Catching Tin Fish at Santee Lakes

We pick up a bag of duck food along with our pedal boat rental, so as soon as we are out on the water, we aim for the first duck we see. It takes some time and effort to reach the shy duck and to position the boat so both kids can toss duck food her way. The kernels and seeds hit the lake’s surface and start to sink, but the duck is quick to dip her head under water to collect them, one by one. We’re delighted, the kids are thrilled.

Then her friends show up. And they’re not shy. Moments later, I’m pedaling us across the lake, trailed by a dozen ravenous ducks. They’re crowding the boat, jostling one another for better position, while the kids are behind me, flinging out fistfuls of duck food like they’re seasoning a brisket. At least, we empty the bag, and the waterfowl gradually peel off.

Exhausted, we dock the boat, and return to land, laughing about the nutty birds. But I suppose I’m not all that different. We only hustled over to Santee Lakes this sunny afternoon because I’m chasing seafood.

The original Tin Fish restaurant opened in Old Town in the late 90s, and over the past two decades the brand has opened locations around the county. It’s even added locations in San Francisco, Florida, and Indiana.

In June it arrived on the pier next to lake 4, of the seven lakes maksing Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, a collection of manmade lakes used for boating, watersport, and fishing. With outdoor counter service and a large dining deck built over the water, I told my family a mid-afternoon lunch would make a pleasant summery outing. But deep down, I was in it for the lobster roll.

This day’s market price for the Maine lobster-filled roll turned out to be $25, which is fairly typical for this side of the country. But a lot of the grilled seafood plates and shellfish platters here go for about $20 anyway; whole fish start at $28, and a half dozen oysters on the half shell start at $19. All well and fine, but they don’t feature a big hunk of claw meat like my roll did. If you’re looking to feast, I’d call it the best value on the menu.

But what Tin Fish really does well is a casual seafood lunch at a reasonable price. We can quibble about what reasonable means in Santee, but a $13 shrimp po boy, $14 fish & chips (cod), and $9 cheeseburger aren’t too shabby these days. You just need to pretend you didn’t see the $8 fish tacos, and get past the $4 day-use fee to enter the lakes preserve ($6 on weekends).

Enough other diners had heard about the new pierside concession that the shaded side of the dining deck remained full as customers came and went. No one seemed interested in braving the East County heat on the sunny side of the deck, though the right time of day, I know from experience that seafood tastes better when you’re looking at a body of water.