Where is a good place to buy good quality food? Good produce, a friendly butcher, and a fishmonger. I really don't want to eat mass processed meats and farmed fish. I want free range chickens, wild fish, and organic produce.

Good luck there...you likely won't be able to find all these things under one roof. If you do that probably means a Whole Foods has finally decided to come to town and I'm throwing a celebratory party at my house.

For fish, try Avalon Seafood Market. AVALON SEAFOODS (http://avalonseafoodsokc.com/AVALON/AVALON_SEAFOODS.html). I know they sell some farmed fish but they'll always tell you where it comes from and I know they have a good variety of farmed and wild caught. Plus I think most things are not frozen. They are so helpful and friendly, its always a pleasure shopping there.

For organic produce, you can usually find a meager selection at Homeland (its better than Crest or gasp..Walfart), but I would definitely recommend trying Akins Akin's Natural Foods - Home Page (http://www.akins.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=A59A6B1C10E44C9E9420A7A75B2 7460A) or if you are down in Norman, trying Native Roots Market Home Page -::- Native Roots (http://www.nativerootsmarket.com/). While the season still lasts, also check out the OSU farmers market OSU-OKC Farmers' Market (http://www.osuokc.edu/farmersmarket/) with two locations in the OKC metro area that are available twice a week (once each). Not sure if the one at Chesapeake is guaranteed organic though.

For fresh butchered meats I like Crescent Market The Crescent Market - Good Things to Eat (http://www.thecrescentmarket.com/) or La Baguette Butcher La Baguette Bistro (http://www.labaguettebistro.com/). Super friendly and helpful. Haven't been to Bill Kamp's Meat Market but I hear good things about it.

Didn't see you mention cheese but Forward Foods in Norman Forward Foods (http://www.forwardfoods.com/) has a great cheese selection and also carries organic and local produce (as well as unique gourmet goods).

There are probably plenty more I haven't mentioned here that others might know of.

this is also a really good place to start:

Oklahoma Food Cooperative - Local Food, Local Farmers - Farmer's Market, Natural, organic, health, sustainable, locally grown, meat, vegetables, nuts, produce, bread (http://www.oklahomafood.coop/)

I second Avalon great selection of fish and shellfish.

I get my sushi quality salmon and tuna there.

I like oysters raw, but something I've been doing in coming back to Oklahoma is something I call oyster pops. I make a bunch of oyster sauces and put a grill on a fire pit in the backyard. We get a keg of Newcastle and throw oysters on the grill, when they "pop" you take them and suck the oyster juice out, open it up pour some sauce on it.

It's a good time, best time is in October when it's just getting cold.

I DO NOT recommend going to Avalon for seafood. On one occasion, I purchased a fillet of tuna, only to come home and find what appeared to be some sort of roundworm or fluke burrowing through the fish's flesh. Another time, I was sold some bad clams. When I returned home from Avalon, I opened up the package and was suddenly greeted by a terrible odor. I understand the first incident could happen anywhere, but there is no excuse for selling bad clams. Let's face it--until we get some sort of upscale grocery store, we will not be able to find good seafood in the metro area.

i usually go to gulfport... to those who prefer avalon, what's better about it? i've never had anything of poor quality at gulfport and i can get hush puppies that taste *exactly* like the ones they used to serve at der dutchman.

i'm frying beer batter shrimp this weekend, so my question is of vital importance!

-M

mmm, how do they sell the hushpuppies at gulfport? By the pound?

I sure do miss those Der Dutchman style hushpuppies ever since Harbour House in Bethany went out of business a few months back. The owner was a former cook at Der Dutchman so his were the exact same. Thanks for the tip on where to pick up some for home usage.

I buy my clams and shrimp from Super Cao Nguyen. I also buy fish there when it looks good.

I have never had bad luck with fish from Avalon or Gulfport. I usually go to both when I shop for fish since they are so close together.

how do they sell the hushpuppies at gulfport? by the pound?

they come frozen in 1 lb bags. they're around $3.50/bag if memory serves. just fry them for a few minutes until golden and you'll be set.

-M

Yeah I used to buy all my seafood a Super Cao Nguyen but I question how fresh the sea food is. All these places sound great. I drive by these areas all the time but never notice them thanks!

Still miss Herman's Seafood and Market...*sigh*