First time here as was just planning to try the gumbo and it did not disappoint it was really good. Love the dark rue gumbos. On that as I sat down meeting up with some friends that had gotten there probably 30 minutes ahead, they mentioned that crawfish was really good. Even though I wasn't really hungry and yelp reviews/pics didn't really arise my interest I decided to give it a go with just 2 pounds and some sausage, corn, potatoes. I was excited when they brought the crawfish because of how good the gumbo was, but it didn't live up to the gumbo at all. First time I have ever picked medium heat garlic butter with extra spice on the side as heart burn has been an issue as of late. Such a disappointment, they were small...it's April, they looked like January/February crawfish. Didn't taste like garlic butter, no garlic I could even see, more like buttery sugar. And you didn't even really taste that till you were deep into the boil. Even my friends said the boil was off. Hard to trust cajun places with asian style. I miss the days of Jolynn's crawfish on Beechnut. Chopped fresh garlic, not this jarlic or powder crap. read more

What a disappointment this place was. First our server was all over the place forgot about us constantly and the food was cold. It wasn't even busy it was after 8pm We asked multiple times for drinks to be refilled. He also was very inappropriate by using the f word a couple of times while we had children at our table. It was very uncomfortable. The food was meh- service terrible- would not recommend it when we come back through town read more

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The food & service was really good here. The parking lot is a little small. But that's okay. It's still not hard to find a spot. read more

Swamp shack - Really good place. Nice relaxed atmosphere and good food. - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

I have been several times both the Kemah & Baybrook location previous times it had been average but this time the food was good, felt bad we came in closER to closing time, however Lacy was incredible, wasn't sour and happy to serve us. Great recommendations, I had etoufee and alligator def did not disappoint. read more

Swamp shack - Blackened Alligator - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

I always have great service and crawfish is always consistent and spicyyyyyy. I prefer their clear lake operation just because it's but more open and spacious but the Kemah is good for scene view. read more

Wonderful service great tacos. It was so good.We ordered some gumbo for home later. The staff is friendly and fast. If it is your first time going like me, tell them they are so nice. read more

Food unfortunately is just okay. Crawfish seasoning is pretty good for what it was worth. Gumbo is good and would order it again. Etouffee is a miss on the flavors. Service was also decent. Coming during peak crawfish season is the way to go. read more

mostly because The Swamp Shack is still over charging crawfish at $9-$11a pound with corn and potatoes costing extra, when they are buying it from Louisiana between $2-$3 a pound (I'm from Louisiana and know these facts by heart). I'll never eat here again. Although I did find an Icehouse that on Thursdays and Saturdays charges $35 for all you can eat including trimmings, so I'm going to be in mudbug heaven!. read more

It's been a while since I've been able to come by crazy Alan's. I've always loved their dark reaux gumbo that they have here. But today I was in town since we moved away. I haven't been able to get my gumbo fixed now that we're back in town. I decided to stop by And I don't know what they've done but it's been kicked up a notch and the service was amazing. I sat at the bar today, which is very unusual for me, but it was just me by myself so I thought I'd stop by. The bar keep; Harmony was pleasant, beautiful, and just amazing and made sure that my lunch was extra special when she noticed that I was by myself. I don't know who hired her, but when I had my restaurant back in the day, I wish I had a restaurant full of people like her to not only make people feel special and welcome, but also to take care of the customer and take care of the restaurant. Best interest. It was clean and hospitable, and the ambience was classic, Crazy Allen's! read more

Swamp shack - Amazing gumbo! - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

Just a quick update on my one and only review about being charged twice (different amounts) for one visit, hoping it was just an honest mistake, being dismissed and ghosted by management, having to report and start a claim of fraudulent activity on my bank account......my bank, also, had a very difficult time getting a response. Finally, after months, the "mystery" charge was reversed. Again, how this was handled, the dismissiveness of it, the ignoring it when they were given the receipts along w/the report from my bank that I was charged twice....there's absolutely no excuse....it was a fraudulent charge. No reputable business does this. If you want to try this place, do NOT use any kind of card. Pay Cash, only. read more

Came here after church with family Memorial Day weekend. I didn't have much of an appetite so I ate a cup of soup with sautéed spinach and ate some of the crawfish pistolette app that my family ordered. The food was very flavorful and at a good price. Our server was very friendly and helpful and the restaurant's ambiance was that of a casual Cajun restaurant, deck with bayou decor. read more

