This Oregon Coast Seafood Stop Is Smoking in the Best Possible Way

I stumbled onto South Beach Fish Market on a foggy Oregon morning, and the moment I caught a whiff of hickory smoke drifting across Highway 101, I slammed on the brakes.

This little roadside shack at 3640 S Coast Hwy, South Beach, Oregon, doesn’t look like much, but it’s been dishing out some of the freshest, most ridiculously good seafood on the Oregon Coast for decades.

Outside, giant steaming cauldrons bubble away with Dungeness crabs while locals and tourists line up, paper plates in hand, ready for fried halibut, crispy fish and chips, and the famous salmon candy that people drive hours for.

Forget fancy restaurants and mood lighting. Here, seafood is the star, and it practically swims onto your plate.

I watched them pull trays of teriyaki-glazed salmon from the smoker, and I’m not ashamed to admit I almost teared up. The fish and chips earned “best on the coast” bragging rights back in 1994, and decades later, they’re still crushing it.

If you’re anywhere near this stretch of Oregon, skipping this place isn’t an option – you’ll see why the line never gets shorter.

The Legendary Salmon Candy That Ruined Me For Life

I need to be honest with you. After tasting the salmon candy at South Beach Fish Market, I can never look at regular smoked salmon the same way again.

They craft this addictive treat exclusively from massive Chinook King Salmon weighing between 15 and 30 pounds because those behemoths pack the perfect fat content for melt-in-your-mouth texture.

The fish gets an overnight soak in their secret teriyaki brine before spending hours in the hickory smoker. Then comes the magic: a brown sugar glaze that caramelizes into sweet, savory perfection.

Every tender bite delivers this incredible balance of smoky depth and candy-like sweetness. I bought three packages thinking I’d share them back home, but I demolished two before I even crossed the Yaquina Bay Bridge.

People mention this stuff in 64 Google reviews, and now I understand why. It’s genuinely addictive, like the reviews say.

You can grab some at the counter or order it shipped anywhere in the United States. Fair warning though: once your friends taste it, they’ll be begging you to mail them emergency supplies from Oregon forever.

Fish and Chips That Earned Legendary Status in 1994

Back in 1994, The Oregonian conducted an informal survey that changed everything for this humble roadside market. Their fish and chips were declared “far and away the best on the coast,” and suddenly everyone knew the secret.

I ordered the halibut version, and when that golden, crispy fillet arrived steaming hot from the fryer, I totally got the hype. The batter shatters perfectly with each bite, revealing flaky white fish so fresh it practically melts on your tongue.

They offer multiple fish options including local cod, lingcod, sea bass, and albacore, all sourced directly from Newport’s commercial fishing fleet. The halibut gets mentioned in 292 customer reviews, making it the absolute star of the menu.

Grab malt vinegar and ketchup from the condiment table and claim a picnic spot. Yes, the tables are weathered and sticky sometimes, but you’re eating seafood that was swimming in the Pacific Ocean just hours ago.

The fries come out piping hot and perfectly salted. Some reviewers want more seasoning, but I found them ideal for soaking up tartar sauce between bites of that incredible fish.

Those Giant Steaming Crab Cauldrons By The Highway

You can spot South Beach Fish Market from a mile away thanks to the massive steaming cauldrons positioned right by Highway 101. Giant clouds of steam billow up as fresh Dungeness crabs tumble around in boiling water, and the sight alone makes your stomach growl.

I watched them cook batch after batch of these gorgeous orange crustaceans. You can buy crabs already cooked, or bring in your own catch from the nearby docks and they’ll cook and clean them for about 50 cents to a dollar per crab.

One clever reviewer bought two live Dungeness crabs for $45 from the Chelsea Rose boat at the harbor, brought them here in a paper bag, and had them cleaned and boiled for just $7 total. Twenty minutes later, they had a spectacular fresh-from-the-sea feast.

The Dungeness crab gets 48 mentions in reviews, and the crab sandwich scores 80 shoutouts. That tells you everything about quality and popularity.

Watching those cauldrons bubble away while you wait for your order creates this incredible anticipation. It’s dinner theater, Oregon Coast style, and it never gets old.

The Crab Sandwich That Breaks The Internet

Listen, I’ve eaten crab sandwiches from Maine to California, and this one belongs in the Seafood Hall of Fame. Eighty Google reviews specifically mention the crab sandwich, and after one bite, I joined that chorus of praise.

They pile impossibly generous amounts of fresh Dungeness crab meat onto thick slices of sourdough bread. The crab gets just a light seasoning of salt and pepper, letting the natural sweetness shine through without any heavy mayonnaise drowning the delicate flavor.

Each bite delivers pure, sweet crab meat with that perfect texture somewhere between tender and slightly firm. The sourdough adds just enough tang and structure to hold everything together without stealing the spotlight.

One reviewer called it better than any Michelin or five-star restaurant, and honestly, I can’t argue with that assessment. Sometimes the best food comes from weathered picnic tables in parking lots rather than white tablecloth establishments.

At around $15 to $20, it’s not cheap, but you’re getting premium Dungeness crab that was probably swimming yesterday. That’s the Oregon Coast experience I came here for, served on sourdough with zero pretension.

