When it comes to crab season in Baltimore, you have a few choices. You can get a bushel, a few cases of beer, call up a few friends, and have a crab feast in your backyard. Or if that's too much work, then you can always go out to a restaurant, cozy up to a table lined with brown paper, and whack away. Or you can go the more economical route, and bring some crabs home from a carryout joint like Bill's Seafood. For over 35 years, Bill's has been steaming crabs year round. Crabs are sourced from our local watermen, as well as from Louisiana, Texas, and North Carolina to provide steamed crabs year-round. You can carry out (either through online ordering or by stopping by on a whim), or they can cater your party. With so many choices in the area for carryout, we braved the waters, and checked Bill's Seafood out. Are they good enough for your lunch or party? Let's find out!

Conrad's started out back in 2003 as a seafood market on Joppa Rd. Since then, they have opened a seasonal location in Phoenix, a stand at Ripkin Stadium in Aberdeen, and their newest location, which is a full fledged bar and restaurant in Perry Hall (taking over the old Surf City location). Conrad's prides themselves on participating in the True Blue program, which is a voluntary labeling effort that lets you know the source of your crabs. Using local Maryland crabmeat is definitely the first ingredient in a quality crab cake, but you still have to bind and season it. Does Conrad's tread the crab properly? Follow along and find out!

Lib's Grill is a new venture from a well known Italian restaurant chain, Liberatore's. Instead of opening yet another Italian restaurant location, they opened a new raw bar concept (which happens to be a few doors down from one of their Italian restaurant locations). You'll find an extensive oyster bar, in addition to steaks, sandwiches, flatbreads, and seafood. Which, of course, includes crab cakes. Do they use the same recipe as their parent restaurant, or did they come up with their own unique take? Let's find out!

Skipjack's Crab House has a long history behind it, despite only being open since 2009. There was a seafood wholesaler/retailer down in Louisiana (Seaside Seafood) that would provide Louisiana crabs to a few select crab houses in the Baltimore area that started in the early 70's. Around 2003, two college buddies bought that business, and relocated the carry out to Glen Burnie, which they still operate (known as "The Carry-Out"). Skipjack's exists because they wanted to expand to the north side of Baltimore and be the go-to place for Louisiana-style seafood. While they're not featuring Maryland crabs, Louisiana crabs are often flown in during the off season and are still pretty tasty. But where their crab cakes just as delicious? Let's find out!

With a name like The Harp, you instantly know that they are an Irish bar. Not just any Irish bar, but one of 2013 Baltimore's Best Restaurants according to Urbanspoon, and was named one of Baltimore's 25 Best Bars by Baltimore Magazine, as well as one of Restaurant.com's top rated restaurants in 2012. Now, Irish bars will generally serve your Irish menu regulars, such as Bangers & Mash, Fish & Chips, and a fresh pint of Guinness. While all of your favorites are there, but there are some items that aren't so Irish. Like, for instance, crab cakes! Read on and see if they lived up to The Harp's reputation!