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    The Boiling Crab

    4.0 (1.9k reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    THE BOILING CRAB ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Cristian B.

    This place was packed and I'm just glad I was able to get my cha bang because it's the only thing that seems to make me satisfied. I often like getting the sharing but this time I gotten the scallop. I was happy and I wasn't disappointed. The girl who served me was awesome and attentive. I was wanting to eat inside but this place was so packed I had to take to go for the beach so it wasn't bad. I say the place is cool place to bring a party. Maybe in another time it be a party I bring.

    Cajun fries
    Jordan H.

    I haven't been to Boiling Crab in nearly 10 years. Back when it was really hyped and trendy. It was time to try it again. Me and my wife arrived on a Sunday around 3:30 PM. We put our name down on the Yelp waitlist and the wait for a party of 2 was maybe 90 min. Essentially if you go anytime on the weekend expect to wait at least an hour. There is no such thing as "off times" on the weekend. Evidently Boiling Crab is still as popular as ever. We didn't mind waiting. Once our number was next we were promptly seated. First thing I noticed was how great the service was from the host, to the waiters, to the helpers. We ordered shrimp and Cajun fries. Shrimp is $18/pound and it is the only seafood you can order by the half-a-pound. After ordering the food came out in less than 10 min. Besides the initial wait, everything else about the dining experience was very efficient, which tells me the long waits are not a fault to slow service. I think they are being as efficient as they can. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The dining experience was pleasant. They supply bibs, gloves, etc for easy clean-up.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There are TVs showing sports.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We were out of there at $45 for two. A pretty good deal considering the unique dining experience. I can see why Boiling Crab remained popular after all these years.

    tv
    Michelle Q.

    LOVE BOILING CRAB DOWWWNNNN. First time visiting on a Friday at around 6PM. It was a thirty minute wait, no biggie just waited with friends in the meantime. After like 35ish minutes our table was ready. Really sweet workers, some in passing would say hello when entering and bye when exiting. Got the sha-bang(?) mix in mild and it sure did have a kick to it. Shrimp was good, sausage even better. Potatoes were just potatoes and the corn was yummy and sweet, good palate cleanser. Service workers were really attentive and helped out if needed! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Environment was great which is what pushed the review to a five for me. Just lively chatter, tv's going.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]No intense fishy smell which I was first worried about lol.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was also hUUUUGGGGEEEE.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Would come again!

    Doryaneh M.

    I've been to this place once before for dine-in, but this time we decided to order food instead. One thing I really appreciated is that they were open on January 1, especially since many places were closed for the holiday, and I do want to acknowledge the staff who were working that day. The food was good overall. If you're a seafood lover, this is definitely a place worth trying--especially the shrimp, which was amazing. The fried calamari was also very good and flavorful. The ambiance is okay, but it could be cleaner. As for the service, the staff was average--not rude, but not especially friendly or attentive either. They may have been busy, which could explain it, but a bit more attention to customers would make a big difference. Overall, it's a good spot to try, especially if you enjoy seafood.

    Inside
    Megan O.

    Oh my goshhhh. For years I have heard how good The Boiling Crab is and I have always wanted to try it. Tonight was the night and I am so glad I did! Food -10/10. We got snow crab, shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage. All were amazing. We got the sauce that's all 3 in one at mild spice, which was so delicious. Service- 10/10. Everyone was soooooo kind and helpful. Johnathan G was our server and was amaaaazing. Multiple people also came to check in us periodically to make sure we were doing okay. I really appreciated how attentive they were! They also brought us extra gloves, tools, and sauces to help elevate our experience. Environment- Parking was great. Location was great. There was a lot of seating. Clean restaurant and bathrooms. The restaurant was hoppin but not too loud. I can't wait to come back :)

    TBC Cajun Fries and shrimp, potato, sausage and corn in SB sauce (mild spice level)
    Yau-Ru C.

