You see, your local media are producing segments crying the blues about how Maryland and even Federal laws are killing the crab industry because they can't hire foreign workers to pick the meat.
Then they're pounding on President Trump because the United States is FINALLY following laws that had been created decades ago.
On a local level, DUH, Phillips closed their seafood restaurant, (because they knew this was coming years ago) and reopened as a Mexican restaurant.
It makes me truly wonder WHY our local media refuses to tell the whole story. Illegal is illegal, period. While I truly love crabs, it's about time we stopped allowing EBT subjects from purchasing such expensive food products and I can assure you that 99% of our viewers firmly agree. Perhaps it's time we stop the massive fishing of crabs and let these crabs produce, (for once) and maybe we'll actually see #1 crabs become the size we used to see back in the 1970's again!
In the mean time, enjoy the new Mexican restaurant but be careful Phillips, be sure your Staff have green cards or we'll be hearing yet another one sided story once again.
Joe excellent points. However as much as you want to see the populations bounce back guess what makes that happen? Regulation. The evil R word. I've known many a watermen in my day who care not for the generations to come. Mexican food is delicious as well, I welcome it.
ReplyDeleteYou need to know the rest of the story. I Knew Brice and Shirley personally and worked for them 10 years. Unless there are illegals in Indonesia where 80% of their crabmeat comes from, changing to a Mexican restaurant isn't an issue. Steve has contemplated this for years. Also Steve is into international sauces which has been quite successful.
ReplyDeleteShame another Eastern Shore tradition gone. I knew the people that were co-owners in the original Phillips Crab House. The concept was to keep the Eastern Shore tradition in the Public eye. The more people come onto the Shore our traditions are changed from what attracted people here to them changing our ways to what they left. Shame.
ReplyDeletePhillips has priced themselves out of the seafood market place. They lost the live here's years ago. Only the tourist traffic kept them going during the summer! You want good seafood stop at Waterman's in West Ocean City it is the FIRST AND BEST STOP and if you by chance miss it Hooper's is next....both before you get into sin city proper!!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteSo, the problem is EBT card users eating up all the crabs? Is that what I'm gleaning here?
ReplyDeleteSo much so that it's causing so much of the crabs to be eaten that prices are way high, and the population of larger crabs is lower.
I think that EBT card users should not be able to buy crabs with their cards at all... but these claims, if I have it right... I'm not so sure.
Are there any numbers or stats on sales and use? Just seems like a stretch.
If I ever pull a crab out of the Assaswoman Bay and the message on the shell says "From Indonesia", life as I know it will be OH-VER!
ReplyDelete(snicker snicker!)
Remember - next weekend is the holiday and the beginning of Vacationers til September!
Until then - Happy Rainy and Safe TGIF everyone. I'm already drinking - hopefully you are/will soon!!!!!
There is still a Phillips Seafood Restaurant on 21st st and Philadelphia Ave.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been there. Not much to brag about. Ever hear of serving fish and chips and not have malt vinegar?
ReplyDeleteI think the plan is to sell it.
A Eastern Shore tradition! and I like their food. However the prices are horrible!
ReplyDeleteThe south end business sits on a gazillion dollar property. Do no more than make enough to pay upkeep, taxes, insurance and employees, while the building and lot appreciate every year and the mission is accomplished. Never mind that the food is mediocre and overpriced, and the staff mostly ditsy summer help, as long as it stays open and there are tourists in town, a healthy will be made.
ReplyDeleteUntil the state of Virginia REGULATES the harvesting of gravid sooks (egg bearing females)during the winter breeding run down the bay, the crab population will continue to suffer. How many of you weekend warriors use peelers for fish bait? And oh yes, all those rock fish we protected; what do you think they eat????
ReplyDeleteCrabs are like bugs. You will never over-swat flies, you will never overfish crabs. The problem is water quality. The media blames the waterman because they won't blame developers and chicken farming for dumping massive amounts of feces in the water.
ReplyDeleteI saw Philips crab cakes in Sam's Club (frozen in box) and read the box. Crabs are from Indonesia. Never never will I spend my money on that. I don't even know if they are connected to the restaurant but will not chance it. I guess re fried beans are cheaper than crabs from Indonesia.
ReplyDelete