Joe’s Crab Shack

Very bad service and meal tonight. The server, James, had a very bad attitude and walked away when I asked about my suspect looking fish filet and half cooked crab cake. He came over to ask was everything ok and when my wife tried to tell him, he just said well, I’ll just get a manager, and walked away. Thankfully he did get the manager because he replaced my meal, apologized for JAMES, and took care of us. Great job to the manager and like I said, it’s normally good.

We went here for Mother’s Day (although a day early) and it was wonderful! My mom and I both got the snow crab legs, and they were cooked perfectly. The portions were huge, and even the kids’ meals were large. They are a bit pricey, but that’s to be expected from any seafood place. That being said, the portions definitely make the price worth it! Our waitress was friendly and attentive, and if I could remember her name I would give her a shout out. I also LOVE that there is a playground for the kids! They offer outdoor dining close to the playground, making it a great place for the whole family! We will absolutely be going again! My *only* complaint was the bathroom; but that had more to do with the customers who used it prior to us, as opposed to the restaurant itself.

Awesome owner. Friendly service, great food and he was great to the kids! He talked is into extending our vacation and we would like to say thank you!

The service here tonight was impeccable. Just the right amount of checking in and no phony baloney butter up. The Dungeness crab was delicious. This is by far the best Joe’s Crab
Shack I have been to. Keep up the good work team!

I have been to quite a few different locations and this one by far is my favorite! I ordered mussels with a side of crawfish. The mussels were cooked PERFECTLY! I’m talking melt in your mouth perfection! Not one mussel was overcooked! The crawfish were extremely plump, a nice size all the way around and again cooked perfectly! EACH AND EVERY CRAWFISH AND MUSSEL was PERFECT! My mom order fish and chips and she loved every bite. Crispy outside, flaky inside and not mushy!
The customer service I received from our waiter Christina was awesome!
I will definitely stop here anytime I’m in this area and get a craving for Joe’s!

A okay place for seafood. Very pricey for the small portions you receive. The drinks are not well mixed and seem watered down. The staff are nice and helpful, but it can be very slow when busy. The food is alright, but could be much better. We used to take each family member here for their birthday. The final time we were there, they took a picture of our daughter that we were told we could call to receive. We called several times and only received a run around. They obviously lost, or never had a picture. Due to the fact that this place was becoming rundown anyway we never went back. We found the Fairfax Joe’s to be a much nicer and better place for great food and much better customer service.

Over priced, small portions, crab legs over cooked. Slow, inattentive service. Captain D’s is a better choice.

JCS as far as the food goes, it’s the same no matter where you go. The only thing that was different at this location was the fact that they had A guy singing live… And he was not that good either. Not terrible, but not great either. The food is okay. As far as seafood goes, I’ve definitely had much better, much much better. Not saying that it’s nasty or anything, just saying that I’ve had better. I Do still recommend that you go and try it though. Nothing wrong with taking a friend or someone you like to a place like this and just being waited on, you know. Anyway, this is just my review of the place. Go and eat your hearts out!

Great service! Good seafood! Nice relaxed atmosphere for lunch too. We enjoyed the 5.99 lunch with easy ways to upgrade. I especially like the way they support the community with fundraising and special events. Also enjoyed meeting Jeff the GM who was very attentive to food quality and customer service. This is one of my Fredericksburg favorites! Worth the trip.

We have been twice and it has been really good each time. The seafood boils are very good. Fish basket is good. Mushrooms for appetizers are good also.

This Joe’s always has consistent, quality food. My husband I visit often. The waitstaff is pleasant and the crab legs are always exactly what we expect. Also, subscribing to their emails gives us money off crab buckets or free appetizers pretty routinely. We always enjoy our Joe’s expereinces.

Great Red fish and lobster. Quality drink specials. Watch out for the veined shrimp appetizer. Will be back for the Tuesday drink special ;)

Type A personalities, highly recommend you go to help improve the service.
Service was LOUSY-​the sole reason the rating is so low. Had to retrieve a server. Aarian and Terry became our servers because the actual one didn’t show up until 20 minutes later. When we told her we had someone take our order, she just goes «oh» and walks off, apparently oblivious her table had to be taken by another server. Manager brings us the appetizer but said nothing, no apologies. We asked Aarian to mention to him that it would be appropriate to apologize for the subdtandard service. He came out to apologize, explaining he wasn’t aware the other (front room manager) manager hadn’t apologized, but I’m not sure why the back room manager couldn’t have offered one when he brought out the appetizer. The front room manager came out later after we spoke with the back room manager.
Aarian offered to take care of the appetizer and had a positive attitude, single-​handedly saving me from writing the corporate office because I was frankly disgusted with the cavalier attitudes my family received.

