jayandstacey Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 19 minutes ago, DonRocks said: That's right, I forgot to even mention that it's a westward-facing dock, with views extending southerwardly (how's *that* word?) to infinity, so sunsets here are stunning. Also, as long as I have peoples' attention, I first went to Schultz's Crab House in the 1980s, and have been back a couple of times. It's somewhat unique in that it's in the middle of a residential neighborhood - the last thing you'd expect to see - but there it is, and it was just fabulous the few times I went (but I haven't been in probably fifteen years). I think it should be considered for an "America's Classics" James Beard Award, but it won't be. The Cheshire Crab is like that too - driving past houses, take a right at the small sign. It is connected to a marina - last time I was there, I parked in the boat yard beneath two boats, one above the other on those giant racks, the ones that look like cubby holes but big enough for boats. My Mini Cooper looked like it could be crushed at any second beneath the hulking hulls. Have fun on your quest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedE Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 6 hours ago, jayandstacey said: Lastly, it might be worth asking - Waterman's might use JO Spice, not Old Bay. I prefer JO Spice, but too much of either is too much I thought it was an open secret that most crab houses use JO. Old Bay is just too damn expensive, even in bulk. I keep a paper towel handy just to wipe off the excess of either before cracking in. I do find JO to be less assertive, so the over-spicing isn't as bothersome, but it does have a grittier texture. A friend liked to remark "Sawdust is the secret ingredient!". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayandstacey Posted August 2, 2016 Author Share Posted August 2, 2016 1 hour ago, TedE said: I thought it was an open secret that most crab houses use JO. Old Bay is just too damn expensive, even in bulk. I keep a paper towel handy just to wipe off the excess of either before cracking in. I do find JO to be less assertive, so the over-spicing isn't as bothersome, but it does have a grittier texture. A friend liked to remark "Sawdust is the secret ingredient!". Yeah, and the JO website/blog touts Waterman's as a good place to get crabs...so I'd give it a 99% confidence rating they're using JO. But...I've been 99% sure before, only to turn out 100% wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 On 8/1/2016 at 3:42 PM, jayandstacey said: The Cheshire Crab is like that too - driving past houses, take a right at the small sign. It is connected to a marina - last time I was there, I parked in the boat yard beneath two boats, one above the other on those giant racks, the ones that look like cubby holes but big enough for boats. My Mini Cooper looked like it could be crushed at any second beneath the hulking hulls. Have fun on your quest! How is the Cheshire Crab? I have a friend in Baltimore from Dallas, and he wants the best crabs Baltimore (preferably inside the beltway) has to offer, and he's going tonight! Where should he go for fresh, Maryland blue crabs, if price is not an object? It can be a total dive, or it can be upscale - he wants the real product. I recommended Schultz's in Essex and Cheshire in Pasadena, but those are total guesses at this point - it has been a L-O-N-G time since I've had Maryland Blue Crabs in the Baltimore area - too long for me to feel comfortable recommending anything to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 I don't think you can go wrong with LP Steamers (near Ft. McHenry - definitely dive-like) or Nick's Fish House (on the Patapsco, just off the 95/395 interchange). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 1 hour ago, DanielK said: I don't think you can go wrong with LP Steamers (near Ft. McHenry - definitely dive-like) or Nick's Fish House (on the Patapsco, just off the 95/395 interchange). You're the second person I trust who has recommended Nick's Fish House. Is it reasonable to assume they have their crabs brought in by boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 9 minutes ago, DonRocks said: You're the second person I trust who has recommended Nick's Fish House. Is it reasonable to assume they have their crabs brought in by boat? Very few places will guarantee ONLY Maryland crabs - one bad harvest day, a storm, or a sick waterman, and all of a sudden you aren't serving crabs that night. And that would mean only serving in season, and they all serve year round. But I've never had a bad crab meal at either place, and I've gotten both of them to replace a "light" crab with a "heavy" one when there was a bad crab in the dozen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElGuapo Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 20 hours ago, DanielK said: Very few places will guarantee ONLY Maryland crabs - one bad harvest day, a storm, or a sick waterman, and all of a sudden you aren't serving crabs that night. And that would mean only serving in season, and they all serve year round. But I've never had a bad crab meal at either place, and I've gotten both of them to replace a "light" crab with a "heavy" one when there was a bad crab in the dozen. I also recommend Nick's Fish House. We ate there many times when visiting Baltimore, and even more when we finally moved to Maryland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 21 hours ago, DanielK said: But I've never had a bad crab meal at either place, and I've gotten both of them to replace a "light" crab with a "heavy" one when there was a bad crab in the dozen. What's a light crab? Are you referring to size (jumbos, etc.?) I also recommend Nick's Fish House. We ate there many times when visiting Baltimore, and even more when we finally moved to Maryland. And Guapo makes three - sounds like Nick's is the place to try in Baltimore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 After a visit to Hopkins, my parents visited Bo Brooks based upon the recommendation of my mom's cousin. My parents really enjoyed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 14 minutes ago, DonRocks said: What's a light crab? Are you referring to size (jumbos, etc.?) Nope, different than size. Crabs that have recently molted are "light" - they will weigh noticeably less than other crabs their size, and there isn't much meat inside. It won't happen that often, but it's a good test of whether a place knows what they are doing that they'll exchange it without a fuss. Read more 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayandstacey Posted August 29, 2016 Author Share Posted August 29, 2016 On 8/23/2016 at 0:29 PM, DonRocks said: How is the Cheshire Crab? I have a friend in Baltimore from Dallas, and he wants the best crabs Baltimore (preferably inside the beltway) has to offer, and he's going tonight! Where should he go for fresh, Maryland blue crabs, if price is not an object? It can be a total dive, or it can be upscale - he wants the real product. I recommended Schultz's in Essex and Cheshire in Pasadena, but those are total guesses at this point - it has been a L-O-N-G time since I've had Maryland Blue Crabs in the Baltimore area - too long for me to feel comfortable recommending anything to him. Sorry, was away on business travel and didn't see this. I can't say definitively yeah or nay on Cheshire Crab. I don't recall it being a standout out good or bad; though I may have reviewed it here. I only recall my 12' mini cooper parked under a hulking 24' boat. Pretty odd feeling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 What is the current lay of the land re: MD crab houses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkS Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 I live close to Mike's in Riva and Cantlers. Mike's has great crabs and is always packed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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