🦐 The Ruskin Seafood Shack Opens April 18

The Ruskin Seafood Shack

The name Southshore just screams seafood.
At least, that’s what I think when I hear it.
And while we’ve got a few spots slinging solid seafood fare, I’ve always thought—what we really need is a seafood house.
No… that sounds like somewhere with linen napkins and overpriced oysters.
A seafood stop? Closer.
A  Seafood Shack? That’s it. That’s the dream.

Well, Southshore—my wish has come true.

Opening on April 18, The Ruskin Seafood Shack is the real deal: fresh seafood, laid-back vibes, and some serious local roots. This isn’t a big chain pretending to care about community—it’s a labor of love built by two local families who’ve been part of the Ruskin story since the mid-80s.

It all started with a simple dream between friends Chris Marrero and Ryan Garis. Chris, a 30-year veteran of the restaurant industry, and Ryan, who—along with his wife Michelle—runs a global company feeding animals in zoos and aquariums (yes, really), decided it was time to bring something special to their hometown. Chris’s wife Amanda, who owns a salon in Ruskin, rounded out the dream team.

They launched a seafood market a couple years ago, but the real goal? Always the shack. A chill, Florida Keys-inspired hangout where fresh fish meets hand-cut fries, and locals feel like family.

The Shack features 19 core menu items and rotating weekly specials based on whatever’s fresh and seasonal—because good seafood doesn’t come from a freezer aisle. And don’t worry, they didn’t forget the Florida heat. The outdoor patio is fully decked out with fans and misters so you can enjoy that island breeze… or at least pretend.

More than just a place to eat, The Ruskin Seafood Shack is a place to gather, hang out, and taste what happens when community, passion, and a little bit of coastal chaos come together.

📍 Grand Opening: Friday, April 18th, from 11 AM to 8 PM
📍 Location: 701 US Highway 41, Ruskin, FL

Grab your flip flops, bring your appetite, and come welcome Ruskin’s newest obsession. The Shack is open, and the seafood is calling.

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