Dungeness Crab Prices '10
Now that the crabs are hitting the stores what prices are you seeing? Safeway in Benicia has them for $7.99/pound. Whole Foods in WC said they won't have them until the weekend due to a dispute with the company that cooks their crab but I assume it will be higher the Safeway.
Anyone else get a look at the prices?
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Has anyone seen any today? I'm looking to get one or 2 tomorrow if it is still possible...
Also, a bit off topic, but what is the best way to get them home without killing them? I've been using a cooler with ice, but have had a few casualties this season...
Is there a way to keep them alive for a couple of hours if I am not close to home?›5 Replies-
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re: lrealml
There were four boats yesterday at Pillar Point with dungeness. I was pretty surprised so I talked to the fisherman of the Cricket for a few minutes. The crabs looked on the small side, but still feisty. He thinks he will still have crab for another couple weeks, but definitely not after April 1 because at that point, everyone needs to bring in their pots lest other fisherman cut their lines to the pots and thus the $200+/pot will be lost in the sea. He is pretty confident that the salmon season will start in May.
I bring mine home in an open garbage bag with ice that I put in a cheap lidless plastic kitchen garbage can from Target, which I prop up in the foot area of the back seat.
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re: artemis
Glad to hear there were still crab fishermen with gear and boats! Pillar Point is one of the only functioning seafood ports right now. Santa Cruz harbor is closed, and the crab boats down there went out to sea to ride out the Tsunami, but the harbor won't let them back in yet due to hazards from sunken boats and pieces of docks floating around. Similar stories up north. The word on the radio this morning was that the Tsunami may have ruined a lot of crab pots that were out in the water, but I'm a little bit dubious about that claim.
Too bad San Francisco's docks aren't used for commercial purposes any more--it's a well-protected harbor and would still be fully functional. The upcoming fishing season will be interesting--maybe San Francisco residents will be buying fish at Fisherman's Wharf again. Hell must be freezing over.
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re: SteveG
baron45
Mar 14, 2011 02:13 PM
It looks there will be a salmon season for 2011. Sportfishing will begin April 2 so the SF Wharf's fleet should be busy .
Although Monterey wasn't as affected by the tsunami, Chris' Sportfishing reported limits of crab for Saturday and Sunday along with loads of sand dabs for their anglers.
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Melanie Wong
Jan 24, 2011 08:45 PM
Saturday was so gorgeous we took a ride out to Bodega Bay. I'd called Paisano Brothers Fisheries to make sure live ones were available and they informed me they had crabs and would be open until about 3pm. The crabs were kicking mad and wonderfully sweet when we had them steamed for dinner. One had a bit of a bitter aftertaste in the crab butter/tomalley, so we didn't eat that part.
Across the street we picked up clam chowder from Spud Point Crab Company to take home. I noticed that crabs were $4.99/lb for cooked, cleaned and cracked in the case.
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Spud Point Crab Company
1860 Westshore Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923Paisano Brothers Fisheries
1820 Westshore Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923 -
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c oliver
Jan 8, 2011 05:05 PM
I don't know if this was mentioned but when we were in a Chinese market on Clement, the price per pound was determined by the size of the crab like they do with lobsters back East. That makes sense to me. The bigger the crab, the higher the price. More "meat" to shell ratio.
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Walked by Lucky Seafood in Oakland Chinatown yesterday - $2.99/lb. They looked about 1.5lb each. Didn't get any.
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re: ML8000
Stephanie Wong
Jan 8, 2011 10:40 PM
Got 1 of the $2.99/lb today about 1 pm -- just under 2 lb. The $2.39/lb were smaller. Lots of dead ones in cases on the floor.
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re: TheStache
nicedragonboy
Jan 19, 2011 02:29 PM
I actually think the Lucky Seafood on E. 12th is frequently less expensive.
