Mama’s on the Half Shell

I’ve loved eating seafood in New England, West Coast, Savannah, The Hamptons and my beloved Hilton Head Island but Mama’s has something special. I’ll even say it’s up there with some of the best places I’ve EVER eaten.
If you don’t mind the wait it’s totally worth it. A bit small for a large party of eight even with two floors but they were very attentive and took really good care of us. Weather permitting you can also eat outside. The food was on point and very fresh. The crab cakes were seasoned with no «FILLERS,» it was just an amazing and delightful crab cake. The portions are decent and the presentation was wonderful. My mouth is watering just thinking about it now. I ordered the cauliflower au gratin for one of my sides and it was to die for!!! My mom and I both had to order another side of it to take home with our left overs.
My family really enjoyed the place and we can’t wait to return. I can’t say enough, if your in the area PLEASE don’t deprive your tummy of Mama’s on the Half Shell. It’s worth it even though it’s hard to find a park…

The food was amazing but this review is not about the food. We had the rudest waitress– keri k. Im not sure if this was towards the end of her shift or if she’s just having a bad day overall but she was short and rude throughout our whole evening. My goal was to enjoy my meal as this was the first time I’ve ever been to Baltimore and this place had such great Unilocal reviews.
Unfortunately her inattentiveness and blatantly condescending tone was hard to overlook. Even when my mother sweetly asked where the restroom was– she got a curt answer with almost zero eye contact. This would be more acceptable had the restaurant been packed but this wasn’t the case.
Sorry mamas on the half shell. I would love to come back for the food but your staff needs a lesson in hospitality.

My family and I went here this past weekend to celebrate my birthday and had a really good experience. We arrived a little before 6pm on Saturday and were taken to a table for the 6 of us after only a few minutes. Our waitress was very attentive and we all ordered a drink and started with the crab and artichoke drop and fried calamari which were both large portions and good. Everyone ordered a seafood dish except me and they all enjoyed the crab cakes, fish and stuffed shrimp that they had. I had the filet which was blue cheese encrusted and I had initially sent back because I like my steak medium rare and my original steak was well done but the staff was quick about getting me a new steak and it was cooked perfectly. With many of the dinners you get two sides and I had the Mac and cheese which was your typically and cheese and then a side salad with the vinaigrette which I wasn’t a huge fan of because it was so thick. Overall our dinner experience was great and we would definitely go back.

Hardly a miss at brunch– reasonable prices, excellent house Bloody Mary mix with house pickled green beans! I was enthralled with my seafood omelette (not too heavy on the cheese, good portions of shrimp & crab) & he was very pleased with his crab «benny». The side of fruit salad is a nice touch & they super deep fried the side of scrapple we ordered (the only way it’s edible in my book). My only quibble would be the potatoes… I didn’t care for the heavy spices. But we were so so pleased with the attentive service and very old school-​sea-​faring atmosphere. Another place that I would return to regularly if we were locals once again.

Hit up this spot on my way back to NYC from DC and was blown away!
Boiled shrimp — tender, tasty, fresh and well seasoned. Not deveined, but we didn’t care.
Cheesy crab and artichoke dip — SO GOOD, but best while it’s hot. Would get it as an app again and share so everyone can enjoy while it’s still melty and amazing. Celery and carrots to dip were a nice fresh method of delivery.
Clams on the half shell — delicious, but sooo tiny. Would probably ask about the size before ordering again.
Crab cake — our fantastic server suggested it, and she was right on the money. Literally all crab (I really don’t know how it holds together, magic?) seasoned and cooked to perfection.
Service was wonderful, and she even stopped to take a picture for us, so sweet of her! Will most definitely make a point of returning to Baltimore just to come here, what a gem!

One of my favorite places to eat in Baltimore. Brunch is amazing, the lobster hash is my go to. For lunch, beer mussels are a must try! Dinner, lobster imperial or the crab cakes. Amazing crushes, made the right way with crushed ice and fresh fruit! If you’re going basically any night after 6pm, make a reservation otherwise there’s typically a 45+ minute wait for a table.

