The Daily Pilot has consistently recognized The Crab Cooker as a significant part of Orange County’s dining and cultural fabric. The publication has run numerous features on the restaurant, often focusing on its historical significance and its role as a community gathering spot for seafood lovers. Founded in 1951, the Newport Beach location has served generations of families, and the Tustin location has brought the same experience inland since it opened in 1992.
The Daily Pilot has noted how The Crab Cooker’s simple yet effective approach to seafood—fresh ingredients, mesquite broiling, and a relaxed atmosphere—sets it apart in a competitive restaurant market. From features on the restaurant’s founders to stories of celebrity sightings, The Crab Cooker remains a beloved fixture in the pages of the Daily Pilot and in the hearts of its readers.
