I came here with a friend to celebrate our birthdays. We actually had reservations for the Melting Pot which Open Table screwed up, so we came here instead. I made the reservation here on Open Table as well, which Blue Crab then cancelled. You earn points on Open Table towards a gift certificate, which I will now not get credit for even though we spent $110 at Blue Crab. When I told the hostess we had reservations at 6, she did not ask my name and walked the 2 of us over to a table for 6. I then told her my name and said it was for 2, I am sure this is the reason our reservation was cancelled as she clearly was not checking. We had a waiter named Tim and he was friendly enough, but the service was very slow. I asked if they could still make me the Cherry Limeade drink they had in February, which he assured me could be done, but neglected to inform me they were $9 each and I had 2. That is outrageous for a restaurant in a strip mall. Blue Crab is trying to be a fine dining establishment but I assure you it is not. I would still rate the appetizers a 4, the firecracker shrimp spring rolls and the crab and artichoke dip were pricey but very, very good. The overall experience is downgraded to a 2. My seared scallops were not seared, were very small, and for $24, I expect the large ones and I expect them to be cooked correctly. The risotto was ok, but the vegetables were overcooked. Note that the menu online does not match what they actually offer at the restaurant. The waiter took forever to take our dessert order, and we waited 20 minutes for him to bring our check. We had key lime pie and smith island cake for dessert which were obviously frozen and thawed to serve, dessert scores a 2. This place is definitely not worth the $110 pricetag, I would rather have had fondue at Melting Pot or just gone to Harry's Seafood where I would have had the most amazing scallops ever for only $5 more. I may come back sometime just for the appetizers.
(2)
JR J.
There is not enough room here for me to tell you want a wonderful dining experience we enjoyed at this establishment last night. The food was phenomenal, our server Nicole was super. Don't hesitate, eat here.
(5)
Pk D.
I'm only updating to say after having been back multiple times since the last review, I'm even more sure a lot of the bad experiences are due to timing. Go during off hours, service tends to be fine then. The later end of Sunday brunch tends to be okay, and early dinners on Saturday as well. Big groups on busy days seem to have it worse (I saw one family, maybe a dozen people and some change, have a rough go of things on Mother's Day, but our smaller party of about 5 were happy on the same day and during the same time). And the food stayed good through every experience.
(4)
Faith ..
I love Blue Crab!! The drunken snow crab legs and the crab bisque are to die for. Its definitely busy during lunch so if you were to order I would call in and pick up. I dont really like to be crowded when Im trying to enjoy a meal so I usually go mid day Sunday because I love the exclusive feel. It was like we had the place all to ourselves. Very friendly wait staff. No complaints.
(4)
Mary G.
I love this place. My husband (Ken) and I came in one day and we decided to get appetizers. We tried the smoked seafood sampler for 2 and now we have to get it every time we go there. We also got their fried calamari and their bruschetta. All fabulous. Best calamari I've ever had. We went back for Valentines Day. They had 8 specials on the 14th. Ken got one of the specials: crab and goat cheese risotto with fried fennel and fried proscutto on top - outstanding. I got a regular menu item: large shrimp and scallops in a fresh creamy Dijon sauce with artichoke hearts, spinach, leeks served over angel hair pasta. We got the smoked seafood appetizer for two; regular menu item. Each meal came with a salad. We took leftovers home. All I can say is that I am in love with their food and so is my husband. I highly recommend it to everyone.
(5)
charles k.
Just moved here from NJ and read the reviews and gave it a shot. The food was average, the best part of the meal was the crab cake(i had the steak and cake). The calamari was decent. The service was good even though it was quite busy. Felt like for the price it wasn't worth it. 90 dollars after tip for 2. There was a caterpillar in my food, which kind of ruined my experience. Overall a okay experience, but too expensive for quality and ambiance. I won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)
David R.
Well, we visited Blue Crab Grill @ 5:45pm on Friday, April 6. My party of four was seated almost immediately. Our waiter was attentive as we're the other staff, we were checked on several times by different servers. Our appetizers were superb, we had four different appetizers that we shared. Our entrees were delicious as well. The ambiance was really nice, a little dark for me, but still very pleasant. The only reason they didn't get five stars was because the waiter served our water with his hands on the rims of he glasses, not very sanitary. Over all, I would recommend this establishment with no regrets.
