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10 Columbia restaurants currently serving soft-shell crabs

Soft-shell crab sandwich | Photo by @spottedsalamander

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Soft-shell crabs

Columbia has a weird obsession with soft-shell crabs. We like ‘em on sandwiches, over grits, in salads – you name it. And it seems like the season lasts of all of two weeks, which makes them *extra special* – and in high demand (so make sure you call ahead to confirm your cravings or else return home crabby).

Here are 10 local restaurants that are serving softies:

  • Terra | 💰 TBA | 🦀 Pan-fried with a parsnip puree, S.C. asparagus, fava bean, + green garlic. Served with a green tomato carpaccio, basil, + sherry mustard butter.
  • Cellar on Greene | 💰$14 for the app, $27 as an entree | 🦀 Fried with Romesco beurre blanc + pickled veggies (as an app) or nestled on top of polenta + sautéed broccolini (as a main course).
  • Hunter-Gatherer Brewery (Main St.) | 💰$24 | 🦀 Pan-seared with a seafood risotto, poached shrimp, crab meat, citrus, asparagus, + mushrooms.
  • Solstice Kitchen | 💰$14 | 🦀 Crispy fried McClellanville softies.
  • Inakaya | 💰$8 | 🦀 Soft-shell crab sushi roll.
  • Lula Drake |💰 $25 | 🦀 Fried with creamed corn, roasted red peppers, + leeks – finished with a sriracha beurre blanc.
  • Motor Supply | 💰$19 | 🦀 Fried tempura-style with local, seasonal ingredients.
  • Mr. Friendly’s | 💰$28 | 🦀 Fried, then topped with a sherry-mustard beurre blanc and a grilled corn-tomato “salad.”
  • Spotted Salamander | 💰$16.50 | 🦀 Nashville hot soft-shell sandwich with b&b pickles, lettuce + mayo – all nestled atop a piece of white bread.
  • Also, look out for a special from The War Mouth. We hear they’re getting a shipment in today + will be offering them soon.

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