Wanted to try this restaurant after visiting Inakaya (a Japanese spot a couple of doors down). Went a couple of days later, and was told that they only accept orders online. The online ordering process is pretty complex, lol. First you place the order, then you get notified about whether or not your order was accepted. When you're denied, it's probably because they're sold out of the dish. If you're denied, you have to restart the online ordering process. The website doesn't update about what things are sold out. In the event that you're lucky and you get what you want, they call you to confirm. In turn, you send your money via cashapp or some other app that they accept payment from. I ended up getting an oyster po' boy and the "sock it to me" rice. Not my first choices but whatevs. The po' boy was fire, but it did have a lotttt of bread. I ended up not eating all the bread. The rice was ok. Something was off with the seasoning and the shrimp. Needed more seasoning, shrimp were over-cooked. If I went back to this restaurant, I wouldn't think to myself, "man I have to get the rice again". The service was good. They were nice enough. I would go back, but only if I could get the things I really wanted to try. read more

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I'm giving this place two stars because 1. They are a restaurant and 2. There was crab. Beyond that, The Crab Shak is a disappointment. The macaroni tasted frozen and had shrimp instead of crab. The crab legs were decent but they charged us fifty cents for a cup of butter. What are crab legs without butter?? read more

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This place is kind of.....ok. Just okay. You order at the counter, but they will bring the food to your table. The menu is really scattered all over the place and it's quite confusing. You If you're looking for pasta or shrimp, you've got to look around on several places to find everything. The service was friendly enough. They refilled our drinks and asked if we needed anything several times. Food is served in Styrofoam containers (Yikes environment!) whether you dine in or carry out. The food was okay. My date liked their blue crab tray, but my crab and shrimp pasta lacked flavor and the shrimp was way overcooked and rubbery. I want to give it a higher review, but it was just okay. I will probably give it another shot and order something different. read more

Omg! I wish I could give more stars! So, I'm starving prior to closing and Im thinking, it's late and my food is not going to be what I want, but I'm pescatarian and it's late! So, EVERYONE was pleasant. Placed my order for 2 shrimp skewers, broccoli and rice! Waited a reasonable time and came home-I tasted the shrimp with the intent of just tasting...The seasoning and sauce was so good, it's a sweet sauce with a garlicky aroma! Omg, so good! broccoli steamed to perfection, not over cooked or too buttery, but perfect! and the rice, every grain to itself! I my food so fast, with the intent of saving some for tomorrow, but naaah, I ate it all! Sorry, no pictures! I was going to post my empty containers, but that's not cool. I can't wait to go back! Reasonable price too! read more

Food was delicious, decor was fun. Open and spacious. Bummed it took so long. It was a very lengthy event but staff was super friendly and professional. Only wish they were not masked. So difficult to hear and lip read when loud and noisy. read more

Giving this place a 1 star because it's a MAJOR disappointment. Wish I could set it to a .5 but a 1 will just have to do for now. I had had their crab legs a few months prior to my experience today, and I wasn't impressed. They lacked flavor and that kick that most crab spots are supposed to have. So I made up in my mind that I wouldn't go back for their crab legs anymore. Well today I ordered takeout from the Asian restaurant next door, went to go pick it up and decided that I would go and order an extra side from The Crab Shack, in case my food wasn't enough to fill me up. So I go in and ask the woman managing the register "How long is the wait? Because I already have food in the car, and I don't want it to get cold." She looks me dead in my eyes and tells me "15 minutes at most." So okay, fine. I don't live too far away, so I figured that my food in the car would just be starting to cool down at that point, so that when I got it home it would still be hot enough to eat. I placed my order for the small jambalaya, paid, then waited. 10 minutes go by, 20 minutes go by, 30 minutes go by, 40 minutes go by, 45 MINUTES go by, 50 MINUTES GO BY!!! It was literally an entire hour wait. People who came in after me were getting their food before me. Finally I go up to the register and I say nicely "I'd like a refund", and I hand her my card. She makes an uncertain face and says "I don't think we can do refunds on cards." So I said "what do you mean you don't do refunds on cards?" So she says, "here, give me one minute and let me see if your order is ready." So she disappears into the kitchen, then comes back with the jambalaya I ordered. IF IT WERE THAT EASY, HOW COME YOU DIDNT GO CHECK ON IT TO BEGIN WITH? At this point I'm irritated, because 1. I'm sure my food in the car is cold, but 2. How long does it take to make a small jambalaya? Definitely not an hour. Oh an by the way, when I got in the car and looked at the jambalaya, it looked like slop that they just threw in a cup. When I tasted it, it lacked flavor just like their crab legs, it was disgusting and I wasn't impressed yet again. I'm certain I will not be returning this time, not for ANYTHING! read more

