Saltbox Seafood Joint

Pretty good spot! I had a shrimp roll, it was great. The sandwich was well seasoned, the tea and lemon punch were good too. I can’t wait to go back. If you go, I suggest getting there first thing because that’s when you have the best likelihood of getting exactly what you want. They sell out of a lot of things quickly. The picnic tables are nice to sit at!

Today was my first visit to Saltbox. It was amazing. We got there a little before 2 on a Saturday afternoon. There was a line to the sidewalk. It moved kinda slow but no big deal! The food was amazing. The tea was even amazing. We ordered a few different items and shared. Everything was perfect. I can’t wait to come back!

Overhyped. Durham doesn’t have many reasonable seafood options, which is the only reason I can see this place gets such attention. Magazine reviews happen likely because it looks «cute.» In reality, REALLY long wait times and they are always out of at least half of their «menu» (even at noon on a weekday…). I don’t see a reasonable defense for running out of hush puppies during the middle of business hours, either. Fish needs to be fresh but hush puppy batter should be able to be made continuously over the course of the day.
If this was located in any city with a bigger food scene, this restaurant would have real problems.

Let me preface his by noting that I have had good food at Saltbox. I am sad to rate it a three star. The fish is often cooked well and is of consistent quality. The hush puppies are often pretty good. While the food is good, it is not nearly good enough to deserve the price tag.
Saltbox has increased its prices since opening significantly. When Chef Ricky opened, the prices were $ 8-​$ 12 depending on whether one got a sandwich or a plate. I guess the positive reviews went to his head and prices have been jacked up accordingly.
The extraordinary, jaw dropping price tag associated with Saltbox cannot be overlooked. The food is simply not close to worth the price. You can look to pay at least $ 15-​$ 20 per person, for a lunch, at this walk up counter. The joint is often closed when they run out of fish, which has happened at least half the times I’ve tried to buy food there, and the wait times are long even if you are the only person ordering.
It is embarrassing that I pick up food for $ 20 and have to go to McDonalds to get ketchup for the hushpuppies. There is no alcohol available at Saltbox and seating is limited to a handful of picnic tables.
The bottom line — way, way too expensive for what you get. If the prices were $ 8-​$ 12 I would be able to endorse this restaurant, but paying $ 20+ is ridiculous. The portion sizes are small and will leave you hungry.
You can also look forward to playing frogger to cross the busy Mangum Rd, as the parking lot is extremely small.

Awesome seafood! And the hushpuppies were the best I ever had– highly recommend you get some of those with your food!

You must stop in and try… Anything on the menu. The quality and atmosphere is amazing.

Prepare to wait people! The snapper was tasty but I waited for at least an hour! Didn’t expect this because the place was only a small food stand. Stopped by for a quick meal and I was wrong! Anyways, if you don’t mind waiting, it food is worth trying.

Wow. Saltbox is definitely the move for lunch on a nice day. I love the outdoor seating; the service is nice and efficient. But the food… the food is so impressive. I’ve never had mackerel grilled to such perfection. The seasoning is what made it so amazing (besides the freshly caught NC fish). I was a bit worried at first when I heard that it was going to be covered in coleslaw, but the coleslaw wasn’t heavy or overwhelming at all. Rather, it provided this nice flavor complement and textural contrast to the tender fish. For those who are sensitive to salt, this might be too salty, but I found it just perfect (then again, I’m probably going to get high blood pressure at age 30, considering my sodium intake). Really cool place. Get here early, because once they run out, they are out.

