Hammer & Claws Blue Crab Feast 2012

This past weekend, I attended the 2nd annual Hammer & Claws Blue Crab Feast. For $89 per ticket, each participant was eligible for:

All U Can Eat Blue Crabs
All U Can Drink Beer
No Cash / Tickets to Worry About

(image via hammerandclaws.com)

I'm a hugeeeeee crab lover...and all you can drink beer?  There was no way I was passing up this opportunity!  So on Saturday afternoon, I made my way to the Tunnel Space of the Terminal Stores building on 11th Ave and 28th Street. Upon arrival, I checked in and received my bracelet.  I actually arrived 20 minutes after the start time and was happy to see that there was no line at the registration table!

Registratin/check-in table

My participant bracelet and "I'm 21!" stamp

As I made my way through the venue, I saw just how popular this event was.  There were so many long tables filllllled with people eating away!  I loved the casual and relaxed atmosphere!

Full tables in the front half of the hall

More and more tables of fellow crab lovers chomping away!

The food and drink area was extremely organized.  Each table featured a certain food item already portioned out and ready for you to grab n' go.  This system proved to be efficient and I was shocked to see that there was never a line for food (well sometimes there was a bit of a hold up but it was never more than 5 min) - not even for the crabs or beer.  Given the amount of participants at the event, the no waiting was a huge bonus!  Yippeeeeee!

Different beers ready to go.  Also available were Izze sodas, waters, root beer

Let's grab some food!

Traditional sides including pickles, coleslaw, cornbread, and potato salad

Hot dogs!

Fresh corn on the cob

And the feature event: tray upon tray of live cooked-on-site Maryland blue crabs!!!

Once we grabbed one of each (and good thing the trays are pretty much stackable heee) we snagged a spot at one of the tables.  Each seating area was covered in paper and set with Old Bay, paper towels, and hammers!

Classic crab boil necessities: roll of paper towels, Old Bay, and hammers!

And its time to dig in - let the festivities begin!

Feast time!

And after two hours of smashing, cracking, and stuffing my face, I left behind the following spoils of war:

Polished off 14 crabbies all by myself! 

What remains of my 14 crabbies....

I had a great time at the Hammer & Claws Blue Crab Feast.  The crabs were sweet and fresh, the sides awesome, and the beer free flowing.  Top it off with efficient management and no lines, I already can't wait for next years feast!  I'm already counting down to 2013...

Piggy says Yes!

Hammer & Claws Blue Crab Feast 
The Tunnel at The Terminal Stores - 269 11th Avenue (11th Ave and 28th St)
Held annually the weekend after Labor Day Weekend

Thanks for reading - Piggy KK