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The Boiling Crab

3.9 (1.8k reviews)
Closed • 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 1 week ago

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THE BOILING CRAB ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Crawfish & Lobster
Ren G.

We had such a great time having dinner here. The place was popping even for a weeknight! Service from Derek was amazing--we were very much well taken care of even after he got transferred to the other side of the restaurant. He still checked up on us and we truly appreciated that. The place was clean and the vibe was super chill. We were able to enjoy our dinner and family time with no issues at all. The food was good--we got an assortment of seafood, corn, sausage, and potatoes with the whole sha-bang. The snow crab legs and shrimp were amazing. We enjoyed those the most. We also got lobster, but that was a bit tough and rubbery. Overall, I think we'll be back especially if we're craving for some seafood boil. But we might skip the lobster next time.

Megan C.

Have loved going to boiling crab for quite some time while living in SD! Classic seafood boil place- I always order a pound of shrimp and add their sausage. The size of their shrimp is really solid and I love their whole shabang sauce, mild for a bit of a kick. Boiling crab has better prices than crab hut but seafood boil has gotten pretty expensive over the years in general Our server, Vincent was great! He was super nice, served with a smile, and our orders came out to us really quickly. He made sure our waters were always filled as well. Overall still a big fan of boiling crab!

Kandi R.

Always bomb. Pretty consistent. Lots of places do it out here but they are the best I've had in socal easy. Been here 15 plus times over the years. Staff friendly. Laid back vibes. Good portions. Reasonably fast. Quick for how busy they are. Margs bomb. Good selection. Always a good experience. My go to: Snow crab 1-2 cluster(s). Add potatoes, corn, egg. Side of rice. The whole shabang mild or medium spice depending on the day. Can't go wrong. (My husband loves the shrimp. )

The Whole Shabang, medium, 1lb shrimp, 1lb mussel, 1 order of eggs, 1 order of potatoes, and 2 corn on the cob! Perfect for two people
Mia H.

Great place for a time where you can big back and sip on a nice michelada in peace! TVs everywhere, the booths are the best to sit at, and every waiter I've had thus far has been great.

Zeinab B.

Get here as early as you can because it gets super busy. I've been to other seafood boil places and it never tastes as fresh as this location. The prices are outrageous, I wish they came in combos and not having to pay everything à la carte, a mini corn shouldn't be $2. Prices aside, the staff was super friendly and professional and they play really good music ( r&b and hip hop throwbacks ) . I definitely would recommend, your wallet will hate you but you have to spoil yourself here and there . Also worth mentioning, I had a lot of leftovers, ate my king crab 3 days later and it still tasted scrumptious!!! I got the medium spice and it did the trick.

Maxim V.

I really enjoyed it! The food and service were top-notch. The service was fast and unobtrusive. Great location with convenient parking. The average check is around $40-60 per person.

Corn on The Cob , Potatoes (3pcs.), Cajun Fries, Steamed Rice, Gumbo (Cup) , whole shabang mild 1 pound shrimp
Melany L.

Its amazing. We love coming here. We just moved from chicago a few months ago and already been here three times. The wait is worth it. The first time we came we waited almost two hours for a table. During the weekend it definitely gets busy. The food is fresh and so flavorful. We get the whole shabang and their rice with cajun fries. Amazing. Service is great , their waiters are friendly and attentive. The place is big and spacious. They have regular tables, booths and outside seating.

Tara R.

It's been 8 years and I still give this place 5 stars. I feel like there's so many seafood boil places around but nothing compares to The Boiling Carb. For some reason other places can't get the flavors of The Whole Sha-Bang correctly. Has the price gone up significantly? Unfortunately, yes, but it is good. I also like that if someone you go with doesn't like seafood then they also have fried options like chicken tenders. Service is still top tier and vibes are always high. I like to come when it first opens so I don't have to wait for a table.

Crawfish
Vivian T.

