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    J Crab House

    4.7 (368 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    J Crab House Photos

    Business Info

    J CRAB HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - J Crab House

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    Nina S.

    MAKE A RESERVATION! The door is locked so you can't just come in. The inside is tropical- with the papers on the tables. The mom and son cook, serve and clean - so be prepared to wait. It's WORTH the wait! The battered shrimp and shoe string fries were perfectly cooked. More importantly do you know how hard it is to get ALL parts of the crab to come out in one piece? Even the small ones came out perfectly. We loved the family sauce. The old jazz music feels like i'm at my grandmother's house. They have nice sinks with warm water and all kinds of nice smelling soaps to wash your hands. The only thing we regret is they only had 1 dessert and didn't have the slushie fruit drinks and the water didn't taste that great. They are super friendly and fly their seafood in from various parts of the world and care about you as a customer. We will be back!

    Combo #6
    Rocko F.

    Whenever we come to town, it is a PRIORITY to see James at J Crab!! This is our (and our kids') favorite seafood restaurant. Everything is fresh and has so much flavor. James and his mom know how to do seafood! You do not want to miss out on a dinner here!!

    The chef, server and owner .. hard working guy who is very accommodating..
    Spera S.

    The food here was very very good although the menu was playfully off putting .. "we have a special sauce - do not ask for tartar sauce etc... " reservations only ! The owner is also the chef and for our evening dinner - our server . Very honest and accommodating.. we enjoyed talking with him. Had clams with their "special spices", fried bronzino/sea bass which was amazing and it's "special sauce "- not tartar sauce !! And snow crab legs were also good . Fries also very good and guess what ? Had only their special combination of spices !! Delicious .. enjoyed it very much even though it started off shaky, but his warmth and respect really made us feel at home .. and it was delicious !!

    Lancelot C.

    The orders came out of the kitchen fast and fresh. The clam chowder even the little crackers (fresh), the crab and shrimp spaghetti (hot and perfectly cooked, the lobster tails were succulent not tough nor chewy. Kudos to the chef in the kitchen on 08 March 2024 at 1:00 pm The waiter was pleasantly very professional the hostess great and the ambience great. Restroom was very clean as well. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this particular Joe Crab Shack YES! YESSIR! YES MA'AM!

    2 pounds of snow crab legs, one pound of shrimp, 3 half potatoes, and 3 pieces of corn, all in the restaurants sauce (only option).
    Julie R.

    This was a very interesting experience. This restaurant is by reservation only, as posted on their website. We arrived on time at 6:30 PM ( the latest reservation time they offer) to find the door locked. Confused, I called the restaurant and the owner answered saying he thought our reservation was for 6, I showed him our confirmation email, he happily let us in. We were shown to a table and he explained how to order, order was taken and he left us, the only patrons, to prepare the food. There were no other employees or servers in the place. The service from the owner was great. The food was not great. The crab legs were mushy inside of the soft shell that was difficult to crack. The special sauce tasted like a spiced up Italian dressing, it wasn't to my liking. Other seafood boils that I have had in the area were fresher and their sauces tasted better. The pound of seafood here seemed less than the pound of seafood at other restaurants. The owner came out and chatted with us through half of our meal about his life, family, and his business journey. He was very friendly. I was so disappointed in this odd experience, due to great reviews I was really looking forward to this as our last meal on this vacation.

    Jennifer C.

    Looking for a seafood boil in the area, we came upon J Crab House. We didn't realize we needed a reservation, but it was early, so they took us in. Small family owned restaurant with a limited, but delicious menu. My husband and I both had the heads off, shelled and deveined shrimp. My daughter had the crawfish. Both were very good! The crawfish was previously frozen, but still delicious. Service was perfect and very friendly. Next time we are in the area, we'll make a reservation to eat here again!

    Tanya T.

    After reading all of the great reviews, I wanted to bring my family here. We are small business owners and we make every effort to support fellow small business owners. I ordered a combo #11 ($92.96) & was told my total was $116.00 and some change. Taken aback, I inquired if there tax was $23.00. I was told (by a male employee, I'm assuming the son) that it's a curb-side delivery fee. One, we were standing IN the restaurant. Two, were excellent tippers. We tipped a Waffle House waitress $60.00 yesterday (party of 2 with a $25.00 dining bill) after hearing other diners were tipping her $0.50. I'm all for extra fees due to the impact of COVID-19, but not a nearly 33% up charge for "curbside pick-up". We walked away. As we entered the parking lot, the same male employee, followed us to the parking lot and said he would waive the fee as it's a part of a new system. I agreed and placed the order. He said the order was $92.96. I paid with a $100.00 bill. In hindsight, I wasn't asked if I wanted my change. I wasn't given a receipt. I wasn't given change. I wasn't given an opportunity to leave a tip. Again, I understand the impact of Covid-19 on small businesses; but this establishment has to do better. I left feeling bewildered and unsettled. I tried to call the business to have an owner to owner conversation. Their phone system is a recording and they are very clear that no one is going to answer. I wish this business (and all small businesses the best of luck); consider reassessing your process.

