Pure Food Fish Market

A real fish market

There's no doubt when you're in the Pure Food Fish Market at Pike Place Market that you are in the company of serious (yet fun loving) fish purveyors/lovers.

Pike Place Market was founded in 1907 and Jack Amon arrived in 1911 to begin selling seafood from a stand. His son Solomon, Sol or Solly to most, the "Cod Father" to some, began working for his dad when he was 13 and still runs the business. Pure Food has always been a fresh fish market, not a brokerage, not a large corporation. Just four generations of family selling the best and freshest fish they can find. Harry Calvo, fish manager (photo), arrived on the scene in 1970, and is now completing his 44^th year with Pure Food. Fishmonger Richard Hoag has been on site since 1981. Solly's grandchildren also work in the business. "Solly came to the Market in 1957," says Harry. "Between the two of us, we have 103 years of experience."

Much of their seafood is sourced in Alaska and Canada, from independent boats. They have product from around the world, but specialize in seafood from the Pacific Northwest. Who can resist fresh salmon, Alaskan halibut, shrimp, octopus, squid, and crab? Over the years, they've added smoked products like alderwood smoked salmon, garlic-pepper smoked salmon, teriyaki salmon jerky, cold smoked salmon lox, sockeye candied salmon, mussels, and black cod. You can find lobster, oysters, scallops, clams, caviar and Pike Place Chowder. Can't decide? Try a sampler. They often include Pure Food's apricot ginger teriyaki sauce or Cajun cocktail sauce. Want to look great? Try one of the Pure Food aprons-it will up your kitchen game.

Photo courtesy of Pure Food Fish Market: smoked scallops

Besides their incredible depth of seafood knowledge, what sets them apart, according to Harry, is their team. "Solly is great to work for. We're always busy, there's always something to do. We have a great, friendly crew who want to help each customer find what they want."

At any given time, they have approximately 60 seafood items on ice, waiting to be taken home. New and long-time customers line up, ask questions, and give their orders. "It's great when people ask 'what's good today' so we can let them know what just came in," says Harry. They also do a whopping business shipping online and phone orders. Even before the holidays actually arrive, they can be shipping 140+ boxes from the back of the stall. Weekday orders placed before 4 p.m. are shipped that day FedEx Next Day Air, and they ship anywhere and everywhere. "If you know what you want, it's best to order online. But call if you have questions," explains Harry. "We take phone calls/orders all day long." They're happy to put a card in if the delivery is a gift. Or if you're buying for someone and are unsure of what they'd like, get them a gift card.

Photo courtesy of Pure Food Fish Market: Dungeness crab

Needless to say, the crew has a lot of recipes they think are great. You can ask while you're there about how to best cook something or look on their website for recipes before heading down.

While calling on the phone or ordering online gets the job done, it's way more fun to head to where it all happens and talk with the professionals.

Pure Food Fish Market
1511 Pike Place
Seattle, WA 98101
206-622-5765
800-392-FISH (3474) toll free
www.freshseafood.com

Courtesy of Pure Food Fish Market: NW king salmon

December 2014