Crab House LIC
“For the table we ordered the slab bacon, mozzarella coins and clams casino.”
“This past Saturday night, my husband and I split the Oysters Rockefeller and they were absolutely delicious – didn't think they were oversalted – maybe the chef got the word from the earlier reviews.”
“We started our meal with an affordable Champagne accompanied by a homemade Burrata plate and a side assortment of East and West coast Oysters.”
Crab House LIC
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
1 review
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I use to go with my family to the original crabhouse all the time. It's was my dads go to place for crabs. Those patrons of the old establishment looking to return to this place with that same excitement don't bother. I eagerly awaited the opening once I heard the skinny cantina owners took over the lease. I knew it would have a new modem look. But at least I expected the menu to stay somewhat consistent with its roots. Especially since I dare say, they shamelessly kept part of the name to bring in back the old customers like myself.
Let's talk about the differences and my recommendations for this place.
1. The once ample valet upfront has now been reduced to about 5-6 car spot. You must find your own parking. Not sure if they expect to have valet service. But they certainly did not the evening of my attendance. Keep in mind the area has tons of new residential buildings going up. So parking is not as easy as it once was especially in that desolate street where all you once had was the waterfront crabhouse and water city taxi.
2. The front of the restaurant is now called crabhouse "established 1976", why? All that's left of the waterfront crabhouse is the mere building shell of its previous existence. More on why I feel so strongly about this later.
3. You walk inside and it's now very trendy and modern. Kudos to these folks on the nice upgrade. It's very open space, making it easy for families with large parties and also strollers. I liked how they kept the long bar at least. But the barrels of free peanuts are gone. Bring it back!
4. Menu, total revamp as well. It's called the crabhouse but there are only 3 things on the menu with crab. Take note… I said there are only 3 things on the menu that contain crab. Crab cake, the crab house bisque soup and crabs on the entree menu with the option of broiled or steamed. It's a 1 page menu offering diverse pickings. There is something for everyone. That's a plus.
5. The 411 on the crab situation. You won't find the 3-4 page "waterfront crabhouse" menu here any longer. What I loved about the original place was it offered crabs at a very modest price, you had the option to choose from 6, 12 or 24 per order. With over 6-7 different varieties of seasonings either broiled or steamed. It was a monster presentation in a huge stainless steal bowl. The sight of them coming out of the kitchen was enough to make you want an order. If you had not yet placed one back then. Although I didn't have the crabs I investigated the crabby situation. In 2015 when the original restaurant closed, you can find yourself spending $25 at most for 6 crabs prepared as mentioned earlier. If you look at the new menu it doesn't offer a price. They labeled it MP for current market price. On this given day the MP was $38 for 3 small crabs. I saw them come out in the table across from me and I asked the waiter for the skinny. They come out in a regular size soup bowl. Nothing like the old presentation. It was just a very sad view from its previous existence. They also had blue crabs on the menu and I didn't even bother to ask about those because you know they are going to be more $$. In short, don't come here expecting to pay the same modest prices like the old establishment. Leads me to my next point.
6. Price – for those who remember the waterfront crabhouse, you can walk in, spend $30 and be so full and content with leftovers galore. Be ready to pay NYC prices. That's right folks. You are paying for the upgrades and the view. Location, location, location. Of course trying to stay consistent with the already set prices from the neighboring restaurant like its sister skinny cantina, shi etc. Listen by no means am I a cheepo here. I love to eat and spend a great deal of my time and money eating out a lot at many extravagant places. I am just being honest of what people will experience in comparison to the previous establishment. Portions are well sized.
7. Food – had the fried squid, fruit de mare risotto, and linguini with shrimps. Food was good. But nothing to rave about. It didn't knock my socks off if that's what you are wondering. And I am not dying to come back.
8. Service was good. Often times our waiter would pass by and not stop even when we called him. It was loud so he could have not heard us. They have top pop his playing. But on the plus side we had the choice of several backfill waiters who would stop and assist. Not sure if that was the intention or they were just helping to move things along.
On a final note. I find myself to be pretty fair in my review because I know many people will feel the same way. To enforce this, when we got up to leave…. A lady stopped me who was sitting at a table across from us. She asked me if I had come to the previous crabhouse as she had for many years. Her remarks to this experience was "they dropped the ball".
My recommendation for this place is change the name and quick! You are not the waterfront crabhouse and not est 1976!