On the hunt for intense flavors? The Angry Crab’s got the angriest. It may take a while to get a table—no reservations here (this isn’t the friendly crab, after all)—but once you do, order the Dungeness crab, a two-pound creature that’s big enough for two to share and takes some time to break into. Need more? Throw in an order of potatoes, corn and sausage. As far as flavor is concerned, we like the lemon pepper, garlic butter and angry Cajun combo. The spice here ranges in intensity from one to four—if you like your lips burning, head for levels three and four; for something less tongue-assaulting, level two is tamer; while those opposed to spice altogether should go for level one.
For a city that’s more than a decent schlep from the ocean, Chicago does surprisingly well when it comes to serving up droolworthy sea bounty. We’ve got oyster bars and fancy fish restaurants to please seafood fiends all year long, but come summertime, we like our shellfish to come in a bag—a big, steamy bag of briny goodness. That’s right, it’s low-country boil season, that time of year when we gather round for hot, messy bags of crustaceans, bivalves, sausages, potatoes, corn and spices, ready and waiting for us to tear open. To prep for the season, we’ve gathered up the best low-country boils in Chicago—so roll up your sleeves and enjoy.