We were at the Crab Shack in Salter Path the other night enjoying one of my favorite meals, the whole fried clams.
One of our fellow diners got served a bowl of Maryland style steamed blue crabs.
They looked delicious, and my questions to enthusiastic crab eater confirmed it. That was the tipping point for me.
I made my decision then to come back the next afternoon and tackle a bowl of crabs myself.
I tried to convince my wife to participate in my feast, but she would hear none of it.
The next day we got to the Crab Shack sometime after 1:30 pm, I ordered my half dozen crabs, and my wife, Glenda, in protest I suspect ordered chicken pot pie.
Since I knew it would be a long time before I got any significant nourishment from crab effort, I also ordered a bowl of clam chowder which turned out to be excellent.
I actually enjoy the Down East style chowders which have little or no milk in them. The Crab Shack's version has a rich clam taste.
My crabs finally arrived in all their glory just before 2 pm.
Sometime around 2:45 pm I managed to see the bottom of the bowl.
It took me until nearly 3:30 pm to finish the crabs off.
I had to really hurry towards the end since my wife was starting to comment that we might as well stay for dinner.
I can highly recommend the Crab Shack's Maryland style steamed crabs.
The Olde Bay spices with the crushed red pepper were just right as long as there was a beer not too far from my hands.
My Maryland friends were impressed that the crabs showed up with nothing more than saltines.
There were no mallets but other than that I would have to say this was a great way to eat North Carolina blue crabs.
The Crab Shack opens daily at 11 am, and their phone number is 252 247-3444. Just tell them David sent you, and leave a few crabs for me. They are right next to Willis Seafood.