Ludford Brothers Oyster Company

This was truly a fantastic tour! Captain Chris (owner, oyster farmer, tour guide, cook) is absolutely amazing! We did the chef's table tour which includes not just the tour and education about all things oysters, but also a 4 course lunch on the beach (in the middle of the Lynnhaven inlet)! The oysters he serves are straight from the water, as fresh as can be! Not only did we get to sample some amazing oysters farm raised, wild oysters, "dinner-plate" oysters, (lightly) grilled oysters, we also got to sample some amazing Virgina mussels (absolutely amazing), fresh caught cobia and sheepshead, NC shrimp, and fresh crabby cakes! One of the best secrets in Virginia Beach and a very unique tour that I highly recommend!

This tour was INCREDIBLE! Captain Chris is an amazing guy. We drove 4.5 hours just for this tour and it did not disappoint! We dug for clams and enjoyed the freshest oysters shucked by Captain Chris on the spot. Truly a once in a lifetime experience I highly recommend to anyone!

Dear Pleasure House Oysters Team, Captain Chris Ludford is the oyster man extraordinaire! He’s a retired firefighter, waterman, oyster farmer, conservationist, father, sharer of information, lover and protector of his Lynnhaven oyster beds. We recently had the privilege of experiencing the "Table Tour" offered by Capt. Chris, and we wanted to share our enthusiastic review of this exceptional “hands-on” culinary adventure. From start to finish, it was an extraordinary journey that left a lasting impression. Capt. Chris even let us chase a few blue fish that came into the river on our way back to the dock…we did get one bite! The Pleasure House Oysters provided a tantalizing glimpse into the day and life of an oyster farmer. We now have a much better appreciation for oysters and the hard work it takes for our gastronomic pleasure. Here’s our take aways from Captain Chris’s tour: 1. Impeccable Hospitality: From the moment we arrived, the hospitality was impeccable. Capt. Chris went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, safe, and comfortable. His passion for oysters and his dedication to creating a memorable experience were evident from the very beginning. 2. Educational Insight: The "Table Tour'' provided a fascinating educational insight into oyster farming, sustainability, and the rich history of Pleasure House Oysters. We appreciated the depth of knowledge shared and demonstrated by Capt. Chris, which added a layer of appreciation for the oysters we enjoyed on the boat. 3. Fresh and Flavorful Oysters: The highlight, of course, was the oysters themselves. The oysters served during the tour were nothing short of extraordinary. Fresh, plump, and bursting with flavor, they were a true testament to the quality of oysters produced by Pleasure House Oysters and Capt. Chris’s hard work and dedication to his craft. 4. Scenic Setting: The setting for the "Table Tour" was idyllic. Overlooking the picturesque waters where these oysters are grown added an extra layer of charm to the experience. It was a reminder of the pristine environment in which Pleasure House Oysters are cultivated. In conclusion, our "Table Tour'' with Pleasure House Oysters was a memorable journey through the world of oysters, steeped in knowledge and flavor. We left with a profound appreciation for the dedication and passion that go into every oyster produced by this remarkable company. I would highly recommend the "Table Tour" to anyone seeking a unique and unforgettable culinary adventure. Thank you, Captain Chris & Pleasure House Oysters, for a truly exceptional experience. I look forward to sharing this review and returning for more oyster adventures in the future. Sincerely, Fara Hanson

Amazing experience on this trip!!!! Chris is a true environmentalist, looking for every single way to reduce his carbon footprint on his oyster farm. Even though I am a marine ecologist by training, I learned a ton of new information and helpful information to my career as an environmental policy analyst working with aquaculture projects. Chris is to be commended for not only his environmentally friendly practices, but also his extreme care of people and desire to share information. I asked question after question wanting to understand more, and some people might have felt threatened by that. Instead, Chris encouraged all of the questions and patiently answered them for me. The oysters he harvested and served to us were delicious and a really neat experience to eat them minutes after they had been collected. I absolutely recommend this trip for people of all ages and all levels of interest in our environment!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for how well you took care of me and my fiancé, especially considering my disability.

We did the Chef’s Table tour with Chris and could not have had a better time! We loved learning about so many things: oysters of course, but also clams, mussels, tides, marsh grasses, weather, and how it all interacts. We had a bonus of a low enough tide to dig for clams, some of which we ate on the tour, but most Chris sent home with us! After our education, it was time to eat! As Chris said, “stand by for greatness”, and was it ever! Chris set up a rustic table on oyster cages right by the water on his oyster farm. We had raw oysters, fresh from the water, amazing. Chris then grilled over charcoal and cherry wood: oysters, clams, and mussels…you could taste the freshness and the wood smoke, it was excellent. He also brought peel-and-eat shrimp, crab cake, grapes, and a selection of sauces. He even melted butter over the grill and squeezed lemon over the bites! The day was wonderful: very interesting to learn where the food comes from, absolutely delicious, and Chris was a ton of fun to spend the day with! DO THIS TOUR!!

The Captain’s tasting tour is AMAZING!!! Captain Chris is entertaining, knowledgeable, patient with questions, and fun. He will keep you safe and make it a day you’ll never forget.

Could not have had a better time! We traveled from philly to do the waterman tour and it did not disappoint! From digging for clams (which you get to keep), to trying some of the best oysters I’ve ever had, this was such a great experience. I want to do it again.

Was "ghosted". I texted Chris to inquire about a date for the Chef's tour. He responded at first and let me know he couldn't do the date I inquired about and would follow up on a date. However, after multiple attempts at trying to call and text him back after silence from him- there was nothing. Would have loved to experience this, but its unfortunate I was ignored.