No one asked McDonald's to start serving crab sandwiches, but it did anyway

McDonald's is betting on the strength of its customers' stomachs.

The burger giant said Thursday that it is now serving a crab sandwich at four San Jose, California, locations as part of a test run.

The new menu item consists of snow crab meat mixed with diced celery and mayo and served with lettuce and tomato on a toasted sourdough bun.

The fast food chain said it tapped former Top Chef contestant Ryan Scott to help make it.

The move was spurred by the success of the chain's regionally exclusive Gilroy Garlic Fries, which were sold out in Bay Area stores last May.

If the crab sandwich proves to be a similar hit, the chain plans to roll it out at 250 locations across the region.

McDonald's has been encouraging locations countrywide to experiment with more dishes beloved by locals. Milwaukee stores have served bratwurst, many in Southern California have added a Pesto Mozzarella Melt and parts of Texas and Ohio have tested a bigger version of the Big Mac called the "Grand Mac."

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While a crab sandwich may seem like an unusual choice for a chain best known for cheap, greasy food, it's not the first time McDonald's has ventured into seafood beyond its filet-o-fish. Select locations in the northeastern United States have served lobster rolls throughout each of the past two summers, and deep-fried "McShrimp" and shrimp burgers are available in certain countries.

McDonald's has also been pushing into more gourmet offerings lately as it faces competition from "fast casual" restaurants like Chipotle and Panera.