(4)
Lucy L.
What a great find. Doesn't look like an amazing place but it truly is. Very casual with great seafood. My hubby loved the trout and I was blown away by the crab legs. Great preparation far from the usual drawn butter!! You won't be disappointed Awesome service as well!
(5)
Sarah L.
I took my mom here for lunch on Saturday. The restaurant only had a few customers since we went on an off hour. We ordered the crab nachos for an appetizer. They weren't bad but there really wasn't much crab and it was like a crab paste. Also the ingredients weren't evenly distributed so you might just get a chip with just lettuce. Since we got full with that we ordered some things to go. I ordered their "Twice Salmon Club" and even hours later, from hanging out in my fridge, it was delicious. The service was fine and the place seemed clean. I want to come back to try some things on their dinner menu. If I lived closer I would have that salmon club at least a couple times a month.
(4)
Sabrina B.
I used to live near the Blue Crab grill and was a somewhat frequent visitor a few years ago. I've been back occasionally over the past year and each time left a little more disappointed. Tonight was my last visit. I ordered salmon, medium rare. My husband ordered a tilefish special. My salmon was the smallest portion I had ever had a restaurant, especially for $24. The waiter claimed that he took it back and weighed it and it was 7oz. I don't know what 7oz looks like but it was like a tall fish stick. My husband described the tilefish as "just fair". We both agreed that this would be the last visit which is very sad since it used to be quite good.
(1)
Jason L.
Me and my fiance had dinner here. This restaurant is located in a strip mall with plenty of parking. The decor to this place is nice. We had the booth seats and it was really roomy. We ordered a crab bisque soup and another soup on the daily special but forgot what it was. We had an appetizer but forgot what was called but it was a crab nacho thing and it was huge. For entrees we ordered the surf and turf and the deep fried oysters. The lobster tail was good but the steak tasted and looked like cardboard. They gave a dozen deep fried oysters for the other entree we had but wasn't really that great.
(3)
Nan J.
I lived in Elkton, but go to Newark a lot. Having heard a lot about this restaurant, my friend and I decided to come for dinner after a long vacation. We had one starter and two entrees, which cost us $40 each. Food were served slow but the amount were enough so that we didn't order desserts. After all, though food was a bit more expensive than we thought, we still like the comfortable atmosphere, delicately cooked food and great service there.
(3)
Christin H.
When I walked in the atmosphere took my breath away. I expected a little hole in the wall place, but the decor was beautiful (if not a little kitschy, but that may just be me). The jambalaya was to die for and rendered 2 days of leftovers. The portions of the entrees is fab. The waitstaff was attentive, refilled out glasses plenty of times, but was absent after the bill was paid. Granted, that is when things started to pick up a little. I will certainly be back for another meal.
(4)
Mary J.
Gave a three for my boyfriend's meal. he really enjoyed the prime rib. my meal was disappointing. i ordered special sea bass and it was fried in flour. not as descibed. the appetizer of crab and shrimp cocktail tasted good but served in a martini glass that was impossible to eat from without losing half of it. and avocado was brown. but good flavors. service good.
(3)
Peace M.
Because there's nothing good to say about, well, anything here, I'll just highlight the lowlights: Party of 35, space reserved weeks in advance, arrive to find that entire group is randomly dispersed at tables whereby couples/families couldn't sit together. Since the party was scattered anyway, we did ask to be seated at a larger, available table in the same area. We were told no; that there was a reservation for that table at 8PM. Guess what? By 9:30, still vacant. Service? Oh no. They don't do that here. TWO servers assigned to our group - again, of 35 people! Couldn't get a drink without literally tracking down a server, tapping his shoulder then making a request, or by standing at the bar FOREVER while the bartender dilly-dallied about. Once the order is placed let it suffice to say you'll wish you'd ordered two because you don't want to wait like that again. Speaking of waiting, would you like bread with your salad or entree? TOO BAD!!! Oh you can ask, but the chance that it'll show up while there's still food on the table is slim. The "loaf" we received was SO STALE it couldn't be cut or broken. COULD NOT! Want something fresher? Go ahead. Ask. I dare you. The food was dull and uninspired from starter to dessert. In fact, I can't even recall what I had other than the starter salad, made memerable only by what appeared to be an entire purple onion scattered on top. Oh! That, and the fact it was served without dressing and none was brought to our table. Yeah. We had to ask. And wait... and wait... and wait... Luckily, 20+ minutes had passed and our wine finally, magically appeared - so that helped pass the time. At some point this whole experience became hilarious, disolving my tablemates into fits of giggles and ridiculousness. There was dancing bread... I've heard that the owner of this restaurant is really an amazing person. It's unfortunate that he wasn't there that fateful Friday night when things went oh-so-terribly-wrong.
