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Shem Creek Seafood & Catering: Fresh Catch and Full-Service Catering in Mount Pleasant

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

What Shem Creek Seafood & Catering offers

Shem Creek Seafood & Catering is a working seafood market and catering operation in Mount Pleasant, located near the docks where shrimp boats and fishing vessels still operate. The market sells fresh local catch—shrimp, fish, crab, and oysters—directly to home cooks, and the catering side handles everything from small family dinners to large events. You can walk in to buy a pound of shrimp for tonight's dinner, or call ahead to arrange seafood platters, Low Country boils, or full-service catering for a wedding or corporate event.

The business sits on Shem Creek itself, which means the seafood moves from boat to counter with minimal time in between. That proximity to the water and the working fishing community is part of what makes the place distinctive—you are buying from people who know the boats and the catch, not from a distributor several steps removed.

Key Takeaways

  • Shem Creek sells fresh local seafood over the counter for home cooking, with shrimp, fish, crab, and oysters available daily.
  • The catering division handles events ranging from intimate dinners to large celebrations, with Low Country boils and seafood platters as signature offerings.
  • The location on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant puts you near the working docks and gives the operation direct access to local catch.
  • You can buy retail quantities for a single meal or contract for full-service catering with setup, service, and cleanup included.

Buying seafood at the market counter

Walk-in customers can purchase fresh seafood by the pound or in bulk. Shrimp is available in different sizes and grades—white shrimp, brown shrimp, and larger Gulf shrimp—so you can choose what works for your recipe. The market also stocks fish fillets, whole crabs, oysters, and seasonal catches depending on what the boats have brought in that day.

Prices fluctuate with the season and the catch, so there is no fixed menu to post online. The best approach is to call ahead or stop by to see what is available and what the current pricing is. Many customers build a relationship with the staff and ask what came in fresh that morning, then decide their dinner based on what looks best.

Catering services for events

The catering side handles events of various sizes, with Low Country boils and seafood platters as core offerings. A Low Country boil typically includes shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage boiled together with seasoning—a traditional Lowcountry dish that works well for casual outdoor gatherings. Seafood platters can be built to order with a mix of shrimp, fish, crab, and oysters, arranged for display or portioned for individual plates.

For larger events, Shem Creek can provide full-service catering, meaning they handle setup, serving, and cleanup. You work with them to plan a menu, confirm guest count, and arrange delivery or pickup. The catering team can work with your venue or bring their own setup depending on the event size and your needs.

Location and the working waterfront

Shem Creek itself is a tidal creek in Mount Pleasant where commercial fishing boats still dock and unload their catch. The creek is lined with seafood markets, restaurants, and docks—it is one of the few places in the Charleston area where you can still see working watermen and the daily rhythm of a fishing community. The location is not just scenic; it is functional. Shem Creek Seafood operates as part of that working waterfront, which is why the seafood is as fresh as it gets.

The area is accessible by car, and there is parking near the market. The creek itself is worth a walk if you have time—you will see boats, pelicans, and the actual infrastructure of the local fishing industry rather than a sanitized version of it.

Planning a catering order

To arrange catering, contact Shem Creek directly by phone to discuss your event date, guest count, and menu preferences. They will walk you through options, pricing, and logistics—whether you need delivery, setup, or just the food for you to serve yourself. Timing matters; larger events should be booked well in advance, though they may be able to accommodate shorter notice depending on their schedule and the catch available.

Bring details about your venue, any dietary restrictions or preferences, and whether you need them to provide serving equipment or if you have your own. They can work with you to customize a menu or suggest their most popular options if you are not sure where to start.

Seasonal variation and what to expect

Seafood availability changes with the seasons and the fishing calendar. White shrimp season peaks in fall; brown shrimp is available year-round but varies in quality and price. Fish species rotate based on what is running and what the boats are catching. Oyster season traditionally runs from September through April, though availability can shift.

This means the market does not have a static inventory or fixed prices. What makes Shem Creek valuable is that the staff knows the boats, knows the season, and can tell you what is fresh and good right now rather than what is on a laminated menu. That also means calling ahead or stopping by in person gives you better information than trying to plan from a website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy just a small amount of shrimp for one meal?

Yes. Shem Creek sells retail quantities by the pound, so you can buy as little as a pound or two for a single dinner. Prices vary by shrimp size and type, so call or visit to find out what is available and the current cost.

Do I need to order catering in advance?

For larger events, yes—book as far ahead as you can so they have time to plan and confirm the catch will be available. Smaller orders or last-minute requests may be possible depending on their schedule, so it is worth calling to ask even if your event is soon.

What is included in full-service catering?

Full-service typically means they provide the food, deliver it, set it up, serve it, and clean up afterward. Confirm with them exactly what is included in your quote—setup, serving staff, equipment, and cleanup can vary depending on the event size and your agreement.

Is the seafood local?

Yes. Shem Creek is a working dock where local fishing boats unload their catch, so the seafood comes from boats that fish South Carolina and nearby waters. The market buys directly from those boats, which is why the product is so fresh.

What if I have never ordered catering before—can they help me plan?

Yes. Call and tell them the size of your event, the type of gathering, and your budget. They can suggest popular options like Low Country boils or seafood platters, help you figure out quantities, and walk you through the process.