Florida's catch of the day

If you love seafood, visit this Pensacola landmark for some of the freshest and most affordable in the South.

Agiant billboard reads "Welcome to Pattiland." Sounds like a kiddie theme park with a carousel and cotton candy, right? Nope. It's the Gulf Coast's premium seafood market.

"Joe Patti's is like an amusement park. There's always so much going on," says Maria Patti-Walker, general manager of the store and granddaughter of the famed seafood market founder. "Visitors can pick out their fish, watch the boats at the dock out back bring in the catch, and shop in the gourmet store."

Once you find a parking space in the usually full lot, start your Patti ex-perience by grabbing a number from the dispenser inside. This no-frills joint is always jammed to the gills, and the number system keeps the place organized. "64. 65. 66." A word of advice: Pay attention, and know what you want to order. If you clam up when your number is called, they'll say, "Please look at your number tickets. We need customer number 66. Please raise your hand 66." These fishmongers mean business.

The rest of Joe Patti's is more laidback. Browse at your leisure, and soak in the atmosphere. Peruse the cookbook section. Watch a sushi chef artfully prepare bite-size treats. Within the market, also visit Amangiari (Grandma Patti's favorite saying meaning "time to eat") Gourmet Shop. Here you'll find an array of cheeses, deli meats, fresh flowers, and spices. The wine room is equally impressive. Because this shop attracts such a wide variety of clientele, it's a great place to people-watch.

Since 1932, Joe Patti's has been a celebrated name in the Pensacola area. Capt. Joe and Anna Patti started the seafood company in the back of their home. Once they outgrew their modest dwelling, they packed up ship, so to speak, and headed to bigger waters. Thanks to a lucrative mail-order business (you can order by phone or off the Web site), this family-run operation now reaches kitchens throughout the U.S.-and beyond.

"The first day we showed our Web site, we received 979 hits. Everyone is shocked by our prices for such high-quality and fresh seafood," explains Maria. In the heat of the summer, when visitors pack the area, prices remain reasonable. Yellowfin tuna goes for about $8.99 a pound; snapper fillets, $7.99 a pound; grouper fillets, $7.99 a pound; and bay scallops, $4.99 for 12 ounces. You can reel in a hot baguette for a buck. And the cheeses in the gourmet market are cheaper than the nearby grocery chain. Talk about a bargain.

"The prices are fabulous. They are better than in the city or any of the beach towns," says Mary Katherine Cabaniss, a Birmingham resident. "We hit Joe Patti's on the way into town and again before we leave so we can stock the freezer at home."

The blue sea has many other fish to offer for this busy family. Maria recently teamed up with Watkins Productions to put together some cooking videos ($9.99 each). A sandwich shop, The Snapper Shack, is on the calendar to open soon. Plus a line of dishes, Patti-ware, is in the works. No wonder locals call this place the Taj Mahal of seafood markets.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Aug 2003
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