(1)
Terese G.
We found The Blue Crab Grill last fall, and made it our regular stop each time we passed through the Newark area. The first several times our family ate there, we enjoyed our meals, which were nicely portioned, reasonably priced, and even a bit creative. The fried calamari was some of the best we'd ever had. But then in May we had dinner with a party of 10, and the day after our meal, four of us were sick with food poisoning-like symptoms. We narrowed it down to the gazpacho and/or the bruschetta dishes, which may have been a cross-contamination issue with either cutlery or a cutting board, as the ingredients were uncooked. My husband reached out to the owner to alert him, and the gentleman's response was, (in his exact words) "What do you want me to do about it?" My husband told him he felt we should be refunded for the meal (excluding the tip, of course, as the service had always been lovely), especially for the four of us who were sick. The manager said he was "going to visit his son for the weekend," and that he would "think about it when he got back." Well, of course he did not call us back, nor would he take or return any of our subsequent calls. So, Blue Crab Grill, it was nice while it lasted, but we won't be returning.
(1)
Peter S.
My parents and I came here for dinner this evening. I had been meaning to come for a couple years. I work in Elkton and a co-worker assured me that this was the best crab bisque soup around. So off we went, very excited for the crab soup! We were seating immediately (it was 6:30 on a Saturday evening - I figured it would've been packed), but it was nice to be seated quickly. Water came out quickly, bread came out quickly, apps came out quickly, and our soups came out quickly, in that order. Water was good (haha), bread was good (with oil), the crab nachos were good as well. The soup was little more than a heavy cream broth with 1 or 2 pieces of crab meat. Extremely disappointed on that front. Felt sick from the heavy cream afterward. I ordered a blueberry mojito - was EXCELLENT. Two of us had salads with very dry, flavorless chicken, and one of us had the imperial crab. THAT was excellent as well. Pricey, though. $26 I believe. Salads were around $12. Service was friendly and efficient, but it wasn't an amazing experience food-wise. Would rather head down to Ches. City for the crab and the views.
(3)
Matt W.
Sometimes I find a place based on local tips, and this was one of them. I was told it was worth the drive over from Elkton for dinner, and I think they were right, but what I wasn't warned is that they are EXPENSIVE. Like, I'm on an expense account for work and STILL thought it was too rich expensive. Now, that said, it seems like a nice place (even if the decor would give Robert Irvine flashbacks to the 1980s), and they had a decent crowd of regulars. I think the prices are also fair considering that they literally had listings of where it came from, when it was bought, and the boat that the catch came off of. (When the waiter mentions the special today is a rockfish that was caught "about an hour ago", it's FRESH.) As it was, I managed to put together a pretty decent meal of fresh mussels in spicy diavolo sauce (listed as an appetizer, but it came with about a dozen large mussels), sauteed spinach side, and some of the complimentary bread. Also of note, they had something called "Trash Can Ice Cream", which was house made ice cream with peanut brittle, walnuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, and FRUITY PEBBLES mixed in. I repeat: FRUITY PEBBLES. They even serve it in a little trash can shaped dish. How cute is that? If you have $28-40 a plate money, I would go here and have a great time. If you're on a budget, either plan to make a meal of appetizers, or consider another option.
(3)
Michael R.
Was hoping for some good East Coast seafood during my business trip here, but am sad to say that I cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone. The ambiance and service are dated and the location in a strip mall doesn't help. As an appetizer I ordered the crab bisque which was advertised as rich, creamy, full of crab and refined with sherry. Unfortunately it arrived lukewarm and tasted like canned soup full of added heavy cream and canned crab meat. My main course was the linguine vongole which was also disappointing. The few clams on the pasta were not cooked through and the garlic sauce with chopped clam meat and basil seemed pre cooked, microwaved, tasted dull and was starchy. The one star is for the good on tap local beer selection at the bar.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was amazing. I had the crazy jambalaya. The alligator sausage was really good too. So good I wanted to buy extra just to take it home for later.
