Delaware's best crab cake: 3 more challengers to Woody's in Dewey Beach

When we last checked in on Great Delaware Crab Cake Search in July, we were feeling secure that Woody's Dewey Beach Bar & Grill had the best cake to date.

The casual Sussex County restaurant off Del. 1 has lots of fans. This summer, actor and Delaware native Ryan Phillippe, on a visit to some of the state's beach towns, gave it a subtle shout-out when he posted an Instagram story of a Woody's visit, and included a photo of its plump crab cake.

Still, not everyone agrees. One reader said:

"Went to Woody's last Thursday to try the famous crab cake. Sorry to say, I was disappointed with it. I'm from Baltimore and very picky about crab cakes. It was lovely lump crab meat, but very little seasoning. It would be great with a bit of mayo and Old Bay.  Honestly, I would not go back again!

Thanks,

Pat Fox

But taste also is subjective. Here's another thought:

I have a vacation home in Dewey Beach and I'm a regular customer of Woody’s. I live in Wilmington and tried many of the places listed in your [past] article. None can compare with Woody’s. Their crab cakes are loaded with crab with no filler.

Thanks!

Bill Tansey

Some recent visits to other locations for crab cakes suggested by readers still haven't changed my mind about Woody's — and the quest continues through the end of the summer — but I did encounter some fine cakes.

Krazy Kat's at the Inn at Montchanin, 528 Montchanin Road, has long been known for its jumbo lump crab cakes. I went for a recent dinner and our server told us the cakes are made and held together with nothing more than a creamy shrimp mousse.

What's also nice is that the eatery gives you a choice — you can get one or two cakes at dinner ($20/$32).

Krazy Kat's crab cakes are very meaty and there is little to no filler and some very nice lumps. But the cakes tasted like they were handled too long and packed a little too tight. I couldn't really taste the shrimp mousse. The cakes also seemed in need of a touch more brownness on top.

It's been a while since I've been to Kat's dining room, a former blacksmith shop, that's decorated with funky fun feline and canine decorations. I mean, really, is there anything better than the portrait of the red tabby dressed in royal garb?

Crab cakes probably would not be my first choice here. What definitely would bring me back to Kat's, however, is the Hudson Valley foie gras appetizer ($17). This luxury food item is served with a mini peach cheesecake, arugula and fennel salad, cherry walnut vinaigrette, sugar-roasted almonds and port wine reduction. 

Several readers have touted George & Sons' at 1216 Old Lancaster Pike in Hockessin for crab cakes. And indeed I'm very fond of this family-run seafood store/restaurant where everyone from the oyster shuckers to the servers are friendly and affable and the casual surroundings warm and pleasant. 

While I liked "Dad's Crabcake Sandwich" ($18), the 5-ounce patty on a brioche bun served with lettuce, tomato and roasted red pepper aioli gets one demerit for mixing the jumbo lump meat with claw meat. The taste was very good, and the claw meat adds more "crabbiness" to the patty, but the shellfish snob in me prefers cakes made with all jumbo lump.

Instead, I suggest splurging on George's famed lobster roll. At $24, it might sound pricey, but this sandwich, on a buttery, toasted, split-top bun, is George's signature dish for a reason: It's terrific and stuffed with shellfish. You can get the lobster meat cold and mixed with mayonnaise or served hot with butter.

I'd suggest first splitting an order of steamed littleneck clams ($16 for two dozen). Oh, and definitely try the delectable she-crab soup (with a lovely touch of sherry) when it's available. I also wouldn't mind calling ahead to order a couple dozen of steamed hard shells to pick at one of the tables.

I've had hit-or-miss meals previously at Big Fish Grill Wilmington Riverfront, but the jumbo lump crab cake ($16.95 for one, $25.95 for two) I sampled this month was a winner. This is definitely a contender in the Great Delaware Crab Cake Search.

The broiled, lightly seasoned cake was beautifully browned, and the inside had just enough creaminess to keep the jumbo lumps together. Bravo, Big Fish. 

Just as good, if not better than the crab cake, was a juicy, flash-fried, softshell crab sandwich ($15.95). The eatery serves a “whale-sized" softshell on a brioche bun with lettuce, a beautiful, ripe slice of tomato and a side of remoulade.

MORE DELAWARE FOOD

Woody's in Dewey tops in Delaware Crab Cake Search

Limestone BBQ and Bourbon influenced by famed Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas

The News Journal/delawareonline.com reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and accuracy. Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico