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See the full story · 1 sourcesFrom roadside lobster rolls to clam shacks, here's the most iconic seafood shack in every state to try this summer. Jen Lobo/Getty Images
Some of these iconic seafood spots have been family-run for generations.
Others have become famous for their fresh catches or waterfront locations.
These legendary seafood shacks are among the best in the country.
Seafood shacks have long been a staple of American dining, from the rocky shores of Maine to coastal California locales.
While there's bound to be some debate about which seafood shack is the most iconic in every state, we devised this list based on customer reviews, local history , cultural significance, and lasting reputation.
And while the most celebrated seafood shacks are often located near waterfronts, in landlocked states we identified locally beloved seafood eateries that serve up a similar laid-back spirit.
From legendary institutions like Woodman's of Essex in Massachusetts, credited with popularizing the fried clam, to classic crab boil establishments that have welcomed diners for decades, these are the most iconic seafood shacks in every state.
ALABAMA: Doc's Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar in Orange Beach
Doc's Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar. PizzaTheHut X./Yelp
Since opening in 1984, Doc's Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar has proven that great seafood doesn't need a fancy setting.
The laid-back spot is best known for its crispy fried shrimp — which the restaurant boldly bills as the best in the world — along with seafood gumbo, raw oysters, and build-your-own seafood platters piled high with Gulf Coast favorites.
Voted by Fox News as one of the top 10 seafood shacks in America, it's been a longtime favorite for Alabama locals and tourists.
ALASKA: Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau
Tracy's King Crab Shack. Diana J./Yelp
Few restaurants are as synonymous with Alaska seafood as Tracy's King Crab Shack. What started as a tiny dockside stand in 2006 has grown into one of Juneau's best-known seafood stops, beloved by the cruise crowd that rolls through the city in search of authentic Alaskan seafood.
The menu is intentionally simple, letting the sweet crab take center stage, though the rich crab bisque is nearly as famous.
ARIZONA: Chula Seafood in Phoenix
Chula Seafood Uptown. Jeremy F./Yelp
A seafood shack may seem out of place in the desert, but Chula Seafood has built its reputation by bringing boat-to-table fresh seafood to the city of Phoenix.
Operated by a family of commercial fishermen, the restaurant has its own San Diego-based fishing boat, giving the menu a level of freshness that is rare for a landlocked state. The eatery also sources seafood from other domestic and international fisheries.
ARKANSAS: The Oyster Bar in Little Rock
The Oyster Bar. Carmen S./Yelp
The Oyster Bar has been serving Little Rock since 1975, making it one of Arkansas' longest-running seafood restaurants.
While its atmosphere is a bit more elevated than a traditional seafood shack, its honest, simple cooking and decades-long run have cemented it as a Little Rock institution and earned it a spot on this list.
CALIFORNIA: Neptune's Net in Malibu
Neptune's Net. Sam M./Yelp
Neptune's Net has been perched along the Pacific Coast Highway since the 1950s, and it has even appeared in major Hollywood films like "The Fast and the Furious."
Diners come for fried seafood, clam chowder, fish and chips , sandwiches, and fish tacos while soaking up sweeping ocean views that have made Neptune's Net one of the state's most recognizable seafood stops.
COLORADO: Big Mac and Little Lu's Seafood Restaurant in Westminster
Big Mac & Little Lu's Seafood Restaurant. Bonni R./Yelp
In a state better known for steaks than seafood, Big Mac & Little Lu's has become a Colorado favorite by flying in fresh seafood several times a week.
Open since 2013, the restaurant has built a devoted following for its fresh New England-style lobster rolls, crispy crab cakes, clam chowder, and classic fish and chips.
The restaurant's longevity and reputation for fresh seafood in landlocked Colorado have made it a standout seafood spot.
CONNECTICUT: Abbott's Lobster in the Rough in Noank
Abbott's Lobster In the Rough. Ian L./Yelp
For generations, Abbott's Lobster in the Rough has defined the classic New England seafood shack experience.
Operating seasonally on the Mystic River since 1947, it serves up an overflowing hot Connecticut lobster roll, packed with warm lobster meat and served with drawn butter, but it also offers Maine versions dressed with mayonnaise.
Picnic tables overlooking the water, steamed clams, chowder, and a rich maritime history have made going to Abbott's one of Connecticut's most beloved summer traditions.
DELAWARE: JR's Seafood Shack in Fenwick Island
JR's Seafood Shack. Josh T./Yelp
Just steps from the Delaware-Maryland line, JR's Seafood Shack has earned a loyal following by serving fresh local seafood without the fuss of a high-end restaurant, but a bit more elevated than the typical roadside seafood shack.
The casual roadside stop is known for calamari, crab dip, steamed seafood, and low-country boils, making it a favorite stop for beachgoers headed to Fenwick Island.
FLORIDA: Star Fish Company in Cortez
Star Fish Co Seafood Market and Restaurant. Kaitlyn S./Yelp
Star Fish Company feels like a glimpse into Old Florida. Operating as both a seafood market and a dockside restaurant in the historic fishing village of Cortez, the family-owned business serves whatever fresh catches local fishermen happen to bring in that day.
Popular items include fresh grouper, fried fish, and Gulf shrimp, and its connection to the local fishing communities makes it one of the most authentic seafood shacks in the state.
GEORGIA: The Crab Shack on Tybee Island
The Crab Shack. Ray L./Yelp
Billing itself as "where the elite eat in their bare feet," The Crab Shack has become one of Georgia...
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