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The Boiling Crab

4.1 (3.6k reviews)
Closed 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

Waitlist - The Boiling Crab

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THE BOILING CRAB ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Loud
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - The Boiling Crab

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Snow Crab Legs , The Whole Sha-bang, Steamed Rice, Cajun Fries
Michelle G.

Very good service from all the servers we've had here. We come very often and always feel welcomed. Some of the servers even remember us and sometimes remember our order, which is really nice and makes the experience feel more personal. The only downside is the snow crab legs. Sometimes we feel like we pay too much for them because they occasionally have very little meat inside. Other than that, we usually enjoy coming here and appreciate the great service.

Sausage and The Whole Sha-bang Shrimp
Lindsey D.

I always love going to boiling crab when I'm craving seafood. I came on a Tuesday night and the wait wasn't bad only 5 minutes. The workers are all nice but a bit slow and make you feel like an inconvenience when asking for help. There's a lot of workers but I still had to spend a majority of my time flagging people down for help. Luckily the kitchen is well staffed because all of my food came out quickly and fresh. I always get the Cajun fries medium spice this is honestly my favorite thing from TBC I could definitely eat 2 baskets on my own but I ordered more food so I didn't. I also ordered 1 pound of shrimp and 1 sausage with whole sha bang and medium spice. My 2nd favorite thing here is the sausages so good, big, flavorful, and great texture/chewy. The shrimp is boiled shrimp meh not my favorite but it is what it is. Instead I love the sha-bang bang shrimp it's peeled, large, battered crispy, and deep fried also medium spice the sauce on this is more flavorful than the sauce in the boiled bag of shrimp. Overall I had a good experience besides having to flag workers down for help often.

Crab fries are a must get!! The garlic aioli sauce is super addictive
Nick N.

Came here on a Thursday night at 8 with a party of 5 and it was packed! Definitely join the Yelp waitlist ahead of time, that's a life saver Highly recommend the LIVE crawfish - huge difference in aroma, flavor, and texture from the original. The crab fries are also a must get, it's like the "surf" version of carne asada fries. Yum Pro tip - get some rice to pair with the leftover sauce from the seafood boil - don't waste that liquid gold!! Fries and 2 pounds of shrimp / crawfish comfortably fed 4.5 as my brother's girlfriend was "not hungry". Classic. Shout out to our server Nate who was very friendly, attentive, and helpful and made our dining experience an easy 5*! Restaurant vibe is very nostalgic and perfectly captures the lost art of family restaurants. Overall, had a fun and delicious night out with loved ones!

Shrimp Corn On The Cob Steamed Rice
Samantha P.

Came here after a shorter Disneyland/DCA trip and was very happy with the food and experience. I had been craving boiling crab for a while now and normally I would go to either the Alhambra or the Rosemead locations, but my boyfriend and I decided to eat at this location since it was closest the parks. While doing research I saw in photos that this location offered gloves which was very important in my decision for this location. I am not sure if other locations provide gloves (there is at least one other boiling crab location in Garden Grove). We arrived at around 2:30p and waited for the restaurant to open their doors at 3p. We joined via yelp waitlist on their tablet outside of the restaurant and were notified within 5 minutes that our table was ready. The restaurant was clean and the service was quick and efficient. We got a booth table which was perfect because i love to sit next to my boyfriend while we eat instead of across. Our server was Jimmy and he took our drink and food order immediately. He also gave us tons of lemons which I loved. Our food came out piping hot and delicious. It was my first time trying eggs in my seafood boil and I really enjoyed them. My boyfriend says getting all the add ins: potatoes (3 per order), corn (1 per order), sausage (1 link cut in pieces per order), and the hard boiled eggs (3 per order) is the way to go for maximum flavor and deliciousness. My boyfriend and I were very satisfied with our meals, the price, and the service. We had several staff members come by and check in on our table, as well as surrounding tables throughout the meal. We ended up ordering 2 drinks, 3 lbs of shrimp, 2 orders of potatoes, 3 corn, 1 sausage, 1 order of eggs, and two sides of white rice of less than $100. Will definitely be back, especially since we are magic key holders at Disneyland.

