Joe's Crab Shack

Reviews

• AS

  Ange’l Smith

  Apr 5, 2026
  5.0
  Another beautiful sunny day in San Diego led me to take a spontaneous trip to Oceanside for seafood at Joe’s Crab Shack. I definitely enjoyed my experience. The waitress , Maria, was very helpful, professional, and kind, which made everything even better. I ordered the seafood boil, and it was amazing. Next time, though, I think I’ll stick to just the garlic butter instead of mixing flavors. I was able to make a reservation pretty quickly through OpenTable since I wasn’t sure how crowded it would be. Once I arrived, I was seated right away and received my food pretty fast. I also had a great table with a beautiful view overlooking the water, which I loved. One fun bonus was getting to keep a souvenir cup from a mocktail I ordered—that was a really nice touch. After eating, I went downstairs and had some fun taking pictures in the photo booth. It’s such a perfect idea if you’re visiting with family or friends and want to capture the moment. I’ll definitely be back, especially since they no longer have a location in San Diego. The only downside was parking—it was a bit challenging, though that could have been because it was my first time in the area. It does seem to get pretty crowded.
• DE

  Deonne Edwards

  Apr 1, 2026
  5.0
  Hi. My husband and I went to Happy Hour on early arrival in Oceanside. We had a great view of the fishing boats coming in. Our server, Sarah, was absolutely delightful. It was the beginning of our vacation and she melted our hearts with her charm and cheerfulness. Our menu choices were yummy. It was fun!
• NW

  Nathan Wilder

  Mar 31, 2026
  5.0
  Had fish tacos for the first time anywhere, blackened, and they were delicious! Mixed drinks were yummy and love keeping the glasses. Dig the Tiki glass specifically. Cool location in the Oceanside Harbor. Not a bad set in the place. Do have an elevator, so that's cool. There is open public parking over past the slip parking, be careful not to park in a slip only spot. Staff was inked like me, and very capable, enjoyable experience.
• WJ

  Whitney James

  Mar 20, 2026
  5.0
  They Turned My Teenager Into a Crab-ager and I've Never Been Happier! Where do I even begin? We took our newly minted 13-year-old to Joe's Crab Shack for her birthday dinner, hoping for a decent meal and maybe a half-hearted "Happy Birthday" song. What we got was an experience of legendary proportions that will be talked about in our family for years to come. Let's start with the food. I ordered the salmon, and it was cooked to absolute perfection—flaky, moist, and covered in a glaze that I would happily eat on a flip-flop. The rest of the table was in heaven with their chicken fettuccine and, of course, the glorious crab legs that Joe's is famous for. Even the kids' meals were a hit, served on the cutest crab-shaped trays! But the food, as fantastic as it was, was just the opening act. The main event was orchestrated by our server, the phenomenal Cheryl. She wasn't just a server; she was a master of ceremonies, a dance captain, and a joy-spreader. She was attentive, hilarious, and had more personality in her little finger than most people have in their whole body. When it came time for the birthday festivities, the Joe's Crab Shack team didn't just sing a song. Oh no. They lovingly dressed my daughter in a full-blown crab costume, complete with claws and googly eyes. Then, the entire restaurant staff, led by the dancing queen Cheryl, sang "Happy Birthday" before breaking into the "Cupid Shuffle." Yes, you read that right. My daughter, dressed as a crab, did the Cupid Shuffle with servers, hosts, and fellow patrons. It was the most wonderfully absurd and joy-filled moment I've ever witnessed in a restaurant. Thank you, Joe's Crab Shack, and a massive thank you to Cheryl for making my daughter's 13th birthday unforgettable. You guys don't just serve food; you serve up pure, unadulterated fun. 5 stars isn't enough!!
• AI

  Addie Ickowski

  Mar 18, 2026
  2.0
  Overall we went on a bad night with people that did not come in to work. it was very hectic and stressful for the servers, we had the most amazing server tho that made it worth it and honestly made the experience better from it being so hectic and out food coming out late. her name is Cheryl and she was so sweet and funny told us about her son and was one of the nicest servers we have ever had.

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