(5)
Rob L.
My freshman UD son requested seafood for dinner on parent's weekend. Doing better than the dining hall was a low bar to hurdle, but according to Yelp, it was this place or back to the Mall for Caribbean fare. Blue Crab did not disappoint. Although the wait was long, since apparently this is a popular place on parent's weekend, it was worth it. Son's Drunken crab legs were plenty, my crab cake was above average, and spouse's shrimp sambucca was my favorite. While I'm not a fan, there was a decent oyster selection. While waiting, I watched the kitchen action through windows, and they were pro's. Each plate going out looked yummy. I'll definitely encourage another seafood craving on our next visit.
(4)
Miriam B.
What a great seafood restaurant. I dined here last weekend with my husband and we were very pleased with our food overall with the exception of my gratin of potatoes( they sent more out). I had the surf and turf which consisted of marinated filet mignon and a butter lobster tail that was stuffed with crab imperial. My husband had the " crazy jambaya" great dish loaded with mussels, clams, crab claws, shrimp and scallops in a tomato sauce with rice. We shared a dessert. It was tough to choose with so many selections but we ordered the amaretto cake with berries and whipped cream . Great dessert too. If I lived in the state this would be a regular place for me.
(4)
Micaela L.
This was my favorite place in Bear. I only came for lunch, but there are plenty of options and they're all decently priced (10-15). You get a lot of food for your money, and it seems like lunch is a great deal, considering their dinner prices are a lot higher. It looks like a fun place, but it might be a little tacky for dinner. Out of the options around Bear/Newark, this is still the best place to go. The area isn't as pretty as mainstreet, but the food is a lot better.
(4)
Joanna A.
Had the seafood bisque which was really good and very cheesey. Had the crab quesadilla which was just grossly drenched and soaked by time it came to table.. and fell apart because it was made with way too much oil. My boyfriend got a sandwich. Not impressed and won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)
S W.
Reliably good. I've been here a few times, But stopped in for lunch for the first time today. My chicken lentil soup was outstanding. My companion's crab bisque was mediocre. It tasted of uncooked flour, like the roux hadn't been cooked long enough. My spinach salad with bacon was tasty, but the spinach was huge and a bit tough. My companions ruben sandwich was good. Lunch salads or sandwiches are $9-13, soups are $3-5 for a small cup. I'd rate them at 3.5 stars if that were an option. Also, note that as of 1/7/11, the map location of this restaurant is incorrect on Yelp. The place is located on Elkton Road, near the intersection with Christiana Parkway, in Suburban Plaza.
(4)
Peter C.
Not very good but quite expensive. While not terrible, this would certainly not be my choice.
Poor Quality, Bad Seafood, Good Beer. The decor and atmosphere was actually surprisingly elegant and clean. Now for the bad - which is all around the food, the way it is prepared and the quality of it! We got the Crab Rangoon's which came out and looked very pleasing (good presentation). However, the center of the Rangoon was not cooked (uncooked, cold crab meat). My girlfriends was actually still frozen in the center. Horrible! Next I got the Jumbo Shrimp and Scallion Pasta. The shrimp where very poor quality as if they were not fresh at all. They tasted very fishy. My girlfriend went with the crab cakes. Very little crab meat in the crab cake and all was just bread filling. The little crab in the cake was frozen and also bad meat. The beer selection was the only positive from Blue Crab. For a 78.00 bill, we could have gone somewhere 100x better.
(2)
Yue M.
I really love this place, the food is tasty and awesome! I appreciate Beth's best service, she is gorgeous, sweet and nice! She presents me free cookies, recommends me fresh lobster and crab, lemon cake! Finally she gives me a white rose ballpen! I am so surprised and excited! I will come back again!
(5)
Cara S.
It sounds like this place might be hit or miss based on the other reviews, but I thought it was a hit. I was visiting from LA, and in comparison the prices seemed like a steal. ($6 for a decent glass of wine is nearly impossible to find where I live! They are more like $16.) The mussels and the pasta dish with clams were excellent. Next time I'm back in Delaware, I'll be sure to stop by.
