Our Story
A family kitchen with a beach-shack heart.
Meet the family behind the boils, the seasoning, and the shack that turned into the Yakima Valley's favorite seafood spot.
Founded 2021
Louisiana meets Sinaloa, in the Yakima Valley.
Wacky Crab Shack was born from a simple idea: bring together the two seafood traditions our family loves most — a proper Louisiana boil and Sinaloa-style seafood plates — and serve them in one loud, colorful, welcoming shack.
The seasoning is Mom’s homemade recipe. The kitchen is run by us. The seafood is prepped daily and shared on trays big enough for the whole family. It’s the cookout we grew up with, opened up for the whole valley.
We opened on 1st Avenue in Yakima in 2021 and quickly outgrew the space. In 2024 we moved down the road to 1601 East Washington Avenue in Union Gap — a bigger, brighter beach shack with a hand-painted dolphin mural, thatched tiki roof, and every wacky sign we could hang up.
Our timeline
From food truck dream to beach-shack reality.
- 2021
Wacky Crab Shack opens
The family opens the shack on 1st Avenue in Yakima, serving the valley's first true Louisiana-style seafood boils tossed in Mom's homemade Cajun seasoning.
- 2022
Word gets out
A tight kitchen, huge trays, and Sinaloa-style plates turn Wacky Crab into a weekend go-to for Yakima Valley families and seafood lovers.
- 2024
A bigger shack in Union Gap
We move to a larger, splashier space at 1601 East Washington Avenue in Union Gap — the same family, the same seasoning, more room for the boil.
- Today
Feeding the valley
Open seven days a week with dine-in, takeout via Toast, and catering for anything from a birthday to a big community event.
Why we do it
Family first, seafood second, fun always.
Family-run kitchen
Every recipe is a family recipe. Every boil comes off a stove we're standing behind. We run the shack the same way we cook at home.
Fresh, daily
We prep the seafood in-house, every day. When it's not fresh, it doesn't go on the tray. Simple standard, high bar.
Big flavors, big table
Louisiana and Sinaloa share a love of bold, garlicky, citrusy, chile-forward heat. We honor both, and we serve it on a shareable tray in the middle of the table.
Loved locally
What our customers are saying
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Best seafood boil in the Yakima Valley — the Cajun seasoning is unreal, and the portions are huge. We came for a birthday and the whole family loved it.
M Maria G. Reviewed on Google -
The aguachile and the Michelada are a perfect pairing. Feels like home cooking with real Sinaloa flavors. Staff is super friendly too.
C Carlos R. Reviewed on Google -
Loaded nachos are massive and the shrimp tacos are so crispy. Great atmosphere for kids — the dolphin mural was a hit with my nephew.
J Jessica L. Reviewed on Google -
Snow crab boil tossed in their signature seasoning is what I keep coming back for. Nothing else in Union Gap comes close.
A Anthony M. Reviewed on Google -
We ordered catering for a work event and everyone raved about it. The team made it easy — the seafood arrived hot, fresh, and beautifully plated.
P Priscilla V. Reviewed on Google -
The ceviche is the freshest I've had around here. Big flavors, fair prices, and one of the friendliest crews in the valley. 10/10.
D Dominic H. Reviewed on Google
Your review helps other Yakima Valley families find the shack.