When I was a kid in southern WV in the 90s, restaurant options were extremely limited. It always seemed like a really big deal to me when I got a Happy Meal from McDonald’s, never mind seafood. And while dinner options have steadily increased in the area as I’ve gotten older, the availability of seafood in a restaurant setting (unless you count the Long John Silver’s we’d go into the next county for once or twice a year) was virtually nonexistent.
Last night we had the pleasure of trying out the brand new Tidal Wave Seafood on their opening day. Tidal Wave Seafood is located in Narrows, VA and offers a variety of items on their menu including catfish, shrimp, sandwiches, po’ boys, and hushpuppies. As we approached the restaurant we could smell the food cooking and it smelled delicious! Our family got the catfish, shrimp, chicken po’ boy sandwich, and chicken tenders. All of it was amazing! My personal favorite was the catfish. The owner recommends the shrimp and catfish po’ boy sandwich with mild sauce. We will definitely be back and I can’t wait to try that.
The owner, Stephanie Buchanan, has always had a passion for cooking, and once even had the opportunity to try out for Master Chef. After working in newspapers for 16 years, she decided to pursue a career doing what she loved and eventually opened her own restaurant with her mother, similar to Tidal Wave Seafood. The restaurant was a success until they were forced to close due to life changing circumstances. Her toddler had begun to have health problems and it took a string of specialists 18 months to diagnose her with a brain tumor. It was during this time that she was forced to close the restaurant. Remission came after many treatments, but unfortunately Hurricane Irma did as well. The storm laid five trees on her family’s home and they were forced to relocate to Monroe county West Virginia.
Stephanie’s sister, Jennifer, encouraged her to try one more time. They embarked on this project together and the final product is Tidal Wave Seafood. She has always dreamed of being a part of a small community where you can walk down the street and know the people you pass. She sees her restaurant as a great opportunity to get even more acquainted with the neighbors and hopes that it becomes a permanent part of the community. She hopes that it will be something she can pass down to her own children one day. We hope so too!
If you’re in the New River Valley region, you can find Tidal Wave Seafood at:
124 MacArthur Ln
Narrows, VA 24124
(504) 358-2132
Hometown Deep Dive 
Looks real good.
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