Stone Crab season is officially back at Trulucks starting October twenty one and Austin seafood lovers are already plotting dinner reservations like it is a bank heist. This is the crown jewel of their menu and it arrives chilled, pre cracked, and begging to be dunked in sauce. If you have never had fresh Florida Stone Crab before, imagine the sweetness of lobster meat with enough texture to remind you that life can still be exciting. Trulucks refuses to freeze this stuff which should honestly be a requirement written into state law.
Crab season runs through May one as part of a sustainable harvest cycle in Florida. That window exists because Trulucks partners with crabbers who remove only a single claw before releasing each crab back into the ocean. Since the claws regenerate naturally the crab lives on and the ecosystem stays balanced. It is the closest thing you can get to guilt free indulgence without joining a yoga retreat.
Stone Crab works whether you are celebrating or simply flexing on a random Tuesday. You can stack it on top of their classics including hand cut steaks from native American cattle aged a minimum of thirty days. The TRU PEARLE oysters are another standout and they are raised with insane precision that borders on art. Between claws, oysters, and steak you might exit the restaurant feeling like you owe property taxes on that plate.
Prime King Crab also returns and if you are after the big leg experience this is where your journey ends. The methods and recipes have not changed so you get that rich buttery consistency that turned this into a fan favorite. If you feel like you are collecting seafood achievements you can also try the Ora King Salmon from New Zealand. It is smooth and rich and might ruin salmon from everywhere else.
Trulucks has been doing this for more than thirty years and the freshness they pull off really is trap to table. Nothing has been frozen, mishandled, or otherwise disrespected along the way. Their focus on sustainability makes the experience taste even better because you know you are not doing anything weird to the ocean. Consider this the seafood equivalent of responsible self care just with more butter.
There are two Trulucks locations in Austin. Downtown sits at 300 Colorado St, and the Arboretum location at 10225 Research Blvd Suite 4000. Pull up, crack some claws, and accept that you might spoil yourself forever.