Best raw oysters?

Who has the best raw oysters in Louisville? I have a craving that needs filled this weekend.

The best raw oysters that are within a reasonable distance are from Apalachicola, FL. and I gorge on them when I'm there; however, I tend not to eat them here for safety reasons.

Hey, Mark, I beg to differ with you but I truly prefer the tiny Olympia oysters from Puget Sound. I also tend not to eat them here; not so much for safety reasons, but because I have never seen them on a menu here. About once a year, I break down have have Farm2Market fly me some. Sweet, sweet, sweet.

Hey, Mark, I beg to differ with you but I truly prefer the tiny Olympia oysters from Puget Sound. I also tend not to eat them here; not so much for safety reasons, but because I have never seen them on a menu here. About once a year, I break down have have Farm2Market fly me some. Sweet, sweet, sweet.

Actually I more or less agree with you. I said "within a reasonable distance"...Puget Sound is too far for me to drive in a day. Colder water oysters are often sweeter. But I grew up eatting the Gulf oysters from the Fl panhandle. They are good when super fresh are are real plump.

There was a time before my son was born that my wife and I would drive to the coast on a whim to get fresh shrimp and oysters.

I would have to guess that Z's Oyster Bar (and Steakhouse) probably has pretty good raw oysters, right? Fresh, I'm sure. Seafood is flown in daily I think. . .

[Robin Garr]

I would have to guess that Z's Oyster Bar (and Steakhouse) probably has pretty good raw oysters, right? Fresh, I'm sure. Seafood is flown in daily I think. . .

I was going to nominate Z's also, Brad.

When Campbell's first opened, they also had surprisingly good oysters, including set-up-your-own regional samplers.

I honestly believe the freshness question is a non-issue. Louisville's been a bivalve-loving town since they shipped them up to Mazzoni's on ice on the old L&N railroad in the 1860s. Keep them properly, and to be blunt about it, they're live until you shuck them. Care for them - as quality restaurants do - and freshness is not an issue.

Mark, aren't there other bio concerns about fresh oysters, though, no matter where you eat them? Liver issues? Not that this has stopped me from enjoying them so far ...

Maybe I should rephrase my question? Where is the best place to eat raw oysters in Louisville? I have been to Z's and was not impressed, but that is another issue. I'm looking for a beer drinking, 12 oysters on a serving tray, type of atmophere. Is Rumors out of the question?

It's been a couple of years. But we had the raw oysters at Rumors and several cold beers and thought they were fine.

We've had raw oysters at Joe's OkBayou and thought they were good. It's probably been at least a couple years back though.

I also nominate Z's and will throw in Jeff Ruby's also.

I would have to guess that Z's Oyster Bar (and Steakhouse) probably has pretty good raw oysters, right? Fresh, I'm sure. Seafood is flown in daily I think. . .

I was going to nominate Z's also, Brad.

When Campbell's first opened, they also had surprisingly good oysters, including set-up-your-own regional samplers.

I honestly believe the freshness question is a non-issue. Louisville's been a bivalve-loving town since they shipped them up to Mazzoni's on ice on the old L&N railroad in the 1860s. Keep them properly, and to be blunt about it, they're live until you shuck them. Care for them - as quality restaurants do - and freshness is not an issue.

Mark, aren't there other bio concerns about fresh oysters, though, no matter where you eat them? Liver issues? Not that this has stopped me from enjoying them so far ...

Those folks with liver disease or who have an immune deficiency should not eat raw oysters because of the associated risk of vibrio - a bacterial infection.

In my case I'm just wary of raw shell fish and I think that quality falls rapidly and dramatically once shipped.

I nominate Z's as well.
They fly them in from the northwest pacific coast and usually have 5-10 different ones to choose from daily. I personally think west coast oysters have way more flavor than any oyster you get from the gulf.

as the saying goes. eat your oysters with the months that have the letter "R" in them. so this would technically be the last month (february) to eat oysters. . i would try the oakroom for oysters. i myself like them raw or rockerfella style.

annemarie, doesn't March have an R in it?

I would also suggest Mitchell's as a good place to get raw oysters.

I always see people eating them at Mitchell's when we are there. I've never gotten them though.

I always see people eating them at Mitchell's when we are there. I've never gotten them though.

Hmmmm, maybe they are really good there. Actually, the place is close to me so that's where I eat most the raw oysters I dine on in the Ville. You can't argue with the freshness. I would venture to say it's more a matter of taste.