My family and I have been coming here for years, once Covid hit they stopped holding events but thankfully they've resumed business. Some things have changed, but I'm a great way, the process for getting people inside is a lot easier. Back in the day I remember waiting outside standing for at least an hour, but now they let people inside which is a lot easier on the older folks in attendance. There's free soda and coffee for dinner. The desserts aren't free but man are they delicious and worth it, I prefer the brownies. Before the crab comes out they also provide salad and garlic bread, the garlic bread is great, try not to eat too much though so you can save space for crab haha. The crab was great, very sweet, can't wait to come back in March! read more

IFES Crab Cioppino Dinner - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Mountain View, California

I.F.E.S. 27th Annual Crab Cioppino Feast One word: GHETTO. Arrived at 3:53PM and there was a ghetto fab line into the parking lot. HOT. Got our tickets and around 4:30PM, we sat down in a large hall (yes it reminds me of BINGO). $45 includes soggy salads, crispy garlic bread, average all you can eat crab, and wine/beverages. Not bad, right? I didn't like the food. The salad was meh, the bread was meh, and the crabs were meh. The Cioppino sauce was warm but the crabs seemed cold. WTF. Apparently, they heated the sauce and dumped the cold crab into the sauce. GHETTO. There were NO condiments. People brought in their own butter. There were lemons, but what good are they without basic salt and pepper? GHETTO. Yeah, yeah, it's no Los Gatos Lobster Fest (which is still my favorite seafood feast), but if you don't mind the ambiance, it might be worth it. But personally, I'd rather save the $90 (went with a date) and make myself some lemon grass coconut crab at home. Now, that is my worthy cause! read more

Crab dinner was not so fabulous this last time around--end of Jan 2011 seating. Well ... let me clarify. The crab was fabulous. Actually better than I remember, it was warm, it was plentiful... it was perfectly seasoned. However what was absolutely so NOT fabulous was the almost 2 hour wait we endured outside in winter weather. I have never had to wait that long for one of these things, but we got there at 5:30 and were not let into the place until 7:25. The crowd was practically ready to riot by the time we got in, there were even cops milling around outside. When we asked what happened, the story was along the lines of.. .'the first seating just took too long and we couldn't tell them to leave.' REALLY? So we ALLLL paid the same $45 and you have a ridiculously fat long line of people snaking around the entire building and you can't suck it up and get on the mic and appeal to the peeps gorging their faces for 2+ hours (started at 4pm) to finish up soon and head out? Or if that fails, just start kicking some peeps out? In the olden days they used to have more strict seatings at 4pm, 6pm,....so if you got there around 5:30ish you'd be more than fine to not wait more than hour in line. Big fail this time around. When we finally got in we were fed hard, cold bread and mediocre salad for 20 min while we thought about stampeding the kitchen for crab. Thank GOD that when it did arrive, it salvaged the evening with it's seriously tasty goodness. However, we don't think we'll be rushing back anytime soon. Saw some pics from other friends' crab fests the same night and let me just say it looked a little more high class and similarly priced. Time to shop around. Five stars for the crazy religious company...LOVE making new friends while sharing solidified butter and paper towel rolls! Oh and bring your own crackers unless you have fingers of steel to get those difficult nooks and crannies. read more

