I have family flying in from Chicago to Baltimore to eat "blue crab!" Any suggestions??

When I was there in May, I had them at Bertha's in Fells Point and really enjoyed them. Faidleys at LExington Market was also recommended but we didn't get there.

You may want to consider Bo Brooks in the Canton area - along the waterfront.

Good luck!

Lexington Market's worth the trip, and Faidley's the place for seafood there.

Hi Pam09, I live in Annapolis and often go to Baltimore. Are you from the area?

If they plan to see the Inner Harbor area, they can get crabs there. Phillips is expensive but well-known (frowned upon by my native Baltimorean friends!) restaurant and there are certainly others.

They can take the water taxi from Inner Harbor to Fell's Point for Bertha's and a walk around that interesting area.

Another well-known place is Obryckis-I haven't been there so can't give advice. but site is http://www.obryckis.com

Not about crabs but, DH and I had a very fun day riding the Baltimore Duck. It is a land-sea vehicle (from WWII) that does a land tour and then just drives into the harbor! It was a real hoot.

The crab season is over Nov. 1 so any crabs eaten after then (and maybe before since they are scarce) may be from the Gulf of Mexico. Sorry. Just pretend they are Bay crabs who went South for the winter!
Enjoy a wonderful place!

We ate them everywhere, and they were good every place we had them. We went to Bertha's and also the market where we ate them right off the slab concrete- prepared the best I ever had for those kind of crab.

It was at the other market- Mike's?

Anyway- if you don't get them in season, Baltimore is still fun.

Hi Pam:

I've never heard of people eating steamed crabs at Bertha's - crab cakes, maybe - so I'd check in advance if you want actual crabs. Their mussels are fabulous, though. Also, Lexington Market is not a great place to get crabs - the crab cakes at Faidley's in LM are ok, but there is no seating.

Obrycki's and Bo Brooks are both good (for steamed crabs), but keep in mind Obrycki's closes after Nov. 8 for the season. The only problem with Obrycki's is that they use a black pepper seasoning, and if you are traveling to Baltimore special to eat crabs, you will probably want an Old Bay spice. Bo Brooks is right on the Harbor, so the water view is nice. I've also heard that LP Steamers in south Baltimore on Fort Street is very good, though I have never been there.

Right now, the place that seems to have the best rep for steamed crabs in Baltimore is Mr. Bill's Terrace in Essex, which is just outside of Baltimore to the northeast, on Eastern Boulevard. No reservations, you just go and wait for the table and hope you're still sober when they call you.

Another really great place is Jimmy's Famous Seafood on Holabird Avenue in Dundalk, right around the City's eastern border. Both Mr. Bill's and Jimmy's are old time Baltimore (good!) so don't expect anything fancy.

I hope you have a great time, and enjoy those crabs! And if it's crab cakes you are after, not steamed crabs, mention that in a post, because there are other better places to go for crab cakes.

Boy Smetz your choices have my mouth watering!!!

Bo Brooks has always been one of my favorites for Old Bay seasoning but I absolutely love the black pepper seasoning at O'Bryckie's. Years back we'd skip eating all day and go up and eat crabs, corn on the cob, pickles, and finish off with chocolate sundaes (all at O'Bryckie's). Then we'd be sick that night!!

I've not heard of LP Steamers though - have to go check that out.

LN - Sounds like you and I have similar tastes! Speaking of corn on the cob, there is a crab place on Southwestern Boulevard in Catonsville, right where it splits with Wilkens Avenue. I can't remember the name, but I can get it for you if you like. The crabs are great (carry out only), but they also steam corn in with the crabs, old bay seasoning and all. It's really good.

I am jealous about the blue crabs, as long their steamed you can't go wrong, however, I had so-so crab-balls at Crabby Dicks in Fells Point, fun place, bad food.

We loved Bertha's for mussels and crab cakes. We also liked the Wharf Rat- we expected really good beer and passable food, but the beer was mostly ok with great food.

We were ok with Bo Brooks- the two soups mixed were really great, but I don't remember what else we had.

Please let us know where they went and how it went!

Smetz

I do believe I'll be taking a little visit up to Catonsville and Wilkins Ave to get some crabs. They'll probably still be warm by the time I get back home.

You've really got me thinking about blue crabs!!

Hey Pam09, Where ever they go, them em to bring money-just passed a sign for "Large Male Crabs $100 a Bushel".

As always - Fodorites are the best! I'll let you know where they ate their "blue crab!" AND how they were!!

Last time we were at LP Steamers and Bo Brooks we got some bad crabs (they smelled like ammonia and were not eatable) - I would not recommend these two restaurants. I agree with Obryckis and also recommend the Canton Dockside - we had great crabs and other good food at both places. Enjoy!

Oh, I keep forgetting about Canton Dockside - quilter, is there much of a water view there?

Sorry to butt in Smetz but I think most of the dockside in Canton is private for condos and marinas. I've been wrong a time or 400 though.

No problem, TDudette - there is actually a restaurant called "Canton Dockside". It's in the newish Canton Crossing development on the south side of Boston Street, really out on the eastern edge of Canton, past all of the condo developments. Like most of the other developments, it used to be waterfront industrial. I think the only building completed there is a high rise office (it's where First Mariner Bank has their HQ), and I'm pretty sure the Canton Dockside restaurant is in the first floor of that building.

Good to know, smetz! Pam09, when does your family arrive?