The Boiling Crab — Restaurant in Garden Grove

We just got back to our hotel from an amazing meal at The Boiling Crab. This is our first trip to the Anaheim area and wanted to eat some great seafood as we had a birthday in our family. After checking online, we chose to try The Boiling Crab as it seemed to have a relaxed atmosphere, good reviews and a simple but complete menu. We arrived for an early dinner shortly after 5pm and put in our reservation for a 15 minute wait and we're glad we did because within our wait time, the wait list went to at least 30 minutes. Our server seated was very friendly and got us seated quickly. Everyone gets a disposable bib and the table cloths are long sheets of heavy paper coated on one side with plastic so you can peel your shrimp and crawfish and make a delicious mess - nothing gets in the way of enjoying the food. We had a good idea of what we wanted but our waiter made ordering and the meal exceptional by guiding us through our choices and quantities (many of the menu items are sold by the Pound). The food was brought out so quickly we were surprised - The shrimp and crawfish came in large plastic bags and were smothered in the sauces we selected. The Oysters were cleaned and presented perfectly with fresh lime halves and Tabasco sauce on the side. The Calamari rings were thick but not too large and were served breaded and just off the fryer. Everything was EXCELLENT! - The flavor of the sauces were the best we've ever had and stood out and were not an afterthought. For me, the shrimp were the best I've eaten - they were large, firm succulent and sweet which proved they were very fresh. The meal was perfect - Fast & efficient service, excellent food, fair prices. and a fun atmosphere. Overall, The Boiling Crab is an excellent choice if you want to truly enjoy seafood while you're in Anaheim, California.

Highly...

I've been to this specific Boiling Crab twice and Boiling Crab in general about four times. My general impression of Boiling Crab is how crowded it is and how much character this chain has when it comes to decorations and the service of the employees.

Lets first start with the first one. Boiling Crab is extremely popular because of the idea of buying seafood by the pound and having to eat it entirely with you two hands. Its a really great concept and they executed it perfectly, which is why I believe they are so crowded. Crowded to the point that every single one I go to, I would expect a wait. Obviously, weekends would be significantly more crowded, but weekdays are too as well.

Next, is the experience. Like I described it before, the experience is very genuine and human. You order from employees who are the nicest people on the planet who would even put on your bib for you. Next, you order pounds of seafood from a menu which is also dictated by market price. And then you essentially share your pile with other people, alongside cups of rice and smiles. I don't know how much better the experience here can get.

Overall, the experience here at Boiling Crab is like no other. I definitely recommend coming here if you are willing to either come...

My review is based on 4 factors - Price, Product, Location and Atmosphere. Now we absolutely LOVE Boiling Crab and each location has their good and bad points but this location is our go to spot. They specialize in cajun style seafood. Shrimp, Crab, Lobster and Crawfish by the pound and Oysters, Wings and Fries. With 3 levels of heat and 3 different sauce flavors you can get it the way you want with add-ons like Red Potatoes, Corn or Sausage. We usually order the shrimp, whole shebang medium with cajun fries and white rice. We love spicy foods and medium is a good level of heat for us. The Shrimp and Crawfish come with heads and you have to peal your own food... utensils? Use your hands... Wear your bib, roll up your sleeves and dig in... Waxed butcher paper on the table allows you to discard your crustacean shells on the table... Don't worry there are plenty of napkins and you get wet-naps after your meal. Grab some extra limes to clean your hands with after you're done to remove the smell and finish up with your wet-nap. The decor has a bijou feel and you can write your name on the walls! (only the wood areas). Arrive before 3pm to beat the crowds, wait time can get up to 1.5 hours and there are no reservations....