Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood and Crafty Crab are both located in Southside Richmond, Virginia

Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & BarPhoto byForbes Screenshot

Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar and Crafty Crab Seafood Restaurant are only a few miles apart in Southside Richmond, Virginia. They both opened around the same time in 2021.

Both restaurants are popular for their seafood boils where diners mix and match their favorite seafoods, pick a sauce and spice level, and extras like corn on the cob and potatoes.

However, the two seafood restaurants are not in competition because there are enough seafood lovers in the River City to visit both establishments.

Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar

Hook & Reel opened its current location at 7131 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23225 in March 2021. Hook & Reel specializes in Cajun seafood. The food is spicy and tangy just like seafood lovers enjoy.

Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood Boil

Hook & Reel Seafood BoilPhoto byFacebook Screenshot

Hook & Reel's boils include whatever customers select. They can choose seafood, including crabs, crab legs, crawfish, shrimp, mussels, oysters, clams, and scallops. They can choose corn on the cob and potatoes. All the items usually come in a plastic bag. Customers are given bibs to wear if they like.

The restaurant's menu also includes chicken wings, pork chops, and fried fish baskets. Sides include fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Crafty Crab Seafood Restaurant

Crafty CrabPhoto byFacebook Screenshot

Crafty Crab Seafood Restaurant opened its Southside location at 521 E Southside Plaza, Richmond, VA 23224 on January 18, 2021. Its other Richmond location is at 4995 Nine Miles Road, Richmond, VA 23223.

Crafty Crab Seafood Boil

Crafty Crab Seafood BoilPhoto byCrafty Crab Instagram Screenshot

Crafty Crab's boils come with crabs, crab legs, crawfish, shrimp, mussels, oysters, clams, scallops, and other seafoods the customer selects. The bag might come with corn on the cob and potatoes.

Other dishes on the Crafty Crab menu include chicken wings and fried fish baskets. The restaurant offers the standard sides.

Try both restaurants

If you have difficulty choosing between the two restaurants, why not try both when time allows? Then you can decide which you prefer.