The Wellwood

I go here for the thanksgiving buffet dinner. I like the combination of the traditional dinner with the seafood buffet. If you go to this event, don’t get the last seating. Sometimes they run out of something and it can’t be replenished. But even if that does happen, there is still plenty of other food to choose.

Held our company party there last night. Everything was set up and ready to go. From cocktails and appetizers to dessert the food was outstanding. The staff, from planning to end were attentive, courteous, and helpful. Kudos especially to Becky our waitress who ensured we were all taken care of. Not one person had to wait long for anything. Highly recommend for dinner or special event.

My wife and I visited the Wellwood for the first time last month. We were greeted at the door by the manager (Larry). We weren’t ready to eat yet and asked him about the history of the building. Larry took the time to show us around the restaurant and told us about the history of the establishment (a former, private political club). He pointed out the furnishings that were donated by former presidents. He also recommended we take the water taxi for a ride around the river ($ 5 per person). We took him up on his suggestion and had a thoroughly enjoyable ride across the Chesapeake to pick up waiting patrons. To make a long winded story, short — I had the Chicken Chesapeake and my wife had the salmon. The food was delicious and our waitress (Dani) was wonderful. She was attentive and very friendly. We can’t wait to go back!

When the hubs and I moved to North East, less than a mile from Charlestown, the Wellwood quickly topped the list of places we knew we had to go.
Ventured out there one Sunday evening — arrived at 5:30 to beat the dinner crowd, were greeted with a warm smile and seated outdoors right away. I’ll always be making reservations in the future. Drink service was quick, crayons were provided to the little one, and the atmosphere was already perfect.
We ordered the crab dip, which came in record time. I have mixed feelings about the crab dip. It was delicious and served in a bread bowl. Unfortunately, it was served with an small selection of crackers. Bleh. I would have happily paid a couple bucks more to have it served with toasted bread slices, and then it would be a solid 5 star dip. As it stands, 4 stars. ;)
We then received bread service, which I thought was a bit backwards, but the croissants and warm rolls with honey butter were delicious.
The wait for our main course was a bit longer than expected, and all surrounding tables who had seated 10 – 15 minutes after us were served first. Not sure what happened in the kitchen, but we were really enjoying the view and the temperature.
My husband ordered wings as his meal. He said they were okay, just a bit overdone. They looked pretty amazing to me — they were very plump and properly sauced. The kid ordered a hot dog and applesauce — how do you go wrong there?
I ordered the coho salmon special. It was an herbed piece of salmon topped with crab meat and brie cheese, sweet onion and tomato compote, and drizzled with balsamic and basil pesto and some other awesome sauce. It was out of this world. I felt like the brie was a bit overpowering overall — it’s a helluva strong cheese — but it didn’t take away from the awesomeness of the dish.
The sides I chose were tossed salad with homemade ranch (my favorite!) and seasonal vegetable medley. The vegetables were seasoned perfectly. It sounds silly but so many restaurants serve steamed vegetables without any seasoning — and this place is not one of them.
I hope to enjoy many more 4 star and hopefully a 5 star experiences at the Wellwood, and maybe even the River Shack. Next time, I’ll save room for dessert!

Good food. good service, and great bartenders. Try the mussels red appetizer.

Not a gluten free friendly place in terms of understanding severity. I received two different stories on how my meal was prepared, which of course made me nervous. Everyone else had a great meal, however!

The Wellwood and it’s sister, the River Shack are 2 of our favorites on the bay! Whether we go by boat or drive we are always pleased. All you can eat crabs, with chicken and corn, is a great deal. Fried chicken is probably the best we’ve had. The cheesesteak rivals Philly. Any entrée, you can’t go wrong. Service is always outstanding and great live music to boot. Looking forward to the next trip!

I’ve been coming to the Wellwood for a few years now, and I’ve never been disappointed. Usually we’ll go for the AYCE (all you can eat) crabs… the value far exceeds the cost. Great fried chicken too! And a waitstaff that is truly attentive and very friendly. And the locale is great as its on the watet and offers nice views. I love taking people there who’ve never been before.

Had 6 ea jumbo crabs. They were very meaty and tasty. No more jumbos until tomorrow.

