If you went to the Stone Crab Festival recently, you are probably wondering where you can purchase and maybe dine on some more stone crabs. Well, don’t worry, there’s more stone crabs to be had than just what you tried at the Stone Crab Festival! In fact, you will have until May 2016 to get your taste of stone crabs if you didn’t go to the Stone Crab Festival, or if you did go yet your craving hasn’t been satiated! This is going to be one of several blog posts that will help you to get your stone crab fix while visiting Naples!
So, why is this first blog post starting with Everglades City as a place to dine on and purchase stone crabs? Yes, stone crab claws are harvested all over Southwest Florida. However, Everglades City is at the heart of the stone crabbing industry. In fact, the stone crabbers here act as the suppliers for major restaurants in Miami and Naples, like Joe’s Crab Shack. Therefore, this is the ultimate place to go if you want to try fresh stone crabs right off the boat, without having to pay the prices you would in either Miami or Naples.
So, what makes dining on and the ability to purchase stone crab claws in Everglades City far more special than in Naples, apart from the fact that this is the self-proclaimed stone crab capitol of the world? What makes purchasing and dining on stone crabs so special here in Everglades City is not only the fact that this is the major catch and source of income for many people here, but the majority of dining and purchasing options for stone crabs are directly linked to the fishing industry here! That’s right-you have the chance to purchase stone crabs, or dine on stone crabs directly off the boat, as sold by the people who make this industry possible.
So, you’re probably wondering now, “I’m ready to get my stone crabs! Where in Everglades City do I go to get them?” There are only five places to choose from: Triad Seafood, City Seafood, Grimm’s Stone Crabs, Ernest Hamilton Stone Crabs or Camilla Street Grill. Depending on how you want to experience stone crabs while in Everglades City will depend on which one you choose. For example, if you want to dine on stone crabs and bring a bushel home to eat later, visit Triad Seafood or Camilla Street Grill. Both places have a restaurants where you can dine on stone crabs, and other local seafood. Furthermore, they have a fish market where you can purchase stone crabs according to size, the bushel and weight. Note that if you purchase stone crab claws to take back to your hotel or vacation rental, you will need to crack them yourself. Triad Seafood does sell the equipment you need to crack them, and City Seafood most likely does too since they do get a lot of visitors and locals purchasing stone crabs from them. Like most restaurants, City Seafood and Triad Seafood will serve the stone crabs to you already cracked, with lime wedges and a dipping sauce.
Ernest Hamilton Stone Crabs and Grimm’s Stone Crabs are strictly seafood markets/commercial fish houses that sell stone crabs, but still, these places are a great option if you just want to get some stone crabs to take back to your hotel room or vacation rental. For more information on Ernest Hamilton Stone Crabs, call them at 239-695-2771. For more information on Grimm’s Stone Crabs, visit their website at http://crabsr.us/.
If you just want to dine on stone crabs and not go through all the trouble of cracking them yourself when you get home, you can either just order some at the restaurants at Triad Seafood or City Seafood, or you could just go to Camilla Street Grill. Camilla Street Grill is located in the heart of wharf in Everglades City, sandwiched between several commercial fish houses. It is the only place in this location that isn’t a commercial fishing facility, however that doesn’t mean the quality of the seafood isn’t there. All of the seafood on their menu is local, freshly caught seafood. One of their most popular items on the menu is stone crabs, which you can purchase as an appetizer or as a main course. Be warned that the price for dining on stone crabs is a little more expensive than at Triad Seafood or City Seafood, however the quality of the stone crabs is just as good. Furthermore, the stone crabs served at Camilla Street Grill are as local as they can get, brought off by boats that literally dock next door.
So, get in that car and drive on down to Everglades City from Naples to get your stone crab fix! Please note that all three of these restaurants are opened seasonally, from October till about May. However, you will still have plenty of time to get in your fix of stone crabs!