Seafood Shack in Dallas (2025)
Part market, part casual grill, TJ’s keeps it neighborhood-friendly with baskets, tacos, Gulf oysters, and Dallas’ favorite lobster roll. Frequently recommended by Eater Dallas and D Magazine, and the Dallas Morning News confirms this Preston Royal location remains the active flagship.
Family-run since 1981 in a renovated Oak Cliff house, this Mexican seafood classic is all about ceviche, pescado a la plancha, and fish tacos. Praised for decades by Dallas Observer and noted repeatedly by D Magazine for its coastal flavors and community roots.
A laid-back Dallas original for boils, fried baskets, and neighborhood hangouts, now with a Pleasant Grove outpost. Recognized by the Advocate as Best Seafood in Oak Cliff, it’s a local go-to for shrimp, crab, and spicy seasoning.
I found Restaurant Beatrice to be a deeply purposeful Cajun spot in Oak Cliff that pairs Mamaw’s fried chicken — a juicy dark-meat signature passed down from Michelle Carpenter’s grandmother — with charbroiled oysters topped with Parmesan and andouille crumbles and thoughtful, spicy Cajun sides. The team has made sustainability central to the program: cocktails use everything from citrus peels to daily coffee brews for syrups, kitchen scraps become stocks and sauces, leftover tea is used to brine pork, biscuit dough is repurposed into crackers, paper menus can become plate liners, and guests are encouraged to return Ball jars for a $1 reuse credit. Carpenter and executive chef Terance Jenkins have built close local partnerships (notably with Restorative Farms) as part of a broader effort to minimize waste, support South Dallas, and improve staff working conditions, while pursuing B Corp certification — a goal they achieved, making Beatrice the first restaurant in Texas to be B-Corp certified — and earning recognition as Eater Dallas’s best restaurant for 2022 and a James Beard Awards finalist in 2023. The bar is my favorite perch for sampling roast pig, jambalaya risotto, and inventive cocktails, and the staff makeup and community focus (most employees live in Oak Cliff; leadership identifies as BIPOC) underscore the restaurant’s commitment to being of the neighborhood rather than just located there.
A polished yet relaxed seafood bar from local restaurateurs Greg and Nik Katz: oysters, a standout fried grouper slider, and crudos. Covered by D Magazine and Dallas Observer, and welcomed by the Dallas Morning News as Knox Street’s new seafood anchor.
Since 1988, Nate’s has delivered Louisiana boils, fried baskets, Gulf oysters, and live blues to North Dallas regulars. Included on Eater Dallas’ crawfish list and honored by Dallas Observer readers, it’s a beloved, independently owned institution worth the short hop north.
Drive-thru, no-frills catfish in South Oak Cliff with a loyal following and deep local roots. Recommended by Thrillist’s Oak Cliff guide and backed by years of neighborhood word-of-mouth for crispy fillets, hushpuppies, and tartar sauce that fans rave about.
A South Dallas fry house serving hot, made-to-order catfish, shrimp, and oysters through a simple counter and drive-thru. Beloved by locals for value and volume; recent reviews confirm steady hours and that classic fried-fish-in-a-box experience.
Pleasant Grove standby for oversized fillets, shrimp, and oysters with a straightforward counter-service flow. A neighborhood favorite backed by plenty of recent reviews; expect big portions, bargain combos, and a steady line of regulars.
Lower Greenville’s easygoing spot for New Orleans standards—fried seafood platters, crawfish étouffée, and grilled oysters—carrying forward a longtime local lineage at the original Dodie’s address. Noted by the Dallas Morning News and appreciated by locals for its lively Mardi Gras spirit.