Eaton Street Seafood

Sean Seaman opened Eaton Street Seafood in 2007, in a much smaller space, next to what is now Old Town Bakery. 'We were full if we had four or five people in there, but people waited outside and we were able to build a following,' he explained. Moving into the bigger site at 801 Eaton Street has provided more space and exposure. 'Since the beginning, we catered to people. And without much advertising, we've grown by word of mouth.' Commercial fisherman Damon Santelli came on board as a partner, providing support and fish, when needed. 'There are times he goes out for us when other fisherman are staying in, so we always have fresh fish in the case.'

I hung out at Eaton Street Seafood on a busy Friday. I knew from the traffic in town that LOTS of people were arriving in Key West, and it really seemed like half of them were stopping here for lunch or supplies. 

'I'll take 5 lobster rolls to go.....be back in a few!' said one gentleman as he headed out the door. Another regular came in for his usual of two crab cake sandwiches, on croissants, with mango salsa, please. A few first time customers were looking around, eyeing the large case full of snapper, salmon, shrimp, crab claws and scallops, but unsure of what to order. 'You can pick anything from the case. We'll cook it up for you and put it on a salad or sandwich, served with a bag of plantain chips,' explained Santelli.  After a short wait the couple was diving into a Lobster Roll and fresh snowy grouper over a salad of mixed greens. (There are stools at an indoor counter and several benches out front in the shade.) And along with all the food orders, there was a steady stream of customers coming in for Key West pink shrimp, fish and conch ceviche by the pound.

Eaton Street Seafood is well known on the island for their Lobster Roll, presented in the old school, New England style. Giant chunks of Maine lobster mounded in the side-split roll (shipped in from a traditional baker in Rhode Island) and topped with melted butter. I think their crab cakes are one of Key West's best deal s.....$5 each and full of crab. I often buy them to take home, but the staff will cook one up for you to eat there. Grab a container of their remoulade or Key lime mustard sauce to go with.

This seafood shop is also a great one stop shop for easy entertaining. One case holds containers of housemade dips, like smoked fish and crab & artichoke. There is a selection of specialty grocery items, plus some fresh produce and artisanal mozzarella from Key West's Mozzarella Mark. Seaman and Santelli procured a liquor license this past year, so you can also purchase beer and wine, to go or to enjoy with your meal there.