Recommendatiion/warning about "Joe's Crab Shack" chain in Chi suburbs? [Moved from Chicago]

[MikeLM]

Got an ad with minor coupons from Joe's Crab Shack. The pictures look yummy - naturally - and I wonder if I should take a chance.

Any experience with this outfit?

Thanks.

Mike

[ChinoWayne]

Let me chime in as a member of the chorus: Don't waste your time or money at this themed rip off. The food is bad, the store in Newport Beach, California is a sucker tourist magnet.

[zorra]

Stay away. Ear-splittingly noisy with overpriced, mediocre, greasy food.

[MikeLM]

Hoooooo boy!
Glad I asked.

Thanks,

Mike

[Sherri]

MikeLM, I should have added that you should give the coupon to someone you thoroughly despise. It is the only good use for it that I can think of.

[Sherri]

Unless you are seriously masochistic, avoid this place at all costs. The other posters have hit it dead on - loud, tacky, trying-too-hard-to-be "fun" with lousy food is not a place to eat for chowhounds. The food was abysmal on my first, last and (please God) only visit last month - have you ever tasted deep-fried lobster? Joe should be shot! The very best thing that I can say about Joe's Crab Shack is there were plenty of paper towels, my beer was cold and no one got sick. Even if your meal is free, you cannot afford Joe's Crab Shack. Stay Away!

[mattlap_2000]

It's miserable - it's TGI Friday's with clams.

[Katie Nell]

I usually compare it to Long John Silver's, but four times the price! And the singing and dancing is really frightening... do not go if you don't like your waiter standing on tables and shaking his/ her ass!

[yayadave]

Isn't that a little harsh on Friday's?

[RMaris9]

Mostly remember not to confuse Joe's Crabshack with Joe's Prime Seafood and Steak! The former is not-so-good; the later is very good.

[jim1126]

Avoid this place at all costs. Mostly deep fried (but always frozen) seafood, screaming kids everywhere, pitifully weak drinks. LOUD. In short, the worst of everything a chain restaurant has to offer.