Some of the best seafood stops in Maryland do not have a dock view or a fancy dining room. Some sit inside a shopping center, with a seafood case up front and a few tables tucked in a corner.
In La Plata, one of these counters has built a loyal following for two things you might not expect side by side: fried alligator and fried oysters. Locals talk about the gator like it deserves its own fan club.
The oysters keep showing up on the order slips too, along with crabs by the dozen and cream of crab soup sold by the quart. The shop even moved to a new home recently, and its regulars followed it there.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what to order, what to skip, and how to plan a visit that goes smoothly.
A Seafood Counter on Rosewick Road
The address to save is 220 Rosewick Rd, La Plata, MD 20646, in the Rosewick shopping center in Charles County, Maryland. That is where Southern Maryland Seafood Company now runs its seafood market and carryout counter.
The setup is simple and practical. A seafood case sells raw items to take home, and a kitchen fries and steams orders to go.
It works more like a market with a kitchen than a sit-down restaurant. A handful of small tables sit in one corner for anyone who wants to eat right away.
Many people grab their food and head home. Others settle in at the tables and dig in on the spot.
The menu leans hard into Maryland favorites. Crabs, crab cakes, cream of crab soup, and fried seafood baskets all have a place here.
Then come the wild cards, the fried gator and frog legs that make this counter stand out in the region. Those two items alone send plenty of curious eaters down Rosewick Road.
Overall, the shop holds a 4.5-star standing across more than 300 opinions, which says a lot for a small local business. Not bad for a place you could easily drive right past.
From Indian Head to a New Home
Before La Plata, this business lived in Indian Head, Maryland. The old shop sat tucked behind a market off Route 225, the kind of spot you only found if someone told you about it.
In 2025, the owners packed up and relocated. The shop closed on June 10 and reopened on July 11, 2025, in the Rosewick shopping center.
Moving a seafood business is no small catch. Coolers, cases, fryers, and a whole inventory of supplies had to make the trip.
Longtime customers seem to have followed without much fuss. The new location gets credit for being convenient, which is a nice upgrade from the hard-to-find old spot.
There was one change regulars noticed right away. Crab prices went up after the move, a fact some loyal crab buyers mention while still calling the crabs excellent.
The names Jeff and Laurie come up often when people talk about the place. They run the shop, and Jeff handles plenty of the seasoning and cooking himself.
Their daughter has also been spotted helping customers, patient and ready to explain the options. It still has the feel of a family shop, just with a new address and easier parking.
The Gator Everyone Talks About
Alligator is not a typical Chesapeake Bay menu item. That is exactly why the fried gator here has become a local talking point.
Fans have called it the best gator on the East Coast. That is a bold claim, but it shows how strongly some people feel about this basket.
The seasoning gets a lot of credit. The alligator is seasoned so well that some people skip the dipping sauce that comes with it, though the pairing gets praise too.
Even folks who have mixed feelings about other items tend to give the gator a pass. The bites can be fried hard, and they do not need much extra seasoning to work.
The fried alligator basket is a good choice for a first visit. It lets you try the most talked-about item without committing to a full spread.
Pair it with a cup of cream of crab soup, and you get a little bit of the swamp and a little bit of the bay. That is quite a combo for one counter in Charles County.
Gator newbies, take note. This is the easiest way to see what all the snapping is about.
Fried Oysters Worth the Trip
Second in line, but not second-best, are the fried oysters. They show up again and again when people talk about this shop.
Some customers have made two trips in a single day, coming back at dinner for gator and the fried oysters. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident.
Fried oysters are not easy to find for carryout in this part of Maryland. That makes this counter a handy stop for anyone with a craving.
Back in the Indian Head days, the oysters were already earning the word fantastic. The move to La Plata did not change their fan base.
You can order them by the pint. That size works well for sharing at home, or for keeping all to yourself.
Not every opinion lands at the same level. A few folks call them simply okay, so expectations should stay realistic.
Still, the oysters remain one of the most mentioned items on the menu. Put them on the order next to the gator, and you have the exact pairing that put this counter on the local map.
Crabs, Crab Cakes, and the Maryland Test
In Maryland, every seafood shop gets judged on crabs. Here, crabs are the most talked-about item of all.
Some regulars buy crabs at least twice a month. Even the mediums have been called heavy and sweet by the faithful.
The crab cakes pass the local test with lump crab and no fillers. They are fried golden, which is how many Marylanders like them.
Crab balls are also on the menu. They run a bit pricey, but each one carries a decent amount of crab.
Snow crabs and even Alaskan king crab have shown up in the case too. That range is unusual for a small-town shop.
Crab quality can shift, though. Some buyers have been let down when crabs ran light, so it is smart to ask questions and check your order before leaving.
