The Kickin' Crab — Restaurant in Irvine

Kickin Crab in Irvine, yeah! Right?

So, there seems to a million Cajun-Asian Seafood joints like Boiling Crab in the Garden Grove area, but not in Irvine. We had a Spicy Crab place that wasn't great but I missed how convent the location was.. Maybe other people won't understand but it's a pain the butt to go to GG to get some seafood. Traffic, time, and gas prices make the trip not worth it. So, I was somewhat excited about Kickin' Crab because it's in Irvine. I was not excite because it in the Diamond Jamboree plaza which is madness on weekends. And I wasn't thrilled because the Kickin' Crab in Costa Mesa sucks. I don't get the 4 and 5 star reviews. Despite all this I was excited to try KC and had very very low expectations.

So why is this place only 2 stars? Believe me I hate giving bad reviews and I hate rating service, because I rather rate the food. Let's start positive with the good things.

Pros:

-In Irvine (I can't mention that enough times) -Seafood Asian Cajun. You can't go wrong most of the time. -Less driving if you live near by. -cute servers

Cons:

-Parking- let me just put a sad face and let's move on. : ( -Not fresh! Don't believe some of the other reviews. It taste like it was previously frozen. The first pound of Shrimp that I had was okay, but the bottom of the bag had mushy shrimp. My friend said it was mushy, but I didn't belive her. Took one bite and immediately spit it out!!! Then forced myself to eat the rest knowing we would have to pay for it. -Missing Crab! I didn't mind but one customer was so pissed after waiting 30 minutes only to find out after being seated there was no crab. She grab her husband and kid and stormed out of the restaurant. A "no crab available" sign would have been nice. Plus that's BS don't call yourself Kickin' Crab if you don't carry crab the first opening week. Just saying.. -SERVICE sucks major balls. Not joking at all. It took forever to get seated dispite half the restaurant being empty. Needs a better hosts that doesn't keep running away. We were seated in the corner and there was a table between us and the walk way, but let's just say if you want service go in the kitchen and get what you need. Plenty of servers for the small restaurant but horrible service. Plus all the servers are skinny. I don't bite! -Bad location- hard to access the corner of the plaza. -Calamari- sucked!! Let's just say popcorn chicken would look like a solar system of planets compared to this micoscopic sized breaded calamari. Just get a frozen dinner from Ralph's and you will be more satisfied. worst than Spicy Crab that closed in Irvine. Bring SC back please!!

OKAY: -When a new server started a shift. She was very attentive. I wish I knew her name so I can tell the manager how great she is. We couldn't get the time of day from the attractive girls, but that's true in real life. -I started the review with 4 stars in my mind but as time passed I found that stars were dropping like it's hot.

I do not recommend this place! I tried to be positive and imagine who would enjoy Kickin Crab. If don't care at all and just want seafood, then knock yourself out. I personally will never return here unless my life depending on it and even then I might need time think if it's worth it. If you want to go, don't let my review stop you but for me I rather just drive to Wild Crab in GG. No wait, fresh seafood,...

Title: A Flavorful Seafood Adventure!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:

The menu at The Kickin' Crab offers an impressive array of seafood options. Being a seafood enthusiast, I was thrilled to see the variety of choices available. From shrimp and crab to crawfish, there was something for everyone. The ability to customize the spice level and flavor profile of my meal was a delightful touch, allowing me to tailor my experience to my own taste preferences.

I opted for the seafood boil, which came with a combination of shrimp, crab legs, and crawfish. The presentation was visually appealing, with the seafood piled high on a large platter. The flavors were robust and perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of spice. The seafood was cooked to perfection, tender and juicy, and the accompanying dipping sauces added an extra layer of deliciousness.

The service at The Kickin' Crab was attentive and friendly. The staff members were knowledgeable about the menu and took the time to explain the different options and recommend their favorites. Despite the restaurant being busy, the waitstaff managed to provide prompt service, ensuring that our needs were met throughout the meal.

The Kickin' Crab certainly doesn't skimp on quantity, and I left the restaurant feeling happily satisfied. It's worth noting that the seafood boil can be a messy affair, so be prepared to get your hands dirty and embrace the interactive dining experience.

In conclusion, my first visit to The Kickin' Crab was a delightful seafood journey. The flavors were fantastic, the service was attentive, and the atmosphere was lively. While there is room for some minor improvements, the overall experience was enjoyable and left me eager to return for another culinary adventure. I highly recommend The Kickin' Crab for seafood enthusiasts and anyone looking for a fun and flavorful...

This is a local favorite of mine. Love the concept of choosing your own seafood and customizing your sauce and spice level.

I wish they would provide gloves (I usually bring my own but am not always spontaneous enough)! You have to get the Kickin' sauce, but it's very messy no matter what kind of sauce you order.

I love this place (food) but have always thought it has an identity problem. Why would a Cajun-style seafood place play excessively loud techno music? It doesn't match the theme, and it drives certain demographics away. How about zydeco? Very strange.

Expect to get your hands dirty and possibly order so that you might share a "bag" with others at your table, to be the most financially conservative. If you order together, you'll have to agree on a sauce and spice level. Otherwise, order your own bag and get it customized. Personally, I love the snow crab in my own bag (one pound) with Kickin' mild sauce and a side of pita bread. And don't forget the garlic noodles on the side to share. Delish!

This place is not somewhere you want to take a date if you want to impress them. They have plastic silverware, and they diligently track the number of "crab cracker" utensils they give out like they've had a problem in the past. But the food is delicious if you don't mind working for it (peeling, cracking, digging). The sides and the sauce make for a delicious meal.

Also, the food quality varies by location, which is not a good thing for a franchise or corporate-owned chain. They need to stabilize on sauce quantities and spice levels.

Other than all that, I highly recommend Kickin' Crab. If you're super motivated, buy some latex gloves and bring them with you. They used to provide gloves but no longer...So bring your own. You have been warned, and you will...