sabsong

Hi Everyone,

A group of friends and I are planning on driving down to Maryland (Baltimore, Annapolis, we're flexible...) for some crabs. What we're looking for is Maryland crabs, casual (brown paper tables, wooden mallet, beer, etc...), possibly outdoor seating, but most importantly--WORTH driving all the way from New York (and in my friend's case, traveling from London) to eat.

I was thinking Cantlers or Bo Brooks, there was another place I read on the boards ages ago that fit the description of what we're looking for but can't seem to locate it now (of course!).

ANY suggestions would be welcomed.

MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE,
sabsong

bardo1

Any of the "Recommended" shacks from this organization's website will have what you are looking for:

http://www.blue-crab.org/crabhouses.htm

p.s. - CALL AHEAD! Crab houses keep notoriously "flexible" hours!

FWIW, my favorite is the Drift Inn - fantastic!

Mincepie

Yes, Cantlers definitely. Mike's Crab House on Riva Rd in Annapolis. Buddy's or Middleton tavern if you are downtown Annapolis. Deep Creek restaurant(Arnold?) or Kentmoor restaurant in Stevensville(just over bridge)...lovely view.

sabsong

Thanks everyone! Has anyone heard anything about Hoopers Crab House in Ocean City, MD? I'm also wondering about what the "season" is--I know that generally it's mostly just the summer but would Sept be a bad time to go? I heard that these days most of the crab houses import "off-season" so the crabs are just as fresh...thanks!

Mincepie

I think crab season runs into Decenber.

bardo1

Actually, September has the best crabs. Ironically, locals don't eat as many crabs after labor day becuase they have been eating them all summer and crabs are associated in many minds with summer fun.

September is "back to business" and, while many stop having crabs and beer, the crabs themselves are at their biggest and meatiest!

je

Go to Mike's and get a table out on the South River. Cantler's is good but didn't have the outside seating that Mikes's has - at least not the last time I went.

bardo1

I have not heard of Hoopers Crab House but want to point out that MD blue crabs come from the braskish waters of the BAY, not the salty ocean water. Any crab houses in Ocean City are getting them shipped over from the Chesapeake bay (hopefully, and not Asia).

The best places will be waterside, right on the bay (see website in my first response), have live crabs right out of the water, and are "cooked to order".

brando

Cantlers, Cantlers, Cantlers!!!!!

ps. they should pay me

smetz

IMHO, the best crabs are at O'Brycki's, located on Pratt Street near Broadway. No outdoor seating though.

repete

Cantler's vs. O'Brycki's is a multi-level mismatch.

Atmosphere -- especially if you opt to sit outside on a nice night -- is tremendous at Cantler's. Crabs are often fresher in my experience.