Phillips Crab House (04-15)

Historical narrative

A meal at Phillips Crab House was a highlight of any Ocean City vacation in the early 1960s. What began in 1956 as a modest crab shack opened by Brice and Shirley Phillips had grown into one of the resort's most popular dining destinations. Visitors arrived eager to enjoy the Chesapeake Bay's famous blue crabs and freshly prepared seafood. On summer evenings, families gathered around paper-covered tables piled high with steamed crabs dusted with Phillips' own special seasoning. The sound of wooden mallets tapping shells mixed with laughter, conversation, and the clatter of dishes. The salty scent of the bay drifted through open windows while waitresses carried platters of crab cakes, shrimp, and fried oysters. Dining at Phillips was more than a meal—it was a lively Maryland tradition and an essential part of the Ocean City experience.

Watercolor

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