Coastal Cave Trading Co

This place is long since closed and gone. This should be removed from Unilocal

Coastal Cave has the honor of being the first place I actually ate a banh mi – «Vietnamese hoagies» on the menu. As much as I’d love to try one of their «fat» sandwiches (the Fat Cajun sounds especially tempting) or a seafood platter, I can’t resist having a banh mi. Since they’re all about the seafood here, the protein choices are mostly fish. I highly regard their pickled herring sandwich. They fill up the sandwich with fresh vegetables, including pickled carrots and daikon, jalapenos for a little kick, cucumbers for crunch, and cilantro for freshness. The bread isn’t a crispy baguette, but rather, soft and absorbent. Later I came to realize that Coastal Cave’s banh mi are a bit atypical compared with other places, but quality, fresh ingredients make this place one of my favorite RTM staples AND banh mi joints.
The last few times I went here, they were out of the pickled fishes (herring and sardines). C’mon, Coastal Cave, get it together!

Coastal Cave is equal parts lunch counter and full on fish market. While you will find plenty of fileted fish, salads, shellfish, smoked fish and then some; as you wander through the market further you’ll also find that Coastal isn’t the best fish market that Reading Terminal has to offer.
Still Coastal Cave does shine for a Terminal lunch destination. Obviously seafood is its main centerpiece; and whether its a suitable ingredient for the particular kind of variation or not, they do manage to fit it into a number of different sandwiches. despite being somewhat afraid of the result, after seeing that they had a Vietnamese influence made me interested in trying one of Banh Mi sandwiches. And while wasn’t exactly a win with shrimp salad, it was a faithful representation that could cross over successfully with the right kind of fish.
their lunch deals are inexpensive enough to the point that you can walk away with a soup and sandwich for under $ 8. But they also have some crazy fat boy monster sandwiches that get fully loaded with crab cakes, french fries, fried fish, and more!

Today I tryed the Fat Boy here (Fried Fish, Fried Shrimp, French Fries, Cole Slaw, Tomatoes, Ketchup and Mayo) and it was delicious! I am not really a fan of sandwiches with Fries on them but this one was really good. The combo of all the ingredients sounds weird but for some reason it works… I don’t know how or why but it works and it is great. The only issue I had is that the bread wasn’t as fresh as it could be but other than that it was great! I will definately be returning!

I love Frankenstein sandwiches. LOVE!
After i read the
review and learned about the Fat Boy sandwiches at Coastal Cave, it was only a matter of time until a day came along in which my lunchtime appetite would be up to the task.
That day was today! I was not disappointed. I go nuts for sandwiches that come with French Fries on them. The worst part of my meal was deciding which crazy thing to eat. It came down to a choice between the Fat Cajun (with crab cakes, fried fish, french fries, ketchup, mayo, tomatoes, and cajun spices) and the Fat Boy (with fried fish, fried shrimp, french fries, ketchup, mayo, tomatoes, and cole slaw). I finally settled on the latter. It tasted just the way you are imagining, for better or for worse. In my case it was for the best. I ate every little crumb of that sandwich and don’t regret a thing!
Oh, and all that for $ 5.50. All the sandwiches are priced between $ 5 and $ 6. Quite a value if you ask me.
From my normal route through the market, i was only getting half the story on Coastal Cave. I would come up on the side with the Lobster tanks and past the section in front with the smoked fish selection and the classy menu of platters and what have you. But i never saw the third side. The third, delicious side of this stand that offers not only crazy sandwiches, but soup, raw bar, and even fried oreos. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if its your thing, you know this is your place.

A nice array of whole and fileted fish, frozen crustaceans, battered ready-​to-​fry items and smoked salmons. You can also have a seafood meal prepared to eat at the market — but I have never done this. I have bought shrimp and Halibut here both were fine. (Fresh and not fishy smelling.)

I have been here probably a dozen times and have never been disappointed. Today I had a scallop cake platter and it was absolutely delicious! I have had their salmon cakes, crab cakes, smoked bluefish and every time I go, I am glad I went. Their platters include 2 sides and (with a drink) you’ll be at about $ 7-​$ 8. The 3 people who work there seem to work very well together and because of that you will have your food and be on your way quickly.