Captain Joe's Crab House

This is a very good place to shop for seafood. I have found them to be reasonably priced. We get live crabs there in the summer and they are heavy and usually a very good price. It is in walking distance for me so it is convenient. This is a small store that has recently opened and I really hope that they stay and their prices stay reasonable. It is located right off of Maryln Ave. in Essex and has a small parking lot. They are not normally crowded so the service is very good. more

I used to but steamed crab from here about a year or so ago. They started using rock salt and I am allergic to rock salt. Well about two weeks ago I saw a sign advertising live crabs. I called them up and they had small for $40 for three dozen. This about the average price in Maryland right now. I talk to my mom and we decided to give them a try again. Well we got three dozen and brought them home to steam. I got 38 crabs total. They were all alive and kicking when I put them in the pot. When they were cooked I found them to be full crabs. Not one paper shell. Every crab had yellow fat and were absolutely delicious. The place is clean and a little hot but they are also steaming crabs not just selling the live ones. I am sure that we will be doing business with this crab house for a little while. I like when I ask how the crabs are running to be told the truth and when the woman told me they were running heavy she was right. Can't wait till the weekend when I can get more more