Back We Go to Crabby Bob’s
by Joe Lyons
The last time we visited Crabby Bob’s restaurant, it was down at their Central Avenue location. Today they have several locations across the country. The Central Avenue spot used to be something else, as is their new location next to the Ontario Airport Hilton. They specialized in crab then, and they still do.
Now, however, they have broadened the menu. Less crab and more variety of seafood. The old menu used to read like the list of shrimp recipes the guy in Forrest Gump rattled off. Crabby Bob’s actually prints a new menu every day, depending on prices and availability.
They also have developed four ways of preparing seafood: Kona style, which is basted with Bob’s secret Hawaiian marinade (teriyaki) and grilled over an open flame; blackened, which is skillet grilled and Cajun style; Laguna, which is pan-broiled with green Tabasco and dill flour, or grilled, which is done over an open flame with citrus ginger sauce.
Thus, we had Mahi Mahi ($13.95) done Kona style. We had our Atlantic Salmon ($14.95) blackened. The Halibut was Laguna style and our big “Mega-platter” PCH Combo ($16.99 per person) was grilled.
The PCH, by the way, included snow crab, ribs, and swordfish, but the best part for me was the skewered shrimp. They are grilled and delicious. One friend of mine has fallen greatly for the blackened salmon Caesar salad. The dressing is a little weak, but the fish is incredible.
We also had a wonderful treat called Shrimp Diablo ($16.95), which is bacon-wrapped shrimp covered in mozzarella. It even feels good to write that.
The fish and chips ($9.95) is not as bland as many places make it. In fact, Bob’s is downright spicy. It is made from Alaskan cod, breaded with seasoned Japanese bread crumbs.
Still true to the name, there is a lot of crab on the list including snow, king, Dungeness and blue, and it comes in one of Bob’s traditional “crab cookin’ ways.” Those would be, steamed, garlic’d, and “Bob’d”
There are also: ribs, burgers and steak on the menu for the red meat people in your crowd.
If there is a shortcoming at all, it is in the chowder. Not that it isn’t good. It is. And mine got cold before I got to it. But I am sure it comes out of a can.
For adult beverages, you can get Mexican beer or rum drinks with lots of fruit and paper umbrellas.
Everyone gets a bucket, a roll of paper towels, a hammer and crab pliers when they sit down. It’s part of the atmosphere. In fact, Jimmy Buffet fans should visit Crabby Bob’s, if only to see if they like the food as much as they like the music.
The new Ontario Crabby Bob’s is at 3660 Porsche Way . (909) 941-7751. |