(5)
Dianne C.
The steamed shrimp appetizer were delicious. I got the whole lobster-not that large and the tail meat was tasteless and tough. I told the waiter I had a hard time eating it and he didn't say anything. My husband had clams in linguini. It was a bit greasy and garlicky. I am thankful we had the shrimp, as I don't feel I had enough for dinner. Visited March 2012
(3)
Jim N.
Stopped here en-route from NC to NYC at recommendation of hotel desk staff. It was great! The restaurant is attractive, clean and colorful; service is fast and friendly; crabcakes were extraordinary, veggie sides were super-fresh and tasty. Good house wine. Let's just say that they are permanently on my list to visit when on the road in this area! A bit pricey for some; but, it is very good and gives a good value.
(4)
Craig M.
Being from New England, we thought we knew all there was to know about fine seafood. We were wrong. This place is outstanding. From the friendly environment to the excellent service and the truly outstanding food this place is absolutely 5-star. The steamed shrimp was the most succulent I have ever eaten. The Jambalaya was to die for and the Imperial Crab, well...indeed Imperial and Maryland's best. We cannot wait to pass through this part of the country again to enjoy this meal. Not only do they serve memorable food here, they also go over and above to delight their customers and create an unforgettable experience, which we will never forget. Outstanding!
(5)
Justin S.
Who would have thought such a high-quality seafood restaurant would be tucked into the Suburban Plaza strip mall?!? If you're a seafood fan, then you have to try this place out. I've been here twice but definitely plan on frequenting it. The first time was for lunch. They have an excellent lunch menu with all types of sandwiches and salads. Some co-workers of mine got the seafood salad, which they thoroughly enjoyed. The salad was also gigantic! Another co-worker got the Baltimore Po-Boy (a sandwich with fried oysters). He never chooses anything else on the menu because he thinks it's just that good. I got one of the crab cake sandwiches. It was a good size, and I thought the crab, seasoning and sauce were the perfect combination of flavors. The best part, however, was their crab bisque. So creamy, with the perfect amount of crab. Our waitress was a bit overwhelmed, but understandably so, since the place was packed. Luckily, other staff members stepped in to help out. The next time I went for dinner. Of course, there was a dinner menu, as well as an extensive list of specials. My mouth watered just reading it! Again, I got the crab bisque, which was excellent. For my entree, I got the jumbo scallops over a bed of garden risotto. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and so was the risotto. Risotto can go very wrong, if cooked improperly. That was clearly not the case here! My partner got the surf and turf (lobster tail and filet). Finally, I found a place in Delaware where they cook the filet to the correct temperature. The filet was ordered medium-rare, and that's just how it came out. Lastly, our waitress was awesome! She was so friendly, and the service was great. Kudos to the Blue Crab. They really do everything right. I look forward to my next visit!
(5)
Dave M.
Went here for lunch, during their peak busy time. The service was poor, waitress forgot part of order. Was hard to get her attention and she was clearly overworked. At end of meal, she apologized for bad service, but even her apology came off as if to say, 'You know, I didn't even really try--I'm putting as much effort into this apology as I did my service.' This kind of overshadowed the food itself. The sandwich was decent I suppose, but the whole experience was thumbs down and I probably wouldn't go back because of the below-average service.
(2)
Nicole B.
Stopped in here for a snack one Sunday. Band was just finishing up. Shared the 1/2 lb of steamed shrimp which were jumbo. It was about 8 shrimp. Also shared firecracker shrimp eggrolls. They are also really good. Will return for dinner!
(5)
Charles R.
Was there for lunch after stopping at State Line for my monthly wine run. I was very surprised at how good the food was, especially after seeing some very negative reviews. The special was a deep fried soft shell that came with a very nice slaw and large cut order of fries. The soft shell was not greasy, and was not fishy tasting as I've gotten elsewhere. One of the other specials was a prime rib of beef sandwich that was exellent. It aslo came with slaw and fries. The serivce was prompt and friendly and the prices are moderate. Lunch for 2 with ice tea and a club soda was $30.00. I don't see how anyone thinks this place is expensive. The same meal at Legal Seafoods at King of Prussia Mall would be close to $40. I noticed their dinner menu had 1 1/4 lb lobster for $25. Again , around where I live that lobster dinner would be $35.
