by Franklin on September 29, 2012
Sometimes I hate the beach. I’m sure most of you are gasping and ready to throw rocks at me. All that sand in your shoes — The seagulls in your face, flapping their wings. Flocks of pigeons all hovering over you, waiting to unload a big mess on you. Maybe it’s not the beach I hate so much, but just birds. Who am I kidding? I love the beach! The smell of the fresh sea and air blowing on your face — the sun warming you up, hugging you as you lay on the beach. It’s peaceful. One thing I like about being near the water is the seafood. On my way to The Aquarium of the Pacific, we made a pit stop for lunch at Berth 55 Fish Market. A great idea! Not only was it casual, the fish was fresh and there was plenty to choose from. The area was nice, right near the docks. We were surrounded by boats and water, and I felt relaxed. Eating outside in the warm sun, with a nice breeze was as pleasant as it can be. What was better was the amazing seafood the port had to offer.
The clam chowder was some of the best I had in a while. It wasn’t just cream flavor — I actually tasted the sea. It was quite rich, meaning, it had a lot of cream. Not a bad thing I guess. The clams weren’t plenty, but they were large. The clams inside weren’t chewy — they were perfectly cooked. I really hate chewy clams inside clam chowder. I feel like I’m eating rubber bands or old band aids. The clams in this chowder was legit. I wouldn’t mind having a big bowl of this stuff every time I ordered clam chowder.
Naturally, being so close to the water, we had to order some fish. We ordered the red snapper with a shrimp skewer. Right away, I smelled the plate and I knew it was going to be delicious. The fish was flakey and perfectly cooked. It was great with the side of rice. The shrimp skewer was heavily seasoned and tasty. It was a bit over cooked for my liking, and too dry. I don’t know how that is possible, but it was. Thanks to the many sauces, the dish was saved. It was great eating fresh seafood in front of the Pacific Ocean. Seafood isn’t the same without the view of the water.
Berth 55 Fish Market in Long Beach has some of the best seafood around. Their display of all the seafood you can think of is fresh and is ready for you. The eating area is kind of plain and messy, but functional. It doesn’t matter really because you are eating right next to the water. It’s beautiful. It’s delicious.
by Franklin on May 20, 2011
I feel bad for those who are allergic to shellfish. You can’t eat crab? lobster? shrimp? Wait, is shrimp considered a shellfish? I think so. Anyways, I do feel bad for you, because that stuff is some of the best stuff the ocean has to offer.
I love Boiling Crab — I also love to boil crab. Maybe that’s because I love crab and because seafood is good stuff!
The vibe you get at Boiling Crab (BC) is a Cajun seaport theme serving up seaside fare. For some reason, I feel like someone in a pirate outfit would fit in nicely. It’s very casual, and very messy. They even let you write on the walls. The one in Alhambra has every inch covered with writing. One bad thing about coming to BC is that there is most likely a wait. I remember one time, my family and I had to wait almost 2 hours! For a restaurant that has so many people wanting to eat there, it has to be good.
The food is exceptional. What’s on my table? If I am a little tight with my budget, I usually go for the shrimp and some corn. Maybe throw in some clams in there with some Cajun fries. The fried catfish basket is great too. On days I want to splurge, I splurge. I order the dozen raw oysters and finish it off with some dungeons crab. I tried the craw fish (crayfish), and I realize that I am not a fan of it. It’s pretty much a small lobster that is yields little meat for a lot of work. I’ll stick to my shrimp. All of this seafood won’t be what it is without the sauce — the reason why this seafood is so good is because of the sauce.
Sauce is important in your meal. It is the main flavor element. At BC, you can choose from Cajun spices, garlic butter, or lemon pepper. Most people get the “whole sha-bang” — this is a combination of all three sauces. This place is a fan for those who like spicy food because they can go from really mild, to “XXX” spicy. You can get this seasoning for your fries as well. I tried the most spicy level, and it is really spicy.
You have to be careful because you may regret eating “all that spicy spice” the next morning. You will reek of garlic and spices. Your friends will plug their noses when you talk to them, and vampires will stay away. You will constantly reminded that you ate at Boiling Crab last night. Is that a bad thing? I don’t think so. 🙂
The Beginning
Eating at Boiling Crab is really a great experience. You wait for hours, put on a bib, and make a mess. You get fresh fish and seafood with amazing flavor. It is a seafood lovers paradise and is definitely a go to spot when I need my seafood fix.
The End
