This Pascagoula Seafood Market Has Been Piling Shrimp Onto Po-Boys For Three Generations, And Mississippi Families Still Line Up
The smell of hot fryer oil and Gulf salt air hit us before we even found a parking spot. We had only planned a quick lunch stop on a Mississippi coast road trip, but a busy little seafood market changed our afternoon.
Families were lined up at the counter, kids were eyeing baskets of shrimp, and nobody seemed in a hurry to leave. That small detour turned into one of the best meals of the whole trip.
A Seafood Counter on Ingalls Avenue
Tucked along Ingalls Avenue in Pascagoula, Bozo’s Seafood Market sits a short drive from the Mississippi Gulf Coast waterfront. It is a counter-serve spot, part fish market and part deli, where you can buy raw seafood to cook at home or order a hot sandwich to eat right away.
The setup is simple and quick. You walk up, place your order, and wait while the kitchen fries, steams, or grills your choice.
Shrimp baskets, crawfish, and stuffed po-boys are the big draws, and the menu leans heavily on what comes out of local waters.
Families tend to appreciate how relaxed the whole operation feels. Nobody expects fancy manners here, and messy fingers are part of the deal.
Kids can watch the seafood cases while parents decide what to order, which makes the wait feel shorter.
A note on that famous title date: the business itself traces its roots to 1957, according to its own history, not 1946. Either way, it has been feeding Pascagoula for generations.
That long run explains why so many travelers and locals keep circling back whenever they pass through this stretch of the coast.
Three Generations of the Delcambre Family
Back in 1957, E.J. “Bozo” Delcambre opened a family seafood market in Pascagoula. His idea was straightforward: sell fresh Gulf catch to neighbors who wanted the real thing.
That nickname stuck, and so did the business.
His grandson, Keith Delcambre, started working in the market in 1969 when he was just ten years old. Today he owns the place, making Bozo’s a business that has stayed in the same family for three generations.
Along the Gulf Coast, Keith is also known by a fun nickname of his own, the “King of Crawfish.”
Recognition followed the hard work. In 2017, the Small Business Administration named Bozo’s Seafood Market and Deli its Generational Family-Owned Business of the Year.
For a shop that started as a modest fish counter, that was a proud moment.
Parents might enjoy sharing this backstory with kids before visiting. A ten-year-old working behind a seafood counter and growing up to run it is a story children can easily picture.
It turns lunch into a small lesson about family, work, and how local businesses grow over many decades.
How the Po-Boy Joined the Menu
Oddly enough, po-boys were not part of the original plan. For almost three decades, Bozo’s was mainly a place to buy fresh seafood.
Sandwiches only arrived in 1985.
The spark came from a family trip. Keith Delcambre tasted an oyster po-boy made by his Uncle Doris in Slidell, and he could not stop thinking about it.
Back home, his mother and grandmother rolled up their sleeves and made the very first po-boys sold at the market.
Those sandwiches became the heart of the menu. Shrimp po-boys earn especially steady praise from visitors, and plenty of regulars name them as the main reason they stop.
Oyster versions show up often too, packed into long rolls with fried seafood.
Not every bite gets the same reaction. A few guests have mentioned that portions or bread did not match their memories, while others call these the best po-boys they have eaten anywhere.
That mix is honest and worth knowing.
For families, a po-boy is an easy order to split. A six-inch shrimp version is a smart size for younger eaters, leaving room for hush puppies or a shared side.
Gumbo, Crawfish, and Crab Claws Beyond the Bread
Crawfish season brings a crowd, and it is easy to see why. Boiled crawfish rank among the most talked-about items, fitting for a shop run by the King of Crawfish.
Some guests also enjoy crawfish mac and cheese or crawdad nachos.
Gumbo is another favorite, often ordered as a warm bowl alongside a sandwich. Visitors also mention crab claws, crab cakes, crab balls, steamed shrimp, and fried green tomatoes.
A seafood platter covers several options at once for anyone who cannot choose.
The market side matters too. Fresh blue crabs, catfish, snapper, trout, and shrimp are still sold here, and the kitchen will cook seafood to order.
That means you can eat lunch and take dinner supplies home if you are staying nearby with a kitchen.
Picky young eaters are not left out. Hush puppies, onion rings, fried pickles, and fries give kids crunchy, familiar choices while adults try something bolder.
One tip from guests: steamed and boiled items get messy fast. Grab extra napkins early, especially with children who are still learning to peel shrimp.
Bozo’s Too and the Big Seafood Platters
Behind the original market sits Bozo’s Too, a sit-down dining room that expands the family’s offerings. Guests there are seated by servers instead of ordering at a counter.
It suits groups who want a slower, fuller meal.
Shareable boils steal the show. The Shrimpsation pairs spicy steamed shrimp with corn, sausage, and potatoes, much like a low country boil.
The Crabtastic features crab with similar sides, and one family described a two-pound order at around 60 dollars as perfect for two people.
Then there is the Love Boat. One traveler described Dungeness and snow crab clusters, two pounds of shrimp, corn, red potatoes, and garlic butter for about 80 dollars, enough to feed four adults.
Their eight-year-old reportedly grabbed a snow crab cluster in seconds.
Other favorites include stuffed snapper, shrimp and grits, and bread pudding for dessert. Kids can order simpler plates, and one family noted a child happily eating chicken Alfredo.
Bring your own crab crackers if you plan to order crab, since some diners say the tools are not provided. Also expect the room to be noisy and full of energy.
Noise, Live Music, and a Family-Friendly Crowd
Saturday nights get packed. Guests describe a lively, loud room where every table seems busy and food keeps flying out of the kitchen.
For families, that buzz is actually a plus, since a fussy toddler barely registers over the chatter.
Live music pops up in plenty of visitor comments, especially at Bozo’s Too. Some travelers even plan a return trip around a show.
Kids who like music usually enjoy the extra entertainment while they wait for food.
Staff tend to earn warm words. Visitors mention attentive, quick, and friendly service, even when the house is full.
Clean restrooms also get noted, a detail every parent quietly checks.
Who fits best here? Road-tripping families following the coast, seafood lovers, and anyone who prefers relaxed meals over formal dining.
Visiting relatives often get brought here by local hosts who want to show off Mississippi seafood.
Quieter diners should aim for weekday lunches. The pace is calmer then, and the counter side of the market offers a faster in-and-out option for families with tight schedules or tired children.
Hours, Parking, and Planning Your Stop
Timing is easy to work around. Bozo’s Seafood Market opens at 8 AM and stays open until 8 PM Monday through Saturday.
On Sundays, hours run from 9 AM to 6 PM.
You will find it at 2012 Ingalls Ave, Pascagoula, MS 39567.
Parking can fill up on busy evenings. Some guests have parked a bit away, while others found a spot within minutes.
Either way, seating moved quickly for many families, even when the lot looked full.
Prices vary by order. Crab platters run on market price, so costs shift with the season.
Sandwiches and baskets are lighter on the wallet, and many guests say portions are generous enough to share, though a few felt servings had shrunk.
A practical plan for parents: arrive before the dinner rush, order a couple of shareable dishes, and bring wet wipes for sticky hands. Leftovers travel well, too, as some guests happily reheated pasta later.
Crab tools from home can save frustration at the table.