A tantalizing aroma of fresh seafood wafts from Wake Forest, North Carolina, drawing in seafood enthusiasts from near and far. This is Fishin' Shrimp, a food truck and catering business that has quickly become a beloved fixture in the town by bringing convenient, fresh, high-quality seafood to customers' events and family tables. The brainchild of Bracy Dutton and wife, Bridget, Fishin' Shrimp is more than just a mobile food service—it's a culinary homage to their Maryland roots and a testament to the power of community engagement and passion-driven business.
The Dutton's journey with seafood began during childhood in Maryland, where it was an essential part of every special occasion. "Growing up in Maryland, seafood was an essential part of every memorable event for us," says Dutton. "We wanted to help create new memories for people in our community by bringing a piece of our home, Maryland, to Wake Forest and the Triangle through our food." This passion for seafood and a desire to connect with the community inspired them to launch Fishin' Shrimp. The food truck format allowed him to bring high-quality, fresh seafood directly to customers at various events and locations, creating a unique dining experience on wheels.
Since its inception, Fishin' Shrimp has played a significant role in the evolving food truck scene in Wake Forest and Wake County. The couple says the industry has come a long way from simple hot dog carts to a diverse and vibrant scene featuring gourmet and high-quality food. “Wake County is home to so many cutting edge food trucks in terms of flavors, but we recognized that our local area was missing some seafood items,” Bracy says. “We wanted to inject them into the culture because we knew our neighbors and friends would love it just as much as we do.”
While seafood has always been their personal passion, the Duttons believe Fishin’ Shrimp's biggest impact on the local food truck scene has been through community engagement. “We always highlight and show appreciation to our customers by sharing their photos and honest reviews of our food. We participate in many community-based events and donate our time and food to first responders and vulnerable populations,” Bracy explains. “We live in the community we primarily serve, so it’s very important to us to lead by example in how we engage with our neighbors and friends.”
Giving their time in other ways is just as important to the Fishin’ Shrimp team. “We are eager to cheerlead for others to help contribute to local job creation and economic permanency,” says Bridget. “Whether that’s hosting canned food drives for the Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry, serving as mentors for the Wake Forest Area Chamber Foundation’s Young Entrepreneurs Program, or buying from and encouraging others to support local small businesses within our community.”
The rapid growth of Fishin' Shrimp, particularly in the Wake Forest area, can be attributed to several key factors. Consistency, uniqueness, engagement, and branding have all played pivotal roles. "We don’t take people choosing to spend money with us lightly," says the Duttons. "We aim to offer high-quality seafood whether on the food truck or through catering options."
Strong customer engagement, sizable servings, and the effective use of social media to showcase customer experiences have also contributed to Fishin' Shrimp's growing popularity. These strategies have not only attracted a loyal customer base but also opened doors to lucrative corporate catering opportunities. “Building relationships with local businesses and business leaders has helped to create some great opportunities for us,” says Bridget. “Ensuring that we have a professional brand in terms of how we are represented online, how people refer to us in the community, the quality of our food and how we show up definitely appeals to corporate clients.”
Maintaining the quality and consistency of food across different events and locations is a top priority. The team uses the same recipes and processes for each dish, sources food from reliable suppliers, and trains staff meticulously. Customer feedback is continuously implemented to ensure the highest standards. Popular menu items, like their take on fish and chips and "The Trifecta" (a combination of crab balls, fish, and popcorn shrimp), have become crowd favorites. These dishes stand out due to their generous portions and the unique, secret recipes that elevate them to the next level.
The seafood company’s growth isn't just measured by its success but also by the meaningful experiences and friendships it creates. The duo fondly recall a recent catering event for a young cancer patient and his family. "This gathering of the family provided them an opportunity to enjoy a special meal together that they can look back on," they explain. "To us, this felt like it could be a bright spot in their journey as we watched them smile and get excited over what we served at their seafood boil." The Duttons went on to mention how many great people that make their living within the food truck industry they’ve met. “We have developed friendships and a shared sense of community with husband-and-wife teams and families,” Bracy says. “It’s a fascinating and rewarding community to be a part of,” adds Bridget.
The future looks bright for Duttons and their team. They are exploring new locations within Wake County, setting sail on a few new seasonal menu items, and continuing to seek more corporate catering opportunities. "We want to continue to serve our seafood boils/boats to large audiences," explains Bracy.
For aspiring food truck owners, the Duttons offer valuable advice: "Make sure you have a love for the food you want to put out. If you don’t have a passion for what you are making, it will be evident in the way the food tastes and how it's prepared and presented." They also suggest engaging with future customers and the community. “Good food along with excellent customer service keeps people returning.”
Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership (WFBIP), commends Fishin' Shrimp for their contributions to the local community and economy. "Fishin' Shrimp has not only brought a unique and high-quality dining experience to Wake Forest but has also significantly enriched our community through their active engagement and support of local events and causes,” he says. “Their presence has been a boon to our local economy, creating jobs and fostering a sense of togetherness.”
With a strong foundation built on passion, quality, and community engagement, Fishin' Shrimp is poised for continued success. Bracy Dutton's vision and dedication have not only brought a taste of Maryland to Wake Forest but also created a beloved community fixture that residents look forward to seeing at their events and gatherings.
Discover more about Fishin' Shrimp’s in their spotlight video, produced by Wake Forest locals, Roseland Pictures:
