Famous For Their Crabs

"There’s just something different about the seafood here. Located a short cab ride from Downtown Philly, is DiNardo’s. A non-descript, red brick building with a wooden sign swaying in the breeze points to the front entrance of this establishment. The huge crab on their sign hints that maybe you should try the crab. The Blue Claw crabs are flown in everyday from the Gulf Coast. Unlike their cousins in the Chesapeake, these Gulf Coast crabs are “free swimmers”, which means bigger crabs and more meat.

Let’s look at their raw bar. Clams on the Half Shell are half dozen freshly shucked ice-cold beauties served atop ice accompanied by cocktail sauce and lemon. These clams are sweet with a scent of the sea. These are the best clams on the half shell I have ever had. The cocktail sauce is the best cocktail sauce I’ve ever had, sweet with just the right amount of horseradish. Thumbs up with 5 stars!

Oysters on the Half Shell are five plump, freshly shucked mollusks also served atop ice with cocktail sauce and lemon. These bi-valves have a clean, fresh taste. The cocktail sauce is a perfect compliment to these delicious babies. Thumbs up with 5 stars!

Okay, I know you’ve been waiting for it. Let’s talk crab! The Steamed Crabs come in 4 different sizes – regular, large, jumbo, and extra jumbo. Take into consideration the amount of time it will take you to crack these open. It’s not like eating Dungeness or King Crab legs. DiNardo’s has paper placemats showing the technique on how to crack and get the meat out or ask your server. They are always happy to help. Being from Hawaii, I know how to eat a crab – all of the crab. It's in my blood. The crabs are steamed to perfection with lots of DiNardo’s propriety blend of herb and spices, very reminiscent of Old Bay seasoning, but a little different. The meat is sweet but when the seasoning from your fingers mixes, it takes to a whole other level – salty, spicy, and just down right delicious. Thumbs up with 5 stars!

If you have the craving for seafood, crabs in particular, stop by DiNardo’s. It’s definitely famous for crabs in my book."