This was my first ever Crab Feed, but certainly not my last. I found out about this event from a friend. I became such a big seafood lover since dating my now wife. She loves to eat crab and I knew this would be perfect to take her. If you enjoy eating crab this event is for you. As of this review, the entrance was $50 per person. Kids are cheaper. Please check their website for the age span and more details. The nice thing is you can purchase your tickets online. They email your tickets in which you can print or simply keep on your phone. They use QR (bar codes) and scan you in at the line. Nice to see them use technology to keep things organized. There is a fee to purchase the ticket online, of about $3. I don't know how else you can purchase it other than online though, so if you are caught up about the $3 you may want to email them. Anyways, there are 2 seatings. One at 430PM and at 7PM. We went to the first seating, but let me tell you.. DO NOT BE SCARED TO GO TO THE SECOND SEATING. I had this mentality thinking they would run out of crab or something, and definitely had to go to the first seating. Let me tell you, after about an hour and a half of stuffing yourself with crab non-stop, you are almost done. It was timed perfectly. The place was packed at 430PM and come close to 7PM, there were only a few tables still there with people from the first sitting. I saw them bring out crab for the 2nd seating, and it was still plentiful. As for the crab? DELICIOUS! Definitely FRESH CRAB. You eat enough crab, and you can tell. They were big and semi detached at the body so you do get the meat from the body. No need to worry about the head as that is already disgarded. You sit in rows of tables. They bring out huge bowls of crabs in a cioppino broth. A few bowls per row so it is spread out for your section of table to share. DO NOT WORRY, THE BOWLS ARE HUGE AND THERE ARE PLENTY. The cioppino broth is GREAT! So flavorful and a nice compliment to dip the included garlic bread. I have witnessed people literally put broth in the cup and drink it straight. Salad is also provided too if you want to start eating that before the crab. You can make a special request for crab not in the cioppino sauce too. When you do, they bring out a plate full of fresh crab with a side of tar tar sauce and lemon wedge. It was good too. That is when I knew it was definitely fresh crab as you can taste the freshness without the cioppino sauce. DID I MENTION.. IT IS ALL YOU CAN EAT. Once the big bowl of crab in the cioppino broth was nearing empty, they would just take it and bring more! Finish the cold/plain crab you asked for? No problem, ask for more and it will come right up. BRING YOUR OWN CRACKERS. They were not at the table, nor did I ask if they had any because we brought our own. BRING YOUR OWN BUTTER, if you want butter. Again, I did not ask if they had some in house, but I did see people who brought their own butter and warmers. Bibs are included and plenty of paper towels because you know it will get messy. BEVERAGES ARE INCLUDED, which includes, water, coffee, and soda. You can purchase wine and alcoholic beverages which didn't seem to cost much from what I saw. Desserts are available for purchase at around $2-4 each. Cheesecake, Mango Moose, brownies, and more. The STAFF was great. Every staff member was so nice and helpful. It was a family atmosphere here. Although some may feel you get squished into each table with strangers, everybody is in a good mood ready to enjoy great food. This is going to be an annual tradition from now on. I'm highly recommending it, and I hope things (and prices) continue to stay how they are. read more

IFES Crab Cioppino Dinner - The crowd! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

This particular crab feed has been going on for generations. I attended my first one 20 years ago when it was only $35 per person! Over the years I have been back once every few years and the prices have steadly increased ( darn inflation! ) This is the true crab feed experience. They really know what they are doing here and the crab is fantastic! HUGE sections of dungeoness crab served in large serving bowls stationed strategically along cafeteria style seating. You grab the serving spoon and ladle yourself endless servings of crab in ciopinno broth. WOW I am daydreaming about it right now. They supply a italian dressed salad and garlic bread to accompany your meal but I dont really bother with this since I want to make room for as much crab as possible. Crab coma by the time I am done. If you are in need of condiments such as butter, lemon, tobasco, etc please bring your own since they do not provide this. People drive from all over the place to experience this particular crab feed, I dont blame them since it is so mind blowing if youre a dungeoness crab lover. They only host about 4 crab feeds a year so get it in before the last one happens and you have to wait till next year. 5 stars read more

This was my first time at the I.F.E.S Crab Cioppino feed and let me just say it was WELL worth the $50. All you can eat salad, garlic bread and crab? Yes please! We chose to do the first seating, which was 4:30. There was a bit of a line, but they started letting people in around 3:45. Once in, the guide you to a table based on the number in your party. This hall is huge! The tables are set up cafeteria style and there's gotta be about 50 people per table. They give you rolls of paper towels and paper plates, and of course a bib. We sat for a bit and carafes of red and white wine were passed out. Then plates of garlic bread and big bowls of salad were brought out. Sodas and coffee were free. If you wanted beer or a mixed drink, there was a small bar there where you could purchase those. We were chomping on our salads and all of a sudden people started clapping and cheering. The crab was coming! Gigantic bowls of steaming crab in a tomato based broth were put on the tables. The 4 of us had one huge bowl to ourselves. The broth had a little kick to it, and was so flavorful. I couldn't stop sopping up all the broth with the garlic bread! And the crab...These were clusters of body and legs with claws. Most clusters were already cracked for you, so it was pretty easy to get to the meat. The meat was perfect...not salty or dry. We put away 2 of those big bowls of crab and left feeling full and content. There were desserts that you could buy, but we didn't have room for it. We were rushed out of there by 6:30, and that was because they had to get the tables ready for the 7:30 seating. If you go, take note... They don't provide any condiments or utensils (besides a plastic fork). If you want butter, cocktail sauce or tobasco, or even crab crackers or picks, you need to bring those yourself. And bring Wet Wipes. I'm definitely going again next year! read more

