Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish is a local foodie icon — made even more famous when it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The no-frills smoked fish joint first opened in 1951, and the beloved local restaurant is officially celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The restaurant just put up signage to commemorate the milestone achievement – a sign of its resilience following storms, fires, and nearly a century of changing tides around the local stalwart.
Located at 1350 Pasadena Avenue South, this family-owned business can still somehow feel like a hidden in the Sunshine City. The fish spread is perfect, we’ve heard the burger is one of the best in the area, and their frosty mugs are so clutch in the summer. The restaurant is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30am-7:30pm. Know before you go: the restaurant is cash only.
A dream that began in the 1940s
It was 1945, WWII was over and America was on the move and it was no different for Ted Peters and his family. “He got into the fish business with his stepbrother, Red Hot, who had come from upstate New York in 1931,” the owners note on the Ted Peters’ history page.
While working at the Fisherman’s Co-Op at Madeira Beach FL, Ted Observed the fish smoking process where most were smoking in the woods or the backyard.
Ted said, “Put it out there where people can see that thing.” So he salvaged an old smoker and put it out on Blind Pass Road in front of the Blue Anchor.
Ted would run out and open the smoker so that people driving by could see and smell the fish spread out on the smoking trays at his very first restaurant.
He knew that just as the sun and sand drew tourists to Saint Petersburg Beach, the smell of his fish smoking would bring customers to his restaurant.
In 1951 the “Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish” restaurant was up and running at it’s current location. Ted was joined by his half brother Elry Lathrop as a partner in the day to day operations.
“Tilla Lathrop “Mom” was a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen and is the creator of the German potato salad,” according to Ted Peters website.
The best fish spread in Florida
Ellen Peters came up with the recipe for the Fish Spread. Betty Lathrop helped out too. When they all retired, the current owners, Mike Lathrop (Elry’s Son) and Ted Cook (Ted Peters grandson) were in place to take over having worked there at the restaurant since high school. Ben Cook (Ted Peters ‘ great-grandson) is now smoking the fish.
Have you visited this St. Pete icon?
