Captain Don’s

Worst food we ever had! Raw and disgusting… when we said food was raw he swore we ate a piece of it! Yes we would sit and wait 1 ½ hours then say our food was raw. Terrible management! WOULD NEVER RETURN. NOT EVEN IF IT WAS FREE!

Most everyone’s reviews about this place mention bad service. I’m not one to call out other people’s reviews, but to all of you who said the service here was bad, you were being extremely generous. The service in here is God awful. It’s easiest for me to explain my stance by quoting my server, «Let’s be honest,» she said to our faces, «I really don’t care.»
I seldom complain in a restaurant, but my experience was so bad here that the only thing that kept me from saying anything was the fact a manager was not available; don’t worry I’ll be calling.
The food wasn’t awful, but everything seasoned tasted the same. That said, they are overpriced based on quality. Tack on the horrendous service and you’ve got yourself one restaurant worth avoiding.
I’ll never go back here again except to pick up the refund I am entitled to.
*Update on my experience the management is as poor as the staff*
We visited here on a Sunday during their winter hours which are Thursday through Sunday. I called the following Monday and left a message so as to report my issue promptly. Apparently my calls were avoided because I received no call back and no answer until a 5^th call. The manager who answered was obviously already prepared to dismiss my complaint before even hearing me out. He was pretty much just as rude as the server, and had the same mindset of «I don’t care.»
He also insisted that he was present when we were there despite the confliction with the server who told us no one was present. When I told him this, and went on to explain the terrible service we had received he had no response. Ultimately he didn’t care and so I guess you can all infer that no refund was issued and no future visits will ever be made by myself to this facility.
Honestly, I didn’t expect a full refund and I didn’t argue for one. As my idol Judge Judy likes to say, I ate the steak so I have to pay for it; and I absolutely did. I ate my fair share and paid for it. What I had envisioned was a reasonable accommodation such as an adjustment to my bill that would have accounted for one person not eating due to disgust.
In situations like this, it’s always very plain to see who the professionals are. Even a stern no would have sufficed, but don’t argue with me; especially when I’m not arguing with you. If your policy is strictly no refunds then say so, but you should still be concerned that customers are not being satisfied. If I express a legitimate complaint and your response is to eat somewhere else then I will. And guarantee others will as well.

Friendly waitress, very up on food and drink.
Food was good and tasty, however the cooks did not pay attention to my request in regards to NO Old Bay on my food since I have a very sensitive stomach.

This place doesn’t even deserve stars. It was the worst experience that I ever had. I ordered the lobster roll on the menu and it stated that it was made with mayo and they gave me cooked plain lobster in a bun. My husband ordered the fish and chips and the fish was slimy and we sent it back. We waited for an hour to be served and when we told the server of our problems she got the manager and he told us that we had to pay for the fish or he would call the police. He accused my husband of eating the inedible fish and demanded that we pay and we told him that we would pay for the crab balls and the hush puppies but he continued to threaten us with calling the police. We told him to call the police because we sent both of the inedible orders back and he still called the police. Then the sever came to the table with the bill and told us that the police were on their way and they still billed us for the fish. Thus place is unreasonable and doesn’t believe in customer service at all.

Bad bad bad bad service. Worst service you could ever imagine. Manager was a complete idiot. We brought to his attention the 45 minutes was unacceptable for fried food to be served. The place was empty. When we paid cash they could not make change. This place must be on the way out. I’m trying to get in touch with the owner to inform him of what is going on at his business.

Mediocre at best. Food was served in waves. Everybody was waiting, then all tables served at once whether you were waiting 20 mins or 5. My table was served hot potatoes but cold seafood. Sunday afternoon@ 2 & there were 5 tables (12 diners) in the restaurant. My server was personable, but the other server working at the time was choatic. Probably will not go back. This certainly is no Joe’s Crab Shack, Red Lobster or any Baltimore/​MD seafood house. I would visit ine of the other restaurants in this area before going back to Captain Don’s.

This place was not good at all. The drinks took forever to come out. The food took 45 minutes and all came out at different times. Some sides or drinks never got to the table at all. here is the worst part– when we politely expressed our feelings to the manager– he gave us attitude and would not apologize easily. I will never ever eat there again, and no one else should. It will be closed within months.

