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    The Boiling Crab

    4.0 (1.9k reviews)
    Closed 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

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    THE BOILING CRAB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Boiling Crab

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    Reviews With Photos

    Doryaneh M.

    I've been to this place once before for dine-in, but this time we decided to order food instead. One thing I really appreciated is that they were open on January 1, especially since many places were closed for the holiday, and I do want to acknowledge the staff who were working that day. The food was good overall. If you're a seafood lover, this is definitely a place worth trying--especially the shrimp, which was amazing. The fried calamari was also very good and flavorful. The ambiance is okay, but it could be cleaner. As for the service, the staff was average--not rude, but not especially friendly or attentive either. They may have been busy, which could explain it, but a bit more attention to customers would make a big difference. Overall, it's a good spot to try, especially if you enjoy seafood.

    Inside
    Megan O.

    Oh my goshhhh. For years I have heard how good The Boiling Crab is and I have always wanted to try it. Tonight was the night and I am so glad I did! Food -10/10. We got snow crab, shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage. All were amazing. We got the sauce that's all 3 in one at mild spice, which was so delicious. Service- 10/10. Everyone was soooooo kind and helpful. Johnathan G was our server and was amaaaazing. Multiple people also came to check in us periodically to make sure we were doing okay. I really appreciated how attentive they were! They also brought us extra gloves, tools, and sauces to help elevate our experience. Environment- Parking was great. Location was great. There was a lot of seating. Clean restaurant and bathrooms. The restaurant was hoppin but not too loud. I can't wait to come back :)

    Shrimp Mussels
    Chrissy L.

    The Whole Sha-Bang seasoning had the right balance of buttery richness, Cajun spice, and citrus flavor. What impressed me most was that the food was still hot after delivery, making it taste just as good as dining in. The mussels came in full shells instead of half shells and some had beards.

    Sha - Bang Bang Shrimp
    Emily C.

    Service was great! If you get sausage 2 links is a lot!! Food came out pretty fast given it was busy. The crab fries were very good! The garlic aioli was very tasty. The Sha Bang Bang Shrimp was pretty good, just the amount I needed.

    Jenny P.

    Crawfish and shrimp was not as fresh as I remember it to be, but still a solid spot. Sauce is good.

    TBC Cajun Fries and shrimp, potato, sausage and corn in SB sauce (mild spice level)
    Yau-Ru C.

    Nice and spacious restaurant suitable for small families and also large gatherings. You can scan the QR code on the napkin holder to see the menu but staff will stop by to take your order. Stick to shrimp and skip the crab. We got 2 lbs of shrimp ($36) and 2 clusters of snow crab (1.5 lbs = $66). There's barely any meat in the crab... most of the weight is the crab shell. Next time we will do 3-4 lbs of shrimp for our family of two adults and two kids. Corn and sausage were good. Potato was ok. We got the whole sha-bang (SB) sauce (combo of all 3 sauces: Cajun, lemon pepper and garlic butter) with mild spice level. A bit too salty and spicy for kids. Next time, will get garlic butter with no spice. Kids enjoyed the add on Cajun fries. Saw someone order rice, might try that to go with the garlic butter shrimp. Staff was friendly. Relaxing and family-friendly atmosphere.

    We've been coming to this BC for yearsssss, 2015 to be exact, and it's hands down the best location we've been to! The food is always fresh, flavorful, and consistent! What really stands out is the service - staff and managers (Sarahhhhhh) are amazing, very friendly, and always make us feel welcome. The managers are fantastic and clearly lead a great team, which shows in how smoothly everything runs. The vibe is great every time we come. Highly recommend this location to anyone looking for great seafood and even better service. We'll definitely keep coming back for many more years! :o)

    Whole Sha - Bang Shrimp
    Cat R.

    Lately I feel like I've been writing bad reviews for restaurants because workers have been so rude. Not here! Everyone is so friendly happy and helpful! Such a pleasant experience. Our waitress was so sweet and helpful. Two of us got the the shrimp with corn sausage and eggs. And each got a bag of snow crab. DELICIOUS. All cooked perfectly, flavorful, and hot. We also got the Cajun fries. Ooo so good. As for ambiance, the music played 10/10 90's-2000's hits. Just turn it up next time haha! Thanks for the great experience

    Michelle N.

    We came here on a Saturday night with 9 people so it was an expected long wait. We waited over 2 hours and finally got sat around 9pm. Prior to this we tried waitlisting in person around 6pm, letting them know we wanted to eat around 8:30. One worker almost put our name down, and the two others said no Which is fine. We got sat at a booth which is a little inconvenient for our group and didn't want to wait for another table. We ordered 3 fries and 1 of them came out first, then the other 2. I ordered the mild shebang, and I'm pretty sure this was a medium. It was so spicy, it didn't fulfill my cravings. Even my friend's sauce that my sauce color was a lot more redder than theirs and they ordered mild too. Their service is pretty decent/good they check up on you periodically maybe because it was near the end of the day and they wanted to wrap up so they could go home lol. But things would've been good if it wasn't so spicy!!

    Shrimp
    Andrew T.

