Florida's Best-Kept Stone Crab Secret?
TL Team May 21, 2025
It’s not every day Tai Lopez ditches the glitz of Miami for a laid-back seafood joint tucked between the ocean and the Intracoastal in Hollywood Beach, Florida. But when the craving for stone crabs hits hard, you go where the claws are fresh, the mustard sauce is legendary, and the dirty martinis are poured like poetry. That place is Billy’s Stone Crab.

Tai rolled into Billy’s on a sunny weekend afternoon, the salty sea breeze in the air and a hungry crew in tow. “You can keep South Beach,” he said, half-joking. “I came here for the claws.”

Welcome to Hollywood…Florida

Not to be confused with its West Coast namesake, Hollywood, FL is one of South Florida’s more underrated beach towns. Sandwiched between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood Beach has its own charm. A long, vibrant boardwalk, a mix of classic Florida kitsch and modern renovations, and a fun cast of locals and snowbirds—French Canadians, retired New Yorkers, beach bums—make it an ideal low-key escape.

Hollywood’s food scene is quietly impressive, blending Caribbean, Latin, and classic Floridian flavors. And right at the center of it, steps from the boardwalk and nestled along the Intracoastal, sits a seafood institution that’s as old-school as it gets: Billy’s Stone Crab.



The Legacy of Billy’s

Billy’s Stone Crab has been cracking claws and winning hearts since 1975. It started as a small market and has grown into a full-on dining destination. Still family-owned, Billy’s has a reputation for serving up some of the best stone crabs in Florida—rivaling even the legendary Joe’s in Miami Beach. In fact, Tai swears by it.

“It’s just as good as Joe’s,” he said. “And only slightly easier to get into.”

The restaurant offers two experiences: the elegant, white-tablecloth main dining room overlooking the water, and a more low-key market and bar setup next door. That’s where Tai went. “Look, if you know, you know. The market bar is the hack. No reservations, no fuss. Just stone crabs, cold drinks, and good vibes.”

The bartender even remembered Tai’s last visit—and his order.

Tai’s Order at Billy’s

This meal ranks high on Tai’s personal food hall of fame—easily one of his favorite seafood spreads anywhere in the world. “There are only a few meals that live in your memory like a favorite movie,” he said. “This one? Oscar-worthy.” The combination of the sweet, meaty claws, the tangy mustard sauce, the crispy potatoes, and a perfectly dirty martini was the kind of simple luxury Tai loves.
  • 1 lb of Large Stone Crabs (per person) – pre-cracked, served cold, and paired with their iconic mustard sauce. Tai couldn’t stop talking about the sauce—tangy, creamy, a little spicy. “I have no idea what’s in it besides mustard,” he joked, “but I’d eat it on anything. Fries, toast, a flip-flop... doesn’t matter.”
     
  • Lyonnaise Potatoes – crispy, buttery, loaded with onions, and best when dipped in the mustard sauce.
     
  • Dirty Martinis (Extra Dirty) – with blue cheese-stuffed olives. “A strong martini’s the perfect pairing,” said Tai. “It cuts right through the sweetness of the crab.”
One outlier in the group ordered fried shrimp—“which was good,” Tai admitted. “But if you’re skipping stone crabs at Billy’s, something’s off.” Tai might even have to reconsider his friendship with this person.

Stone Crab 101

Stone crabs are a Florida delicacy, famous for their sweet, tender meat and sustainable harvesting. Only the claws are taken (usually one), and the crab is returned to the ocean to regenerate. It’s one of the most eco-friendly seafood options out there.

While Billy’s is a top-tier spot, it's part of a proud South Florida tradition. Other iconic places to get stone crabs include Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach (the OG), Truluck’s in Fort Lauderdale, and Kelly’s Landing, a New England-style spot (also in Fort Lauderdale) that does them justice.

Stone Crab Sizes:
  • Medium: Affordable, good for crab newbies.
     
  • Large: The Tai-approved sweet spot. More meat, not too pricey.
     
  • Jumbo/Colossal: Impressive size, premium price.
Pro Tip: They come pre-cracked at Billy’s, so you don’t have to wrestle with tools. Just dip, eat, and repeat.

Stone Crab Season: Stone crab season (October 15 – May 1)  isn’t year-round—so plan your trip accordingly. The claws are a hot commodity, and there’s a limited window to enjoy them at their freshest. If you're struggling to remember the dates, just think: crab claws don't do summer. And if you still can’t think straight with claws on your mind, remember: “If there’s no R in the month, there’s no claw on your plate.”

Menu Highlights (Besides Stone Crabs)

Remember: the stone crabs are the main event. That’s why you’re here. But if you’re looking to round out your meal—or if someone in your party is somehow not a fan of stone crabs (weird, but okay)—Billy’s still delivers strong backup options.
  • Fried Shrimp Platter – Lightly breaded and golden-fried, these shrimp are juicy and well-seasoned. A solid alternative if you’re avoiding shell-cracking.
     
