Red, White and Maryland BLUE Crabs

Maryland summers are known for two culinary delights: picking crabs and BBQ. During those beautiful summer days when the weather's nice and you just want to spend time in your back yard, say good-by to your steamy, hot kitchen and place an order for steamed crabs.

In Crofton, located in the median strip of Route 3 near Johns Hopkins Road, is . Not only can you purchase your crabs steamed or alive but also pick up a full menu of seafood items, including Chesapeake Bay Crab Soup, Rockfish Chowder, Jumbo Soft Crab, Shrimp Salad and a number of sides perfect for a seafood feast. 

The expected price of crabs at Shoreline Seafood over the fourth of July weekend is $45 for a bushel of females and $139 for a bushel of males. The Jumbo Males are $185 a bushel. Or you can order what they call the “Crab Pot special” that comes with a dozen steamed blue crabs, a pound of snow crab clusters, a pound of Dungeness crab clusters and a quart of Maryland crab soup. Orders can be placed over the phone by calling (410) 721-7767. 

Crabs are also plentiful at Fat Boys located on 1581 Defense Highway. Whether you are taking home or eating at the restaurant the price for a dozen crabs will be $45 for mediums; $65, large; and $185 for large males. If crab picking is not your thing and you would like somebody else to do the work, try their “Colossal Lump” crab cake. Fat Boys describes this monster of a crab cake as being made with “huge lumps of sweet crab meat and our own blend of seasonings. Broiled to a light gold brown and served with any side.” A single 8 ounce Colossal Crab Cake is $15.95 and two 8 ounce Colossal Crab Cakes are $29.95.  

Kaufmann's, located at 329 Gambrills Road, will open at 11 a.m. on the 4th and will be offering a dozen medium crabs for $45; large, $65; jumbo, $85; and “Monsters” for $100.  The price is the same for dinning in or carrying out. “Summer nights are great at Kaufmann's. The new outside patio and deck provide a great, relaxing atmosphere that the entire family can enjoy,” said manager Alicia Higgs. She goes onto to explain that throughout the summer local bands perform on the deck.  

Last year the restaurant, owned by James King, added a new outdoor patio and bar. “You can settle in to their landscaped outdoor patio accented with Tiki torches. This provides a relaxing environment to watch the sunset and listen to local musicians,” explained Pasadena resident, Higgs.   

A Maryland landmark since 1937, Kaufmann's Tavern is not only serving crabs but Black Angus Steaks, Burgers and Prime Rib, and fresh seafood.  Kaufmann's also specializes in homemade soups and desserts.

Kaufmann’s Tavern would also like the public to know that they are showing their gratitude for those in military service. Customers with military ID, can deduct a 10-percent discount from the table’s check.