Photos of soft-shell crabs have likely started to infiltrate your social media feeds, as the season is finally upon us.
This time of year, blue crabs start shedding their shells and chefs rush to put "softies" on the menu.
Blue crabs typically live in tidal creeks, rivers and the harbor. Many crabbers place a large male crab in a trap to lure the smaller females inside.
The female crabs are caught at their final molt before they reach the full size of maturity. When the lines on the crab’s flippers turn red, they generally are about two to three days from their final molt.
At that point, they are caught and showered in water to help complete the shedding process. Crabs are then moved to local restaurants and purveyors.
More restaurants will surely add soft-shell crabs to the menu as the season continues. Here are the locations where you can order them right now.
Have a restaurant to add to this list? Email pmilner@postandcourier.com.
167 Raw
193 King St., downtown Charleston
A picture of a soft-shell crab sandwich has surfaced on 167 Raw's Instagram page (@167_raw).
Bon Banh Mi Southeast Asian Kitchen
Locations in downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant
Order soft-shell crabs with banh mis, fried rice, salads, tacos and rice bowls at Bon Banh Mi.
Bistronomy by Nico
64 Spring St., downtown Charleston
At Bistronomy by Nico, executive chef Nico Romo is pairing soft-shell crabs with corn, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers and gnocchi.
Chef de cuisine Rachel Blumenstock of Cru Café plans to serve daily rotating specials throughout the duration of soft-shell crab season.
Co-Hog
Various locations
Charleston pop-up Co-Hog is serving a beer-battered softie on an Annie Mae's milk bun at upcoming events at High Score Brewing and The Garden by Charles Towne Fermentory.
Cru Café
18 Pinckney St., downtown Charleston
Chef de cuisine Rachel Blumenstock of Cru Café plans to serve daily rotating specials throughout the duration of soft-shell crab season. Look for sandwiches, softies over capellini and more. Follow the restaurant's Instagram account (@crucafechs) for updates.
Edmund's Oast Brewing Co.
1505 King St., downtown Charleston
The soft-shell crab “Big Mac” has returned for the seventh straight year at Edmund's Oast Brewing Co.
Kwei Fei
1977 Maybank Highway, James Island
Sichuan eatery Kwei Fei is serving softies with wide noodles on James Island.
Executive chef Derick Wade of King Street's The Darling Oyster Bar is tempura frying his softies, served with white sweet potato puree, asparagus, oyster mushrooms and balsamic brown butter.
Park & Grove
730 Rutledge Ave., downtown Charleston
Located next to Hampton Park, Park & Grove is serving a crispy cornmeal crusted soft-shell crab with a fingerling potato and apple salad.
Pink Bellies
595 King St., downtown Charleston
Chef Thai Phi is offering a crispy soft-shell crab bun mi at his King Street restaurant.
Prohibition
547 King St., downtown Charleston
Prohibition executive chef Greg Garrison is serving tempura fried soft-shell crab wraps with peanut sauce, avocado, radishes and cucumber.
The Darling Oyster Bar
513 King St., downtown Charleston
Executive chef Derick Wade of King Street's The Darling Oyster Bar is tempura frying his softies, served with white sweet potato puree, asparagus, oyster mushrooms and balsamic brown butter.