    First time here at the recommendation of our fried and was blown away at the quality and ambiance of the restaurant. I had been hesitant to eat here due to the idea of having to eat with my hand, but they have gloves and a bib for you to wear if you want when handling your food. Service was warm, friendly, and accommodating. They have a variety of seafood In a bag, or fried options for those who do not want to go down the flavorful bag route. I also love that they have wings and fries--vast menu to accommodate various palates!

    Digging in!

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    3 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 days ago

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    10 days ago

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    11 days ago

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    8 months ago

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    1 month ago

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    4 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    27 days ago

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    1 month ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 month ago

    The food is amazing and also the waiters are very nice and friendly, also the prices are not really bad

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    10 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Top tier food every time. Service is on time and always ask to refill drinks when needed and very attentive to our needs.

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    8 days ago

    The food was amazing and the service was spectacular. Overall just a great place to go with your family.

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    4 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Great food. Service was great! New to this location. They took their time to go over the menu!

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    1 year ago

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    15 days ago

    If I could give it 10 stars I would. The best chain in the world everything on menu is 10/10

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Food is delicious and the margarita was exceptional we definitely will be back thank you

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    4 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Enjoyed shrimp in a bag, soft shell crab, and sweet potato fries. Service was good. We'd do it again.

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    7 months ago

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    Page 1 of 47

    The Boiling Crab Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Boiling Crab

    What's the difference between chicken tenders basket vs the kids chicken tender basket? How much is in each?

    Thanks for asking! The Kids' Chicken Tenders Basket comes with two tenders, while the regular comes with 3-4 tenders (it's about twice as much quantity).

    Is there fresh crawfish right now?

    Yes, this location currently has live crawfish! Supplies are limited, so please call ahead to confirm availability.

    Where can I find an updated menu?

    Hi, you can find this location's menu here: https://theboilingcrab.com/menu/south-coast/

    Do u guys take apple pay?

    Yes their terminals accept Apple pay

    Do you open at 12 on fridays?

    Monday through Friday they open from 3pm to 10pm Saturday & Sunday they open from 12pm to 10pm

    What does JUICY ($5) mean when ordering online?

    "Extra Juicy" is an additional side of sauce.

    Is there a bar?

    Nah fam

    Are sauces gluten Free?

    Yes, all seafood boils with choice of sauce are gluten-free.

    Is dog allowed at this location?

    Thanks for asking. No dogs allowed except for service dogs.

    How much is 1 lb of shrimp with shell?

    Current market prices range from $15-$16 per pound.

    Is there a long wait for take out orders on a Friday night?

    Best to phone ahead normally take 30 minutes....

    Do you offer delivery at this time?

    Delivery for this location is available through DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats and Postmates.

    How does the 'e' waitlist work?

    You add yourself to the waitlist through YELP. The system will tell you how many minutes the wait time is. It will also tell you the time you should arrive by or they will need to move onto the next person and you will lose your spot. There is a… Read more

    Will they be able to accommodate a large group of 18 in one long table?

    I think because of the restaurant layout and how packed it gets in there that they may have to do 2 tables of 9. However I could be wrong so I would give them a call and see how they can accommodate you and maybe allow you to make a reservation due… Read more

    Do they offer bday specials or sing happy bday?

    I believe so

    Do they take Apple Pay for takeout orders? -I just called, they don't.

    Not so sure about Apple Pay - I paid reg credit card.

    Are any of your seasonings gluten free? whole Shebang?

    Not so sure - I'll give them a call

    Roughly how pricy is this place ? For about a party of 6?

    Depending on what you order, it can be fairly reasonable to extremely expensive. Shell your own shrimp and the the fried items are reasonably priced. I liked the fried catfish. The corn cobbettes are only $1.25 each. But beware of the Market… Read more

    Why doesn't it open for lunch during weekdays?

    Idk I'm not an employee

    Does the whole shabang sauce contain sugar?

    My friend; no matter what kind of sauce you have they'll have sugar. Believe me!

    View All 30 Questions

    Ruin Bar - Drinks for the night #tasteofcsuc

    Ruin Bar

    4.1(476 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Fun little spot! Would definitely swing by again. You just go in and order your drinks and find…read moreyour own seat. They whip up the drinks super fast! Came on a Saturday afternoon and was such a cozy area to sit outdoors and enjoy drinks with friends :) Tucked in the corner with a vintage, maximalist, whimsical vibe. I got the bees knees and the estoy enamorado and both were a tiny bit sweet for me but still really good!

    A very special bar, from the drinks to the decor. I really like that they are open during the day…read moreand also late at night, with mixed indoor and outdoor seating (though the outdoor seating is a bit worn). Vibes are always good. If you have some time while browsing The Lab during the day, I recommend stopping by for a drink! It's also nice to include in your barhopping itinerary in the evening since there are a number of breweries around too. I've had mixed experiences with the bartenders. Luckily, the gentleman manning the bar during my most recent visit was very friendly. Drinks are always great. I've tried a variety of drinks from the menu here, but my favorites are: -Love in Drunk, a lovely cocktail with cucumber and grapefruit flavors that create a fresh watermelon taste when mixed together -Bee's Knees, short but strong and sweet -London Mule, very herbal thanks to the gin and very refreshing

    Photos
    Ruin Bar - Old fashion. House bourbon. Better than anywhere else.

