Stone Crab & Seafood Markets

Any great place to purchase stone crab, with hopefully reasonable prices? I know Sunset foods has them in their latest flyer...$15.98 for Medium sized 6-8 claws. I'm planning on getting on the phone with seafood markets, thought I'd see where LTH'ers shop for seafood. I'm planning a trip to Isaacsons & Stein later this week. I live in the northern burbs and am willing to travel for great quality and prices. Thank you.

Costco had some decent stone crab at the glenview location a couple weeks ago. 14.99 a lb IIRC, and they were fairly large, 4 claws came out to be just under 2 lbs.

I saw claws at Fresh Farms in Niles today.
I think they were listed at $8.99/lb but please call to check.

I saw the claws at Fresh Farms today too but they were not stone crabs but rather Jonah crab claws. I didn't see what they had them labeled as but they were definitely Jonahs. Burhop's in Glenview has them regularly or you could always order the freshest and the best from Joe's Stone Crab in chicago. They'll pack them up on ice for you to go, a bit pricey but you won't find fresher in the Chicago area.

My experience with Stone Crab is that you get what you pay for.
Low priced product is usually frozen from South America and can be substantially inferior to fresh Florida or USA product. I only know of one source for fresh Florida product at Grash's in Milwaukee. I have found none available fresh in the Chicago market.-Dick

Whole Foods (at least the one on Halsted) periodically has them.

Whole Foods on Kingsbury had them yesterday--Mediums only.

chefmcone76 wrote:I saw the claws at Fresh Farms today too but they were not stone crabs but rather Jonah crab claws. I didn't see what they had them labeled as but they were definitely Jonahs.

You're right. I never knew the difference but I did some reading and they're Jonahs. I should have guessed given the cost.

I bought these from Isaacson & Stein Last Xmas. Can't remember what I paid, but for reference purposes those are 1 lb. Tails. The claws were outstanding

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72455481@N03/6541466025/

Boston Fish Market in Des Plaines has Stone Crab Claws, the season has started!

Ask where they are from and if they have been previously frozen.-Richard

Best I could do is Grash's in Milwaukee.
Fresh Florida Stone Crab Claws, never frozen, $22.99/#.
I would term them Large with a few Jumbos.
I purchased 8 claws for the two of us, some dry pack Bay Scallops and some Blue Points, yesterday.
If you do go to Grasch's, ask for 'Captain John' at the seafood counter.
He is the manager, orders only fresh, never frozen items for the main display case and is the most knowledgable person I have encountered in the Midwest retail market for seafood.
An interesting sidelight is that Grasch's has a Sushi/Sashimi maker working in the store producing some very nice take home sushi!
If you do go, check out the whole store, products ranged yesterday to some beautiful Prime Rack of Lamb at $49.99/# to Creme Fraiche from Vermont Creamery.
Bring your AMEX card! Prices are not for the faint of heart.-Richard

Heinen's Glenview has had them, both Jumbo & Mediums. They will order, just ask.