The original Saltbox Seafood Joint is closing this Saturday, August 22, and serving one last shrimp burger for the road.

First opened at 608 N Mangum Street in 2012, Chef Rick Moore’s aggressively North Carolina-focused seafood spot took off, making headlines while also making Moore a James Beard semi-finalist for “Best Chef in the Southeast.”  The fresh, North Carolina-sourced seafood at Saltbox put the seafood joint on the radar of publications such as “Eater” and “Saveur,” and there’s been fresh fish and seafood at Saltbox for regular folks and touring politicians alike ever since.

It’s worth noting that while the original just-over-200 square feet takeout-only seafood counter is closing, Saltbox’s second location at 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd remains open – complete with outdoor seating.

For the curious, te closing of the original Saltbox doesn’t have to do with COVID or hard times. According to the announcement made by Moore, it’s a matter as simple as a lease not being renewed as downtown Durham continues to develop and property values continue to rise.

To send the location off, Moore and his staff will be finishing off the week strong in the Saltbox that started it all, with the finale being shrimp burgers and Hush Honeys sold on Sunday, August 22 until stock runs out – with a strict purchase limit of two per person, just to make sure there’s enough to go around.

(featured image via Saltbox and Baxter Miller)


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