Originally Posted by gaobest

Have you had raw oysters lately? I only knew them to be cooked as a child and served raw oysters in a tourist part of San Francisco when I was a teenager. I eventually tried them and now I’ll eat any raw oyster anywhere at a quality eatery. I love them solo with zero need or desire for lemon nor sauces. I just don’t shuck them nor will I buy them to take home. Eateries only.

Originally Posted by gaobest

I would expect a quality eatery that’s inland will have quality raw oysters. :-)
surely in ORD area, Rose akor (?) or Joes Seafood / Steaks or a similar quality steakhouse will have quality raw oysters. Even in Sfo area, i’m not going to get raw oysters at a food stand truck unless it’s branded like Hog Island type truck.

Originally Posted by StuckInYYZ

Normally, I would agree. But early on in the pandemic and now, supply chains have gone to pot. As an example, I ordered a server frame from a supplier last Wednesday. I got the tracking number the same day. Still have not received it even though the depot is just on the other side of the city. I couldn't go pick it up as I was busy, but it's still sitting on a shelf somewhere in a shipping depot. And that's something that can't go bad. Oysters? If not eaten within a few hours, I'd be a tad concerned if I were going to eat them raw. I'd be more likely to cook them at that point.

Originally Posted by JBord

You would have very much enjoyed the 5 days my wife and I spent in Hilton Head recently. Cooked oysters of every variety. My wife only eats them raw. I'm good with any preparation but also have fond memories of fried oyster po' boys in New Orleans.

I like a little lemon. Anything after that depends on my mood. I'm with you though on eating them only at reputable restaurants.

Any reputable seafood restaurant, including wayyyy inland here in Chicago, would take them off the menu if they can't get them fresh. I'm not ordering them anywhere else than a reputable restaurant, unless I'm eating a few miles from where they're farmed. The raw oysters we had in South Carolina were mainly local. Your point is well taken though, we have a place about 15 mins away that does a raw bar on weekends, but is not a seafood restaurant. I probably will think twice before ordering them there next time we go.