30-Year-Old Blue Crab Leg Recipe Inspires New Cajun Restaurant in Largo

Alana Lewis was tired of driving the distance from Largo to St. Petersburg to eat blue crab legs every weekend. One day it just clicked. “There’s no place in Largo that serves blue crab legs,” she said, “So why not me.”

With this idea and her grandma’s 30 year-old blue crab leg recipe, she set up shop in Largo. Her restaurant, co-owned with her brother Andy Lewis, is Nanny’s Kitchen, 1013 Highlands Ave.

The restaurant which features island décor and long bar, was named after the Lewis’ nana, Nanny. She died in April last year.

Nanny may not have lived long enough to see her recipes served to guests, but her cooking inspires every dish.

“These are our family recipes,” Alana Lewis said, “It’s something we enjoy.”

The restaurant opened on February 18. Alana Lewis calls it her family’s labor of love. Everyone has a piece in it, she said. Alana Lewis and her brother both have full time jobs. When they found the location on Highlands Avenue they spent hours after work fixing things up. For months, the weekends were no different.

“We all had full time jobs so we worked around that,” Alana Lewis said.

The menu at Nanny’s Kitchen is Cajun seafood and barbeque.

Every Monday through Friday they’re special of the day is always under $10. Last week they made spaghetti with meat sauce, smothered pork, ribs and their specialty crab legs.

Friday and Saturday’s are reserved for barbeque chicken and ribs.

Nanny's place, “It’s great and affordable,” Alana Lewis said.