I've been a happy customer of both the retail store and the wholesale ops in the back since they opened. (Anyone want to know how to cold smoke 24 filleted salmon in a cardboard refrigerator box? Let me know!). I needed to find some Chesapeake Channa to make updated Baltimore Coddies for a tasting event. (IYKYK, hon). The Trouts were able to special order the fish for me - not easy to do because CCs are a by-product catch so not always available. Outstanding service! If you can get them you really, really should. Chesapeake Channa are an invasive species that are wreaking havoc in the Bay. The good news: they are incredibly tasty, with a firm, flakey flesh that's suitable for pan frying, roasting, poaching (and sous viding, my technique of choice for this event). Everybody raved about how great the fish was - even after I told them that Chesapeake Channa is more commonly known as "Snakehead". (Hey, it worked for Chilean Sea Bass, which used to be known as "Patagonian Toothfish"). So, thank you to Lighthouse for helping me introduce an old Baltimore dish to a new audience, and help save the Chesapeake Bay at the same time. Score! read more

This outer suburban, roadside business has been there for a while. It's part country market, part seafood and fishmonger and part restaurant seemingly specializing in carrout. On our first visit on a winter Wednesday, we were impressed with everything we saw. Being a self-professed seafood snob with extensive periods of my life living ( and eating) in coastal areas, we bought some fresh fish ("blue catfish" to be specific). We help the Chesapeake Bay by eating this endangered species. We also bought some homemade compound butter - they have several seasoning blends. The verdict was that the freshness was outstanding and the trimming (no bones or other waste) was perfect. And with fish, freshness is everything. The price was fair too for the area and the service was personable and helpful. (Note that the inner lining paper of the wrapper stuck to the skin too much - they should change that but I'm not deducting a star - the fish itself was that great). On return trips, we'll check the other faire (shellfish, prepared-on-premises seafood, dine-in options). For now, we are quite happy and the Lighthouse deserves more business. read more

See all

Since moving to Maryland, the seafood has been amazing, so wandering to the lighthouse seemed only fair. (although not as in the Virginia Wolfe novel to the Lighthouse). 1. Fish and chips are my go-to's; they are simply perfect. 2. Old Bay fries, wow, really added to the meal 3. Buffalo Crab Dip? Are you kidding me? Sign me up! It is on our list of places we are wandering back to! The other side of the lighthouse looks like it will be a great addition to our family menu. Steaks, fresh seafood and other things you can take home and cook. read more

We bought 1/2 crabs bushel of #1 crabs on 6/19/25 and the seasoning was so salty that you couldn't taste the crab. They don't use Old Bay. We have been buying them yearly but never again. What a waste of $229. read more

Let's talk about this absolute sh!t show of a seafood business. You know what kills a business in a small town? Knowingly selling bad food. I purchased several lines of halibut at about $20 a pound. The teenager weighed, wrapped, and bagged it. $56 worth of fish. Not a big deal for my family as we love good quality fish. Quality being the key word. I put it in the refrigerator and opened it a bit later. It was bad. Real bad. They should have have detected it and not sold it. Reached out through direct message, not asking for a refund but I get pushback. They commit to looking into it and of course, crickets. No response. This is not the first time I've received bad fish here. It's happened a few times, but you try to cut folks a break. The social media response, or lack thereof requires a public response. Not going back, making sure everyone knows why, read more

Amazing selection of all types of seafood. They are well staffed to get you taken care of timely. First time here. read more

What heaven is this? I was BLOWN away by how delicious the take away was. We thought this was a full restaurant but found this is more a deli that will cook for you and has take away. It was BUSY when we got there and never let up with at least 10 to 15 minute wait regardless. You must take a number. You then order and they will package or make the items for you where you will take them away. Note: You can not pay until all items are out and cooked. Food: So da*n good we thought about driving the 45 minutes again just to come here. We had crab cake sandwiches, lots of sides, and chicken. Deviled eggs were the only one that was just okay. Menu: Crab cakes, fish tacos, soul food, potatoes all kinds, lots of side salads that are cold, any seafood. Price- affordable, plenty of different proce points. Parking- Private lot, plenty of parking read more

