Austin W.
Yelp
Since Dungeness crab season had just recently started, my friends and I considered doing a crab boil at home. However, the thought of picking up fresh crabs from the store or pier, gathering all the seasonings and equipment, and prepping for a large group of ten felt like way too much work. After dining at Hang Ten Boiler, I can confidently say I have no regrets about choosing to go out instead.
We called Hang Ten a day in advance to see if they could accommodate our party of ten. They told us we'd be put on a waitlist, since they don't take reservations. To be honest, I'm sure exactly what the difference is. Fortunately, when we showed up on Friday at 6:00 p.m., the restaurant was nearly empty, and we were seated right away at a large combined table.
A heads-up about the menu: the seafood prices aren't listed, just "MP" (market price). I looked around for a chalkboard or something displaying the prices but didn't see one. In hindsight, we probably should've just asked, but be aware that ordering crab is much pricier than shrimp. My wife and I shared a 2 lb. bag of shrimp and clams, which came out to $55. Meanwhile, our friends, who shared a bag that included crab, ended up paying over $100. It's a lot of food, but don't expect it to be cheap. Come with a big appetite or plan for leftovers.
As for the food itself, it was hit or miss. Most of the shrimp were well-cooked and plump, but the clams were shriveled, tiny, and flavorless. The corn soaked up all the broth's flavor and was delicious, and I'd definitely recommend getting hot links if you like sausage in your seafood boil. Be warned: the spice levels here are intense! I usually handle spice well, but even the medium was pushing it for me. My friends ordered spicy, and after one bite, I had to tap out.
This meal will put you in a food coma. The seafood boil is heavy, and they do not hold back on the butter. Despite the plastic bibs and gloves they provide, expect a mess--be mindful of what you wear!
Because our group was so large and we had so many different orders, they forgot to bring over one of the included bowl of rice. When we asked about it, they eventually brought it over, but later, we realized it had been added to the bill as an extra charge.
We also tried a few sides--Cajun fries, garlic noodles, and mac salad. All were solid, but the garlic noodles were the clear favorite.
Overall, Hang Ten is a solid spot for a seafood boil, but it comes with a few caveats: the prices aren't transparent, the food is rich and messy, and service can be a little spotty. If you come prepared for all that, you'll probably have a good time.