Joe’s Crab Shack

Had dinner tonight. The food was okay. We ordered the wing appetizer and steampots. All of which was good but our service wasnt the best. Which is why the 3 stars.

Cool vibe, great service but absolutely AWFUL food. $ 30+ dollars for crab legs that were so over steamed, they melted the shell. And the prices on the menu will take your breath away. You’d be better off catching something out of the Little Blue River and heating it on your tailpipe. It would taste better…

Food was OK… typical…waitress was a little annoying came to our table every few mins to see if we were OK, not necessary when we hadn’t even got our food yet. Calamari was rubbery, overcooked. The shrimp was good though

So trying to decide on somewhere we passed the decision for jumping catfish for Joe’s Crab Shack because they pay a reasonable wage. The unfortunate part is that the service isn’t special and the food, my food was terrible. Both at our table order the same thing but they didn’t come out the same– mine was burnt. After asking for the manager and being told that it would be the same if they remade it when we pointed out the other plate was far superior to mine we wait 38 minutes for a «new «plate where my crab cake tastes of old fish and was flat and smashed as could be. He also both times was at our table stared at us for an uncomfortable amount of time. This was one of the worst dining experiences and as my mother didn’t understand the no tipping policy still tipped $ 20 even though our experience was terrible and we went somewhere else where I could eat and haves cup of coffee and not be leered at by the very odd and unprofessional «manager»

This was a very disappointing visit. We were craving shrimp, crab, and lobster.
The shrimp was not deveined (don’t enjoy eating shrimp poop), the crab cake was mushy in the middle, and the temp on the foods were not up to par.
The manager did reduce our bill by the kids meal that had the non-​deveined shrimp; however, did not address the mushy crab cakes. Very disappointed in the food & customer service.

I was craving crab cakes, so decided to visit this Joe’s with my son (who does not eat seafood). I ordered soup, we had an appetizer, plus two meals. I had the crab cake sandwich, which was mediocre at best. Both the bun and the crab cake were soggy with absolutely no flavor. Very little, if any crab was in the crab cake. The clam chowder was good, but nothing great. We had the Great Balls of Fire appetizers, which were okay as well. My son had the chicken tender dinner, which he said was «just okay». I haven’t been to Joe’s in a long time and we will not be returning. Since they are no longer accepting tips, the prices have gone up. Our meal was $ 50, too much for what we ordered. The service was okay… once again, nothing great. Our corner was very noisy since the servers kept dropping glasses and slamming doors. They weren’t as busy as I thought they would be at 6pm on a Saturday, so I have to wonder what’s going on. It used to be that the parking lot was full all weekend.

Queen Crab bucket delicious. Crab cakes were good. Clam chowder so so. Server very pleasent and attentive. Took way too long to get alcoholic beverages. Even longer to get appetizer and then within minutes of getting the appetizer our entrée arrived. Then, while we were told «no rush,» it was pretty obvious they wanted our table.

Saw the recent Joe’s Crab commercial advertising their 33 Shrimp Platter. Ordered 33 shrimp. Ended up only being 25 shrimp. Our waitress did eventually bring us more to equal the 33 ordered. By the way, the 33 shrimp platter is misleading. You get around 22 tiny popcorn beer battered shrimp, 5 coconut shrimp, and 6 peel and eat shrimp. The shrimp we were missing were replaced with tiny (and I mean über small, popcorn shrimp). Our platter had a handful of COLD French fries underneath the shrimp, all on a round metal pie plate, not a «platter sized» anything. Very sad meal! Our waitress «Aliah» was fantastic! She was great as a server. It’s not her fault the food is so sub-​par and not worth remembering. We also had the appetizer sampler. Crab dip wasn’t very tasty. Mostly tasted of mayo, no seasoning. The chips were warm, but almost rubbery/​stale. Final verdict= Small portions, overpriced, this chain won’t be in business long. Red Lobster is MUCH better. Go there… please.

This 3 star is because of their fish and chips with hush puppies. So good. I haven’t tried anything else on they menu.

We really enjoy coming here for the cool atmosphere and the amazing drinks! The staff is usually very friendly. The manager Kevin makes his round with the tables. A very friendly/​funny guy. The food is really good, but not great. But everything else makes up for what lil bit the food lacks. My only critique would be there estimated wait times. Upon arrival we were told it wait would be 1 hour 20 minutes. We witnessed one group in front of us and at least two after us turn around and leave when told the wait time. I looked around and saw numerous empty tables (my daughter’s counted nine, not to mention available tables on the patio) and thought there was no way it could take that long to get a table. 14 minutes later we were being seated. Yes that’s great for us, but they lost at least three groups of customers because of their poor estimations. I know people were calling in and asking how long the wait was and being told the same and I’m sure they lost that potential business as well. Just food for thought Joe’s! Otherwise though, we had a really great time!

Couldn’t even tell you how the food tastes. The music was so loud, and one particular waitress kept screaming the words to the song right next to our table. We cancelled or drink order and left. I really wanted crabs that day too.