IFES Crab Cioppino Dinner - Crab Cioppino - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Mountain View, California

This is a fun time! Bring your friends, co workers or any group for a rollicking good time! Some folks bring their own wine, beer, crab crackers, glasses, coolers,etc. which is great, but even if you show up empty handed you'll still be happy. The cioppino is wonderful and the broth you just want to pour all over everything! Yum-you won't leave hungry! read more

Poor little innocent crabs did not know what they were getting into or what was coming to them...when they jumped in their "steam bath." Funny how things work out...I had bookmarked this event long before I even met Mara T. Funny that it was Deb N who originally inspired my quest for a CRAB FEAST. Even funnier, my whole family attended this even way back in the day when I was like 12! So it's not ironic that I show up on Saturday night, hungry and ready to eat my most favorite thing-CRAB. And not just 1 or 2 crabs...but bowls and bowls of CRAB. Move over salad and bread, get me my cheap wine and CRAB! I met up with bone merrraaawwww and her Geoff, Tabitha's mom and dad, and my 2 other friends hippity bopity. Just getting seated was an ordeal...but I did not mind...I was just happy to be there. We frowned at the idea of getting seated at the front, as we would then be tasked with conversing next to the speakers of the band and announcer. Imagine a woman shouting "DO YOU WANT RAFFLE TICKETS" in your ear all night long. Not so much. No matter, assertive girl puts on her hat, moves to the back, flashes a nice smile, and gets our party of 7 seated. Picture a high school gymnasium, plastic table cloths, plates, bibs, forks, and wine carafes. All we needed was the disco ball and dim lights, I mean we had the cheesy band. Either way, all these elements made for a FUN night. Anticipation was killing me, and I could smell the crab. Once I took a look toward my right, and saw the men coming with the silver bowls...I knew...IT WAS TIME. It was like revving up for a pie eating contest. After a quick toast, we all shouted in joyful glee at the beautiful feast we were about to consume. Crunch Crunch Splash Splash Juice in my eye, hair, YIKES! I prefer my crab simple, dressed in lemon. I did not know I had to bring my own lemons. PEOPLE-BRING YOUR LEMONS TO THIS THING! Note to all like me, they do serve plates of cold crab not in ciippino broth. I was in heaven! I must have consumed like 3 crabs or something. WOW! Once the night was over,I knew I had to shower in lemon juice. I mean, I could still smell the stench on my arms and clothes. Funny thing is...I did not mind...if you notice my last meal on earth...you'll know what I mean. Thanks bone merrrraaawww for introducing me to CRABS and inviting me to come on such a stinky, dirty, night. $45 bucks does go a long way, and you can even bring your own wine! read more

IFES Crab Cioppino Dinner - yummy! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Mountain View, California

See all

This is definitely a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" I am obsessed with this crab feed. I've only been twice but you can believe I will be going MUCH MUCH MORE! I am a huge crab lover and the first time I came here, I was nervous the crab would be similar to Boiling Crab- where a bunch of crap was just thrown in to make it flavored. $40 bucks was pricey but ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB, shrimp, garlic bread, salad and wine (the cheap red and white wines in those large glass jugs). It is actually cheap if you are seriously going to grub on all the crab your stomach can humanly allow. The hardest thing is waiting. They call you in by group number and you are brought inside a large hall with long long tables, and you are seated and you wait until the hall is filled. Then out comes the salad and garlic bread. The first time I went, I almost got tricked by these clever fillers but I realized I needed to save room for the crab. But the salad and bread are definitely yummy. The salad has a light tasty dressing and the garlic bread is so buttery and yum. They also bring out little bowls of VERY GOOD shrimp. It is cooked in something mildly spicy but it is just the right amount of kick. The crab.. ohhhh the crab. You smell it before you actually see it. They bring large bowls of these steaming hot crab soaked in whatever they cooked it in and it is UH-MAZING. I couldn't get enough. Luckily, the folks I went with had been there before and had their own melted butter and crab crackers with them, otherwise I would have been up a stream without a paddle. You don't really need the butter, the crab is great alone, but they also bring out cold crab which isnt as tasty as the hot hot hot ones. Here's my secret tip I'll share: I use the sauces and juices from the shrimp bowl, pour a little into my own little personal bowl, put some melted butter in it, and squeeze some lime that they provide you with into the mixture. ohhh it is delightful! This place is PACKED. People come and just have a blast. Some people drink outside and it looks like people tailgating. It just all in all is a good time. I havent had trouble ever getting a ticket because we go with a family who automatically counts us in, but we've heard it can be REALLY tough so get your tickets early! and enjoy! read more

