Chesapeake Blue, Dungeness, snow, king—whatever the crustacean type, the satisfaction is the same when you ease the tasty meat from the shell. Here are a few places to get cracking on your next seafood supper.
View this post on Instagram
Quarterdeck
Weave through a residential neighborhood near Fort Myer to find what our food critic calls “Arlington’s go-to spot for steamed crabs since 1979.” Made to order and encrusted in the restaurant’s custom spice blend, the blue crabs are sourced locally from June to November and brought in from Louisiana and Texas the rest of the year, meaning you can feast on them all year long. Order by the half-dozen or dozen for market price. // 1200 Fort Myer Drive, Arlington (Fort Myer Heights)
Captain Pell’s
Located on Fairfax Boulevard for 25 years (it was in Merrifield for 22 years before that), this seafood restaurant specializes in platters of crabs. The Steamer Bucket ($49.95) comes with a pound of snow crab legs, plus shrimp, clams and corn on the cob. Or skip the extras and get a dozen steamed blue crabs, available in sizes from medium to jumbo ($54-$132). Feeling really hungry? Go for the All You Can Eat Crab Feast ($59.95/person). // 10195 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax
Chasin’ Tails
This Viet-Cajun Falls Church eatery dishes up blue crabs, king crabs or snow crabs as part of its seafood pots and Royal Feasts, which come with a host of sea creatures and serve one to six people, depending on which bonanza you pick. Order crabs your way in any of the restaurant’s signature flavors, such as the Oh Dang! made with Cajun, garlic and citrus seasonings or Dragon-Fire, with pineapple, chili and sambal. // 944 W. Broad St., Falls Church
View this post on Instagram
Crazy Crab
Across from Captain Pell’s, this popular restaurant sits in a strip mall between a sushi restaurant and a Subway. The outside may be understated, but it boasts an extensive menu that includes crabs served with other seafood in the sauce of your choice, or plain steamed. Like its neighbor, Crazy Crab also has an all-you-can-eat option for $59.95 per person, although the price is halved for customers shorter than 4.5 feet, and eaters under 3 feet dine for free. // 10160 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax
Hot N Juicy Crawfish
The only Virginia location of this nationwide chain has Dungeness, king, snow and blue crabs (seasonally) on the menu. Order them by the pound and choose the seasoning and spice level of your choice. Options include garlic butter, lemon pepper and Juicy Cajun. // 116 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Ocean Shack
Find crab—snow or Dungeness—among the seafood boil options at this Arlington eatery near the Lee Heights Shops. Get crab with shrimp, lobster tail, green mussels, crawfish and more for $28.99-$134.99. You can also customize your bag to include the specific crustaceans you want. Find the de-shelling process frustrating? Opt for a crab cake sandwich or the crab bites appetizer. // 2163 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Waverly Hills)
The Organic Butcher of McLean
Planning a crab feast at home? This full-service butcher shop offers live, local blue crabs by the bushel with one day’s notice. The price is subject to change based on market value, but current pricing is about $249 per bushel. While you’re there, you can also pick up choice cuts of meat, boutique wines and artisan cheeses. // 6712 Old Dominion Drive, McLean