Pine River Fish Market

Just for the Halibut

Let's Eat by Kitty Kaufman

This is a whale of a tale. Eel yet? Got a haddock and feeling a little crabby? Joe Dusvitch has heard them all and more, as you might suspect, as owner of Pine River Fish Market. Up to his elbows in lobster and in no time at all he fires back: "Eat fish for the halibut."

Pine River is family-owned and operated. Dusvitch sells fresh fish, lobsters, oysters, clams, mussels, steamers and hard to find things like eel, periwinkle and sea conch. "What we're famous for," Dusvitch says, "is cooking the crabs outside. Did you know that in the old days there were guys who went around Chelsea and East Boston selling crabs from a pushcart; three crabs for a nickel?"

In another day it would not have been unusual to be in the same location for 50 years. He and his mother, Stephanie Dusvitch, work together seven days a week. "Five years ago there were several markets but they've all gone out of business. Our competition is the supermarkets."

At press time his chicken lobsters were .49 which, "is pretty changeable at this time of year." Still, it seems to us that if you're planning a beach party, it's worth the trip to Revere. They will pack lobsters to go and better, put together a clam bake including lobsters and steamers that are ready to cook.

What's the best thing about being in the fish business? "It's authentic. We're old school, kind of like turning back the clock. We're a small shop and the same customers come back every week. Last week I had a guy coming over from Framingham for ten crabs because he wouldn't go anywhere else but here. He broke down on the Pike and instead of getting towed home, he had AAA tow him here and then they towed him home."

You will find Joe and Stephanie at (781) 284-9863 Monday-Thursday 9-6, Fridays 9-7, Saturdays and Sundays 9-5. Dusvitch says: "Make us your last stop before Logan."

© July 5, 2006 and December 27, 2006 for The City Shopper

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Kitty@corp-edge.com

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