Sugar Toads, or the Atlantic Pufferfish are found roaming docks, shipwrecks, and oyster reefs along the East Coast, caught mostly in the Chesapeake Bay. Also known as “chicken of the sea,” this nonpoisonous puffer, is usually sold and eaten fried, whole, with the head off -giving them a culinary look and taste of chicken wings. These puffers were predominately caught through bycatch, but due to an increased popularity, watermen have been throwing out pots specifically to catch sugar toads. The Atlantic Puffer is even finding itself on many high-end restaurant menus throughout Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland. Their flavors are described to be sweet, tender, and delicate due to their crustacean diet, becoming a local delicacy along the East Coast.
In addition to complying with strict local and federal regulations, Sam Rust takes it a step further with a self-imposed set of standards that must be met. Our employees receive specialized training on each product to ensure our seafood is checked for quality every step of the way.