I attended two crab feasts here when I lived in Mountain View. Had to get in line about three hours early in order to get in the first seating. The salad was simple and tasty and I couldn't get enough of the garlic bread. Now that I'm on the east coast, I'll have to make an effort to find a similar place here. read more

Second time partaking in this crab fest and I love it!!! All you can eat crab in a ciopinno sauce (tomato broth with spicy kick), garlic bread, salad and red or white wine, soda and water....all for $50. Such a great deal!! We've made it a family tradition. But you can tell others have done the same with friends and family and have made it a sat night event. Everyone dresses up in the crab outfits. I've seen crab ties, shirts, hats, bibs, pajama pants. It's really funny and festive. They set up the tables family style with big bowls of salad, plates of bread and carafes of wine. Then the cheers start when the crab is brought out. It gets quiet with everyone chowing down on the pre-cracked crab. It's a good idea to bring crab pickers I guess their called?? They also have plain cold crab and people bring their own sauces to go with that. But I prefer the ciopinno crab. I put 2-3 pieces of bread on my plate then sauce on top with my crab. It's soooooo good!!! The bread is delicious all sopped up with the sauce. They also have raffles to help raise money for the Portuguese society which is where this event is held. And you can buy desserts which the kids make too. They offer this event once a month during crab season and it's best to buy your tickets in advance. Enjoy crab season while it's here!!! read more

My s/o loves crab cioppino but the IFES's recipe is his favorite! We go to a few crab cioppino's through out the year; the one on Villa Street offers shrimp (SFV Lodge) or on Lafayette & El Camino near Santa Clara University. But we seem to always come back to this one. Crab feed dates are posted on their website. $45 per person seems to be pricey but oh well; when price of crab goes up, so do the tickets. At other crab feed locations, drinks are given to you or beer is free. But here, you get your own drinks (near the bar area) and wine is the only free alcohol (white or red; homemade). There is a bar area where the rent-a-cops are very strict with carding. I only come here for the crab. Not the salad or garlic bread. On several occasions, I have chocked on their dry garlic bread. I've learned to bring my own water or dip the bread in melted butter. A few words from the wise: When you leave here, you will smell fishy!!! Plan on not wearing the same clothes the next day. Memories of growing up in a Filipino household; everything smelt like fish. Blah! Cut your nails and remove any nail polish! When they say "all you can eat", it's not always all you can eat. There are times where they will start to push you out so the second group can sit down. Bring your OWN crab utensils (but the crab is some what pre-cracked), pre-cut lemons, hot sauce, butter warmers, butter, cocktail sauce, wet wipes, hair clips, etc. Sometimes neighbors, like me, will be nice enough to share with the newbies! Oh, and they supply rolls of paper towel. Take at least 20 sheets to keep next to you while you eat. Buy tickets in advance (or at least reserve). They have been sold out many times in the past. The older Portuguese folks will bug you with buying raffle tickets, homemade bread, cheesecake and or birthday shout outs. But with all the people, it's naturally loud in the hall! You can buy crab to go! My grandma is homebound so we always take a bag home. But I have seen people trying to sneak crab into large bags or purses; now that's ghetto! Enough said-- you should try a Crab Cioppino feed at least once in your life! It's always memorable. read more

Ghetto Fabulous. Okay I don't know that $45 a head qualifies as "ghetto" but for all intents and purpose ... Eating crab. In a hall. All you can eat. Wine from a jug. Ghetto fabulous! Happens multiple times a year. Check it out. Where's my bib? read more