A «Joint» is exactly what the Salt Box is and they have no desire to change I’m sure! It’s just a small roadside building that can barely hold the three or four guys inside working on your order. There’s no inside dining, only a few picnic tables out front. You’ll need to find a spot on the street to park, plenty of it though, as the small lot will only accommodate about three to four cars. We tried the grilled tuna plate, which was cooked to a perfect pink interior that lets you know right away that they know fish! The catfish plate was a great piece of fresh catfish that was grilled to a perfectly seasoned tenderness! The potatoes that accompany the fish were very good, but a bit greasy. I hate slaw, but their take on slaw was incredible and left me wondering what it was and could I break in after hours to eat up the rest of it! The hush puppies with drizzled honey were a different take, but well worth the try! You never know what’s offered on a given day, and as they run out of a item, the menu starts shrinking drastically! My only complaint is the prices! For $ 15, to only get one piece of catfish, is a bit absurd! This isn’t gourmet, just a creative and ingenious take on good seafood. This southern gentleman enjoyed the food immensely, and probably would stop by again, but just doesn’t agree with the prices!

First timer to the Saltbox Seafood Joint and it was delicious! We arrived late afternoon and were disappointed that there was no more catfish or any salmon. But, we had mullet fish and shrimp and it was very tasty. If you don’t like seasoning, don’t go. The fried potatoes were tasty too.
We arrived in town searching for seafood. This joint was nearby to our hotel and the DPAC. We will definitely return again when back in town!

EAT HERE… And do it often! This post is long overdue as I visiting Durham early in the summer but I had to leave a review because I was so impressed. The atmosphere was adorable: small mint green colored «shack» with picnic tables out front and a line that nearly stretched into the street. Do not let the line deter you. My friend and I waited for 5 minutes to order, then waited another 10 for our sandwiches to arrive and it was worth it. The catfish was super fresh and had the prefect amount of crisp (not break-​your-​tooth hard but not soggy either.) The roll was seasoned well and the sandwich was topped with a slaw. I washed it down with a Peach Punch which was so good I asked for the recipe. I often try and duplicate it at home and fail, miserably.
I went to the airport immediately following my meal at the Saltbox. During the ride all I could think about was why I hadn’t ordered a sandwich to take with me. Do yourself a favor… Get here early, wait in line, order ANYTHING, and enjoy your food. You won’t be disappointed.

Its places like Saltbox that separate Durham from the homogenized places like Cary and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I enjoyed a lunch here with my husband on one of the last remaining days of the warm afternoon sun and shared a picnic table with two older gentlemen visiting from Raleigh. While we all waited for our food we chatted about places like the Saltbox and the ever growing Durham food scene and pondered its future. We waited about 30 minutes for our name to be called but it was the lunch time rush so that was to be expected. We shared the Mullet and Shrimp Roll and an order of the hush honeys. That coupled with two drinks set us back a whopping $ 34. Everything was well executed and flavorful, above average seafood rolls especially for the area. What did surprise me was their homemade tartar sauce. There are many reasons I don’t care for it normally but none of those were seen here. My complements to the creator of that sauce which was wonderful on my roll. This little seafood stand is well on its way to becoming a Durham icon and I wish them well. I for one will continue to enjoy their fresh seafood and as a tip, make sure you check out their FB page for current operating hours. They will close on normal business days and they will post when they sell out. Take note that they are closed on Sunday and Monday (which seems to be the days I always want a seafood roll!)

