Tom Robinson’s Seafood

Easily some of the best fresh fish I’ve ever bought — and this far from the coast. I am a new englander, many a summer spent on the coast and while that might not certify me to judge seafood, I feel I can safely say Tom Robinson’s offers fresh fish at competitive prices. Get there on Thursday to pick out the week’s catches and Friday or Saturday to pick it up before it sells out! I purchased 6 pounds of fresh whole fish, left it to chill for 2 days, and still it was some of the best fish I’ve made at home.

I came here for live blue crabs all the time. I can’t think of a second place in the area with fresh seafood of this quality.

This is a small place that packs the best fresh seafood in the area. I always go here for scallops because they have the largest around. The staff is very nice and always the same although I don’t know their names. I’ve bought great fish, shrimp, scallops and crabmeat from here. Seafood is fresh from the coast. Advice… go early so you can get what u want because things will run out. You can even bring your own cooler if you live far or aren’t going right home. I’m about to graduate and will miss lil ol Robinson’s. I appreciate the meat guy at Weaver St Market in Southern Village for putting me on to them!

DON’T GO TO THIS PLACE. I went there to get Shad roe. It was expensive, but the whole fish with the roe was cheap. I asked for the whole fish with the roe and for the fish to be cleaned. I got home and did not have the roe. I called and was told to come back, but they would not give me the roe I had paid for but wanted me to buy it again.
Don’t deal with these people. Not like when Tom was there.

The best freshest fish ever. When the Swordfish and Blues are in season, hop on over to this place… actually GREAT selection ALL year.

This is has been the best place for truly fresh seafood in this section of the state for a number of years, and remains so today, more than 2 years after the death of the iconic former owner, Tom Robinson. The urban legend among many customers was that Tom himself caught the fish he sold, but that was simply a legend — the truth is that he traveled to the coast each Wednesday, bought the best, freshest seafood he could find from among the fishermen, merchants, and other folks that he had come to know over the years, and trucked them back to Carrboro.
Which ever you choose to believe, the seafood here remains fresh and varied, and Thursday morning is the best time for the best selection. There is a chalk board listing on the left hand wall that identifies what is available for that day, at that time — stuff moves out at a pretty good rate. These folks are very knowledgeable and will answer your questions, quickly and clearly — and give you sound advice. The place doesn’t look like much, but you are coming to buy the fish — ambiance is for the ensuing meal, not the buying.
The variety ranges from Grouper (if they have the Strawberry variety, buy it), Snapper, Salmon, Flounder, Trigger Fish, Trout, Dolphin, Tile Fish, Tuna, and even plain olé Catfish, and lowly Spot (a great fish, agreat value), and even more. The listing changes as the seasons do, but whatever is there is fresh. They have Shrimp, Scallops, and today they offered LIVE Soft Shell Crab — you can not get it fresher than that — and they fried up beautifully in a light, tempura type batter. Also bought a nice, whole grouper (about 2 ¼ pounds, and we’ll bake him (head and all) Sunday for dinner. Finished the order with 4 pretty Butterfish (pompano to most of us) — these we’ll freeze and pan sautee later.
You pickout you seafood, request if and how you wish them cleaned, pay and wait. NOTE: Cash or Check only. The cleaning moves fairly fast, and soon you have your order. I have been coming here off and on for nearly 15 years, and have never had a bad item — NEVER. So grab a cooler, put in the ice, and head to Carrboro.

I’ve been here about a half a dozen times over the years, and they’ve always sold me great fish, priced below Whole Foods and Weaver Street.
The story was always that the late Tom Robinson would catch it early in the week, then drive it back to Carrboro, or something like that. Cash only.

A local insitution and perhaps the only place to get fresh, local, seafood in season. Plus the only place I can ever find roe, unless I catch it myself. Great prices and great people too. Only open Thursday to Sat.

This is a fantastic fish store — a real rarity. Fish when they’re really fresh –as they are here, especially on Thursday – are things of beauty. Most of the fish here are brought in by Salvador and his crew from the NC coast. They are happy to answer your questions (Salvador and co., not the fish). Bring cash as they don’t accept credit cards.

I bought some sashimi-​grade salmon and mackerel here for a sushi dinner I was making at home. I also got some whole shrimp for a shrimp tempura. The clerk was very helpful in answering my questions and the fish was amazingly fresh and delicious. They helped make my sushi dinner a success!
They only accept cash or checks and they are only opened Thursday-​Saturday. 9:30 am to 6:30 pm on Thursday and Friday. 8:30 am to 6:30 pm on Saturday. Also, take a cooler with some crushed ice to help keep your purchase unspoiled on the trip home.

I discovered this place on one of my many walks to the UNC campus from my current home in Carrboro. For someone who’s used to getting their fish at Harris Teeter, it was a godsend.
The owner (didn’t catch his name) is a really friendly guy who loves fishmongering (yeah, who knew?). He apparently catches it all himself once a week, which is amazing to me given the sheer quantity and diversity of fish there. My palette isn’t the most refined in the world, but this stuff certainly tastes fresh enough, so I’m not inclined to question it.
The prices can get a little up there, but that’s what you get for guaranteed fresh seafood from a local seller.

Tom is an expert on creatures of the sea. He goes to the ocean, to catch all of his own seafood during the week and comes back to Carrboro to share «the catch» with the Carrboro family. He has the freshest fish and other seafood items available, great for grilling, a sauté, or baking. They’ll help you with your selection, scale it and clean it for you and wrap it up nice and neatly. I love stopping in here for my fresh seafood items. The service is superb and you can’t beat, the high level of knowledge that comes with it.