Tasty Crab House in Myrtle Beach — What to Order and What to Expect

A casual seafood spot where the crabs are the main event

Tasty Crab House is a no-frills seafood restaurant in Myrtle Beach where you crack open your own crabs and eat with your hands. The menu centers on blue crabs, shrimp, and fish — mostly steamed or fried — with sides of corn, potatoes, and coleslaw. The dining room is loud, casual, and built for groups. You'll find plastic bibs at every table and wooden mallets stacked by the kitchen. The restaurant doesn't aim for fine dining; it aims for the experience of a crab boil, indoors, year-round.

The space itself is straightforward: picnic-style tables, paper towels instead of napkins, and a no-pretense atmosphere where mess is expected. Servers move quickly through the crowd. The pace is fast, the portions are large, and the price point is moderate for Myrtle Beach seafood. If you're looking for tablecloths and plated presentations, this isn't the place. If you want to sit down hungry and leave satisfied without spending a fortune, it works.

Key Takeaways

• Tasty Crab House specializes in steamed blue crabs sold by the pound, with mallets and bibs provided at every table.
• The restaurant serves shrimp, fish, and combination platters alongside traditional sides like corn, potatoes, and coleslaw.
• The dining room is casual and communal, designed for groups and families rather than quiet, intimate meals.
• Expect to pay moderate prices for seafood in Myrtle Beach, with most entrees in the mid-range for the area.
• The restaurant operates year-round and fills up quickly during peak tourist season, so arriving early or calling ahead is wise.

What's on the menu and how the ordering works

Crabs are the centerpiece. You order them by the pound, and the kitchen steams them with seasoning — usually Old Bay or a house blend. A pound typically yields three to four crabs, depending on size. The restaurant also offers half-pound and full-pound options, so you can order as much or as little as your group needs. Shrimp comes steamed or fried, sold by the pound as well. Fish options usually include fried flounder, fried catfish, or grilled options depending on what's available that day.

Combination platters let you mix proteins — for example, a half-pound of crabs plus a half-pound of shrimp, or crab and fish together. Every entree comes with two sides chosen from corn on the cob, boiled potatoes, coleslaw, or hushpuppies. The kitchen also serves fried chicken for anyone in your group who doesn't want seafood. Appetizers include fried oysters, fried shrimp, and crab dip. Drinks are standard — beer, soft drinks, sweet tea — with no elaborate cocktail menu.

Pricing is straightforward: you pay per pound for your protein, plus the cost of sides. A pound of crabs typically costs between $12 and $18 depending on market prices and season. Shrimp runs slightly less. Combination platters offer a small discount compared to ordering proteins separately. The restaurant accepts cash and cards.

The dining experience: what to know before you arrive

Tasty Crab House is built for volume and speed, not lingering. Tables are communal picnic-style setups, and during busy times you may share a table with other diners. The noise level is high — conversations, clattering mallets, servers calling orders. If you're seeking a quiet evening, this isn't it. If you want energy and the feeling of being part of a crowd, you'll find it here.

Dress casually and don't wear anything you care about. Crab juice and Old Bay seasoning end up on clothes, faces, and hands. The restaurant provides plastic bibs and paper towels, but they're more symbolic than protective. Wet wipes or a trip to the restroom to wash your hands is part of the experience. Families with young children do well here because the mess is expected and nobody judges.

Parking is usually available in a lot adjacent to the restaurant, though it fills during peak summer season and weekends. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, so you arrive and wait if there's a line. During off-season (roughly September through April), waits are usually short. From May through August and during holiday weeks, expect 30 minutes to an hour during dinner hours. Lunch is typically faster.

When to go and what to expect seasonally

Tasty Crab House operates year-round, but the crowd and the menu shift with the season. Summer (May through August) brings the heaviest traffic — tourists, families, and groups fill the restaurant most evenings. Crab prices tend to be higher in summer because demand is highest. If you go during this time, arrive before 5:30 p.m. or after 8 p.m. to avoid the worst of the wait.

Fall and spring (September through April, excluding holidays) are quieter. Crab prices often drop slightly because supply is more stable and demand is lower. The restaurant is less crowded, waits are shorter, and you can move through your meal at a more relaxed pace. Winter holidays bring another surge of visitors, so expect crowds around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

The restaurant's hours are typically lunch and dinner seven days a week, though hours may shift seasonally. Calling ahead to confirm hours and current crab prices is a good idea, especially if you're planning a large group or visiting during an off-peak time.

How to order and eat crabs if you've never done it

If you're new to crabs, the server will walk you through the basics. You'll receive a wooden mallet, a small fork, and a plastic bib. The crabs arrive on a plate, already steamed and seasoned. Start by twisting off the claws — they come apart easily with a gentle twist. Use the mallet to crack the shell and pull out the meat with the small fork. The body of the crab holds meat in chambers; break it in half and pick out the meat from each section.

It's slower than eating other seafood, and it requires both hands and focus. That's part of the appeal. You're not rushing through a meal; you're working for your food in a social setting. Other diners around you are doing the same thing, so there's no pressure to be fast or neat. Servers are used to the pace and won't rush you.

If you find you don't like the work or the mess, the shrimp and fish options are faster and cleaner to eat. Many people order a combination so they have both options on one plate.

Nearby options and what makes Tasty Crab House different

Myrtle Beach has other seafood restaurants, from casual chains to upscale spots. Tasty Crab House stands out because it focuses on the crab-boil experience rather than trying to be everything. You won't find fancy sauces, plated presentations, or a wine list. You will find large portions, reasonable prices, and the social energy of a working seafood restaurant.

If you want a quieter, more refined seafood meal, other restaurants in the area cater to that. If you want to crack crabs with a group, eat with your hands, and spend an evening in a loud, lively room full of people doing the same thing, Tasty Crab House delivers that specific experience well. It's not trying to be fancy, and that's its strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

No, Tasty Crab House operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You arrive, give your name, and wait for a table. During busy times (summer evenings, weekends, holidays), waits can run 30 minutes to an hour. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times is helpful, but you can't hold a table in advance.

What if someone in my group doesn't eat seafood?

The restaurant serves fried chicken as an entree with the same sides as the seafood options. Some people also order appetizers like hushpuppies or fried chicken tenders. The menu is limited for non-seafood eaters, but there are options.

How much should I budget per person?

A typical entree (one pound of crabs or shrimp with two sides) runs $20 to $35 per person before drinks and tax. Combination platters may cost slightly more. If you order appetizers or multiple proteins, the bill goes up. A group of four eating crabs and shrimp with drinks and tax typically spends $100 to $150 total.

Is there outdoor seating?

Most seating is indoors in the main dining room. Some locations may have limited outdoor seating depending on the specific restaurant layout, but this isn't may provide. Call ahead if outdoor seating is important to you.

Can I order crabs to go?

Yes, the restaurant offers takeout. Crabs travel reasonably well in a container, though they're best eaten fresh and hot. If you're taking them back to a hotel or rental, eat them within an hour or two of pickup for the best experience.