It’s more than just the food that makes Saltbox a five star spot. Imagine a stationary food truck with cute shaded & shared picnic table and street parking. The Saltbox has an inviting atmosphere, although all outside seating and service only consists of the time spent ordering and picking up your order from the window. If you’re in a rush, place your order ahead! It’s a popular joint (literally!) and they prepare everything FRESH, so you’ll have some wait time after you order AND quite possibly wait to even get your order in [PRO TIP: Come early to avoid a long line!]. Go with friends (or better: Lauryn C.!), this is a perfect spot to enjoy beautiful NC weather and someone’s company while you wait & while you bite into some of THE BEST dishes in Durham. After a recent trip to Portland, ME, I’ve got to say, compared to the seafood there, the Saltbox is good, but don’t set your expectations too high. We’re in NC, we’re NOT on the coast, and things have to be shipped. The food is GREAT, but it’s not straight out of the ocean an hour before seafood.
It’s pricy, but when on vacation or a special friend-​date, it’s great to splurge for something unique. Rolls range from $ 9-​$ 13 each and consist of your choice of [usually fried] seafood on a bun, topped with their homemade coleslaw. Plates range from $ 12-​$ 17 and consist of more grilled options served with homemade potato chips and slaw. I personally LOVE their slaw: vinegar based with all types of seasonal greens, including brussel sprouts and kale (along with typical cabbage and lemon flavors). I also love the non-​fried options, but the fried are delicious too! Can’t miss the grilled salmon or the shrimp bun, and the side sauces (tarter and cocktail) are delicious, very much handmade and something different. And if you’re feeling extra hungry, the hush honey’s go well with everything. Overall, I won’t be coming here regularly but I would definitely recommend the Saltbox to a tourist in Durham. This is a spot I’d bring visitors (maybe not visitors from the coast thought). There’s really nothing like it in the area and it all comes together to give you a great experience.

Definitely get there early because they run out of things fast. Ended up getting grilled dogfish? It had a spice rub that had a little kick. I would definitely like to return to try their other seafood!

Ahh-​Mazing! What a killer food hut find in Durham. If you are looking for some casual good eats and crazy delicious seafood then Saltbox Seafood is your spot. «Joint» is the perfect description for this place. Rose L and I met for lunch (Elite nomination winner for the month — go Rose) and we couldn’t have picked a better day to enjoy dining al fresco outside on some picnic table in front of the «joint.»
I was surprised to find some none fried options that were just as delicious as those tasty fried sandwiches and platters. We ordered the honey hush puppies, salmon platter, and shrimp sandwich. Not only was the shrimp fried perfectly that salmon was soooo good. Umm can we talk about the coleslaw??? I hate coleslaw ok I hate mayo so that’s usually the base of coleslaw. Not at Saltbox this slaw was a pleasant mix of brussel sprouts, kale, and a light vinaigrette based dressing. The tarter sauce and cocktail you can tell are all homemade as well.
It’s not cheap but the quality of food and the portion size are spot on. I’m so excited to show this place off to my family and friends.

I just love how Saltbox has the word «joint» in it’s name. That’s exactly what it is, too. A joint.
Not even the size of a RV/​trailer, Saltbox is a small stand/​house on Mangum Street. My coworker discovered this place and suggested I go because I love evrything seafood.
My friend and I went around 2:30pm, at that time there were probably only 8 people in the vicinity (either ordering or seated); also there was plenty of street parking for that hour (although not enough if it were packed during peak times). The only downfall to that is we only saw what’s left of the menu. There is a chalkboard that lists all available items and as they sell out, the list gets skimpier. I’m definitely coming back to see what else got erased. I also can’t imagine how long the lines and the wait would be during lunch time.
Here are highlights and tips:
— Saltbox is on a one way street, so try not to miss it.
— They have a restroom, surprisingly.
— You can order your fish fried or grilled (the grilled option isn’t posted, we had to ask), so if you don’t specify, then your meal defaults to fried.
— The later you go in the day, the less items on the menu there are because they sell out quickly.
— There is only outdoor seating, and only about 4 picnic tables — however, there is a hidden one in the back, except that one doesn’t have an umbrella to block from the sun.
The catfish, with a light batter was delicious on bread (but a bit salty, hence the name), the coleslaw was not too mayo-​ie and the hush honeys were a sweet treat. It was a bit pricey at $ 17 but I can’t wait to splurge and return again!
Update, I came back the following day (#issues) and ordered the Salmon Roll — delicious. Much less saltier than my first trip. Also, my cole slaw had different cabbages (purple instead of green) see photos, so your experience will vary due to their supply.

