Ohio sits hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, so fresh seafood here can feel like a long shot. Yet on the west side of Columbus, one small market has people from Florida, a state surrounded by water on three sides, saying it has the freshest catch they have found in years.
It sells raw fish by the pound, cooks up hearty fried catfish platters, and runs on a simple motto that promises nearly anything with fins or a shell. Keep reading to learn where it is, what to order, when to go, and the tips that will save a wasted trip.
A Fish Counter on Trabue Road
Frank’s Fish And Seafood Market sits at 5251 Trabue Rd, Columbus, OH 43228, on the west side of the city. It is part fish market and part casual kitchen, which makes it a rare find in central Ohio.
One side of the shop holds cases of fresh and frozen seafood for home cooks. The other side has a fry cook turning out lunch platters for anyone who would rather let someone else handle the batter.
The setup is modest, with a few tables inside. In warmer months, a patio with umbrellas gives diners a place to eat outdoors.
Some people come from close by and appreciate not having to drive far for good seafood. Others make an hour-long trip or more just to shop here, which says a lot about the market’s pull.
With a 4.5-star average across nearly a thousand Google entries, the shop has earned a loyal following. Friendly staff comes up again and again, mentioned well over a hundred times.
So what keeps people driving across town for fish in a landlocked state? The answer starts with a motto.
If It Swims, They Have It
Bold mottos are easy to print and hard to live up to. The phrase on display here is “If it swims we have it,” and the shop works hard to back it up.
The cases hold a wide range of seafood. Chilean sea bass, scallops, oysters, salmon, crab legs, and crab claws all show up on the list of offerings.
Shoppers also find lobster tails, orange roughy, monkfish, and frog legs. Fresh, frozen sardines stay in stock regularly, sold in 2-pound bags that were priced at $10.99 at one point.
Some fish arrive pre-marinated and ready to go straight onto the grill or into a pan. That is a handy shortcut for busy weeknights.
The mix leans on both fresh and frozen products. A few shoppers have hoped for more fresh fish and found a larger frozen selection than expected, so it helps to arrive with a flexible plan.
Calling ahead to check on a specific item is a smart move. Staff have been patient and helpful on the phone with people hunting for one particular catch.
The variety is the hook, but the real surprise is who keeps praising it.
Florida Folks Give Their Nod
Floridians are a tough crowd when it comes to seafood. They grow up near the Gulf and the Atlantic, so a market in Ohio has to work to win them over.
Frank’s has done it more than once. A Florida native on a first visit picked up Chilean sea bass and oysters and called it the freshest seafood she had enjoyed in a long time.
Another Florida resident, in town to see his grandchildren, stopped in for prawns to pair with lobster tails. He fishes both coasts of Florida and the Bahamas and has seen plenty of fish markets.
His verdict was simple. He called the shop terrific and noted that everything he saw was fresh.
That kind of praise carries weight in a city far from salt water. It also explains why the oysters in the shell draw attention, with good deals that keep shuckers coming back.
Still, the counter is only half the story. The kitchen side has its own fan club, and it centers on one Southern favorite.
The Hearty Fried Catfish Platter
Catfish ranks among the most talked-about dishes on the cooked side of the shop. Portions are generous, the kind that make lunch feel like a real meal.
A common order pairs catfish with fries, though rice works as a swap. Cod is another popular choice for those who want a lighter fish under the breading.
The fried fish comes out well breaded and well seasoned. Lunch specials are all fried, and while they are not the cheapest meals in town, they are filling.
Fries deserve their own mention. They are cut in a style compared to state fair fries, and a splash of malt vinegar is a popular way to finish them.
Tartar sauce here wins over even people who usually skip it. Asking for it on the side is an easy way to test that claim.
Catfish is not the only star on the menu board, though. A pot of something rich and Southern gets even more chatter.
Gumbo, Po’ Boys, and Other Kitchen Favorites
Gumbo is the single most mentioned item tied to this market. Some call it a must for anyone making the trip.
Lobster bisque has its own followers, and clam chowder appears on the menu too. A walleye platter has earned high marks, cooked well enough that it barely needs sauce.
The cod po’ boy is another highlight. It comes loaded and has turned first-timers into fans of the whole operation.
Fish and chips round out the classics. Salmon salad offers a lighter path for diners who want something that is not fried.
Tuesdays have been known for fish tacos. Checking ahead is wise, since menu specials can change over time.
The kitchen shines for a quick lunch. The shop also helps with bigger plans, and that is where its party-friendly side appears.
Crab Cakes and Cookout Shortcuts
Hosting a crowd takes planning, and this market can shoulder some of the load. Ordering ahead is possible for larger quantities.
One customer called a day early to order 16 crab cakes. The owner was friendly on the phone, and the order was ready right at pickup time.
Those patties went straight onto a Blackstone griddle. They were a nice size and offered strong value compared to buying every ingredient separately.
The time saved is a big perk. Skipping the mixing and shaping means more time with guests.
Seafood boils are another popular use for the market. Prawns, lobster tails, and crab legs make the shop a one-stop source for a backyard feast.
Monkfish fans also take note. The shop is known for strong prices on it, and some shoppers say prices beat the big warehouse clubs.
Of course, a good deal means little without good people behind the counter.
Friendly Faces Behind the Glass
Kindness is the most repeated theme connected to this shop. Friendly staff has been mentioned around 140 times.
The women who work here also own the business. Shoppers describe them as welcoming, engaging, and genuinely happy to have customers.
First-time guests often get a tour of the day’s offerings. That personal touch helps people try species they might not pick on their own.
The market carries the name of Frank, and some longtime regulars feel the shop has changed since his passing. A few have noted thinner selection or higher prices on certain days.
Phone calls have also drawn mixed experiences. Some callers got patient help, while others wanted a full list of the day’s fish and were simply told to come see the case.
Overall, the warm side wins out for most people. That good mood carries over to the little dining area, which suits a surprising range of guests.
Hours Worth Writing Down
Timing matters a lot at this market. Showing up late can mean an empty case.
The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 6 pm. Saturday runs from 9 am to 6 pm, and Monday has short hours from 10 am to 2 pm.
Sunday is closed. Plan weekend seafood dinners around a Saturday stop.
Here is the key tip. Staff may begin putting product away before the posted closing time, so late afternoon arrivals risk missing out.
Morning or midday visits are the safest bet. Selection is fuller, and lunch from the kitchen fits nicely into that window.
Calling ahead works for special requests. It is also a good way to confirm a favorite fish is in stock before driving across town.
Prices are not bargain basement, but many shoppers find good value, especially on oysters and monkfish. With timing sorted, only one question remains.
Worth the Trip Across Town
Few spots in Columbus manage to be both a fish market and a lunch counter. Frank’s pulls off both with a homegrown charm.
The catfish is hearty, the gumbo has a following, and the cases cover an impressive range for an inland city. Florida natives have even given it their approval.
It is not flawless. Selection can vary, some days lean frozen, and late arrivals may find things already packed up.
Those small hurdles are easy to clear with a little planning. Go early, call ahead for specific items, and bring an open mind about what is fresh that day.
Home cooks will find marinated fillets, sardines, and oysters to take back to the kitchen. Hungry lunch seekers can grab a platter and a table on the patio when the weather allows.
For seafood in the heart of Ohio, this little shop on Trabue Road makes a solid case. The catch is good, and the welcome might be even better.
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