Nearly 60 years ago, the Rippons family officially entered the seafood industry with the opening of Rippons Brother’s Seafood, a packing house in Hoopersville, Maryland. Prior to the opening of the packing house, William H. Rippons (also known as Captain Doc), grandfather to Al Strzegowski of Al’s Seafood, and his sons Irving, Chandus, Joseph, Eugene, and Willard were waterman on Hoopers Island. The family used their seafood expertise to successfully run the packing house which is still family owned and operated today. Uncle Chan, who died at 80 due to heart failure, was once quoted as saying: “Crabs is like flies: You don’t know where they come from or where they go, but they always come around.”

In 1961, Al’s parents Margaret and Albert opened a carryout market in Fells Point. In 1974, the family expanded their business with the opening of the current carryout location Eastern Boulevard. In 1977, Al’s sister Ella Nora opened another carryout location at Bel Air Road and Northern Parkway, which was open for 10 years, but closed when Ella Nora passed away. When the family first joined the Essex community, the carryout was connected to a carpet store which became the current location of Al’s Seafood Restaurant in 1982. The present location was again expanded in November of 2004 with the grand opening of the Liquor Locker.

The family of Al’s Seafood prides themselves on supporting the local economy and serving the community a fresh and local product. Much of the seafood available at Al’s Seafood is still provided by family members who remain active in the seafood industry. And many of the menu items are still made based on family recipes, passed down from generation to generation. Al’s Seafood remains a family business and a longstanding member of the community.

Dining at Al’s Seafood truly is a family affair, as the whole family plays a part in the success of Al’s Seafood. Al’s son Chad currently runs the business and works alongside Al in the market and Liquor Locker. Al’s wife Judy is a great helping hand in many aspects of the business and can be found filling the role of hostess on Saturdays and Sundays. Al and Judy’s daughter Cara helps in the dining room as a server from time to time. The Strzegowski family would like to thank you for joining us and we look forward to seeing you again soon in the restaurant, the market, or the Liquor Locker.