Hello Dolls, Divas, and Foodies!

I had the pleasure of attending the Grand Opening of Benzino’s Crab Shack in Marietta, GA (Northern Suburb of Atlanta).  To those of you who aren’t familiar with Benzino (real name Raymond Scott) He is a Rapper, Co-Founder of the Source and Hip Hop Weekly Magazines, and former Cast Member of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta.

I had been hearing the buzz about Benzino’s Crap Trap opening in the Metro Atlanta area, and my first thoughts were, “Okay Benzino’s from Boston, but does that mean that he really knows about Crabs?”  So I was very excited to be able to attend and get an inside view of the restaurant  on the day of Grand Opening! So here goes….

The Restaurant is located at 2856 Delk Rd. Marietta, GA 30067. Which is in Cobb County and  just about 15 minutes north of Atlanta. The restaurant set up is much different then what I expected (much smaller).  In my opinion the restaurant is mostly set up for Customer’s to come in, order their Crabs, and leave. Although there are tables for sit down dining, it just wasn’t enough to accommodate the huge crowd that showed up for the Grand Opening.

Lets talk about the Grand Opening.  Okay, so if you know about Benzino, you know he’s going to do it BIG.  The grand opening included Benzino’s Chrome Painted Maserati parked in front of the resteraunt, Red Carpet, Local Hip Hop and R&B Radio Station V103, a Dancing “Mr. Crabington” Crab Mascot, a number of Reality Stars, and Hip Hop Industry Socialites that included: Benzino’s Significant Other Althea (of course) Jazze Fe, Honey Boo Boo, Mama June, Sugar Bear (and the entire family- now we gots to get the ☕️ on that one?!?), Sarah Oliver from the Bad Girls Club, Suga Shane, Bobby Valentino, and host of Benzino’s and Althea’s Family Members and Friends.  Not to mention a Slew of Customers!

Atmosphere: The atmosphere is really laid back…I mean flip flops and jeans laid back!  But, I think that is the atmosphere that Benzino intended to create. The Tv’s were turned up loud, playing New and Classic Hip Hop Videos.  Now, I absolutely loved the Vibe!!!  But the jury is still out on whether or not I would invite my middle aged East Cobb White Soccer Mom Friends to a sit down dinner here or not.

The Service: The staff was very helpful and friendly and seemed to work very well under pressure.  Funny thing; is that all of the staff members were either Benzino’s Friends or Relatives.  Even Dave Mays who is the Creator of the Source, Co-founder of Hip Hop Weekly, and Business Partner of Benzino, was spotted working the register! Leaves me to wonder, who’s going to run this restaurant on a day to day basis?  I also had the opportunity to go back to the kitchen and see how things were running behind the scenes.  I was both shocked and impressed to see that Benzino and his Dad were both in the kitchen working very hard!  Benzino even took the time to answer questions for me and other Media and take photos. He also offered us a Complementary bag of his Crabs!  I have to say that Benzino’s down to earth, humble, and nice attitude gave me a new found respect for him!  Totally not what you would expect from the Owner, who just so happens to be one of the biggest influences in Hip Hop!  Hats off to You Benzino! While in the kitchen, I also had the opportunity of meeting Benzino’s Significant Other Althea Heart.  She seemed a little less patient than her hubby, but I chopped that up to her being a pregnant women in a hot and busy kitchen. But other than that she was very sweet.

The Menu: The Menu is simple and to the point! You have a choice of 1lb of Snow Crab Legs for $17.99 (Very reasonable for the Cobb County Area) or Zino’s Crab-Tastic Combo for $19.99 (comes with Steamed Crab Legs, Corn on the Cobb, (2) Hush Puppies and Cole Slaw.)  You get your choice of Zino’s Special Sauce for the Crabs: Spicy, Mild, or Lemon Garlic.  There’s also an array of other sides and desserts to choose from such as French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Island Way Gourmet Fruit Sorbet, and Cake. Drinks consist of Zino’s Heavenade, Ice Tea, Bottled Water, and Soda. All reasonably priced in my opinion. Just a side note: The Menu gives Patrons a little background about  how a 10 yr old Benzino and his Father (known as Shnopps) sold Crabs and Corn out of the back of a van in Boston. I thought that was nice.

Okay….Okay! I know what your thinking!  Enough about all of that other stuff!  How were the Crabs!!!  So Benzino made good on his promise and sent me home with a Bag of Crabs and Corn on the Cob, that I shared with my daughter. The Crabs were very fresh tasting and covered in the Spicy Zino’s Special Sauce.  I don’t know what Benzino put in that Sauce!?! But he definitely has a WINNER!  The Sauce had a sweet and sour, spicy, Barbecue, zing type flavor!  I am a self proclaimed Greedy Girl and I have eaten in many places and several countries and I have never tasted Crab Legs like that!  The corn was good also, nice and sweet, no complaints….So Remember earlier when I said that I might not invite my White Soccer Mom Friends to a sit down dinner at Benzino’s….well I would definitely advise them to order take out.  Listen Metro ATLiens and Visitors, Benzino’s Crab Trap is a must try!  The Crabs are Delicious!!  I will definitely be going back to try the other flavors, sides, and desserts! 

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