High up on our list of sorely missed spring traditions is the crab boil — the Chesapeake Bay’s unofficial salute to warmer weather. Necessary social distancing and stay-at-home orders mean the cookout as we know it is all but canceled this season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the party home to you.
While a number of your favorite spots to nab quality crustaceans may be temporarily closed — namely the iconic Maine Avenue fish market, which was dangerously swamped with eager patrons last week — there’s still plenty of crab to be cracked into from the comfort of your own home. Check out our list of otions below, grab a six pack of your favorite local beer, make sure you have some Old Bay on hand and suddenly you’ve got a recipe for springtime success.
American Ice Company
This hip industrial hangout by the 930 Club has begun embracing the start of Maryland crab season through offering packages of steamed crabs and cold beer for free weekend delivery within three miles of their Shaw location. Packages include a dozen medium blue crabs from Kent Island, Maryland, complete with a crab cracking mallet and homemade potato salad for $70. Add in some cold beverages like a six-pack of Tecate or Tiger beer, or opt for half a dozen pickleback shots if you’re in that kind of mood.
In the spirit of social distancing, American Ice isn’t currently allowing carry out, opting instead for “minimal contact” weekend dropoffs that involve delivery personnel donning gloves and texting when they’ve arrived outside your home.
Orders can be placed Monday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. by calling 202-285-3467 or by email at info@amicodc.com. All orders must be placed by Thursday at 5pm for weekend delivery.
Quarterdeck
This local favorite crab shack in the Fort Meyer neighborhood of Arlington is typically the place to head to when you’re craving an all-you-can-eat crab feast, but are now offering daily deliveries of freshly caught seafood instead. An employee tells InsideHook a new shipment of blue crab just arrived, and bundles are available for same-day carryout or delivery via Postmates and UberEats — just allow 30 to 40 minutes for the fresh crab to get cooked.
Choose your pick of medium, large, XL or jumbo sizes by the half dozen or dozen, or opt for dungeness or king crab legs instead — available by pound-and-a-half portions (a full dozen medium crabs would cost you $80). Orders come with two sides, but we’re told they only have fries and onion rings left. Hey, we’re not complaining.
Captain Pell’s
Those quarantined out in suburbia will rejoice to hear that Captain Pell’s in Fairfax is still offering in-house delivery and carryout through the duration of Virginia’s shelter-in-place order. Grab a half dozen medium blue crabs $49, or choose to go big and go home with large, XL or jumbo sized crustaceans — all available by the half or full dozen. A female-only full bushel will cost you a bit more at $165, but crab lovers know that’s the price you pay for sweeter meat.
Flying Dog Brewery
In observance of shelter-in-place orders, Maryland has thankfully lifted restrictions on the amount of beer that tap rooms and breweries in the state can sell for takeaway — meaning there is now no limit whatsoever. This is a huge deviation from the typical state law, which limits takeaway purchases from no more than a case to as little as a few bottles.
Take advantage (and never worry about running out of beer again) by purchasing a sixtel-keg from Flying Dog, which pours about 41 16-ounce beers. These “Kurbside Kegs” by the quirky local brewery include the aptly named Isolation Ale as well as a number of their year-round and seasonal brews, as well as a brand new recipe of Dead Rise Gose. Make sure to place your order by 1 p.m. this Friday by checking out their website.
Three Stars Brewing Company
This Takoma Park brewery is now offering “growlettes” or 32-ounce jugs of some of your favorite specialty beers to go and for delivery. Delivery orders placed between 12 to 5 p.m. will be delivered before 7, and orders placed after the daily window closes get delivered the next day. Thirsty patrons can grab 32-oz. growler fills of some of their best brews, like Terpendipity v2.0, Two To The Dome, Low Hanging Fruit and Starsky & Brunch — their “breakfast” stout with flavors of chocolate, maple syrup, coffee and bacon.
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