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DpBluSea
Dec 25, 2010 09:09 PM
Hello Hounds, We had an awesome dinner (12/10/10) at the home of friends recently when visiting SF, I need the recipe and recommendations from you guys, this crab was bought at Safeway $3.99 lb, sold cleaned and cracked, marinated in shell (for about an hour) in am olive oil/butter mixture that included fresh garlic, lemon, crushed red pepper and dry Fennel seeds. Crabs were then lightly grilled on the Weber, served hot with good bread. Just delicious! Fun dish to share. Would love to have this recipe or others you recommend but also need to know the best way to buy crab (cooked? live? How to clean?) We ate 2 lbs per person - how much do YOU buy for a crowd? Since the season seems to start late November... how long does the season last? What's your favorite at-home crab feast menu?
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re: DpBluSea
Fave at-home menu for 2 : 2 large crabs, steamed, cracked and cleaned. Butter sauce made from yellow crab gook, butter, lots of lemon, garlic and fennel. Add garlic toast, herb salad, good bottle of champagne....Ultra Simple and YUM! Later, boil the crab shells in water for w/ a bit of vinegar, garlic, onions, bay leaf, spices for an incredible mineral-rich broth. Simmer for at least 1 1/2 hr. Kinda like bone broth but from crab shells.
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Earlier in the week the prices on Clement St. were 2.99, last night they had all gone up to min of 3.99. I drove up to Bodega Bay last year, is it worth the trip this year? Will i find larger crabs at a decent price up there ? Might go tomorrow(Sunday) Does anyone know if the fisherman will be out?
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re: allanf
Melanie Wong
Dec 25, 2010 07:29 PM
Along the right hand column of this page are listed the various purveyors mentioned in this thread, including Paisano Brothers in Bodega Bay. You can click on Paisano's link for the phone number and call them about crab availability and prices. Please let us know what you find out.
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Eugene Park
Dec 25, 2010 12:33 PM
Did an Oakland C-Town run this Xmas morning to pick up some fixings and vittles for the family meals today. Live crabs were $4.99/lb at both Yet Sun & Lucky Seafood on 8th St. Lucky's were just inert in their tanks. YS's were a bit more lively. All looked on the smallish side from a cursory glance. I passed.
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re: intomeat
baron45
Dec 22, 2010 12:01 PM
If anyone is interested in going on a sportfishing boat for crabs, the Huli Cat out of Pillar Pt Harbor is doing a crab-only trip tomorrow Thursday 12/23. I spoke with the captain yesterday and so far he has 25 folks signed up (I don't know the cost of the trip). Here's the website for contact info: www.hulicat.com
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Melanie Wong
Dec 14, 2010 12:22 PM
Any of the folks who shop at 99 Ranch, Lion, Marina Foods or the other Asian supermarkets that have a free fish-frying service at the seafood counter ever asked to have a Dungeness crab deep-fried?
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re: b2g
Eugene Park
Dec 14, 2010 11:08 PM
Not every 99 Ranch has a steamer. At the Foster City location, I've always had crabs steamed, but not deep-fried. Interesting thought on going that route.......
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Stephanie Wong
Dec 12, 2010 02:38 PM
Lucky Seafood on 8th Street, Oakland @ 3:15 pm just had more lively crabs delivered -- $2.49/lb.
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Melanie Wong
Dec 7, 2010 04:35 PM
The Nob Hill and Raley's circular that came in the mail today has cooked crabs for $2.97 per lb. starting tomorrow (Dec. 8).
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Nob Hill Foods
270 Redwood Shores Pkwy, Redwood City, CA 94065Nob Hill Foods
2531 Blanding Ave, Alameda, CA 94501Raley's
3360 San Pablo Dam Rd, El Sobrante, CA 94803Raley's
157 N Mcdowell Blvd, Petaluma, CANob Hill Foods
611 Trancas St, Napa, CA 94558Nob Hill Foods
2270 Oak Grove Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598Nob Hill Foods
130 Market Pl, San Ramon, CA 94583Nob Hill Foods
777 First St., Gilroy, CA 95020›1 Reply -
Melanie Wong
Dec 7, 2010 12:28 AM
Saturday night had some great, juicy and sweet crabs that my friends purchased from Paisano Brothers at the dock in Bodega Bay. The seven crabs averaged more than 2.5 lbs each and cost $4 per pound. My friends said that it was great to see the fishermen looking so happy with big smiles on their faces at the size of their catch this year. Times have been so hard for the fishing community in recent years.