I came here to try the all-​you-​can-​eat seafood special. The price seemed very reasonable for the type of seafood that was included in the deal. For only $ 10 more, you can add lobster to the feast… you could get a lobster with every refill if you want, which I did. My first round was steamed clams, lobster, and blue crab. The clams were very nicely steamed, not rubbery at all. The blue crab was nicely seasoned and very fresh. The lobster was huuuuuge and served with drawn butter. I was very impressed with the size of each plate. The server came back frequently to check on drinks and what we wanted for the next plate. All in all, the quality of the food was excellent. The portions were amazing and I never felt rushed. You do have a 2 hour time limit for the ayce, but that’s a great amount of time. They got the refill plates out to us very quickly. Plus, I ate 8 blue crabs, 2 dozen or more each of clams, shrimp, scallops, and crab legs, and 6 whole lobsters for around $ 50!!!

It’s OK, but inconsistent.
First night we went there — because it is right across the street from the hotel — food was excellent. It was late evening, and mac and cheese we ordered was stuffed to the brim with fresh seafood & mainly, huge chunks of lobster. They were out of few items tho, and service was rather inattentive, staff not really well trained.
Second night — service was good, but food was lacking, not as plentiful and delicious as other time.
It is very convenient location-​wise, and spacious — no need for reservations, but I wish they would step up their service and consistency of food.

Ok, so despite our bad experience last time, Captain Don’s managed to tempt us back with their AYCE seafood. We had a 6:00 reservation and were seated promptly after being asked if we had a preference of where we’d like to sit.
It took a few minutes for our server to come to the table. Our drink orders were taken and once again, they arrived promptly. They still make an awesome dirty martini lol.
I ordered the AYCE seafood and my husband ordered the stuffed tilapia and a 5 oz lobster tail. No, it’s not like the buffet at the Chinese restaurant when you go up and help yourself. You let the server know what you’d like, and they have a steam table set up in the kitchen that they get most of your order from. Since I also choose the AYCE lobster (seriously a steal at $ 10 additional, and NO, that’s not per lobster… that’s for AYCE lobster) I immediately requested one, along with crab legs and steamed littleneck clams. The clams and legs were awesome. Fresh, done nicely, and about as hot as you’d expect something that is in a steam table. I mean, come on people, a steam table is designed to keep food warm, not piping hot. I thought the temperature was fine.
My first lobster came out with my husbands dinner. I don’t know what was wrong with it, but the meat looked weird and I sent it back. I had another in front of me within 3 minutes. That was the second of five lobsters that I received, and other than the first one (hey sometimes s bad one slips through) they were fantastic. Seriously piping hot when they arrived, so yummy! Hubby liked the tilapia. He said it was lemony but he didn’t seem to mind that. The only real issue we had is that it took 30 minutes after his fish came out to get the lobster tail. Not sure where the screw up was. But other than an annoyance, it wasn’t that big of a deal and he said it was worth the wait.
When it came to my refills, I just asked for more when I received my next plate. Each refill had very generous portions. I stuck with the clams and the crab legs. Each refill got me at least a half dozen clams and at least a pound of legs. And every time, I received my refill before I finished the last plate. And I eat fast. The same was true with the lobsters. I’d get one, and immediately order another. And every time, I had it before I was finished with the other. I tried the mussels as well as the scallops and I didn’t care for either of them. Just my taste I guess. That’s OK! BRING ME ANOTHER LOBSTER!!!
I saw the chefs continuing to fill up the clams and the crab legs. So all my orders were nice and fresh. Quite honestly, I had a blast and really enjoyed myself. The peanut butter cake we shared at the end (that was included with my meal) was stupid good. Real peanut butter icing and not too sweet. I don’t give a damn that it’s not made in house lol.
If I could give this visit 3 ½ stars, I would. At the very least I’m willing to go back a third time. I’ll keep you posted…

I ate there last night with my friends. Food was pretty rough. Warm beer and a very green wait staff.

