Celebrate National Oyster Day in Indianapolis
August 5 is National Oyster Day, which is great if you love the little bivalve and happen to live in a coastal town, but what if you're in landlocked Indianapolis? How do you celebrate? Where can you find a hearty supply of fresh-shucked oysters and all the required accoutrements? As it turns out, you can find them in a lot of restaurants in and around town—and they're just as fresh as if they were plucked from the sea moments before ordering. Here are my picks for places where you can get out and enjoy National Oyster Day in the Circle City—YUM!
BLUEBEARD
Serving contemporary American cuisine, Bluebeard offers interesting and innovative dishes created from locally sourced ingredients including meats and produce grown on Indiana farms—but, they also serve oysters. Located in a renovated warehouse in the historic Holy Rosary neighborhood on the southeast side of downtown, their oysters are served raw, on the half shell with mignonette and cocktail sauce. $3/ea.
Noah Grant's Grill House & Oyster Bar
About twenty minutes north of the city, this local favorite is a sure bet for anything and everything—except maybe mermaids—from the sea. Noah Grant's serves oysters on the half shell, but, if you're intimidated by the thought of a raw oyster sliding down your throat, order them Rockefeller-style. Not a fan of oysters at all? Try the El Salvadorian-style shrimp ceviche for $13. Oysters, $market price.
Caplinger's Fresh Catch
This family-run fish market has everything from alligator and escargot to frog legs, octopus and a wide array of shellfish, crab and regular ol' fish along with a glorious selection of east and west coast oysters. And not only can you enjoy oysters onsite, you can also buy them for home—they’ll even shuck them for you! Try Caplinger's fried oysters, $5.99/1/4 pound. On the half shell, $9.99/6.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
As soon as you walk into Oceanaire, you immediately know you're in the right place for seafood. Offering one of the city's most eclectic selections of oysters with names like Naked Cowboy, Purple Mountain and Wild Cat, you have many options available—and with their Sunday $1/ ea oyster special, you can feast away and try every single one!
Mitchell's Fish Market Seafood Restaurant
Shoot straight up Meridian Street and you'll find the Clay Terrace outdoor mall and one of the best seafood restaurants on the north side. And not only do they serve oysters, but Mitchell’s has some of the best mussels in the city. Prices vary with the market but typically run around $15/1/2 dozen.
Do you have a favorite place to get oysters in Indy? I’d love to hear about it … drop me a line and let me know managingeditor@edibleindy.com
