Fresh and Local

You can smell fresh fish and shrimp along with crabs and spices. The space is clean and bright and very welcoming. Native Seafood opened their doors last October and they are open now, ready for their first big season.

The owners of Native Seafood, Farris and Chrissy O'Neal, are very busy people. In addition to Native Seafood, they also operate Drumstick Charter Fishing, Ocracoke Parasailing, Restless Native boat rentals, and duck hunting tours in the winter. As if these ventures weren't enough to keep them busy, Farris goes out fishing almost every day to keep the store stocked with fresh seafood. They are also busy parents with son Charlie and daughter Daisy. Farris is an Ocracoke native who has been fishing and hunting these waters all his life. He's a member of the Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association. Chrissy grew up in a Coast Guard family, stationed in Elizabeth City.

Fishing is a passion for Farris and that passion is easy to see when you visit Native Seafood. The display cooler is stocked with gorgeous fish and seafood. Bluefish is a popular choice. Chrissy told me that at times they sell out of certain items but to check back the next day as it may have be replenished by Farris. Farris's daily catch includes Spanish mackerel, bluefish, sheepshead, trout, sea mullet, flounder, and red drum. Their fresh blue crabs are supplied by Ocracoke crabbers. I met some of the crabs who were just “chillin'” in a tub – Chrissy said the crabs are kept alive until purchased. It doesn't get much fresher than that.

In addition to seafood, they also stock beer and wine, breading, spices and lots of sauces! Oh my at the sauces! Chrissy told me that she is a fan of sauces and couldn't resist ordering the whole collection so she could try them all. You really must see the sauce section!

Native Seafood also offers a vacuum-sealing service for anglers who want to pack their catches and seal them for freshness. They sell steamed seafood as well which makes it super easy to add healthy seafood to your diet! They will have homemade key lime pies soon. They also offer sushi items to make your own sushi, and they have fresh tuna, crabmeat, and crab legs.

Chrissy told me that Ocracoke has been very supportive of their new business venture. Farris has been providing his fresh, local fish to many of Ocracoke restaurants for the past 15 plus years, so you may have been eating some of his catch and not even realized it!

Native Seafood is located at 800 Irvin Garrish Highway between Yadkin bank and the new fire department. They are open 7 days a week from 11 am – 7 pm. Give them a call at 252-928-CRAB.

Stop by and say hello to Farris (if he is not out on the boat), Chrissy, Chrissy’s brother Chuck Ray and Robert Waller. They will help you select the perfect seafood, sauces, beer, wine, and even dessert for a delicious Ocracoke meal.