H.C. Seafood

THE WORST CLAM CHOWDER EVER! It smelled and taste like I was eating straight from a fish tank – OMG! No amount of salt, pepper, or hot sauce could fix this fishy bath of milk. My wife ordered the fish and shrimp which looked good but had no flavor and was overly breaded with a tasteless thick batter – yuck! The tarter sauce was even worse and had a yellowish-​color almost like curd on top as if the mayo that was left exposed to the air overnight; the cocktail sauce was good. I ordered the grilled lobster which looked and smelled great but taste like season salt and was as tough as a leather shoe. The food was below mediocre and we will never go back. I don’t see why all these people are eating here. On top of bad food the birds are flying all around you (which I don’t mind) but bird poop was everywhere including on top of your table. The trays appeared very slimy and and unsanitary. Good fries though– Can’t believe this place is still in business. Spent $ 50 on this food and didn’t even eat half of it.

Ok so at first when I called they were short & seemed rude. When I arrived place was busy ordering was kinda weird but now that I see how it works if I go back would be easy. You buy get your crab from the guy out front then wait in line to pay & order it cooked plus anything else. Came out quick & your normal crab boil.

Food never disappoints. Always a go-​to spot for seafood. Been going for many years! Grilled prawns are bomb but a bit pricey but def worth it!

You have to be prepared for this place — but if you like fresh crab, then it is not to be missed. It takes some time (30 minutes to steam the crab) and is not cheap, but you will be rewarded with the best crab — comes with melted butter and lemon quarters. Wear jeans and a sweatshirt — it is casual and outside — old picnic tables and plastic utensils. But again, fresh crab, grilled lobster and spot prawns and even delicious chicken wings…

This place is awesome for those who likes to eat fresh seafood! Our favorite is the Spider Crab! The meat is sweet and juicy. The grilled shrimp is also the best!

This is a little dilapidated hole in the wall but man, talk about some seriously awesome seafood. Live crab, lobster, shrimp all ready to be cooked to order! We had grilled halibut, grilled shrimp and the shrimp, scallop and calamari. There is no need or room for the fries (also good) and you’ll want to go back and be a glutton because they prepare the food fast and it’s tasty. Bang for buck is great — I would highly recommend the grilled shrimp (22 pieces). Bring your appetite and enjoy! Other reviews complaining about service are a little silly — you order and pick up your food at the window. Don’t expect someone to cater to you. You want something else, you get up and go get it.

We hit this place in between hiking and a dash to catch our flight. Hence our biggest issue– we didn’t get to try the crab! But the Grilled Swordfish with fries and french bread was great, a large chunk of fish at a good price, as was the peel and eat grilled shrimp– 22 pieces strong. We really got our money’s worth and the quality was great.
Dunno about the bad experiences others had, but there was a giant 14 person group right in front of us and we got our food within 10 mins and so did they.
Will return whenever possible.

I love the spider crab here & the fish & chips is the bomb .We’ve been goin back & forth here for almost 6 years now.

At first glance it may seem like an old, decrepit, shack… Well, it is. BUT, the food cooked within that shack, is excellently prepared. It’s served quickly on a non-​busy day, as well. I’ve never once experienced a bad taste from their fish and chips. Beware of pigeons and seagulls lurking around the old benches, though.

Great place to get some fresh seafood. The grilled prawns were delicious, but pricey. The fried shrimp and fish were also good but the coating was really thick and doughy. I’d like to go back and try other things before recommending this place.
Ordering and receiving food was fast however tables were dirty and lots of pigeons everywhere!

Mehhh… not impressed. Customer service was good, but the place needs some upgrades. I didn’t really like anything. It was nice next to the water and fun that you got to pick your own crab but that is about the most of it. Hubby liked the crab, I not so much.

Food 5*, service –100 stars. The place is disgustingly nice, I mean it’s seafood whole in the wall its a messy, dirty place. But don’t let that stop you from going to eat here.
BE WARNED THE SERVICE SUCKS. I did experience what others have posted, after asking for the spider crab I was informed by the young teenage kid they were out. Yet other customers came after I purchased my food and ordered them, wtf really.
Overall I would come back here when I’m in town, because the food is so damn good.