    #5 +2lbs of mussels
    Lia B.

    MAKE A RESERVATION Happened on this place via Yelp, and it was even better than the reviews tell you. James and his family make you feel right at home. My family of 4 had the #5 with 2lbs mussels added (14 & 15 yr olds are eating for 12). James was very knowledgable about all of the seafood and answered all our questions. Seafood is prepped in the perfect secret seasoning. Will be back EVERY time we're in town. MAKE A RESERVATION

    Store Front
    Christine D.

    Hands down, the BEST meal I've ever had in Orlando!! Hospitality was second to none. We felt like part of the family when James served our food and told us about Mom in the back whipping up her secret sauce. We will be back again and again!! Thank you!

    Market prices for today!
    Kurt S.

    Outstanding, immediately go to their website to make a reservation. Mother and Son restaurant. You will get messy, if you don't, you did it wrong. Splurge, it's a memorable dinner. You can order garlic bread to soak up the secret sauce your huge dish of seafood comes with. Cheesecakes are homemade. A really nice place to have a seafood bonanza.

    This is the menu that you read outside if you are not a RSVP customer
    Shan E.

    Fun fact about me. I LOVE SEAFOOD!!!!!! It was no surprise that this Louisiana girl was gonna look for some seafood where ever I visited ! You yelpers didn't disappoint with this one. Man you all had it right! So I was on yelp of course looking for a great local spot to get some seafood and I stumbled upon a couple reviews on this spot. I told my husband last night we are eating here today! So we did! We arrived to a strip mall where this restaurant is located. It is very clean outside there is no loitering of any sorts. You approach the door and pull it doesn't open at first and then I read the sign that if I didn't RSVP to read the menu in the right of the door ( see photos ) we went in and we asked to be seated for 2! Now mind you there are about 6 tables and 3 were empty but we were told that these tables were reserved for patrons! I was a little taken back but none the less we ordered food to go (good thing the hotel wasn't too too far) We ordered the shrimp that comes with 1 pound of skin on head off shrimp, a corn, and potato. We also ordered 1 pound of snow crabs that comes with a corn and a potato. We added a piece of sausage! He asked are you ok with peeling and de-veining your own shrimp? I replied I'm from Louisiana we peel our own seafood Man when I tell you it was sooooooo good and though I mentioned 1 pound each it was very filling and the sausage was the bomb.com it was Kielbasa and I had never had that. It did remind me of the andouille we eat in Louisiana. There was flavor in each shrimp and they were pretty big. Now the guy said that they were getting booked for tomorrow already.......hopefully my bro and sis in law will want some after I tell them it's so good and will want to go Friday. I would go back but I would call ahead. The cost is only a tad more than that we pay for seafood in Louisiana that is prepared that way. If you are in Orlando, call or swing by! You will not be disappointed

    Dalina H.

    While planning a dinner with some friends, they decided to bring us to this small mom and son seafood joint located in a strip mall, with all the seafood you ever did see! There were four in our party and we wanted a little bit of everything so we ordered a huge platter of crab legs, four pounds of crawfish, clams, jumbo shrimp, and mussels. This massive platter came with potatoes and corn on the cob. The sauce was so delicious; we wanted to bring it home. Fresh and deliciously seasoned - easily one of the best meals of my life. If only they had tartar sauce for my crawfish! Locally owned and operated in a relaxed atmosphere, with unbelievable quality and taste. Need we say we will be back to this hidden gem soon!

    Paloma F.

    Upon arrival we couldn't help but smile. The ambiance ignites joy with its meticulously styled seaside decor. My husband says to me "it looks like we didn't need a reservation after all". He was wrong. Every table had a reserved sign and was filled within 10 minutes. What a great foreshadow for our experience. Okay, when I tell you this is the best seafood I've had in central Florida, if not all the state, I am not hyping it up. This is the best seafood you will have for its value, freshness, portion size and the SAUCE! Omg the sauce that they give on the steamed seafood. We would invest in it if they wanted to sell. It's that serious and the table next to us agreed. The most valuable trait this establishment carries is the blatant love they have for their food, service and everyone that walks in. It's a family owned restaurant and that's exactly how you felt. Like you were visiting someone you knew that also happens to make the dopest seafood ever. Then you want to keep visiting. Oh, we will keep visiting. I really encourage you to do the same! James, the owner, stated that only 5% of their guests are local. Ummm it's time we change that my fellow yelpers!!

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    Food was awful. Service was slow. Place was empty. Not a trustworthy seafood place. Definitely run away.

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    Ask the Community - J Crab House

    My family and I will be in the area soon. I have a dairy allergy. Does anyone know if the combos are able to be ordered without butter?

    Hi Amanda, yes we can prepare all our seafood boils without butter, we also carry non dairy butter for guests with allergies.

    Does it take credit card at dine in?

    Yes

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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