Jenny P.

Wait time wasn't too bad for a weekday night (~30 mins) + friendly service + vibrant interior! We ordered the fried calamari basket which I recommend as they were super yummy and 1lb shrimp + 1lb crawfish + potatoes/sausages with the whole shabang sauce. Although not quite good as the first time I had it, I still liked it!

Abigail J.

Been coming here for over 2 decades and it's still my favorite seafood boil spot. It's always busy so if you can get on the list before arriving then that's ideal. Music is always blasting with all around good vibes. Servers are quick and attentive. I always get a pound of shrimp, mild, the whole shebang. Here and there i would get some crawfish and oysters. It's always so good and i will continue to come!

Sovannie E.

This place gets packed over the weekend and Fridays so plan ahead ! Service is always great. This is my go to place ! I don't trust any other boiling crabs due to bad experience. They're always playing the right music too. Can't wait to come back

Paulina S.

Never had sea food boil and my sister is not a huge fan of seafood... starting with the service..10 stars amazing staff all super nice and helpful. Not pushy or rude. The playlist bumping and the food speaks for its self. Garlic, spice, and everything nice! Would love to come back to this location anytime with my family.

Maribel T.

You cannot go wrong with Boiling Crab especially this location. Service is always super friendly and attentive, the manager even came by to make sure we were satisfied or needed anything which speaks volumes. One thing about boiling crab is that you will always get fresh food and one of ny personal favorites are their margaritas. Genuinely one of my favorites ever! Not too sweet or sour, just perfect hehe

Sha-bang Scallops with steamed rice
Amy A.

This was my first time at The Boiling Crab, and it did not disappoint! The environment is super casual and fun, perfect for rolling up your sleeves and digging in and you need to definitely wear the bib because it can get messy. My cousin and I ordered a pound of shrimp in the bag with The Whole Sha-Bang seasoning (mild spicy) along with corn on the cob and potatoes -- absolutely full of flavor! We also tried the fried Sha-Bang scallops with steamed rice, and they were delicious. Pro tip: definitely order a side of steamed rice because the leftover Sha-Bang sauce poured over it is just too good to waste. Service was attentive, and the food came out fast and hot. Overall, tasty food, great service, and a fun experience. I'd definitely visit again!

Cajun Fries Steamed Rice Blue Crab she
Diana P.

There are many Boiling Crab locations in the OC area but this is by far our favorite. This Location is definitely one of the bigger boiling crabs offering different seating sections both booth and tables. Which is good considering boiling crab is always packed and there's usually a wait time. Our food never takes long to come out and there's many staff walking around at all times. Food is always a 10/10 and we've never run into any issues. I definitely recommend joining the waitlist ahead of time which is another feature i appreciate. This time around we ordered shrimp and blue crab but i would say the shrimp was the start of the show and i prefer the crawfish over the crab so will go back to order that next time.

Get 'em all
Jeanine F.

First time experience and first time visit and I have to say I was equally surprised and impressed. The "wait" system seemed organized, with a digital tablet outside the door to sign in our party. I was a little disappointed that the Yelp wait list was closed during peak dinner hour though. We walked around the center and sat in the car for the 85-minute wait (!). Once inside, everything proved worth the wait. Our server, Alex, (worked there 7 years) was so helpful and friendly! He kindly and patiently explained the menu, how everything works, what's popular, and offered recommendations of his favorite items. We started with a basket of delicious cajun fries. For the main course, my friend and I each ordered 1 pound of shrimp, and added the corn, sausage, potatoes and hard boiled eggs (the whole sha-bang flavor, mild & medium). I truly didn't know what to expect once the food bag arrived at the table and maybe I should have done my research before going for the first time. It felt barbaric and exhilarating at the same time! Also didn't know how to peel shrimp or that I needed to and accidentally bit into a crunchy outside (oops). Our only regret was not having another person there to order another bag so we could try other things and share, But that only gives us a reason to go back soon. I could have ordered a half pound, but then I wouldn't have had any to take home to enjoy another meal.