What a great evening... All the way from the socializing in line, seeing old faces that are regulars every year, to meeting new fellow crab lovers. This is not for mamby pamby ones that want a quiet evening dinning over a seafood plate, this is about getting together with a big bunch of strangers and friends, and eating all the salad, garlic bread, outstanding crab, and wine. I helped our small group go through 8 large bowls of crab, bought lots of cupcakes and deserts to help out the youth and picked up some yummy bread on the way out. We were at the early feed, and right behind us was the 6:00 PM crowed waiting their turn. Very well organized, things move very well, no issues or problems, good security and a festive atmosphere. It's a fund raiser, good time, and fun.. Loved it and will be back again for the next one.. read more

I've never been to another crab ciopinno but this was awesome. Totally worth the $40 all you can eat salad, bread, crab, shrimp, wine, beer and soda! I smelled like crab for three days after and it was totally worth it. read more

If you love crab, you have to come. The price is high, so if you are a small eater or not hungry it's a waste if money. The set up is cafeteria style, there is bottle of wine (red & white) placed in the middle of every 5-6 people. They have all you can eat salad & garlic bread too. If you ask they will give you lemon for your meal. We bring butter warmers, steam rice, and our tools to break open the crab legs. It's fun to sit with people you know, or you can meet new people. read more

WOW!!!! I was completely blown away but how fresh and yummy the crab tasted! I went with a bunch of girlfriends and there was a horrible bay area storm outside as we waited in line. I recommend you get there early since its a hall and first come first serve for the first seating. So we go in dripping wet and end up by the door which was not that great and sit in lovely metal benches covered in paper tableclothes. But on the tables were crafts of red and white wine, garlic bread and metal bowl with salad! But all we wanted was the metal bowls filled with fresh yummy crab! It was already packed as we sat down and dove in. I can't believe how much crab we ate!! I think I only had one piece of garlic bread! I had to take a break for like 10 minutes since there was so much food! It is all you can eat so come hungry and don't wear anything too nice since you will just get crap cioppino juice everywhere. For those who want to eat more stuff they also had cupcakes for sale and brownies but they were sold out already the brownies!! Guys what happened? The cupcakes had tons of frosty and some jello like cheesecakes ones as well that were not bad with cherry on top. Totally cheap at 2 for $1. They also had a live band that was playing some really old music that I barely recognized but seemed like fun background noise that gave my flashbacks to high school. There were also tons of colorful folks there and families especially the guy that was dirty dancing or grinding with some gal and security had to visit ;)) Classic. Overall at great time and I can't wait to go again in March ;)) read more

I.F.E.S. 27th Annual Crab Cioppino Feast . Arrived at 4:oopm and walked over to a side window to get a ticket, you see it's a donation to the IFES Society. Around 5:00pm, the line started to shuffle in. Large bingo hall room with trestle tables with white paper, picnic style setup. Wine red/white, soda, garlic bread, and a salad are all free. Where's the main event,,, everyone is looking around. THEN they bring out the crab in jumbo sized salad bowls five at a time. The people would clap, laugh and cheer at the mound of tangled legs and claws placed on the table. You are not more than arms reach away from an eight lbs hot bowl of crab swimming in that famed cioppino sauce. Oh boy it's good, and that sauce,, dip the garlic bread in it,,YAAAhhhYep. If you like crab, GO!! Yes $45.00 is a little steep but it goes to some cause ( i forget which). Yes it's kind of like going to your aunt Mable's house for dinner. Yep the eating hall and paper everything is a little tacky!! BUT!! The CRAB,, you can't eat that much crab. I think i eat at least a $100 worth!! That CIOPPINO sauce if just right with the spices, not pepper hot or too sweet or buttery, delicious. Don't forget to dip your bread. Oh Yah!! The combination was so good that i eat solid for 1.5 hrs!! I just couldn't stop eating that crab. HHHMMMMMmmm The pro crab eaters know how to do this right. They came with nut crackers, oyster forks, butter warmers, lemon slices to spritz the crab and after to rid the smell from hands. Baby wipes, cookies and no filling up on salad and bread. That's for chumps! Wait for the CRAB!! Oh yeh! The hall offers cupcakes, cheese cake cups, sweet bread, a full cash bar, and raffle tickets. Can't remember what they were raffleing off,, Huhm,, WHAT did she say? Care NOT,, where is the crab bowl!! GO to the next one January 31, 2009, SUPERBOWL WHAT!! WHO cares Man, We are talking CRAB HERE!! LOL Dave read more

