Spotting Soft-Shell Crab Around Chicago
By Melissa McEwen in Food on Jun 4, 2015 8:30PM
Soft-shell crab at Sumi Robata Bar (photo by Melissa McEwen)
Looking for Soft-Shell Crabs in Chicago is more of a sport than an eating endeavor. When I see my favorite restaurant has them, I head over there ASAP because supplies of these prized crabs are limited and their season is short. At Sumi Robata Bar (702 N. Wells St.), Chef Kato told me he likes the Chesapeake Bay crabs best and I'm inclined to agree. They tend to taste a lot sweeter and juicier, but I certainly wouldn't turn down those from the Gulf.
The ones at Sumi are served just how I like it: simply fried with a light batter and just a bit of sweet-sour dipping sauce on the side.
Here are some of our local soft-shell crab picks from around the web. If you don't want to be disappointed though, be sure to call ahead to make sure they are still on the menu: