Finding local Dungeness
Not all of us are ready to catch our own crab like a sport-fishing kayaker, a seasoned commercial fisher or a wily otter. But at last, after stormy weeks and a spate of delays, the sun shines on the docks and, after some price negotiation, Humboldt crabbers are hauling their catches to market. Many of us are fairly desperate to spread newspapers over our tables, slice a loaf of sourdough, melt a pot of butter and finally crack into the first of the season.
Looking for a live one? Sadly, Cap’n Zach’s is no more and while you can still get the Platonic ideal of a crab sandwich at Gill’s by the Bay, its shack won’t be selling the whole crustaceans this season. (If you spot a shack not listed here, hit us up so we can add to the roster — it’s for the public good.) The docks are a good place to start. Take a slow, if slightly suspicious drive by the Woodley Island Marina and you’ll likely see signs for boats selling their catch.
If you’re up for cooked, our locally owned markets typically carry Humboldt Dungeness, but neither Eureka Natural Foods location had it by press time. The Arcata North Coast Co-op was optimistic about selling cooked Humboldt crab in the next couple weeks but the Eureka branch couldn’t say just yet. Here are some spots to pick some up right now.
Jenna Lee’s Seafood (601 Startare Drive, Dock B, Eureka) This locally owned operation is pulling live pinchers out of the tanks every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until sold out.
Ashley’s Seafood will be at the Arcata Farmers Market on Saturdays starting at 9 a.m. with both cooked and live crab. Play your cards right and you can get your bread, butter and salad fixings in one trip.
Coastal Catch is posting up at the Arcata Farmers Market as well. Coming from Shelter Cove, the crew will have cooked crab Saturday, provided the water and weather cooperate on the day before. Check @coastalcatch707 on Instagram for updates.
Crab E Tom’s (1815 Main St., Fortuna) You may recall the crab shack from years past. Barring weather and rough seas, the stand will have live and cooked whole crab, but call (707) 725-6558 to check availability.
Murphy’s Market Trinidad (1 Main St., Trinidad) The local grocer has announced its closest location to the boats is the first to stock the local catch, but cooked crab will be on ice at the rest of its stores as soon as possible. Whether you’re heading for Trinidad or hitting the Murphy’s in your neighborhood, call ahead, as they can go fast.
Jennifer Fumiko Cahill (she/her) is the managing editor at the Journal. Reach her at (707) 442-1400 ext. 106 or jennifer@northcoastjournal.com. Follow her on Bluesky and Instagram @JFumikoCahill.
This article appears in Needles and Ink.