Lent is here and fish is on the family menu at least once a week in many Buffalo households. Restaurants are packed with folks looking for their Friday fish fry fix, but where is a person to go in Buffalo to get fresh fish to cook at home?
Broadway Seafood located in the Broadway Market is one of the city's best kept seafood secrets. On a recent visit I was amazed at the prices for some of the freshest fish on display. Whole red snapper was only $4.99lb., whole tilapia and porgies, a mere $2.99lb. Whole flounder, black sea bass, croaker, bluefish, yellow pike and shrimp were also reasonably priced. Seeing the haddock fillets, fresh clams and oysters, jumbo prawns and fresh scallops made it difficult to decide what to buy.
Owner, Steve Lee, moved to Buffalo eight years ago from South Korea. When he lived in South Korea he liked to fish and used the fish he caught to make sushi for his family and friends. He became known for his masterful sushi creations.
Here in Buffalo, while looking to find fresh fish locally, he befriended the previous owner of Broadway Seafood, who also has a fish market at the Rochester Public Market. He learned about the seafood business from his newfound friend and after that it was just a matter of time until Lee purchased the Broadway Market stand. He's brought back some of the old ways that fishmongers used to do business.
Once a week, usually on Tuesday or Wednesdays, Lee and the owner of the Rochester fish market drive to New York City so that they can handpick the fish to sell at their shops. They go together to share expenses, late night driving and also to get better deals because of the quantity they buy when they combine their assets. The New York City wholesale market opens at 1 AM and closes at 7 AM, so Lee and his buddy get there early to get first pick.
After hand selecting each piece of fish, they load their large truck, turn around and head back home to deliver the goods just in time for the store to open.
When certain fish are in season they also travel to Boston to get the good deals. On alternate days Lee has some fresh and frozen fish delivered by truck to the market.
I asked Steve what makes him different from other fish markets. “I guarantee everything I sell because the whole fish I sell is fresh. You get your money back if you are not satisfied. People say I’m crazy for doing this, but I’m very confident about the quality of the fish.”
“Secondly, we clean the fish right in front of you…for free! Some people like the head left on, some want just the fillets and others want it prepared so it can be stuffed.” He went on to explain that other places cannot do this because it is so labor intensive and he added that his family helps and that, “I have fast staff.” He believes that the customer should get the fish prepared the way they want.
Customers can call to see what they have available that day and even order the fish cut the way you want for pick up later.
For some of the best fish in town and at affordable prices go the Broadway Seafood. The stand is located in the rear of the Market next to the doors of the rear parking ramp, which is covered and free.
Broadway Seafood
999 Broadway, Buffalo, 14212
716.893.1050
***In the weeks leading up to Easter, the Broadway Market has over 300,000 visitors who come home to the market to renew old friendships, relive family memories and traditions and buy some of the foods that will grace family tables during this special springtime holiday season.
Over the next four weeks, Buffalo Rising contributor and Slow Food Buffalo founding member, Sandra Starks, will be highlighting some of the vendors and the specialty products they offer each Friday on YUM. Each business is unique, but they all have some things in common-–a passion for the tradition of the market, a strong work ethic and pride in the products they produce and sell.