Bushels Crab House & Seafood

Anthony and Chris Jacona of Zogg's, the Sea Hogg Truck, Dave & Skippy's and the Wheelhouse have opened Bushels Crab House & Seafood in the old Lazy Susan's Hot Fat Crabs space on Coastal Highway near Lewes.

It took us a while to get in there, but we finally did, and I have to say that we were not disappointed! I can tell you right now that two of the Rehoboth Foodie pick hits are the deep fried Mexican street corn and the fried chicken (both are pictured in the gallery).

The star of the show at Bushels Crab House & Seafood is the Shellfish Steamer Feasts. You can select from a long list of steamed shellfish, including PEIs, King Crab Legs and Maine Lobster. Obviously, because of the difficulty in getting some shellfish, a few of the itams are Market Price. You can have your feast decorated with Old Bay, Tarragon Lemon Garlic Butter or Bushels' Crab Bland or Cajun Blend. As if that were not enough, carnivores can add smoked kielbasa, that (very good) fried chicken or a crab cake. Add a long list of sides to round out this feast.

Hardshells are approaching the end of their local season, but The Jacona Boys and partners are working hard to continue getting blue crabs (hopefully from Louisiana) to make this delicacy available over the winter. Entrees are reasonably priced for this type of establishment, with a fisherman's platter-style “Fry Pile” (LOVE the name) with shrimp, scallops, mussels, andouille and crawfish in a bed of wild rice.

Other mains include a specialty item, “Grandma's Old School Spaghetti ‘n' Crabs”. $19.99 buys house-made marinara over whole blue crab meat, pasta, parm and crusty bread. I have to mention (yet again) Mr. Steve's Killer Fried Chicken. Followers of this site know my feelings about fried chicken, and I have actually one several local throwdowns up against REAL chefs. So the bar is set high. This fried chicken if very good. The required crunchy crust is there, and is not hampered by the thin drizzle of honey. Waffle fries and a cool apple/broccoli slaw complete this plate. Scroll through the gallery to see it.

The appetizer list temps with eleven (count 'em – 11!) choices including coconut shrimp and that deep fried Street Corn. The bacon spinach crab dip is also creamy, cheezy and hot. That and the street corn are pictured in the gallery.

Sandwiches, burgers and tacos round out the ample menu, with 4 choices of burgers (including a particularly interesting one called the “Voodoo Lobster Burger.” On the evening we were there, Chef Jamia had just finished her signature pulled pork and sent out some sliders for us to try. Pickled onion and those King's Hawaiian rolls made for the perfect bite. And there's another surprise on the menu: Scrapple Fries! And yes, that's exactly what they are. DE's own Rapa Scrapple is cut steak fry-style and dished up crispy and savory. Scrapple lovers are going to love this one: Scrapple as finger food! Even comes with a Thai-like dip.

We WILL go back soon, and I'll add more photos and a star rating. Service was excellent – we sat on the enclosed patio and were perfectly comfortable in spite of the mid-'60 temperature outside.

CLICK HERE to meet Wheelhouse GM Mike Cosgrove and Event Manager Shondelle Graulich on the podcast of their appearance on the radio with The Rehoboth Foodie a few weeks ago.

The new concept remains with crabs, but adding a hint of Zogg's popular Key West-flavored menu. Scroll through the photo gallery to see more!

Bushels is just before the Kings Highway cutoff in Lewes at 18289 Coastal Highway. Call them for hours and crab availability at 302-645-5115.

Off-season Specials & Hours