The Best Seafood Dives Coast to Coast

Long live the laid-back shacks where the menus hang on the wall, the beers chill on ice, and the food comes piled high, deep-fried, slathered, breaded, buttered, and steamed.

America’s Favorite Seafood Dives

It’s our annual guide to the top eateries where food is fried, broiled, grilled, or otherwise slapped on butcher paper for your finger-licking, crab-cracking, French fry–munching pleasure. This year, our winners (and finalists) were chosen by our readers!

Photo: Courtesy of Lulu's at Homeport Marina , Written by: Steve Millburg

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Alabama

LuLu’s at Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores
You’ll love the all-ages appeal of this sandy, tropical paradise operated by Lucy Buffett, singer Jimmy’s sister. The Southern-style menu includes fried green tomatoes and a variety of seafood dishes, and musicians entertain every day; 251/967- 5858 or lulusathomeport.com.

Tasty Contenders
Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar, Orange Beach
This is where the locals go. Readers adore the fresh oysters and make-your-own cocktail sauce; 251/981-6999.

Bayley’s Seafood Restaurant, Theodore
In this metal-roofed brick building, they’re turning out great fried seafood and their signature West Indies salad (crabmeat with oil, vinegar, and chopped onion) invented here in 1947; 251/973-1572.