Dry Dock Fish Company: It's All About the Sole

Dry Dock Fish Company is all about fish, freshness and farmers markets.

“Within hours of being caught, the fish is brought to the various farmers markets that we serve,” said Eric Zelien, an employee of the Fullerton-based business.

The fish company mainly brings in fish from the waters of California, but also has the occasional catch from Alaska, Hawaii and Fiji. It supplies fish and other seafood to over 20 farmers markets and specialty seafood restaurants between Ventura and San Diego, said Zelien.

Fresh catches of the day

The family-operated business has been around since 1986 and also maintains a retail store in Fullerton.

Tuesday at the Agoura Farmers Market, Zelien pointed out the fresh catches of the day, starting with the grey sole. “That’s a sweet and mild-tasting fillet,” said Zelien. The grey sole sells for $7.95 a pound.

The black cod, delicate and buttery, was also available, along with the soft and juicy swordfish steaks. The Greenland halibut is another mild and buttery-tasting fish variety and best cooked in the broiler, sautéed or served with some complementary sauce.

For those who like their fish raw, the wild-caught king salmon at $15.95 per pound, is perfect for sushi, grilling or baking. The yellow fin or ahi tuna on the other hand, is a popular choice for sashimi.

For the more adventurous taste buds, Zelien suggests the barramundi from Australia or the escolar, which is similar to the Chilean sea bass in taste.

Crowd-pleasers

“The calamari is always popular everywhere,” Zelien said, referring to the tender seafood usually caught in California waters. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to serve a tasty dish of calamari, which comes already cleaned at $6 per pack. A little garlic, lemon, salt and pepper and one has an instant calamari dish.

In this particular farmers market, oysters, clams and shrimp usually sell out by the end of the day, Zelien said.

The Portuguese sardines are also beginning to attract some interest in Agoura Hills, he said. Very tasty, canned in extra virgin olive oil and a little sea salt, this canned delight is worth trying. 

Business has been picking up lately in this market, as market-goers are becoming aware of Dry Dock's presence. “It’s a good day when we sell out of almost everything,” said Zelien.

*The Agoura Hills Farmers Market is open on Tuesdays, from 3 to 8 pm, at 28914 Roadside Dr., in the Whizin Market Square parking lot.