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Where to Eat Soft Shell Crab in Houston Restaurants

The season is fleeting, so get involved.

by Eater Staff, Jodie Eisenhardt, and Ellie Sharp
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Pico's Mex Mex
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by Eater Staff, Jodie Eisenhardt, and Ellie Sharp

Due to the variable water conditions that trigger molting cycles, soft shell crabs could be here to stay or gone tomorrow. Regardless a slew of local spots are serving the delicious crustaceans. Quantities are limited and not guaranteed so call ahead to confirm availability and avoid disappointment. Know another spot serving a great soft shell crab dish? Do tell in the comments.

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Table 57

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Chef Malachi Davis created the soft-shell crab po’boy at this restaurant within H-E-B (on San Felipe). He soaks generous-sized crustaceans in buttermilk before dredging them in his signature seasoning that includes BBQ spice, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. A dip in hot oil ensures ultra-crispy crab that is topped with fried onion rings, house-made remoulade, fresh tomato slices, and green-leaf lettuce. It is served with a side of fresh cut onion rings (or fresh fries) and homemade jalapeno hush puppies.

[Photo: Ellie Sharp]

5895 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 978-5860
(713) 978-5860

Pico's Mex Mex

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Take a “swim” over to Arnaldo Richard’s Upper Kirby restaurant for his “al mojo de ajo” style soft-shell crab. Here the crab gets dusted with a proprietary blend of flour and spices before being pan sautéed with garlic-infused olive oil. Also on the plate are a spicy dipping sauce, rice, and cubes of avocado.

[Photo: courtesy Pico's]

3601 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(832) 831-9940
(832) 831-9940

Straits Restaurant

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For a decidedly different angle than the traditional Southern depiction, try this City Centre hotspot offering soft-shell crab “sliders” within fluffy Chinese bao buns. The crispy, seasoned crab is served with a sweet onion Yuzu sauce that offers a bright and savory deviation from expected mayo-based sauces.

[Photo: courtesy Straits]

800 Sorella Court, Suite 940, Houston, TX 77024, Houston, TX 77042
(713) 695-9922
(713) 695-9922

Also featured in:

Prego

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Though Rice Village is far from the sea, Prego is ready to shorten that distance if only temporarily. Here the cornmeal-crusted soft-shell crab is pan-sautéed and then baked to crispy perfection, served with tomato-lemon butter sauce, grilled asparagus, and house made truffled potato stuffed ravioli.

[Photo: Courtesy Prego]

2520 Amherst St, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 529-2420
(713) 529-2420

PESKA Seafood Culture

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With celebrity-chef Omar Pereney at the helm in stylish new Peska, the newest eatery in popular BLVD Place, you know goodness awaits. Look for tacos with battered & fried soft-shell crab nestled against serrano pepper, red onion, avocado, and a citrus soy glaze served on a fresh flour tortilla.

[Photo: Courtesy Peska ]

1700 Post Oak Blvd Ste 190, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 961-9229
(713) 961-9229

Kata Robata

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East meets South in Chef Manabu Horiuchi’s Louisiana Soft Shell Crab Tempura. The golden crab is enhanced by sauce composed of sugar, fish sauce, Thai chili, lime, and mirin — not to mention a sprinkle of Korean BBQ powder. It comes with shishito peppers and bibb lettuce.

[Photo: Courtesy Kata Robata]

3600 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-8858
(713) 526-8858

Also featured in:

Mockingbird Bistro

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Chef John Sheely's Soft Shell Crabs a la Meuniere incorporates the classic flavors of brown butter, chopped parsley, and lemon for a no-fuss-just-good salute to the seasonal favorite.

[Photo: Courtesy Mockingbird Bistro ]

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 533-0200
(713) 533-0200

Brennan's of Houston

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Live crab delivered directly from Louisiana to Chef Danny Trace’s kitchen is the base of several dishes where this regional favorite shines. The Crispy Louisiana Softshell Crab bathes the main attraction in Brennan’s signature Creole seasoning blend before getting an egg wash and breadcrumb treatment. The whole shebang is served atop goat cheese stone ground grits, Covey Rise lima bean succotash, and finished with a charred lemon ravigote sauce.

