Picture this: flip-flop-wearing anglers and beach-towel-clad bathers lolling on picnic benches, sipping a beer, and devouring oak-smoked salmon, mullet, mahimahi, and mackerel. Dinner comes to the table with heaping helpings of potato salad and coleslaw. If you're industrious enough to have hooked your own fish, the crew will smoke it for about $1.50 per pound.

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish (https://tedpetersfish.com/) is a legendary landmark in St. Petersburg, Florida, right off the beach. It is a perfect example of a classic “Old Florida” seafood restaurant and smokehouse, the kinds of places that barely exist anymore, but those that remain are both time capsules and treasures. Founded in 1951 and still family-owned and in its original location, Ted Peters conjures up sights, smells, and tastes of a bygone era, but luckily we can still enjoy them today.

TOP: A line gathers outside Bodega, a popular Cuban restaurant in the Edge District that is known for its sandwiches and other popular dishes. BOTTOM LEFT: The menu at Nitally's includes Panang Mole, a delicate mash-up of Thai red curry and Mexican mole sauce made with coconut milk, carrots, green peas, sweet basil and (in the author's case) chicken. BOTTOM RIGHT: Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish is a family-owned restaurant founded in 1951 whose specialties include house-smoked mullet.

Savor a taste of tradition at Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish, a beloved local institution that has been serving up mouthwatering seafood since the 1950s. Located on the shores of Boca Ciega Bay, this iconic eatery is renowned for its hickory-smoked fish, including mullet, salmon, and mackerel. Founded by Ted Peters Sr., the restaurant has remained in the Peters family for three generations, with each successive owner preserving its time-honored recipes and commitment to quality.

From the outside, Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish is nothing to look at as it is only a roadside shack, says 10 Best. However, you should not let the exterior deceive you as this is one of the most popular spots for fish and seafood in St. Petersburg as it is loved by locals and tourists alike. Some of the offerings from this restaurant include fish spread on crackers, clam chowder, and various smoked fish options.

Lovers of unadorned, good food will want to head to Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish, located in the very same rustic building in South Pasadena since 1951. Five generations later, the family is still pleasing crowds with a simple menu done well. Featured in Southern Living, The New York Times and Food Network’s popular “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” show, the restaurant serves up 2,000 pounds of fish on busy weeks.

Ted Peters’ Smoked Fish is a family owned and operated business that’s been in existence for over 65 years. They smoke a variety of fish including mullet, the local favorite, as well as salmon, which is a newer addition to the classic menu. The fish are smoked over native Florida Red Oak for four to six hours and served either as a smoked fish dinner or as their signature smoked fish spread.

Any discussion of the St. Pete food scene must begin with Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish. Made the exact same way since the roadside shack was founded back in 1945, the salmon, mahi-mahi, mackerel or mullet—our personal favorite—spends between 4 to 6 hours over a fire of local red oak. The result is a smoky taste that doesn’t overpower while highlighting the best characteristics of the fish.

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish is one of the longest-running restaurants in St. Petersburg. It was originally established in 1951 during the economic boom that followed the end of World War II when Ted Peters decided to smoke his fish out in the open in hopes of the delicious smell drawing in potential customers. The business is run by Ted’s great-grandson and other assorted family members.

Ted Peters officially opened the Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish restaurant St. Pete in 1951, and it has been a family affair ever since. Whether you come for lunch or dinner, make sure you try the German Potato Salad, originally created by Ted Peters’ mother and the Fish Spread created by Ellen Peters. The restaurant and its patrons go back five generations!

1350 Pasadena Ave SIf we had it our way, every beach day would end with a trip to Ted Peters. Known for its elaborate fish-smoking process, this family-owned and operated restaurant has served up smoked fish lunches and dinners for more than 70 years now. Take your pick of salmon, mahi mahi, mackerel, and mullet, or opt for one of their sandwiches.

Ted Peters is a perfect example of classic Florida barbecue. With roots spanning back to the 1940’s and five generations of family operating the establishment, you can actually taste the Florida barbecue history. Here you’ll find no barbecue sauces or smoked mammals, just simple smoked mullet, Spanish mackerel, salmon and mahi-mahi.

This St. Petersburg mainstay has been drawing diners to its low key, no-frills establishment since 1951. Sure you can get burgers, hot dogs and chicken but the real draw here - as the name implies - is the legendary smoked mullet, mahi mahi. salmon and mackerel.

You can find it around the local area, but Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish on South Pasadena is the icon. Nab a table outside or take the fish spread to go, and proceed directly to the beach nearby. Don’t forget the salty soda crackers for dipping.

Opened in 1951, family-run Ted Peters’ is one of the longest-operating restaurants near St. Petersburg, FL. They smoke their catch daily onsite in an adjacent smokehouse.

Located in St. Pete since 1951, Ted Peters Smoked Fish is run by the fifth generation of the founders, who keep the fish-smoking flame alive.