I’m not just a seafood lover. I’m a seafood junkie.

Growing up in Oregon, I had the chance to experience first-hand a true fish-lover’s paradise. My father was always an avid fisherman, so we spent a lot of our free time fishing from one end of the state to the other. We caught boatfuls of trout, wild salmon and plenty of other species.

Fishing in the warm waters near my grandparents’ home in San Diego, I was introduced to a completely different ecosystem of fish: halibut (one of my all-time favorites), sole, mackerel and more.

Naturally, most of what we caught ended up on our dinner table. That’s why I know that freshness matters — a lot. Supermarket fish just doesn’t look the same, doesn’t smell the same, and certainly doesn’t taste the same as fresh-caught seafood.

You can’t fake freshness. At Quality Seafood Market, we don’t try. We accept only the best seafood available in order to sell only the best. Our constant goal is to provide you that coastal experience — with the convenience of a neighborhood market.

I know that a lot of folks are intimidated by seafood. If you’re one of them, maybe it’s because you once had flaky whitefish fall apart on the grill. Maybe it’s because your calamari always turns out tough and rubbery. Maybe it’s because you never know what sauce or marinade to use. Maybe it’s simply because of some bad fish sticks you once ate in college.

But let me tell you, you don’t know what you’re missing. Nothing compares to the sheer variety of flavor and texture seafood offers. Not beef, not pork, and certainly not chicken. Far from being intimidated by seafood, I encourage you to embrace the culinary possibilities it offers. Besides being some of the best-tasting fare available, the health benefits of fresh seafood are numerous and undeniable.

If you’re feeling a little out of your depth as a seafood rookie, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve included not only some basic info about our most popular products, but also frequently asked questions about seafood, easy cooking tips and virtually fool-proof recipes. If you don’t see what you need, don’t hesitate to call us.

If you’re really ready to take the plunge, join The Fresh Catch Club for special offers, coupons, recipe ideas, our weekly e-newsletter and more. Best of all — it’s completely free. And by all means, come on down to the market! Enjoy one of our fine restaurant entrées, park yourself at our authentic oyster bar for an icy ray of fresh oysters or a draft beer, or let one of our seafood experts help you choose the perfect item from our retail counter to take home.

See you in the market!

Paul Huntsberger