    Old fashion. House bourbon. Better than anywhere else.

    Ruin Bar - Coconut pineapple peach shots. Phenomenal.

    Coconut pineapple peach shots. Phenomenal.

    Ruin Bar - Outside patio

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    Outside patio

    Verdant

    Verdant

    4.0(33 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    We were going to OCMA so my friend suggested we dine at Verdant which is in the museum, or at least…read moreit used to be. We checked in at the museum front desk and my friend said we were going up to restaurant on the third floor. The person at the desk said they moved it and it was on the first floor now. She pointed over to what I knew to be the snack bar that had been there since opening. We went over and sure enough it was just drinks snacks and a few pre-packaged light meals. I have to guess they just quietly went away.

    I'd like to start out by thanking our server, Christian for being very accommodating and helping us…read moreout on Sunday! I had made a reservation online for 6 people at 12:30pm and my reservation was accepted. When we got to the museum, we were told the restaurant was closing at 12:30pm and I felt very upset. Why was the reservation accepted then? When I got to Verdant, there was no one in sight. The restaurant was empty and there was 1 other party, but no staff. I actually ended up making my way near the kitchen, and that's where I found Christian, who appeared really busy. He explained that they had a wedding later that day and had to close at 1pm for set up. He still sat our party and was very kind, accommodating and helpful. He gave me a great tip and said when making cafe reservations, it's best to call ahead, because they do sometimes have event buy outs. As far as the ambiance, it is a really beautiful space. But, it was SO cold. It seemed like the AC was on full blast. The food was pretty good, but the menu seemed to change since I was there last.

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    Verdant
    Verdant
    Verdant - Setting up...

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    Setting up...

    The Great Room

    The Great Room

    4.3(6 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    The great room is a restaurant within the Weston. It's got a casual but ups ale type vibe. I had…read morebreakfast there and it was on point. I had the classic American breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns and sourdough toast. The servers were attentive without being too present. I always appreciate that. I'd come back tomorrow if I was staying another night.

    Brunch at The Great Room in Costa Mesa was such a classy casual vibe. The ambience feels modern and…read morerelaxed, and we had a lovely view of the fountain outside which made everything feel a little more elevated and serene. We ordered the Lox and Bagel with smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese, pickled red onions, fresh dill, and sun dried roasted tomatoes. The salmon was fresh and silky, and I loved the brightness from the pickled onions and dill. The roasted tomatoes added a nice depth of flavor. I also had the white crab white omelette with spinach and substituted the fruit for hash browns. The omelette was light and fluffy, and the crab added a subtle sweetness. The hash browns were crispy and satisfying. Cappuccinos were great, rich, smooth, and perfectly foamy. Just note they are nine dollars each, which feels a little steep, but they were well made. Service was pretty good overall, attentive and friendly without being overbearing. Overall, a solid four stars. Great atmosphere, quality brunch options, and a polished setting that feels perfect for a relaxed weekend catch up. I would come back for the vibes and the cappuccino.

    Photos
    The Great Room - Fire Table

    Fire Table

    The Great Room
    The Great Room

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    P10NEER

    P10NEER

    4.6(198 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    Takes reservations
    Romantic vibe

    My partner and I came here after dinner on Valentine's Day, and I absolutely loved this little…read morespot. She had told me about it before and really wanted to take me, so I was excited to finally check it out. It's a very small place, so I'd definitely recommend making a reservation online. That worked perfectly for us we were able to get in right away without any wait. Even though it's cozy, it doesn't feel cramped at all. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the drinks were wonderful. The staff really stood out to me. They were attentive, kind, and professional throughout the night. At one point, a patron started to get a bit too tipsy, and the staff handled it with such care and respect while making sure everyone else didn't feel awkward in the situation. It was clear they genuinely care about their guests' experience. Overall, such a great spot and we will definitely come back.

    Tried the speakeasy cocktail lounge inside Dick's Church because we saw it on Resy and honestly, it…read morewas a huge disappointment. The atmosphere could have been cool, but every 5 minutes the bright hallway light blasted through the western-style swinging door and completely ruined the dark speakeasy vibe. The drinks were tiny and overpriced. We ordered two Old Fashioneds and the giant ice cubes took up almost the entire glass. Larger than a normal square ice cube- a little taller. But it seriously felt like they split one drink into two. Barely a shot in each glass, and the cocktails themselves were just so-so. Very syrup-y flavor. Definitely not "bespoke" or unique the was the server was upselling us. Service started good but when he got busy it went downhill. And by busy he got (1) 5 top.....He was excited about explaining the menu but then never once came back to check on us. When we finally flagged him down and asked for the check, he just dropped the handheld payment terminal on the table, walked away, grabbed it when we finished paying, and said absolutely nothing... no "thank you," no "have a great night," nothing. And this was after we still tipped 20%. Definitely not worth the money, service, or atmosphere. We won't be back.

    Photos
    P10NEER
    P10NEER
    P10NEER

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    The Boiling Crab - seafood - Updated May 2026

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