I never expected to find some of the best seafood in my life right in the heart of Indianapolis. When I first walked down those stairs at 14 E Washington Street, I honestly thought it might be just another downtown spot trying to cash in on the convention crowd.
Boy, was I wrong. Crab 99 Bar & Restaurant has become one of those places I tell every out-of-town visitor about, and I find myself craving their seafood boil at least twice a month.
The place sits right in the middle of downtown, tucked into a building that most people walk past without giving it a second thought. But inside, something special happens.
Hoosiers from all over the state have been making the trip to this unassuming spot, and once you taste what they’re serving, you’ll understand why. From the moment you settle into your seat and catch the aroma of garlic butter and Cajun spices floating through the air, you know you’re in for something memorable.
The staff greets you like family, the music sets just the right vibe, and the food speaks for itself in ways that keep people coming back week after week.
The Signature Boiling Sauce That Keeps Everyone Coming Back
What makes Crab 99 stand out from every other seafood joint in Indiana is that incredible boiling sauce. You can choose from three different flavor profiles, but the magic happens when you mix them together.
The garlic butter base creates this silky, rich coating that clings to every piece of seafood without being too heavy or overwhelming your taste buds. People rave about how perfectly balanced the seasoning is.
It’s buttery without being greasy, garlicky without overpowering the natural sweetness of the crab and shrimp. When you order the spicy level, you get just enough heat to make things interesting without turning your meal into a painful experience.
The sauce works beautifully with everything in your boil bag. The corn soaks it up like a sponge, the potatoes get this amazing crispy coating on the outside while staying fluffy inside, and the seafood itself becomes absolutely addictive.
Many customers specifically mention that this sauce doesn’t have that overly salty quality you find at other seafood boil restaurants. You’ll want to wear the plastic gloves they provide because you’ll be using your hands to get every last drop of sauce from those crab legs.
Some people even ask for extra sauce on the side just to dip their bread in it.
Snow Crab Legs That Rival Coastal Restaurants
For a landlocked state, Indiana doesn’t exactly scream fresh seafood. Yet somehow Crab 99 manages to serve snow crab legs that taste like they were pulled from the ocean that morning.
The legs come out perfectly cooked, with meat that slides right out of the shell in one beautiful piece. Each half-pound order includes corn and potato, making it a complete meal that doesn’t leave you hungry.
The crab legs themselves are substantial, not those tiny disappointing pieces you sometimes get at chain restaurants. You can see the quality the moment your server sets that steaming bag in front of you.
What really impresses people is the freshness. The meat is sweet, tender, and has that clean ocean flavor that tells you it hasn’t been sitting in a freezer for months.
When you crack open a leg, you can actually smell the sea, which is pretty remarkable considering we’re in the middle of the Midwest. Regular customers swear these crab legs beat what they’ve had at Red Lobster and other national chains.
The Tuesday specials make it even more affordable to indulge in this seafood luxury. Whether you get them plain or drenched in that signature sauce, the quality of the crab speaks for itself.
Downtown Location Perfect For Events And Exploring
Finding Crab 99 couldn’t be easier if you’re already downtown. The restaurant sits at 14 E Washington Street, right in the heart of where everything happens in Indianapolis.
If you’re catching a show at the Old National Centre just a few blocks away or attending an event at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, you can walk to Crab 99 in less than ten minutes. The Indiana State Museum sits about half a mile west, and the iconic Monument Circle is practically around the corner.
This makes the restaurant an ideal stop before or after exploring what downtown Indianapolis has to offer. Parking is available right across the street, which anyone who has driven downtown knows is a huge convenience.
Several customers have mentioned staying in nearby hotels or Airbnbs and discovering the restaurant was literally in their building or next door. That kind of accessibility makes it perfect for visitors who want great food without the hassle of driving across the city.
The Circle Centre Mall is within easy walking distance too. Being centrally located means you can easily combine your meal with other downtown activities.
Catch dinner before a Pacers game, grab lunch between museum visits, or stop in after shopping. The restaurant stays open late on weekends, making it a solid choice even after evening events wrap up around the city.
Fried Catfish That Hoosiers Drive Miles To Taste
Every Tuesday, something special happens at Crab 99. The fried catfish dinner goes on sale for just ten dollars, and locals mark their calendars for it.