I’ve been meaning to visit Saltbox since they opened, and thought that I was maybe only a year late until I saw the «Est. 2012» on the sign as I sat enjoying my mackerel plate today. Man, time flies!
Better late than never, I guess, because I’m a fan. The mackerel was seasoned to perfection and only lightly battered and fried. I could actually taste the fish! The cole slaw is probably the best in town (sorry, former champs Parker & Otis), and it turns out the «fried potatoes» are potato chips. They placed mine under the mackerel, so they got a little soggy, but I didn’t really mind; they tasted pretty good with fish juice.
While the quality certainly warrants the price (my plate was $ 16), the walk-​up surf shack vibe doesn’t. I was thanking my lucky, hungry stars I stashed a $ 20 bill in my running shorts, thinking I’d have enough change for another treat downtown. After buying my plate, a bottle of water, and tipping $ 1, I had less than $ 1 left.
The bottom line? You get what you pay for at Saltbox.

Excellent fried seafood! Some of the freshest, as well as best-​fried seafood I’ve ever had. The wait is extremely long though, since the chef seems to be the main person cooking everything. There wasn’t a line when I arrived on a Saturday afternoon (~3pm), although I could see that there were several people waiting for their orders by the picnic tables. My wait, with ~10 people having already ordered, was around 30 min. For the first-​time visit, I’d bear through it, but the wait makes me hesitant to frequent as much as I’d like for subsequent visits.
The selection was also pretty sparse at this point. Their popular hushpuppies were sold out, and many of the options raved about in reviews weren’t present. I would recommend calling if possible to see what they have, or suggest they update their Twitter/​FB more frequently w/​the options of the day.
The food itself was excellent. Perfect dipping sauce complemented the fried plate I ordered (whiting fish), and the fried potatoes were thinly sliced and chip-​like — unique and amazing as well. The fish skin was crispy, and none of the «fishy» taste of non-​fresh fish was present. I wasn’t as big of a fan of the slaw, which tasted like there was coconut or some other flavor to it, but it was unique and well prepared. Would recommend visiting earlier in the day to make sure things aren’t sold out, as well as having something to do during the wait!

This seafood shack is an underrated gem! It baffles me every single time when I meet people familiar with the Durham food scene who have yet to experience Saltbox, but all I can guess it that this little phenomenon is in large part due to people like myself who find these little gems – these precious little things – and keep it to themselves. I’ll admit it now, I’m guilty! But I won’t bear the buden of my find any longer!
I’ll say it now – you cannot go wrong with anything here at Saltbox – it’s one of those laws of the universe, like gravity, that can’t and won’t be broken. I was there with my family last Friday and we ordered a plate of the grilled mullet and a plate of the soft shelled crab, along with a side of hush honeys and the spicy fish stew.
If you haven’t had the hush honeys from Saltbox, your life, by definition is still fairly incomplete. I don’t even like hushpuppies and I think these are the bomb dot com. They’re nicely spiced and so satisfyingly crispy! The perfect golden brown and dipped in honey – it’s a recipe for addiction. The same could be said for the seafood. Always fresh, beautifully spiced, and cooked, this time was no different. The soft shelled crab, however, stole the show. It was surprisingly light despite the fact that it was fried, and the meat of the crab practically melts in your mouth. It was a dish full of perfectly contrasting, yet complimentary, flavors and textures. The slaw on the side is also perfectly seasoned, and I know the word perfect should either be used in moderation or never at all, but here, it’s perfectly justified.
If this little joint is on your Durham bucket list and you’ve yet to check it off, please go and please do, and if this little joint isn’t, do yourself a favor and add it to the very top. Trust me, it’s an experience you won’t regret having.
P. S. It’s been 4 days since my cousin has had the soft shelled crab plate and she’s still talking about it…

Delicious seafood sold out of a small little shack. We got our food to go but there were plenty of picnic benches out front. One chalkboard has rolls and the other has plates. Anything you get will be fried and tasty. The coleslaw is some of the best I have had in my life. My scallops were just a tad salty but tasty nonetheless. Stop by when in this part of Durham.