by Knight Trainees

I headed down to the Maine Avenue Fish Market, known to locals as "the wharf." It's only half a mile from the much-touristed Tidal Basin, but remains a low-key and local spot, especially on weekdays. Office workers, laborers, and a few tourists were taking advantage of the temperate summer weather to slurp a few oysters and crack a crab or two on the harbor before heading back to their jobs.

— Evie Stone

  • The Maine Avenue fish market, a group of about ten stalls tucked away under I-395 between the Tidal Basin and the new ballpark. A smattering of mostly local customers perused the raw and cooked seafood options during a recent weekday lunch hour.
    Hide caption
    The Maine Avenue fish market, a group of about ten stalls tucked away under I-395 between the Tidal Basin and the new ballpark. A smattering of mostly local customers perused the raw and cooked seafood options during a recent weekday lunch hour.
  • A vendor at Pruitt Seafood lies in wait for an oyster-lover.
    Hide caption
    A vendor at Pruitt Seafood lies in wait for an oyster-lover.
  • Blue crabs — sold both live and steamed — are by far the Wharf's most popular commodity.
    Hide caption
    Blue crabs — sold both live and steamed — are by far the Wharf's most popular commodity.
  • A customer checks out the ready-to-eat crustacean wonderland of Jessie's Cooked Seafood.
    Hide caption
    A customer checks out the ready-to-eat crustacean wonderland of Jessie's Cooked Seafood.
  • Vendors will steam and season crabs to order or sell them pre-cooked by the pound — the bigger the crabs, the higher the price point. Savvy customers will haggle for the best prices.
    Hide caption
    Vendors will steam and season crabs to order or sell them pre-cooked by the pound — the bigger the crabs, the higher the price point. Savvy customers will haggle for the best prices.
  • A rockfish awaits its fate.
    Hide caption
    A rockfish awaits its fate.
  • Vendors at Captain White's Seafood City sort crabs by size and sex. The males (Jimmys) have blue-tipped claws. Females (Sally Crabs) have red claw tips.
    Hide caption
    Vendors at Captain White's Seafood City sort crabs by size and sex. The males (Jimmys) have blue-tipped claws. Females (Sally Crabs) have red claw tips.
  • Jimmy's Grill specializes in fried seafood platters, crab cakes, crab soup, and giant slices of cake.
    Hide caption
    Jimmy's Grill specializes in fried seafood platters, crab cakes, crab soup, and giant slices of cake.
  • Local workers size up Captain White's lunch options under the watchful eye of a mermaid mascot.
    Hide caption
    Local workers size up Captain White's lunch options under the watchful eye of a mermaid mascot.
  • A satisfied customer slurps his way through a half-dozen raw oysters.
    Hide caption
    A satisfied customer slurps his way through a half-dozen raw oysters.
  • The remnants of a lunchtime harbor-front crab feast.
    Hide caption
    The remnants of a lunchtime harbor-front crab feast.

1 of 11

View slideshow i