Where to Find Delicious Crab Legs Near You

Craving some succulent crab legs? You’re not alone. These tender, sweet crustaceans are a popular menu item at seafood restaurants across the country. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know where to find the best crab legs in your area? I’ve got you covered.

As a seafood lover myself, I’ve tried crab legs at restaurants all over Through trial and error, I’ve identified the key factors that set the great crab leg joints apart from the mediocre ones. In this article, I’ll share my insider tips to help you locate the top crab leg destinations near you Whether you prefer King, Snow, Dungeness, or another variety, your perfect crab leg meal is just around the corner.

Check the Specials Board

Many restaurants feature crab legs as a limited-time specialty item. Keep an eye out for chalkboard signs or daily specials promoting fresh crab. When available crab legs are often the catch of the day.

Temporary crab leg specials indicate that the restaurant has sourced high-quality, seasonal legs to delight their customers. Take advantage of these limited-time offerings to enjoy exceptionally fresh crab.

Opt for Seafood-Focused Spots

The best crab legs come from restaurants that stake their reputation on seafood. Dedicated seafood eateries are more likely to rigorously source and perfectly prepare crab legs compared to generic restaurants that happen to offer seafood.

Seek out restaurants that bill themselves as crab houses, seafood boils, oyster bars, or fish markets. Their seafood expertise often yields superior crab legs sourced directly from local fishermen. Don’t be afraid to ask where and when the crab legs were caught to gauge freshness.

All-You-Can-Eat Specials

For unlimited crab leg bliss, target restaurants boasting all-you-can-eat crab leg specials. These promotions allow you to indulge to your heart’s content, sampling crab legs alongside other seafood delicacies.

All-you-can-eat offers are common at Asian buffets, Brazilian steakhouses, and American crab shacks. Pro tip: Come hungry and pace yourself to maximize value.

Order Them Steamed

To enjoy crab legs at their sweet, succulent best, I recommend ordering them steamed or boiled. Resist the urge to mask the natural seafood flavor with heavy sauces or seasonings. Simple steaming locks in moisture and allows the crab’s sweetness to shine.

Request your crab legs steamed with Old Bay or another light seasoning to add subtle complexity without overpowering the crab. Dip them in melted butter or lemon for even more flavor.

Check Online Reviews

These days, the first stop in finding a great restaurant is checking online reviews. Yelp, Google Reviews, and Facebook are goldmines for crab leg intel straight from fellow diners.

Look for restaurants with consistently glowing reviews praising their crab offerings. Photos of mouthwatering crab legs are another good sign. You can even search reviews by dish or keyword to specifically find the best crab legs near you.

Ask Locals for Recommendations

Talking to locals is one of the best ways to find under-the-radar restaurants beyond what online searches reveal. Ask co-workers, neighbors, or friends for their personal crab leg recommendations.

Locals will point you to hometown institutions and hidden gems that tourists don’t know about. Their firsthand experiences can identify the restaurants that consistently impress crab leg enthusiasts in your area.

Compare Prices

Crab legs are considered a luxury item, so prices can vary widely depending on the restaurant. Expect to pay a premium for high quality, but bargains are out there.

Online menus and price comparison sites like MenuWithPrice let you filter and compare local restaurants by crab leg prices. Adjust your budget and preferences to find the ideal balance of quality and value.

Know the Different Types

Not all crab legs are created equal. The taste, texture, and price of crab legs depends largely on the type of crab. Familiarize yourself with the most common varieties:

• King crab legs – The largest and most expensive option, known for their hearty, sweet meat. Mostly found in Alaska.

• Snow crab legs – Tender, smaller crab legs from colder northern waters like Canada and Russia.

• Dungeness crab legs – Smaller legs with sweet, flaky meat from the Pacific Northwest coast.

• Stone crab legs – Petite claws filled with firm, salty meat from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

I hope these insider tips help you uncover the top spots for indulging in delicious crab legs near you. Trust me, the effort is well worth it. The sweet, succulent meat of perfect crab legs is an absolute seafood lover’s dream. Get out there and crack open some crab today!