Get hooked on smoked fish dip
Amy Drew: Try these 5 places to grab this Floridian snack spread.
“When I am governor,” I recently opined to the Sentinel’s new “Let’s Eat, Orlando” Facebook group, “my first order of biz will be designating smoked fish dip as our official state food.”
Future gubernatorial candidates should take note that this platform won me endorsements.
The rest of you should take note of this small roster, featuring a few great spots to grab some of this wholly Floridian snack spread. I can’t resist ordering it, no matter where I am — bummy beach bar or ritzy boîte. And these days, it’s a phenomenally convenient grab-and-go item you can gussy up for date night or family dinner with ease.
Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar
I posted the above pic in both a recent write-up and in the aforementioned Facebook thread. It’s a definite favorite of mine. And I’m hardly alone. “A fave,” one member responded. “They make chunky a virtue.” Spot on observation. Reel Fish’s delectable dip is loaded down with fish hunks when so many others are practically pulverized to paste. Not so here. This is a fish-lover’s fiesta. Be careful not to snap your crackers. If all else fails, fork it!
If you go: 1234 N Orange Ave. in Winter Park; 407-543-3474; reelfishcoastal.com
The Aardvark
“Just got some from Aardvark on Saturday,” came another sug
gestion. “It’s delicious, and the portion is huge!” Indeed, contents shifted in the container on the way home, necessitating a replating that helped show it off, but it was generous, to say the least. You can taste the homemade here, for sure, and the Aardvark’s dip will vary depending on when you visit. They make it with whatever fish is in-house at the time.
If you go: 2610 S. Ferncreek Ave. in Orlando; 407-894-9999; theaardvarkfl.com
The Osprey
A new addition to this Baldwin Park haunt’s allnew, seafood-forward menu, the Osprey’s smoked salmon dip is this roster’s most elegant entry, deserving of sleek plating over a paper-lined plastic basket. Punctuated by the pearly pop of roe and pickled mustard seeds and served with plank-like housemade chips, it’s definitely one to try.
If you go: 4899 New Broad St. in Orlando; 407-960-7700; theospreyorlando.com
Lombardi’s Seafood
The cafe here remains COVID-closed for the time being, but business was still booming when I popped in to grab some smoked fish dip at Lombardi’s Seafood. Like some of the other entries here, Lombardi’s — which obviously has access to what’s fresh and what’s best — mixes it up, using whatever they deem suitable. This melange featured mahi, mackerel and amberjack, and man, it was so good. The best part is that you can pick up other fishy
provisions while you’re there.
If you go: 1888 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park; 407-628-3474; lombardis.com
Winter Park Fish Co.
You can double-dip, literally, at longtime local favorite Winter Park Fish Co., which was genuinely hopping when I popped in to pick up my order. The fresh-spiced ahi tuna salad is the milder of the two, creamier and less fishy than the smoked salmon. So you can guess which one was my favorite; the crispy/smoky bit of fish skin I got in a particular bite was heavenly. For $8 apiece, portions were super generous — both came with diced onion, tomato and capers, and they threw two sleeves of Ritz crackers in my to-go sack for good measure.
If you go: 761 N. Orange Ave. in Winter Park; 407-622-6112; wpfishco.com Worthy of note: Multiple Let’s Eat Orlando members touted the joys of Smilin’ Bob’s fish dips, which you can order online or track down using the store locator at smilinbobs.com. Heading west? Hit up Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish (tedpetersfish.com), which has been selling successfully in St. Pete for 65 years. Heading east?
One member suggested Ocean’s Seafood (facebook.com/ pages/Oceans-Seafood/ 111727772195975) in New Smyrna Beach, noting that they do a “good dip at reasonable prices, fish, blue crab, shrimp, salmon, etc.”
This should keep you fishy foodies fixed up for a while.
Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@ orlandosentinel.com.