NEW OPENING: Downtown St. Catharines gets its seafood fix

You don’t have to live on the east coast to know this: You can’t beat seafood done just right.

The latest addition to downtown St. Catharines, DJ’s on St. Paul Nautical Cuisines, comes to the neighbourhood with a proven track record to boot.

The first one, DJ’s Roadhouse on Long Beach in Wainfleet, a literal stone’s throw from Lake Erie, was founded in 1977, some 45 years ago.

It stood alone until last year when DJ’s on Queen opened in Niagara Falls, the second of the award-winning restaurant.

Fancy a bowl of clam chowder or straight-up fish ‘n chips? You come to the right place with DJ’s On St. Paul (All photos: DJ’s on St Paul’s Facebook)

With DJ’s on St Paul opened about a month ago, it had special meaning to two of the three owners as Jeremy Den Besten and Brendan Lannon both grew up in St. Catharines. The third owner of this new location, Tu Tran, said the new location is starting to flourish as restrictions get lifted.

And here’s an interesting factoid from the owners – DJ’s didn’t start as a restaurant! “DJ’s Roadhouse started out as a hotdog stand in 1977 in ‘World Famous Sunny Long Beach’ and has grown to be a destination spot for people all over Ontario looking for an award winning seafood restaurant. We are proud and honored to be able to open another location here in St Catharines as DJ’s on St. Paul.”

While we tend to thinks of oceans when it comes to seafood (due to the name, no of course), there’s plenty of land fish on that menu, as well.

The Wainfleet location has for decades specializes in pickerel and perch, both Lake Erie fish. Both are featured in the Niagara Falls and St. Catharines locations, as well.

The newest restaurant is also getting five and six-piece bands in on Friday and Saturday nights, playing on their “boatdeck,” a raised platform towards the back of the restaurant.

DJ’s on St. Paul is located at 75 St Paul St. Phone: 905-397-9005. Hours are: Monday closed, Tuesday to Thursday 4–11p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 2 a.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

If you’re craving a double-stacked fish burger or some creamy seafood dip, you’re in the right place.

1. DJ’s on St. Paul Nautical Cuisine