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1 month ago

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4 months ago

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3 days ago

Food is delicious and price is reasonable. Super nice staff and always clean. New spot for seafood boil

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4 months ago

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17 days ago

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1 month ago

This is my to go place. Love the staff and the food. We celebrate many events here..whether it be a birthday or anniversary.

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17 days ago

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Thank you for the positive rating, Angel! Hope to see you again soon!

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2 months ago

Excelente service. Our server was helpful and professional. Ready to suggest and make all choices the best.

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8 months ago

Yes, I would recommend just be aware. They have no dessert and they also don't have no kind of bread.

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Page 1 of 91

The Boiling Crab Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Boiling Crab

Can u put ur name on waitlst before u arrive?

Yes you can, only when really busy they close the sign in sheet

Do they take reservations?

We do not take reservations, seating is first available. Please note that parties must be complete before being seated. For groups of 6 or fewer, Yelp Waitlist may be available to add your name to the list remotely.

What's the "average" cost for lobster tails and "average" cost meal per person? Just trying to gage how much $ I can expect to spend.

Honestly, it depends on how many items you are gonna order when you visit. When I went I paid for my whole family it cost me bout almost $300 bucks. So if you are going with someone you most likely pay like $40 -$50 bucks.

Will they allow you to split the bill on large parties?

Yes, checks may be split up to 4x per party.

Is showing proof of vaccine required or not yet planning to go for valentines?

No they do not ask, just mask required

Can you buy the sauce by itself?

Extra sauce may only be purchased with an entree, we do not sell the sauce on its own.

Does the whole sha-bang sauce have gluten ingredients (wheat/ flour/ barley/ rye)?

Nope, it's all spices and herbs.

How often do The Boiling Crab restock on seafood more pacifically crawfish?

We typically receive new product daily, however like many restaurants right now, we are dealing with pandemic-related supply-shortage issues, which includes some seafood items.

Are you open for dinner on Christmas Eve?

All Orange County locations are closed 12/23-12/25.

Are you required to show proof of vaccination?

Not at present, though that may change in the future depending on local mandates.

You guys open for thanksgiving?

All TBC locations will be closed on Thanksgiving.

Where would I find nutritional facts?

The corporate office has nutrition facts.

Do you serve already peeled shrimp?

Shrimp in a bag with sauce are whole and peel-and-eat. If you prefer peeled shrimp, try our golden-fried shrimp basket!

Is it open for dine in?

Yes.

Are they open for dine in?

yes they are make a call before going to get ahead if there is a line

Are they allowing indoor seating now like the other restaurants?

Nope just take out

How often do they get fresh seafood?

All the time

Are you able to order only sauce to go?

Yes you can

Is dine in available now that Orange County has allowed it at 25%?

Yes

Are you guys now open for indoor seating?