I’ve been coming here ever since I was a kid, but the place as stayed relatively the same since. Family usually comes for the crab, but as of late I’ve been mostly just getting the fried seafood platters (Scallop, Fish, Shrimp) which is always satisfying. I really enjoyed the grilled lobster which was pretty big and juicy.
Other than that, the place is pretty mediocre. Seating is pretty dinky with outdoor wooden chairs and pigeons everywhere not afraid to get up in your space. Service is nothing special.

Worst dining experience ever. If they have courteous enough to say something. To me, young boy over there was extremely rude. We asked for spider crab, and he said that no more spider crab. So we ordered rock crab. Later on, they had whole bunch of spider crabs. We asked for the explanation, and he just had smile on his face, and not explain clearly. Lady insude said that we should have no problem purchasing it. Do they have different standard or something. He said that we should call and order first. They rarely picked up the phone or they didn’t say anything. I had to call twice.
I asked couple who came 5 minutes after me who is having spider crab whether they pre ordered it. They said no. Basically they don’t have rule.
I drove two hours to mistreated like this. This is one bad place with lousy service and worst clam chowder.

I am told many people have come here for 20 – 30 years. The good days are GONE. They truly do not care about their customers or their product anymore. The seating is on rotting old wood picnic benches under old metallic umbrellas from the 70’s with cobwebs in them. Debris is littered everywhere on the cement outdoor eating area. I understand fresh seafood places can be smelly, but my issue is with cleanliness and tastiness, and this place no longer appears to care about either of those things. The «butter» is not real, and they won’t fess up to it when asked. The hush puppies were spit out by my friend. I had the shrimp (boiled) and it had zero taste,. The fried fish was tasteless, and over-​breaded. The clam chowder was also a big fail.
Service: Sit far away from the annoying screaming over the loud speaker if you must go.
We asked a guy (a waiter? No. they don’t have them) where the tartar sauce was, and he pointed vaguely at an area about 60 feet away and said «over there somewhere.» I asked the Owner why it was so filthy (see photo) and he said «That’s my style. You have not been here before, have you?» I said «No.» and I won’t be back here ever again, Neither will those I came here with. They USED TO LIKE IT. Not any longer.

Went there today,
They were about to close and took our order.
We ordered a spider crab streamed. (They boil it)
He said they had no more Dungeness crab.
And a clam chowder bowl.
Our crab was great! They cracked it for us!
Butter seemed fake!
Our clam chowder was HORRIBLE!
waterdown, no thickness what so ever!
The soup part was so watery it was see thru!
Pieces of clams lots of potato!
OMG, We live hole in the wall places.
But, we will never go here again.
Looks like we will drive to ventura harbor next time!
Oh I forgot our bread bowl was over steamed and soggy. Not the crispy way we are used too!

The Rock crab is pretty tasty. This place is pretty busy during the weekend. Great place to sit in the patio & enjoy tasty seafood.

Grilled lobster! 24.95 included okay coleslaw, perfect crisped fries, and yummy garlic bread. The star of the show was the generous portion of delectable lobster. Forget about a fancy restaurant — get your crustacean fix right here, right now. See pic for proof.

Love love love this hole in the wall place.
The live prawn shrimp is so good. The seasoning is like boiling crab but it puts boiling crab to shame. Sorry!
So you walk in and order and pick whatever you like and they make it in front of you.
The seating is whatever. Pick wherever you like to eat! Wooden round chairs around a table.
The air smells like seafood. The view is the ocean and when you done eating you can go and paddle board or have dessert at the cupcake/​ice cream store.
THEY DONT SELL ALCOHOL BUT THERES A LIQUER STORE NEXT TO THE SHACK AND YOU CAN GO IN AND BUY BEER AND HAVE IT WITH YOUR MEAL. and it’s cheaper. So that’s a PLUS!
Get the live prawn shrimp! So so so so good.

This place has been opened for 16 years! Damn, I am old. Throughout the years I have brought many new faces, my husband, and now my child. Some people that work here are super nice, the Asian ladies that work in the kitchen can be super cheap when you ask for extra plates and utensils, if you want things bring them. This place operates more like a fish market.
Now crabs! Yes get them steamed. Bring your own napkins, bibs, etc. They will provide you with some things like melted butter but the items they serve are so fresh, you won’t need anything to add.
I always see people with grilled prawns so I will need to try those.
After 16 years, I have to say, this place is consistent. Not a fan of the million pigeons that flock and stare at you as you eat but hey, food is good so I will stay :)