Monahan's Seafood Market

Courtney Chandler  

Having a never-ending desire to explore local cuisine, I set out to find something to satisfy my craving for seafood. Luckily for me, the first place I tried was Monahan’s, and I have been going back on an almost-monthly basis ever since. Located in Kerrytown, Monahan’s Seafood Market offers fresh fish and seafood to the Ann Arbor area. Present-day owner Mike Monahan, who can still be seen working behind the counter, opened Monahan’s over 30 years ago in order to share his passion for fresh seafood with local customers. Monahan’s offers a wide selection of high quality fish and seafood, ranging from crab and shrimp to freshly filleted salmon. The range of products they have is quite impressive, especially given the fact that Ann Arbor is by no means a ‘seafood town’.

In addition to the stunningly varied cases displaying the day’s product, they also feature a simple yet innovative menu. Having been there multiple times myself, I can personally guarantee their food is fresh and delicious. Take the mussels for example (my personal favorite), steamed in a white-wine shallot broth and piping hot. Or try the ever-changing chowder, which differs on a day-to-day basis. Before going to Monahan’s, I was a chowder skeptic, and the idea of fish chunks in a soup, well...it wasn’t really my cup of soup. But after I tried their chowder, which always offers a new twist on an old classic, I was turned into a chowder believer. Their soup is always full of complex flavors, and is also served with a hunk of bread, perfect for soaking up the last few bites of flavor. In addition to their menu, they will fillet and cook any item in their display case in the style of the customer’s request, which provides a nearly endless number of culinary creations.

The environment of Monahan’s is as equally appealing as their food. Positioned in a quaint corner of Kerrytown Market & Shops, there is always a hustle and bustle of people. This activity, plus the friendly and inviting staff, creates a feeling of comfort that allows the customer to truly enjoy and appreciate their food. Even better, the reasonable pricing won’t break your bank, and makes eating freshly prepared seafood accessible to those even on a college student budget. Overall, the delicious menu and unbeatably friendly atmosphere makes Monahan’s a hidden gem within Ann Arbor’s local food scene.