Hook and Line Sourcing From Newport’s Fishing Fleet

What separates South Beach Fish Market from every grocery store seafood counter is their direct relationship with Newport’s commercial fishing fleet. They purchase whole fish caught by hook and line, not nets, which means better quality and more sustainable harvesting practices.

Local fishermen bring their catches straight to the market, where staff fillets everything on-site. You’re literally getting fish that swam in Oregon waters just hours before landing on your plate or in your cooler.

They vacuum-pack and ice everything immediately to preserve that just-caught freshness. I watched them break down a massive halibut while I waited for my order, and the skill level was impressive.

This direct sourcing explains why their fried seafood tastes so incredibly fresh compared to other coastal spots. When one reviewer mentioned their salmon was “an hour off the boat to our mouths,” they weren’t exaggerating.

For sport fishers visiting Oregon, the market also offers custom smoking services for your personal catches. Bring in your trophy salmon or lingcod, and they’ll smoke it using their signature alder wood and hickory process.

They’ll even vacuum-pack and cold-store it until you’re ready to ship it home.

The Captain’s Platter For Serious Seafood Lovers

If you want to experience the full range of what South Beach Fish Market can do, order the Captain’s Platter and prepare for a seafood explosion. This high-end option combines halibut, prawns, oysters, and scallops in one glorious fried feast.

Each component gets cooked to absolute perfection. The halibut arrives buttery and flaky, the prawns have that satisfying snap, the oysters deliver briny goodness in a crispy coating, and the scallops are tender little flavor bombs.

I shared one with my travel buddy and we still struggled to finish everything. The portions are genuinely generous, especially for a platter pushing $30 or more.

Some reviewers complain about prices, and yes, quality seafood costs money. But consider that you’re getting multiple premium species, all locally sourced and impeccably fresh, prepared by people who’ve been doing this for decades.

The tempura oysters deserve special mention. Multiple reviewers rave about them, and after trying them myself, I understand the obsession completely.

Grab extra tartar sauce and lemon wedges from the condiment station. You’ll want them for this multi-course adventure through Oregon’s best seafood offerings, all on one paper plate at a picnic table.

Shipping Fresh Seafood To All 50 States

Can’t make it to the Oregon Coast right now? South Beach Fish Market will ship their incredible seafood anywhere in the United States, which honestly feels like a public service.

They’ve developed a robust shipping operation using specialized insulated boxes and gel packs. Everything from whole Chinook salmon to crab leg meat to that addictive salmon candy arrives at your door still fresh and cold.

I’ve had friends order smoked salmon shipped to Wisconsin in the middle of summer, and it arrived perfectly preserved. The packaging is seriously impressive, designed specifically for seafood transport across long distances.

You can order through their website at southbeachfishmarket.com or call them directly at 541-867-6800. The staff knows exactly how to pack everything for maximum freshness during transit.

This shipping service makes South Beach Fish Market the perfect solution for gifts. Send salmon candy to your seafood-loving relatives and watch them lose their minds.

Prices include shipping costs, so factor that into your budget. But honestly, having access to this quality of Oregon Coast seafood no matter where you live is worth every penny.

It’s like teleporting a piece of the Pacific Northwest straight to your kitchen.

The Quirky Roadside Shack Atmosphere Everyone Loves

South Beach Fish Market makes absolutely zero apologies for its no-frills aesthetic, and that’s exactly what makes it so charming. This place prioritizes incredible seafood over Instagram-worthy decor, and I respect that philosophy completely.

The atmosphere gets described as “honky-tonk,” “quirky,” and reminiscent of “a remote island.” Weathered picnic tables dot the outdoor area, some sticky from the constant coastal humidity and heavy use.

Bathrooms are porta-potties, which 18 reviews mention specifically. Is it fancy?

Absolutely not. Does it matter when you’re eating the freshest halibut of your entire life?

Also absolutely not.

Counter service keeps things efficient despite constant crowds. You order at the window, grab a number, and wait for your name to be called.

Food comes on paper plates with plastic utensils, keeping the focus squarely on what matters: the seafood.

Seating is available both indoors and on that spacious outdoor patio. I preferred eating outside where I could watch the crab cauldrons steam and feel the Oregon coast breeze.

This is authentic coastal dining, the kind of place where locals have been coming for decades. The word is definitely out, as multiple reviews mention, but somehow it still feels like discovering a secret.

Open 7 AM to 7 PM Every Single Day

One of the most underrated aspects of South Beach Fish Market is their incredibly consistent operating hours. They’re open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM every single day of the week, which is genuinely rare for coastal eateries.

Many Oregon Coast restaurants close randomly for days at a time or shut down entirely during slow seasons. Not this place.

They show up rain or shine, summer crowds or winter storms, ready to serve fresh seafood.

I rolled up at 7:15 AM once, desperately needing breakfast, and they were already frying up fish and steaming crabs. Starting your day with smoked salmon and fresh coffee from the attached convenience store hits different, trust me.

The extended hours mean you can grab dinner late after a full day of beach exploring without worrying about everything being closed. At 6:30 PM, they’re still cooking with the same quality and enthusiasm as morning rush.

During peak summer season, expect lines no matter when you visit. But the staff moves efficiently, and most reviewers report waiting only 10 to 20 minutes even during crazy busy periods.

This reliability makes South Beach Fish Market an essential stop on any Oregon Coast road trip. You know exactly when they’ll be open and ready to feed your seafood cravings with zero drama or uncertainty.