Monday afternoon I picked up a couple crabs at Sunset Super on Irving St in SF. A big crowd was gathered in the back by the tank and the four guys behind the counter were working as fast as they could be fill the orders shouted at them. There was a sign for live crabs for $1.99/lb. I asked for two big ones and was told that 2+ pounders would be $2.99/lb. That was fine with me and these had all their legs and were very feisty. The fish counter also had dead crabs with missing limbs for 99¢/lb.
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Sunset Supermarket
2425 Irving St, San Francisco, CAPaisano Brothers Fisheries
1820 Westshore Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923 -
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$3.50 per pound off the Crab Boats in Half Moon Bay off Pillar Point. The crabs are HUGE... got 8 of them...weighted between 2.3 lbs and 2.6 lbs. So fresh and meaty and ANGRY. All of them wanted to rip off my fingers for just touching them. Got over a little under 6lbs of meat. CRABCAKES GALORE!!!
See Bill and Penny Webb at their boat "Cricket". Bill will usually throw in 1-2 small crab for free...just ask.
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re: mruzkes
After looking for Maggie, the boat we got crabs from last year (the captain was a very nice man who made friends with a pelican he named Nigel who does tricks for food) who turned out not to be docked yesterday, we went to visit Cricket. All of Cricket's big crabs were reserved, but Cricket kindly redirected us to Jimbo down the pier, who had huge 2+ lb crabs at $3.50. They were fresh and very angry, and were wonderful steamed at home. We got a business card from Cricket on the way out and will be sure to call ahead next time, if only for convenience. Jimbo's crabs were great too.
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nicedragonboy
Dec 3, 2010 09:11 AM
Sorry a little late on this, but $2.59/lb at New Saigon Market on International Blvd in Oakland and these were all pushing 2.5lbs
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New Saigon
1088 Foster City Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404 -
This Friday through Monday weather permitting, Safeway is selling fresh cooked Dungeness crab for $2.99/lb and will crack and clean them for free. To go with your crab, all wines above $20 excluding champagne and sparkling wine is available for 30% off with an add'l 10% off when you buy 6 bottles or more. The wine promotion is available through 1/9/11.
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re: cvhound
Normally I would never buy any seafood from Safeway, but today when I saw that they had boxes upon boxes of semi local crab (from Fort Bragg) cooked, cracked and cleaned for $2.99 lb. I've never seen a line at the Safeway fish counter, so I thought I'd take the plunge. It was a good decision, they were fresh and good, but still has very slight iodine taste in them compared to live crabs bought from the Chinese market. Nevertheless, they were big (over 2lb each, I told the person behind the counter that I wanted big ones with all the legs still attached) and very sweet.
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Anchor Oyster Bar is selling fresh picked crab meat for $24.99 a pound as takeout. I really wanted crab for dinner last night, but by 8 PM no grocery stores I tried still had whole crab for sale, and the grocery stores were selling picked meat for $30 and up. The Anchor Oyster Bar meat was sweet, cooked gently, and made for a deliciously indulgent dinner. More than I initially wanted to spend, but still cheaper than eating out. It was also very carefully picked, and I only got one tiny piece of shell in my 1/2 lb serving. The meat was in nice chunks too. My memory of Falletti and Bryan's picked crabmeat from years past was that they were a little sloppier.
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Anchor Oyster Bar
579 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114›6 Replies-
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re: Glencora
Half an hour? If you work fast you can crack a crab and get all the body meat out in 5 mins. The legs are fast to crack. The only time consuming part is the body. I find a pair of small kitchen shears will open up the intricate body very quickly.
After the back shell has been detached and legs pulled off, I cut the cleaned body in half, which allows the shears to go into the either side (leg holes) of the softer cartilage and after a snip you can push or drop the crab meat out quickly with little picking. It's the picking that takes time.