    Nice and spacious restaurant suitable for small families and also large gatherings. You can scan the QR code on the napkin holder to see the menu but staff will stop by to take your order. Stick to shrimp and skip the crab. We got 2 lbs of shrimp ($36) and 2 clusters of snow crab (1.5 lbs = $66). There's barely any meat in the crab... most of the weight is the crab shell. Next time we will do 3-4 lbs of shrimp for our family of two adults and two kids. Corn and sausage were good. Potato was ok. We got the whole sha-bang (SB) sauce (combo of all 3 sauces: Cajun, lemon pepper and garlic butter) with mild spice level. A bit too salty and spicy for kids. Next time, will get garlic butter with no spice. Kids enjoyed the add on Cajun fries. Saw someone order rice, might try that to go with the garlic butter shrimp. Staff was friendly. Relaxing and family-friendly atmosphere.

    Low level of spice garlic & butter sauce.  Crawfish, sausage, corn.
    Ylan V.

    Best crawfish/seafood boil, best sauce any where. Their sweet potato fries are the best. Not to mentioned the staff (Fernando) is really great with communicating/explaining and helping me with my choice of sauce & spice level. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe of the place is lively.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I'll definitely be back for more!

    Jenny P.

    Crawfish and shrimp was not as fresh as I remember it to be, but still a solid spot. Sauce is good.

    Michelle N.

    We came here on a Saturday night with 9 people so it was an expected long wait. We waited over 2 hours and finally got sat around 9pm. Prior to this we tried waitlisting in person around 6pm, letting them know we wanted to eat around 8:30. One worker almost put our name down, and the two others said no Which is fine. We got sat at a booth which is a little inconvenient for our group and didn't want to wait for another table. We ordered 3 fries and 1 of them came out first, then the other 2. I ordered the mild shebang, and I'm pretty sure this was a medium. It was so spicy, it didn't fulfill my cravings. Even my friend's sauce that my sauce color was a lot more redder than theirs and they ordered mild too. Their service is pretty decent/good they check up on you periodically maybe because it was near the end of the day and they wanted to wrap up so they could go home lol. But things would've been good if it wasn't so spicy!!

    Sha - Bang Bang Shrimp
    Emily C.

    Service was great! If you get sausage 2 links is a lot!! Food came out pretty fast given it was busy. The crab fries were very good! The garlic aioli was very tasty. The Sha Bang Bang Shrimp was pretty good, just the amount I needed.

    Shrimp
    Andrew T.

    First time here at the recommendation of our fried and was blown away at the quality and ambiance of the restaurant. I had been hesitant to eat here due to the idea of having to eat with my hand, but they have gloves and a bib for you to wear if you want when handling your food. Service was warm, friendly, and accommodating. They have a variety of seafood In a bag, or fried options for those who do not want to go down the flavorful bag route. I also love that they have wings and fries--vast menu to accommodate various palates!

    I love their corn

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    4 days ago

    We had a great time here everything is full of flavor so if you don't like spice as for mild lemon pepper preparation.

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    16 days ago

    There is no one better than the boiling crab the food the service everything is the best !

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    1 month ago

    The amazing food and the friendly staff always makes it worth the wait. Definitely recommend!

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    14 days ago

    Super fresh and delicious. Excellent service especially by our super friendly server Dea. Thank you!

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    Page 1 of 48

    The Boiling Crab Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Boiling Crab

    What's the difference between chicken tenders basket vs the kids chicken tender basket? How much is in each?

    Thanks for asking! The Kids' Chicken Tenders Basket comes with two tenders, while the regular comes with 3-4 tenders (it's about twice as much quantity).

    Is there fresh crawfish right now?

    Yes, this location currently has live crawfish! Supplies are limited, so please call ahead to confirm availability.

    Where can I find an updated menu?

    Hi, you can find this location's menu here: https://theboilingcrab.com/menu/south-coast/

    Do u guys take apple pay?

    Yes their terminals accept Apple pay

    Do you open at 12 on fridays?

    Monday through Friday they open from 3pm to 10pm Saturday & Sunday they open from 12pm to 10pm

    What does JUICY ($5) mean when ordering online?

    "Extra Juicy" is an additional side of sauce.

    Is there a bar?

    Nah fam

    Are sauces gluten Free?

