Stone crab season: Where to find meaty claws at the market in Palm Beach County
Fresh Florida stone crab claws are back in stock, on ice at area seafood markets. Bring out the mustard sauce, the lemon slices and maybe a bit of melted butter. You’ll want something sparkling to drink, too. The start of stone crab season, which runs from Oct. 15 through May 1, is something to celebrate with restaurant-quality claws served at home.
Where to find good, fresh claws in Palm Beach County? Here a quick glance at top local markets stocked with crab claws. (Prices quoted are opening prices and could fluctuate during the season.)
Cod & Capers Seafood, North Palm Beach
This family-owned seafood market and café is widely considered to be stone-crab central. You’ll find medium, large, jumbo and colossal claws, at market prices.
On Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., the café celebrates Stone Crab Night. The listed price for a pound of medium claws is $30 ($55 for two pounds). A pound of large claws is $45 ($85 for two pounds). The jumbos and colossal claws are sold by the piece.
Meals are served with coleslaw and mustard sauce. You can add steam vegetables for $3.
Bonus: There’s Caribbean steel drum music on the patio from 5 to 8 p.m.
Cod & Capers: 1201 U.S. Hwy 1, North Palm Beach, 561-622-0963, CodandCapers.com
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Outclaws Seafood, Lake Park
The retail/wholesale seafood market, which moved into new waterfront digs earlier this year, is well known for its selection of stone crab claws. The market makes a mean mustard sauce as well.
Owner Jason Brown says rough weather during the season’s first couple of days delayed some of the catch. But thanks to one local crabber, he was able to stock up fresh claws on Sunday, opening day.
“We were sold out by the end of the day,” says Brown, who was expecting a large haul Tuesday night.
Opening prices at the market, per pound, are $29 for medium claws, $39 for large, $49 for jumbo and $59 for colossal.
Brown, who sources the claws from all over the state, offers outdoor seating for those who wish to enjoy their market purchases by the water.
Outclaws: 640 Northlake Blvd., 561-517-8707, OutclawsSeafood.com
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Captain Clay and Sons Seafood Market, Delray Beach
Owned and operated by commercial fisherman Clay Brand and his sons, this recently relocated seafood market got their first crab-claw haul of the season Monday.
“We’re happy to crack them to perfection for you,” read a post on the market’s Instagram account.
Call the store for daily stone crab prices.
Captain Clay: 1319 N. Federal Hwy, Delray Beach, 561-266-2068, CaptainClaysSeafood.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Stone crab season: Best markets for claws in Palm Beach County
