The Cajun Seafood Craze!
Everyone’s selling cajun food?
I know, but which one is the best?
Where to Eat Crawfish? How Do I Choose?
Boiling Crab, Mr. Krabs, Crawfishaholic, Kickin Crab…what do all these places have in common besides crazy long lines? They’ve brought cajun seafood to a whole new audience here in the Bay Area from So-Cal. I still remember the days where the line for Boiling Crab’s San Jose location near the Target was 3 hours!
Heck, some days it still is though if you find the optimal time to go, you may just luck out and only end up waiting 30 minutes or so. Regardless, here are some thoughts on some of the cajun spots in my neck of the woods. All offer something slightly different.
The Kickin’ Crab *OUR New Favorite*
- 2675 Cropley Ave, San Jose, CA 95132, USA
- Street View
- +1 408-945-0888
Pros: The best fish and chips I’ve had, package options which give you some cost savings if you order more than 1lb and want variety (which most people do). The one we had above included:
- 2 lbs of shrimp (you could also choose crawfish if you’d like)
- 1 lb of clams (huge!)
- Corn
- Sausage
- And potatoes served in medium house sauce
They also have a great variety of side dishes including coconut sea snails and garlic noodles (which are pretty much on every table).
Cons: Parking, this lot is way too small. Though I’ve heard you can also park in the residential area near the restaurant.
I love Tar-Tar sauce! Good ole’ basket of fish and chips and tartar sauce
The Boiling Crab
- 1631 Capitol Expy, San Jose, CA 95121, USA
- Street View
- +1 408-532-6147
Pros: They serve lobster and they have a really fun and festive environment. Also for the one on Curtner, there is a Famous Dave’s right next door and if you go during happy hour time, you can indulge in some happy hour drinks while waiting.
Cons: They use margarine. I’m not sure if this is why my stomach always ends up hurting after I eat there but if I can avoid it I will. Also, this place always has the longest lines.
Whole shebang sauce is the bees-knees. The default bag of shrimps, crawfish, clams, corn, and sausages
Closed Mr. Krabs Closed
1696 Berryessa RdSan Jose, Northern California, USA408 / 824-5892
Pros: Best crab noodle (banh canh cua). It’s spicy, filled with seafood and sooo delicious! There’s also usually no wait. Cons: Sauce is not as good as others.
Who knew sea snails tasted so good? Sea snails in Thai coconut sauce
Crawfishaholic renamed Crabaholic Closed
1011 E Capitol ExpySan Jose, Northern California, USA408 / 225-8888
Pros: Awesome seafood combos (similar to Kickin Crab and sometimes you can find some offers they have which allows you to save $$
Cons: It’s a little far from where I live, traffic can be a pain getting down there and the sauce is OK, a little on the thin side but not the best I’ve had. These are just my thoughts on the various spots but if you haven’t tried, it I’d highly recommend checking it out. Wash it all down with an ice cold beer or scoop the sauce with a spoon over some rice and you’re set!