I think the reviewer who said "Ghetto Fabulous" pretty much summed it up. Yelp did me in. Had nothing planned this weekend, and I hit up the "Events" tab and the IFES crab cioppino dinner shows up. -$45 from the food budget in one sitting. If you're one of those people who are worried about getting your money's worth at these kind of things, don't worry. There's no pressure to eat the bread or salad (though they are brought out first) and you don't have to wait or be ashamed to get more crab. That's because when they bring out the crab they're bringing large bowls worth at a time. So as long as you like crab, you should be good to go. I thought an event like this would have problems with bringing food out on time, refilling, etc, but the "staff" did an admirable job at keeping our plates and cups full. You gotta love the veterans of these events that show up with pre-cut lemons, sticks of butter, etc. Impressive preparation skills people. Paper towel wrist bands FTW! read more

First time attending last month. Get a group of crab-eating friends together and head here for the night. Wear clothes you can just toss into the wash and bring an empty stomach. I would pass on the salad and garlic bread and just dive right into the crab. There are 2 kinds: cold and then the hot in the cioppino sauce version. I liked the latter better. It wasn't spicy hot but it did have flavor. I would have brought some extra lemon wedges and some crab crackers though cause sometimes, they weren't cracked too well and I LOVE lemon. I think I ate 3 whole crabs to myself. I had to lie down when I got home but it was cause I stuffed myself too much, but it was all so yummy! So next time it's around, grab some friends, tickets, and have a good time. read more

See all

The crab is AMAZING. But the people need an attitude check. The ladies who work the drink and dessert area are some of the RUDEST people you will EVER MEET! Like we're here to help you raise money please don't be a rude B! All of them! Actually come to think of it, all the females who work here are literally the rudest people. I go for the crab but F these woman read more

3 Stars. Had a great time and ate tons of crab. I've been to crab feeds before, but I think this type of event works just as well. $45 bucks for all you can eat crab, garlic bread, salad, wine and soda. It's interesting to see everyone cheer when the giant metal bowls come out. I loved it since it really attributed to the great environment. In the past, I've been to crab feeds where people would bring their own dishes to eat with the crab. This place was no different. Some folks brought small burners and pots for side dishes and such. The folks we sat next to brought their own stuff and asked for cold crab to prepare it their own way. Nice. Not sure if it should be as high as 45 and I'm not sure how much crab goes for in the market. But since there's all you can drink wine also, I guess that's where where the cost is justified. Who knows. I'd feel more comfortable paying like 35 if you ask me. There's a bar, there's baked goods being sold, and there's a raffle. There's also a long line in the beginning, but I honestly think it isn't that bad unless you're super hungry. Next time around, I gotta bring rice. Well, either rice, or some kinda pasta noodles with the cioppino sauce. I know we're supposed to eat as much crab as we can, but c'mon. Eating crab with rice is awesome and cioppino with pasta is just as good. read more

Warning! You may pay for crab you won't get! There were many angry people last crab season at the IFES in Mountain View. Why? People paid $50 each only to be told they ran out of crab. Some got a little, some got no crab at all. Customers realized something was amiss when no one was bringing out any crab. After a very long wait, (45 min.-1 hour), an elderly man went to the microphone to announce there was no more crab. All he said was "that's the way it goes". They didn't even offer a refund, not even an apology! There six of us in our group. We got (for $50 each) about 1-2 crab legs per person. I feel they should have refunded at least half of our money, but were just told to leave. If you don't have the crab, don't sell the tickets IFES! We are still very unhappy and do not have plans to return. We will be going elsewhere this year. read more

If you haven't gone to a crab feed before and you love yourself some crab, buy those tickets and mark your calendar for a good time. There's salad, garlic bread and plenty of wine that come with the purchase of your ticket and you can be sure to stuff yourself silly with as much crab as you can eat. Just don't forget to BYOB (bring your own butter) and candles to melt at the table for dippage. read more

Best Crab Cioppino I have ever tasted. Better than all the other so called cioppinos around. I have been there several times. Never disappointed. Always delicious. I live in Livermore, Ca., and will always be ready to drive there. Finally took my wife and boy did she love it! Damn good Cioppino! read more

