Maryland twins who started blue crab delivery during pandemic open 1st restaurant

COLUMBIA, Md. (WJLA) — Maryland twins who were laid off during the pandemic are celebrating the two-year anniversary ofowning their own business. Rae and La Middleton are welcoming customers to their first restaurantR&L Crab Co., which just opened in Columbia, Maryland.

“This is our store, we are super excited,” Rae said. “Not in a million years could I imagine being where we are today."

It started as a lightbulb moment. One day, the identical twins and chefs were at brunch when they were craving the taste of crab–but not just any crab.

"We wanted crabs delivered but realized no one in the area delivers," said La.

To date, "We are still the only delivery. Believe it or not, a lot of people are still not delivering blue crabs. We do know that in D.C. people are starting to try... [or are] attempting to," La explained.

The sisters saw so much demand that now they ship nationwide and said their secret recipe is what sets them apart: they beer steam the crabs.

“They don’t know what beer though," Rae said while laughing. "You'll never know, the beer matters, we will never tell you."

They have expanded not only locations but menus.

“The original items were blue crabs, crab legs and shrimp," La and Rae said. "That was the original items and since then, we have a full menu. Our crab cakes and our crab pizza, which is like our favorite."

This week, Howard County officials attended the restaurant's ribbon cutting. The twins have a big vision for the business.

“In Columbia, there are not many sit-down crab places," La said. "We are year-round so we want to have a summer feel year-round where you can have orange Crushes and you can watch football."