Crab is obviously king at Ragin’ Crab. (Photo by Kathy Tran)

Crab is obviously king at Ragin’ Crab. (Photo by Kathy Tran)

For several years, the site was a hookah hipster hangout known as Kush, but in January the smoky stench was replaced by a salty brine when Ragin’ Crab opened its doors. With a menu built around big Cajun flavors and freshly flown in seafood, it offers a little taste of Louisiana on Lowest Greenville.

Sign up for our newsletter

* indicates required

“You’ll savor the flavor for a long time, that’s what I want,” says owner Steve Sohn. “No shallow flavors.”

Sohn has spent nine years on the Dallas restaurant scene and is also the proprietor of Hibashi Teppan Grill in Far North Dallas by the Galleria. He says he was inspired to open Ragin’ Crab when he saw the popularity of Cajun flavors in Dallas, but his signature spice comes with an unusual Asian twist.

“It’s a fusion of flavors,” Sohn explains. “It’s something different than what everyone else does.”

And standing out is important — Greenville Avenue is littered with Cajun joints from Shuck ‘n Jive to not one but two Dodie’s. Ragin’ Crab is hoping to carve out a niche with a mixture of family establishment and sports bar — somewhere you can watch the game but wouldn’t be afraid to take the kids. The cocktail list includes Bourbon Street favorites like a super boozy Hurricane, alongside popular Texas beer brands like Deep Ellum Brewery and Revolver.

The menu is stacked with Southern staples. Start with a vodka oyster shooter, a hot cup of gumbo or a sweet plate of hushpuppies. Crab, of course, is king and comes five different ways: classic Louisiana, lemon pepper, garlic, garlic butter, Cajun or the house blend known as “Ragin’ Bang” that includes three levels of heat. All shellfish is sold at daily market price. Crab options include king, Dungeness, snow and sometimes blue depending on the season, flown in fresh from Alaska, San Francisco, Boston and Maryland.

“To me, personally, snow crab is the best because it has juicy and sweet crab flavors,” Sohn suggests.

Ragin’ Crab
2100 Greenville
214.827.2722
ragincrab.com
Ambiance: Family friendly sports bar
Price range: $15-$50
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Did you know: The patio is dog friendly and has misters to keep Fido cool.