Stone Crab Market Opens in Coral Gables

Holy Crab Brings Stone Crabs from the Keys to the Gables 

It is officially stone crab season and this year you don’t have to trek all the way to Joe’s in South Beach to enjoy the seasonal seafood. Founded by Irene Guerrero and Lucas Calderon, Holy Crab brings stone crabs from the Keys to the Gables, available for pick up or delivery. Partnering with fishermen in Key Largo, they opened last month inside of MKT Kitchen on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, aligning with the start of the season. “Holy Crab was born because of our love for stone crabs and the Keys, and us wanting to bring the first stone crabs to Coral Gables,” says Guerrero. 

The newest Gables business owner has lived here her entire life, attending St. Theresa Catholic School and getting both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Miami. “I’m a die-hard Coral Gables girl,” she says.

The company is about as sustainable as it gets. All packaging is made from 100 percent recycled material. The crabs themselves are sustainable; once fishermen catch them, they remove the claws and then safely release the crabs back into the ocean. According to Guerrero, the species can regenerate their claws six to seven times in their life. The claws are hard on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside.

Getting to the meat, however, requires a mallet to crack open the shell. Fortunately, Holy Crab sells mallets, and also bibs, to get the full stone crab experience even at home. The claws range in size from medium to colossal, and go best with key lime pie, fried chicken and hash browns, all of which are conveniently sold at MKT Kitchen. Stone crab prices vary daily depending on supply. Holy Crab will be open through stone crab season, which ends in May. To place your order, go to holycrabdelivery.com. Then pick it up at MKT Kitchen at 1831 Ponce de Leon Blvd.