Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish – St Petersburg, FL

I was introduced to Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish in the summer of 1966.  Our family was vacationing at the Alden Motel on St. Petersburg Beach.  The same year that the Miami Dolphins became a franchise and their initial training camp was on Gulf Boulevard just a few blocks away from our motel. I remember the practice field, as a sandbox.  If I’m not mistaken they had a linebacker by the name of Wahoo McDaniel, who also was a professional wrestler.  Enough about the Dolphins

Our family was pretty big even for that time period: we were 6 children and a dog.  So, Sunday was the only time we ate in a restaurant.  All of the other days, Mom would make our meals in the motel room efficiency kitchen.  Sunday’s you’d find us driving in our station wagon to the Morrison Cafeteria (now defunct) on Pasadena Blvd and we’d pass by Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish.

As I remember, the restaurant was little more than a food stand with a screened porch as the dining room.  No air conditioning, some ceiling fans and little other creature comforts.  A pretty primitive restaurant, at best. But, the smell of smoke was heavy in the air.  You could see the smokers and watch them remove the fish, if your timing was right.

Finally, we stopped at the joint and I had my first taste of smoked Mullet.  WOW, was that different and flavorful!  Smoking was an uncommon way to prepare and flavor fish or any cooked meat at that time in the New York metro area. I think that the menu selection was limited to Mullet or Mackerel.  My parents fell in love with the fish and before returning home, we used to buy a slab of Ted Peter’s smoked fish, freeze it and transport it over state lines to New Jersey

Ted Peters was also my initiation into Hot German Potato Salad.  The acidic bacon flavored potato salad recipe still conjures up great memories, today.   

Ted Peters is still serving smoked fish, today.  So, stop by and savor a platter for me.

Keep Food Frolicking!