Joe's Crab Shack - Sacramento

So, I'm from San Diego and have had the best seafood all over so obviously I avoided Joe's my whole life like the plague I thought it was. However, my boyfriend finally convinced me to go and I ordered one of the new steam pots, the new england bake, and he had the one with all the crawfish and creole seasoning our first time there together. Honestly service was quick and friendly and both our food was really good, super tasty, I gave him one of my lobsters and was def. very full. We've been back multiple times and every time it has been fast friendly service and delicious food.

Sure it's not a high end restaurant, but people you get what you pay for and Joe's is a good value! And secondly, obviously its a crowded restaurant so go on off days or hours with large groups or if you just want to sit and eat quickly! Also, the outside seating is best if you want to hear who you are out with!

Pros: Great View, and two lobsters in one bucket!

Cons: super loud inside, the decor, and the awful entertainment

Posted 10/28/09

I have ate lunch there a couple of times. The first time I had shrimp & it tasted like the Gordons frozen shimp you get at the grocery store in the yellow box.

The second time I had the fish & chips. Not too shabby. Our group sat on the Patio.

When you sit inside, it's just to noisy.

I like to eat in peace. I have reviewed several restaurants in the Sacramento Area. To check out my Blog just Google: Sacramento Blog Uncut

Pros: Good Fish n Chips

Cons: Very noisy, slow service

Posted 08/29/09

It used to be a great place to go take your family, of go out with a group of friends. But lately its hasn't been. I took my family out there on St. Patricks day, i expected the long wait. I didn't expect the cold, crummy food, nor the terrible attitude we got from the waiter or the hosts.

Three times in a row, i have found stuff in my food thats not supposed to be there. I had plastic, cellaphane type material, and hair.

The waiter there was upset because my wife wanted to sit on the patio and look out on the river and it was over crowded inside. the table he gave us had the sun beaming right on it. When i asked for another table, he got in a hurumph and tried to put me at another table with sun. So i picked up my thing and told him which one i wanted and sat there. He then walked away and complained to the other waitress, sent her over to take our order, and didn't see him until he gave us the check. Did i mention the food was terrible.

Pros: The drinks are fantastic...

Cons: The serivice, check your food

Posted 08/02/09

I'm always a little skeptical about seafood in central CA, but this was not too bad. I got the crab steampot that came with some crab legs (not super meaty unfortunately), potatoes, corn on the cob, and sausage. The crab legs were the most mediocre part, unfortunately. The rest of the food was great. Overall I think it is the atmosphere that keeps people coming back to this place. Their servers are very friendly and put on some fun shows throughout the evening. It is a very fun place to go eat on a Friday night down by the river in Sacramento.

Pros: Good atmosphere, some pretty good food

Cons: higher prices with skimpy portions of seafood

Posted 03/03/09

The crab shack is amazing! It is so much fun, the wait is long but obviously that means something good! I had great drinks, and when i finally go to the table i had a great crab dip it was wonderful, i also order there fire steampot, i had a fabulous drink a pomagranite mararita, my server said, i could get a extra shot for 99 cents!!! i have a great time!

Posted 01/19/09

Joe's Crab work hard to entertain you, but they forget about good service. I went there for lunch on a Sunday with a large group of people. We sat at 2 tables next to each other. To to the restaurant being crowded, many of us went to the bar to get our own drinks. I had an ice tea, & when they gave me a refill, they did not put ice in the tea, so I got luke warm ice tea.
Warm tea I could live with, but I waited 1.5 hours for food. While others in my party were chowing down on what they ordered, my food did not come, nor did the serving staff/main waiter come by to check that everyone got their food & were doing well. In fact, someone in my party who arrived and ordered 20 minutes after I did, got her food with everyone else.
When I tried to find the waiter, he was no where to be found. I actually got my check before I got the food. When the waiter gave me the check, I mentioned that I had not gotten the food (I kind of asked if they were still fishing for it).
I did not get the courtesy of a sorry, a discounted ticket for my troubles, or even the option of giving a small tip, as it was a large group & tip was included in the check.
So for the entertainment quality of watching the staff line dance every 30 minutes, you are in for a treat. But if you want quality food & service, go elsewhere.