Holidays bring big crowds. On busy days like Father’s Day, crabs can sell out or only regular sizes may be left, so go early if a crab feast is the plan.
Soup by the Cup, Bowl, or Quart
Cream of crab soup has a special place in Maryland hearts. At this counter, it comes in three sizes: cup, bowl, and quart.
Some fans now call this their go-to spot for it. That is high praise in a state full of crab soup opinions.
Others find it a little light on seasoning. A quick shake of your own spice blend at home can fix that in seconds.
Here is a useful tip for carryout. The cold quart is often a better value than the bowl if you are taking soup home.
That makes it easy to stock up for a few meals. It is also handy for feeding a family without ordering a pile of single servings.
A cup works well as a side to a fried basket. Many first-timers pair it with gator or a crab cake to sample more of the menu.
Soup lovers, keep the quart option in mind. It might be the smartest buy on the menu board.
Rare Finds in the Seafood Case
Frog legs are not something most grocery stores carry. Here, they sometimes sit right in the case, ready to go home with you.
Some shoppers have called them the freshest frog legs they have ever seen on display. Fried frog legs are also on the cooked menu.
Snakehead fish is another unusual find. It has become a local favorite in the region, and this shop sells it.
Alaskan king crab has also made appearances. For a small-town market, that is a wide net.
The everyday lineup stays strong too. Flounder, croaker, rockfish, whiting, trout, shrimp, and scallops all appear in one form or another.
Shrimp can be steamed to order. One handy perk from years back: staff even let customers bring their own containers for shrimp.
Anyone who likes cooking at home will find plenty to work with here. The case is part fish counter, part treasure hunt.
Baskets, Dinners, and the Side Dish Debate
Fried seafood baskets and dinners make up the heart of the hot menu. A flounder dinner with two sides has come in at about 20 dollars.
For seafood these days, prices and portions get solid marks. Many people leave feeling they got a fair deal.
Hush puppies are a popular add-on. Cornbread and French fries also earn kind words, with the fries described as light and not heavy.
Mac and cheese is where opinions split. It uses elbow macaroni in a white cheese sauce, which some enjoy and others find plain.
Seasoning on fish fillets is the other big debate. Some find the fish under seasoned, so asking for extra or bringing your own spice can help.
Fried scallops get mixed results. Plenty of people stick with gator, oysters, and crab cakes instead.
The smart move is simple. Order the stars of the show, try a side or two, and figure out your own favorites from there.
More Than a Fish Market
Shoppers sometimes come in for crabs and leave with a gift. The store carries a small boutique-style selection alongside the seafood.
Crab feast supplies are a big part of it. Seasonings, crab knockers, and rolls of table paper are all on the shelves.
Beyond that, there are Yankee Candles, lotions, hand soaps, and coloring books for kids. Stonewall Kitchen products are stocked too.
Some customers have picked up housewarming gifts here. That is a fun bonus for a stop that started as a dinner run.
Desserts also make an appearance. Carrot cake and pumpkin cheesecake have tempted plenty of folks into an extra treat.
One small detail to know: lemon wedges are not handed out. You can buy a whole lemon if you need one.
Condiments are basic, so bring anything special you like. The shelves make up for it with crab-night gear you might not find elsewhere in town.
Who Feels at Home Here
Clean and comfortable are words that come up often about the space. The chairs are comfy, and the tables are sturdy.
There are only about five small tables. That makes it best for small groups, couples, or a parent and child out for a quick meal.
Big parties will likely do better with carryout. The shop leans that way anyway, and many regulars treat it as a grab-and-go stop.
Staff get steady praise for being friendly and patient. Even on packed holidays, the team has kept calm while phones ring nonstop.
There is no trash can by the tables. Someone from the counter will usually come over and clear things for you.
Some note that the frying smell can follow you out the door. Plan around that if you have somewhere to be afterward.
Home cooks, crab lovers, and adventurous eaters will feel right at home. Folks who want a long, fancy dinner might choose a different kind of night out.
Timing Your Visit Right
Mondays are off the table, since the shop is closed that day. Tuesday through Saturday, it runs from 11 AM to 8 PM.
Sunday hours are a little shorter, from 11 AM to 7:30 PM. That gives plenty of room for lunch, dinner, or a crab pickup.
Holidays and summer weekends get busy. Crabs can sell out fast, so arriving early is the safest bet.
Calling ahead is a good idea for large orders. The shop does not post a full menu online, so asking about the day’s options helps.
Check your crab sizes and order before you leave. That small step can save a return trip.
For a first visit, keep it simple. Get the fried gator, a pint of fried oysters, and a cup of cream of crab soup.
Add a crab cake if you want a taste of classic Maryland. You will leave knowing exactly why locals keep coming back.
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