New Seafood Restaurant in Dubuque Delays Opening

Those hankering for Cajun food other delectable seafood items to come to Dubuque will need to wait just a touch longer.

This summer, following the closure of Carlos O'Kelly's on Associates Drive in Dubuque, it was revealed the building would soon be occupied by Laughing Crab. A small restaurant chain with locations in Texas, Louisiana, and West Des Moines, IA, Laughing Crab specializes in Cajun flavors, with a wide variety of seafood platters, boils, and more.

The Opening of Laughing Crab's Dubuque Location Has Been Delayed:

Laughing Crab revealed on their Dubuque Facebook page that they were projected to open in December 2025. However, a post made by the company on Thursday, December 4th let people know that the new restaurant will not be open before the end of the calendar year. Fortunately, the wait won't be super long:

We’re running just a little later than planned — our Dubuque location will now open in January 2026! ❤️ Thank you for your patience and excitement. Stay tuned for opening dates, special promos, and all the deliciousness coming your way! - per Laughing Crab Dubuque's Facebook page

I've Eaten at a Laughing Crab Location:

When Catherine and I were in Des Moines in September, I noticed that their West Des Moines location was close to our hotel. We decided for a "sneak peek" of the restaurant, in so many words, as we're both huge fans of seafood. Suffice to say, the experience didn't disappoint. I think Dubuque is going to love this place.

If you're a fan of shrimp, crawfish, and of course, crab, Laughing Crab goes the extra mile to provide a delicious and authentic experience. They are famous for their seafood boils. Each table/booth has a metal bucket on them to discard your fixings after you chow down. Boils come with the staple plastic gloves and bib to mitigate the mess.

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The food itself? Absolutely delicious. The shrimp was fresh, the potatoes and corn were boiled to perfection, and the cocktails are tremendous too. I enjoyed a grape cocktail made with Pucker and Mountain Dew. I might've had three to accompany my extra spicy boil.

Laughing Crab will be a welcomed addition to Dubuque's food scene, as there's truly no experience like this in the area. For now, stay posted on the restaurant's upcoming opening via their Facebook page. You can check out Laughing Crab's menu on their website.