Raging seafood that’s quite a catch

If I could, I would eat crab every day. There’s just no other food that compares (except for maybe lobster) to that sweet, tender and juicy meat. My favorite part is to break open the pinchers, and then dip the meat in garlic butter sauce. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Since 2012, Raging Crab on Keeaumoku Street near Ala Moana Center has become a favorite for crab lovers from all over the island. Its easy 3-step menu allows customers to choose their seafood boil (Dungeness crab, king crab legs, snow crab legs, lobster, crawfish, mussels, shrimp, clams or oysters), seasoning (garlic butter, lemon pepper, raging Cajun or ‘the works’ — all of the above), and spice level (mild, medium, spicy or ghost chili pepper). It’s a fun, hands-on dining experience that can get messy, but don’t worry, the restaurant has you covered with disposable bibs at each table.

Raging Crab also offers lunch specials (from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), which are perfect for those on the go. Among the popular items are Raging Catfish Plate Lunch ($9.99) and Raging Salad with crab cakes ($11). The catfish plate consists of three pieces of deep-fried catfish made with a house-made Cajun seasoning and served with garlic ponzu sauce, along with mixed greens and a scoop of white rice.

Personalize Raging Salad with your choice of crab cakes, catfish, calamari, fried shrimp or chicken tenders; the salad is served on mixed greens with tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese.

For those who like oysters (me), you’ll love Shigoku Oysters ($20 half-dozen, $34 one dozen), which are slightly smaller and on the sweeter side compared to regular oysters, and served with ponzu sauce, tobiko and green onion.

Flat-screen TVs also are situated throughout the eatery, making it a hot spot during football season and other popular sports games.

A happy hour menu is available Monday through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m., featuring Fried Baskets (chicken tenders, hot wings, fried calamari, fried shrimp or fried catfish) for $5, Coors Light or Miller Light ($1), and soon-to-be-added oysters ($1).

Raging Crab

655 Keeaumoku St.
955-2722
Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (last call around 9:30 p.m.)
Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (last call around 10:30 p.m.)