Fish Cuts

Not sure what to order? Here’s what the main cuts mean and how they cook. Tell us how you’re cooking and we’ll cut it the right way.

Fillets fast • versatile • easy

A fillet is the main meat off the sides of the fish. We typically do a “V-cut” style (pin bones removed), skin-on or skin-off depending on what you want.

Best for

  • Blackened
  • Fried / po-boys
  • Grilled
  • Baked / broiled

Pro tip

Skin-on helps keep fish from falling apart on high heat and can crisp up real nice. Skin-off is cleaner for tacos, po-boys, ceviche, and gentle baking.

Portions (Center Cut) even thickness • restaurant-style

Portions are even rectangles cut from the thick center of a fillet so they cook uniformly. Great for one or two plates and no weird thin tail pieces overcooking.

Best for

  • Pan-sear
  • Grill
  • Blacken
  • Quick bake

Pro tip

If you want “easy mode” cooking with consistent results, order portions.

Tail Portions thinner • flavorful • perfect for tacos

Tail portions are the thinner end of the fillet. Not as uniform as center cut, but still great eating. They cook fast and can crisp up nicely.

Best for

  • Tacos
  • Fish sticks / bites
  • Quick roast
  • High-heat grill

Pro tip

Don’t “baby” these. Hot oven or hot pan, season well, and they shine.

Whole Fish juicy • show-stopper • best flavor

Whole fish is the full experience — head, bones, skin — which keeps the meat juicy and flavorful. We can leave it whole or clean it (guts/gills/scales removed) for you.

Best for

  • Grill
  • Oven roast
  • Deep fry (depending on size)

Pro tip

Stuff the cavity with lemon, garlic, herbs, or crabmeat. Bones keep everything together and moist.

Butterflied lays flat • cooks even • great stuffed

A butterflied fish is opened up like a book — the two sides are connected by skin so it lays flat and cooks evenly. It’s a killer way to pan-fry or roast and you can stuff the middle.

Best for

  • Pan-fry (butter/garlic)
  • Oven roast
  • Stuffed preparations

Pro tip

Stuff with shrimp/crab, or keep it simple with lemon + herbs. Crispy skin is the goal.

Steaks thick • hard sear • stays juicy

Fish steaks are cross-cuts through the backbone (not long fillets). You’ll see these on bigger fish like tuna, swordfish, mahi, big king mackerel, etc.

Best for

  • Grill
  • Blacken
  • Broil
  • Pan-sear

Pro tip

Thick cuts let you get a good crust outside while staying juicy inside. Don’t overcook.

Loin prime cut • boneless • “steak from the water”

The loin is the prime, thick, boneless section — uniform thickness and clean bite. On bigger fish it’s the “money cut.”

Best for

  • Hot grill
  • Pan-sear
  • Quick bake

Pro tip

Keep it simple: salt, pepper, hot heat, and a little garlic butter at the end.

Cheeks & Collars rich • underrated • “best bites”

Cheeks are the little nuggets behind the eyes — firm but silky. Collars are the “shoulder” behind the head — rich with fat and collagen.

Best for

  • Broil hard
  • Grill
  • High-heat roast

Pro tip

Cook hot until the skin blisters and the meat stays juicy. These are the “fight over it” pieces.