(4)
Colin P.
This is a fun special occasion dinner location. Last time I was there, I had the jambalaya and was surprised to find that my bowl was overflowing with seafood! I don't normally expect a pile of crab legs to come with my jambalaya, but there they were. It was a pleasant surprise and the quality was great. My wife had mussels and she too was surprised with the portion. The service is good, if a little slow, but the staff is friendly and the quality of the food makes up for the time you wait to get your dinner. I would be remiss if I did not mention that it's a little pricey. My wife and I had a drink or two with dinner and broke a c-note. Without dessert or appetizers. The only other comment would be that the decor is a little odd. It seems that they're trying to go with a modern upscale ambience, but there's a little too much Nautical decor. All in all, if you're ready to pay the price for good seafood, you won't be disappointed.
(3)
Amanda L.
The food has unfortunately gone downhill since we have been here last. The drunken clam recipe has been modified and it is only so-so now. The lobster (which I never had before) was overcooked and full of black gunk. My biggest complaint is the fact that our waitress had a bloody nose the entire time. I mentioned this to her since I thought she was unaware, but she blithely replied that she'd had a cold. I'm pregnant and I certainly don't want to catch anything. As my wise dad says, "If your server is unhygenic, openly bleeding, etc. then you must get up and leave immediately and never return." While I unfortunately stayed through the meal (complete with stale bread and an undressed potato), I will heed his advice and never return.
(1)
Lisa V.
Another awesome dinner tonight at The Blue Crab with our favorite waiter, Roger. We almost always order off the specials, and we're never disappointed. They have a great variety for every taste. Love it for lunch too!
(5)
Lisa S.
Went to the Blue Crab Grill with my family. 1st, I had a dirty napkin with lipstick on it, 2nd the seafood was horrible and way overpriced. Would not go back again. We really felt ripped off!! We eat out alot and this is one of the worst places to eat.
(1)
Mrinteresting W.
I don't just dole out 5 stars to anybody, go ahead and check my profile. I have yet to have a bad meal here in three visits. The chief really knows what they are doing from bisk to crab cakes, pulled pork to home-cut french fries. Seasoning is perfect, texture, smell... EVERYTHING. Do not give this place a miss. Full bar, some nice beers on tap, nothing too fancy. Lovely aquarium with a live puffer fish and lots of very unique sea-themed decorations on the wall. Lovely place, not chintzy at all.
(5)
Kevin D.
The food was just ok. The amuse bouche was phenominal and set us up for a top notch dinner, but it was not to be. My date ordered the scallop pasta. The pasta was over done and the sauce kind of gloppy. It had a decent flavor, but the execution was rather mediocre. I had the soft shell crabs. They were good, but greasy. All in all just a very average experience.
(3)
Kara T.
Consistenly good food. I come here when I want tasty seafood or interesting fare (they often have at least one game or non-traditional meat on the menu -- ostrich, bison, venison, alligator sausage to name a few). The drunken crab legs or drunken mussles are always good. It's a comfortable atmosphere and good for romance but also to bring the kids (mine love the fish tanks and cool sea-life inspired wall hangings, plus at Christmas there's a sea-theme decorated tree). The service can be really slow both to get food and for clean up after. I do not like staring at my destroyed table of crumpled napkins and food scapings after finishing a great meal, so that is an area Blue Crab could improve. Please please please check out your customers and bus their tables when they're done eating. I was disappointed that Blue Crab Grill was not opened for lunch on Sunday -- we went to a chain instead and were disappointed to miss an Blue Crab Grill eating expereince.
(4)
Mary Jo S.
The blue neon "Blue Crab Grill" beckons us every time we come back for a visit. And every time we have a good meal of the freshest seafood and beers on tap. The husband enjoys the bar service as well. From the jumbo lump crab sandwiches, oyster PO-boys, to the nightly special everything tastes wonderful. This is our escape; where we can enjoy a good meal, drink a few drinks, and de-family sensitize. Seated In a cozy booth, you feel like you are in a place where pub meets Little Mermaid. To the locals, I am sure there are hidden gems of better seafood and less sterile environment but until you Yelp them, we will be coming back to the Blue Crab Grill.
