No question, this little market and restaurant, tucked in a strip mall on Route 44, knows how to dish fish. Portions are large, prices are low and everything on the menu - from clam-shack fried fare to upscale oyster bar-type entrees - is fresh, tasty and well-cooked.
New owners, who hail from England, have made some interesting changes while retaining most of the shop's signature menu favorites. Fish and chips still include large, mild fillets coated in a crunchy, non-greasy beer batter. Hot and cold lobster rolls are packed with chunks of sweet crustacean meat. The TLT and the SLT - Cajun-grilled tuna steak or swordfish sandwiches served on buns with lettuce, tomato and mustard sauce - are great alternatives to the carnivore's BLT.
Other options include fried clams, oysters and scallops, grilled mesquite swordfish and jumbo shrimp marinated in lemon pesto sauce and several pasta dishes including linguini with clam sauce or scallops tossed in a pesto cream sauce with mushrooms and artichokes. Cold jumbo cocktail shrimp are among the best we've ever tasted and be warned, the crab cakes are addictive.
There's a welcome variety to side dishes. Along with the standard fries and cole slaw, Deepwater also offers twice-baked potatoes, garlic mashed and rice. Chowders and bisques, sold by the cup or bowl, include a traditional New England, Rhode Island and an unusual creamy salmon, dill and asparagus.
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday.