Fresh seafood and a waterfront view. That’s what so many vacationers seek when visiting coastal areas, at least in the Carolinas.

I’ve been going to the Charleston Crab House on Wappoo Creek since I was about 10 years old, nearly 30 years ago. Back then they served “Crab Puppies,” hushpuppies with actual bits of crab in them. The restaurant switched to just hushpuppies without the meat years ago, but the waterfront view and much of the menu remain the same and fantastic.

Many times in my life I’ve sat at the Crab House and watched dolphins swim in tandem in the nearby waters. I’ve gazed at the Wappoo Creek bridge as it rises in the center to allow taller sailboats and other vessels through, a real marvel for many kids like I was. And I’ve watched recreational boats pull up, fishermen exit, clean their catches on the dockside tables and then bring them in for the Crab House kitchen to cook. That’s still a menu option today!

The restaurant offers a great coastal atmosphere and excellent seafood to match. I can say from experience that the crab cakes, fried flounder and fried shrimp are all excellent. You can find discounts on several selections of fried seafood if you eat here at lunchtime.

On my last visit with my wife Molly, I tried something new to me at this particular restaurant. I selected the Lowcountry Shrimp Boil, a pot of large shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes, sausage, butter and seasonings boiled together and served in a bucket. Get the napkins! It’s delicious, but it’s mighty messy.

Ah, well, I like to say “love is messy” when referring to food anyways! Some of the best meals are the messiest ones, and either the food itself or your mouth (or both) are quite untidy thanks to it.

The Charleston Crab House has three locations, so be aware of that when deciding where to eat. There’s one adjacent to the historic market in downtown, another on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant and this one to which I refer on Wappoo Creek in the James Island area of Charleston, almost right next to McLeod Plantation, a local historic site we visited and also highly recommend. The latter Crab House spot is the one I’ve always visited, and it’s the one I endorse from experience.

There’s plenty of parking here, but also know that you might be confused at first when you leave the main highway. You might think you’re entering a business park and condo area that won’t lead to a restaurant. Be patient and follow the curves around to the eatery. Trust me, it’s there.

You can also trust you’ll get a quality seafood experience here, if that’s what you’re seeking on your Charleston visit. There are a lot of great places to get seafood in this restaurant-rich area, but there’s a reason my family’s long selected the Crab House among our meals when traveling to the Lowcountry. It’s one of the best.

Charleston Crab House, James Island, 145 Wappoo Creek Drive, Charleston, S.C.