Seafood chain opens Grand Rapids-area location

The Saucy Crab, a Louisiana- and Cajun-style seafood chain, now has a location in greater Grand Rapids.

Tinley Park, Illinois-based The Saucy Crab on Aug. 17 opened a corporate-owned location at 5039 28th St. SE in Cascade Township, next to the former IHOP.

Eric Corey, a longtime local food and beverage industry worker, is the location’s general manager. Corey said his experience includes stints at Gravity Taphouse Grille, City Built Brewing Company, Fifth Third Ballpark’s food and beverage department, Perrin Brewing Co. and AHC Hospitality.

He said the restaurant still is hiring a few more hosts, hostesses and servers.

The Saucy Crab’s menu includes specialty battered shrimp and catfish dipped in housemade sauces, as well as seafood including lobster, crab, crawfish and shrimp mixed in a bag with the brand’s signature “WOO Pig Sooiee” seasoning and butter.

The restaurant is seeking a liquor license and hopes to begin serving specialty cocktails and local craft beer next month.

Corey said he is excited to bring his energy and experience to the new restaurant, which is the first Saucy Crab location in Michigan.

“We’re really excited to be here and servicing this community,” he said. “We have a great product and will be expanding our menu to reflect some requests that have come in (during) the past few weeks.”

Corey said the family-owned Saucy Crab chain currently is looking to expand to other locations in Michigan, possibly including Ann Arbor, Lansing and Traverse City.

The Saucy Crab is open for dine-in and takeout from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Reservations are recommended by calling (616) 259-8888 or (616) 288-9999.

More information about the restaurant is at thesaucycrabusa.com.