Crab cakes are pretty darn good. Would recommend this bar style restaurant if in the area.

Overall a decent place to satisfy your seafood craving.
I’ve been here on a few occasions. The place has two floors– there are sufficient tables throughout the restaurant but due to the way it’s structured, it can feel a bit crowded. Service is decent. Wait is never too long.
I’ve tried their seafood chowder, which is a bit small but tasty. I’ve tried their oyster poboy and their seafood melt. In terms of flavor, it’s not anything special, but all their food don’t skimp out on the seafood for its price.
It’s been one of my go tos to bring out of towners who want to try seafood.

Brought crab cakes home to my boyfriend in New York on my way back from a southern vacation. They were AMAZING!!! Will visit here again next time I’m in Maryland!

If you want good food and exceptional service, don’t hesitate to head to Mama’s. My cousins brought my sis and I here on a visit to Baltimore and we had a fantastic time. Portions are huge, Food is delicious and service is friendly, helpful and prompt. The fish and chips was slightly disappointing, with great batter but mushy fish. But everything else was delicious and I would definitely get the scallops again. Luckily the helpful staff will tell you what is fresh and in season.

Pretty good. Went here after my graduation yesterday. Took a while to get seated and get our food, but the food was pretty good. The interior was also a nice cozy spot.
The food: seafood skins has lots of seafood and they’re so good! The calamari was okay, a little too chewy for me. My boyfriend got the seafood chowder, we both thought it was just okay. I got the stuffed shrimp with mac&Cheese and spinach. Everything was good but I took most of it to go b/​c I was full from the appetizers lol.
Would def come back but it’s about an hour drive from me lol.

I came here on the recommendation of a friend, and in all honesty, it didn’t live up to the hype.
I ordered a selection of raw oysters and found them to be über salty and underwhelming. Compared to Thames Oyster House, I didn’t feel like it was the same caliber.
I also ordered the Oyster Rockefeller, which was the star of the night! It was Half dozen oysters w/​spinach pernod and parmesan cheese and it was fantastic! I would strongly recommend this dish if you come here.
Lastly I ordered the Oyster Po Boy, (I know, an oyster heavy meal), which was described as a «New orleans style sandwich made w/​oysters, coleslaw & tartar». Sadly the first bite I took left me shocked, and not in a good way… it was fried well, but was EXTREMELY under seasoned…
I had such high hopes for this place, but was left disappointed.
The service was pretty good, but didn’t make up for the disappointing food.
Overall: a weak ³⁄₅

Very authentic and delicious jumbo lump crabcakes. Their seafood gumbo was absolutely delicious. They offer a pretty awesome happy hour as well with $ 1 oysters and they have somewhat of a selection as well. This gem located in downtown Baltimore is a must try!

I dare say this is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to.
The service here is above average; the wait staff is very attentive to each and every customer and the food/​drinks come fast and often!
The blackened chicken Caesar salad is one of the best items on the menu. The Old Bay wings are to die for and the bread pudding is an excellent dessert. Although the prices may be a bit steep, you will not find an unsatisfactory item on their menu! Highly recommend Mamas!

I’ve been to Nacho Mama’s a million times (sort of) but never stopped next door to visit it’s other half — Mama’s on the Half Shell.
Unlike Nacho Mama’s 1hr+ wait, it was only 30 mins on a Saturday evening (7pm) without reservation. We were sat in the only table in the middle of the room (literally) but they asked us if it was ok w/​us and it was, I was there for the food — not prime seating.
In true first time fashion, we ordered what was recommended to us:
–Clams
–Crab & Artichoke Dip
–Fried Shrimp
–Shrimp Imperial w/​Mac & Cheese
It was my FIRST TIME EATING CLAMS and it surpassed my fears. It was the right level of sea salt, citrus and butter. I am a fan.
As for the Crab & Artichoke Dip, it was your typical dip in a bread bowl. Enough for 2, especially if you’re gonna eat the bowl itself.
I can’t speak on the fried shrimp, as my friend ordered that plain ol’ dish but the Shrimp Imperial was basically 4 – 5 butterflied shrimp SMOTHERED in crab imperial. And the mac and cheese was king supreme cheesy. This dish would have put me down if I finished it all.
When I’m in need of some stick-​to-​your-​ribs, classic baltimore, type of seafood, I’ll be back.

