Exploring the Tantalizing Menu at May’s Crab House

As a seafood lover living near Frederick, Maryland, I consider myself lucky to have May’s Crab House right in my own backyard. This local staple has been serving up incredible Maryland-style seafood for over 50 years, and their menu has something for everyone. After many delicious meals at May’s, I wanted to share an in-depth look at their menu items and what makes their food so special

An Iconic Maryland Seafood Restaurant

May’s Crab House originally opened its doors in 1967 founded by May Kaouris together with her husband Pete. It started as a small crab shack but soon grew to become a Frederick legend thanks to its consistently amazing food, hospitality, and love for the community. Now run by May’s children the restaurant still embodies her spirit of warmly welcoming every guest.

Over the decades, May’s has stayed true to its roots while expanding the menu. Their 90-item menu celebrates quintessential Maryland seafood along with creative twists. It’s this combination of tradition and innovation that keeps locals and travelers coming back year after year.

Navigating the Varied Menu Sections

The May’s menu is organized into helpful sections that capture all the restaurant’s diverse offerings:

• Crab: Featuring May’s famous crab cakes, crab imperial, and blue crab dishes ranging from fried to steamed. This is a must for Maryland crab lovers.

• Salad: Crisp, fresh salad options including May’s Crab House Salad topped with jumbo lump crab meat.

• Sandwiches: Classics like the Maryland Crab Cake sandwich plus shrimp, oyster, and fish sandwiches.

• Dessert: Save room for decadent desserts like their Smith Island Cake.

• The Steam Room: May’s signature ‘All You Can Eat’ steamed seafood deals.

• Lite Fare: Lighter dishes like crab fluff, crab bisque soup, and crab pretzels.

• Dinner Entrees: Surf and turf, pasta, and chicken entrées join the seafood stars.

• Little Anchor’s Menu: Kid-friendly meals like mac and cheese, chicken tenders, and grilled cheese.

With so many choices divided into clear sections, it’s easy to find whatever you’re craving.

Spotlight on Signature Menu Items

While everything on the menu looks tempting, over the years, I’ve discovered some stand-out dishes that showcase May’s talents:

• Cream of Crab Soup: This classic creamy soup is bursting with sweet crab flavor and just the right hint of sherry.

• Fried Oysters: Plump oysters fried golden with a light crispy breading I love squeezing fresh lemon over.

• Stuffed Shrimp: Jumbo shrimp baked with crab imperial stuffing for a double seafood delight.

• Crab Imperial: Lumps of blue crab baked in a creamy, cheesy imperial sauce, served in the shell.

• Crab Cake Sandwich: An iconic crab cake layered with lettuce and tomato on a toasted brioche bun.

• Smith Island Cake: Moist yellow cake with fudgy chocolate icing, Maryland’s official state dessert.

From appetizers to entrees to dessert, each star shines bright on May’s menu.

Something for Every Palate and Craving

Beyond the classics, May’s menu has expanded over the years to meet a wide range of tastes and dietary needs:

• Vegetarian: Dishes like vegetable primavera pasta, garden salad, and fried green tomatoes cater to vegetarians.

• Gluten-Free: Gluten-free diners can enjoy favorites like jumbo lump crab cakes, shrimp scampi, and grilled salmon.

• Kid Friendly: The Little Anchors menu features crunchy fried shrimp, chicken tenders, mac and cheese and more to please kids.

• Lite Options: Lighter fare like crab fluff, vegetable sides, and she crab soup make it easy to balance a meal.

With menu diversity like this, it’s easy for my whole family to find their perfect meal when dining together at May’s.

Tantalizing Add-Ons from May’s Market

In addition to the regular menu, I love that May’s offers a daily selection of fresh seafood right from their market. You can add sides or full meals featuring the day’s highlights like:

• Seasonal crabs like snow crab legs in the winter.

• Fresh caught fish like rockfish and trout.

• Plump oysters and clams shucked to order.

• Jumbo shrimp, lobster tails, mussels, and scallops.

• Homemade crab cakes, crab balls, and crab imperial.

Watching for these daily specials allows me to try exciting seasonal and local seafood in new ways with each visit.

Save Room for Irresistible Desserts

Even after filling up on amazing Maryland seafood, you can’t leave May’s without trying one of their decadent desserts. Some cannot-miss options include:

• Smith Island Cake: Multiple thin yellow cake layers with chocolate fudge icing, Maryland’s state dessert.

• Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce: Soft bread pudding soaked in a warm whiskey sauce.

• Fruit Crisp: Seasonal mixed fruit baked under a crisp oatmeal topping, served à la mode.

• Cheesecake of the Day: Creamy NY-style cheesecake in rotating flavors like Oreo, white chocolate raspberry, and pumpkin spice.

May’s desserts are the sweet finale that perfectly cap off a great Maryland seafood meal.

Come Feast at This Frederick Gem

Whether you’re local to Frederick or just visiting, do yourself a favor and come feast at May’s. Bring your family, friends, or just your own hearty appetite. One bite of their famous jumbo lump crab cakes or steaming crab legs, and you’ll immediately taste why May’s has stayed in business – and in our hearts – for over 50 years and counting.