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re: ML8000
wolfe
Dec 3, 2010 02:53 AM
Use a terminal leg segment as a pick..
http://www.samuelsandsonseafood.com/p...
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2m8ohed
Nov 30, 2010 06:28 PM
$3.99/lb at 99 Ranch in Cupertino tis past Sunday (11/28). Crabs were lively and plentiful but not very big. It took the guy a while to find four that were about 2 lbs each for me.
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PorkButt
Nov 29, 2010 07:35 PM
The day after Thanksgiving there were four full tanks at the Richmond 99 going for $2.99/lb but the big surprise were the dozens of cooked crabs at the hot deli for $2.99 each. At first I thought that these were just dead crabs taken out of the tanks but there were just too many of them. Perhaps there was a new shipment on that Friday and the tanks were cleared of the pre-Thanksgiving crabs.
Gave one a try and besides being a bit overcooked, the taste was fine. The yield of meat was as disappointing as the live 2.2lb crab I bought in Oakland the week before. The leg meat was good but the lump is best used for something like a crab salad sandwich.
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Sun Fat Seafood (Mission near 22nd, SF) was selling live crabs for 2.99/lb and cooked for 3.99/lb this past Wednesday. The larger ones were already gone by mid-afternoon.
I bought 3 medium sized live ones, and they were lively, sweet and delicious.
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re: dolcevita_sf
Euonymous
Nov 30, 2010 04:40 PM
I got to Sun Fat Seafood at 9:00a.m. on Thursday, bought five big and lively ones for $2.99/lb, and cooked them for a great Thanksgiving dinner. Then used the shells to make bisque. We're still eating crab (seafood risotto for dinner tonight). I think they cost me just under $30.00.
BTW, you can call them to find out when they expect the next shipment to come in. I know they had a big one come in on Wednesday evening at about 5:00-5:30.
The people who work in the store are really nice and their seafood is exceptionally fresh.
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StellaBFF
Nov 28, 2010 05:11 PM
Ranch 99 always has great prices for live crab. New England Lobster in South San Francisco has good prices for live & cooked crab, plus they pack them very well. I bought some last week.
http://www.newenglandlobster.net/shop...-----
New England Lobster
170 Mitchell Ave S, San Francisco, CA -
K K
Nov 28, 2010 11:53 AM
$2.99 / lb at Marina Foods supermarket @ San Mateo/Foster City borderline. Something crazy like $5.99 / lb for cooked dungeoness at Whole Foods up the street...
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re: K K
baron45
Nov 28, 2010 03:51 PM
Ranch 99 in Foster City had a sign for $2.99/lb but the tank was empty.
For anyone interested in getting a limit of 6 crabs for $40 fresh from the ocean and to experience a short boat ride, this is from USAfishing.com on 11/28:
Crabs counts have dropped off but everyone is still pulling limits. Overall most boats are seeing about 1/3 less per pot now compared to prior to the commercial opener. Easy limits remain to be the rule and we foresee lots of sport anglers having crab for Christmas dinner. On Saturday 11-27 Dennis on the New Captain Pete had a full load and all 35 anglers and crew went home with limits of fat dungeness crabs. They had to pull just 10 pots for over 200 crabs and the record haul continues. Dennis is offering another " $40 crab special" next Saturday and Sunday. This is a great opportunity for anglers to get out and partake in the crab catch without the mess, fuss or expense of doing it on their own. The trips will depart Pillar Point at 8AM and you can make reservations at 650 576-3844. He may add afternoon trips once the morning trips are booked. His last two specials sold out quickly so call early.
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re: baron45
jillyju
Dec 4, 2010 02:33 PM
Thanks to baron45 for the heads up on The New Captain Pete. This morning my husband and I got up early and went out on the boat for the $40 crab special. The weather wasn't great, with some choppy water that kept a few people from really enjoying themselves. But I have 12 crabs cooling on my kitchen counter, a fresh loaf of sourdough ready, and plenty of butter. I can't wait for dinner!
