The Boiling Crab

There are many, many reasons to love our San Francisco Giants. But on this night in particular, if it wasn’t for them and the last game of the NLCS final, the three-hour wait for The Boiling Crab in San Jose would have been darn near unbearable. It was pretty much the longest I’ve ever waited for a meal. And I shudder to think what would have happened if they didn’t win…MFM (still gimpy, still Grinchy) for one, would've blown a gasket I’m sure.

It was my first time at a Boiling Crab (a chain with locations in So. Cal and Texas). I’m always a bit nervous about trying new dining experiences, so instead of the usual here’s-what-I-ate commentary, I’ve constructed a list of Boiling Crab helpful hints, just in case you go. At approx. $30-$35 per person for seafood, I think it’s one of the best deals around. It's certainly one of the most delicious.

1. They do not take reservations. When Yelpers say to get there when they open (3pm) they aren’t kidding. Case in point, we put our names on the list at 6pm, and we weren’t seated until 9pm (on a Saturday). There’s the aforementioned tvs to keep you occupied, but people also just hang out in their cars or at the Target next door. Or, you can start off with an “appetizer” at the neighboring Vietnamese restaurant, as one of our friends who couldn’t wait any longer did. (No, this was not Kung Fu Prawn).

2. You will get messy. They provide bibs and rolls of paper towels, but this is food that’s totally eaten with your hands. They line the tables with industrial-style wax paper, which serves as both your plate and your shell disposal area.

3. Your seafood comes cooked in a see-through bag. See photo #3 above.

4. Go for the “whole sha-bang.” First, pick your seafood: (our group had shrimp, crawfish, Dungeness and king crab and clams). Then, pick your seasoning: rajun Cajun, lemon pepper, garlic butter, or the whole sha-bang (all three - words cannot describe the spicy, buttery deliciousness.) Last, your spicyness level (medium was plenty hot). The ratio is about 1 pound per person, if you include sides (we also got corn and sweet potato fries).

5. There’s even something for non-seafood eaters. Not a whole lot – but one of our non-seafood eating pals had wings and fries. There's also gumbo, oysters on the half shelf, and a variety of fish & chip-style fried options, too.

6. Is it worth the wait? Yes. Seriously. And I’m really impatient.

SAMIWICH'S TASTE RATING