The Crab Shak - Seafood Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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I've been looking for a place with great crab legs and steamed shrimp and this place is it. They know how to season food! My husband and I both ordered the seafood combo and loved it! The person working was helpful in going over the menu with us to help us order and we love the Jamaican theme to the restaurant. By the way, the server suggested we try a stuffed potato next time....We will definitely be back! read more

The Crab Shak - Steamed shrimp, crab legs, corn, potato, boiled egg, sausage, butter - Seafood Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Super disappointed. First thing that hit us walking in was a pervasive smell of bleach that was so strong I was worried they were coming up the smell of rotting fish. The menu was terrible with 50 items crammed onto a sheet of paper with no description or organization. The people behind the register were nice enough but seemed a lot more concerned with talking and hanging out than actually working. Was hoping for some decent cooking but instead was met with over cooked previously frozen broccoli, a reheated soggy potato, under seasoned seafood, and a half inch of cheese on what was meant to be a "loaded" potato. My husband ordered shrimp and grits was given fish and grits, the fish was ok but the grits were practically inedible with a chalky aftertaste. We ended up throwing away all but a few bites of our meals. Will never be back read more

I thought the food was excellent! We ordered the shrimp deviled eggs, deviled crab and snow crab combo. Everything was incredible and we will definitely be back. No this is not a place you go to get waited on, everything comes in a styrofoam container. You place your order at the counter and you either eat it there or take it home. They were very busy but the wait time wasn't horrible. Nothing fancy but the food was fantastic. I would highly recommend this place. read more

Loved the food as usual. Met the new front staff. Very pleasant and informative. Will be back soon.

This was possibly the most bizarre dining experience I've ever had. We came to eat lunch for my birthday. spent $65 for seafood. It was served in styrofoam containers and plastic forks. How do you eat crab legs with a plastic fork? The crab legs were so fishy tasting that no one would eat them. We also got shrimp and grits and holy cow, they were amazing. The fried lobster tail was meh. Everything that was battered had way too much old bay seasoning on it. It was so salty! The worst part was that they were playing a violent R rated movie on tv and I had to hide my kids eyes when these dudes were getting shot in the head. All while trying to eat lunch. And people were complaining about having to wait so long for their food. When we ordered, they had to go in the back and make sure that there were any lobster tails left to cook. I won't eat there again. read more

Customer is non-existent. Food takes forever to get and they always out of everything. Don't waste your time.

Worst ever. Rude staff. Out of things. Food took forever. Everything is ridiculously covered in old bay. Fake scallops. Tap water cost $2. It literally took almost an hour for our food to cook. We kept trying to leave and get a refund but we kept being told it's almost ready. After about 30 minutes we were told we're just waiting on the chicken to thaw. Never again. read more

Great customer service! They make you feel at home and like family. The food is delicious. There is no other seafood place around that gives you this much flavor. read more

My family, especially my grandmother, was so excited to eat some blue crabs since we're from Maryland. The girl at the front was SO rude meanwhile the whole place was empty but she might as well have ignored us completely. But as soon as another couple walked it she put on a smile on and offered them a menu. Will never go back. Y'all lost what could've been value customers if you just didn't speak so nastily. read more

Wonderful staff wonderful food. I need to teach them how to make the dip for Blue Crabs.lol

I love the garlic blue crab and shrimp combo. It's the only place i can get live blue crab this time of year as well. The food has much flavor. They always satisfy my craving for crab. It is worth it. read more

This place is not worth 1 star. This is a hole in the wall, run down shack. Maybe the name holds true. The menu is dated old printed paper which is hard to understand. The guy at counter was rude and had no compassion at all. This place is kinda "it is what it is". Save your self the trouble and detour to somewhere else. You have to sneak and steal a seat from the staff. Everybody looks at you like your crazy for being there, not 1 hello or welcome. Don't skip these review and pictures as they do not match the actual place. Such a major disappointment!!! read more

I enjoy visiting the crab shack, like their blue crab and the company. I appreciate them keeping their door open during this criss we are faced with. read more

When we ate there the first time the food was above and beyond but the place was not clean. We were willing to look beyond the ambiance because of the taste of the food. Hubby had catfish which was some of the best we have ever had. Went back a second time and they were out of catfish and did not greet us or even acknowledge we were there. We ordered anyway and the price was different than the menu because apparently the prices have gone up but were not posted yet. I find that alone distasteful. I ordered seafood lasagna which I had VERY healthy portions but could only taste and find sausage. My hubby ordered fried shrimp which had no taste (tasted kinda tinny). Price was $31 to be served in styrofoam and plastic silverware. The place is still very unkept and there was a 'hospitality' charge on the receipt of which I did not feel much hospitality at all! Do plan on not returning...may try other Crab Shak locations in the future. read more

i called at 830 to place a order and guy that answered quickly cut ne iff and said we are close... and then hangs up, disrespectful i would never go there totally disrespectful... hire people that wanna work!!! read more