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    Cracked Crab

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    1,170 reviews
    #3 of 71 Restaurants in Pismo Beach
    $$ - $$$, American, Seafood, Grill
    751 Price St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449-2529
    +1 805-773-2722
    Website
    Menu
    Open Now:11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
    All photos (221)
    All photos (221)
    Certificate of Excellence

    Ratings and reviews

    4.5 1,170 reviews
    #3 of 71 Restaurants in Pismo Beach, California
    Certificate of Excellence2015 - 2018 Winner
    RATINGS
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere

    Location and contact

    751 Price St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449-2529
    Website
    Email
    +1 805-773-2722

    Menu

    APPETIZERS
    $16.0
    Crab Cocktail
    Fresh Dungeness Crab meat from Washington served with tequila cocktail sauce, lime, roasted corn and fresh avocado.
    $16.0
    Shrimp Cocktail
    Mexican style cocktail with Florida rock shrimp, spicy tequila cocktail sauce, red onion, fresh cilantro, fresh avocado, and corn tortilla chips.
    $16.0
    Blue Crab Cakes
    More crab, less filling. Jumbo lump Blue Crab cakes served over rich seasoned sherry-cream sauce.
    $14.0
    Alaskan King Crab Tails
    AA Dutch Harbor Alaska delicacy, tempura battered to a golden brown, accompanied with sweet and sour red chili dipping sauce.
    $14.0
    Crab Stuffed Poblano Chile
    A generous amount of jumbo lump Blue Crab meat and Monterey Jack cheese. Served with fresh salsa and warm corn tortillas.
    $16.0
    Local Abalone
    Sautéed with lemon beere blanc sauce, served on the shell.
    $12.0
    Calamari
    Thick strips of steak, tempura battered, served with sweet and sour Thai chili dipping sauce.
    $15.0
    Steamed Clams
    In a special seasoned white wine cream sauce made to order. Served with sourdough rolls for dipping.
    $13.0
    Steamed Mussels
    In a special seasoned white wine cream sauce made to order. Served with sourdough rolls for dipping.
    $15.0
    Oysters On The 1/2 Shell
    Fresh cold-water crisp oysters served with spicy horseradish cocktail sauce.
    SOUPS & SALADS
    Cup $6.0
    Bowl $9.0
    Clam Chowder
    New England style; cream, clams, potatoes, and seasonings. Served with local baked sourdough rolls.
    Cup $7.0
    Bowl $11.0
    Crab Bisque
    Rich and creamy sherry and crab puree, with a hint of cayenne.
    Cup $7.0
    Bowl $11.0
    Seafood Gumbo
    A spicy crab stock and tomato based soup with gumbo filet, okra, a variety of seafood, Cajun sausage, peppers, celery, onions and other flavors. Served around basmati rice.
    $8.0
    House Salad
    Fresh mixed greens, cucumbers, carrot curls, local tomato, olives and croutons, topped with fresh Blue Crab meat. We suggest our house balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
    Cup $12.0
    Bowl $15.0
    Clam Chowder and Salad
    Cup $14.0
    Bowl $17.0
    Crab Bisque and Salad
    Cup $14.0
    Bowl $17.0
    Seafood Gumbo and Salad
    $12.0
    Salad with Chicken $15.0
    Spinach and Arugula Salad
    Shaved red onion, toasted pine nuts, blue cheese crumbles, and dried cranberries, tossed with a white balsamic vinaigrette.
    $20.0
    Crab Louis
    A legendary San Francisco salad topped with an original Crab Louis dressing, with egg, olives, fresh tomato and finished with fresh Dungeness Crab from Washington.
    $12.0
    Fuji Apple Salad
    Refreshing, crisp chopped Romaine hearts, diced Fuji apple, spiced pecans and blue cheese crumbles tossed with our house balsamic vinaigrette.
    SANDWICHES, TACOS & MORE
    $12.0
    One Fish Taco With Fresh-cut Fries $9.0
    Fish Tacos, San Felipe Style (2)
    Alaskan Halibut, batter-dipped and deep-fried on corn tortillas with Napa cabbage, onions, tomato and special tomatillo mayonnaise. Served with fresh-cut fries.
    $14.0
    Shrimp Po' Boy Sandwich
    Florida Rock Shrimp, served on a grilled French roll with Napa cabbage, pickles, tomato, cheddar cheese, cocktail sauce, and tomatillo mayonnaise. The way I had it in New Orleans. Served with fresh-cut fries.
    $14.0
    King Crab Po' Boy
    Alaskan King crab tail, tempura battered and deep fried. Served on a grilled French roll with Napa cabbage, pickles, tomato, cheddar cheese, cocktail sauce, and tomatillo mayonnaise. Served with fresh-cut fries.
    $18.0
    Crab Melt
    Served hot and opened faced; grilled French bread slices topped with tomato, seasoned jumbo lump crab and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Served with fresh-cut fries.
    $16.0
    Soft Shell Crab Sandwich
    A jumbo soft shell crab, panko-style fried. Served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, three mustard mayonnaise and fresh-cut fries. Experiment at your own risk.
    $19.0
    Crab Roll
    New England lobster roll style, with West Coast crab! Fresh Dungeness crabmeat from Washington with a touch of Louis dressing served on a grilled split top bun with crisp iceberg lettuce and sliced tomato. Served with fresh cut fries.