(4)
Mike R.
A great restaurant hidden away in a strip mall. Authentic MD crab Cakes with huge lumps of fresh crab. I also REALLY loved the smoked fish appetizer platter. It was to die for. Even had a tasty drink. Staff friendly and attentive. I will come back if I have an opportunity.
(5)
Scott C.
Like some of the other reviews from the past, I had a great experience at the Blue Crab Grill. However, we visited this Friday night (3 adults and two children) and had a vastly different experience. First...(and I know this isn't about the food)...but the hostess was dressed very inappropriately. Now....we sat down and none of the three high chairs had working straps for our 14 month old daughter. The hostesses all commented matter-of-factly that none of the high chairs had working straps. Our waiter was very nice. Polite and attentive. We got our drinks in a timely fashion. My wife ordered a grapefruit margarita which was very strong. Maybe they hoped you wouldn't care about your entree by the time you finish your drink. Our crab bisque arrived quickly and was just as delicious as we'd experienced in the past. Our entrees took a very long time, long enough that we didn't have the luxury to send things back (we were dealing with a cranky baby). My son's hamburger was undercooked for a small child's burger (barely medium) My Shrimp Sambuca was served over cold/lukewarm pasta Lastly...my wife's scallops were like rubber. Even if they were good...there were only three of them. Not a great value. Sadly...we don't plan on returning. We liked the food in the past and the location was very convenient for us. Blue Crab Grill....what happened to you???
(1)
Bob L.
The food and service were excellent. The seafood salad was delightful and well priced. A trout special was equally good.
(5)
Ben B.
Well first off I went there with fiance and father. We ordered a ton of stuff so I have alot to review. We started off with 4 apps the special smoked sampler was amazing scallops were tiny but amazing. Trout and samon amazing garnish amazing everything about it amazing and for 14 bucks was def big enough for 2 people. Next we got the lump crab and shrimp cocktail. Was sad to only have 2 shrimp since there were three of us but the amount of lump crab made up for it we all enjoyed that. Next oyster rockafeller only came with 4 but it was only 9 bucks so cant be to sad with that and ended it with a order or raw oysters, we got the ones from virgina and they were really really good. For diner my fiance got the drunken crab legs. It came with 3 huge clusters and the broth was truely to die for. So good asked for it to come home so I can put it with some pasta and have a great lunch. My father got 2 dishes which were the steak and cake. And the crab imperial. He mentioned the crab cake was kinda plain but it was 100 percent lump crab meat and wasnt bad by far just bland. The crab imperial was top 3 he has ever had vegs were great and the homemade augratin was the best I have ever had all the side were perfect. I had the seafood jumbalya and it was loaded with seafood shrimp a huge cluster of snow crab legs 3 huge scallops crawfish huge junks of sausage and chicken and the broth was once again amazing....all in all I couldnt give a 4 and a half so I picked 5 cause it was better then a 4 everyone said it was expensive but not 1 dish was over 30 bucks and im speaking of resturants ive been to where a bill for 2 people has been over 400 bucks...now thats an expensive resturant...def going back to enjoy good food and make sure the second time around is just as good and not a fluke....if it is this is going to be one of my fav resturants to visit....
(5)
Stephen M.
The food is okay and I wasn't all that impressed. The negative is the pricing. They have a nice choice of beers and food but one can find a meal that is just as good but cheaper elsewhere in Newark. I heard lunch is the way to go here, but I was there for dinner.
(3)
Yasmeen F.
