It`s a long way from Des Plaines to places like New Orleans, New England and the Carolina coast. That`s why those who are lovers of fresh seafood are particularly glad to have Crab & Things right in their own back yard.
”What we have is a lot of fresh seafood,” said Louis Chow, manager and seafood buyer for Crab & Things.
”Our lobsters and crabs are flown in directly from Louisiana and the East and West Coasts-unlike a lot of restaurants, who buy their seafood from local suppliers,” says Chow whose brother Sam is the owner.
The casual atmosphere, imaginative decor, and excellent seafood at reasonable prices have made Crab & Things a tremendous local favorite. On weekends, the sprawling, 6-year-old restaurant draws throngs of seafood aficionados, with a wait for a table often reaching 45 minutes to an hour. That wait is made a little more palatable by the presence of a comfortable lounge, where patrons can order drinks or appetizers.
”We do get a lot of customers on Friday and Saturday evenings,” said Chow. ”That`s why I suggest people come in on a weekday night when they can relax and get a table pretty quickly.”
The decor suggests a nautical theme, but stops short of going overboard. Some nice touches include a huge, 300-gallon seawater tank just inside the entryway. Filled with lobsters and Dungeness crabs, the tank allows customers to select their dinner.
Of course, Crab & Things serves up a lot more than just lobster and crab. Diners also have a choice of shrimp, scallops, steaks, frog legs, chicken and a variety of fresh fish. Many of the selections are offered in an array of preparation styles, including char-grilled, broiled, sauteed, Cajun and even exotic ”Far Eastern.” All dinners are served with garlic bread, potatoes and a 30-item salad bar.
If you`re visiting Crab & Things for the first time, Chow suggests ordering one of the perennial favorites. The farm-raised salmon at $16.95, the whole Maine lobster at $14.95, or the filet mignon and Maine lobster with fettucine alfredo at $22.95.
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Crab & Things, 1249 S. Elmhurst Rd., Des Plaines, is open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Phone 708-437-1595.