    $12.0
    Chicken Sandwich
    Spiced dry rubbed and char broiled with sliced red onion, tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise on a grilled French roll. Served with fresh cut fries.
    $11.0
    Cheeseburger in Pismo
    O.K., so you don't eat fish. Double burger, 1/2 pound of in house formed patties, double cheese served with mayo, lettuce, tomato, crisp dill pickle chips and fresh-cut fries. Served on a fresh baked brioche bun.
    $6.0
    Single Cheeseburger with Fries
    THE HOUSE SPECIALTY
    THE HOUSE SPECIALTY -BIG BUCKET FOR TWO
    $79. Create your own bucket! your choice of three items listed below. Your shellfish choices are steamed with spicy Cajun sausage, red skin potatoes and corn cobetts. Casually served; dumped on your table! Accompanied with drawn butter, homemade cocktail sauce, homemade triple mustard sauce, warm sourdough rolls, and tools for pickin' and crackin'. Please select three items. Additional charges apply to listed premium items.
    $16.0
    Alaskan Red King Crab
    $10.0
    Slipper Lobster
    Wild Gulf Shrimp
    $14.0
    Live Whole Dungeness Crab from Washington
    Dungeness Crab from Alaska
    Clams
    Mussels
    Opilio (Snow) Crab
    $6.0
    Alaskan Bairdi Crab
    THE HOUSE SPECIALTY -SINGLE BUCKET (FOR ONE PERSON)
    $57. Please select two items. Additional charges apply to premium items.
    $16.0
    Alaskan Red King Crab
    $6.0
    Alaskan Bairdi Crab
    $14.0
    Live Whole Dungeness Crab from Washington
    $10.0
    Slipper Lobster
    Wild Gulf Shrimp
    Mussels
    Dungeness Crab from Alaska
    Opilio (Snow) Crab
    Clams
    THE HOUSE SPECIALTY -EXTRA PORTION OF ANY ONE ITEM
    $24.0
    Dungeness Crab from Alaska
    $24.0
    Opilio (snow) Crab
    $30.0
    Alaskan Bairdi Crab
    $38.0
    Live Whole Dungeness Crab from Washington
    $24.0
    Wild Gulf Shrimp
    $24.0
    Mussels
    $24.0
    Clams
    $34.0
    Slipper Lobster
    ONE-POUND (OR MORE) CRAB DINNERS
    All crab dinners are served with seasonal vegetables, imported basmati rice and warm sourdough rolls. All crab dinners may be ordered bathed in garlic.
    $45.0
    Alaskan Bairdi Crab
    $52.0
    Alaskan Red King Crab
    $38.0
    Alaskan Dungeness Crab from Alaska
    $48.0
    Live Whole Dungeness Crab From Washington
    $36.0
    Opilio (Snow) Crab
    $50.0
    Whole Jumbo Alaskan Red King Crab
    Price per pound, ranging in size. A great family experience! Please ask your server for details. Served with spicy Cajun sausage, red skin potatoes and corn cobetts, and all the sauces for dipping and tools for pickin'.
    FRESH FISH AND OTHER ENTREES
    $16.0
    Fish and Chips
    Alaskan Halibut tempura beer battered, deep fried to a golden brown and served with house made tartar sauce, coleslaw and fresh-cut fries.
    $25.0
    Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi
    Pan roasted medium rare, topped with papaya slaw, served with basmati rice and grilled broccolini.
    $27.0
    Blackened Day Boat Scallops
    Blackened and pan seared topped with grilled pineapple salsa. Served with soft, creamy polenta and sauteed spinach.
    $28.0
    Fresh Local Swordfish
    Marinated and char-grilled medium rare, topped with chimichurri, served with basmati rice and grilled local asparagus.
    $19.0
    Seafood Enchiladas
    Slipper lobster and sweet Oregon pink shrimp with roasted Poblano peppers rolled in white corn tortillas. Topped with Chipotle cream sauce and Monterey Jack cheese. Served with Spanish rice and fresh Pico de Gallo.
    $26.0
    Seafood Pasta
    Florida rock shrimp and julienne king crab sauteed with crimini mushrooms, and broccolini in a white wine, opal basil pesto cream sauce over penne pasta.
    $24.0
    Half Roasted Chicken Dinner
    Mary's Free Range Organic chicken served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, grilled broccolini and a crimini mushroom pan gravy.
    $38.0
    Filet Mignon
    Half pound of in house cut tenderloin, char-broiled to your liking. Topped with a blackberry cabernet demi-glace, served with roasted garlic yukon gold mashed potatoes and grilled broccolini.
    $48.0
    Maine Lobster Tail
    Sweet Maine lobster tail steamed then brushed with garlic-lemon butter and finished on the char-broiler. Served with imported basmati rice and fresh, steamed local vegetables.
    BEST OF BOTH
    $60.0
    Filet Mignon and Bairdi Crab
    Half pound house cut Filet Mignon topped with blackberry cabernet demi-glace, 3/4 pound Alaskan Bairdi crab, grilled broccolini and roasted garlic yukon gold mashed potatoes.
    $69.0
    Filet Mignon and Alaskan Red King Crab
    Half pound house cut Filet Mignon topped with blackberry cabernet demi-glace, 3/4 pound of Alaskan Red King Crab, grilled broccolini and roasted garlic yukon gold mashed potatoes.
    $68.0
    Filet Mignon and Maine Lobster Tail
    Half pound house cut Filet Mignon topped with blackberry cabernet demi-glace, 10 oz Maine lobster tail, grilled broccolini and roasted garlic yukon gold mashed potatoes.
    Show full menu

