Eating Out: Crab House

Today I played tourist in San Francisco by visiting the Fisherman’s Wharf. I haven’t been to actual Pier 39 in years. We were going whale watching but I was most excited about eating. I usually just get a sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder from the outside stalls, but this time I wanted a sit down spot (and one that validates parking!).

It was a toss-up between Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co. and the Crab House, and we ended up at Crab House. I haven’t been to either.

There was a short wait for a table and I requested one right next to the window overlooking the pier, near the sea lions. I loved the crabs that decorated the perimeter of the restaurant, each crab possessing a fun and unique costume...I'm talking taxi crabs, technologicrabs, you get the picture. 

To be different than the normal clam chowder, we ordered crab chowder ($6.95 cup, $9.95 bowl). It had chunks of vegetables but not too much crab in my opinion. The soup was also watery. I used most of my complimentary mini-baguette to soak up the liquids.  I also packed the extra baguette in my purse. 

We also ordered garlic bread with mozzarella ($6.95), garlic noodles ($9.95), and a child’s macaroni and cheese ($6.95). The garlic bread was only 4 pieces of bread (2 slices of baguette cut in half!) with cheese on top. The cheese was rubbery and didn’t taste too much garlic. Plus it was a rip-off. On the other hand, the garlic noodles had tons of flavor. I have a thing for garlic noodles.  Slurppppp.

I also have a thing for macaroni and cheese. What’s interesting is that their mac ‘n cheese doesn’t use macaroni, but fettuccine noodles. Shouldn't you call it fettuccine and cheese?  The sauce was cheesy and thick, but pairing it with those long flat noodles doesn’t feel right to eat it like that.  I have standards.

The best part of my meal was the pineapple mojito ($9.00). Probably one of the best I’ve ever had! I had to get two of them.  I probably would have ordered two even if they were horrible. 

I don’t think I’ll go back to the Crab House again for food. I can cross it off my list. If the crab chowder isn’t to die for then I should be eating my crab somewhere else. But for a mojito…..I might reconsider….