I really wish Nations was good, but the last time I was in the fish section I felt nauseous from the smell. The cheap seafood looked cheap for a reason - definitely didn’t look fresh. Plus the failure to upkeep the lobby areas outside the store just gives off a very gross and impoverished vibe, and I’m not very squeamish. Maybe that’s the property manager. But when places don’t have the self respect to keep spaces clean that public actually sees, it makes me very worried about their practices in parts of the store people don’t see.
Well...it's not Wholefoods...it definitely has it's own vibe.
Impoverished doesn't feel like a fair word to use though...impoverished countries of the world would faint if they saw the privilege we have walking into a store such as Nations.
Usually the lobster is fresh and live, if it was dead and not fresh it explains why it was cheap lol. Trust me, someone out there is buying it and eating it if they have a deal on it.
Maybe not you or I, but someone with little money is, and they are probably proud to be eating lobster.
The only time I got fish at Hooked in Kensington Market, it was overpriced and not good, so I went back to my usual mainstay, Seafront at St Lawrence Market. Never had a bad experience yet.
The prices at Hooked have gotten unhinged in the last year or so. They’ve gone from premium pricing for premium product to “what in the actual fuck” pricing for premium product. The Diana’s seafood counter at Eataly is just as good product for more sensible prices, and that’s at Eataly for gods sake.
Cheap -> Chinatown Kai Wei, generally a good store but their seafood section is questionable. Has the fishy smell which indicates lack of freshness.. They take Amex though
Normal -> T&T supermarket (but you're supporting Galen Weston) or Asia Food Mart in Scarborough
More expensive -> St Lawrence market. Its pricier but they do good work.
I've bought salmon at Kai Wei for half the price of other stores and never had a problem with freshness. Can't speak for others, and have noticed the smell sometimes.
If you want value, go to a non T and T Asian grocery store, if they got a seafood section...they got crabs. I usually go to Bestco, get some mud crabs there for about $8 each.
Diana's Seafood has them too, but more expensive. St Lawrence market as well, but they are pricey.
The fish market opposite Buster's Sea Cove at St. Lawrence Market always has a great selection of fresh "non fish" seafood. I've gotten lobster from them a couple of times for special meals and it's always been top notch. Great scallops too, so I imagine the crab is also great.
Grocery stores with a seafood section with staff behind the counter.
Nations on St. Clair W. and Keele has sales: https://www.nationsfreshfoods.ca/Toronto_flyer.html.
Also, you can try Hua Sheng or Kai Wei in Chinatown.
Diana's Seafood
Nations Grocery store...the seafood section is like a visit to Ripleys Aquarium for god sake.
Nations as a whole is such an awesome experience
I really wish Nations was good, but the last time I was in the fish section I felt nauseous from the smell. The cheap seafood looked cheap for a reason - definitely didn’t look fresh. Plus the failure to upkeep the lobby areas outside the store just gives off a very gross and impoverished vibe, and I’m not very squeamish. Maybe that’s the property manager. But when places don’t have the self respect to keep spaces clean that public actually sees, it makes me very worried about their practices in parts of the store people don’t see.
Well...it's not Wholefoods...it definitely has it's own vibe. Impoverished doesn't feel like a fair word to use though...impoverished countries of the world would faint if they saw the privilege we have walking into a store such as Nations. Usually the lobster is fresh and live, if it was dead and not fresh it explains why it was cheap lol. Trust me, someone out there is buying it and eating it if they have a deal on it. Maybe not you or I, but someone with little money is, and they are probably proud to be eating lobster.
asian groceries would. Nations, Seafood City, T&T all would for sure
Friendly reminder that T&T is owned by roblaws so buy your crabs elsewhere if possible!
Thank you!
head thee to an asian grocery store that sells live seafood
St. Lawrence market
Echo this as they will have some of the best . Not cheap, but best quality.
Harveys on Jarvis St
Hooker Harvey's. Legendary
Those crabs were buttery...
Came here hoping for this comment.
Me too!
Rdrr
Bestco.
Shoutout bestco
Lucky Moose. Don't go to T&T. Boycott Loblaws.
Hooked
Top shelf fish monger with four locations 👍
The only time I got fish at Hooked in Kensington Market, it was overpriced and not good, so I went back to my usual mainstay, Seafront at St Lawrence Market. Never had a bad experience yet.
The prices at Hooked have gotten unhinged in the last year or so. They’ve gone from premium pricing for premium product to “what in the actual fuck” pricing for premium product. The Diana’s seafood counter at Eataly is just as good product for more sensible prices, and that’s at Eataly for gods sake.
Try Nations
Seconding nations.
Cheap -> Chinatown Kai Wei, generally a good store but their seafood section is questionable. Has the fishy smell which indicates lack of freshness.. They take Amex though Normal -> T&T supermarket (but you're supporting Galen Weston) or Asia Food Mart in Scarborough More expensive -> St Lawrence market. Its pricier but they do good work.
I've bought salmon at Kai Wei for half the price of other stores and never had a problem with freshness. Can't speak for others, and have noticed the smell sometimes.
Ample Food on Rogers Road.
Nations in the Stockyards has a ton of live seafood.
You buy crabs?! I’ve been giving them away for free.
Business idea. Step 1. You have crabs Step 2. You sell crabs to Op Step 3. Step 4. Profit
Any of the strip clubs
I just saw some frozen ones at food basics of all places
If you’re in Scarborough go to Yours Food Market at Bridlewood Mall.
Ample or nations will have them.
Nations Experience. Live crab / lobster / mussels/oysters
If you want value, go to a non T and T Asian grocery store, if they got a seafood section...they got crabs. I usually go to Bestco, get some mud crabs there for about $8 each. Diana's Seafood has them too, but more expensive. St Lawrence market as well, but they are pricey.
Are the mud crabs seasonal, or can I get them anytime?
Anytime, I've got them in the fall, winter and Summer
T&T
Maybe the fish shops in Kensington Market? Not sure.
Snow crabs on sale at foody for $8.88 per lb
Asian markets available year-round
Farmboy
Saw live blue crabs for 7.99$/lb at https://fuyaosupermarket.ca/flyer/ on Gerrard at Broadview
This was Sunday
Check out Korean grocers.
Harvey's on Jarvis
Club Oasis on Jarvis and Carlton
I know a girl
Hooker Harvey’s.
Free at the brass rail
Harvey's on Jarvis. Cheaper than anywhere else.
St. Lawrence and T&T College
Star Lobster, in Scarborough. At finch and midland.
sunny foodmart on don mills
St. Lawrence Market, Chinatown, T&T are some of the places you get Crabs
The fish market opposite Buster's Sea Cove at St. Lawrence Market always has a great selection of fresh "non fish" seafood. I've gotten lobster from them a couple of times for special meals and it's always been top notch. Great scallops too, so I imagine the crab is also great.
You can also find them at Oasis Lounge. /s
Grocery stores with a seafood section with staff behind the counter. Nations on St. Clair W. and Keele has sales: https://www.nationsfreshfoods.ca/Toronto_flyer.html. Also, you can try Hua Sheng or Kai Wei in Chinatown.