Been a while since I have been to a crab shack. Well now I am crabby. I should have known this was not the right choice when I walked in the door a little after 9 pm and the place was empty. I thought what the heck. Took a seat at a booth only to be told there are drink specials in the bar area only. For crying out loud I was the only person in there. They should be paying me at this point. I told the waitress fine. Just bring me a beer.
I had investigated the menu on Unilocal before heading over. The item I chose they have not had for a long time. So don’t use that menu but go to the website. Btw the menu on the website would not download on either of my phones.
The Mahi was so so, rice was eh and the seasonal vegetable was green beans. Canned I think. Not sure those ever go out of season but something I expect at a diner.
Well I am still hungry but heading to the hotel. We will see what time I wake up looking for a snack.
Not worth the money. Tomorrow night I will try somewhere different.

The wife and I went to Joe’s for an anniversary dinner and were sorely disappointed. Joe’s has finally developed tasteless seafood. Her crab legs were rubbery and difficult to open with the cheesy plastic utensil they provided. She had to ask for drawn butter. It was delivered ten minutes later after the crab legs cooled off. She said the butter was the only thing that gave the crab any flavor.
My East Coast Sample platter (I think that was the name of it) included crab-​stuffed shrimp, fried shrimp, fried fish, chicken fingers, two hushpuppies, fries and onion straws. The crab-​stuffed were overcooked and too spicy to eat. I’ve had homemade Mexican green chili sauce that wasn’t this hot. The fried shrimp were ok but basically had no taste. The fried fish fillet was greasy but the best tasting item on the plate. The chicken fingers were greasy also. The hushpuppies weren’t too bad but overcooked in my opinion. The fries were not special and the onion straws were totally tasteless but they made up most of the plate.
I have no complaints about the service. The server was very friendly and gracious and she apologized that drawn butter was something that had to be requested with crab legs (who does that?) The place was a little loud for my tastes but it wasn’t a deal breaker.
I remember this place being very good when we went there several years ago but I won’t be going back.

Have to admit, I was a little leary of eating here but the grandson wanted to try it. He had the crab legs, wife had popcorn shrimp. and I had the country shrimp. Grandson devoured the crab, wife stated the popcorn shrimp good, and my shrimp was also good. Typical franchise environment but good food. Would go back if grandson suggested.

All was well, truly enjoyed the service Marie was her name I believe (but truly does look like Snow White). Sharing with family made especially nice. Had the mussels for app with a garlic and butter sauce; followed up with crab legs 3 ways which tipped it off. No dessert as we had plans for home with the fam but my youngest got her wish as they sang me Happy Birthday. Hope this helps someone and keep up the good service Snow White

Love this place, like to come on Tuesday for $ 2 drinks and appetizers.
After traveling all day this is truly an oasis on the prairie of Mo.
Being from Kansas this is and unreal experience. So far from home to see sea food in an authentic setting.
Got to love the «shack».

It’s $ 2 Tuesday here at Joe’s Crab Shack in Independence, MO.
We love it !!! Bryan is keeping us happy with the $ 2 Hurricanes … He’s a super bar tender and very friendly. He’s a Good reason to come back !!
The $ 2 appetizers are amazing too!
You have a choice of popcorn shrimp,
Fried pickles, crab fritters and crawfish!
Come and see Brian ! We plan to do that!
They have neat shirts too !!

We came here before a Royals game. I wish we wouldn’t have. This place serves up some pretty small portions of lame food and charges way too much for it. The bar stock is skimpy and the bartender pretty unknowledgeable. The service was slow, the atmosphere sucks, and the food completes the trifecta of a miserable experience.
For God’s sake STOP HUMILIATING YOUR STAFF with that annoying dance routine you make them do. Maybe if you’d focus more on concentrated service and food quality, you could actually run a better restaurant.
There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell I would ever come back here. It’s a waste of your time and hard earned money. Joe’s Crab Shack is a complete bust.

The best thing about Joe’s Crab Shack is that they have a play place for the kids. It is nice to eat quality food and have adult beverages while the kids can play outside. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is fun.

Don’t say it. Why were you in kitschy chain restaurant-​opia again?
Well, I totally had a craving for seafood and had heard how great Joe’s was so after seeing a movie, we stopped for late lunch. Of course it was the typical funky themed and promo stuff all over the walls and the place was of course «down on the pier» themed, so that came as no surprise. The music was a little loud, but not completely intolerable. The table set up was great for crab and shellfish devouring with a bucket in the middle and a roll of paper towels provided by our very gracious server.
We had the Joe’s Classic Steampot which consisted of Dungeness Crab legs, shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes. Upon hearing I liked spicy, our server offered to bring either some of the dry rub to sprinkle on mine or the wet spicy seasoning to try. I opted for the wet. The food came and was pretty delicious. The shrimp were almost to the point of too done, but they were very good. The crab, corn, and potatoes were done perfectly. As our server brought out the wet rub she cautioned me «It is going to be a bit salty.» Bad marks for not telling me up front. It was obviously meant to go on and have it’s effects shine during the steaming process. It was all salt in it’s wet state, so I passed on using it.
One nice touch was when a certain song came on, the servers danced and genuinely enjoyed their jobs. Very rare these days.
So Joe’s gets a pretty fair review from me and where as I wouldn’t go there on a date again, I probably would take the kids who would get a kick out of the place and beg daddy to buy them gifts at the gift shop.