National Oyster Day: Celebrating the joys of the great bivalve

A platter of Gulf oysters from Tony Mandola's restaurant, Houston. The restaurant is celebrating National Oyster Day with $1 oysters on the half shell. A platter of Gulf oysters from Tony Mandola's restaurant, Houston. The restaurant is celebrating National Oyster Day with $1 oysters on the half shell. Photo: The Epicurean Publicist Photo: The Epicurean Publicist Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close National Oyster Day: Celebrating the joys of the great bivalve 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

One wonders why National Oyster Day is held in summer – a month without an "R." The old culinary advice about only eating oysters in months with an "R" must not hold true these days. After all, with global delivery of seafood, the world is literally our oyster.



So whether they're from the East Coast or West Coast or from the Gulf, today is the day to celebrate our beloved bivalves. There are thousands of ways to eat oysters. For Southerners, the simplest way might be the favorite: a squeeze of lemon, some hot sauce and a cracker.

Today, Tony Mandola's restaurant, 1212 Waugh, is marking National Oyster Day with $1 oysters on the half and $5 draft schooners.

Even without an "R," it's a great day to make nice with oysters.