I have said many times before that no one should actually eat all-you-can-eat. But, that did not stop me while attending my very first Crab Feed at Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma. After overdosing on fresh crab, I finally had to wave the white flag, or rather paper napkin. Twice.

The local live theater in town, Cinnabar, put on a weekday Crab Feed benefit. And they scored the uber-cool taproom location at Lagunitas Brewing Company.

Who can resist all-you-can-eat fresh crab at a place that brews renowned beers such as Lucky 13, Little Sumpin’ and Lagunitas Sucks? Apparently not me.
Lagunitas Patio Lagunitas Beer Menu

We punctually arrived at the feed and immediately bought raffle tickets for the prize packages. Pretty simple, drop your tickets in the jars of the prizes you would like to win. I systematically spread mine evenly throughout all the jars, adding a few extra to the Tomales getaway and even popping one in the dining package that included a gift card for my restaurant.

Only because I thought it would be just my luck, or unluck, to win the gift card that we donated.

After purging our tickets, Peter and I grabbed a couple of the last seats available at a community table. Our random table mates were already indulging on the tubs of crab, coleslaw, salad and French bread.

Arriving late to the party Peter immediately popped on his bib and grabbed a couple of legs. Let’s start crackin’.
Crab Feed Table at LagunitasWearing a Bib at the Crab FeedCrab Shells at the Petaluma Crab Feed

There was no lull in between crab courses, they just kept coming. Even when I thought it was time to quit, someone else at the table nodded the server on.

Whilst stuffing my face with obscene amounts of crab, I learned a few things about this type of crabby event:

1. There are Crab Feed groupies. I am not one of them. Yet. But, these people try to attend every crab feed within a 50 mile radius knowing they can load up on their favorite shellfish, while hoping to win a fabulous prize.
2. Eating crab is an adventure that requires a lot of hard work. One that would have been made easier with a crab cracker and seafood fork.
3. You must put your fashion sense aside and wear the plastic bib. Cracking crabs is messy business.
Dirty Hands at the Crab Feed

After a significant amount of time, I created my own crab eating system which included pouring a puddle of melted butter on my plate and then piling the plucked meat of an entire crab into the center of it.

Mix & indulge. Good system.

Because one can not survive on crab alone, we bought a red velvet rice krispie treat and an Oreo cookie cupcake. Both were the perfect dessert as we listened to the prize winners being announced.

We were not winners. Technically.
Red Velvet Rice Krispie Treats & Oreo Cupcakes

Have you ever been to a Crab Feed?

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