[Ann Arbor] Monahan’s Seafood

March 11, 2013 · by Shanghai Girl · in Ann Arbor

Monahan’s Seafood Market | www.monahansseafood.com

Address: 407 N Fifth Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Date visited: 2013.03
Total bill: $38 including tax for two people
Verdict: Rather have a meal here than at Real Seafood
Will Return: Definitely
What to get:
– Fish & Chips
– Raw Oysters

Anthony Bourdain has been here. If you need any more convincing, I guess you can keep reading.

Monahan’s is a seafood market located inside Kerrytown Market & Shops. In addition to supplying fresh seafood for groceries, they also serve lunch for dine-in or take-out (Mon-Sat 11am-3pm). And by dine-in, I mean there are a few small tables off to the side that you ~~are going to have to fight someone for~~ can sit at. It tends to get pretty crowded during lunch time so be prepared to either wait for a table or get your food to go. Food here is served on paper plates (dat class) and I would eat this over Real Seafood any day. My friend and I really enjoyed our meal.

Oysters (Market Price; $2.50 each during this visit)

This is the second time this week I introduced someone to raw oysters. Yes, they have been living under rocks. Only east coast oysters were available today from Martha’s Vineyard; mildly salty and very fresh.

Saffron Rice Seafood Chowder (Cup $4.95, Pint $7.95, Quart $14.95; cup is shown below)

I was really hoping they would have New England Clam Chowder; they didn’t but I was equally pleased with this. The chowder was satisfying and seasoned just right. Get the recipe from Monahan’s here.

Oyster Po’boy ($11.95)

This was the lunch special of the day. The po’boy originated from Louisiana and is a sub on French bread with fried seafood (or meat). This was a little hard to eat as a sandwich. I had to deconstruct this to eat it. I couldn’t really taste the oysters, just the fried. It was good but I wouldn’t care to get this again.

Fish & Chips ($8.95)

This is what you should get at Monahan’s. The fish is North American pollack, which has a pretty ordinary taste in general and I don’t expect any place to use sablefish to deep fry in beer batter anyway. BUT the fries, oh the fries of all things, were so good. My friend thinks they might have used peanut oil, which is fine by me if that makes it tastier but probably not for anyone who has to epi pen themselves afterwards. Overall, this was pretty good.