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On cold winter nights, there's nothing like a hot platter of fried fish. At least, that's what customers of Cameron's Seafood Market seem to think about the seafood at this family-owned carryout.

The seafood market, on Central Avenue in Capitol Heights, offers an array of different seafood options, but manager Hassain Gitan said that during the winter months, customers prefer their seafood hot.

"When it's warm outside, customers get crab and shrimp, but in the winter they want something fried or broiled, or a dinner or soup," said Gitan, who lives in Montgomery County.

But regardless of the season, Gitan suggests the Ultimate Platter for $12.99 because it "has everything." Everything includes three pieces of fish, three fried shrimp, three scallops and a crab cake.

The first Cameron's market opened in Rockville about 28 years ago, and now has 12 locations, all carryout, in Virginia, Pennsylvania and across Maryland, including in Oxon Hill, Hyattsville and Marlow Heights.

The market features a fried fish of the day platter for $6.99 or a broiled or grilled fish of the day for $7.99. The homemade clam chowder, lobster bisque, crab gumbo and cream of crab come in small, medium and large sizes and are priced at $3.99, $4.99 and $8.99, respectively.

In addition to the platters and soups, there is a large variety of appetizers, subs and sandwiches.

The least expensive appetizers you'll find at Cameron's are the fried calamari and clams for $5.99, while the most expensive appetizer is six crab cakes for $25. All the subs and sandwiches feature seafood. Customers can get a fried fish or shrimp sub for $6.99 or a fried whiting sandwich for $5.99.

Gitan says they have no intention of making Cameron's, located in a storefront building between a carpet store and gas station, anything but a carry out. "It's too much work," he said.

Patrons are greeted by fresh fish and seafood encased in glass. Cameron's will clean, gut and cook your fish to order. There are a few folding chairs for customers to wait for their order, but no tables for dining.

"Everything is fresh at Cameron's," says Gitan, who gets all his seafood direct from Jessup, Miami, Boston and other locations.

Gitan said customers come from everywhere, including Washington, D.C., and Virginia, as well as the Branch Avenue and Capitol Heights areas.

Customer Danyell Corbin, 24, of the District said she stops by frequently, and her mother used to bring her to Cameron's when she was younger.

Corbin's favorite is the shrimp and the whiting platter. She said it was a tradition to get Cameron's on Fridays, but on Monday she was at Cameron's ordering one of her favorites, the whiting platter.

"Now I'm old enough to get it myself," she said.

Cameron's Seafood

Market

8807 Central Ave., Capitol Heights

Phone: 301-333-3000

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and Sundays; 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Website: www.camerons

seafood.com