I wanted to wait until we completed our dinner before my review.
We called for reservations for 530– arrived at 520pm were we sat within minutes. We were very concerned when we sat down that they did not have the 44.95 buffet as stated when I called. We did not see a buffet!
We were sat at the table with 2 menus places in front of us. We continue to look around as we waited for our server. We thought about getting up and leaving because this was not the typical buffet setting.
Server came over as asked for our drink order and asked if we would like the AYCE BUFFET. At that point I asked where it was and if we could see what was on it for this price. She explained that she gives a slip of paper and we check off what we want and she brings it to us. Hmmmm much different but ok. We will go with it.
Not very busy. Food came to us fast and COLD!.. Left overs from day before I believe!
Our first choices– raw oysters (6). Ate 5. 1 was not good– bad bad smell should have never been served to me. MD Hard shell BLUE crabs (2). Cold and very dry inside. and they might have been legal by a cm. Clams– received 2– very cold and server stated new one were being made. Ribs. Cold no sauce and very dry. Shrimp– very good and not cold! Scallops– some were cold and discolored as they looked like the boiled instead of broiled! Some warm and good! Corn on cob. Very over cooked– tasted like it was reheated. Tasted like canned corn on cob! Maryland crab soup– lukewarm but good! Crab legs-​very cold, hard to crack, meat very dry!
After we decided to eat a few of the items we decided to order more of the above in hopes it now was very busy and the food may be hot! So we ordered clams and crab legs! This time they were warmer not hot but tasted much better. But not 44.95 better!
Bill total 101.00 tip with our ice teas +15.00 not waitress fault =116.00 with very bad upset stomach/​bathroom issues for both of us with in 20mins after we left and 2 hours later can’t leave home because we need bathroom!
WILL NEVER RETURN. Health Food inspection needed! May call myself!

To say the least, our visit there tonight was a HUGE diappointment. WHO IN THE WORLD ONLY BINDS A 4−5ONCE CRAB CAKE WITH JUST MAYO N SHALLIOTS??? No one that knows how to cook seafood. Service was bad. The bartender had the bar, tables in bar area, and a couple of tables in tne «main dining area» and did a very good job. So what is wrong with that pic? Oysters on the half shell were served, awful. Told my boyfriend only order those n soft crabs during the months that have the letter R in them. The only descent thing we had was a LB of steamed shrimp for 19.99. Will we ever go back, HELL NO. First rule of thumb, paid the check then told our unattentive waiter what we thought. They should do more research into MARYLAND STLYE COOKING N STEAMING N SEASONING before they advertise.

I had gone in when it originally opened was bad: A bitter tasting off-​color crab cake? Complained to the wait staff and was told the chef «just made it». I said that might be true; but I asked if he could find out how long the crab had been sitting around before it was formed into a patty. Switched to fried clams; just like the tasteless little things from the supermarket freezer (Anyone remember Mrs. Paul’s) and just as cold.
Based on the current reviews it’s clear the «I never worked or ran a restaurant» owner learned nothing from when he had to shut the place down the first time.

Where to begin?! We arrived at Captain Dons around 5:00, put our name down, and went and sat at the bar to order a drink and pass time. While seated at the bar the bartender griped continuously over being short staffed. After 30 mins of waiting for a table the bartender literally got in the owners face telling him to get us a table that he was seating people that were coming in before us and we had been waiting for a table for a long time. This tells me no matter how hard the staff try and do their job, they have no leadership whatsoever. The bartender was clearly standing up for us, but why should the staff have to do that to the owner? No matter how good of staff they put in there Captain Dons will never succeed with, Don, the owner «running the place.»
Shortly after the owner came over and said his apologies and said «I didn’t realize you wanted a table, when people sit down at the bar that’s where they normally want to stay.» How he didn’t understand, us giving our name and specifying we wanted a booth and him telling us it would be a 15 min wait. is beyond me.
Once seated we sat at least another 10 mins waiting on a waitress. We all locked eyes on the owner and he realized he did not assign us a waitress. When she came over to get our order, she took our drink order we decided to go ahead and place our order for food since we had already been waiting so long.
We went to Captain Dons for unlimited seafood Sunday for $ 44.95. When we tried to order at 6:00 the waitress informed us they were out of almost everything except for blue crab, and shrimp. When we asked how you run out of food on an unlimited day she said «well technically not ran out but the oysters were too much of a hassle shucking all day so we took those off the unlimited menu for today. Everything else we’re out of and we maybe have 4 ribs back there.» She told us to instead, get the biggest steampot and then for $ 5 more we could add something to make it a larger meal if we wanted that much food. I then asked why we would pay $ 44.95 + $ 5 more when it’s their fault they are out of food. The waitress then said «well you could just order the lobster that’s what most people do.» My response back was «why would we pay for the lobster plate when on Fathers Day you get a free lobster?!» I have to say she tried but failed miserably.
After all that hassle we got up and walked out. Thankfully Joe K’s Brewhouse steampots came to the rescue, we gladly paid $ 39 for the steampot and it was well worth it, we had a wonderful Fathers Day dinner!