See all

So, I hate to say this but they aren't complying with masks, enforcing masks, or limiting people inside. Their seafood is amazing but my partner will never go back because they had customers and employees not wearing masks. If you've ever been here you know it's a tiny place anyway. I loved this place but feel obligated to warn others. read more

Great crabs, fast service and several different Smith Island cakes to choose from (individual servings)

Unbelievable crab soup! Luscious crab cakes and excellent crabs! Their fresh food case features food that's off the hook too! i. e., corn casserole, fried chicken (best ever!), and much more! read more

Why do people continue to go there? Strike 3..... There seafood is fine, but who can mess up seafood. anything else is crap, old, fresh 1 time a day and will not make anything fresh for you. read more

Great food but they are now closing at 6 p.m. instead of 7 which I find very disappointing, especially after driving 20 minutes over there only to arrive at 6:05p to pick up dinner and they were closed. They have a separate pick up window for crabs which is convenient and a good business practice, yet closing at 6 p.m. on a Friday is not. read more

Nice and not the most friendly place. I have tried this place twice and the first time was definitely better then this time. First time, I ordered med-large carbs. They were pretty good. This time I ordered small-medium and they were horrible. Many of them were empty and overcooked. Very mushy. Not so great at all. I noticed both times, they put the fresh ones on a top (just a few) and the bad ones on the bottom. There wasn't any flavor. This is the best I've seen innthe area for me. I've tried many crab spots in the Frederick area and I can't find a spot that hits home. Growing up in DC and being a crab eating family. I know what a fresh seasoned crab taste like. I guess I'll have to take my trip closer in the city to get what I want. I'll try one last time (third is the charm). I'd say try it if your desperate for a crab fix but I probably wouldn't recommend anyone to go! read more

Another 5 star experience. Swordfish: glistening, pearl white. The veined flesh, scarlet, not that rust color you see at Giant. A pound of Hall's Maryland lump crabmeat (well picked for cartilege, but 2 pieces of gill/lung). Make a day of it. Take the back roads. Take a cooler (bring your own ice or stop at the High's in the shopping center). Heaven. read more

This is my neighborhood go to fish market. I'm here at least once a week. They sell a variety of raw fish, shrimp, oysters, mussels, etc. I've never had a problem with anything. They also have a variety of sides and salads that are very tasty. There's a hot bar with chicken, fried shrimp, mac and cheese, etc. There's lobster bisque, cream of crab, crab quiche, crabs, etc in the refrigerated section. They have a little bit of everything. You can buy food and they will steam it for you. Don't for get to take an number when you walk in or you'll be sorry. They are not open on Monday or Tuesday. Love this place! read more

See all

I ordered 2 dozen #1 crabs for my daughter's birthday dinner and we were very very happy with what we got. Pick up was easy, the store was clean, the employees were nice, and they provided us with a roll of paper for eating on. We found the crabs to be really good. At least 8 of them were impressively large, the rest were solid mediums. Only had 2 watery ones in the whole bunch, the rest had excellent flavor and were cooked to perfection. Also, the price was better than 4 other places I called that morning. We will be back & recommend to friends! read more

Yesterday we bought crabs for my birthday and they were great. This is the third time we have purchased crabs from Lighthouse and they have always been good. Crabs are fresh, full of meat and seasoned well. I would highly recommend them if you want to throw the best crab feast. read more

Seafood market that is clean, great customer service and reasonable price. They are not open on Monday & Tuesday and have special hours during the holiday. read more

See all

The fish is super fresh, they also fry the food on the spot. You can get fried oyster out of the jar and soft shell crabs. Also carry a selection of side dishes. The cream of crab soup is to die for. read more

I ordered dinner for my very big family there Saturday night. It was 6:10 when I placed the order. They close at 7. The staff acted irritated and put out on the phone. The cashier who was ringing everyone else up stepped away and another young man came over to ring me up. He was slamming the food down and rushing so fast and it was very rude. I felt like they just didn't want my business. A little note to the owners, if you have a bunch of teenagers running your business on a Saturday night that are more worried about leaving than your business, you should probably be in there yourselves. I was prepared to spend A LOT more money ( shrimp and some crab meat) but I just got what I pre ordered on the phone, left and ran into Foodlion across the street to get the other things I needed. I won't be back. read more

