Whether you like taking them home to your outdoor picnic table. or prefer to eat them in the comfort of air conditioning, crabs are a summer tradition in Maryland!
There is no universal sizing standard for crabs. At our restaurant, measurements run from tip to tip of the top shell:
- 5 1/4 - 5 1/2 - Regular
- 5 1/2 - 6 - Medium
- 6 - 6 1/2 - Large
- 6 1/2 - 7 - X-Large
- 7 & up - Jumbo
WHEN CALLING AROUND FOR PRICING, DON'T JUST ASK: "WHAT SIZES DO YOU HAVE?" ASK WHAT THEIR GRADING SCALE IS AND WHAT A LARGE (FOR EXAMPLE) CRAB MEASURES IN THEIR ESTABLISHMENT. IF THEY DON'T TELL YOU, MOVE ALONG, IT'S CLASSIC BAIT AND SWITCH.
FOR EXAMPLE: You want crabs for the picnic so you call around. You call Fingers and Claws and we say we have Larges for $55 a dozen. You hang up, and move to the next one in the phone book. They say they have Larges for $35 a dozen. Wow, you think you've found a deal. You show up to the competitor and they bring out your crabs that measure 5-5 1/4" across. They say those are larges, and if you wanted "Jumbos", you'd have to pay $60 a dozen. You ask what a Jumbo is and they say 6-6 1/2". At Fingers and Claws, that 6-6 1/2 crabs is considered a Large. Your already there, so you take whatever they have. Don't fall for the bait and switch!!! ASK: "WHAT IS YOUR GRADING SCALE ???"