Posted 03/30/08

First of all, I don't know what people are talking about by saying Joe's is good for large groups. They claim they won't take reserverations on the weekend, but I saw one family do it when I was told "no". oh and get this - then they made me wait 3 hours and wouldn't let me leave at all to peruse old sac while i wait, unlike cheesecake factory who will give you a call when you table will be ready within 10 minutes or so if you have a large group. a few of my friends ended up leaving and my 21st birthday was ruined! I complained to the staff, asked for the manager but they pretty much ignored my complaints and treated me poorly. Oh and the food is VERY gross. the crab was dry and the rest of meal was pretty flavorless.. not to mention their drinks are HORRIBLE. very watered down and they all tasted like rubbing alcohol. so not worth the wait and price. I liked the Joes Crabshack in Orange county, but the waitstaff here lacks enthusiasm. I noticed they don't really like to dance when they're supposed to and no one does card tricks like they do at the ones in southern california. overall, I give this Joe's Crabshack and F-. horrible experience. don't waste your time

Pros: nice view of the sac river

Cons: parking is a mess, service is terrible, wait is usually long, not good for large groups, extremely loud

Posted 08/11/07

We're here in Sacramento from out of town on a business trip and Joe's was recommended to us, so we went. Good choice. No, make that GREAT choice!! This recommendation rocks!!!!! Great food (had the fried clam, shrimp, scallop plate, double dip appetizer, and clam chowder), all delicious and great service!! We waited an hour to get seated, so leave yourself some time. Loved the show the young waiters and waitresses gave. Too cute!!!! If we return to Sacramento, we'll be back. Squish squish, time for fish!!!!!!!

Posted 04/15/07

Good seafood, the help puts on shows throughout the evening. Dinners are good, but the bar has great food and the selection of beers is good. Always packed

Pros: generally a fun place, loud

Cons: need reservations, forget about just stopping by, even the bar can be hard to get in to

Posted 11/08/06

It's not Fine Dining but its fun! The River location is really great especially when they do fireworks over at Raley Field. Try the Crab its probably the best thing on the Menu and for the Price it's not Bad. Check out the Bar for the Best Service, ask for TJ he'll take care of you!

Pros: Good Prices, Fun Atmosphere, Awesome Bartenders

Cons: Crowded, Old Town Parking

Posted 07/04/06

We sat at our table for almost an hour before even getting a drink. Had to get two different people to find a manager (which took about 20 minutes) because we had no server. Everyone just went to went to find someone else to help us instead of just helping us. We were told we were at a table between two serving areas...which really isn't the customers problem but the managments. Everyone was really nice and apologetic but it still didn't excuse the service. And although it wasn't intentional, one of our party was showered with hot seafood when a waitress dropped a tray across his back as we were eating. The food was mediocre (had better at Red Lobster). At least we were comped 50% of our bill and got free deserts.

Posted 06/04/06

This waterside restaurant located in old sacramento is a great place to take the kids.
where it's ok to be a little loud (like we who have children know).And no one stops and stares at you becuase your family is cousing a stir. If you want to take a group of friends this is also an awesome place for that too.

Pros: great food, fun staff, good entertainment

Cons: long wait to be seate, larger kids menu

Posted 06/03/06

I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO TAKE FAMILY THAT'S FROM OUT OF TOWN. I ALSO ENJOYED THE ENTERTAINMENT.

Posted 02/17/06

The service is great. You might have a bit of a wait, but it is well worth it. The dancing is great. What a great concept. Just plain old good family fun. Something for everyone to enjoy!

Pros: Good Parking, Reasonable Prices, Location

Cons: The wait, Toys need cleaning, not enough dancing

Posted 11/08/05

Check out the outdoor Dinning on the River! Go for the crab you won't regret it, it is definitely the best thing on the menu. Also they have a great Bar and awesome Bartenders! Check it out on your wait for a table or eat dinner there for the best service!

Pros: Great Service, Fun Atmosphere

Posted 10/19/05