Grab your bibs and crackers – Mad Crab is now open in University City. The seafood boil spot opened doors July 17 at 8080 Olive Blvd., in the former home of Kim Son Seafood.
As The Scoop reported earlier this month, Mad Crab is a partnership between first-time restaurant owners and brothers Victor and Nam Ho. They were inspired by similar concepts in Dallas, Texas, where Victor Ho lived for several years.
The 5,000-square-foot space seats an impressive 205 people and sports a nautical theme, bedecked with rope, paddles and a prominent lighthouse atop the host stand.
The build-your-own boil menu starts with a madchoice of market-priced seafood (currently arriving daily at the restaurant) like lobster, snow or king crab legs, whole blue or Dungeness crabs, crawfish, clams or mussels. Sausage is also available, and customers can mix and match by the pound.
Next, they choose from three sauces or combine them all for The Whole Sha-Bang, and choose their spice level. The boils arrive in a plastic bag served atop paper-lined tables for easy clean up.
Those in the mood for a neater, less visceral meal can order from a menu of plates including gumbo, fried rice or noodles with crawfish or shrimp. Mad Crab also offers fresh raw oysters, hot wings and fried shrimp baskets as appetizers. Once a liquor license is approved, customers can sip canned or bottled brews with their boils.
Mad Crab is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Here’s a first look at what to expect from St. Louis’ newest seafood spot:
This article appears in July 2017.