You’ll spot a crab cake, be it a sandwich, slider, salad topping, or entrée, on almost every menu in Delaware. You’ll find them prepared with classic French techniques or patted together with crushed Saltines. They’re served on a plate with a swirl of sauce or slipped on a bun. The variety invites discussion. “Everyone has a different opinion as to where to find the best crab cake,” says David Leo Banks, owner of Banks Seafood Kitchen & Raw Bar on the Wilmington Riverfront. Here are a few versions to try, from the affordable and old faithful versions to fancier takes. (Note: Prices can change based on the market or menu changes.)
Tried, true and old school crab cakes
Banks began making crab cakes en masse as a young cook at the iconic Rusty Rudder, where they’ve been a specialty for more than 40 years. Today, the broiled crab cake is served as a sandwich on a Brioche bun with Delaware Bay Tartar sauce ($22). The Maryland-style entrée is served with two sides for $24.
113 Dickinson Street, Dewey Beach | 227-3888
At Banks Seafood Kitchen & Raw Bar, Banks serves up crab cakes on salads, as an entree, and as part of a surf and turf plate with filet mignon, preserved lemon emulsion, watermelon radish and mirliton ribbons, pistachios, and horseradish crema ($52). The entree version is served with fried shiitake mushrooms, snow pea shoot-ponzu, lemon emulsion, and organic cress ($45). The salad includes mixed greens, tomatoes, olives, crispy potato sticks, and a creamy garlic and herb dressing ($25).
101 South Market Street, Wilmington | 777-1500
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Several of the beach-area’s SoDel Concepts’ restaurants serve crab cakes with a dash of nostalgia. At Catch 54 Fish House in Fenwick Island, for instance, the “Big Fat Crab Cake” is served as an entree or an add-on at market price. The sandwich at Matt’s Fish Camp in Lewes is served on a potato bun with lettuce, tomato, and cocktail sauce ($21).
Visit sodelconcepts.com for information on each restaurant.
At Harry’s Savoy Grill, dinner guests enjoy broiled lump crab cakes with apple and fennel slaw, bacon, sweet potato, and brown butter ($48.95). Or, add one to any entree or salad for $25.
2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington | 475-3000
In Newark, the Bistro at the Courtyard Marriott at University of Delaware serves a crab cake entree during dinner hours from 5-10 p.m. The dish is a longtime favorite for many locals.
400 David Hollowell Drive, Newark | 737-0900
The award-winning crab cakes at Woody’s Dewey Beach Bar & Grill are a must-try thanks to both the size and the quality. The plump orbs are all jumbo lump, and the recipe is straight from Maryland. Get it as an entree, a sandwich, or opt for the sliders (market price).
1904 Highway One, Dewey Beach, 260-9945
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Finishing touches
Chili remoulade turns up the heat at Salt Air, which serves its crab cakes with an English cucumber and heirloom tomato salad ($32).
50 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth | 227-3744
Pan-seared crab cakes are a house special at Valle Cucina in Wilmington (market price). The house-made roasted garlic aioli takes the flavor to the next level.
4752 Limestone Road, Wilmington
Skipjack serves crab cakes with wild rice pilaf, horseradish romesco, vegetable slaw, and a lobster aioli ($20/$38). The medley packs a flavorful punch.
401 Louviers Drive, Newark | 456-1800
Cheddar and bell pepper hush puppies accompany the crab cakes at Krazy Kat’s ($33/$45). If you prefer it as a sandwich, you’ll find one topped with lettuce, tomato, and Old Bay tartar sauce.
528 Montchanin Road, Montchanin, 888-4200
As befits a brewpub, White Iron Wit beer gives Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant’s remoulade a punch. The crab cake sandwich is also topped with lettuce and tomato and is served with a side of fries ($19.99).
147 E. Main Street, Newark | 266-9000
620 Justison Street, Wilmington | 472-2739
At all three Bethany Blues locations, a sriracha remoulade brings a little heat and a whole lot of flavor to the jumbo lump crab cakes, which are served broiled or fried ($36/$37).
18385 Coastal Hwy, Lewes | 644-2500
6 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bethany Beach | 537-1500
Downtown Blues | 8 N. 1st Street, Rehoboth Beach | 900-2227
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Bargains on a bun—or plate
The Charcoal Pit found fame for its burgers, but the crab cake sandwich is a close second. Made with backfin crabmeat, it became so popular that it moved from the list of specials to the permanent menu. The sandwich is just $15.25.
2600 Concord Pike, Wilmington | 478-2165
Big Fish Grill restaurants let patrons jazz up an entrée salad with a crab cake ($12.95 extra). The broiled baby seafood cake appetizer is made with crab, shrimp, and scallop and served with a light lobster sauce ($13.95).
Visit bigfishgrill.com for each site’s menu.
Have it your way—or many ways
Trolley Square Oyster House is part of the Big Fish family. There you can get broiled crab cakes with fries and an Old Bay remoulade ($32), or a sandwich with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce on a potato bun with Cajun coleslaw ($20). You can also add it to any salad for an additional $18.
1707 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington | 384-7310
Visit Harpoon Hanna’s, where the crab cake ($26.99) comes with tartar sauce and a side. Or, add one to any salad for $19.99, or enjoy it with an 8 oz filet at market price. If you prefer it in a sandwich, there’s one on the menu for $21.99. Or opt for the crab cake egg rolls served with zesty orange and boom boom sauce ($19.99).
39064 Harpoon Road, Fenwick Island | 539-3095
At Blue Crab Grill in Newark, the lump crab cakes are made with back-fin meat and served with two sides ($21/$32). Upon request, a gluten-free version is also available.
322 Suburban Drive, Newark | 737-1100
In Selbyville, the Crabcake Factory Bayside sells just about every combo imaginable. The combos on the menu offer a crab cake along with two sides and another meat option including a half chicken, beef sirloin medallions, or slow smoked brisket.
37314 Lighthouse Road, Selbyville, 988-5000
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Buckley’s Tavern serves crab cakes several ways to appeal to contemporary diners and traditionalists alike. The sandwich ($25) includes a Kaiser roll with cocktail or tartar sauce. The entrée ($40) features broiled crab cakes with champagne-mustard sauce, vegetables and saffron risotto. On the appetizer menu, mini crab cakes are served on brioche slider buns and topped with honey mustard ($18). There’s also an option to add a crab cake to any steak entree or salad for $16.
5812 Kennett Pike, Wilmington | 656-9776
In Wilmington, Feby’s Fishery offers Maryland-style crab cakes at market price made with jumbo lump and backfin. The traditionally made patties come with a twist: Choose blackened, fried, or pan-seared.
3701 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington | 998-9501
At David Twining’s Nantuckets, the sandwich and the entrée each boast a different pop of flavor with “secret” recipes. Nanny’s crab cake sandwich gets a boost from garlic aioli. The entrée gets a kick from caper remoulade.
601 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island | 539-2607