Crab cakes and football. That is what Maryland does... If you are looking for a clean, classy seafood shack in the area this is the place to go. Great place to pick up seafood for major holidays and they often run specials. Love the steamed shrimp, steamed crabs, and fried chicken! They also have great deli salads (def recommended the seaweed salad) and dips (hello crab dip). Also their muscles are very well priced compared to local grocery stores. Love this place! read more

My family and I decided to pick up a 1/2 bushel of M/L crabs from Lighthouse Seafood to celebrate Labor Day weekend. When we opened the box of crabs with anticipation, we were thoroughly disappointed at the quality of the crabs inside. Not only were they smaller than expected, but they were extremely light. The claws had good meat on them, but the backfin was almost nonexistent and often was not even worth the work of opening up the crab to find disappointment. The crab meat that I was able to get out was dry, stuck to the crab carcass, and not very flavorful at all. My family and I have shopped at Lighthouse before for other seafood and I don't remember having bad experiences, so maybe this was a fluke due to the holiday weekend...? Either way, I definitely feel like $150 was wasted on a 1/2 bushel of poor quality crabs. read more

Love having such a great seafood place so close to the house! We've gotten lots of fish from here which is always fresh and the best fish we've ever bought. As good as anything we've gotten in the outer banks. read more

Attentive counter staff, and great deli items. But I have been disappointed more than not with the crabs. Most recently was the zinger, I will never get crabs there again. One bushel of cooked crabs and half of them were mushy inside; Not rotten, but like they had been reheated. Most were very, very light. My family was able to eat most of them anyway and none became ill, thank The Lord for that. Also, another time, the crabs were overlooked so badly, the claw meat was stuck so tight to the shells not one could be pulled loose. I was told then not to expect everything to be just right on a busy holiday weekend. I am done with them, enough chances given at $59 a dozen. read more

$250 for a bushel of crabs and they won't even tell you how many are In there , last time I checked a bushel of crabs is around 7 to 8 dozen for number 1 crabs . This place is to over priced and try to cheap skate you . read more

Family favorite to get seafood from and would recommend to anyone. Always have good crabs and tons of other seafood items to choose from at decent prices. Better than May's and Cameron's. They also have an awesome deli with dips and salads. LOVE their shrimp tortellini. Would eat that ALL DAY. read more

Been coming here for years. Everything I get from here is tastes great and is FRESH! Crabs and shrimp are excellent. They have variety too, not just seafood. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, and pulled pork are amazing. Always quick service too! This place gets a lot of my business when it comes to seafood. read more

The best food ever! Crabs are nice and big. Best fried chicken and side dishes are excellent!! Love this place.

Got a dozen med-large crabs to go. We had to throw away three because they were inedible. Of the rest, only two were really med-large. We won't be back. read more

We love coming here! The staff is incredible. They are so welcoming, helpful, and knowledgeable! We come every Sunday and have never had a negative experience. The seafood is fresh and delicious! If you haven't been here I highly recommend. read more

They always have plenty of seafood, I don't think they've ever sold out of crabs which is nice. Really interesting setup inside and pretty inconvenient when it's busy with the ticketing system. One time I ordered a dozen medium crabs, got home and they gave me like 18 super small paper thin crabs with big ones on top. I felt like I was cheated weird all around. Overall consistent and lots of options. Just not the most honest people and mediocre customer service. read more

BBQ ribs, smoked chicken 1/4's, big fat crab legs, spiced shrimp, pickled eggs, black bean salad- everything is great!

We've been getting 1/2 bushels or full bushel of crabs from Lighthouse regularly for the past 5 years. They are the best you will find in Frederick or Montgomery County. read more

Love, love, love. Their corn pudding is divine (and goes quickly), and their crab cakes are fat and amazing. Great, friendly, cheerful customer service. If they had the lobster bisque more often I would still get it every time. read more

Haven't had crabs from here but the fried chicken is delicious. We have ordered it on two occasions and have been told by our friends/family it's the best fried chicken they've had. read more