This isn’t some tiny portion either. You get perfectly seasoned catfish fillets fried to absolute perfection, plus sides of fried rice and corn on the cob.
The breading on the catfish is where the kitchen really shows off. It’s crispy and stays crunchy even as it sits on your plate, seasoned with a blend of spices that complements the mild fish without overwhelming it.
When you cut into the fillet, the meat inside is flaky, moist, and cooked exactly right. What sets this catfish apart is the attention to detail.
The oil temperature must be perfect because there’s no greasiness, no soggy spots, just golden brown excellence. The fish itself tastes fresh, not fishy or muddy like poorly prepared catfish can be.
Each bite delivers that satisfying crunch followed by tender, flavorful fish. People who grew up eating catfish in the South have complimented how authentic it tastes.
The Tuesday special makes it accessible for families, but honestly, it’s worth the regular price any day of the week. Some customers order it even when they come primarily for the seafood boil, just to have both experiences in one visit.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere With Game Room Entertainment
Walking into Crab 99, you immediately notice this isn’t some stuffy seafood restaurant where kids need to whisper. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, with music playing at just the right volume and multiple TVs showing whatever games are on.
Families fill the tables, and nobody bats an eye when kids get excited about cracking open crab legs. The restaurant spans two levels, with the basement offering additional seating and a game room area.
This setup works brilliantly for families because kids can stay entertained while parents enjoy their meal. About eight TVs scattered throughout the space mean everyone can catch their favorite team without fighting over what’s on.
Parents appreciate that the staff treats children with genuine kindness. Servers are patient when kids take forever to decide what they want, and they bring out plastic bibs and gloves without being asked.
The casual atmosphere means you don’t have to stress about keeping kids perfectly behaved for two hours. The menu offers enough variety that even picky eaters can find something they like.
Wings, fried rice, and simpler seafood options give kids alternatives to the full seafood boil experience. Several reviews mention bringing younger family members for their first seafood boil, which speaks to how comfortable the restaurant makes everyone feel regardless of age or seafood experience.
Service That Turns First-Time Visitors Into Regulars
You can have the best food in the world, but poor service will ruin the experience every time. Crab 99 understands this completely.
Names like Shya, Chrissa, Treasure, and Diaja pop up repeatedly in customer reviews, which tells you something important. These servers aren’t just doing a job, they’re creating experiences that people remember and talk about.
Shya gets mentioned so often she’s practically famous among regular customers. People specifically request her section because she knows the menu inside and out, makes perfect recommendations, and keeps drinks filled without hovering.
Chrissa earned praise for being attentive and professional while maintaining a warm, friendly demeanor that made diners feel like valued guests. The manager, known as Panda, personally greets tables and checks on guests throughout their meals.
This kind of hands-on leadership creates a culture where every staff member seems genuinely invested in your satisfaction. Even when the kitchen gets backed up, servers keep you informed and make sure you never feel forgotten.
What really stands out is how servers handle first-time visitors. They explain how the seafood boil works, help you choose spice levels, and make suggestions based on what you like.
Several customers mentioned servers going above and beyond, like when wait times were longer than expected and staff kept them updated every step of the way.
Honey Garlic Wings And Appetizers Worth The Visit Alone
Before you even get to the main event, Crab 99 offers appetizers that could be a meal by themselves. The honey garlic wings have developed their own cult following among regulars.
These aren’t your typical bar wings. They come out hot, crispy, and coated in a sauce that perfectly balances sweet honey with savory garlic.
You can order them as all flats if you prefer, and the kitchen doesn’t skimp on the sauce. Each wing gets thoroughly coated, creating this sticky, finger-licking good experience that has people ordering them every single visit.
The breading stays crunchy even under all that sauce, which is a testament to proper frying technique. The crab dip is another starter that deserves attention, especially on Thursdays when it’s half price.
Rich, creamy, and loaded with actual crab meat, it comes with enough bread or crackers to share. Raw oysters show up fresh and properly shucked for those who want to start their meal with something from the raw bar.
Lobster fries have become Instagram famous among Crab 99 fans. Imagine crispy fries topped with chunks of lobster meat and drizzled with cheese sauce.
It’s indulgent, shareable, and absolutely delicious. These appetizers set the tone for the entire meal, proving that the kitchen takes every dish seriously, not just the signature seafood boils that made them famous.
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