Swamp shack - Sautéed spinach.. best thing on the menu and cup of gumbo - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

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I noticed other tables had great waiters. So, was disappointed in service, it was disorganized and I got here early. 4pm ish on Friday. 15 minutes to get waited on. Ordered shrimp 1lb with mushrooms. Got shrimp with sausage that was wayyyyy over cooked. And was mushy texture. All of the shrimp had the vein, which means they didn't purge, little sandy and wayyyy overcooked so was disappointing tbh. Service was mehh. I am a regular here, or was, not sure I will be back. I was here last week and experienced same issues thing. I don't know who manages this place but they are not doing a great job. Im done. My last visit. read more

Alligator housed in absolutely ridiculous and cruel conditions. Lets all gather around the glass box with a live animal trapped inside and enjoy our dinner... the gator doesnt even have proper lienear UVB needed to grow, the cube it has lived in for over 6 years is so small. So sad. The food was good but not worth supporting this. I wish i could just speak with the owner about proper husbandry for an animal like this! It needs a zoo exhibit not a box. read more

Swamp shack - Animal cruelty - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

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I come here a lot for the charbroil oysters. They are phenomenal! Most of the food is pretty fresh and the services are A- OK. You should try. read more

We LOVE this place! We love the one in Kemah as well. The place is always clean and the food is great! We haven't had bad service ever and we go there a lot. We usually go for crawfish and they never let us down! Extra spicy, sausage, and potatoes! Always a favorite read more

Swamp shack - Extra spicy crawfish - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

Not sure why so many negative reviews but we had a great experience. I usually try to not judge but when the hostess said she would be taking care of us, I was immediately discouraged...BUT, she was absolutely outstanding. Every single recommendation she made was spot on...anyways....got a link of boudin for appetizer and it was de-lish and had a ton of heat. I ordered the tater tots (yes, potatoes that she called tater tots) and frog legs. I asked if they were cooked to order and YES. They were so good that I got another order. I do realize it was an early meal and we chose a lighter fare, but this experience will encourage me to come back in the future. read more

Swamp shack - Tater tots (delicious) and frog legs (delicious). - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

Onion rings, fries, club sandwich, and service were very good. Ham and cheese was exceedingly disappointing. Only 2 thinly sliced pieces of ham and one thin slice of Swiss cheese on a thick bun. It needed 5 more slices of meat and more cheese. Also shrimp was not caught in the gulf so frozen , not fresh. A shame as we live by the gulf! read more

You know a place screams laidback when it has something positively out of the ordinary. The first thing to greet me when I walked in here was a Christmas tree festooned with Mardi Gras decorations. And since the restaurant is devoted to Louisiana fare, it presents a dive bar-like atmosphere, which I think is pretty cool. So, for the last meatless Friday of the 2022 Lenten season, I went for the 3X3 fried shrimp and fried oyster meal with fries and cole slaw. The shrimp was succulent, the fries were plentiful, and the cole slaw was creamy good. However, the oysters were hit or miss. While nicely cooked, I wasn't feeling the flavor. I thought to myself that I prefer raw oysters. But I really liked the food overall. During a trip to the restroom, I caught a glimpse of the aquarium near the front entrance and saw a real live alligator. The somewhat little guy didn't move all that much, but was still a draw. read more

Swamp shack - Fried shrimp and oysters. - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

So yesterday I thought I would tried this place again since my first experience was horrible I figure sense we in crawfish season that the crawfish would be a nice size and good wrong they were small tasteless I walked into restaurant no hostess at front I waited at least five minutes still no one came out front finally I had to ask for help the young lady said she be right back and never came back I had to ask the bartender to assist. When plate came mind you I order two lbs and it looks like one pound. I get more at Heb and bigger ones mind you I ask the waiter and she said it was medium nope they were small and without head waste of money the corn was old taste had to send it back she brought out two smaller corn and they look dry and horrible no I thanks and the lemon for my water was like a soggy uses lemon. I will never ever return or recommend read more

I love this place. The food is always on point. During crawfish season I'm there about 3 times a week. During the off season I'm there weekly. The wait staff are superb and always do an excellent job. The management team are so polite and friendly. I have never tasted anything that wasn't good. Give this a place a try. read more