I ordered the crab imperial. The food is good. It worth visiting again.

Soft shell crab. Say what?
Being in Baltimore for a ridiculously long time, all I hear about was the seafood. After a little Unilocal research, I chose to have my first soft shell experience at Mama’s.
I was kinda freaking out. Eating the whole freaking crab? Am I gonna die? Is my stomach gonna explode? I think my waitress thought I was psycho. Nonetheless, she eased all my fears. She got us started with drinks and the orange soda vodka drink was bomb! We then split the crab cake appetizer and holy f, was it amazing.
We shared fish and chips that were fried in the weirdest batter. I had high hopes for it but it was just disappointing. On the other hand, soft shell was phenomenal! We ate it all up. So finger-​licking good.
I’m scared to try another soft shell somewhere else. What if it’s not as good and my stomach explodes? Ok I’m just cray.

Happiness is yummy seafood on the East Coast!
Mama’s on the Half Shell was recommended to my boyfriend and I by one of my boyfriend’s co-​worker. If you’re a seafood lover, this is the place to come! Everything is so fresh, service is great and it’s in a nice location.
I ordered the Lobster Roll with Mac N Cheese and a glass of Merlot. The Lobster Roll with Mac N Cheese was about $ 30, the Merlot was about $ 8. The Lobster Roll and Mac N Cheese was SO GOOD. If you love Lobster, you MUST try this dish out! The server said that this was one of their best dishes too. It was drool in your mouth worthy. I’m still drooling thinking about it weeks later. Yum! My boyfriend ordered a chicken sandwich (he isn’t a seafood lover), and he said his sandwich was «just ok». They obviously aren’t known for their non-​seafood dishes.
Service here was great and the setting was wonderful. If the weather permits, I’d suggest sitting outside to eat!
I’d come back here if I’m in Baltimore again!
Cheers!

While on business here in Baltimore I had lunch free and this area was near my meeting so I stopped in at this restaurant primarily due to its Unilocal reviews. It is located around a square that has a small park in its center. Not being familiar with the area it looks quaint and popular for people to visit especially at night.
Upon entering the restaurant I noticed how much character it has with its interior. It has a neighborhood bar/​restaurant feel to it with dark wood furnishings. After looking at the menu I went with the sift shell crab sandwich and their homemade cole slaw.
When the food arrived I took a pic of it. It was a large sandwich on thick white bread. It was good and I enjoyed it (3.5). I thought it was a little unusual to serve it on white bread but figured that’s how they do it here. The cole slaw was even better. Nice and creamy (4).
My service was very good and I would return if in the area. They also have outside seating. It looks like a fun spot to hang out.

We were looking for a seafood spot for brunch and came here on a whim. I guess a lot of people had the same idea so the wait was about 25 minutes, so make a reservation if you can.
We were seated downstairs at a high top table near the bar. Unfortunately, It was a bit loud and right in the middle of the bustling waiters. Next time I think I’ll indicate that I want to sit outside or perhaps upstairs.
We started off with a dozen oysters, 6 Blue Points and 6 something else I can’t remember. Both types were plump and tasted very fresh. Next, we ordered clams in a white wine garlic sauce and these were very flavorful. I wanted to lick that sauce off of the bottom of the bowl!
Even though Mama’s is a seafood restaurant, nothing really seafood-​y stuck out to me on the brunch menu. Instead I opted for items off of the regular lunch menu. I wasn’t that hungry so I started off with the seafood chowder. Wow! This bowl was packed with tons of yummy pieces of scallops, shrimp, potatoes and corn. I honestly was full after eating this, but I also had an order of the seared scallops appetizer on the way. It was a hash brown, creamed spinach topped with three perfectly cooked scallops. The hash brown was a bit burnt so I eventually gave up on eating that, but otherwise it was very tasty.
I came with some picky eaters and everyone was very pleased with all of the food. We’ll be back!