Absolutely love the crab cioppino feast! It is always on point. They offer online ticket purchasing, which makes it so easy. The even scan your tickets at the door (so cool ). I would recommend to come for the 2nd seating and to show up at 7:30 to avoid a line. And if you see someone selling the cupcake cheesecakes, get your hands on a least a dozen! Soooooo good!!! read more

You need to be responsive to your clients, customers, friends and patrons. When calling your number, never reach a live person; when leaving a mssge, after a week---no response. Your website does not have a "contact us" option. Answering machine should be reviewed at least weekly if not daily---it's good business and courtesy. IFES Mgmt---we are trying to work with you, help us do so. read more

I've experienced this amazing Crab Fest once..and I'll definitely be back next year for this... I loooove looove the Crab Cioppino! And the shrimp! omg. to die for! I've never seen my hands get all wrinkly from one sit down dinner just trying to stuff myself with so much crab... It's amazing how crab lovers actually prepare for this. Some of our friends brought some tea light candle holders for melting their butter (as they don't provide this) and bottles of wine...Just awesome! The garlic bread was off the hook too. perfect with the cioppino. I definitely recommend this to crab and shrimp lovers and gout-less fans... read more

If you like fresh crab this is the place to be like a ocean going creature. I am not kidding you can really eat like a seal. We plan on attending this year and every year for the last 7 years! I make it to the feed at least twice a year with my posse. Me & the boys go out as a guys night to hang, catch up, get some wine and eat allot of crab. Now I have been to many of the crab feeds in the area this is by far the BEST! the crabs are big, full of sweet juicy meat! here you can have your crab a few ways, cold, and Cioppino. Its all good! they have a full bar, desserts and good times. The crab is served in huge bowls so you can pick your favorite parts. I highly suggest you buy some of the cheese cake they are the bomb! you can bring your own butter jacuzzi to soak your crab in its also a great way to enjoy one of California's gems! Bring a lemon or what ever tickles your fancy its all OK here. The folks who put this on are real nice. The cost is worth it 45 bucks where can you go for that price and eat for 3 hours! I say when in need of a great crab feed check them out! read more

March 31, 2012 This is my 5th year attending this wonderful event. The crab was the best this year I think and of course I stuffed myself. It's a great time with friends and family, diggin in and getting your hands covered in the broth and crab. I recommend this to anyone, get there an hour early. I ordered my tickets and picked them up at the window this year, everything went smooth...cash or check, no credit cards I believe. The kids sold their brownies, cheese cakes, cupcakes, and chocolate chip cookies. Everything was good. Go prepared: Bring a bag Pack your lemons, butter, butter warmers, tools to work on your crab, cloth bibs work best the plastic ones rip on you if you're not careful. Buy the Portuguese sweet bread. We arrived at 3:30pm, an hour early, not too crowded but the line was already formed and we got in by 4:10pm. The crab came out by 4:30 and we were happy. It's a blast! Thank you IFES for the wonderful fund raiser. See you next year IFES. Loved it. read more

The cioppino is off the hook! Non-stop crab and "skrimp" - the service is on point. Timing is off, I think we had to wait an hour before we were finally seated - but there was a live band and free wine while we waited - so it wasn't too bad. It was so worth the wait. read more

This Cioppino dinner is highly overrated. Our party of four signed up for the second seating, from 6-8 pm. We arrived around 6:15 and then stood in line until 7:45 (that's right - one and one-half hours) before we were admitted to the dining hall. The ambiance is, well, it's a hall larger than a basketball court filled with tables covered with white paper, all illuminated by overhead fluorescent lights. It's not hard to picture. The salad was chopped iceberg lettuce with a few sliced carrots tossed in, dressed with oil and vinegar. Cheap to make and nothing special. The bread was some kind of roll (think white hamburger bun quality) covered with butter and turned into a brick in an oven. Yuck. As for the "Cioppino," this is a misuse of the term. Real Cioppino contains a variety of sea foods, including, in addition to crabs, such things as mussels, calamari, shrimp, fish chunks, etc. There was none of that here. Just crabs that were overcooked in a mildly spicy sauce. For $45 per head, I expected and we deserved much more. The wine had obviously been bought by the gallon, or, more likely, the barrel. It was was a step above horrid. It was just bad. After finishing our crabs, servers circulated with "dessert," cupcake-sized morsels of cheesecake. Yours for only $1.50 each. Cheesy! It was easy to decline the offer to purchase raffle tickets the prize for which was free admission to the next crab fest. The highlight of the evening was leaving. read more

