The Sunbury Crab Co. in eastern Liberty County has been named number 13 on the list of Coastal Living Magazine’s The 20 Best Seafood Dives of All Time, Ranked, according to the Liberty County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Elaine and Barney Maley own the Sunbury Crab Co. and have worked to make it a part of the community, serving fresh, local seafood.
“It’s nice to be recognized by a magazine dedicated to the coast that has a nationwide circulation,” Elaine Maley said. “A validation of the ideas we had and the effort to make it work. It’s also a recognition of the natural beauty found on the Liberty Coast.”
These aren’t the first accolades the restaurant has received. Coastal Living Magazine ranked it among “America’s Best Seafood Dives” in 2013. The restaurant was also featured on Georgia’s tourism website, Explore Georgia in the “Dining with a View Flavor Tour.”
“When we opened in 2004, our theory was; serve fresh blue crabs, hand cut French fries, and let the view take over,” Maley said. “That’s the reason we didn’t put glass windows in the building. Visitors look for authenticity and we want them to feel connected and relaxed when they come.
“Consistency in food and service is the biggest challenge to any restaurant and we’ve been fortunate to have had wonderful staff through the years. Our success also depends heavily on having two of our sons involved; Joe running the kitchen and Clay out front in the house. Many thanks to everyone at the CVB for helping bring tourism to the Liberty Coast.”
Liberty County local Jennifer Cardella frequents the Sunbury Crab Co. and in 2016, she and her sons were featured in a photo shoot there by photographer Ralph Daniel.
“Sunbury is a beautiful, historic, close-knit, sleepy fishing village where friends are like family,” Cardella said. “We have just loved living here and raising our boys in such a special place.
“Having the Sunbury Crab Co. as the only restaurant in the neighborhood is like the cherry on top. The views are gorgeous, the food is delicious and there’s always a few familiar faces. Locals like us may be biased, but as the sun starts to set, the marsh grass glows, and fresh seafood right from the river is being cooked up, that’s all a pretty magical combination.”
May 17 will be the restaurant’s 13th anniversary. To find out more, call 912-884-8640 or visit www.sunburycrabco.com. Hours are 5-10 p.m. Wednesday-Friday noon-10 p.m. Saturday and non-8:30 p.m. Sunday.