Joe’s Crab Shack offers a variety of favorites from all parts of the sea and shore. From its extensive menu, guests can choose from buckets of seasonal seafood, fried shrimp platters and fish dishes, as well as options from the “mainland” that include steak, sandwiches, and chicken. Guests can indulge in over-sized and creative cocktails, such as the Shark Bite which is playfully garnished with a shark toy.
Since its inception, Joe’s popularity has stemmed not only from its menu, but also its retail store. With various pieces of merchandise for purchase, including the ever-popular tie-dye T-shirt with the phrase “Peace, Love and Crabs,” Joe’s has become synonymous with the word “fun.” Unforgettable moments await at our Louisville location and across the nation!
Service quality varied significantly; some servers received high praise for attentiveness, while others were criticized for being inattentive or slow.
Food Quality
Food quality was inconsistent, with several customers reporting cold or overcooked dishes, while others enjoyed their meals.
Atmosphere
The restaurant's atmosphere and river view were frequently highlighted as enjoyable, contributing positively to the dining experience.
Pricing Concerns
Many customers felt the prices were high relative to the quality of food, leading to dissatisfaction.
SK
Sudhakar Kr
Dec 30, 2025
5.0
Absolutely amazing and delicious food! The staff was extremely kid-friendly, and we had a wonderful time overall. We tried the crab cake and mixed platter as appetizers—both were fantastic. The crab cake was especially impressive with its generous portion size. The crab leg boil was delicious and very filling for one person (perfect for a crab lover like me). I had queen crab boil with garlic sauce and diablo sauce. Every cocktail was crafted with great care; the Jamaican Tiki and TKO Punch were standouts.
While great food and flavor are essential, exceptional service truly elevates the experience—and we were fortunate to be served by Charlie. He was incredibly friendly, patient, and attentive, and took outstanding care of us throughout the evening. Thanks to Charlie’s warm hospitality combined with the excellent food, our dinner experience was truly exceptional. We’ll definitely be craving a return visit!
BW
Ben Wilhelm
Dec 30, 2025
5.0
We had a great dining experience 12/23 for a pre-Christmas meal out. We had the ‘sailors shrimp plate’ and the ‘southern shrimp boil’. Our server, Aaron, went above and beyond to make sure our dining experience was excellent. We took some food/seasoning recommendations from him that turned out great! We arrived before the dinner-rush so, parking was easy and the noise level was manageable. We’d definitely recommend stopping by and we plan to come back.
ME
Matthew Erhard
Dec 30, 2025
5.0
We always have an amazing time at Joe’s but this experience was a whole different one we had yesterday (12-29-25) Erin Our waitress was incredible, my wife and I agreed we have never had better service anywhere. Erin went above and beyond for us making sure we were happy and had what we needed. We never had an empty drink on our table. She also went above and beyond when my 2 year old daughter was dancing next to our table, Erin went and got her some dress up wings and my daughter loved that! The manager that night was also terrific, she went above and beyond for us as well! Thank you for making joes such an incredible experience!
DM
Deneen Mollet
Dec 29, 2025
1.0
We were a party of 14 on Sunday December 28th the restaurant was not busy maybe 2 other tables I was very dissatisfied with our food and service not once did our server ask how everything was I would have informed him that my food was cold he did do a minimal job I realize this was a large party maybe with 18% added to the bill for the server he should had enlisted some help I was very disappointed it took almost 30 minutes to separate our checks I would have been happy with sub par service if the food had been exceptional which it was not ! Do better joes!
BF
B & K Family
Dec 28, 2025
1.0
Where to start:
1) The service was awful. Waiter stopped by only one time after the food arrived.
2) All of the food was cold.
3) the shrimp was dry and tasted like it was a microwaved meal.
4) I wouldn’t have fed the dried grilled shrimp to my dog.
5) The Alfredo pasta my kid had was still hard.
6) The stuffed mushrooms were cold and soggy.
7) Everything is extremely overpriced for the quality of the food.
STAY AWAY! Rally’s makes better fried shrimp than this place does. I’m not surprised the restaurant was empty at 5:30pm on a weekend.
The attire at Joe's Crab Shack is casual, making it a relaxed dining experience.
What payment options are accepted at Joe's Crab Shack?
Joe's Crab Shack accepts American Express, Cash, Check, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Travelers Check, and Visa.
Where is Joe's Crab Shack located and in which neighborhood?
Joe's Crab Shack is located at 131 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202, in the Downtown neighborhood.
What nearby attractions can I visit before or after dining at Joe's Crab Shack?
Nearby attractions include Waterfront Park Place, The Great Lawn park, and River Walk hiking trail, perfect for outdoor activities before or after your meal.
Is parking available near Joe's Crab Shack?
Yes, nearby parking options include Witherspoon Garage and Humana Waterside, making it convenient for visitors to park when dining.
Are there entertainment venues near Joe's Crab Shack?
Yes, Water By The Bridge and The Great Lawn both serve as venues for concerts and events, ideal for visitors to catch a show after dining.