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State DirectoryWalt's Fish Market WholesaleAdd to Favorites
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Freshest & Best Seafood Selection In The South
- HoursCLOSED NOW
- Regular Hours:
Mon - Thu Fri - Sat Sun - Phone:
Main - 941-921-4605
Fax - 941-362-9166
- Address:
- 4144 S Tamiami Trl Sarasota, FL 34231
- Email:
- Categories
- Fish & Seafood Markets, Caterers, Restaurants, Seafood Restaurants
- Payment Options
- Neighborhoods
- South Highland, Bay Ridge
- Other Information
Cuisines: Caterers, Seafood
General Info
In 1918, a young Swede named Claus Wallin decided he wanted no more of farm life, and ran off to America with the Ringling Circus, which was making an appearance there. When he arrived in Sarasota for the winter with the performers and other roustabouts, he fell in love with the picturesque little fishing village, and a feisty Indian-Irish woman named Irene Gallagher. He and Irene were married in 1920, and the young man, who was quickly mastering the English language, settled in to stay. Irene?s brother, Jessie Gallagher, the best commercial fisherman at that time, fished the waters between Punta Gorda and Sarasota from 1920 to 1985 and taught his new brother-in-law all there was to know about the local waters. Jessie was married to Olla Roberts, whose family had settled in Immokalee and had acquired some 150,000 acres of prime land there; he was fiercely independent and wanted no part of ranching. He favored working the open waters and keeping his own hours. Even at age 85, he was STILL pulling in his own nets and setting his own traps. It was this kind of heritage and work ethic that Claus Wallin handed down through the family, first to his son Walter, followed by his grandsons, Walt and Tom Wallin. The boys grew up in Sarasota, attended local schools, and carried on the family tradition of working as commercial fisherman, learning the trade as young boys. Tom says, ?It was and pristine area then, and Sarasota was recognized as a commercial fishing village. We used to fish all night, poling our boats in front of the Ringling grounds and the Jungle Gardens looking for schools of mullet and other fish. All the fisherman were local then, and we were all friends. Gill nets were still legal there, of course, at the time. We had a few sidelines, too. We used to collect rattlesnakes on Siesta Key, then sell them to Texas Jim for between 2-5 dollars.? The brothers tended their nets in a shack on the unspoiled waters of Whitaker Bayou, placing them on racks
Contact Info
Reviews
Wait was long but well worth it. Staff was friendly, food was excellent ! Reasonably priced. Will definitely go back again!
They have a great fresh fish selection and prices are extremely reasonable. There can be a crowd in season. Conch fritters are excellent. Soups are terrific. Service is great. The bar is always crowded. Food portions are generous.
This place is fantastic. On a scale of 1-10 I'd give it a 10. They have a casual outside bar plus dining inside. Their fish selection is large and very fresh and they offer a variety of sauces that are all homemade. The vegetables were fresh, potatoes were very flavorful and the ceasar salad was about the best I have had in Florida. I would highly recommend this place and can't wait to go again.
Okay, the atmosphere is loud, and dummies bring small children, a mistake at this place. Fish is fresh and well prepared. But, eat at an off hour cease you'll wait and wait! Parking's tight , but after many visits, not once disappointed. Just know what you're getting into before you choose this one. It's not for everybody. It's quite good for casual dining fish!!!
I came in for dinner on a Thursday night. I waited for 40 minutes before someone served me. I told the owner, who I just thought was another waiter ignoring me, that I'd been waiting a long time and I was about to leave. He looked flustered and then said he'd take my order. It took at least another 20 minutes until the meal was served. The person serving it was the original waitress who had no concept of service and who'd kept me waiting as long as she had. The food was rubbery and swimming in fat and the portions were not large. The plate was served with 2 pats of butter on the side and was at least half made up of potatoes. There were more potatoes than there was seafood. Still, the meal cost me $16. The atmosphere of the place consisted of a small jukebox blaring, waitstaff in stained pants and T-shirts, and a toilet-paper like roll of brown paper for napkins. The utensils were plastic pre-packed in shrink wrap with a skinny paper napkin. They don't even have an inside bathroom -- you have to circle the building outside to find one. By then, I was so hungry I ate it, but I then calmly shared my complaints with the owner, a young guy named Chip. Rather than show concern, he was very defensive and offensive. When I suggested that the waitress be trained in US style customer service, he accused me of being racist! He dismissed my complaints by saying they'd been in business a long time, and their high prices and low portions by saying that they were a "Key West type establishment". I pointed out that they are a shack on Rt. 41 in Sarasota, which is a far cry from Key West, and they couldn't get away with offending and ripping people off in today's economy. He said it was close to the tourist season and essentially, he could. He was absolutely uninterested in seeing me off as a happy customer, and I'm not hard to please. Fed up with his arrogance and lack of concern, I said I shouldn't have to pay for the meal at all, to which he accused me of wanting to eat for free. I've never eaten in a place where I was insulted. I'll never go back. Walt's Fish Market is a blight and should be boycotted. Pass this one by and don't look back.
I ordered the Florida Lobster because the waitress said it was really good. It was the worst Lobster I have ever had. It was rubbery, dry and tasteless. I thought this was maybe how Florida Lobster was but after the meal the waitress said it should have been tender and sweet. For $20.00 they should never have brought it to the table. I will think twice before going here again.
This has got to be the BEST seafood restaurant I've been to in a very long time. If your in the area do not miss it, Casual dress, great prices, and more food then you can eat the kids even loved it.
If you're looking for something fancy, don't go here. However, if you want good Florida seafood at a great price, then Walt's is where you want to be. It's just as good as expensive restaurants across the street and down the road, for half the price! no fancy shmancy stuff though, and sometimes they won't have what you want (you have to have 2 or 3 backup choices just in case!) The waitresses are so sweet once they get to know you. I recommend the amberjack sandwich!
I could not believe what happen when I went in to order food to take home, sitting on the bench next to the cashier I watch the waitress took her hands to push the garbage down in the garbage can. WIth out washing her hands she walked over to the counter and starting making food, lettuce, ect on the sandwiches. As that was going on another women was getting fresh fish and dropped the pan on the scale, it hit the floor she picked it up and started to use it again with out washing it. I told them of my concerns, that I could not eat or give my family the almost $50.00 of food, they didn't seem to care, it did not matter that I thought that it was unclean to do these things. I left with no money refunded. I will never visit there again!!
The restaurant has an adjacent fresh fish market. The ambiance is like a step back in time and enjoyable for all ages. It is very casual, Florida cracker style, paper plates and all! Every one goes out of their way to be friendly and make you feel at home.
