Every Northern Californian knows that our region is one of the best places to indulge in some seriously amazing seafood. Seafood restaurants are a dime a dozen around here! Heck, we even wrote about this epic road trip that takes you to the best coastal seafood restaurants awhile back. However, sometimes good seafood is right under your nose and you don’t even know it. This no-frills restaurant in Chico is pretty young, but it’s already famous for serving up some of the best seafood you’ll ever have.
Big Hot Crab is a Cajun style eatery that opened just a few years ago in downtown Chico. You don't have to travel to the coast to taste some of the best crab you'll ever try—it's right here!
The unassuming restaurant still resembles the greasy spoon diner that the building was once home to. The interior may seem quite monotonous, but you're about to find out why this place has gotten to be so popular over just a few years.
You'll quickly realize that Big Hot Crab is unlike any other seafood eatery you've been to before. The tables are covered in paper and utensils are noticeably lacking. The weirdest part? The server will bring out your food in a bag.
That's right. As the server pours the bag onto the table, you'll be in awe at what's splayed out in front of you. You'll have nothing but your hands and a sea-sheller to help you dig into the assortment of seafood covered in a delicious Cajun-style sauce.
The menu lets you "pick your haul". They offer crab leg, Dungeness crab, lobster tail, and crawfish all at market price. They also offer shrimp, clams, and mussels varying between $10-$12 a pound. After you choose your seafood, it will be boiled in Cajun spices and homemade seasonings before being brought to your table.
If you don't feel like getting messy, you can always order one of their "Deep Sea Frys". You can choose between baskets of fried oysters, shrimp, beer battered cod, calamari, and more.
Don't forget to take a picture in your crab bib! You're definitely going to need it, along with plenty of napkins. Don't worry—they provide a large handwashing sink in the dining room for the purpose of cleaning yourself up afterwards.
Big Hot Crab is likely to become one of your new favorite seafood spots in Northern California. They keep it simple, but the seafood truly speaks for itself. The beauty is in the fresh and flavorful quality of the food.
You'll find Big Hot Crab at 701 Main St, Chico, CA 95928. Monday through Thursday they are open 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Friday through Sunday they are open 12:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Have you dined at Big Hot Crab before? This looks like one of the best seafood restaurants in California. Be sure to check out this Seafood Shack On The Coast Of Northern California for more amazing seafood…but with a view to match!
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