Crab prices in Maryland can make your wallet flinch, especially in the middle of summer. The good news is that a few crab shacks across the state still sell a dozen steamed blue crabs for fifty dollars or less, and some go way lower than that.
This list runs from Baltimore County carryouts to a Solomons seafood shop, a historic waterfront market near the Potomac, an Ocean City steamer, and a small-town spot out in Frederick County. Prices change with the season and crab size, so call ahead before you load up the car, then grab the mallets, the paper, and the Old Bay.
1. Captain Jimmy’s Crab House, Sparrows Point, MD
Dollar crabs still exist in Maryland, and North Point Road is one place they have shown up. Captain Jimmy’s has offered $1 crabs, which is the kind of deal that makes a four-dozen order sound perfectly reasonable.
The setup is simple. This is a takeaway crab shop, so there is no table service and no restroom on site.
You order, they steam to order, and you take your haul home or to the nearest picnic table you can find.
Jumbos are on the menu for bigger appetites, along with other seafood and even steaks. The crabs come packed with meat and mustard, and the seasoning is generous enough to leave a lasting mark on your fingers.
Hours run 2 to 8 PM on weekdays, 11 AM to 8 PM Saturday, and 11 AM to 7 PM Sunday. Sunday afternoons and Saturdays get busy, so a Monday or Wednesday afternoon pickup is the calmer play.
Parking is free and usually easy. Call 410-477-0775 to check what sizes are on hand.
2. Vinces Crab House, Middle River, MD
Two dozen small and medium crabs for under fifty dollars is the kind of math that wins people over fast. That is the value Vinces Crab House has delivered, and the crabs come heavy rather than skimpy.
Fresh and steamed-to-order crab is the main event here, with other prepared seafood specialties rounding out the menu. Crabby eggs are one of the extras worth tacking onto an order.
Even the medium crabs tend to be full of meat.
Unlike some carryouts, Vinces has seating, restrooms, high chairs, and a kids’ menu. It works for a quick solo lunch or a family dinner without much fuss.
The shop is open daily, with later hours until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. Those weekend evenings are also the busiest, so a weekday stop is easier.
Reservations are not taken, but delivery and catering are available. Details are on vincescrabhouse.com.
3. Captain Smith’s Seafood, Solomons, MD
Down in Southern Maryland, Solomons sits right where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Captain Smith’s Seafood fits that setting well, working as both a kitchen and a seafood market.
Female crabs have sold here for around $20 a dozen. Oysters have gone for about $10 a dozen, so a full bay feast does not take a huge budget.
The shop sells seafood uncooked or as fried and steamed platters of fish, clams, and oysters. That flexibility helps if one person wants crabs and another would rather grab fresh fish to cook at home.
It opens at 11 AM every day and closes at 6 PM most days, or 7 PM on Friday and Saturday. Friday afternoon is the busy stretch.
Parking is free, and the number is 410-326-1134.
4. Captain White Seafood City, Oxon Hill, MD
The Captain White name traces back to 1805, which makes this one of the oldest stories on the list. Today Seafood City in Oxon Hill is a waterfront market with several vendors selling raw and cooked seafood.
Steamed Maryland blue crabs are a big draw, and both males and females have gone for about $20 a dozen. With multiple stalls, you can browse before you buy.
Weekend shoppers get a head start, since the market opens at 8 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Weekdays run 10 AM to 8 PM.
Weekend afternoons draw crowds, while Tuesday and Wednesday are much quieter.
Restrooms are available, and there are both free and paid parking options. Bring a cooler if you plan to take crabs a longer distance.
5. “The Best” Crabs Seafood Company, Ocean City, MD
Ocean City is not usually where bargain hunters expect to win, which is exactly why this spot stands out. Female crabs have sold for $35 a dozen at “The Best” Crabs Seafood Company on Coastal Highway.
Females are known for sweeter meat, so the deal is a nice fit for anyone who likes that flavor. Shrimp and clams are steamed here too.
This is a no-frills carryout, built for grabbing a bag and heading back to the condo. Delivery is also offered.
Plan around the short schedule. The shop is closed Monday through Thursday, opens 11 AM to 7 PM on Friday and Saturday, and closes at 3 PM on Sunday.
Check thebestcrabsocmd.com before you go.
6. Mr. Bill’s Terrace Inn Crab House, Essex, MD
A dozen and a half mixed crabs with two butters for twenty bucks sounds like an old-timer’s story. At Mr. Bill’s Terrace Inn in Essex, it has been a real deal.
This is a sit-down crab house, so you get table service and a full menu. Fried hard crab, stuffed shrimp, rockfish tacos, and cheesesteak egg rolls are all on it.
The steamed crabs carry a seasoning that sets them apart from other Baltimore County spots.
Games play on the TVs, and live music is part of the mix. Families are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu.
Unlike most places here, Mr. Bill’s takes reservations, which helps on busy Friday and Saturday nights. It is closed Monday and opens in the afternoon the rest of the week.
Visit billsterraceinn.com for details.
7. JB Seafood, Myersville, MD
Crab fans west of Frederick do not have to drive to the bay for a proper feast. JB Seafood on Main Street in Myersville has sold large crabs for $50 a dozen, which lands right on our budget line.
The blue crabs come meaty and well seasoned. The menu also covers crab cakes, sautéed softshell crab, butterfly shrimp, and hushpuppies.
Not everyone at the table may want to pick crabs. Fried oyster and blackened shrimp po boys, burgers, pizzas, soups, and sides like sweet potato fries and pasta salad give them plenty of choices.
The place is quiet and casual, with most meals landing around $10 to $20 per person. It is closed Monday and opens at 11 AM the rest of the week.
Reservations are not taken. Visit jbseafood.com for more.
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