  • Grouper Sandwich – A local favorite, this sandwich features fresh, flaky grouper on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce. Classic Florida vibes.
     
  • Crab Cakes – Loaded with real crab meat, minimal filler, seared to a crispy edge, and served with a zesty remoulade.
     
  • Steamed Clams – Tender and briny, steamed in a buttery garlic broth that’s perfect for sopping up with bread.
     
  • Key Lime Pie – A must-order dessert: tart, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet, topped with whipped cream on a crunchy graham cracker crust. – A must-order, tart and creamy with the perfect graham crust.
Ambiance & Dining Vibes
  • Main Dining Room: Nautical elegance, couples celebrating anniversaries, family dinners, and lots of Florida sparkle.
     
  • Market Bar: No-frills charm, casual seating, highly knowledgeable bartenders who double as servers.
     
  • People Watching: Prime entertainment. Expect everything from wise guys with their bellies hanging out and shirts unbuttoned to full glam bachelorette parties living their best life.
Tai's Ratings
  • Food: 9.5/10 – “Stone crabs don’t get better than this.”
     
  • Service: 9/10 – Friendly, fast, and they remembered Tai.
     
  • Ambiance: 8.5/10 – The main room is upscale; the bar is cozy and efficient.
     
  • Location: 8/10 – Right on the Intracoastal, steps from the beach.
     
  • Value: 8.5/10 – Not cheap, but worth every penny.
     
  • Overall Experience: 9/10 – “I’ll be back every season.”
Tips for Visiting Billy’s
  • Go Early: The market bar has limited seating.
     
  • Skip the Fancy Clothes: If you hit the market, keep it casual.
     
  • Don't Skip the Sauce: The mustard sauce is key.
     
  • Watch the Season: Visit between October and May.
     
  • South Florida Extras: Expect humidity, bring bug spray, and yes—learn how to handle an alligator (see below).
What to Do Nearby
  • Stroll the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk – classic people-watching, live music, snack shacks, and a mix of tourists and locals. It can get a little seedy after dark—think tattooed rollerbladers, questionable karaoke, and beach bars that never quite shut down—but that’s half the fun.
     
  • Le Tub Saloon – Just a few blocks from Billy’s, this ramshackle waterfront burger joint is a legend in its own right. The burgers are huge, messy, and cooked to perfection over a grill out back. It’s no-frills and often packed—but worth the wait.
     
  • Taco Beach Shack – for casual beach tacos and live music.
     
  • GG’s Waterfront – great drinks and views if Billy’s is packed.
     
  • Stay at the Margaritaville Resort – A massive, island-themed hotel right on the Boardwalk, complete with multiple pools, waterslides, a FlowRider surf simulator, beach access, and nightly live music. Inspired by the music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, it’s kitschy in the best way and a great home base if you want to stay close to the beach (and the food).
Perfect For:
  • Date Nights – especially in the main dining room.
     
  • Celebration Dinners – birthdays, graduations, etc.
     
  • Solo Foodies – grab a seat at the market bar.
     
  • Seafood Enthusiasts – this is a crab lover’s paradise.
     
  • People Watching – from bachelorette parties in full glam to locals with shirts unbuttoned and bellies out, it’s an unfiltered slice of South Florida life.
     
  • Culture Shock Seekers – If you're not used to how things roll in South Florida—laid-back but loud, a little chaotic, sometimes sunburned—it might surprise you, in the best way.
South Florida Survival Tips
  • Beware the Sun: SPF is a must. And we’re not talking SPF 30—we mean SPF 500 or higher (just kidding… sort of). The Florida sun does not play around.
     
  • Plan Around Snowbirds: Avoid peak winter months if crowds aren’t your thing.
     
  • Alligator 101: Stay calm, back away slowly, don’t feed them, and yes, they’re real. Chomp chomp—stone crabs are the only arms that should be eaten in Florida.

Snowbird Primer

Snowbirds are seasonal migrants—mostly retirees from the Northeast and Canada—who flock to Florida for the winter. You’ll find them from late October to early April. They bring life (and traffic) to towns like Hollywood. They rent condos, sometimes ship cars down, and hit early bird specials with precision.

Locals are grateful for the business…and sometimes annoyed by the congestion. If you’re a tourist, try visiting in early fall or late spring for thinner crowds.

Tai's Final Thoughts

Billy’s Stone Crab is what South Florida does best—fresh seafood, laid-back luxury, and hidden gems that reward those in the know. Tai’s takeaway? “Stone crabs this good don’t need hype. They just need hungry people who know where to look.”

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