Joe's Crab Shack-Redondo Beach

When introduced to manager, Matt Contreras, it was a very cold and very uncaring wall we were met with. I was hung up on by Matt twice, and my 'better half' was hung up on once. When he went to talk to him in person, Matt ended up turning his back and walking away. We finally asked for all our money back...the food was cold anyway, and I didn't want anything to do with Matt at Redondo Beach's Joe's Crab Shack, even if that meant going hungry for the night because it was now 2 hours later and everything else was closed. In smallest terms, this manager saw fit to treat me very rudely, and then to blame that rudeness on me (that I was not getting around to my problem fast enough, but that my problem was NOT our order confusion...especially NOT the lack of plastic dinnerware as he seems to have told the entire restaurant...who now think we asked for our money back because they forgot plastic dinnerware in our to-go bag...???...but our problem now was HIM and him treating us in a way you'd treat someone you don't like, NOT in a way AT ALL that said to us "you matter as a customer and I want to help." It was the LACK of that that became the issue. I'll just say that you can go to this location and have a great time IF...if...you stay clear of Matt if you have a problem that needs resolved. He will ultimately blame it on you, treat you like you're petty for having an issue, and also treat you like an annoyance. If that is not how he feels, then hopefully he'll get some training in how to communicate with customers.

We'll maybe try to eat here again because we like it minus Matt Contreras, but we'll call before hand to make sure he is not working. The to-go issue is a little lame, yes, but if you know the rules and follow them, you'll get your to-go order with no surprises. Keith, one of the servers, is the BEST server ever, and so much so that you'll want to call in advance to reserve a table in his area. Basically, KEITH ought to be manager and Matt tossed!!!!

Pros: Matt Contreras, one of the managers, we're sure has nights off.

Cons: Matt Contreras, one of the managers, does have to work and be there sometimes.

Posted 07/29/07

The waterfront location made me wonder, "How can they afford to keep this location with food and service so bad and unprofessional?" The salt on the bar-b-cue crab is what seemed appealing to the people in my crowd, so I created my own version and will never see that place again. Food-nasty and embarrassing. Service-like being served by the most absent minded staff that they could of hired. "Hello, don't you want to make a great tip with 10 people at a table? The drinks should of been remembered, served in a timely manner, and kept coming to keep us drunk enough to ignore the unbearable music, the unrecognizable calamari and the huge bill. Why put a children themed crab place on the waterfront in a posh location? Don't understand why the investors fell for that concept.

Pros: Great location, Great views, Great???

Cons: Food, Service, Theme

Posted 03/15/06

portions are small, food is bland but prices are high. music is to loud, and
tables are for picnics.

Posted 01/27/06

I think the seafood at Joes is awful. It is the most spindly little crab legs, and everything is fried to mask the taste. My meal sucked, and the manager tried to convince me the crab legs were not little and spindly when I complained. They were literally the size of a pencil. It sucks and isn't even worth its cheap price.

Pros: good for kids

Cons: bad food, bad service, overpriced

Posted 10/22/02

Wasn't that great. I thought the food was really salty. That aside it is a great place for kids or to celebrate. The waiter and waitress preform dance numbers and entertain you while you wait for your food.

Posted 08/13/02

Joe's was a friendly place lots of fun for adults and children. patron and staff participation in activities was enjoyable lots of singing and dancing kids loved it as well as adults last party was approximately 25 people and service was very good.

Posted 08/08/02

We went to Joe's for a birthday dinner and had a blast. Not only was the food reasonable priced and great tasting, but the staff was very friendly. They were also very entertaining...they actually get up and dance about every hour...that's right they dance! It was so fun, they even got the kids up to dance with them. And it didn't stop there, they took the birthday boy (who was turning 40) to the middle of the restaurant, dressed him in silly clothes and made him dance while all the staff sang to him...What a night! We will definatly be back.

Pros: valet parking, great view

Cons: very loud

Posted 07/29/02

The food was horrendous, the music was played way too loud, the clientele is a half-wit above chuck-e-cheese. If you go here please leave your brain, love for crab, and taste buds at home, but don't forget to bring 3 credit cards because you'll definitely need it. Who ever heard of a crab house without an all-you-can-eat option, anyway We were seated almost immediately as the restaurant was only half full. Both my girlfriend and I ordered the King Crab Legs, which were small enough to be mistaken as snow crab legs. They took 50 min to get out to us and the waiter never came by at all with anything. When our crab finally got out to us, we didn't need the shell crackers because the shells were soooo rubbery that you had to use a fork to 'tear' open the shell to get to the spongy, dry crab.

Pros: exit clearly marked

Cons: no manager onduty, crab leg shells were, soft, couldnt use cra

Posted 06/29/02