Backyard Boiler Brings the Crab Feast to Union Landing

You no longer have to go to San Fracisco to get your fresh crab fix.

Opening at the end of the month is , a new restaurant at Union Landing specializing in Cajun-style seafood.

With fresh crab from the Bay Area and Pacific coast and Louisiana crawfish flown in daily, the restaurant promises to cure your crustaceous cravings.

“You don’t need to drive to the city, the wharf of the pier,” said general manager Patrick Wong. “You can get it right here in your backyard in Union City.”

Located at 32280 Dyer St. in the former Tuttimelon, Backyard Boiler is the kind of place you’ll need a bib for. You’ll play with your food and get your fingers dirty — which, of course, is the only way to properly eat crab — then cool down with a chilled beer.

Their menu includes king crab legs, whole Dungeness crab, crawfish, shrimp, clams and oysters, along with Cajun favorites such as fried catfish, fresh oysters, hot wings and a variety of sides.

For their shellfish, customers can pick their heat (mild, medium or spicy) and choose between two flavors to drown them in: Cajun garlic butter or “backyard style” — a blend of 13 spices developed by Backyard Boiler’s executive chef, Rich Medina, a seasoned local chef with a background in Creole cooking.

Their menu is also reasonably priced.

“People think seafood is expensive,” Wong said. “Our goal is to make it affordable.”

Whole Dungeness crab costs $14.99 a pound and smaller shellfish run $9.99 per pound. Sides range from 79 cents for corn on the cob to $5.99 for gumbo, with most other items also costing $9.99.

Families will want to grab their “Backyard Bucket,” a smorgasbord feast with two whole crabs, two pounds of crawfish or shrimp and a variety of sides for $89.99. It feeds two to four people.

The restaurant also features a bar with a variety of beers, including their signature Backyard Cooler, which is a blend of ginger, lemon and beer.

“It’s the perfect combination for spicy crab,” Wong said.

Though Backyard Boiler will inevitably draw comparisons to popular San Jose restaurant Boiling Crab and , Wong, a Bay Area native who now resides in Union City, said he first came across the restaurant concept while living in southern California.

He’s been planning the restaurant for more than two years and has spent the last several months converting the former frozen yogurt shop into a fast casual restaurant.

What sets Backyard Boiler apart from others, Wong said, is the restaurant’s fun, laidback and universal atmosphere.

“We made this more for a social experience,” he said. “We want to be the Cheers of Union City.”

Hence the emphasis on “Backyard.”

“The backyard is where me and my buddies hang out,” Wong said. “It’s a fun gathering place. We wanted to bring that experience to Union City.”

Wong traded the gaudy, sea-sickening nautical-themed décor found in other crab shacks for a simple design. The space has a lounge-y, pub feel with a brick interior, several flat-screen TVs and downtempo house beats thumping on the speakers.

With enough seating for 50 to 60 people, Backyard Boiler will be a welcome addition — and new option — for Union Landing.

“Union Landing is a dining center, but whenever we wanted seafood, there weren’t any options,” Wong said. “This will compliment the center so well.”

Backyard Boiler will open later this month, with a grand opening in April.

“Come kick back, grab a drink and have a great time,” Wong said.

Backyard Boiler will be open Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.

For more information on Backyard Boiler, visit their website at www.backyardboiler.com and like them on Facebook.