I worked in the plaza where this Joe's Crab Shack is located for a year and a half, and never visited there once. The "Free Crab Tomorrow" sign brought a smile to my face too whenever I'd see it, but the word of mouth from people I worked with was that the food was mediocre. And they were right. Today was my friend's birthday and she was looking for some seafood in the area since we were taking a lunch break. Pete's Fish and Chips was thrown around as an option, but she decided on Joe's Crab Shack. Seeing how it's her day for a super happy birthday extravaganza of fun, I conceded. And all I have to report on the experience is coupled with a shrug and an, "Eh." If you like the corporate atmosphere of TGI Fridays or Bennigan's or any of those other places where they put shit on the walls, you'll probably enjoy Joe's Crab Shack. You'll be prepared for the pitfalls as well. It's overpriced and under-seasoned. It's dried out when fried up. It's unoriginal and bland. But if you douse everything with malt vinegar and tartar sauce, I contend that even cardboard would go down smooth. I've been here several times on others' bill, and have left with the same lackluster impression and a belly full of grease. I've had the combos, fried and grilled, the crab sandwich, the fish and chips and the crab dip, and I really can't even rank them in order of best to worst because nothing stands out as stellar or atrocious. It's all just...there. Plus their margaritas are weak. Eh.
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negative