Where to Buy Fresh Crab Near Me

Craving some fresh, delicious crab but not sure where to find it near you? You’ve come to the right place! This guide will walk you through all the options for buying fresh crab no matter where you live.

Checking Local Seafood Markets

The first place to look when you want fresh crab is your local fish market or seafood store. Many coastal towns and cities will have dedicated seafood retailers that get daily deliveries of fresh catch. Here are some things to look for:

• Independent seafood markets – These small businesses are your best bet for fresh high-quality seafood. Their entire business relies on providing great products.

• Fish counters at grocery stores – Even regular supermarkets often have a fish counter or seafood section. Call ahead to ask when they get deliveries and what’s in stock.

• Asian supermarkets – Markets specializing in Asian food usually have a great seafood selection Check the tanks for live crab and fish

• Harborfront retailers – If you live near the coast, look for shops right at the harbor that sell seafood direct from the fishing boats.

When buying from a local retailer, don’t be shy about asking questions. Ask where and when their seafood was caught. Request to see live crabs and pick active, lively ones. Inspect crabs for strong limbs and shells. This ensures freshness.

Ordering Fresh Crab Online

If you don’t live near the coast, don’t worry! Ordering fresh seafood online has never been easier thanks to overnight shipping. Online seafood retailers like Giovanni’s Fish Market and South Beach Fish Market let you order live crab and fresh meat overnight to anywhere in the USA.

Here are some tips for ordering fresh crab online:

• Look for sellers that ship live crab and use overnight delivery. Live crab is your guarantee of freshness.

• Read customer reviews and check for safe handling certifications. This ensures the retailer packs and ships crab properly.

• Order early in the week to avoid crab sitting in warehouses over weekends.

• Opt for next day air delivery and ask the retailer to pack with freezer packs if your area is experiencing hot weather.

• Inspect crab immediately upon delivery. It should be cold and lively if shipped live. Frozen meat should show no signs of thawing.

Reputable retailers like Giovanni’s Fish Market guarantee delivery of fresh, healthy crab no matter where you live. Don’t settle for grocery store frozen crab! Order online and enjoy Pacific Northwest Dungeness or Alaska King right in your own kitchen.

Picking Your Own Crab at Farms

If you want the freshest crab possible, visit a crab farm or aquaculture facility and pick your own! Commercial crab farms operate on the East and West coasts of the US. Here’s how it works:

• Call ahead to the crab farm to ask about public picking times. Most facilities welcome visitors on certain days.

• When you arrive, you’ll be taken to the holding tanks to select your own live crabs. Avoid lethargic ones.

• You are then given cleaning materials, a steaming pot, and a pickin’ table. Staff will steam your crab to perfection.

• Roll up your sleeves and get crackin’! Now the fun begins as you pick piles of sweet, succulent meat from your crab.

• Take home ziploc bags packed with fresh crab meat ready for your recipes or to eat as-is.

Pick-your-own crab farms are a fun outdoor activity for families or groups. Nothing beats the experience – or the taste – of picking truly just-caught crab!

Checking Your Area for Fresh Crab

Not near a crab farm or cann’t have seafood delivered? Don’t give up! There are still ways to source fresh crab meat locally:

• Seafood counters at high-end grocery stores – Whole Foods, Central Market, etc. often have fresh local seafood.

• Local restaurants – Call ahead to sushi spots, steakhouses, or seafood places to ask if they have fresh crab available for retail purchase. Many will accommodate!

• Fishermen’s markets – Look for markets where local fishermen sell direct to public. The crab won’t get any fresher.

• Recreational crab fishing – If you live near the coast, go crabbing yourself! Buy traps and bait and spend a fun day on the water catching your own feast. Just check local regulations.

• Crab boils – Attend or organize a crab boil potluck with friends and family. Everyone chips in on a bulk order of fresh crab.

Getting your hands on fresh crab might take a little extra effort and planning compared to frozen, but it’s worth it. The amazing sweet flavor and tender meat of fresh crab can’t be matched. Follow these tips to find and order the best-quality crab in your area. Let us know if we missed any good fresh crab sources!