Tackle Box - Calumet-Norvelt

I was so excited about trying Tackle Box. I headed down last Thursday afternoon with friends. I am from Maine and couldn’t wait to dive into some good seafood. I was startled at the menu on the board. Hush puppies? Tilapia? sauteed greens? garil aioli? What lobster shacks did Mr. Seaver go to to study for this project? None that I have ever eaten at in Maine. I was disapponted to learn the shrimp was from the Gulf of Mexico. In Maine we eat the shrimp that comes out of our waters, sweat Maine shrimp. It’s served at almost all of the diners/shacks up there. NONE of these were on the menu. We also eat blueberries that come from our feilds, not from Chile, or Costa Rica that was in my Blueberry Pie. I was also looking for Fiddleheads! I thought for sure he would have this popular Maine delicacy, nope. I think I had something with Basil-walnut pesto? It was good, just not something you’d find in a lobster shack. I think this place has lost something in defining itself. I dont know, i m not a professional critic, I just love good seafood. I did not get it that hot thursday on M street. I got overcooked Oysters from ?? where? Maryland or somewhere, certainly not from Maine waters. I also had cold, overseasoned, french fries…not very good. Macaroni and cheese, it was ok, just not the kind I ve had at a church supper in Maine, with buttery crumbs and melted velvety cheese sauce. Parsley? Mainers don’t put parsley on anything, let alone our Macaroni. I m writing this review today because i feel I got cheated out of a promise of good Maine seafood, instead I got seafood from any old restaurant in DC. I think they need a few adjustments of the menu for me to go back.

I though the Tackle Box was a decent place for fish. The atmosphere is very interesting, with long wooden tables with benches. Unlike the other reviewers I had the Maine Meal (1 entree, 2 sides and a sauce) that wasn’t fried, opting to go with the grilled trout and asparagus and cornbread for the sides, for about $13. I thought the fish was cooked well and was tasty, however the portions were a little small. A decent lunch place if you are exploring the Georgetown area. Don’t expect a meal that you would find in seaside Connecticut or Massachuttess but a decent value.

Wooden trestle tables with benches. Why would you not expect a fry-up in these surroundings? I had the clam roll, except they substituted oysters on my request. It reminds me of a New Orleans neighborhood eatery. N.O. bread is better tho. My son ordered the lobster roll. I did not try it but it looked like the meat paste that comes out of a can. I downed a calcium carbonate later when the grease kicked in.