Yes

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Destination Seafood House

Destination Seafood House

3.6
(1.2k reviews)
1.7 mi
$$
Happy hour specials
Catering service

One of the reasons we wanted to visit this restaurant was to try the NOLA Grilled Oyster Combo…read more($69.99). Along with that, our table also ordered: the quail with sticky rice ($20.99), salted fish and shrimp fried rice ($24.99), shaken beef with garlic noodles ($22.99), bok choy with sautéed garlic ($12.99), a hot tea ($4.00), Coca-Cola ($5.50), a mojito ($15.00), and a margarita ($15.00). With tax ($17.71), our ticket was $209.16 before gratuity. The NOLA Grilled Oysters come sizzling on a hot griddle, with four different fillings, four pieces each, for a total of 16 oysters. The price might seem a bit indulgent, but not if you consider the effort and ingredients that go into this presentation. Each type was flavorful, and there wasn't a single one I didn't enjoy. The salted fish fried rice was an interesting experience. I enjoyed the dish, though the salted fish was less salty than I expected. Someone in our group, who usually doesn't like salted fish fried rice because they find it too salty, actually liked this version for its milder flavor. The plate also includes four large shrimp. The shaken beef was tasty and tender; the garlic noodles were al dente and had just enough garlic--not excessive. The sautéed garlic added a smoky, nutty taste to the bok choy. The quail was marinated well and tasted good--but I wonder if it was fried just a bit too long. After this meal, I chatted with a friend who lives in the community. He'd been to this spot before but dismissed it as just another seafood boil joint. After our conversation, though, he said he'd be willing to give it another shot. I guess your impression of this restaurant depends, at least in part, on what you order. The service, by the way, was excellent. The dining environment was clean and comfortable, with plenty of television screens so people could keep up with World Cup matches.

You can't eat here alone. I drove here and wasted gas to come to this restaurant for AYCE. Waste of…read moretime. It's not advertised that way so it's bait and switch false advertising. Not coming back or recommending. Put that on your website and advertising on instagram. Ciao!

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Cajun seafood bucket
Cajun seafood bucket
Lobsta rolls
Lobsta rolls
Destination Seafood House

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Seafood Cove 2

Seafood Cove 2

3.9
(2.6k reviews)
1.4 mi
$$
Family-owned & operated
Kid friendly

Haven't been here in awhile, but just a shout out to the friendly staff and a plus that they have…read morevery well mannered young adults at the front desk and on the phone WHO SPEAK PERFECT ENGLISH. It's frustrating at times (at various restaurants) when the person taking your order cannot understand. Today my order was taken by Emily who didn't mind reading my order over when I got there to make sure I got everything I ordered. I ordered dim sum to go for dinner tonight and can't wait to enjoy it with my husband. It's hard to cook in this hot weather and after a full days work.... it's nice to have dinner already ready when I walk in the door. The last time I dined in, they had stopped using the "carts" for dim sum, which was a disappointment, but for whatever reason... times change. This is not the only restaurant who've ditched the carts and you order off a menu. I'm sure you'll agree that the parking here is difficult, however, now that I have a handicapped placard, it makes it a bit easier. They also have two elevators that go up to the second floor of the restaurant, which also helps in my current personal situation. Thank you Seafood Cove 2. You're still my #1 choice when the dim sum urge hits!

Seafood Cove 2 is a must-visit every time we're in the area. Coming here always feels like a…read morecelebration! The food is absolutely delicious, and I usually end up ordering everything my eyes are hungry for because it's all so good. From the fresh seafood to the flavorful dishes, you really can't go wrong. What makes this place even better is the amazing staff. Everyone is friendly, attentive, and always makes sure we have everything we need. They truly go above and beyond to make every visit enjoyable. If you're looking for authentic, flavorful seafood and outstanding service, Seafood Cove 2 is definitely worth the visit. We'll keep coming back!

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Entrance
Entrance
91. Peking Duck / 北京鴨雨吃 / Vịt Quay Bắc Kinh (Hai Món) | $41.95 (Fried Duck Bones Not Pictured)
91. Peking Duck / 北京鴨雨吃 / Vịt Quay Bắc Kinh (Hai Món) | $41.95 (Fried Duck Bones Not Pictured)
SM- Siu Mai

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SM- Siu Mai
The Crawfish Hut

The Crawfish Hut

4.7
(610 reviews)
2.6 mi
$$

whenever i have a strong craving for a seafood boil, the crawfish hut truly never disappoints me !!…read moremy friend and i kept talking about getting a seafood boil at work and decided to get it on a random monday evening, and it wasn't too crowded yet so ordering and service was really quick! they give you an apron and gloves too, which i always appreciate getting. combo 1 was perfect for us since i love shrimp, she loves crawfish, and we both love manila clams !! we ordered it in mild with the hut special sauce which is super addicting. we also ordered sausage to go in the bag, which you can never go wrong with. everything was cooked to perfection and seasoned so well !! we also got a side of popcorn chicken gizzard, which had a great crunch and chew and acted as a great opposing texture to the seafood boil. this place remains as my favorite seafood boil spot to eat with my friends and family!

