Billy's Seafood

An old timey market selling the best fresh shrimp around. The staff appeared to be in their 70s, and were generally more focused on sitting around talking than anything. The interior is dark and a little sterile / concrete -- not appealing. Even the food is seemingly haphazardly displayed, and you wonder if you can walk out without causing offense, because you must be in the wrong place.But this is one of those places that probably hasn't changed in decades. And despite everything, they have the best fresh shrimp. It seems unlikely, but this is the place to go.

So we went back to Billy's for more shrimp. The price was half what we have paid elsewhere on the outer banks and we thought the bigger prices were ok. The shrimp we bought was as delicious as any we have had. So we picked up another pound plus for dinner and we got 4 pounds to freeze and take home. Now that we are back at the RV it seems like we can pack an additional two pounds in the freezer, so tomorrow we will stop by again. Billy passed away a few years back and Judy runs the place (and owns the OBX RV Park we are staying at too. We met her and completely enjoyed talking to her. The place has been in business over 50 years She was as friendly and welcoming as possible. We learned a good bit about soft shelled crabs. She and Cary, my wife, hit it off and talked about cooking crabs and running the RV park. We both enjoyed the experience. I should have taken a picture of the two of them talking. The staff was helpful again. And we are getting ready for a thrown together dinner of shrimp Creole... I picked up a beer to go with it.

Take a drive out to Colington Road. It's worth your time. Billy's is the best place to buy fresh seafood. We came out on a Friday afternoon and picked up all sizes of NC shrimp. Large $5.95lb and Jumbo at 10.95lb. They sell fish, frozen crab legs and other seafood. If you need souvenirs they also have that too. For an additional $2.00 they will steam your seafood. Parking is super easy and the staff is very friendly. They will even put your purchase on ice if you are not going home right away.Staff is super helpful.

We love coming to Billy's to stock up on Shrimp and Scallops to cook while on Vacation. They have a little bit of everything and are very accommodating!

As locals as you can get. This is not a tourist trap selling overpriced half quality seafood to unsuspecting tourists. This is like literally your old-time grocery store/seafood market. No fancy lighting and decor here to make the seafood look fresh, they just are. The oysters are the best I've had, big, plump, briny, and sweet. At $0.60each, they are a steal! I ended up buying 3 full bags (300) to take home, unfortunately i didn't have a cooler big enough so they made an icebox out of trash bags, wax carton, and ice bags (that they didn't charge for). That kept them alive a fresh for the 8hrs drive home. Amazing! After giving them out, people are still raving about them.

I love dungneness crab, it was perfect! Service was ok. The girl that helped could have been a little nicer.

Best seafood market I've found in the OBX. Staff seems to really enjoy what they do, but also don't have time for some of the BS that walks through the door. Which is how businesses should be run. Prices are competitive with other locations, but the quality is much better. It's tucked away from the constant hum of cars clogging the bypass. But so worth it.

I found this place on a quick Yelp search as my boyfriend and I were leaving OBX and heading back home from a way to short vacation. I had a craving for some blue crabs to take home with us and this place did NOT disappoint. As someone who grew up in DC and travels from Richmond to BMore several times a year, just for some Maryland crabs, I was pleasantly surprised! The price for their male #1's were very reasonable. AND they were really good! The meat was sweat and the seasoning was well balanced. There is a reason this place popped up in my top recommendations. I can't wait for my next trip to the OBX. Next time, I will stop here on the way in AND on the way out!

First time here on 9/15/24 and won't be last. 3 of us visited and picked up numerous seafood and veggies for a family crab / shrimp boil. Had great help / service in selection / pricing / freshness. Settled on dungeness and snow crab. Fishers are generally off on Sundays so blue crabs weren't available.( one store on hwy 158 - " I've ,,, ,,,, ,,, " had blue crabs and when I asked for pricing on doz jimmies she quoted $100 !!!! Yep --- $100 doz @%# )Would encourage you to visit @ Billy's. You will be happy you did.Have thru the yrs. in OBX shopped at various seafood markets which are very good and Billy's is now on that list. Thank you Billy's for great Family get together. Geoff

Fantastic steamed, spiced crabs and shrimp! Have never been disappointed. Always best to support local business.