San Francisco Food Blog

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Revelers meet annually at No. Nine Fisherman's Wharf.

​This weekend will mark the 12th year of Crabonanza, one of those only in San Francisco events that celebrates the start of local Dungeness season. And, well, drinking. On Sunday, Nov. 29, at 9 a.m., crustacean lovers will gather around the boil pots at No. Nine Fisherman's Wharf, devouring fresh-cracked Dungeness, washed down with adult beverages of choice.

Jon Rochmis, who together with James Irwin organized the first Crabonanaza back in 1998, told SFoodie is was originally a gathering of SF Gate workers. In the years since, said Rochmis -- a former editor at SF Gate, now a journalism teacher at S.F. State, among other things -- Crabonanza has become a gathering of "media types, startup types, Burning Man types, and alcoholics."

Here's the deal: The first Crabonanza of the year happens on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, then once a month through the end of local Dungeness season in spring. Attendees buy their own crabs (in the order they showed up), and crack BYOB bottles and cans.

"There's nothing greater in San Francisco than going to Fisherman's Wharf and getting a freshly cooked crab, getting some sourdough, and just sitting there," Rochmis said. And while Crabonanza goers are free to bring whatever tipple they like, Rochmis calls Anchor Porter the "unofficial official beer" of the crab-sucking party. "Anchor Porter is not only a delicious breakfast beer, it goes really well with crab," he said. After the last crab has been sucked clean, the party moves to the Buena Vista for Irish coffee.

Rochmis said there have been as many as 55 souls who've braved Crabonanza. Later in the season, numbers tend to settle around 12 or 15. It's open to all who are called -- just show up. Additional details at Crabonanza's Facebook page.