It's crawfish season so come enjoy it at The Boiling Crab because I was honestly so surprised by the quality. I'll be real, I used to be a Boiling Crab skeptic and would go to other seafood boil spots because of some bad experiences here a few years ago. It seems like a lot has changed since then, especially the quality. There was a short wait but nothing crazy. We were seated within about 15 minutes, which is pretty good considering how big and busy the restaurant is. There's both patio and indoor seating and this is probably one of the largest seafood boil spots I've been to. Once seated, the host walked us through the digital menu and got us started. Our server came by quickly, took our order, and brought out bibs, gloves, and the usual setup with lemon, salt, and pepper. Food came out in about 10-15 minutes which felt pretty fast. We started with the Cajun fries to share. They were okay, nothing spectacular. Some fries weren't as crispy and the Cajun seasoning felt a little flat. The crawfish though... that was the star. I got a pound of the seasonal crawfish with corn and potatoes and they did not disappoint. The crawfish were big, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The meat was tender and I was even able to pull out claw meat which usually doesn't happen with lower quality crawfish. The who-shabang sauce (mild) was so good, a perfect mix of Cajun and garlic. The corn was super sweet and the potatoes soaked up all that sauce. Overall, my opinion has completely changed. This visit turned me around and I'll definitely be coming back more often.

Shrimp, crawfish
Catherine Z.

LOVE boiling crab! Checked out this location, and it was as amazing as the others. Wonderful service and it definitely is a popular place on a Friday evening (~2 hour wait on peak times). We joined the waitlist in advance so it was just a one our wait for us. The quality of the shrimp and crawfish were amazing! The sauce also had chunks of garlic in it that I loved

Seafood boil spread. Crawfish, shrimp, rice, and sweet potato fries.
Linda N.

Came here on a Sunday night because the girlies and I were craving seafood boil. We came here during Super Bowl and it wasn't crowded until we finished and left. The game was playing on every single TV so we weren't missing much. Normally boiling crab is always super busy (and for good reason) but we only had to wait like 5 min for our table to be prepared and then we were seated. Our waitress took our order but skipped over me by accident. I thought it was strange because my friend didn't order a lot of food prior. Not sure if she thought we were sharing or not. She just ordered a pound of crawfish. Weird. I ordered one pound of shrimp in the whole sha bang with medium spice. It definitely had a kick but was enjoyable. I took one star off because my shrimp was overcooked to the point it was mushy. Taste wise it was fantastic. Strong garlic flavor - just the way I like it. I also ordered a side of sweet potato fries on the side and a bowl of rice. The sweet potato fries came out hot and crispy. In the past it's always been soggy so it was nice to get it fresh. I'll be back once the craving hits again for seafood boil. The sauce is what keeps me coming back. I've tried other places and I don't like it because the same tastes sweet.

Shareen B.

We love eating here! We're originally from Vegas and are used to eating the TBC there, but we think this one might be better. Not sure if the suppliers are different, but the seafood here seems meatier. Servers are very kind to us and attentive as well. I think my only issue is that they have a policy that doesn't allow outside drinks, including bottled water, so we always have to put it away. Feels excessive to not make an exception for water.

Jack M.

I came for lunch for a birthday party. Everyone ordered a variety of menu items including crab legs, Cajun hot wings, Shabang Bang shrimp, Shabang Bang scallops, corn, and fries. I ordered the clams in butter sauce. I wanted the Cajun seasoning on the side so I could control sodium levels but they wanted an $5 up charge for a small little side of seasoning. I thought that was ridiculous, so I passed. The clams were pretty good. The garlic butter sauce was tasty and each clam had a decent amount of meat in them. The only problem is that they disappeared quickly. Thankfully I had ordered a piece of corn. At over $20 both items, the meal was not filling. I went to eat elsewhere when I was finished here because I was still hungry. The service was good. The employees were in high spirits and had good attitudes. The place is fairly loud and they don't give you plates.

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Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the flavorful seafood, friendly and attentive service, and a lively atmosphere.

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25 days ago

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18 days ago

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2 months ago

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3 months ago

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5 months ago

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17 days ago

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Thank you for the positive rating, Maxim! Hope to see you again soon!

