Skippers Seafood & Smokehouse

Skippers Seafood & Smokehouse: Home of the Giant Fish Sandwich in Apex

A Local Seafood and Barbecue Favorite in Apex

Tucked along East Williams Street in the heart of Apex, Skippers Seafood & Smokehouse has earned a loyal following as one of the town’s go-to spots for fresh fried seafood and slow-smoked barbecue. This independent, locally owned restaurant keeps things refreshingly simple: quality ingredients, generous portions and fair prices, all served in a casual, come-as-you-are setting. Whether you are craving a basket of golden fried fish or a plate piled high with smoky pulled pork, Skippers brings two great Southern traditions together under one roof. It is the kind of neighborhood place where the seafood is cooked fresh to order and regulars are welcomed back like old friends.

Home of the Giant Fish Sandwich

Skippers proudly bills itself as the “Home of the Giant Fish Sandwich,” and it is a title the kitchen backs up with every order. The restaurant’s signature sandwich features a generous, hand-breaded fillet fried to a crisp, golden finish and served on a soft bun that can barely contain it. It is the dish that first put Skippers on the map, and it remains the reason many first-timers walk through the door. Fans of fried seafood will find plenty of company here, where the fryers stay busy and the portions are built for a real appetite rather than a dainty one.

Slow-Smoked Barbecue Done Right

The “Smokehouse” half of the name is no afterthought. Skippers turns out a full lineup of slow-smoked barbecue, from tender pulled pork and beef brisket to St. Louis-style ribs, half chickens and smoked turkey breast. The meats are cooked low and slow until they carry that deep, wood-kissed flavor that barbecue lovers chase all across North Carolina. Pairing a Smokehouse platter with a seafood favorite is one of the easiest ways to sample the best of both worlds, and it is a big part of what sets Skippers apart from the average fish house or barbecue joint. Here, you do not have to choose between the coast and the pit.

Fresh Seafood, Cooked to Order

Beyond the famous fish sandwich, Skippers offers a wide range of seafood cooked fresh when you order. The menu spans flaky cod and haddock, flounder, catfish and trout, along with shrimp, oysters, clam strips and more. Landlubbers and picky eaters are not left out either, thanks to chicken strips and classic franks that make Skippers an easy choice for the whole family. Everything is prepared to order, so the seafood arrives hot, crisp and at its best rather than sitting under a heat lamp.

Sides, Sweets and Southern Hospitality

No Southern seafood-and-barbecue meal is complete without the fixings, and Skippers delivers. Golden hush puppies and homestyle baked beans are menu staples, rounding out plates with the kind of comfort-food sides that make a meal feel whole. Save room for dessert, too, because the kitchen’s peach cobbler and banana pudding are exactly the sweet, old-fashioned finish you would hope for. It all adds up to a satisfying, unpretentious meal that celebrates the flavors of the region without any fuss.

Plan Your Visit

You will find Skippers Seafood & Smokehouse at 1001 East Williams Street in Apex, open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. The restaurant welcomes guests Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and stays open a little later on Fridays and Saturdays, until 9 p.m. As a locally owned independent, Skippers offers a genuine taste of Apex hospitality, whether you are stopping in for a quick fried-fish lunch, gathering the family for a barbecue dinner or simply chasing down that famous giant fish sandwich. Come hungry and plan to leave happy.