Seafood Mania

- 234 Merrick Rd, Oceanside, NY 11572

Introduction / Overview: Your Long Island Hub for Flavorful Seafood Boils

Seafood Mania, located in the heart of Oceanside, NY, stands out as a vibrant and exciting destination for New Yorkers seeking a high-energy dining experience centered on fresh seafood, particularly specializing in the popular Cajun-style seafood boil. This restaurant has carved a niche for itself on Long Island by offering a lively atmosphere complemented by bold, spiced-up menu items that fuse Southern, Caribbean, and classic seafood traditions. It’s more than just a place to eat; it is an establishment designed for celebration, fun, and indulging in rich, flavor-packed meals.

The core of the menu is built around signature seafood boils, allowing patrons to customize their experience by choosing their seafood (like snow crab, shrimp, or lobster), their sauce (Original Butter, Garlic Butter, or Mania’s Special), and their spice level (Mild, Medium, or Hot). Beyond the interactive boil experience, Seafood Mania offers an expansive menu that includes fried catches, elevated Land & Sea options, and Southern-inspired brunch classics, such as various takes on Shrimp & Grits and specialty waffles. This extensive variety ensures there is a dish to satisfy nearly every craving, from the famous Jerk Shrimp Skewer Cajun Pasta to perfectly seasoned Lamb Chops.

While customer feedback suggests an occasional inconsistency in execution, the restaurant's commitment to creating a "lively atmosphere" and using quality ingredients is a clear draw. Patrons often praise specific dishes for being well-seasoned, tender, and incredibly tasty. Whether you are gathering friends for a birthday celebration or looking for a spot with strong drinks and good appetizers during Happy Hour, Seafood Mania aims to provide a memorable and vibrant culinary outing for the Nassau County community.

Location and Accessibility: Conveniently Situated on Merrick Road

Seafood Mania is conveniently situated at 234 Merrick Rd, Oceanside, NY 11572, USA. Merrick Road is a major thoroughfare that connects many communities across the south shore of Long Island, making this location highly accessible to residents throughout Oceanside, Rockville Centre, and neighboring Nassau County towns. Its prime spot on this main commercial road ensures that it is easily found by local drivers and is typically well-served by local transportation routes.

The restaurant’s location allows for straightforward access by car, and finding available parking in the vicinity is generally manageable. For those utilizing public transportation, local NICE bus routes frequently run along the Merrick Road corridor, providing essential links to nearby LIRR stations, though patrons are advised to check current transit schedules. Given the establishment's popularity, especially during peak dinner and weekend hours, its proximity to other local businesses and amenities makes it an easy central meeting point for groups celebrating special occasions or simply enjoying a lively night out.

Services Offered

To accommodate the diverse needs of the busy New York clientele, Seafood Mania offers a comprehensive range of dining services:

• Dine-In Service: The primary experience, emphasizing a lively and vibrant atmosphere perfect for groups and celebrations.
• Online Ordering and Takeout: Customers can place orders through the restaurant’s website or via third-party delivery services (like DoorDash and Uber Eats) for convenient pickup or delivery to homes and offices.
• Reservations: While not required, reservations are recommended for parties of four or more, especially on weekends, to ensure timely seating. A specific policy mentions a possible reservation charge applied to the bill.
• Brunch Service: A dedicated brunch menu is available on specific days, featuring Southern favorites like Shrimp & Grits, Chicken & Waffles, and specialty omelets.
• Happy Hour Specials: The restaurant offers a dedicated Happy Hour menu on weekdays, featuring discounted beer, martinis, margaritas, and small snacks.
• Daily and Weekly Specials: The menu features rotating deals, such as the Tuesday & Thursday Crab & Shrimp Special and the Wednesday All You Can Eat Crab Legs (with specific time limits and leftover policies).

Features / Highlights

Seafood Mania distinguishes itself from other Long Island seafood spots through several unique and appealing features:

• Signature Seafood Boils: The interactive, highly customizable boil experience, allowing diners to select their seafood, sauce (Original Butter, Garlic Butter, Mania’s Special Sauce), and spice level (Mild, Medium, Hot).
• Cajun and Jerk Flavor Fusion: The menu heavily features bold, exciting flavors from Cajun, Creole, and Caribbean cuisines, as evidenced by dishes like the Jerk Shrimp Skewer Cajun Pasta and the Cajun Salmon Alfredo Pasta.
• Lively and Energetic Atmosphere: The restaurant is known for having a "lively atmosphere" and playing music, making it an excellent spot for social gatherings, parties, and those who enjoy a high-energy dining environment.
• Specialty Fried Catch Items: The menu boasts popular fried dishes such as Salmon Bites, Crab Cake Egg Rolls (served with a 'Warhead Sauce'), Fried Shrimp, and Calamari tossed in sweet chili sauce, frequently cited as customer favorites.
• Strong Drink Offerings: Customer feedback highlights that the drinks are well-made and strong, making the establishment a good choice for happy hour and cocktail-centered outings.
• Diverse Menu Beyond Seafood: Options like Lollipop Grilled Lamb Chops, New York Strip Steak, and various wings ensure that non-seafood eaters have excellent, flavorful choices.

Contact Information

To plan your visit, make a reservation for a larger party, or place a takeout order, please use the following contact information:

Address: 234 Merrick Rd, Oceanside, NY 11572, USA

Phone: (516) 243-8689

What is Worth Choosing: The Experience and the Flavor

For New Yorkers looking for a unique, lively, and flavor-forward dining adventure, Seafood Mania is the ideal choice. What makes this restaurant truly worth choosing is the combination of its dynamic atmosphere and its signature menu items. It is explicitly noted as a great place to "grab drinks and small snacks" during Happy Hour, where the strong drinks and highly-rated appetizers like the Seafood Nachos and the Sweet Chili Calamari shine. This is a place for an outing, not a quiet dinner; as reviews suggest, the music "tend to be on the higher side," contributing to the celebratory, lively vibe.

Food highlights, when the kitchen is "on their game," are exceptional. Dishes like the tender, well-seasoned Lamb Chops and the highly-praised Jerk Shrimp Skewer Cajun Pasta showcase the restaurant's ability to execute complex, bold flavors. The interactive seafood boils provide a fun, communal dining experience perfect for families or large groups celebrating an event. While some reviews mention inconsistencies in seasoning and service charges related to reservations, these isolated points should be weighed against the overall positive feedback regarding the freshness of the fried fish, the tastiness of items like the wings, and the generally high quality of the ingredients when the restaurant is performing optimally.

Ultimately, Seafood Mania offers a vibrant, entertaining, and satisfying meal experience that is perfect for a lively celebration or a fun night out in Oceanside, focusing on generously portioned, spice-infused, and shareable seafood dishes.

Seafood Mania

234 Merrick Rd, Oceanside, NY 11572, USA