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3 months ago

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4 months ago

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7 months ago

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8 months ago

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9 months ago

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4 months ago

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1 year ago

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4 months ago

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Thank you for the positive rating, Maria! Hope to see you again soon!

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1 year ago

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9 months ago

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4 months ago

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4 months ago

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1 year ago

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13 days ago

Food is awesome, service always fast and staff so nice. Cool place to it with a date or family

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Thank you very much, Veny! We look forward to seeing you again soon!

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1 year ago

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6 months ago

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29 days ago

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Page 1 of 45

The Boiling Crab Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Boiling Crab

Por que no me dejanponer ennlista de espera? Solo que sea a 10 millas?

no creo, yo vivo en Vista y me pongo el lista de espera desde que salgo de casa.

Is Boiling Crab open on New Year's Day?

Hi! Yes, all TBCs are open regular hours on January 1.

Do u have blue crabs?

This is one of my usual heavy rotation restaurants! They usually always have blue crab, king crab, dungeness crab, and snow crab! I would definitely call before placing your name on the list to ask and make sure to know what they are out of for the… 

How much is the king crab per lb usually?

Hi! King Crab Legs are currently $64/lb. with orders averaging 1-1.3 lbs. each.

Sauce we get with Shrimp has any meat or meat broth or it's just Garlic and other stuff?

Thanks for asking! All of our signature sauces are vegetarian.

Can I call in to order or do I have to physically go to the restaurant to place an order?

You can call In to order for pick up!

Do they provide gloves?

They give you gloves and bibs. They also give wet naps at the end with the check.

Any happy hour?

No to happy hour but it’s just that good !! Park in the parking garage though when you leave boiling crab ask them for a validation ticket = parking I free

What will your hours be during Thanksgiving 11/23, 11/24, 11/25, 11/26?

What menu items are gluten free?

All of our seafood boils that come with choice of seafood, any extras (corn, eggs, potatoes, sausage) plus any choice of our signature sauces are all gluten-free.

Do you guys still do to go order? And also do you sell your sauce?

Yes, we offer takeout. An additional side of sauce may be purchased with an entree.

Are dogs allowed?

Pets are not allowed, only service animals.

Do they de-shell the king crabs?

King crab legs come in the shell, but we can provide cracker and sheller tools

Do you accept reservations?

No reservations, seating is first come

Are they doing dine in yet?

Yes! For limited occupancy.

Are they open for indoor/ outdoor dining?

Not yet! This location is currently still takeout only.

Are you open for outdoor dining?

No they are not sadly

Is this restaurant open for dine in?

No, boiling crab is only open for take out !!

As of 91/21/20, are they doing DINE IN?

Negative , only for takeout at the moment

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Tulum Seafood - Sign

Tulum Seafood

4.3(189 reviews)
0.7 mi•Mira Mesa
•$$
Grab-and-go
Kitchen open late

I loved their octopus tacos! For 8$ such a filling taco! The octopus wasnt very chewy and had a…read morefantastic grill flavor! I probably won't do the mozzarella cheese next time, but still such a deliciously robust taco! I found it funny they charged me a penny for getting avocado on the side instead of inside of the taco. Lol I love that the building has a big sign with orange and blue lettering and was very visible on the street. The lady at the drive thru reminds me of a Tia that just offers you and makes you eat and try everything! She was asking me if i wanted this salsa or that salsa or just ANYTHING! She was so friendly and awesome! I will definitely be making a return!

Absolutely loved Tulum Seafood! Everything we had was fresh, flavorful, and delicious. You can…read moretaste the quality of the ingredients, and the authentic Mexican seafood flavors are incredible! From the seafood to the sauces, everything was full of flavor and prepared fresh. It's so nice to have a place like this locally without having to cross the border into Mexico to enjoy amazing dishes! The tacos and ceviche are a must. My only wish is that they had a larger seating area, as the space is a bit small. But honestly, the quality of the food more than makes up for it! Such a great addition to the area and definitely a spot I'll be coming back to. Highly recommend! They even have a drive-thru option too. Fast & friendly service.