Because we both bought 1-day fishing licenses I would say the day wasn't all that much of a bargain (compared to crabs going for less than 3.00 per lb.). But I had waaaaay more fun getting my crabs this way, I saw a beautiful rainbow, and feel great knowing that my food is from our very own bay.
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re: jillyju
baron45
Dec 5, 2010 07:54 AM
Glad you had a great time, jillyju. Next year you can get the annual license which is only 3 times the cost of a day-license but you can go as many times you want within the year. And you can try the rockfish-crab combo trips which are lots of fun too.
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re: baron45
jillyju
Dec 5, 2010 06:37 PM
I definitely want to go back and try a combo trip, but my husband is still recovering from the rough waters yesterday so it might be a while!
On a serious note--I have a question for folks about these crabs. After cooking, a couple of them had a greyish black discoloration that was throughout the lungs and at the joints between the main body and the legs. I don't know if it's nothing to worry about, but when I think of crabs that I've purchased already cooked, I've never seen ones that looked like these. I was more sure about a third one, which I tossed because the meat had an odd consistency.
I picked all the meat from these two crabs, but have set the meat aside pending feedback. Thoughts?
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re: jillyju
baron45
Dec 9, 2010 09:01 AM
I had one of the crabs have some black discoloration but that was after 2 days in the fridge. I just washed out the black parts which was minimal. I tried searching on the internet for possible answers, but came up empty.
The New Captain Pete is going out again this Saturday and the weather forecast looks better than last time:
$40 Crab-only trip 8am Saturday 12/11
The boat and baitshop open @ 7am, we leave @ 8am.
Call me...650-726-6224 or Peggy...650-726-7133.
Be back at the dock 11am to noon.
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christinegallary
Nov 27, 2010 09:13 PM
$4 at Paisano Bros. At Spud Point in Bodega Bay, assumed it was local but didn't verify. Feisty crabs about 2 lbs each, cash only, I think.
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Melanie Wong
Nov 25, 2010 06:50 PM
$3 per lb. at Pillar Point today. Three crabs weighed a total of 7 lbs.
Call the fishfone 650-726-8724
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re: kc72
nicedragonboy
Nov 27, 2010 04:23 PM
Was by there early afternoon today, and it's back down to $3.99/lb.
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Civil Bear
Nov 22, 2010 12:06 PM
G&G Supermarket in Petaluma has them for $2.99/lb fresh off their own boats. Nice & full & sweet.
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I got a couple of crabs from Lucky Seafood in Oakland Chinatown yesterday afternoon. $2.99/lb...but over 2lbs each. It was really nice to see one large crab go for under $7.
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re: escargot3
nicedragonboy
Nov 27, 2010 04:23 PM
Just got back from the Lucky's on E. 12th, and it's down to $2.69/lb!
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Sushi Monster
Nov 20, 2010 05:19 PM
Sunday afternoon, 4:30 pm, R99 Foster City, the price was $2.99/lb. The remaining crabs, however, were the limb-less and listless in the bottom tank. Timing is everything.
Sushi Monster
www.emeraldlake.com/sushilist.html›8 Replies-
re: Sushi Monster
little big al
Nov 20, 2010 06:46 PM
Seven bucks and change got me two pounds plus at Alioto Lazio on the wharf. I make that about $3.50 a pound and as sweet as I've ever had. Incidentally I got a long loaf of Boudins sourdough down the block. I know it is a sad shadow of the glory days of San Francisco sourdough, but you know what? It is a perfect platform for crab and butter. Like a lobsta roll, but way cheaper.
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re: little big al
Ditto Alioto Lazio... we picked up 2 crab for $18 yesterday. Sweet, meaty and firm. Tons of crab in the tanks, all very lively.
PS - If you want them cracked with the body NOT split into quarters, ask for them "the old-fashioned way".
