Read more: Local, Shrimp, Local, Imported, Dean Jordan, Roadside Grill
South Carolina shrimpers complain that imported shrimp is destroying their industry. Not only that, they say foreign shrimp just doesn't taste as good as their locally caught shrimp.
Local shrimper Dean Jordan has set up his own cooker to prove it.
Jordan said, chances are, the shrimp you are served at your local restaurant is farm-raised, imported shrimp from Asia or South America.
He claims the shrimp he catches from his boat off the coast of Georgetown is much better.
"Trust me, there is quite a difference," Jordan said.
Here's Jordan's challenge: try imported shrimp anyplace else, then have lunch at his place and taste what you know for certain is locally caught shrimp. He says, you won't go back.
"Most of the imported shrimp that I've ever tasted have a real bland taste to them, actually doesn't have any taste at all, really," Jordan said.
Jordan said when he started shrimping years ago, there were maybe 40 or more boats operating in Georgetown.
Today, it's down to about 10 and he blames cheap foreign imports.
"It's just hard to compete with the foreign markets, just like all the other problems going on in this country right now."
Jordan's shrimp is good enough that even after only a few weeks at his roadside location, he's already established some pretty loyal repeat customers.
"We've got some people come 4, 5 days a week and eat with us," he said.
Jordan's roadside grill provides a market for local shrimpers, but he said it's more important to just get the word out about locally caught shrimp. And he said that message is sinking in.
"People are a lot more aware now than they were 3 to 4 years ago."
Jordan's roadside grill is on Highway 17 South at Pennyroyal Road just outside the city limits of Georgetown.