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Tulum Seafood
Tulum Seafood - NEW MENU ITEMS ADDED IN NOVEMBER

NEW MENU ITEMS ADDED IN NOVEMBER

Tulum Seafood - 9/30/2024

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9/30/2024

California Fish Grill

California Fish Grill

4.0(427 reviews)
0.8 mi•Mira Mesa
•$$

Meatless Fridays just got a whole lot better. California Fish Grill in Mira Mesa makes skipping…read moremeat feel less like obligation and more like a reward. The ahi tuna poke bowl, giant shrimp plate, and clam chowder are all legit -- good portions, fair prices, fast service. Counter-style ordering, casual vibe, dog-friendly patio. Nothing fancy, just consistently good seafood. A Lenten season staple.

Been going here for years leaving tips and appreciating the food. Decent help and a peaceful…read moresetting. Two times I witnessed cash being paid instead of the self check. Thought nothing of it. Today I wanted to eat there but had a slight problem. Just ordered a new bank card and I didn't have any other way to pay except cash and that I'd recently seen to white patrons pay standing right next to me. It was the manager taking the payment. Today I go in and ask if I could pay cash and the first thing comes out of her mouth was, sir we don't take cash. I said, I've watched you take cash on more than one occasion but oh I forgot I'm black and forbid you allow me the same courteous gesture. I believe this established is run by an undercover racist. Treat everyone equal you just may never know who's coming in to be served by you choosing who to serve and who gets special attention. Guess I learned today no matter how friendly or kind you are racist don't hide their ways. Wow! First experience like this by a guy with dark skin but not my dark skin. Someday you will see, you are no better than the next. Treat people the same way you want to be treated and be fair to all your customers. Not just the ones you think will give a good review for being passive.

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California Fish Grill
California Fish Grill
California Fish Grill

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All That Shabu - Soft serve

All That Shabu

4.0(120 reviews)
1.0 mi•Mira Mesa

All That Shabu is a great spot for shabu-shabu and drinks! It may not be the absolute best…read moreshabu-shabu place around, but it has a really solid selection of buffet items. The meat is good, the appetizers are tasty, and the space is big and comfortable. They also play great music, which makes it a fun place to hang out and have a few drinks. One recommendation is be better with the meat quantity, 3 plates at a time and small cuts would really tick off customers. Honestly, I'm surprised this place isn't packed more often. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for good food, drinks, and a fun atmosphere!

This didn't quite hit. They are having a special discounted price for lunch and dinner now. 25$…read morefor lunch and 32$ for dinner. The buffet bar seems to have a lot of different choices, but really, about halfway down the buffet bar its the exact same choices as the first half of the buffet bar. They have veggies and various seafood. The baby octopus and mussels was my favorite of everything there. What i loved is that the drinks are included and they have unsweetened black ice tea. That's my favorite drink so that is always a plus. What I don't like is they only let you have 3 meats at a time and the meat is too thinly sliced that all 3 trays of your meat is eaten up in one fell swoop. For lunch, you get meat choices 1-7. The short beef plate was what I ordered most. It was really fatty and very thin. All the slices really equaled to just one normal piece of beef belly slice at other hot pot places. The broth is rather light and not very flavorful but I suppose its shabu. I chose beef broth. As far as the sauce station, its very underwhelming. There were hardly any hot foods at all. For a place that's so humongous and has a million tables, I thought there would be more food choices and patrons. It was empty when I went. There needs to be a change on how many meats can be ordered and for goodness sakes... dont slice the meat that thin. It just melts in your broth! Lol

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All That Shabu - Raw seafood, dumplings, eggs, and noodles on display

Raw seafood, dumplings, eggs, and noodles on display

All That Shabu
All That Shabu - Menu (November 2025)

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Menu (November 2025)

The Boiling Crab - seafood - Updated October 2026

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