Legal Sea Foods

Legal Sea Foods: If it isn't Fresh, it isn't Legal

If you're at all concerned about buying forbidden fish, there's one company that offers assurance in its name: Legal Sea Foods. Unusual moniker aside, the quality of Legal's products has earned it a Luxist award nomination in the best online seafood category.

Founded in 1950 by George Berkowitz in Cambridge, Mass., Legal Sea Foods got its name from the neighboring Legal Cash Market, a grocery operated by Berkowitz's father. In 1968 the family opened its first seafood restaurant next to the fish market, serving fish either boiled or fried on paper plates. Guests were seated at communal picnic tables.

Gallery: Legal Sea Foods

The modest eatery soon became a hit, and Legal expanded across the East Coast. In 1992 George's son, Roger, took the company's helm. As a third-generation Berkowitz running Legal Sea Foods, he has continued to push the company to grow into uncharted culinary and commercial waters, including a website, where customers from all over the country can order fish.

Legal's online offerings include the New England Feast Dinner (for two), which includes two fresh live lobsters, a quart of clam chowder, two Boston cream pies, oyster crackers, claw cracker kits, and cooking instructions. The meal will set you back about $120 plus shipping, but at least you can be assured it's Legal.

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