San Francisco’s 2024 Dungeness crab season is in full swing. Head down to Fisherman’s Wharf to get yours fresh.
Dungeness crab is a delicious crustacean found in the Pacific Ocean that is a favorite for many seafood lovers With its sweet, succulent meat and ease of cracking and eating, it’s no wonder why Dungeness crab is so popular But where can you buy high-quality, fresh dungeness crab? Here are some of the best places to purchase fresh dungeness crab meat and whole crabs.
Fish Markets
One of the best places to buy fresh dungeness crab is from a local fish market, especially those located in coastal areas where the crabs are caught and brought in daily. The crab you find at a fish market is likely to have been caught very recently, ensuring you get the freshest crab possible
Head to places like Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle or Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco to find freshly caught dungeness crab Many fish markets even have tanks where you can pick out a live crab to have them prepare for you This guarantees the crab you take home is as fresh as can be, The knowledgeable fishmongers at these seafood specialty stores can also give you great tips for preparing and cooking your dungeness crab purchase,
Local Grocery Stores
Well-stocked local grocery stores, especially those in coastal regions, are another good option for buying fresh dungeness crab. Stores like Metropolitan Market in Seattle or Mollie Stone’s Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area often carry fresh live or cooked dungeness crab from local fishermen.
Check the seafood counter at your grocery store of choice to see if they have whole cooked dungeness crabs or dungeness crab meat available. The seafood staff can tell you when they get shipments in and the best times to shop for the freshest crab. Grocery stores are convenient options for grabbing high-quality dungeness crab to take home and prepare yourself.
Online Seafood Retailers
For those not located near the coasts, ordering dungeness crab online from seafood retailers is a great option. Companies like Seattle Fish Co., Fulton Fish Market, and Citarella ship fresh seafood nationwide, getting dungeness from the Pacific Coast to your door.
Online retailers allow you to order cooked dungeness crab, raw crab meat, or even live crabs for delivery on ice to locations across the country. Check each company’s website for their dungeness crab offerings and current availability. Ordering online is the easiest way to enjoy fresh dungeness crab no matter where you live.
Direct fromFishermen
Purchasing dungeness crab directly from local fishermen is another excellent way to get your hands on freshly caught crab. Many small fishing boats and crabbers sell their catch straight from the dock.
Places like Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco have trucks where fishermen unload their hauls of dungeness crab. Buying it straight off their boats means you are getting crab as fresh as possible. Crabbing communities up and down the West Coast from California to Alaska offer opportunities to buy crab direct from the source.
Seafood Restaurants
Finally, high quality seafood restaurants are a good place to order prepared dungeness crab dishes or buy cooked whole crabs to take home. Crab shacks and seafood spots located in coastal areas like Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland often serve local dungeness crab.
Call ahead to see if they have fresh dungeness crab available and if they will sell you whole cooked crabs to take home. Many seafood restaurants are happy to prepare your crab for takeout or cracking and packing the meat for you to take home to enjoy. Going through a restaurant ensures you get expertly cooked and prepared dungeness crab.
So for those looking for the freshest and best tasting dungeness crab, look no further than your local fish market, grocery store, online retailer, direct from fishermen, or quality seafood restaurant. With so many options available, you’re sure to find delicious, high-quality dungeness crab to enjoy. Happy crab eating!
What do I need to bring?
Remember that these are live animals. You’ll probably get your crabs in a plastic bag with a tie around it. You’ll need to make sure you can keep them cold so they stay fresh and don’t get too active on the way to your final destination. That means you’ll likely need ice and a cooler or some other insulated, closed container. A couple of towels to clean up any excess water is also a smart move.
What days and times are fresh crabs available off the boat?
Per the port website, fishers will sell their catches on both weekends and weekdays. But if you want to be sure there’s someone around before you plan your trip, you’ll want to check the San Francisco Off the Boat Sales Facebook page, where a handful of local vessels share updates about their schedules.
Some of the fishers who sell directly off the boat at Fisherman’s Wharf also use their own social media channels to share updates. Instagram account @seafoodfromtheboat.sf has information about a few of the boats that dock regularly at Fisherman’s Wharf, so that’s a pretty safe bet when it comes to accurate updates.
In general, however, your best bet will be to plan on picking up your crabs on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday mornings. Commercial fisherman Matthew Juanes of the Plumeria tells Eater SF that most boats sell from sunup to sundown and that customers should try to get there as early as possible to ensure that there are still crabs available.
If you get there early, you may also be able to avoid the crowds of tourists that often come later in the day.
Buy Dungeness Crab online – (877) 552-GIOS Giovanni’s Fish Market Online
Where can I buy fresh Dungeness crab?
Pure Foods Fish Market offers a variety of fresh and smoked seafood products shipped directly to your door. Buy fresh dungeness crab today!
When is Dungeness crab season?
Dungeness crab season typically runs from **December to April**, although exact dates can vary from year to year.The season depends on the maturity of the crabs, as well as weather and water conditions.
Where do Dungeness crabs live?
Dungeness crab live in seafloor areas with sandy and muddy bottoms or in eelgrass beds, according to California Sea Grant. They live from the intertidal zone to depths of 750 feet but are most abundant at depths above 295 feet. They can live for up to 13 years, but males are often caught at around 4 years old.
Are Dungeness crabs pre cooked?
Our Whole Dungeness Crabs are expertly pre-cooked and ready to be steamed to perfection, whether you prefer them hot or chilled. Enjoy with our signature cocktail sauce or melted butter for an unforgettable dining experience. Order Dungeness Crab from Pure Food Fish Market now!