Okay Nomsters, consider this a public service announcement, because you can get some of the best Maryland crab cakes around shipped straight to your door, and I’m a little obsessed. Pappas Seafood Co. sent me a box of their goodies to try, and I genuinely loved everything, but their Maryland crab soup, cream of crab soup, and those famous crab cakes were my absolute faves!
Pappas is a Baltimore institution, family run since 1972 and known coast to coast as the Home of the Traveling Crab Cake, and now I finally get the hype. Whether you’re a homesick Marylander craving real crab or just want to send someone a seriously good gift, this is the move. Quick note, this box was gifted so I could try it, but as always, every opinion here is 100 percent my own, you already know I keep it real. Here’s everything worth ordering.
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What to Know About Pappas Seafood’s Maryland Crab Cakes
Pappas isn’t some random online seafood shop, it’s the real deal. The family started in 1972 when Mark Pappas took over a spot in Parkville, and the crab cake recipe has stayed in the family ever since.
These are jumbo lump crab cakes with very little filler, which is exactly what you want, and they’ve racked up serious hardware, including seven culinary awards in just the last three years, from Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore to the Baltimore Sun Readers Poll for best crab cake. Even Oprah had them shipped and gave them her stamp of approval, lol. So yeah, when Pappas earned its spot in my roundup of the best crab cakes in the Baltimore area, it was well deserved.
What to Order from Pappas
Here’s what stood out from my box, all worth adding to your cart.
The Crab Cakes
Obviously, start here. These are the award-winning, jumbo lump crab cakes Pappas built its name on, packed with big pieces of crab and barely any filler, which is the whole point of a real Maryland crab cake. It’s an old family recipe that’s barely changed in over 50 years, and the signature cake runs around $34, and they arrive fresh, never frozen, so you’re getting them just about as close to made-to-order as shipping allows. If you order one thing, make it these.
Maryland Crab Soup
This was one of my absolute favorites. Maryland crab soup is the tomato-based, veggie-packed Chesapeake classic, basically the state’s unofficial soup, and Pappas does it right at about $12 a pint. It’s hearty and a little spiced, which is exactly what a Maryland crab soup should be. If you’re building an order, this one’s a must!
Cream of Crab Soup
The rich, creamy cousin to the Maryland crab, and my other top pick. Cream of crab is the velvety, Old Bay-kissed version, loaded with lump crab and often finished with a splash of sherry, and it runs around $17 a pint. Get both soups and do a little half-and-half situation, you won’t regret it. It’s SO good.
Can You Order Maryland Crab Cakes Online?
YES, and Pappas makes it easy. You order at pappascrabcakes.com, and they ship nationwide via overnight delivery, packed in an insulated cooler box with gel packs so everything arrives cold and fresh. Here’s how it works, though. The crab cakes actually show up raw, portioned and ready for you to shape and cook until golden, with easy instructions in the box.
The soups come in pouches you warm up on the stove, not the microwave. It’s genuinely low effort, and kind of fun to finish them yourself. If you’d rather eat one out instead, here’s my pick for the best crab cake in Baltimore.
Why Shipped Crab Cakes Make Such a Great Gift
Real talk, Maryland crab cakes are one of the best care packages you can send. If you know someone who moved away from Maryland and misses this kind of food, shipping them a box is such a great idea. Pappas leans into that whole Traveling Crab Cake thing for a reason, it works for holidays, birthdays, a homesick friend, or just treating yourself on a random Tuesday. And if you’re local and cracking whole steamed crabs is more your speed, Conrad’s in Parkville is a Baltimore-area go-to.
The Vibe and Experience
Since this is a shipped order, the experience is all about the unboxing and the cooking, and Pappas nailed it. Everything came packaged SO well, cold and secure, with clear directions tucked inside. The crab cakes do take a few minutes of hands-on cooking, since you shape and sear them yourself, so it’s not quite heat-and-eat, but that’s honestly part of the charm. It’s great for a cozy night in, a special occasion at home, or gifting to someone who deserves it.
Good to Know
- How to order: Online at pappascrabcakes.com. They ship nationwide via overnight delivery, Monday through Thursday, with a 1pm EST cutoff for same-day shipping.
- How it arrives: In an insulated cooler box with gel packs. Crab cakes come raw for you to shape and cook; soups come in pouches to heat on the stovetop.
- Prices: The signature crab cake is around $34, Maryland crab soup about $12 a pint, and cream of crab soup about $17 a pint. They run deals often, so join the email list.
- Prefer to dine in? Pappas has restaurant and sports bar locations in Cockeysville, Parkville, Glen Burnie, and Bel Air, plus an express carryout spot on Belair Road. 📍 8801 Belair Rd, Nottingham, MD 21236.
- Dietary: They offer a gluten-free crab cake option too.
- Heads up: This box was gifted so I could try it. All opinions are my own.
Is Pappas Worth It?
YES, especially if you love a jumbo lump, low-filler Maryland crab cake and want it delivered anywhere in the country. It’s not the most budget-friendly way to eat crab, but the quality, the awards, and the sheer convenience make it more than worth it for a treat or a gift. For a serious crab cake lover, this is a must, and if a real taste of Maryland is what you’re after, Pappas delivers, literally.
Have you guys ordered from Pappas yet, or do you have a go-to spot for Maryland crab cakes? Let me know in the comments, Nomsters, and if you know someone missing a taste of home, do them a favor and send this their way.