Is it here? Is it today? This weekend? Yeah? Maybe? The local crab season was supposed to kick off today—but some folks are saying it’s delayed until the 20th. Supposedly the crabs aren’t full and the shells are too soft, but price is another issue is well. (Here are some additional details about the delay on SFoodie). But as soon as the season gets the go-ahead, you’ll want to taste those hefty and fresh bad boys as soon as possible over the next couple weeks. You can stand in line at Swan Oyster Depot, and I know the owner of Woodhouse Fish Co. is picking them up fresh in the city as well.
If you want to head to the Wharf, personally I am a fan of the old school vibe at Scoma’s—and they have their own boat. You can also swing by the crab stand at Fishermen’s Grotto #9, where they are cooked to order (and cracked and cleaned if you request it)—you also get one free hour of validated parking. And Bistro Boudin SF will be offering a “Breaking Bread & Cracking Crab with the Locals” special through November for $32.95 per person—you get freshly steamed and cracked Dungeness crab, served with their famous sourdough bread, linguine with slow-roasted tomato arrabiata sauce, and Caesar salad. (In addition, diners will receive a glass of Buena Vista Carneros wine, and a sourdough baguette to go.) I like to swing by The Alioto-Lazio Fish Company at 440 Jefferson Street to pick them up to go (here’s an article I wrote about this wonderful female-run business).
Dungeness crabs at Scoma’s. Photo by Mathew Sumner.
