Indianapolis Spotlight: Crab 99 Bar and Restaurant

Crab 99 Bar and Restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a popular destination for seafood lovers, particularly those who enjoy Cajun-style boils.¹

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the restaurant based on available information:

🦀 Crab 99 Bar and Restaurant: Overview

Crab 99 is a dining spot in downtown Indianapolis celebrated for its fresh, flavorful seafood, especially its crab and shrimp boils, served in a lively atmosphere.² It aims to offer a memorable dining experience with its cozy ambiance and dedicated chefs.³

What Makes It Unique

The restaurant’s uniqueness largely comes from its focus on Cajun-style seafood boils and its highly customizable menu.

• Customizable Seafood Combos: Patrons can often create their own unique seafood combinations, choosing their preferred seafood (like Snow Crab Legs, Shrimp, or Mussels), sauce (Cajun, Garlic Butter, Lemon Pepper, etc.), and spice level.⁴

   

• Atmosphere: It’s described as having a vibrant and inviting decor that captures a coastal or beach-themed experience, making it a lively and family-friendly environment.

• Diverse Menu: Beyond the signature boils, the menu is extensive, including a raw bar, fried dinners, Po’Boy sandwiches, pasta dishes, and even a breakfast/brunch menu with Cajun-style grits and unique omelets.⁵

   

• Extras: The restaurant offers a happy hour, live music on weekends, and a private event space for special occasions.⁶

   

📜 History (Limited Details)

While the restaurant’s website mentions an “Interesting History” and positions itself as one of the finest restaurants in Indianapolis, specific details about its founding date, founders, or the historical progression of the establishment are not widely available in public search results. The focus in its own description is more on the quality of the food and the pleasant atmosphere.⁷

🍽️ Highlight Menu Items

The menu is extensive, but these items frequently appear as customer favorites or signature dishes:

• Boils:

  • Snow Crab Legs (1/2lb or 1lb)⁸

     

  • Deveined Shrimp

  • Captain’s Special Combo: A mix of Snow Crab Legs, Shrimp, Mussels, Crawfish, and a Lobster Tail.⁹

     

• Starters & Sides:

  • Loaded Lobster Fries: Seasoned fries topped with buttery Maine lobster chunks, cheese, and bacon.

  • Crab Cakes¹⁰

     

  • Baked Oysters¹¹

     

  • Cajun Fried Rice

• Other Dishes:

  • Original Lobster Roll¹²

     

  • Spicy Cajun Pasta¹³

     

  • Fried Catfish Dinner

  • Lobster Omelet (on the brunch menu)¹⁴

     

🗣️ Customer Feedback

Customer reviews are mixed, though the quality of the seafood and flavoring is often praised.

• Positive Feedback: Many customers “rave” about the delicious seafood, the expertly crafted seasonings, and the friendly/efficient service.¹⁵ The variety of the menu and the “boiling” sauce are frequently highlighted as reasons to return.

   

• Areas for Improvement: Some feedback points to issues with order accuracy, food temperature/consistency (e.g., overcooked or undercooked items), and occasional concerns regarding pricing or restroom cleanliness.¹⁶

   

🥳 Significant Events

While the restaurant offers a private event space for special occasions and features live music performances on weekends, there are no publicly noted, major historical or cultural “significant events” that have taken place at this venue that stand out in typical news archives. The focus remains on its daily role as a vibrant dining and social spot.

📍 Contact & Location Information