This time of year is Florida Stone Crab Season. The season has generally run from mid-October to mid-May every year. In 2021, the season officially runs from October 15, 2021 to May 1, 2022, a slightly shortened season. The two weeks shaved off at the end of the May is meant to protect the overall stone crab population and to ensure ongoing viability of the industry. As an additional note that shouldn’t impact the consumer, the minimum claw size limit was also slightly increased.
But enough of the industry details, for anyone that hasn’t yet indulged in these great crab claws, I’d highly recommend the effort it may take to try some. In Florida, options are abundant during the season. The brand name for stone crab is, of course, Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach. Be prepared for a wait on popular nights, but it is well worth it. What makes Joe’s special for us is their mustard dipping sauce for the crab claws. Fresh crab claws should be the same everywhere, so a differentiator can be the mustard sauce. When in Miami, we also enjoy Monty’s in Coconut Grove. In Chicago and in Las Vegas, it is Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab.
One final comment, if you aren’t where the stone crabs are, have them shipped. Joe’s in Miami has an entire service built around getting fresh stone stone crab to most places in the U.S. overnight. Enjoy.