We went for live crawfish that they advertised. We were given obviously frozen, terrible crawfish. Then the waiter lied and refused to admit they were frozen. I don't really like this location anyways but this was just BS! read more

ONLY FIRSTS IN 2024 brought us to Crazy Alan's Swamp Shack, which was pretty far away from home, but convenient to grab lunch after a soccer game before heading back. We entered with high expectations hoping for a seafood experience like no other and Swamp Shack did not disappoint. From the moment we walked in, the vibrant atmosphere and all the seafoody aromas hinted at the adventure that awaited us. We settled on the Fried Gator Bites, which I am 100% certain that these were the best gator bites I've even eaten. Fried perfectly with just the right crunch, you seriously would have thought you were eating a chicken nugget, as the little hint of gaminess I've gotten from gator in the past was not present. We also ordered fried pickles, probably not anything so Cajuny per se, but we love pickles and love fried food, so what a glorious combination. And again, I've had fried pickles from the east to the west coasts, and these were fantastic. The thickness of the pickle slice is what set them apart, unlike the hamburger chips I've had that most places deep fry, Swamp Shack's pickle was a nice hearty bite. But of course, the star of the show was undoubtedly the Ultimate Seafood Pot we ordered, which was filled with more food than we could handle. This was a masterpiece that left our taste buds dancing. And let's be honest, this experience is probably similar at every themed Cajun establishment, but we don't find ourselves craving crawfish and such as much as those native to these regions. However, the freshness of the seafood was ratheer surprising. The seafood selection in the pot was diverse and well prepared, from succulent shrimp to tender crab legs and so many flavorful crawfish (3lbs I think). The artful presentation, which also included potatoes, corn, mushrooms, Cajun seasoning, and butter, showcased Swamp Shack's commitment to quality and attention to detail. Yet, what really helped Swamp Shack stand out was the superior service provided to us by our server, Jia. She completely elevated this dining experience to new heights. Her energy, attentiveness, and genuine passion for providing us with exceptional service was evident throughout our visit. Her recommendations were spot-on, ensuring that everything we ordered was to our liking. Her efficiency, enthusiastic and friendly demeanor definitely added an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience. The manager Samantha also deserves a shoutout for her leadership and attention to making sure our visit was a satisfactory one. I always think it's a nice touch when the manager cares enough to come and check on patrons. And it's even better, when they want to genuinely have a conversation with you while you are enjoying your meal. Lastly, the ambiance at Swamp Shack is both lively and inviting, with rustic decor that complements the feel of the cuisine. The restaurant buzzes with customers, creating a welcoming atmosphere that adds to the overall dining pleasure. KUDOS! CHECK OUT ALL OUR CULINARY ADVENTURES AND MORE ON THE SOCIALS AT COLEFAMILYVALUES! read more

Every crawfish season, I seem to return to the same place. These guys know how to boil it. It is fast, and they're always always extremely friendly. It's a great place to hang out and grab a quick drink and good food. Make sure you ask extra spicy and have plenty of napkins. #lowcountrycajun read more

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Food is good, portions are on the smaller side. Staff for the most part are with it. Love how seasoned the food is; so taste is important. I will give them pluses on that. read more

Service was AMAZING!!!! We had Maddi as our server and she was able to serve us with the best attitude!

The hostess was nice, our waitress was efficient and knowledgeable, and my seafood was fresh and delicious. Recommend! The decor was cute and the songs were fun. read more

Swamp shack - This is one of the weekend specials. Crab, shrimp, corn, and potatoes. $17. - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

Well this was our first time coming, in spite of the negative remarks we came to check it ourselves. Well all I have to say that it was off the chain, tremendous good. I had a club sandwich which was Great with onion rings. For a appetizer we shared a smoked Boudin link and it was superb, the waitress was one of the best. Yes I recommend this place!!! read more

Swamp shack - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

I got the all you can eat it's catfish, shrimp, and a gumbo that has sausage and chicken in it. Gumbo taste just like sausage and chicken. Catfish juicy taste good the shrimp bland. $23. I also ordered an iced tea with tax that brought my food order to $28 and change. I left a good tip because the wait staff was amazing and took really good care of me. But I think the overall experience wasn't worth it. read more

I like this place! I generally judge Cajun places on their gumbo and jambalaya. The chicken and sausage gumbo was some of the best I've ever had. The jambalaya was good, and very plentiful. I couldn't eat it all. I will definitely be back. read more

