Old boats, salt air, and a paper ticket with your number on it can still deliver the best kind of meal. That is the promise waiting by the docks in Cortez, where fried shrimp arrive piping hot and seagulls provide the background chatter.
I went to see if the buzz was hype or history in motion, and found a place that still cooks like the sea is the only boss. Keep reading for the full scoop, including what to order, when to arrive, and how to enjoy this Florida classic without overthinking a single bite.
Where You’ll Find It
The tiny dockside spot is Star Fish Company, 12306 46th Ave W, Cortez, FL 34215, United States, tucked into one of Florida’s last working fishing villages. I arrived to a bright board listing the day’s catch and a window for ordering that feels more like a fish house than a restaurant.
Boats bobbed a few feet away, and the breeze carried the briny scent that tells you dinner did not travel far. A friendly voice reminded me it is cash only, which fits the old school rhythm of this place…