Fish Shop Opens in East Austin, Promises Overpriced Seafood and Pretentious Vibes

Oh joy, another neighborhood spot in East Austin—because what this city really needed was another place where people can sip overpriced martinis while pretending to understand the difference between a Kumamoto and a Pacific oyster. Fish Shop, the latest brainchild of a former Justine’s chef and his GM wife, has arrived to bless us with simple food done right—which, in Austin-speak, means charging $18 for fish and chips and calling it "artisanal."

Let’s break this down, shall we? The raw bar is the focal point, because nothing says "accessible neighborhood joint" like a $4-per-bite bivalve. And don’t worry, burger fans—Le Beef, that super-juicy (read: greasy) pop-up sensation, has found its forever home here. Because when I think seafood destination, I definitely think burger.

Of course, Huffman’s understanding of seafood comes from his time at Uchi and Uchiko, which means he knows how to make sushi-grade fish cost more than your car payment. And Rossi, the GM, will ensure the front-of-house experience is as elevated as the prices. Because nothing says "relaxed atmosphere" like a server explaining the provenance of your shrimp like it’s a museum exhibit.

But the real kicker? The promise of good company. Because if there’s one thing East Austin needs, it’s another place for tech bros to loudly debate which IPA pairs best with their $14 crudo. Welcome to the neighborhood, Fish Shop—may your oysters be overpriced and your Yelp reviews pretentious.