Great place in the baybrook area. Much cheaper than Floyd's seafood as an alternative. Lots of seating so wait time is usually tolerable if any. They have various seafood pot options with a variety of crabs, shrimp, crawfish and fixins. read more

No matter if I'm ordering Togo or dining in Swamp shack does the job. Gumbo is chef's kiss and who doesn't love a good seafood boil!! The ambiance is nice as well and service has been great every time I've gone. Definitely worth a try!! read more

5 of us came in for dinner because it was highly recommended ..... first the "hostess" came to the check in stand with attitude.... Didn't speak to us, finally asked us how many, threw her hands up and walked off. After waiting another several minutes for no one to return, I walked to find someone. Finally got seated, drinks were forever. My sister order shrimp pasta and they brought out chicken, we challenged it and they said "yeah it's pasta." I ordered the crawfish combo just to have it brought out wrong, and they brought back fish and shrimp. I asked about the etoufee that I was supposed to have and he pointed that the coleslaw was etoufee.... Horrible experience with service and food for family that came out of town... One and done... nephew like his gator and beef burger, that's the 2 stars only. read more

Swamp shack - Apparently this is crawfish etoufee that was argued to me... - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

Okay. So where to start?! This is gonna be a long one!!!! So FIRSTLY; Excellent Service, Bellas' service style is Beautiful. Like the name describes. Also the food; Amazing with Great flavor, fluffy and delicious dirty rice that taste like fresh made rice every meal. The shrimp were juicy and 'crisp' indicating fresh as can be!!! The oysters seemed to be cut into bite sized pieces then fried, which I absolutely loved and the batter was light and flavorful!!!! Would absolutely order the whole dozen next time. & The Dirty Rice is to die for in my opinion. I love the flavor. The mixed drinks are NOT something to PASS. Strong but still delicious and anyone who knows me, knows I'm picky. The dirty rice. Again. Don't pass on it. The fries are delicious and seasoned perfectly. And the "enchiladas of the Sea" are the crème de la crème Of my night. Absolutely indescribable!!! Creamy. Sweet. Savory. Mild salt. Not much at all in the taste. The drinks. Great!!! I had a New Orleans Hurricane, a draft Bud Ligh which was crisp and fresh; as should be, & a top shelf Long Island to top it alllll off. 10/10 would absolutely recommend and plan to return for Fresh Crawfish tomorrow. Can't wait!!! Thanks so much!!!! read more

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Crawfish is very good! Fried Catfish and shrimp too! Service was good also! Great place for lunch! Never been for dinner.

Our experience was horrible, the long wait to receive the food was unbelievable. The waitress upstairs was rarely attendant us and when it was time to check out she was no where to be seen. Worst experience ever , will not be coming back. read more

We have been eating here since they opened This last batch of G Sauce crawfish was best yet!! Courtney was fantastic...great food and fantastic service! read more

Leathery, overcooked grilled snapper, with a coagulated "ponchartrain" sauce. Apparently that's how they do it, no discount, didn't offer to fix it. On the plus side, onion rings were good, and my wife enjoyed the crawfish. I brought the problem with the fish to the waiter's attention at the beginning of the meal, and he took it to the kitchen and then returned it to me (cold), stating that they said this was as it was supposed to be. Later he came by and said that he would check with the manager about a discount when I made it clear that I was not happy with it. Since I was hungry and had no alternative, I ate the slimy fish jerky. When I asked for the check, the waiter said that the manager refused to discount the fish because I ate it. Overall a poor experience in food and customer service. read more

Absolutely delicious and there portions are amazing as well as the alcohol! The environment is amazing the waiters are as well and man o man that crawfish is just amazing read more

I will admit that I was a little skeptical because it was not busy at all on a Saturday. The appetizer we ordered was the stuffed jalapeños, they were not very good and mine were still cool inside after being fried. However we both ordered their swamp tacos and they were pretty good, I'll come back to have those when u pair them with the amazing Bloody Mary!! be warned it is a spicy drink but it comes with 4 shrimp. The house hurricane was good too and she ordered. a second before I could blink. The server was attentive and made the experience better. read more

Swamp shack - Appetizer . Inside was still cold - Seafood Near Me - Friendswood, Texas

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The service was good and food was good. The vibe at the Kemah location is better in my opinion. Still a great place to come for boiled shrimp and crawfish! read more