There are places that define a region’s food culture, and then there is Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish in South Pasadena, Florida — a place that arguably invented a category. Open since 1947, it appeared in Season 2, Episode 5 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — “Viewer’s Choice,” aired October 29, 2007 — and was one of those stops where the camera crew had clearly found something genuinely irreplaceable. Guy Fieri liked it so much he came back for a second appearance in Season 27.
Ted Peters is widely credited with popularizing smoked fish spread in the Tampa Bay area. Multiple restaurants in the region now carry a version of it on their menus. Nearly all of them exist because of what this place started in 1947.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
City: South Pasadena, Florida
Cuisine: Seafood / Smoked Fish
DDD Season: 2
DDD Episode: 5
Episode Title: Viewer’s Choice
Original Air Date: October 29, 2007
Address: 1350 S. Pasadena Ave., South Pasadena, FL 33707
Phone: 727-381-7931
Website: https://www.tedpetersfish.com/
Status: Open
About Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
Ted Peters established the restaurant on Madeira Beach in 1947 and moved it to South Pasadena in 1949, where it has been ever since. Each fish is laid on racks and smoked over red oak for four to six hours depending on size and thickness. Red oak burns slow and clean, similar to hickory, and gives the fish its distinctive flavor. The process hasn’t changed. The menu has barely changed. That’s the whole point.
Important note for first-timers: Ted Peters is cash only. And it’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Plan accordingly.
What to Eat at Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
The Smoked Mullet is the anchor — the original dish, smoked over red oak until it’s firm outside and tender inside. The Smoked Fish Spread is the other must-order, served with crackers and built from the same smoked fish that comes off the rack daily. The German Potato Salad has been a classic side since the early days, and the Manhattan Clam Chowder has its own loyal following.
If you love smoked fish and want to try your hand at it at home, Guy on Fire: 130 Recipes for Adventures in Outdoor Cooking is the book to start with.
Plan Your Visit
Ted Peters is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Cash only.
Address: 1350 S. Pasadena Ave., South Pasadena, FL 33707
Phone: 727-381-7931
Website: https://www.tedpetersfish.com/
Status: Open
Flavortown Approved
Planning a Florida road trip? More Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives has 60 more stops mapped out. Stream the show itself — Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives is available on Amazon so you can watch the Ted Peters episode before you go.
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Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish appeared in Season 2, Episode 5 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Viewer’s Choice,” originally aired October 29, 2007. It has since appeared on the show a second time in Season 27.