At I Love The Burg, we are big fans of business anniversaries, especially ones that showcase how locals have rallied for years around beloved staples. This year, Fourth Street Shrimp Store (1006 4th st. N.) turned 40, and their anniversary reminds us it’s due time for another visit.

While Fourth Street Shrimp turned 40, the building is much older. Dating back to 1928, the building was originally a garage that fixed Model-T Fords, then it became a laundromat with a small seafood market inside.

Decadent Southern seafood staples

I’m not sure whose idea it was to mix laundry with seafood, but I suppose you have to do something while waiting for clothes to dry, so, shrimp, then.  Why not? It’s Florida, we’ll eat shrimp and do laundry. When the popularity of the seafood market exceeded that of laundry, they ditched the laundromat, making Fourth Street the Bonafede stop for seafood baskets that we love today.

Currently owned by Brian Connell, Fourth Street Shrimp slings seafood baskets, fish sandwiches, tacos, and—well—all the southern seafood staples you could eat. Bay scallops. Fried Oysters. Fried clams, deliciously battered. And two personal favorites Florida crab Croquettes with spicy remoulade sauce and the Shrimp Po Boy. But I’m biased.

Check out the full menu here.