Tucked in the heart of Oak Cliff, Sunset Crab Shack is a community hub, creative space and reflection of lead manager Luis Molina’s lifelong roots in the neighborhood.
Photography by Kathy Tran
Photography by Kathy Tran
Photography by Kathy Tran
Photography by Kathy Tran
Photography by Kathy Tran
Since opening its doors in 2021, the restaurant has grown from a modest six-person operation into a multi-location success with a diverse menu that goes beyond just crab boils.
Molina has been in Oak Cliff his whole life and a part of Sunset Crab Shack since its opening in 2021. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in education and was teaching for about five years before pivoting to the restaurant industry.
“I’ve been really focused on the community, giving back,” Molina says. “I was volunteering everywhere I can. And my love for the industry has always been like that — to meet new people, talk to new people.”
The restaurant started small but has slowly grown over the years with more menu offerings and a solid customer base. About four months in, the team unveiled an upstairs area and later opened a back porch which serves as a sports yard. The restaurant also hosts a live band every Sunday plus watch parties on the back porch.
The Sunset Sports Yard has its own social media page and hosts events to stay on top of the trends — such as Love Island watch parties in July with themed drinks.
Starting with that staff of six, Sunset has now grown to over 30. They opened new locations in Pleasant Grove and Grand Prairie three years ago.
“We’ve been pretty steady, and all three locations are very different; it’s one concept, but it’s very different,” Molina says. “Here in Oak Cliff, we’re just trying to reach out, obviously to any seafood lovers, but since the demographic is a little bit different here, we incorporated a little bit of Mexican food dishes. So we have a ceviche. We have had our mojarras that we just introduced about a month ago.”
Sunset strives to be a place for families. In addition to live bands, they bring in comedians and host different events including arts and crafts nights and small-business pop-ups.
“It’s important to me because that’s how I’m able to connect with people, and that’s how we grow,” Molina says. “We do have a lot of regulars and it’s just cool, because you get to see families where their kids were little whenever they used to come, where we started, and now they’re older. So it’s cool, being able to not just see the business grow, but see our families and regulars grow too. We actually have a family that comes every week.”
The atmosphere is casual, and you won’t feel out of place in your flip flops or T-shirt. Sunset is best known for its boils during crawfish season.
“We have a little bit of everything so people don’t get tired of the same thing,” Molina says. “We have food for people who may not be a fan of seafood, like wings and burgers.”
The “Build Your Own Boil” allows the guests to choose their own meats, seasonings, heat level and add-ons. Classic entrees include fish tacos ($14.99) and grilled catfish ($14.99). Handhelds include a catfish po’boy ($11.99), a shrimp po’boy ($13.99) and the Sunset Burger ($12.99).
The Sunset Special is $149.99 and includes 1 pound of shrimp, 1 pound of king crab, 1 pound of snow crab, half a pound of sausage, three red potatoes, three eggs and three corn on the cob.
“We’re very well-known for our boils, and obviously, when crawfish season comes, we’re well-known for crawfish. That’s our busiest season of the year,” Molina says.
As for the future, Molina has a building in the heart of Oak Cliff, which he plans to make into a different concept but with the same seafood flair.
Sunset Crab Shack, 534 Sunset Ave., 214.946.5650, sunsetcrabdallas.com
