Barbecue, Crabs Coming to Former Asian Bistro

Say farewell to crab rolls and hello to crab mallets.

The former Osaka Asian Bistro on East Pennsylvania Avenue is reopening later this summer as S&J Crab Ranch.

Pikesville resident James Kahn, the new restaurant's lead owner, said he is "ambitiously" planning to open in late August. The new restaurant will serve barbecue and, of course, crabs.

"Everywhere from Texas to the Carolinas will be our specialty," he said.

Towson does not currently have a restaurant that serves steamed crabs—the closest place that does is Ocean Pride in Lutherville. S&J is also a seafood wholesaler, Kahn said, so he will have access to crabs year-round.

Osaka Asian Fusion opened last year in the former home of Olive and Sesame, another Asian restaurant with a sushi bar. Kahn thought a change was in order.

"You don't think we need another sushi place on this street?" he joked.

Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, said she "never even heard" that Osaka had closed until after the fact. She expects that S&J Crab Ranch will "hit a home run."

"That's a great combination of something we don't have in Towson," she said.

The restaurant is looking for staff. Interested applicants can apply within starting Aug. 4.