Ok so I’ve seen the commercials for years and was excited to finally eat here. Upon entering I initially liked the place. It had the typical sea creatures hanging from the ceiling and a big shark.
Our waitress greeted us with «is this your first time at joes» we said yes. I was waiting for an introduction but she just wrote her name on a napkin. She took our drink order and I told her I wanted an adult beverage after we ate to enjoy on their patio. She scooted off to get drinks. When she came back she took our order. I ordered the snow crab bucket and the food was good. Our waitress delivered our check mid way through the meal. Wasn’t sure why she was rushing us as we were her only customers.
So after I eat, I go wash my hands. The bathroom was FILTHY! There was greenish black gunk all over the faucet base. (You’ve got to wash your hands before going potty after crab legs) I had to wait to use the restroom as the 3 stalls were being used for over 5 minutes. I was surprised when they all came out at the same time they all worked at joes. I thought that was a bit odd. The toilet stall was gross. This completely turned my stomach. I will never go back. It’s not like this bathroom took one day to get this disgusting.

Awesome food and environment. Took our daughter and her friend for her birthday and they had a blast. Fun drinks and a playground were fun but eating and picking crabs topped everything Our server Nicole was attentive and pleasant. She rocked! Thanks for a great time.

My daughter loves this place simply for the sea creatures hanging from the ceiling!
We come in often enough and the service is always good along with the food. We usually opt for the crab nachos which are amazing as they spread their crab dip all over the chips! Yum! Today I had the popcorn shrimp basket which is served with a generous portion of popcorn shrimp, fries, and 3 hush puppies (which are also delish).
My only complaint is the cole slaw — very bland and just blah. Next time I will opt for a different side.

Delicioso y bastante !!! Ambiente único de celebración su grupo de trabajo espectacular para atender … Es un complemento genial entre la mejor comida de mar y su atención

Came in late Sunday evening on my way back from the beach. Nice, relaxed atmosphere and our server was very friendly and did a great job with our party of 6. I had a classic steampot and it was pretty good. We also had the crab dip as an appetizer which was pretty delicious as well. This is my second time back here and I would come again if I was in the area.

Still a favorite place when on a biz trip and someone else is paying the tab. Love the king crab steam pot in spicy boil — at first glance looks a little skimpy on the legs but there is plenty of meat to satisfy. Always sub the fries and hush puppies for corn and broccoli to cut a few carbs. Messy but v good. Service was friendly and attentive. Must deduct a star however for the price — one guy with a steam pot and 2 glasses of over-​priced Columbia Crest merlot at 9.50 a glass came to well over sixty bucks before tip. Feel bad for the young couples with kids here for a nice seafood-​chain dinner — ouch. Still enjoy this place though and will occasionally return if I’m not the one getting soaked.

What can I say about the shack that hasn’t already been said?
It’s a family friendly place to go get your seafood on. They’ve got shrimp, crab legs, scallops, mussels, and lobsters (Mmm lobster). I like going here when I’m too lazy to make a seafood fest at home but once I see the receipt I know I could’ve saved money with the same food just as a DIY in my kitchen.
I like the seasoning on most of their items I just always wish for MOAR OLD BAY! And also more of any item I’m eating (the pots are little deceiving since they are propped up to look more full than they actually are). And my lobster was a bit overcooked but I managed. Don’t like seafood? Allergic? No worries, there have burgers and chicken for non-​fish eaters.
They had a special going last time I was there that included a pretty heavy duty reusable plastic red solo cup to take home and the waitress was nice enough to give us an extra one since it was my bf’s birthday. Score on the customer service!

The crab buckets are the best deal! I went to this JCS for my birthday with friends. The server was great, the food was even greater… And the atmosphere was fun!
We didnt do any appetizers, but My friend ordered hush puppies and they were so delicious… My entrée was a queen crab bucket, it came with red potatoes, and a ear of corn that was seasoned. Both were so flavorful. I dipped my crab legs in butter sauce. And had to resist the urge to lick my fingers!
While we were eating the servers all bust out in a dance, they did the cupid shuffle. It was cute to see them all doing it, but there were a few who clearly didn’t know it. My advice. Either listen to the words and learn it or sit down… Your messing up the vibe if you don’t know it.
When they finished they came over to sing happy bday to me, she asked me if I wanted them to sing it backwards, i thought she meant the words, but they all literally turned their backs to me and sang facing the rest of the restaurant. (Cute)
At the end of the meal, we asked the server to split my check up onto the other two ladies checks as a gift to me. She got really confused, left and came back 3 more times cause she couldn’t figure it out. She said shes never done that before. We were paying with gift cards. And it kept declining it. But we knew it had money on it. So The manager comes over trying to help the server… Says he ran the card, can see the full amount on there but the restaurant doesn’t allow them to use the full amount in order to leave room for the tip. So he ran part of the check on the card, and they did the rest in cash, then used the remaining balance on the card for tip. It was very weird to me. But I was told later this is not abnormal.
For dessert, we shared a chocolate cake with ice cream called a sea turtle sundae. It was so freaking good. I shared it with my friend and we practically fought over it. (I won cause it was my birthday lol) i highly recommend this dessert to everyone!!!
In spite of the crazy check part, I had a great time… Food hit the spot… They are a tad bit pricey for the buckets, but seafood is expensive no matter where you go. And the taste justified the price for me!
Looking forward to returning soon!