    Yes, all seafood boils with choice of sauce are gluten-free.

    Is dog allowed at this location?

    Thanks for asking. No dogs allowed except for service dogs.

    How much is 1 lb of shrimp with shell?

    Current market prices range from $15-$16 per pound.

    Is there a long wait for take out orders on a Friday night?

    Best to phone ahead normally take 30 minutes....

    Do you offer delivery at this time?

    Delivery for this location is available through DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats and Postmates.

    How does the 'e' waitlist work?

    You add yourself to the waitlist through YELP. The system will tell you how many minutes the wait time is. It will also tell you the time you should arrive by or they will need to move onto the next person and you will lose your spot. There is a… 

    Will they be able to accommodate a large group of 18 in one long table?

    I think because of the restaurant layout and how packed it gets in there that they may have to do 2 tables of 9. However I could be wrong so I would give them a call and see how they can accommodate you and maybe allow you to make a reservation due… 

    Do they offer bday specials or sing happy bday?

    I believe so

    Do they take Apple Pay for takeout orders? -I just called, they don't.

    Not so sure about Apple Pay - I paid reg credit card.

    Are any of your seasonings gluten free? whole Shebang?

    Not so sure - I'll give them a call

    Roughly how pricy is this place ? For about a party of 6?

    Depending on what you order, it can be fairly reasonable to extremely expensive. Shell your own shrimp and the the fried items are reasonably priced. I liked the fried catfish. The corn cobbettes are only $1.25 each. But beware of the Market… 

    Why doesn't it open for lunch during weekdays?

    Idk I'm not an employee

    Does the whole shabang sauce contain sugar?

    My friend; no matter what kind of sauce you have they'll have sugar. Believe me!

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    VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza

    VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza

    4.4
    (625 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    We usually go to the FV location but it's convenient that one opened up inside of South Coast,…read moreespecially since there's usually a wait and you can at least walk around the shops at this location while you wait. We ordered the spicy shrimp wontons, garlic noodles, crab congee, and the filet mignon saltado fries (sidenote: you can also upgrade the side of rice from the saltado fries to garlic noodles but my partner wanted rice AND noodles lol.) The spicy shrimp wontons are on the sweeter side so if you're thinking they'll be similar to a certain restaurant in South Coast, it's not quite the same - but still yummy! And I think it paired nicely with the garlic noodles. They don't skimp on the crab in the congee and it's sooo flavorful (contrary to what I feel like people often assume about rice porridge). Our server recommended a side of chili oil to pair with it that added some texture and depth, but I like how strongly the crab comes through without it. If I had to pick one dish though, it'd be the saltado fries (sub garlic noodles). The spice from the aji dipping sauce sneaks up on you a little bit but it complements the tender meat and the fries, tomato and onion balance it all out nicely. We were seated at the bar where they were playing all kinds of bangers (at a low enough volume where we could still talk amongst ourselves), and both our server and the bartender were attentive... would recommend!

    Food is amazing and great portions served. Lots of flavor…read more Steak cooked exactly as asked. Whether dine in or Uber Eats they never fail.

    Photos
    Half Shelled Scallops. Part of our new Spring/Summer menu at VOX Kitchen & Bar.
    Half Shelled Scallops. Part of our new Spring/Summer menu at VOX Kitchen & Bar.
    Carne Asada Fries. Part of our new Spring/Summer menu at VOX Kitchen & Bar.
    Carne Asada Fries. Part of our new Spring/Summer menu at VOX Kitchen & Bar.
    Corn Ribs

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    Corn Ribs
    Verdant

    Verdant

    4.0
    (33 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    We were going to OCMA so my friend suggested we dine at Verdant which is in the museum, or at least…read moreit used to be. We checked in at the museum front desk and my friend said we were going up to restaurant on the third floor. The person at the desk said they moved it and it was on the first floor now. She pointed over to what I knew to be the snack bar that had been there since opening. We went over and sure enough it was just drinks snacks and a few pre-packaged light meals. I have to guess they just quietly went away.

