Crawfish House

"Gather a group and secure your bib for this one: The joyously messy Viet-Cajun seafood boil reigns at Hiep Ngo’s Crawfish House in White Center. Order seafood by the pound — including regional delicacies like Dungeness crab and, from May to October, signal crawfish, the only one native to the Pacific Northwest — and add sauces like garlic butter or Tango, a house specialty with tamarind for a sweet-savory tartness. The extensive menu also features the likes of seafood egg rolls, oysters fresh or fried in po’ boys, clam chowder, and fried catfish with crawfish etouffee." - Mark DeJoy

"If rummaging through bags of garlic butter in gloves and a bib sounds like a good time, let us introduce you to The Crawfish House, where the fun starts the moment you walk in. This White Center staple is decorated with fishing nets hanging from the ceiling, buoy ornaments, and murals of giant crawfish depicted as WWE wrestlers. Prioritize this place for a Saturday group situation that revolves around boiled shellfish, fried snacks, and becoming butter-drunk." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente

"Why every restaurant doesn't give you gloves and a bib is something we would like to take up with the Supreme Court. For now, Crawfish House is on the right side of history. This neighborhood staple, decorated with fishing nets hanging from the ceiling, buoy ornaments, and murals of giant crawfish depicted as WWE wrestlers, is perfect for a group meal revolving around shellfish consumption. Always start with a round of Lucky Buddhas and a basket of snacks like fried pickles or cajun wings. Once the smell of butter and garlic has tempted you enough, get into the crustaceans, particularly the classic crawfish boil with potatoes, corn, and andouille sausage." - kayla sager riley

"Experiencing a birthday dinner at this Viet-Cajun place in White Center is similar to the euphoria felt as a kid after going to Disney World but without the childhood trauma of having to hug a giant mouse. Perfect for large party walk-ins, there's plenty of room to invite even a few third-tier friends if you simply must. And as you rummage through bags of seafood and leave saucy handprints on styrofoam cups of spiked strawberry lemonade, you’ll be reminded that a good birthday is not complete without some pals (of all tiers), shared moments over shrimp shells, and oil stains on your shirt. " - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

"Owner Hiep Ngo has been bringing a little bit of Cajun to White Center for over a decade. There’s plenty of fried goodness coming out of the kitchen — catfish, shrimp, oysters, and the eponymous crustacean. Get your fill in a heaping basket with chips, or between two chewy slices of French bread with a classic bo boy. Or roll up your sleeves for a seafood boil where on certain weekends you can score a three-pound crawfish special." - Jenise Silva