The ULTIMATE guide to Greater Houston crawfish

HOUSTON – It’s the most wonderful time of the year -- crawfish season! While many view eating crawfish as more of a social activity than a meal, that doesn’t lessen their standard for high-quality mudbugs. In the vast melting pot of Houston, you’re sure to find a variety of takes on the seasonal dish, as well as a score of people swearing up and down that they know where to find the best. But instead of just listing out Houston’s favorites, we took to the streets of 10 Greater Houston suburbs to see where the locals get their crawfish fix.

*Reviews have been edited for content and length.

1. Crosby: Crawfish Shack

Crawfish critique: “I absolutely love this place! Every time I would look up crawfish in Houston, Crawfish Shack seems to pop up on all the top lists. It’s a bit of a far drive (Crosby, TX) but I think it’s worth it…It’s BYOB and the place is pretty big and can fit about 200 people in there…our server Victor explained the different spice levels of crawfish and we ended [up] getting 3 lbs. of the Mo’ Spicy (more juicy than the typical dry rub). All the other spice levels are straight dry rub. We also got a pound of snow crabs, sausage, corn, and potatoes with our crawfish. The crawfish were BIG and JUICY and also cooked to perfection…Within a few minutes, the whole place was packed and the line outside wrapped around the restaurant. The drive thru line was also pretty long as well.” – Sandy V.

Open for: Drive-thru

Address: 5822 FM 2100 Rd., Crosby, TX 77532

Website: www.crawfishshack.com

2. The Woodlands: Woodson’s Local Tap + Kitchen

Crawfish critique: “Woodson’s is the place to hang out. Clean, good food, great beer selection and an attentive staff…If you go during crawfish season there is no better place. But most important if you go ask for Tammera. She is what makes Woodson’s a 6 star in my book...All the staff is good...Outdoor patio, great bar, great food and Tammera! The place to be on any night of the week. Zero reason to go anywhere else.” – JD V.

Open for: limited dine-in, curbside

Address: 2330 FM 1488, The Woodlands, TX 77384

Website: www.woodsonslocal.com

3. Cypress: Bluewater Seafood - 290

Crawfish critique: “If I can go beyond 5 stars I would. I am staying at the Hampton Inn and order through Dashdoor app…It was the most amazing experience HUGE crawfish very fresh…Corn was very good - keep in mind I am a VERY hard grader. You can view my profile, and you will see how many one stars I rate. I have eaten seafood at very high end restaurants...And trust me that place takes them down anytime...Time to sleep with my stomach singing. THANK YOU!” – Diesel M.

Open for: limited dine-in, delivery, curbside

Address: 12914 FM 1960 Rd. W #1, Houston, TX 77065

Website: www.bluewaterseafoodonline.com

4. Katy: Big N’s BBQ and Crawfish

Crawfish critique: “This little gold nugget was a great find, good crawfish, burgers, appetizers, etc. the crawfish is done just right, as it should be - boiled in the spice, not sprinkled on top. Lots of flavor, right temp on the spice. The boudin bites are good, as well as the crawfish empanadas (yeah, never thought I’d see that), the kids loved the burgers, chicken strips, etc. great family restaurant.” – Drew T.

Open for: limited dine-in, drive-thru

Address: 4034 Katy Hockley Cut Off Rd., Katy, TX 77493

Website: www.facebook.com/BigNsBBQandCrawfish

5. Chinatown: Crawfish & Noodles

Crawfish critique: “My family and I were visiting from Portland Oregon. We heard about Crawfish and Noodles from “Ugly Delicious” [on Netflix]. We ordered the medium crawfish, and it was perfect! It had just the right amount of spice and the flavor was amazing! The owner came up to our large group and gave us suggestions on what to get and what spice level. He was very hospitable and friendly. The staff was friendly and helpful as well!” – Mike B.

Open for: delivery, curbside, takeout

Address: 11360 Bellaire Blvd. #990, Houston, TX 77072

Website: www.crawfishandnoodles.com

6. Sugar Land: Mike’s Seafood

Crawfish critique: “I knew the food was delicious from the moment I walked in and noticed that every single table was occupied. The crawfish was seasoned to perfection, and they were all a good size - no small ones, yet none that were grotesquely large. Despite the long lines and full tables, we were served in a timely manner. The owner, Mike, along with all of the rest of the staff exceeded all of my expectations as far as customer service is concerned. I noticed that Mike greeted several of the customers by their names, which tells me that many of them are return customers. I look forward to returning again & again to enjoy the food and the 5-star service.” – Syretta A.

Open for: delivery, takeout

Address: 9449 Highway 6 South, Houston, TX 77083

Website: www.facebook.com/Mikes-Seafood

7. Pearland: All Season Seafood

Crawfish critique: “Cannot say enough good stuff about the food here! Some of the best crawfish, best jumbo shrimp, and best snow crab boiled that we have ever had! The fish market is priced on average, and they do carry some specialty gulf water fish such as redfish and speckled trout, which you don’t normally find at the seafood counters at grocery stores. They do not serve alcohol, it’s BYOB, and everything non-alcoholic is out of a bottle or a can. Strongly recommend!!” – Brandon C.

Open for: takeout (in-person or phone orders only)

Address: 8201 Broadway St. Workroom, Pearland, TX 77581

Website: www.facebook.com/allseasonseafoodpearland

8. League City: C’Bon Crawfish Shack

Crawfish critique: “Previous Yelpers led a friend and I to give this a try. We were not aware it was a food truck, but gave it a shot and were not disappointed. It is next door to a bar establishment called Okie’s that you can grab adult beverages and sit out on the picnic tables and enjoy the crawfish...The seasoning was on point and the crawfish are huge…The owners have a modern setup in the trailer that accepts credit on a tablet, and they’ll bring your food out fresh and piping hot. They are super friendly and from Louisiana. He literally goes back to the crawfish farm in Louisiana daily to bring them to us fresh and knows his customers want them a good size...And there are nice clean restrooms on the premises to wash your hands thoroughly. Hopefully I will have a chance to come back before the season slows down.” – FoodMakes M.

Open for: limited dine-in, curbside, takeout

Address: 1010 Marina Bay Dr., Kemah, TX 77565

Website: www.cboncrawfishshack.com

9. Pasadena: Credeur’s Cajun Cookin'

Crawfish critique: “We went strictly for crawfish but did try a boudin ball and a crawfish pistolette. They were amazing! You order crawfish by the pound and there’s no minimum. It comes out on a bucket turned upside down on a platter so the temperature is steaming once you lift the bucket, which also doubles as your disposal for the head (after you suck them of course). The sweet tea is a must with your meal and the corn and potatoes are cooked perfectly and just as spicy as the crawfish. Ask for a side of the garlic butter for dipping, and it won’t disappoint.” – Celeste H.

Open for: limited dine-in, delivery, takeout

Address: 6915 Spencer Hwy., Pasadena, TX 77505

Website: www.instagram.com/credeurscc

10. Humble: Cajun Crawfish 2 - Seafood and Pho

Crawfish critique: “My first time here, and we will be back. Service was great. Had the crawfish...was perfect...Like the choices they give you. Had the regular Cajun, spicy was excellent. My husband knows crawfish, and this will be our go to. Good flavor, clean, easy to peel and satisfying. People have said the price is too high, but knowing they were well purged, spicy and tasty...very well worth it. We are going to try the pho next or bahn mi. AND the crawfish. Once again.” – T M.

Open for: takeout

Address: 8502 FM 1960, Humble, TX 77346

Website: www.facebook.com/cajuncrawfish2

Happy peeling!