    I'd like to start out by thanking our server, Christian for being very accommodating and helping us…read moreout on Sunday! I had made a reservation online for 6 people at 12:30pm and my reservation was accepted. When we got to the museum, we were told the restaurant was closing at 12:30pm and I felt very upset. Why was the reservation accepted then? When I got to Verdant, there was no one in sight. The restaurant was empty and there was 1 other party, but no staff. I actually ended up making my way near the kitchen, and that's where I found Christian, who appeared really busy. He explained that they had a wedding later that day and had to close at 1pm for set up. He still sat our party and was very kind, accommodating and helpful. He gave me a great tip and said when making cafe reservations, it's best to call ahead, because they do sometimes have event buy outs. As far as the ambiance, it is a really beautiful space. But, it was SO cold. It seemed like the AC was on full blast. The food was pretty good, but the menu seemed to change since I was there last.

    Photos
    Verdant
    Verdant
    Setting up...

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    Setting up...
    The Great Room

    The Great Room

    4.3
    (7 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    The great room is a restaurant within the Weston. It's got a casual but ups ale type vibe. I had…read morebreakfast there and it was on point. I had the classic American breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns and sourdough toast. The servers were attentive without being too present. I always appreciate that. I'd come back tomorrow if I was staying another night.

    Brunch at The Great Room in Costa Mesa was such a classy casual vibe. The ambience feels modern and…read morerelaxed, and we had a lovely view of the fountain outside which made everything feel a little more elevated and serene. We ordered the Lox and Bagel with smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese, pickled red onions, fresh dill, and sun dried roasted tomatoes. The salmon was fresh and silky, and I loved the brightness from the pickled onions and dill. The roasted tomatoes added a nice depth of flavor. I also had the white crab white omelette with spinach and substituted the fruit for hash browns. The omelette was light and fluffy, and the crab added a subtle sweetness. The hash browns were crispy and satisfying. Cappuccinos were great, rich, smooth, and perfectly foamy. Just note they are nine dollars each, which feels a little steep, but they were well made. Service was pretty good overall, attentive and friendly without being overbearing. Overall, a solid four stars. Great atmosphere, quality brunch options, and a polished setting that feels perfect for a relaxed weekend catch up. I would come back for the vibes and the cappuccino.

    Photos
    Fire Table
    Fire Table
    The Great Room
    The Great Room

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    Pioneer

    Pioneer

    4.6
    (208 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    Takes reservations
    Romantic vibe

    Innovation and reverence for the classics can coexist beautifully…read more Hidden inside Dick's Church in Costa Mesa, P10NEER is an intimate, space exploration-themed speakeasy with a vintage 1970s aesthetic, small sharable bites, and rotating seasonal menu. P10NEER reimagines traditional classic cocktails through inventive techniques (yay, SCIENCE), curated ingredients, and thoughtful twists to make each drink feel both nostalgic and a new adventure. The creativity and hospitality of the team at @pioneer.cm is out of this world. For an experience that goes beyond great beverages, P10NEER is well worth the journey. Place for quiet conversations with a plus one or a small group. Resy recommended. Walk-ins accepted. Save a seat at the bar for me! PS: New Mission! Special Summer Program premieres July 17 on the Dick's Church Patio VACATION by PIONEER: A 1970s backyard barbecue. Fridays & Saturdays, 4 PM to sundown through the end of August. More info via Instagram @vacation.pioneer

    Gem in a very odd place! Came here on a random Saturday night with some good vibes. The place is…read morevery small and basically is full by 8PM. There is another section hidden behind a door or some sort that opens up a bit later into the night. People come here to chat and drink, so the turnover rate is slow. It's located inside a restaurant and conspicuously placed thru a random door in the hallway, so you might be confused when you get there. As for the drinks, I didn't actually drink myself that night but my friends ordered at least 10 drinks (some of them 3 by themselves), and they all said the drinks were pretty good. I mean, the drinks just kept coming. If you like to yap and drink, this would be the place.

    Photos
    Pioneer
    Pioneer
    Pioneer

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    The Boiling Crab - seafood - Updated July 2026

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