Boston Spotlight: Shaking Crab

Shaking Crab (Boston Common) offers a truly unique and messy dining experience, blending the bold flavors of a Louisiana-style seafood boil with a New England touch.

This location is known for its fun, communal atmosphere where guests are encouraged to dive into their food “bibs up, phones down.”

Unique Concept

What makes Shaking Crab special is its Cajun-Asian-New England fusion twist on the classic seafood boil. Instead of a plate, your selection of shellfish is boiled, then tossed in your chosen sauce and spice level, and served right to your table in a bag.

The philosophy is that food is an experience to be shared, and they provide bibs and gloves to embrace the glorious mess.

History and Founding

Shaking Crab was founded in the spring of 2015 by two co-workers in a downtown Boston office, Kevin and Nick. The idea was born out of a lunch craving for fresh New England seafood combined with the intense, spicy, garlicky flavors of a California-style crab boil, a dish that was not readily available in Boston at the time.

After experimenting with sauces, they opened their first location in Newton, MA, on December 18, 2015. The concept was immediately popular, fulfilling a mutual love for spicy and fragrant foods and quickly leading to expansion across the Greater Boston area.

Menu Highlights

Customers order their fresh seafood by the pound, choose a sauce, select a spice level, and add sides.

Popular Menu Items:

• Seafood: They offer a variety of fresh shellfish, including:
  • Alaskan King Crab
  • Dungeness Crab
  • Whole Maine Lobster
  • Argentinian Shrimp (praised by a founder for being “the best bang for your buck” and easy to peel).
  • Crawfish (when in season)
  • Mussels and Clams
• Signature Sauces: The sauces are a key part of the experience, all featuring melted butter and a lot of garlic. Popular choices include:
  • The Shaking Sauce: A rich blend of butter, garlic, and Cajun spices.
  • Gulf Style (rich and tangy)
  • Korean Sweet Chili Miso
• Must-Try Sides:
  • Garlic Noodles: Stretchy egg noodles sautéed with garlic, butter, and a hint of soy sauce, perfect for dipping into the remaining seafood sauce.
  • Corn on the Cob, Red Potatoes, and Sausage.

Customer Feedback

Shaking Crab maintains a 4.1-star rating and is highly praised for its food quality and atmosphere:

• Atmosphere and Service: It is described as having a casual and energetic communal ambiance, making it a “judgment free zone” where people can “just let go and be one with the food.” It’s noted as a great spot for groups.
• Food Quality: Customers frequently highlight the flavor of the sauces and the freshness of the seafood. One review stated, “The best seafood I had in a long time… the food was phenomenal.” Another satisfied customer noted, “Clean place. Great service and crab is amazing. Hands down by far the best seafood location for me. I go at least once a month.”
• Reservations: Reservations and takeout are available. The restaurant is known to be good for groups and good for children.

Location and Contact Information