This place is for my crawfish lovers (and other seafood too lol)!…read more They hands down have the best jumbo crawfish around (compared to BC, Kickin', etc). Typically other places offer frozen or in season but they are always on the smaller size and sometimes can be super mushy. The jumbo crawfish here is always fresh. I also like how much garlic they add into their sauce. Another plus is they have a lot of TV screens so you can catch a sports game here too! They also have happy hour if you're looking for a quick seafood bite!

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Interior/entrance
Interior/entrance
Fried Calamari
Fried Calamari
Crawfish Hut Sampler

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Crawfish Hut Sampler
Oc & Lau Restaurant

Oc & Lau Restaurant

4.1
(3.4k reviews)
0.9 mi
$$

One of my favorite Vietnamese seafood restaurants in the area. If you like anything and everything…read moreshellfish (claims, scallops, escargot, etc), then this is the place for you! Have been to this restaurant many times, and food is always consistent! Came visit to the restaurant last week, and ordered my favorite Grilled Escargot with Garlic Butter and Peppercorn, Grilled Scallops with Cheese, and my all-time favorite Chilean Sea Bass hot pot! The grilled escargots are a must-have when visiting this place! These are perfectly grilled with rich garlic butter for sweetness, and with a slight kick of spiciness from the peppercorn. Don't forget to also dip the escargot meat with black pepper and a few squeeze of fresh lime juice! If you like melted cheese, then the grilled scallops with cheese would be the perfect match. Each scallop is covered melted cheese and comes sizzling on a hot plate when ordered! Last but certainly not least, my favorite dish of this restaurant is the Chilean Sea Bass hot pot. The order comes with your own tabletop gas stove, along with a hot pot filled with a tom yum like sour soup base. For ingredients, it also includes a plate with slices of pineapple, quarter cut fresh tomato slices, fresh bean sprouts, rice noodles, and a full plate of large pieces of Chilean Sea Bass. Just put all the ingredients in the hot pot and let it cook for 5-10mins on high, I promise you it is one of the best soups you will ever have! Service is good as always. This place always seems to be busy, so you may have to be on the waitlist during certain business hours (eg holidays, prime dinner time, etc). Parking wise, the restaurant is located in a busy plaza, and so you may have to drive around a few times before finding an open spot. However as I said earlier, it's worth the wait. Highly recommended.

We came here for dinner on a Saturday and the wait was about an hour and a half, so be prepared if…read moreyou're visiting during peak hours. This Vietnamese fusion seafood restaurant specializes in fresh seafood and hot pots. We started with the razor clams, which were the standout of the meal. They were incredibly flavorful and paired with a delicious sauce that had us wanting every last bite. The spicy scallops were another solid choice with just the right amount of heat. The escargot was a little chewy, but the savory sauce made up for it. For our main dishes, we ordered the Tom Yum seafood hot pot, which was just okay. We also had the deep-fried tilapia, which was cooked perfectly--crispy on the outside. It's hard to go wrong with anything deep-fried here. Overall, the razor clams and deep-fried tilapia were the highlights of our meal. If you're willing to wait for a table, this is a good spot for fresh seafood with a few standout dishe

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Night time outdoor dining
Night time outdoor dining
Night time outdoor dining
Night time outdoor dining
Outdoor dining now available

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Outdoor dining now available

The Boiling Crab - cajun - Updated July 2026

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