There's something gloriously primeval about a crawfish boil.
Newspaper-covered tables buckling under steaming crustaceans. No pretension here. Just twisted heads, sucked juices, and sweet tail meat that rewards only those willing to work for it. Each tiny morsel is a hard-won victory. But that first bite - that marriage of spice and sweetness - makes the battle worthwhile. Best experienced with a cold Lone Star among friends who won't judge the mess you've become, you'll find something honest in that magical intersection of labor and reward.
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How?
Do: Use your hands (and wash them first!). Crawfish are best eaten after being pried apart with your fingers. Do yourself a favor and make sure they’re clean fingers.
Do: Wear something you can get messy in. This ain’t Easter Brunch at your grandma’s, y’all. Eating with your hands off a paper plate or picnic table is the kind of activity that might just stain your shirt.
Do: Pair with a cold bev. Everybody knows that spicy food is best paired with a not-too-hoppy, moderate beer to help cool down your mouth when it's on fire. May we suggest a Lone Star?
Don’t: Bother with manners. Seriously, pretty much anything goes when you're chowing down. Real OG crawfish experts suck the heads of the crawdaddies - and swear that it’s the best part of the eating experience.
Who Has The Best?
photo via Armadillo Den Instagram
10106 Menchaca Rd
Food trucks abound at Armadillo Den, but during this time of year, the crawfish steals the show. The sprawling South Austin hangout is blessed with a ginormous patio, frequent live music, and tons of games to keep you occupied. Next time you're wanting to soak up some sun while enjoying a cold Lone Star, stop by the den. Just be aware that their parking lot is as tiny as their patio is large.
photo credit Pixabay
2011 Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Sunset Bar & Grill turns strangers into friends over exceedingly well-priced Lone Stars that flow under legendary bartender Ashley's watchful eye. With mud bug season having firmly taken root, look to Sunset Bar & Grill for a social sanctuary that beckons return visits with its blend of hospitality, cold beer, and crawfish. The establishment has mastered the art of hospitality without the hefty price tag that usually accompanies it. Time operates differently here - hours slip by in comfortable conversation while wallets remain pleasantly undisturbed.
photo credit Willie’s Grill & Icehouse Instagram
Multiple Locations Near Austin
While lesser establishments merely serve crawfish, Willie's Grill & Icehouse has perfected the art of crustacean celebration across 20 Lone Star locations. During the hallowed seasonal ritual known as crawfish time, Willie's becomes a mudbugs mecca where Cajun spices dance in perfect harmony with Texas traditions. The garage doors of this Texas institution roll up to reveal paradises of pinching perfection, where Lone Star beers and wash down tails pulled and heads sucked with ceremonial precision. Whether you're watching the game on countless flatscreens inside or enjoying the dog-friendly patio with a frozen Rita in hand, the crawfish at Willie's fills the stomach and nourishes the soul.
photo credit Shoal Creek Saloon
909 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
Shoal Creek Saloon performs spatial magic that would impress even the most jaded physicist. What appears to be a modest establishment at first glance unfolds like a Texas-sized origami, revealing outdoor backyard serenity and an indoor wing that makes first-time visitors wonder if they've accidentally stumbled through a portal to additional square footage. For those with a crustacean craving, their seasonal crawfish offering makes Shoal Creek a must-visit.
photo credit Do512
336 W Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666
Just a crawfish's throw from Austin sits Zelick's Icehouse, where the Katz brothers have perfected the art of ice-cold beer delivery and seasonal crawfish rituals. This converted 1930s gas station now pumps frosty brews instead of petroleum, while their legendary crawfish boils transform ordinary Texans into spice-worshipping crustacean enthusiasts. The San Marcos establishment honors grandfather Jack Zelick Katz, whose financial faith in the brothers' first business earned him naming rights to this social laboratory. The vintage walls and original architecture create the perfect backdrop for what truly matters: perfectly chilled beer served alongside mountains of red, spicy crawfish during their hallowed seasonal appearances. Where family legacy meets frosty mugs and buttery mudbugs, Zelick's stands eternally ready to quench and feed.
Other Places To Get Crawfish:
Crawfish ATX | Every 2lbs of crawfish comes with 1 piece of corn, 1 red potato, sausage, onions, and mushrooms (market price).
Cypress Grill | Boiled Louisiana crawfish available every Tuesday and Saturday at 4:30pm until the harvest season wanes. Get more info here.
Stuffed Cajun Meat Market | Boiled crawfish available Thursday through Sunday, and live crawfish pick up every day but Mondays. Order online here.
Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar | Crawfish available by the pound ($13.99/lb).
Deckhand Oyster Bar | Crawfish $13.99/lb. Call to to check crawfish availability and to place an order. They also offer crawfish étouffée.
Le Bleu | Viet-Cajun live crawfish boiled (take out or dine in). $12/lb (2lb minimum) or $60 for 5lb combo (comes with corn, potato, and sausage.
Pops Crawfish | Fresh and authentic cajun crawfish at their food trailer (6900 Ranch Road 620 North, Austin, TX 78732). Open Fridays 4pm - sold out, and Saturdays and Sundays 12pm - sold out. To place an order ahead of time send them an email at mailto:[email protected] or give them a call at (512) 688-9917!
Big Easy Bar & Grill | Specializes in crawfish boils. Fried and boiled crawfish platters are served with coleslaw, fries, and bread. Popcorn crawfish, and fried crawfish Po-boys are also available.
La Crawfish | Boiled crawfish with famous seasonings like Garlic Butter, House Cajun style, or Hot & Sour. More crawfish dishes like Crawfish Cajun Pho or Crawfish Po' Boy.
The Boat | Offering crawfish by the pound as well as crawfish etouffee, fried crawfish, and more.
