This is a much long overdue review hyping up a neighborhood mom and pop seafood place - Lighthouse Seafood. Pass it on!
Note that this is NOT Lighthouse Neighborhood Lounge off of Cincinnati by Woodlawn lake, but this is the restaurant on Freddy (Fredericksburg Rd, right west of I-10, immediately after the Laundry Express/Boost Mobile before Oak Farms Dairy. The bright blue hue of the building can't be missed if you're looking for it, but it's easy to get distracted when in the colorful neighborhoods of the Deco District.
So now that's established, on to the reason you're even reading this....what's so darn good about it?
PAST VISITS:
I went around 2019 and maybe 2020 2-3x. At the time Ii thought it was ok. Really good Mariscos Soup and Clam Clam Chowder stood out in those memories. I felt the breaded fish and shrimp plate was ok. Just not for me, but I could see why people liked it. I also recall having the the broiled Lemon pepper and Blackened catfish (I asked for both seasonings) before and liked that quite a bit, but I always forgot about it.
PRESENT DAY AUG 2022:
I have been 5 out of the last 7 days. I think it's fair to say I like a lot. (You the Jim Carey Dumb and Dumber voice didn't you? Yeah you did if you didn't, you reread it and then did it just now.)
Here is my run down of what we have tried.
- Damn superb shrimp gumbo (more brothy and no roux thickener, but flavorful af) Get a bowl and not a cup.
- delish fish and shrimp tacos (had broiled shrimp) Corn tortillas are grilled for a nice flavor
- flavorful yellow rice as a side (my go to)
- perfectly tart and creamy tartar sauce
- solid fish sandwich (and I never really like those but I'd def order again)
-Cajun fish is good (maybe ask for Blackened seasoning; I spice mine up with cayenne pepper and Crystal hot sauce)
- zesty fish is my fave of the fish
- excellently seasoned hush puppies
Still making my way through the menu. Sides are hit or miss, skip the spinach. Green beans are canned but not horrible. I can accept the sides for the freshness of the signature seafood. Rice is alway . I have no idea what it's seasoned with. Saffron snd butter? But it's something else. Not quite chicken bouillon but something....and the seafood is hella fresh. Shrimp is sweeeet Gulf shrimp. It's so sweet it's almost too sweet for me, but that's how you know it's fresh caught.
I would love to see some specials like flounder or soft shelled crab but I have no complaints.
They are pretty quick. Call in an order and 10 - 15 it's ready. Tell them TaNae, the black girl who has been coming in a lot sent ya! They do charge 25¢ per to go plate and prices are a bit higher than online. I got 3 plates, 1 bowl soup, 2 cups of soup and it was $45 with tax and to go charges and we had a ton of food.
It's a more than solid entry in the SA seafood scene. Consistent in preparation. Fresh seafood that is never fishy! Great prices. Great customer service from Mom&Pop. I hold businesses like these near and dear within my heart. My family owns a small restaurant a few hours away, and I know the amount of effort it takes to have consistent and delish food going out daily. I know how hard it is when you're in pain or tired but there is no one else who can get it all done like you and your prized employees. Constantly trying to maintain fair and low pricing when your supply costs go up. Trying to do right by those you depend upon, so they stay, by helping help your employees out when their costs of living increase, too. Dealing with all of this on top of the increase of out of town lawyers capitalizing on backs of these businesses like we have seen with the mom and pops on the south's side recently. This is why this businesses need our support. To manage all of that while still putting out a great and consistent product deserve applause, praise, and patronage!
Keep it up Lighthouse! read more