by John Sanchez

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One of the best parts of covering Sunnyside is welcoming new businesses to the neighborhood and getting to know the people behind them.

This week, the Sunnyside/LIC Journal team stopped by the new Cap’t Loui Seafood in Sunnyside, Queens to meet the staff, learn more about the restaurant, and, of course, see if the seafood lived up to the buzz.

Social media has made seafood boils incredibly popular over the past few years, but we’ve all had that experience where a meal looks incredible online and falls short in person. We’re happy to report that Cap’t Loui delivered.

Our visit happened to fall on $1 Oyster Tuesday, making it the perfect opportunity to start with one of the restaurant’s most popular weekly specials. Fresh oysters were served with Cap’t Loui’s signature sauce and a squeeze of lemon. While not everyone on our team has fully embraced oysters just yet, it was easy to appreciate their freshness—and for seafood lovers, it’s a deal that’s hard to pass up.

Next came the Fisherman’s Platter, a generous spread of crispy calamari, golden fried shrimp, and perfectly fried fish. It quickly became a favorite around the table, with each bite delivering the kind of crunch and flavor you’d hope for from a seafood restaurant. Even the pickiest members of our team kept reaching back for more.

Then came the main event.

A towering seafood boil arrived at our table overflowing with shrimp, clams, juicy mussels, corn, potatoes, and a giant lobster that immediately turned heads. Guests can customize their boil with different seasoning options, but the restaurant recommends either the bright and savory Lemon Pepper or the bold, slightly spicy Cap’t Loui Signature Sauce. Both pair perfectly with the fresh seafood and are worth getting your hands messy for.

For anyone looking for an affordable lunch, Cap’t Loui also offers a Weekday Seafood Boiler Special for under $20, making it an accessible way to enjoy a seafood boil without waiting for a special occasion.

No seafood feast is complete without great sides, and Cap’t Loui doesn’t disappoint. The garlic noodles were rich and buttery, the garlic bread was perfect for soaking up every last drop of sauce, and the sausages added another layer of flavor to the meal. To wash everything down, we tried the restaurant’s oversized Cap-Tri Sun Refreshers, colorful drinks that are every bit as fun as they are refreshing.

Of course, we had to save room for dessert. Cap’t Loui’s signature Funnel Cake Fries with Ice Cream provided the perfect sweet ending to the meal. We even caught one of our teammates quietly stealing a few extra bites from another plate—proof that sharing dessert isn’t always guaranteed.

Beyond the food, what stood out most during our visit was the welcoming atmosphere created by the Cap’t Loui team. For the restaurant’s owner, opening in Sunnyside is about more than simply bringing seafood boils to a new neighborhood—it’s about becoming part of the community.

“We’re incredibly proud to be here in Sunnyside and to have the opportunity to serve this community,” said Phil from the Cap’t Loui Team. “Our goal is to create a place where neighbors can come together, enjoy great seafood, and always feel welcome. We’re grateful for the support we’ve already received and look forward to being part of this neighborhood for many years to come.”

As one of Sunnyside’s newest restaurants, Cap’t Loui is already making a strong first impression through friendly service, generous portions, and a menu that offers something for both seafood enthusiasts and first-time visitors.

The Sunnyside/LIC Journal team is excited to welcome Cap’t Loui to the neighborhood, and if our first visit is any indication, we’ll definitely be back for another seafood boil soon.