    Details

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    About
    Our Mission To provide excellent food and service to all of our guest in a clean, comfortable, casual AND FUN atmosphere. Serving the finest seafood available, in a most casual style.™ The Details of Our Philosophy Although we serve fine food in a nice atmosphere, please dress casual should you choose us for lunch or dinner. Our concept is largely based on dumping a bucket of various shellfish on your table with a mallet, crab crackers, and other tools to get the job done. It can get messy, but hey, we clean it up! We feature "in season" product, printing our menu daily based on what's available. We serve several local fresh fish daily, and use local farmers for fresh in season produce all year…
    PRICE RANGE
    $40
    Special Diets
    Gluten Free Options
    Meals
    Lunch, Dinner
    CUISINES
    American, Seafood, Grill
    FEATURES
    Free Wifi, Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards
    Reviews (1,170)
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    Show reviews that mention
    All reviews crab seafood potatoes slipper lobster corn on the cob sourdough roll key lime pie bisque prawns house salad fries rice bread burger casual atmosphere visit pismo worth the wait
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    1 - 10 of 1,081 reviews
    Reviewed 5 days ago via mobile
    Crab cocktail

    Fresh food, friendly and happy atmosphere. Crab cocktail was a hit and crab bisque was tasty. I recommend bringing friends and cracking crab together.

