Crabs outside of Annapolis
Ever since I moved to Annapolis, I've been trying to find the best place for crabs. Everybody always told me "Buddy's" which I think is just crap.
Now I'm looking more in the Millersville/Odenton/Severna Park area. I know Cantlers and Magothy Bridge Seafood House are both great, but a bit far. And is Mike's still open? I'd heard Ray's and Joe's in SP are great for take-out and have had good luck with Joe's.
Other opinions?
Sorry if there's a duplicate post on Mid-Atlantic. Used the wrong board and couldn't figure out how to move it.
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By tk42
on Jul 17, 2008 02:38 PM
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Anyone who told you to go to Buddy's is an idiot.. hands down worst place to eat in this town.
Personally, if going for crabs around here it's either Cantler's here in town or Harris' Crab House on Kent Island.
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And Mike's is still open fyi.
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I've lived in this area my entire life and agree that anyone who said Buddy's is definitely not a local! That is a place to direct people to avoid! I prefer Cantlers over Mike's just because the ambience is a little nicer. Beyond those two choices, the pickings are slim in terms of crab houses in this vicinity. Best option is really to buy crabs from a reliable source (not Cheaspeake Bay Seafood or a major entity) and have a feast at home. If that's not possible, you might consider going somewhere local and having a crab cake or other crab/seafood. For that, there are a lot of good options. Even though it's not the best, for fun you could go to Pirates Cove down in Galesville, a short 15 mile drive away over the South River Bridge. Love the outside bar on the water and they have a good sandwich. To me, it's about the atmosphere when it comes to having a good experience this time of year.
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I like Kaufmans in Odenton. They have inside area and a nice outside patio/tiki bar type area. Good crabs and a large menu if you have people who don't eat seafood. They used to have karioke and crabs on saturday night which was fun.
Also you can cross the bay bridge and go to Red Eye Dock bar for a drink while you wait for a table at Harris Crab House. Hard to beat the views and a great place to people watch plus crabs are always good and local.
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Went to Mike's last night. We're from Baltimore, but were in the area and it was recommended. We had a great meal and the outside seating was fun. My Ocean City boyfriend who is the most annoying seafood snob loved it too. Crabs were meaty and we had no light ones and the beer was cheap. We also had seafood skins which were huge and surprisingly yummy after we salted them.
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What are seafood skins?
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potato skins with a seafood mixture in them!
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Too bad...for a minute there I was imagining some exotic fried fish skin delicacy!
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Fried salmon skin might be tasty!
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Fried salmon skin is terrific. We had it in a Japanese restaurant served as a garnish over salad. It was so good, that now when we have grilled salmon at home we also scrape off the skin and toast it.
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Ha -- folks thought I was crazy when I did that! Glad to read I'm not the only one ...
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What is the going price for steamed crabs?
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Kaufmann's in Gambrills/Odenton is really good. I lived in the area for several years and was a frequent diner there. Good news is that all the food there is pretty good, so if you're dining with someone who doesn't enjoy crabs there are plenty of other selections. It's not gourmet, but it's pretty reliable food.
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What do steamed crabs cost in the Baltimire area?
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depoends on the place, the size, the supply and the demand. Jumbo's may be $75 a dozen but they fill you up faster so you eat less. I only can eat 4, but I also like to have a bowl of Maryland red clam soup, some steamed clams corn on the cob and sliced tomato's with my crabs. Also depends on how many pitchers of crabs you consuume. Some places have all you can eat for around $35 a person and you get a mixture of sizes of crabs.
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What is this "Maryland red clam soup" you speak of, and where do you get it?
I haven't been to Kaufman's in eons, but they used to have garlic crabs - an interesting departure if you're just tired of the Old Bay variety. [which I never am.] Any idea if they still prepare them that way, and if they are any good? Their website lists their all you can eat crab feast at $28. http://www.kaufmannsrestaurant.com/cr...
I need to get back there - maybe on a Wednesday when they have free happy hour wings at the bar out on the patio.
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typo.....MD red crab soup....sorry.
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Thanks to everyone who replied. We ended up at Kauffman's, and I have to say it was a big mistake. The "service" was grumpy and frequently non-existant, and nothing about the food was the slightest bit impressive. Admittedly, we went on the cheap and had the all you can eat crabs (had to knuckle under to the out of town guests), but even the corn and bread were unimpressive. I may have missed out on their high points, but I doubt I'll ever give them a second chance.
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sorry for your experience
we always buy the largest crabs they have and have never been disapointed
also have loved the crab soup and sometimes they have gazpacho topped with lump crabmeat. Have also had steamers there that were good
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