Urban Crabbing on Lower Eldridge Street

Lower Eldridge Street in Chinatown bustles in the early morning hours, and walking here usually presents a challenge. Commuters hustle to work, others run errands, and delivery trucks drop off goods at the markets around the corner on Grand. But what happens when one such delivery goes awry? Funny you should ask!

At 8:30 am yesterday, a basket of crabs apparently shattered in the middle of the damp Eldridge pavement, creating a frenzied free-for-all, and significantly bottlenecking northbound traffic. Nearby residents and store workers scrambled to scoop up the still-living sea creatures, all while horns honked at the stalled street sweeper that awaited safe passage.

The “lucky” few placed the bounty of crustaceans into totes and plastic bags, presumably for a meal later on.

Yummy gallery below: