Joe’s Crab Shack

It was actually my first visit to a Joe’s Crab Shack… and it so happens to be smack dab in the touristy Broadway at the Beach!
My mother and I dined here on Veteran’s Day, most of the restaurants/​stores in the area were closed due to the holiday so we decided to just eat here.
After skimming through the menu, I can’t help but think of how pricey some dishes are. If I wanted to get their crabs, I’d just honestly just cook my own.
Anyway, we each got a cup of clam chowder then a sampler of appetizers and the Mahi-​Mahi sandwich. We were somewhat hungry but American chains tend to be pricey and with large portions.
Since this is a chain, I honestly didn’t expect much, but it was pretty decent. But their hush puppies really threw me off. I was expecting cornbread inside… but it turns out to be some mushy substance of seafood. Fish? Crab? Perhaps a fusion? I would have asked but I was too hungry to care.
The waitress asked if we were okay or needed something else probably five or six times. Wayyy more than I’m used to back in NYC. It’s not a bad thing, but it was a tad excessive in my opinion. But the waitress was upbeat and nice so I didn’t mind as much.
We decided to get a seasonal cobbler for dessert. This is definitely something to be shared, it was much bigger than we expected! I liked the top portion of the cobbler since it had ice cream and the crust was crispy. Unfortunately, the sugary jam like substance inside was too sweet. We just picked at the fruits + crust and ignored the jam. It looked like such a mess because of this so I put a napkin over it afterwards.
With the price that we paid, I was expecting a bit more but it is a chain after all. But I’m not gonna lie, I wouldn’t mind visiting another location just to take a picture in one of their bibs, haha~

It seems like the bad reviews are coming from people who are impatient. If you go to Myrtle beach in the summer, it’s going to be busy. Our lunch today was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. We couldn’t have asked for better service and the food was phenomenal!

Hubby and I visited Joes Crab Shack for my birthday resteraunt was very clean staff was very courteous especially our server Dixie. Food was spectacular and plentiful I would highly recommend this resteraunt.

We enjoyed the food but almost didn’t get to enjoy it due to the very rude and unprofessional girls at the hostess stand. We were trying to figure out how we needed to be seated due to the fact that my 4 month old was in a stroller and can’t sit in a high chair. There is apparently a rule that strollers cannot be in the restaurant which I understand but they did not seem to care at all about finding a solution. The girls were rude, muttering under their breath and making sarcastic comments. My husband ended up running to car to get car seat for my son to sit in. One of the managers did come to check on us and was very nice. We were seated behind the hostess stand where we listened to the hostesses talk about strippers and other trashy subjects our entire meal. I guess they had no other work to do. The food was awesome but we almost walked out due to the hostesses…

This is a fun, loud place. Servers are super friendly and helpful. Hostesses not so much, but the servers make up for it. They have a variety of seafood and burgers. Something for everyone.
My favorite is the Crab Nachos. They are to die for! Warm, creamy crab on top of crisp nacho chips topped with lettuce, cheese and salsa. It is a large serving, so watch out! You should share.
The 30 shrimp is an excellent choice. Fried, peel and eat and coconut shrimp with 2 kinds of dipping sauces and fries.
We were not really hungry so this is all we ate this time.
They also had reasonable prices for blue moon on tap.
As this is a franchise, I have find you can expect the same food and experience coast to coast.

Visited on a Saturday night for a late dinner around 9:00. We had a group of 7 and they told us there would be about an hour and fifteen minute wait. I liked the fact that we could give them our phone number and they could text us when our table was ready so we could walk around Broadway at the beach. Our table was ready in around 20 minutes which was great! Our waiter was awesome and we were there for a weekend bachelorette party and he was more than willing to play bachelorette party games with us! To drink I got a sweet strawberry lemon rum drink… It was very tasted! 3 of us had free appetizers and it was supposed to only be one per table but we were allowed to use all three of them. We got fireballs, crab dip, and stuffed mushrooms! All were very delicious! I loved the fireballs which our waiter suggested! Our appetizers came out super fast! In fact we were ordering our meal when our appetizers came out. For my meal I got the Ragin Cajun steamer pot! For a table of 7 our food came out pretty quick. There was a few issues with some of the girls food (sides didn’t come out) our waiter quickly fixed the issue and even brought out extra of the sides that were missing. The steamer pot was awesome as always! The crab was cooked perfectly! Everything was so delicious! For dessert I got the apple dessert with ice cream! I have gotten it before and it was just as delicious this time as well! I love Joe’s Crab Shack and will go back every time I am near one! Awesome food! And our waiter was super nice and funny and made our dinner entertaining!

With one young hostess outside and five younger hostesses inside, it was determined within a vast moment, closer to five, that an outdoor seating option was available. To the far end of the dock we were sat, sun setting to the west, water glistening from the wake of an obnoxious speed boat for hire but with Hurricane in hand an overwhelming ease came upon me, «ready to order» I thought to myself.
A good third of the menu read to me to be all on the greasy, greasy and greasier side, which is typically of no issue. However, going back to back meals (Cracker Barrel first) with bacon wrapped, deep fried items left me looking for something else, which never materialized.
The Big Reel Platter was a monstrosity of non crisp, bottom of the heap, dying an oily death of french fries and onion strings. The single piece of deep fried, breaded white fish amounted to three bites was enjoyable but with tarter sauce served in a thimble, as were the other three dipping sauces I found them virtually unusable and completely inadequate. The plating was a cross between the army and the big house, just sloppily strewn amuck.
The two shrimp portions of the meal were completely hit and miss. Coconut Shrimp really was yummy, but the shrimp encased in a lumpy cream cheesy breaded blob, really put me off.

Been to way better Joe’s Crab Shacks than this one. It’s summer and it’s busy in Myrtle Beach, so a wait is expected but they should really be prepared for these crowds by now.
Our party of 4 waited over an hour for a table. Other groups who came after us were seated first… Apparently you’re assigned a specific table to wait for so your wait depends on the people before you? This makes no sense.
We had some drinks at the bar while we waited and the half eaten food baskets from the people before us weren’t cleared for about 40 min. The tables and cups are visibly dirty.
Food is expensive, but not good enough to be worth it. We were served our food without utensils or butter. Just not a great experience. I’m sure there are more good, authentic seafood places close by you could try instead.

Yet to be disappointed. As usual the food was good and the service was friendly.
Had the regular queen crab steam bucket with fries. Crab legs were good. Didn’t care much for the hush puppies.
A great place to visit while in town. If your wallet can handle it.

First off, I SHOULD have listened to most of the reviews telling others to stay away. I have never been so disappointed in a «seafood» place. My fiancé and I decided to try it with our son, because friends back home rants and raves about this place.
We first walked in and it took a few minutes before we were even greeted. We were sat inside (there is outside seating too). Our server, Tiffany, was t exactly the greatest. She was somewhat nice and attentive but we had to flag her down a few times.
Later, we heard the server next to us greet her table. She ewe super upbeat, friendly, and inquisitive of the couple. She made small talk throughout the couple being there. We felt like an inconvenience at times with our server.
We ordered my son chicken dippers and fries. When it came out there were two, small, and skinny pieces of fried chicken. They were lost in the sea of fries, some which were burnt. My fiancé ordered the crab cake sandwich, which wasn’t too bad. I ordered the Crispy Platter. Be aware they do not alter anything, which means everything comes fried no matter what. The calamari was okay, but not a lot of flavor. The fish was so bland that I had to cover it was cocktail sauce. The stuffed shrimp was probably the best thing on the plate. I didn’t even bother finishing my food because it was absolutely flavorless and over fried.
Now, the portions you get definitely did not reflect on the bill. You pay a lot for not a lot. Overall, the seafood was by far the worst I’ve ever had. We will never go back to a Joe’s Crab Shack.

We came here once recently for some seafood on a family members birthday and had a decent experience. The wait staff wasn’t phenomenal and the food was sub par. Overall in this area I’d say you could find better seafood.

Came for a birthday dinner with family. Good food! Right in the middle of Broadway at the beach!

This was the first place we ate in Myrtle Beach on our vacation. It was really good. The seafood was fresh and our waiter was funny. I really enjoyed my dinner.

Pretty pricey! I’m usually in love with this place but I think they rush to cook lobster during their busy season because it wasn’t so good on the 4^th of July!
The loaded nachos are ok but much better when they offered it with fries instead of nachos. Crab legs are good!

It’s a Joe’s Crab Shack. If you’ve been to one you’ve been to them all. The food is good but can’t compare to the freshness of meals we had elsewhere on our trip.

Very expensive Long John Silvers! We ordered one of those buckets along with chicken fingers/​planks and fries for the kids. The food was not good, really just not good. The chicken fingers and fries tasted EXACTLY like Long John Silver’s except 2 – 3 times the price. It was definitely not worth the money.

We ate here as it was one of the only things open late night. We ordered the sampler for an appetizer and it was delicious. My best friend and I ordered the red fish and lobster and it was absolutely delicious!!! The fish was perfectly cooked and the sauce was heaven. My husband had the peel and eat shrimp which were also tasty. I’ve had the steam pots before. The taste was fine, but I don’t find that they fill you up for the price you pay.

These aren’t the crab legs you’re looking for… move along, move along.
Joe’s is one of those places locals don’t really visit. It’s not that the food is bad at all; it’s just nothing special. With all the places you can eat at Broadway, you’ve really gotta ask yourself, how bad do you want it?
The atmosphere is fun; think Applebees meets a beach shack. Lots of visual stimuli. Christmas lights, junk on the wall… you get the idea. But, is it worth the full-​on, in-​your-​face tourist experience you’re about to endure? You’re gonna get it all here… The crowds, the wait, the screaming kids… buckle up!
Personally, I don’t think so. If you can grab a table in the off season, sure. It’s nice enough for a quick beer and a bite to eat, but that’s about it as far as I’m concerned.
I gave up on them when they stopped serving crab-​balls; that really was their saving grace as far as I’m concerned. I’ve been lured back on occasion when friends are in town and they insisted on trying it out. It’s always the same thing. I find myself enduring it more than enjoying it.
–Neil
TIP: If you’re a seafood lover and actually looking for crab, skip this place and go to Captain George’s across the street. I’ve reviewed it in the past… check it out.

Loved this Joe’s. they were super packed when we came but that didn’t seem to effect the service. we were seated quickly and greeted warmly.
After all the formalities our drink orders were taken i got a beer and my girlfriend got a category 5 hurricane. which was super strong, how strong you might ask?.. lets just say light weights need not apply. lol
after getting a good buzz going we finally order. i got the grilled chicken sandwich but only because they gave my girlfriend enough seafood to feed a small village. lol
she got like a shrimp sampler plate which had butterfly shrimp, bacon wrapped shrimp, coconut shrimp and well lets just say anything you could do to a shrimp was on this plate. all of which was great.
i would definitely recommend this Joe’s to anyone in the myrtle beach area looking for great seafood and to just have a good time.

Love this place… the prices are a ok but its a great value… i took another persons advice and got an appetizer and a pot and that was more then enough food. the portions are quite big… the clams were a bit small but the ragin Cajun was great i ordered some lobster claws on the side and that was great. i ordered the seasonal berry pie it was so big i took it home.
I’ll be back to all your locations nationwide :-)