First off, I am writing this review during our visit here so I capture everything correctly. Didn’t read any reviews before we came. Did not have a reservation, and came in at 510pm. Was surprised that there were many seats open. The hostess had a hard time, however, deciding where to seat us. When she asked if a high top table was fine we said yes, and the waiter immediately seated us in a different section.
Seated now and it has been almost 10 minutes and finally the hostess came over to ask if our server has gotten our drink order yet. She was happy to take the order and drinks came out within a few minutes. While we were waiting the couple behind us got up and left for some reason.
Ordered the Clams in garlic butter for an appetizer and also ordered steamed crab and Clams for the wife and snow crab bucket for me.
What continues to amaze me is the apparent total lack of leadership on the floor. There is no quality control. The hostess looks to be trying to fill in the gaps in service but she can’t do it all.
So the table behind us that arrived about 10 minutes ago were just served their entrees. We are still awaiting our appetizer
Appetizer arrived and is not too bad. A bit salty but garlic butter is good. Attached a picture. Place is now beginning to fill up so well see if they can improve service.
Main Course arrived and I was pleasantly surprised that the food was pretty good. The shrimp were nice sized and not overcooked, the crab was seasoned appropriately and tasted clean and sweet. Definitely gained another star for that. The corn on the cob was also nice and sweet.
Alas, the service for us has not improved, at least for our table. We have had to stop the server twice for drink refills, and we were left to fend for ourselves when it came to throwing away the crab spoils. Other tables were given buckets. From entry at 5:10 to bill paid at 7pm we did not ever feel that the staff, other than the hostess, we’re concerned about our needs.
So overall, we have a restaurant that looks to be imitating Joe’s Crab Shack in its menu, but was able to create decent dishes. If it wasn’t for the poor service this would be an occasional drop in for dinner place for us. The service, however, killed any chance I’ll come back. This place is in desperate need of a management team who can run both the front and the kitchen to smooth the service flow and keep their customers from walking out.

Waiter had the attention span of gnat and the bottled beer was the best part of our dinner! Food was gross, over priced and service was horrible!
Update: Just learned that our server was Chef Guy. What kind of operation are you running when the chef delivers cold and disappointing food to the table? What’s more, Don is only interested in your opinion if you buy a feast. Even a blind man could sense our dissatisfaction but the owner had to be call over. I explained every clam had more sand than I could tolerate. His response was pretty much like that’s the way it is. I’ve eaten clams from MA to FL and I’ve never had an experience where it was like chewing on my own teeth.

Saw the giant crab and figured we would give it a try. Staff is friendly but a little disorganized. Place was not very full but it seemed like they were running around a lot in choas.
After a long wait for very few people in the place, got the food and it was delicious! Dozen crabs were cooked perfect. Husband’s steamer pot was also delicious.
The good food made up for the slow service. Hopefully, they will get the bugs worked out and get faster so their service is as good as the food.

Closed to rework their menu and some other things hopefully. Hope they can work out the «kinks» and reopen better than they were.

I’ve been to Captain Don’s twice. The first time was a good experience with the exception of a bit of a wait once we were seated. The food was good and our server was friendly.
We went back the 2^nd time and brought another couple with us. Two us got regular dinners and the other two got a dozen large crabs. The two dinners were just as good as last time, but the crabs had a problem. When the crabs were broken open a lot of fluid came out and the meat was slimy. Occasionally you get a bad crab and toss it to move on the the next and that’s what they did. When they both pulled out the next two crabs the problem was obviously with the entire dozen.
We waited forever for the server to come back and when we did we told him there was a problem. He said he’d get the manager and for a while there I thought he just left and went home. While we waited I grabbed another crab and cracked it open to check things out. It was pretty evident the were under cooked.
When the manager or owner returned he at first played it off like there was nothing wrong until he opened one himself. I really didn’t like his approach to handling the situation by trying to make us think we didn’t know anything about crabs. He finally offered to take them back and recook them, but the other two of us had finished like a half hour before so we figured we’d just head downtown and get the other two some food there.
They went back and got our bill. When they came back with the bill they said that technically we ate 5 of the 12 crabs so we should pay for those. I was so offended and pissed, but I paid him for the pile of uneaten crab parts that littered the table anyway. If a place if going to call you a liar when you clearly provide evidence that they made a mistake it’s just not a place I need to return to.