    Date of visit: February 2019
    Thank deeyates
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
    We loved everything!

    We just got back from a fun, amazing, and flavorful dinner at the Cracked Crab. Aaron was our main waiter and Michelle took over after he went on dinner break. Aaron was great with recommending his favorites and we took some of his advice. We...More

    Date of visit: January 2019
    Thank 681lauriea
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile
    Great vibe

    Good fish tacos, real fresh cut fries, salad was good for the non-fish eater, and key lime pie was from scratch. A good place to enjoy a well-made but casual meal without a loud noise level.

    Date of visit: January 2019
    Thank SheilaCothern
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile
    Clam chowder

    This charming comfortable crab shack is family friendly and couple cozy , loved the chowder so much I took a to go order all the way to La Jolla ! Perfect sourdough rolls , crab , corn & potatoes poured onto your paper covered table...More

    Date of visit: January 2019
    Thank OjaiBreezy1
    Reviewed January 9, 2019
    Another Great Meal

    We returned, this time with family and yet again a great meal and service. Thank you for making memories.

    Date of visit: January 2019
    Thank HARRY C
    Reviewed December 29, 2018
    Great Seafood

    Nice casual restarurant with wonderful fresh seafood. It seems to be a little expensive but most seafood restaurants in California seem to be that way. Don't let the price chase you out of a wonderful meal. The seared sea scallops came with fried pork belly...More

    Date of visit: December 2018
    Thank JimH85641
    Reviewed December 18, 2018
    Too Pricey

    Honestly, I don't care that the owner was on the show from Alaska, that does not justify close to $50 per person. I won't eat there again because the price is JUST TOO HIGH. I will go to the Flagship if I want Crab, or...More

    Date of visit: August 2018
    Thank Susan H
    Reviewed December 15, 2018
    Overall good experience

    I have been to the Cracked Crab at least 5 times. My wife loves seafood but I'm not really into it. I decided to have the bucket special and LOVED IT. WE WILL BE BACK

    Date of visit: December 2018
    Thank Drake B
    Reviewed December 11, 2018
    lunch

    Love the calamari strips, wife had crab sandwich good but could have been more crab. We would have lunch here again.

    Date of visit: December 2018
    Thank Albert K
    Reviewed November 19, 2018
    Still the best place to eat in Pismo!

    We haven't visited for awhile and were definitely not disappointed! Still amazing and delicious! A visit to Pismo is not complete without a meal at the Cracked Crab.

    Date of visit: November 2018
    Thank k7333
    View more reviews
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    Questions & Answers
    Ask a question
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    Mel_Paris
    December 27, 2016|
    AnswerShow all 7 answers
    Response from Bitnick1 | Reviewed this property |
    We JUST ate there the day before yesterday, and yes, they did hand us a beer/wine list. You can also go to their website and email them and they will respond directly to you. This is a family-run business and they are very... More
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    Pinot09
    July 29, 2016|
    AnswerShow all 7 answers
    Response from drosen85 | Reviewed this property |
    On a holiday weekend last year we had a 2 hour wait. But last weekend (on a Friday) we had virtually no wait at all coming in at 6:30 or so. We were surprised, but very happy based on our prior experiences and expectations.
    1
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    lauragans
    June 10, 2016|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from Peggy S | Reviewed this property |
    You can see their entire menue online. Some things are pricey, like the clam bake, but other things are within average. It's one of my favorite places to eat. It's really a special place.
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