[Photo: Courtesy Brennan's ]

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
(713) 522-9711

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Table 57

5895 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77057
Chef Malachi Davis created the soft-shell crab po’boy at this restaurant within H-E-B (on San Felipe). He soaks generous-sized crustaceans in buttermilk before dredging them in his signature seasoning that includes BBQ spice, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. A dip in hot oil ensures ultra-crispy crab that is topped with fried onion rings, house-made remoulade, fresh tomato slices, and green-leaf lettuce. It is served with a side of fresh cut onion rings (or fresh fries) and homemade jalapeno hush puppies.

[Photo: Ellie Sharp]

5895 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 978-5860
(713) 978-5860

Pico's Mex Mex

3601 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Take a “swim” over to Arnaldo Richard’s Upper Kirby restaurant for his “al mojo de ajo” style soft-shell crab. Here the crab gets dusted with a proprietary blend of flour and spices before being pan sautéed with garlic-infused olive oil. Also on the plate are a spicy dipping sauce, rice, and cubes of avocado.

[Photo: courtesy Pico's]

3601 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(832) 831-9940
(832) 831-9940

Straits Restaurant

800 Sorella Court, Suite 940, Houston, TX 77024, Houston, TX 77042
For a decidedly different angle than the traditional Southern depiction, try this City Centre hotspot offering soft-shell crab “sliders” within fluffy Chinese bao buns. The crispy, seasoned crab is served with a sweet onion Yuzu sauce that offers a bright and savory deviation from expected mayo-based sauces.

[Photo: courtesy Straits]

800 Sorella Court, Suite 940, Houston, TX 77024, Houston, TX 77042
(713) 695-9922
(713) 695-9922

Prego

2520 Amherst St, Houston, TX 77005
Though Rice Village is far from the sea, Prego is ready to shorten that distance if only temporarily. Here the cornmeal-crusted soft-shell crab is pan-sautéed and then baked to crispy perfection, served with tomato-lemon butter sauce, grilled asparagus, and house made truffled potato stuffed ravioli.

[Photo: Courtesy Prego]

2520 Amherst St, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 529-2420
(713) 529-2420

PESKA Seafood Culture

1700 Post Oak Blvd Ste 190, Houston, TX 77056
With celebrity-chef Omar Pereney at the helm in stylish new Peska, the newest eatery in popular BLVD Place, you know goodness awaits. Look for tacos with battered & fried soft-shell crab nestled against serrano pepper, red onion, avocado, and a citrus soy glaze served on a fresh flour tortilla.

[Photo: Courtesy Peska ]

1700 Post Oak Blvd Ste 190, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 961-9229
(713) 961-9229

Kata Robata

3600 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
East meets South in Chef Manabu Horiuchi’s Louisiana Soft Shell Crab Tempura. The golden crab is enhanced by sauce composed of sugar, fish sauce, Thai chili, lime, and mirin — not to mention a sprinkle of Korean BBQ powder. It comes with shishito peppers and bibb lettuce.

[Photo: Courtesy Kata Robata]

3600 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-8858
(713) 526-8858

Mockingbird Bistro

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019
Chef John Sheely's Soft Shell Crabs a la Meuniere incorporates the classic flavors of brown butter, chopped parsley, and lemon for a no-fuss-just-good salute to the seasonal favorite.

[Photo: Courtesy Mockingbird Bistro ]

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 533-0200
(713) 533-0200

Brennan's of Houston

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
Live crab delivered directly from Louisiana to Chef Danny Trace’s kitchen is the base of several dishes where this regional favorite shines. The Crispy Louisiana Softshell Crab bathes the main attraction in Brennan’s signature Creole seasoning blend before getting an egg wash and breadcrumb treatment. The whole shebang is served atop goat cheese stone ground grits, Covey Rise lima bean succotash, and finished with a charred lemon ravigote sauce.

[Photo: Courtesy Brennan's ]

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
(713) 522-9711

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