Joe's Crab Shack

[KarlMal]

Has anyone eaten at the "Joe's Crab Shack" on Apopka Vineland Road?

Is is any good? How does it compare to like a "Red Lobster"?

Thanks, Karl

 

[Anal Annie]

We have a Joe's Crab Shack up here near we live. We went once & were underwhelmed so we never went back - although it was probably better than Red Lobster (which is also unimpressive IMO).

 

[Chuck S]

We have both Joe's Crab Shack and Red Lobster in our area. Neither is outstanding, between the two, I'd pick Red Lobster. Joe's food really isn't that good. Crab Shack is owned by Landry's, and I've found all of their companys are mediocre at best.

 

[MushyMushy]

Not at all thrilled for the cost. I'd probably choose Red Lobster, or better yet find a local seafood restaurant instead of either one.

 

[FireDancer]

I've been to a couple of Joe's and thought they were easily as bad as Red Lobster. When it comes to fish I would find a local place that specializes in it instead of a chain. When in doubt I check Yelp or UrbanSpoon and read reviews.

 

[foolishmortal]

JOES VS RED LOBSTER is like quizno's vs jimmy johns, mcd's vs wendy's


both are ok for what they are. red lobster is a little "nicer" joe's is laid back and fun. food is comparable taste wise, red lobster is more sit down and have a nice meal, joe's is go in have fun with decent food as the topper. I personaly would rather go to joes 9 times out of 10, better drinks, better apps, love thier crab cakes. the other 1 time is only because i like red lobsters cheese biscuits, but is that a real reason to go, no

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just ate at Red Lobster a few days ago as a favor to my dd. I would not hate them if they did not overcook their fish. It is just stupid how they ruin a piece of fish.

I do not care for Joe's either. Too greasy for me.

So, they are chains with the usual mediocre food.

 

[Anna_Marie]

Well, first off I LOVE Red Lobster. Went to Joe's in Louisville KY and was not impressed. The food was just ok, but for what we got, I would rather spend that much at Red Lobster and get better tasting food.

 

[goodeats]

We had a giftcard and went to the local Joe's Crab Shack and were horrified by the decor and 'schtick'. The food is typical chain over salted bland fare, but the atmosphere was just terrible. There was a waitress wearing a bikini top over a tee shirt and every so often they would have the kids do stick pony rides through the restaurant. It was someone's birthday and they had red fire alarms going off when they brought the birthday dessert. It was like a parody you'd see in a movie. Just terrible.

 

[Heidict]

I have been to both and would choose Joe's over Red Lobster anyday. If possible, look for a local place. You are bound to get better quality food there and probably at a better price.

 

[chellewashere]

I went to that Joes when were were in Disney in May. I got the "bucket" style. 3 crablegs, small piece of corn cob (no Jersey corn let me tell ya) and a few small potatoes. I like my crab to CRACK especially when ordering King crab legs. Here they dont even have nut crackers cause you peel the shell off. They just didnt taste good, kinda mushy.
Did enjoy the ambience of the place all the waiters singing and dancing. But that would be about it. Very over priced for what they offered and the food really didnt taste all that good at all!

 

[dislaney]

We used to love Joe's but last time we were there - it wasn't good at all. Used to be a fun place to take the kids and eat crab legs. Nothing fancy but they were always good. Not anymore. I'd go to Red Lobster before I'd go back to Joe's. Never thought I'd say that!

 

[brerrabbit]

We have both Joe's Crab Shack and Red Lobster in our area. Neither is outstanding, between the two, I'd pick Red Lobster. Joe's food really isn't that good. Crab Shack is owned by Landry's, and I've found all of their companys are mediocre at best.

Not positive but pretty sure that Landry's sold Joes a while back. It was part of a divestiture that Tillman Fertata did in an effort to take Landry's private. Not sure if he managed that either. Landry's is the group that owns Rainforect Cafe and T Rex at WDW. The also own Willie G's, Saltgrass Steakhouse, The Aquarium, and several others. They own the Kemah Boardwalk on galveston Bay too. It has resturaunts, shops, rides, including a wood roller coaster and other attractions. Fertata and his family are from Galveston and have done a lot on the island as well. Rumour has it that he built and leases the Galveston Convention Center back to the city with a caviat that if casino gambling is ever approved in Texas that he gets it back to open a casino in. I have friends that are electricians who supposedly worked on the construction of the building and claim it is wired for over 1,000 slot machines that are stored in Galveston and could be an operating Casino in a matter of weeks if the law were to pass. He owns, or did own interests in several Vegas casinos along with his Uncle.

Supposedly they have family ties to certain families that ran illegal gambling in Galveston for many many years.

 

[eliza61]

Has anyone eaten at the "Joe's Crab Shack" on Apopka Vineland Road?

Is is any good? How does it compare to like a "Red Lobster"?

Thanks, Karl

We did Joe's 2 years back. It's a chain food seafood restaurant. It's mediocre food at best. I think the same of Olive Garden, Red lobsters and half the restaurants at Disney.

You pay for the atmosphere and mediocre food. Once in a while you'll have a decent meal but I've never had an outstanding meal.

It was cheaper than Captn Jacks at DTD though.

 

[pixiewings71]

I went to that Joes when were were in Disney in May. I got the "bucket" style. 3 crablegs, small piece of corn cob (no Jersey corn let me tell ya) and a few small potatoes. I like my crab to CRACK especially when ordering King crab legs. Here they dont even have nut crackers cause you peel the shell off. They just didnt taste good, kinda mushy.
Did enjoy the ambience of the place all the waiters singing and dancing. But that would be about it. Very over priced for what they offered and the food really didnt taste all that good at all!

DBF gets the buckets and every time he's had crab he's been given a cracker......

OP we really enjoy Joe's, we go when we visit DLR. We do have one in Old Town Sac but we rarely go there so we don't eat at Joe's all that much. But we do enjoy it, the food is good, the decor is somewhat cheesy but it's all in good fun and not much worse then eating at Bubba Gump's. We've always had a good time eating there and we've always enjoyed what we've had. I had the crab nachos last time, OMG they were HUGE and delish!

 

[lovesmurfs]

In our area, we've been overly underwhelmed by the service and quality at Joe's.

 

[DISFANSTHREE]

We liked Joe's first time 9 years ago in Fla. Joe's open up here in Mo was bad, bad food and service , $90.00 for just three of us. R L sucks too.

 

[Handbag Lady]

The chicken at Joe's is pretty good.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I take groups of children to Joe's anytime I travel with them, if that tells you anything. Last trip I took them to Rainforest and Joe's. They loved both. Very family friendly, had them up dancing in the restaurant and made a HUGE deal out of a birthday.

You sit at picnic tables, usually, and it's a very casual, fun, lively atmosphere. While Red Lobster, IMO, attempts to pass themselves off as a little nicer than a casual restaurant (which they fail...).

Food is 'eh' at either. I do like the coconut shrimp at Joe's. My kids always love the make your own ice cream dessert that is on a painters palette.