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Alioto's Restaurant
8 Fishermans Wharf, San Francisco, CA 94133-
re: waldrons
baron45
Nov 20, 2010 07:23 PM
For those in the East Bay and who cannot get down to Pillar Pt Harbor for live crabs off the boat:
According to the Tigerfish out of HMB, their website shows they will be selling crab off the dock at the Emeryville Marina a couple days this week. I'd call to confirm time & location.
http://www.tigerfishsportfishing.com/...
See the Upcoming Trips box on the left and not the Current Fishing Schedule.
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re: baron45
Ruth Lafler
Nov 20, 2010 11:18 PM
Check out the Tigerfish facebook page -- great video of the ship literally covered in crabs: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.p...
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re: Ruth Lafler
baron45
Nov 26, 2010 07:30 PM
That's one boat load of crab. Looks like they'll be in Emeryville Marina again this weekend:
http://www.tigerfishsportfishing.com/...
I bought a few big ones the day before Thanksgiving. Some guys ahead of me loaded up 3 coolers full of crab.
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re: waldrons
Melanie Wong
Nov 20, 2010 07:56 PM
Alioto-Lazio link:
(you can click the blue "remove" link to delete the alioto's resto links)
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Alioto-Lazio
440 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA -
re: waldrons
Cynsa
Nov 26, 2010 04:54 AM
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...
for the Alioto-Lazio story-----
Alioto-Lazio
440 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA
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re: Sushi Monster
K K
Nov 24, 2010 03:16 PM
The same 99 Ranch supermarket in FC had a completely packed tank of alive and kicking dungeoness at $2.99 /lb on Tuesday night, leading me to believe they probably restock Monday or Tuesday mornings. Sunday is probably leftover day...
Mosey over to the fish on ice section, and you'll see dungeoness crabs not moving on ice at $2.49 / lb, and prepackaged/precooked at about the same price.
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5.99 @ pd. at Scotty's in San Rafael, cleaned and cracked while I shopped. http://www.scottysmarket.com/
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Melanie Wong
Nov 18, 2010 10:05 PM
I queried a fellow Sonoma County resident to get the word up Bodega Bay way, and here's his reply:
"Hello. We are steaming 2 crabs from G & G tonight. $2.99 per pound. One just under 2 pounds, one well under . I wanted to wait a few days for the crab to eat more, so there might be more to eat, but started getting paranoid about rain coming this weekend and delaying my gratification. Delayed gratification is not my thing! "-----
G & G Supermarket
701 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy # E1, Petaluma, CAG & G Supermarket
1211 W College Ave, Santa Rosa, CA -
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Just did the cruise through Oakland Chinatown. A consistent $2.99 a pound at all the places I checked (except Orient Market, who wanted $3.39). The crabs looked good-sized and lively and there were a lot of people buying.
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My favorite (cheapest) place to get live crab was DS Market in SSF. Sadly, they've closed down. Any suggestions for a cheap place?
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re: gourmetwannabe
EricMM
Nov 17, 2010 01:20 PM
Sounds like these are west coast posts. I'm in NYC...specifically Queens. We get live dungeness crabs all year round, usually for $5.99/lb....but only in the Asian markets. (Non-Asian markets just have pre-cooked crabs, usually at higher prices.) These crabs are typically about 1-1.5 lbs. I do have a favorite market though that gets larger crabs, and grades them by size. The 2.5-2.75 lb crabs I usually get cost a bit more, usually $7.99/lb.
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re: EricMM
You can get Dungeness crab all year long in the Bay Area...but from WA or AK. I got some in Sept for $3.99/lb.
The deal here, right now, is the local season just opened...and the prices should drop. Last year during a so-so year the bottom end was $2.99/lb and a few $1.99/lb special...AND they're fresh (instead of 1-2 weeks in a boat or plane) and large. So it's $7.99 vs. $2.99 and fresh.
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Stephanie Wong
Nov 17, 2010 10:26 AM
DH just called from Country Square Market near Buchanan Airport in Concord. The live crab was just being delivered: $3.69 per pound -- Yum!
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Country Square Market
510 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA›3 Replies
