This Indiana Seafood Buffet Serves Crab The Way Midwest Families Say It Should Taste

Craving crab that tastes like the Midwest signs off on it with a hearty nod and a second helping?

This downtown Indiana spot nails it. Crab 99 Bar and Restaurant at 14 E Washington St in Indianapolis, Indiana serves big flavor in a modern space that still feels unfussy and friendly.

The boil bags, the vibey music, and the reliable service turn dinner into a little celebration.

Pull up a chair and let the sauce do the talking while you handle the crab legs like a seasoned pro.

Snow Crab Legs With Signature Boiling Sauce

Start strong with legs that crack easy and taste like victory. The signature boiling sauce brings garlic, butter, and Cajun warmth that hugs the meat without burying it. I wiped the bowl clean with a potato because wasting sauce would be a crime in Indiana.

Service matters and they nail it here. Our server steered the spice to medium and it hit just right. You get corn and potato riding shotgun, and both soak up flavor like champs so nothing on the tray tastes like a side character.

Seafood Gumbo That Means Business

First spoonful, and it is clear they respect the roux. Dark, deep, and honest, the gumbo carries shrimp, crab, and sausage with just enough heat to keep the spoon moving. I caught myself timing bites with the RnB track playing softly over the bar.

Texture is the star here. Rice is tender, not mushy, and the broth clings with silky confidence. Order a cup if you want to warm up or a bowl if you plan to stay awhile and let the spice settle in nicely.

Raw Oysters To Kick Off The Party

Nothing sets the tone like a chilled tray of oysters and a squeeze of lemon. These arrive bright and briny with a mignonette that does not try too hard. One slurp in and you are prepped for crab duty like a champ.

Keep it simple with hot sauce or ride with the house cocktail sauce. I shared a dozen and still wanted two more because pacing is hard when they taste this clean. Pro tip, pair with a spicy margarita and thank yourself later.

Honey Garlic Wings For The Table

Surprise hit, these wings walk in crispy and leave you sticky in the best way. The honey garlic glaze rides the line between sweet and savory without getting cloying. I risked a napkin shortage because every bite demanded another.

If crab is your headline, wings are the perfect opener. They come out hot and stay crunchy, even after a dunk in sauce. Share them if you must, but ordering a second round removes the negotiation entirely.

Combination Sauce Triple Threat

When the menu offers all three sauces together, do not overthink it. The garlic butter, Cajun spice, and lemon pepper combine like a greatest hits album for seafood. I dragged crab, shrimp, and even sausage through it just to test the limits.

Balance is the win here, with zest, heat, and richness playing nice on every bite. Medium spice keeps flavor first, but you can level up if your taste buds are thrill seekers. Either way, the sauce refuses to be background music.

Catfish With Cajun Pasta

Cravings get answered fast with this duo. The catfish arrives flaky and seasoned while the pasta brings creamy heat that hangs out without overstaying. I did the polite fork twirl, then gave up and dove in like a happy chaos gremlin.

It is comfort food dressed for downtown. The portion lands squarely in the shareable zone, but guarding your plate is understandable. Pair with a chilled cocktail and you are winning dinner without breaking pace.

Snow Crab And Shrimp Combo Bag

Here comes the crowd pleaser, a heavy hitter with generous legs and plump shrimp. The bag opens and the steam cloud smells like a standing ovation you can practically feel across Indiana. I reached for an extra bib because the splash zone is real.

Choose medium spice if you want flavor clarity or crank it higher for drama. Corn pops with sweetness and the potatoes drink up sauce like champs. Crack, peel, dunk, repeat until the table goes quiet and the tray is a beautiful mess — the kind Indiana seafood lovers fully approve of.

Vibe Check And Practical Details

Downtown location keeps it easy before a concert or after a game. The space is modern, unfussy, and lively, with RnB cruising along and a long bar that hums. I have popped in at off hours and still found the staff friendly and quick with tips.

Hours run most days 2 to 10 PM, with later weekend nights, so timing is flexible. Prices sit in the solid value zone for seafood downtown. If you love crab done right, this address becomes a habit fast.