Jaclyn’s Pick:

Shucks Fish House & Oyster Bar
1911 Leavenworth St.
Fare: Seafood
Cost: $54 for one appetizer and two meals
Reservations: Not needed for our Monday evening visit

Greetings, Eaters and Readers!

With a 19-year Best of Omaha™ streak under its belt, Shucks Fish House and Oyster Bar probably doesn’t need much of an introduction — let alone a review. Instead, consider this a friendly reminder to revisit this well-loved seafood spot — or try it for the first time if you’re one of the few who haven’t.

Shucks got its start slinging oysters every Wednesday at Absolutely Fresh Seafood Market, offering a variety of oysters to the store’s regulars. Demand quickly outgrew the market’s space, and in 2006, the first Shucks location opened right next door. The concept caught on, and now there are three locations across Omaha.

Martha and I found ourselves at the Leavenworth location — the newest of the bunch — on a quiet Monday evening. We were greeted immediately and asked where we’d like to sit. We chose a table by the windows and started poring over the generously sized menu.

Shucks Puppies ($7) — Cheesy grits, shrimp, bacon

Shucks’ twist on a hush puppy, this appetizer caught our attention in the hours leading up to our dinner. Filled with warm, cheesy grits, bits of bacon, and shrimp – we were big fans of these puppies.

Martha liked the remoulade dipping sauce more than I did, though – I gobbled up my bites without it and didn’t feel like I was missing any flavor in doing so – they are delightful on their own.

Codwich ($16) — Fried cod, tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato, coleslaw, upgrade to baby cakes

It was tough to decide what to order — so many things sounded good. I almost went with the shrimp po’boy until I spotted the fried cod sandwich at the last minute. A point of pride for Shucks, they claim to have the thinnest breading in town. And I’d have to say they’re right.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure why that would be a selling point — until I took my first bite. Suddenly, I realized: I could actually taste the fish, not just a mouthful of breading with a hint of seafood. And let me tell you — Nebraska may be landlocked, but this was some of the freshest fish I’ve ever had. Firm, flaky, and mildly sweet and savory — just like cod is supposed to be. Shucks’ Codwich is an absolutely great sandwich.

My meal came with fries, but I swapped them for the baby cakes — Shucks’ version of a tater tot. They were perfectly crispy, well-seasoned, and I dare you to find a better tot in town.

Deep South Risotto ($22) — Fresh shrimp, housemade Andouille sausage, tomatoes and green beans in a creamy risotto.

Martha is always a sucker for a creamy risotto. She debated a few other items that sounded yum, but kept coming back to the Deep South Risotto. There was a moment when she considered asking for fried or grilled shrimp – but she didn’t.

What was plated in front of her was a generous portion of hot, creamy, and flavorful southern goodness. The shrimp was the right size and the dish featured plenty of it. It also came with four corners of toasty bread that helped guide a few of the delicious bites into her mouth. She’s thought about this dish a few times since our visit. All those other menu items that caught her eye will have to fight for her attention now that she knows how delicious Shucks’ risotto is.

Final Bites

It’s probably time to acknowledge the elephant in the room: why didn’t we get oysters?

They are, after all, how Shucks got its start.

Both Martha and I have had oysters before — and neither of us liked them. Strip us of our foodie credentials if you must, but those slimy things just aren’t our thing. We’re not here to pretend.

The good news? Plenty of people feel differently and Shucks offers a robust menu of other seafood and non-seafood items. But we get it – those oysters are what probably brings most people through the door. Shucks has won a Best of Omaha™ award every year since they opened. The people have spoken — again and again. Whether it’s fish or oysters, you’ll find no better in Omaha than Shucks.

Cheers!
The Good Bite Gals

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