Went last night (1/25/2014) for the first time to this venue and it was so disappointing. The crab cioppino and cold crab were WAY TOO SALTY. Everyone (25) in our party agreed. Bread was dry, like it had been made the day before and reheated, salad was ok, could have had more dresssing, and the wine I hear was not drinkable. ( I don't partake). The soda was not on the tables; you had to get up to go get it or water. My brother bought 2 cheesecake cupcakes @ $2 each from one of the ladies going around peddling those. He gave her a 5 dollar bill and she walked away and did not give him the change. Later in the evening, someone else from our table did that same and again no change was given. Was she pocketing the extra $1 for herself or what??? I have been going to crabfeeds for about 30 years, but at a different Portuguese venue, and hopefully I can return next year to that place that knows how to make cioppino correctly. I can't believe that this one, at the IFES, is so popular. Maybe these people don't know that it is not suppose to be so salty. I wish I could ask for my $50 back. read more

The best of all feeds!!!!! It's so delicious! Wonderful atmosphere! And excellent service and lots of fun. Hot and cold crab. The hot one is on the best!!!! read more

been coming for the last 5yr.they do a great job,good frsh crab,hot cioppino or cold with lemon and tartar sauce.service is A+,which is amazing,with the masses of people there.last one of the yr is 3-27-10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gZU85LMNMg read more

Crab feeds are everywhere nowadays........especially during the winter months........but none compares to this one in Mt. View at the IFES Hall. The crab is always fresh, the garlic bread is good (although, that's not what we go for) and the organization is awesome. The servers are all volunteers and are very attentive..........always a pleasant experience. Can't wait to go again! read more

So much fun -- IF you are prepared. Thanks to our group leader, we were given a survival guide email, and it was spot on. Here are the things she covered that you'll want to know. Dress comfortably. This is NOT a fashion show. Wear something that you don't mind having covered in crab. I don't know how it happens, but it gets everywhere. They furnish rolls of paper towels and bibs. It was nice to have a wet wipe at the end. Bring them if you think you will want them Both crab cioppino AND cold crab are available. If you like to dip your crab in melted butter, bring a warmer / tea lite thing or melted butter in a thermos. You get a plastic fork at the event, and if you don't mind using your teeth and the sharp end of the crab claw, you'll be fine with that. If you need more civilized tools, BYO cracker and small fork or poker thingamajig. BYOB for a festive wait. The group next to us killed a bottle of Patron while awaiting the arrival of salad, and were among the last groups to leave. Several birthday balloons and announcements of anniversaries during our seating. Oh, and a lost old man. Yes, it's big enough to get lost in. Bottom line, gather a group of relaxed people to join you for this fun, social marathon. For those of you who attended yesterday and were awaiting the 7PM seating, rest assured, you were not alone in your couple of hour wait. We showed up at 3:30 for the 4PM seating, and saw the first signs of food at 5:30. Relax and have a drink. Or a bottle. The crab is the star of the show and was delicious. The garlic bread dipped in the cioooino broth is also super tasty. And, although I am sure it wasn't anything fancy, the red (slightly sweet) wine was the perfect accompaniment. We will be back! read more

I've always enjoyed going to the crab fest. I like the cold crab better---much tastier than the cioppino. The only problem with this event is when they take the tickets. Two people for such a long line. We went there at about 4:20pm. The line was very long still at that time. We didn't get in until 4:45pm. They need more people taking tickets--maybe, about four(4) so the line can go faster. read more

God, this has gotten so out of hand. I really don't know how they have been putting it on for so many years and STILL can't figure out crowd control. After waiting for 2 hours in line for the first seating Jan. 2012, I saw many groups just cut in line and run to the front. The ticket booth (this is at will call, not just to buy tickets) is its own separate line from the admissions line. The only way we even made it in was b/c I happened to hear that they needed a party of three which we were. Soooo never going to back to this nightmare. I can buy crab, cheap wine, and still have plenty of money to make a donation. Too bad b/c this has been and can be a great event. read more

this place is a total feedfest. it's overpriced since i'm not crab-obsessed. you have to bring your own eating tools. crab is ok; sides are kinda crappy. if you can crack and inhale a pie-plate sized portion of crab meat then this is your place! read more