Mel's Fish Shack

"A West Adams seafood staple that has closed its doors." - Eater Staff

"Seafood restaurant on West Jefferson Boulevard, closed on September 29, 2024." - Eater Staff

"Open in 2008 on the corner of West Jefferson and Farmdale, Mel’s Fish Shack is a longstanding neighborhood favorite for fried seafood and soulful sides like hush puppies, mac and cheese, and collard greens. It’s no-frills seafood at its best." - Rebecca Roland, Eater Staff

"Mel's Fish Shack has been a staple in West Adams since 1995. The casual, counter-service fish market is about the size of a dorm room, so the menu here is takeout-only. Mel’s is best known for Cajun-style seafood plates and soul food sides—our favorite order is a pound of cornmeal-crusted fried red snapper, cooked crispy on the outside and flaky tender on the inside. Pair that with a side of homemade hush puppies and some of their perfect potato salad, and be sure to get an extra order of their garlic-dill sauce to dip your fish. " - nikko duren, garrett snyder

"If you’ve ever driven down Jefferson Blvd in West Adams during the day, you might’ve noticed a corner shop covered in aquamarine murals. That’s Mel’s, a walk-up window that’s been serving cornmeal-crusted fried fish since 1995. The entire restaurant is about the size of a dorm room, but the menu is surprisingly stacked with Cajun-style seafood plates and soul food sides. We like to keep it simple and order a pound of golden-brown fried red snapper, which comes with two sides for just under $15. Pair that with their housemade hush puppies and perfect potato salad, and be sure to get an extra side of their garlic-dill sauce for dipping. " - Nikko Duren