out and order up a 2.7lb fresh boiled live crab like we did. There’s not so much service since you just order at a window and then pick it up from another window. But the view is very nice and the plastic see-through wall does a pretty good job of keeping the wind and rain out. I’d definitely be back for more of their oysters. Unfortunately, they close at 6pm, so please be sure to hit it early.
Giovanni’s Fish market
1001 Front St
Morro Bay, CA 93442
(805) 772-2123
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Wow! I am flattered and humbled that you would write (and post) such wonderful things about my business. Words can not express my gratitude for you kindness. I’m glad the seafood was to you liking. Please come visit us Again Anytime.
Sincerely,
Giovanni M. DeGarimore
Owner, Giovanni’s Fresh Fish Market
wow love the red snapper……….. i wish u had a book. im going to buy some stuff………
u dont sell the soup too do u.
Hello
Do you have a store in San Diego? if so what is there webpage I would like to get some orders from them. I live in the Los Angles San Bernardino area?
Thank
Lois
Sorry, we Don’t have a store in S.D., but the good news is we ship ALL of our fresh Seafood products right to your door overnight, for just $15, Anywhere inside California! Just Visit: http://www.giovannisfishmarket.com
Thanks!
Giovanni D.
Owner, Giovanni’s Fresh Fish Market
my husband and i go to morrow bay once a year for our wedding anniversary and giovanni’s is my heaven on earth. “the best”
Any of your fish farm raised?
Was just surfing and found your site…Every time we travel up the coast we stop and get smoked fish from you..We LOVE your food and great location. I too wish you were in San Diego!
I really enjoyed your web site! I own a fish market in Deerfield bch, Fla. You have a beautiful store! If you’re in Florida, stop in! Pop’s Fish Market 131 West Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Bch. We have been here for 45 years. Keep up the good work - it’s hard to find fresh seafood for people! Good luck!
I would cut off my left arm to have an amazing place like your store here in central Minnesota. I was born and raised in Miami, and although I have grown to love Minnesota, I do miss the ocean very much. Keep up the great work!
Hi Gio,
Just checking to make sure package arrived with the yellow tail and lighted wine bottle intact.
If you have time, please let me know. The monkfish was delicious (even my wife enjoyed it)
Your Pal, Steve
Wow. It’s like a cult folowing here! Well I feel like I should do something for all of the fans. How about this… $10 BUCKS OFF use coupon coe “50MEALS” at checkout. You want fresh fish, Then we’ll send you fresh fish! That’s right I’m offering 10 BUCKS off your order, just for being good fans! Whether it’s Sushi Grade Ahi, King Salmon, Abalone, Sand Dabs, Langostinos, or Monkfish, we’ve got what you want. Feel free to email me personally at sales@giovannisfishmarket.com
Thanks for all your support!
Gio-
PS: Steve I’m calling you now!
Im looking for herin fish.do you ever come across them
We stop at your place every time we travel down south - there is no finer place for wonderfully fresh seafood that smacks of the ocean. Best lunch anywhere outside with the view of the Rock - plus we enjoyed our 3 doz oysters for our Easter bbq on the beach at Pt Magu. Thank you for continuing to be the best place to get a bite.
Terry Duff
Walnut Creek, CA
We are pleased with our first order from you - Petrale sole.
We buy halibut - cod - scallops - shrimps - copper river salmon - clam chowder etc for our own use at home. We are only two old people - so we can’t be big customers but we could be regular customers.
Will you please keep us advised by e-mail about specials - and what is currently available - with prices.
Thankyou
John and Louise - Orange CA
love your web site can’t wait to get there my girlfriend and I will be in california Nov 25th till the 30est will you be open during this times if not please let us know on what days you will bw open please.I have hear lots of good coments and good revius about your busness so here we come .
thanks
Ralph Portillo
what abalone is the best?? Is it red, black, pink or green??? Would love to buy some.
Thanks,
Sharon
Once a resident of NorCal I recall with fondness the days long past when I wandered the length of the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1).
Back before California was so dern’ crowded. Back when a 2 lane road was ample where six-lane freeways are now jam-packed.
Sniff.
Let’s open the borders even more and get a billion people packed in and lower even further the quality of life.
Anyway, peeking at the food and craving fresh seafood (currently located in the Ozark hills far from the ocean’s swells and smells).
Looks yummy.
Gotta’ give the chef credit for offering crinkle-cut fries with the fish and chips.
Crinkle-cuts are great!!! Also acceptable are the steak-fry-style fries.
One of these days I am gonna’ order the scaloni the firm sells. Scaloni is so yummylicious!!!! Rather hard to find cooked or raw for at-home cooking.
Hey everyone,
Just so you know, this is 50meals.com, not Giovanni’s website. I think Giovanni would come here and check out comments once in a while but please do not leave messages or questions for Giovanni here, it might not be answered for weeks or months. Here is Giovanni’s website: http://www.giovannisfishmarket.com/
Do you ever have sea urchins?
Do you sell crayfish also?
Do you sell Spanish mackerel?
DO you sell sea urchin?
I live in Monterey Ca and your fish prices are cheaper than they are here! We are going on holiday for a few weeks after our return I PLAN TO BECOME A VERY LOYAL CUSTOMER !
Growing up in the San Juaquin Valley we regularly visited Morro Bay. Our visits would always include local fish and chips. Giovannis was alway busy and a long line out to the street. For a long time my family would simply go to the next fish and chips place. One day we decided to wait in line 30 minutes but it was all worth it. Ever since weve been hooked. Now with family of my own we are hooked as well. Great Food, Great People, Great Rock. Our personal favorite, the sour dough bread bowl of course with clam chowder, its out of this world. Weve made the trip just for the clam chowder for lunch or dinner and back home we go ready the next days work.
Jose Ortiz
Fresno
Unfortunately I discovered your restaurant on the last day of my visit to Morro Bay. I had fish and chips and I said,”Now that’s what I’m talking about”. I finally found the best place to have fried halibut in Morro Bay. It was absoutely delicious. Then I wanted to take my son a fresh crab, but since I was traveling I couldn’t, then the lady at the fish counter inside told me all about the shipping. I was happily surprised. I did try to find a fresh crab on my last stop before going home(Ventura) I drove all over the place and finally ended up in Chanel Islands where they had a huge tank of the smallest crabs I’ve seen. I said, “No Way” and I called and ordered one of the very large crabs you have there at Giovanni’s. So, now I have learned something new and my son cannot wait until Tuesday when the crab gets here!! You run a unique and high quality business. Thank you. Donna Story
I can’t wait! I am going to place a nice order for a little holiday party (just came across the site today) and my next visit to California will include a visit to this fine little market.
The images on the companies site look amazing. I need a couple dozen of those soft shells on hand to make great sandwiches for my family.
Great find and I will share your blog with our company so that others here can benefit from this fantastic seafood selection.
I was wondering if you had any recipes for preparing prawn head stew or soup I also would like pricing for prawn heads and slime eels if available.In my country we enjoy salmon skin but it is not available during this time. Do you ship Salmon skins and if so are they split already? Thank you! Oh our event is 2-7-10
I just received my 1st order from you. It arrived very fast and very fresh! Ahi, Red Snapper and Jumbo Shrimp. I’m looking forward to my next order and using the coupon that I forgot to include with my first order. Also I’m driving down the coast this summer and I’m definitely going to stop in Morro bay for lunch at Giovanni’s. Thanks for the great service you procide.