Smashin Crab — Restaurant in Castroville

The Smashin Crab has been on my list since it opened but, for so many (dumb) reasons, remained without a checkmark. I am very pleased to say that I finally had the opportunity and OMG, was it worth the wait. With Noah, my 11 year old grandson, I finally got the opportunity and visited on a Sunday afternoon 2 days ago. On first impression, I do have to say that, while it is a bit of an unassuming venue, a little "Plain Jane" even from the outside and quite moderately furnished inside, that despite many positive reviews, I was not initially as excited as I thought I would be. But, that is where my brain misjudged the cover of a seriously good book, happily my appetite was not so inclined. It was "early" for supper, around 4pm, not crowded and we got a booth right away and I was starving. Maya, who with talent, writes very well upside down and backwards, to my grandsons amazement, was an awesome, attentive, intelligent, friendly and knowledgeable assistant as she helped us fullfil our desires. I started with a Purple Haze draught from the well tended full bar and it was really cold and refreshing with a hint of raspberry, try it, it's an "Experience". 😁 My grandson had the Po'Boy with shrimp and chicken fingers and I had the Cajun PastaLaya. It was fantastic, the satisfaction began with the aroma at the nose and went all the way to overfilling my stomach. I swear I was still half full Monday morning. I just couldn't see wasting a doggie bag so, I ate it all. The seasonings were just right, with just enough heat and a generous helping of meat to smother the pasta, not the other way around. It is one of the best Cajun Restaurants in San Antonio or anywhere for that matter. If you've ever been there, think Steamboat Bill's in Louisiana or Acadiana Cajun Restaurant in San Antonio which, for so long had been the only real Cajun eatery and as such was the old standard. Smashing Crab is most definitely an instant contender for the top spot. But, to be fair, trying to compare them would not do any of them justice. To do so would be like trying to compare The Iceman, The Admiral and Timmy, arguably impossible. Smashin Crab is definitely on on the ball with their skills. Great service, nice atmosphere, wait staff and bartender excellence and even more importantly a General Manager, Sean, who isn't afraid to work the front, the back and all the diners in between to make sure they are happy Smashers. Thanks Sean and all of the staff, I'm definitely a...

My husband and I have had our eye on this place for a while. We LOVE a good seafood boil, and it always looks so busy. We finally decided to visit this week for our Anniversary. We started off with drinks and their raw oysters. My husband ordered a Purple Haze beer, but they were out so he went with the Karbach Brewing Hopadilla instead. He said it was very cold and refreshing. I ordered their special for the week - the Captain Mai Tai. It was EXTREMELY fruity and tropical…and transported me to a beach in my mind whenever I took a drink. (Side note - I LOVE how they serve their drinks in Mason Jars. Such a cute touch!) The Raw Oysters. Let’s talk about them. They were the BIGGEST oysters we’ve ever seen…but not only that - they were DELICIOUS!!! They bring them out with AL the fixings - horseradish, hot sauce, crackers, cocktail sauce, lemon…everything. I’m not even kidding, y’all. They were SO good…my husband ordered another 1/2 dozen. Do yourself a favor and GO GET THEM. For dinner, we ordered and shared a Build Your Own Boil. We did a pound of head in shrimp (should have done 1/2 a pound. We could NOT finish it), a Queen Crab Cluster (they were having a special…regular $35, but that night - they were only $20!), four potatoes, two corn cobs, and an order of sausage (that consists of four pieces). We went with the Classic Dry Rub Boil Sauce and chose the #2 - Temperature Rising Heat Level. The heat level was perfect…but our ONLY complaint - we shouldn’t have done the dry rub. They put SO MUCH seasoning on it, you could barely tell what we’d ever ordered. The flavor was so overwhelming, that it was hard to enjoy the veggies at times. I’ve e never seen so much seasoning on anything in my whole life. See the pictures so you can see what I mean. However- that aside - once we broke I to the crab - it was some of the best crab meat we’ve ever eaten. So yummy! The shrimp was extremely hard to peel, but once you got it peeled - it was also yummy. The sausage, corn, and potatoes - I feel like they would’ve been much better had we not had to scrape off a pound of seasoning off of them. I don’t know if this is how it always is with the seasoning…or if it was a mistake. Either way - they should definitely calm it down. The food is delicious. It doesn’t need that much. Overall, we enjoyed our visit and will definitely return! We can’t wait to try one of the other sauces next time…& of course, order more of their...

Host with pink hair was absolutely Rude, disrespectful and apparently didn’t want to be working. My Navy veteran sister and co-worker wanted to try this place out for the first time and upon entrance it was a disaster. We asked for back wall sitting and the host/waitress walked off. When she came back after placing menus on a table( never asked us to follow her) that could only sit two 🤨 I asked where the restroom was she through her hand up without saying exactly where. My co-worker asked her for a manager and she just stood there like a chicken with its head cut off. I then asked my co-worker was the manager coming and she said she never left her area to get him. So, I then walked to the bar area, where several employees were just waiting around and asked a random gentleman for the manager. The guy said he was and he saw that I was walking up towards the bar area and decided to approach. I then explained to him the issue with the host and he apologized for her behavior. I then told him that is not good service provided especially when it is your first time patronizing an establishment. I then told him we were leaving but he should be aware of his employee’s demeanor while serving customers. He then asked if we come back he will make sure we are taken care of by one of his best waitresses and treated correctly. We believe in second chances and did just that. Now, Ms. Leah (waitress) took very good care of us. However, the appetizers was a whole different story. I got the Pick 3- fried pickles, calamari and jambalaya balls. Calamari was like chewing gum with the interior of texture of Twizzlers. My co-worker got the Parmesan oysters and they were not up to par. I then ordered a boil, it was good but the sausages and potatoes were the size of a gum all and 1/3 of a Vienna Sausage and even more so disappointed there were no boiled eggs in it. Overall, Leah made up for the service. But, the food was not really all that great. King Crabz food truck on San Pedro is way better and I will continue to go there from now on. Smashing Crabs get it together! Higher leadership needs to get back in to the store and talk to your patrons. A lot of work and people skills and food handling needs to be worked...