Soft Shell Crabs in DC

[lnyc]

Family visiting in town, looking for soft shell crabs in the District or Bethesda area. Any recommendations welcome!

[fatfoodie]

Bibiana had some as a starter a few weeks ago.

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Bibiana
1100 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005

[kelly5612]

Brasserie Beck offered them Tuesday as a special.

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Brasserie Beck
1101 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

[Adam23]

If you can get up to/metro up to Rockville, I had a fabulous soft shell crab at Bobby's Crabcakes in Rockville Town Center. Huge size. Perfectly cooked.

Blacksalt is also a very good choice.

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Bobby's Crabcakes
101 Gibbs St Unit C, Rockville, MD 20850

[DanielK]

Strongly second Bobby's - some of the best and biggest softies I've ever had. I only didn't mention because the OP asked for DC/Bethesda, so BlackSalt seemed the safer choice!

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BlackSalt
4883 MacArthur Blvd., Washington, DC 20007

[Pappy]

Funny, I like the smaller ones better. I also like them simply sauteed in butter with fresh herbs, which I don't believe Bobby's does.

Best in the city are at Le Chaumiere.

[DanielK]

Bobby's definitely does sauteed, not just fried, and if you ask him, he'll tell you he prefers them that way.

The problem with the larger ones is that sometimes the more mature crabs have started to develop that tougher outer skin, which makes them harder to eat. The ones I've had the last few weeks at Bobby's have been incredibly tender and meaty.

[Pappy]

Good to know Daniel, thanks. I didn't know Bobby's did sauteed.

[Teddybear]

I think the toughness of the outer shell has more to do with how long they've been out the water than their size. When I eat huge crabs from my friend's peeler palace they are freshly shed and incredibly tender.

[DanielK]

Thanks, Teddybear, I hadn't heard that before.

[dcandohio]

On Memorial Day Weekend I had THE BEST soft shell crab sandwich at Market Lunch at Eastern Market. It was awesome.

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Market Lunch
225 7th St SE Ste 12, Washington, DC 20003

[yfunk3]

Well, I've never had it, but I did see it on the menu of Old Ebbitt Grill if you're near the White House...

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Old Ebbitt Grill
675 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

[ktmoomau]

Second Blacksalt, would also add Againn.

[DanielK]

BlackSalt.

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BlackSalt
4883 MacArthur Blvd., Washington, DC 20007

[elegantelliot]

redwood had them as a special on saturday night and they were very good