This seafood chain has a new Coast location, and the cuisine is just right
If you live in Gulfport, the Shrimp Basket may already be a part of your dining out list, as the one on U.S. 49 has been around for 10 years. But the popular seafood spot just opened a new location on Bienville Boulevard in Ocean Springs.
The Ocean Springs restaurant is broken up into smaller spaces, so even as large as it is, the feel is more like a comfortable diner than a place that can seat scores of guests. The color scheme is mainly aqua and white, so there is a nautical theme that contrasts nicely with the gray floors. There are also plenty of windows that face the busy street, so the light is good, and the overall vibe is pleasant.
The menu is extensive, so take your time and get a good look. A feature that I really like is the red stars that identify best sellers by category. There are more than a dozen starters to choose from, and you know I love to make a meal out of several small, shared plates. The tuna dip, boom boom shrimp and fried pickles are the most popular. In the entrée section, the blackened red fish, stuffed flounder and the shrimp basket are best sellers.
Other standouts include a Low Country boil, plenty of po-boys, and a very good etouffee that my lunch partner, Taylor Gifford, tried. She declared it delicious, just a touch sweet and spicy, too. It is a Shrimp Basket recipe, one of the managers explained to me, and they are proud of everything that comes out of the kitchen.
I went for something a little different. There is a small selection of “add ons” and I choose stuffed crab, fried shrimp, and oysters. A sort of do-it-yourself seafood platter. It was a good choice and I recommend it. I am delighted to tell you that the seafood was not overcooked and was seasoned very well. The batter was just right.
The one really unusual choice on the menu is a cheeseburger topped with a crab cake. All the sauces are made at the restaurant. The one you must try is the Shrimp Basket Gourmet Hot Sauce. The vinegar-bases sauce is tangy with just the right amount of heat. Mix that with the tartar sauce and you have as fine a dipping sauce as you can find.
The Shrimp Basket now has twenty-two locations and has been around since 1993. On my visit at noon, the place was jammed, so you might want to choose a time to visit that is just a bit early or just after the rush.
If you go
Address: 1108 Bienville Blvd., Ocean Springs
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Phone: 228-215-1128
This story was originally published December 10, 2021 at 5:50 AM.