Review is for their Thanksgiving buffet which was held in a big white tent that was heated. Atmosphere was fine & wait staff was prompt w/​p/​u dishes & delivering drinks. Sodas weren’t free refills since only served from a can. Buffet cost $ 30 & this did not include any beverages.
Food was OK. Cream of crab soup was missing the crab. Steamed shrimp weren’t deveined. Sadly no raw oysters were offered as it was last yr.
My husband loved the fried turkey, pork loin & especially the bourbon sauce for it. Traditional turkey & venison were dry. Deer was covered under a good gravy.
The desserts were decent.
You get lots of selection for your money but the food was a mixed bag.

As Always Crabs never Disappoint! Our waitress Anna was helpful and she suggested for me to get the large Crabs! And she was so right they were the heaviest Crabs I have had all year! Every single one! So delicious! I also got Crab Bisque soup full of crab! Very good! Also got a Welllwood salad it was with Strawberries Crumbled Blue cheese &candied pecans! Raspberry vingette was best I have ever had! My hubby got the Oyster Stew he said it was the best he ever had lots of oysters too! They served it with Garlic toast! Nice touch! He also got chicken wings he always get them there because they are cooked the way he loves them! The crabs were so full of meat I had to bring 5 home! The service was again always Top Notch! But Anna really went out of her way to makes us Happy Campers! My hubby always plays that little slot machine at the bar and she would check on him and gave him a tea there and at our table! And I had a pitcher of beer she always came over to pour for me! I rely liked that cause eating crabs hands get so messy! The at the end she gave me a huge bowl of hot Soappy water with Lemons in it to soak my hands! OMG that just jacked her Tip up another $ 20 Thanks again Anna you really went over the top to makes us happy! We had a nice 4 hours with you! Hopefully we will see a in November for the Seafood Fest.

My wife & I went for dinner on Good Friday. We ordered soup, salad, peel & eat shrimp, & crab nachos. Soup & salad came out OK. It then took eternity, over 1.5 hours, for the shrimp & nachos. The shrimp were literally baby shrimp, used for shrimp salad, and inedible crab nachos. There was no crab, and it looked like they dumped cheese whiz on them. Then Larry, the owner, said he would take the shrimp & nachos off the tab. REALLY? So they charged us $ 30 for 2 salad, soup & 2 club sodas.
Larry, you should be ashamed of your operation and how poorly you handled it like that. This is the 2^nd time in a row for poor service, & it will be the last. They were advertising for Easter & Mother’s Day. Buyer beware.

Visited for the first time this week and I will be back. We did not have crabs as other reviewers have raved about, but dined off of their menu and enjoyed the meal.
I tried the fried chicken platter and it was awesome. It was slightly on the salty side, but most fried chicken is salty. The platter consists of a ½ chicken and I couldn’t finish it.
Service was a bit slow, but we will definitely return.

My husband and I LOVE this restaurant. We found it on a friend’s recommendation. We have been fans ever since. The service is fantastic. The crabs are cooked well and are meaty. My husband has gotten several meals and has been pleased. This is the only restaurant I go to for crabs. I’ve tried other places and won’t go back. We visit there several times from spring to fall. We are never disappointed when we visit.

The Wellwood is a must, year round. Larry & his staff welcome you and leave you with a family style smile on your face. The waitstaff is 2^nd to none. The food is exceptional, whether it a holiday buffet or any of the menu picks. Larry and his staff is exemplary to the business of treating customers like family. The Wellwood can fit any occasion, from a special upscale anniversary dinner, to an afternoon of picking & eating steamed crabs in the tavern area. Their seafood is always fresh and delicious, steaks are tender and… we coming back!

This is an okay place. Good food at reasonable prices. Neither of us are huge fans of crabs which might have been part of the problem. They serve nice warm rolls with honey butter but either it or the bread had a caraway tone, an odd sweet/​savory meeting.
My wife had crab cake which she said was shredded, not lump meat. It was «Okay.» I had the fried chicken which others rave about: also okay. Brownie sundae dessert was melting by the time it arrived (the server apologized) and contained one mysterious rock-​hard brownie nugget. Service was friendly but slow. Varied clientele.

Best Crabs in town! The service was amazing! This place is a must go to!

Evidently some people don’t realize that a restaurant can’t discriminate because of race, religion or tattoos… food here is competent… well cooked and the menu is varied… location is excellent, staff is friendly and drinks are stiff… what more can you ask for!

love love this place… well I should correct that… I love coming to The Wellwood for crabs. Out of the many places I been for crabs I have to say that this place is one of the best ones. Our server that day was great friendly, happy and very attentive. I could not take the two little kids running around but I was in heaven eating my delicious crabs ohh and cant forget the nice cold beer.

Good crabs but over the top oysters only for $ 1. Decent service, and music was excellent.