To put it in perspective, I loved this place so much during my first visit that just a few hours after I left there, I went on Yelp to immediately share my experience. Located in a mid-sized, off the beaten path plaza in little Delaware, this restaurant will delight you, perhaps, even surprise you with their quality of food. We came for an anniversary dinner. The inside had spacious seating with a view of a glass room where you can slightly see preparations of some sort (I didn't fully examine it). I recommend sitting at a booth where there's more privacy and seat comfort. We ordered the calamari appetizer which was perfectly fried without the taste of oil found in most other places. The salad and soup were promptly served with wonderful presentation and exquisite taste- all prepared with fresh ingredients. Bread is also served that was accompanied with an oil and various spice mix. Don't fill up on those, however, because the dish portions are quite a bit! We had 3 cheese ravioli with chicken sausage, a dish that encompassed the entire plate- a very big square plate that is a little intimidating at first glance. Absolutely delicious though. Other members of my party had the surf and turf, adequately sized and yummy. The fish tasted fresh and was a good portion. I had the wild mushroom and chicken marsala- a delicate blend of mushrooms and chicken breast on top of angel hair pasta. There was a slight indication that it was prepared with wine, which was a fine touch for the overall dish. The desserts, set at $7 each, were reasonably priced and oh so good. We had the cheesecake and peanut butter and chocolate cake... both adorned with hand-whipped cream, sliced strawberries and chocolate drizzle. The prices were justified with the quality and quantity of the food. The next time I come back, I'll have to try other seafood items which I was tempted to upload with this review, but trust me when I say it's a pleasant surprise when you see it in person... a notion that could fairly represent the entire seafood establishment.
(5)
Walter W.
I settled in to a comfortable booth here after a long day coming up I-95. I was impressed with the expansive appetizer and entree menu covering many types of seafood. My friends and I tried the calamari and mussels to start. The calamari was fried to perfection, lightly breaded and delicious, with a delicious dipping sauce. The beer steamed mussels were served in a thick beer broth with spring onions, tomatoes, sausage, and spices. Fish, shrimp and steak entrees were cooked perfectly with generous sized portions and nice vegetable sides. The specials apparently frequently change. The day we went there were swordfish, seafood sausage and lamb chops. This is the kind of cozy home cooked meal type of establishment you want to settle into after a hard days work. Our attentive waiter kept us filled with microbrew beer and the full bar was an added bonus. I highly recommend The Blue Crab Grill.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Sherry J.
I came here with a friend to celebrate our birthdays. We actually had reservations for the Melting Pot which Open Table screwed up, so we came here instead. I made the reservation here on Open Table as well, which Blue Crab then cancelled. You earn points on Open Table towards a gift certificate, which I will now not get credit for even though we spent $110 at Blue Crab. When I told the hostess we had reservations at 6, she did not ask my name and walked the 2 of us over to a table for 6. I then told her my name and said it was for 2, I am sure this is the reason our reservation was cancelled as she clearly was not checking. We had a waiter named Tim and he was friendly enough, but the service was very slow. I asked if they could still make me the Cherry Limeade drink they had in February, which he assured me could be done, but neglected to inform me they were $9 each and I had 2. That is outrageous for a restaurant in a strip mall. Blue Crab is trying to be a fine dining establishment but I assure you it is not. I would still rate the appetizers a 4, the firecracker shrimp spring rolls and the crab and artichoke dip were pricey but very, very good. The overall experience is downgraded to a 2. My seared scallops were not seared, were very small, and for $24, I expect the large ones and I expect them to be cooked correctly. The risotto was ok, but the vegetables were overcooked. Note that the menu online does not match what they actually offer at the restaurant. The waiter took forever to take our dessert order, and we waited 20 minutes for him to bring our check. We had key lime pie and smith island cake for dessert which were obviously frozen and thawed to serve, dessert scores a 2. This place is definitely not worth the $110 pricetag, I would rather have had fondue at Melting Pot or just gone to Harry's Seafood where I would have had the most amazing scallops ever for only $5 more. I may come back sometime just for the appetizers.
(2)JR J.
There is not enough room here for me to tell you want a wonderful dining experience we enjoyed at this establishment last night. The food was phenomenal, our server Nicole was super. Don't hesitate, eat here.
(5)Pk D.
I'm only updating to say after having been back multiple times since the last review, I'm even more sure a lot of the bad experiences are due to timing. Go during off hours, service tends to be fine then. The later end of Sunday brunch tends to be okay, and early dinners on Saturday as well. Big groups on busy days seem to have it worse (I saw one family, maybe a dozen people and some change, have a rough go of things on Mother's Day, but our smaller party of about 5 were happy on the same day and during the same time). And the food stayed good through every experience.
(4)Faith ..
I love Blue Crab!! The drunken snow crab legs and the crab bisque are to die for. Its definitely busy during lunch so if you were to order I would call in and pick up. I dont really like to be crowded when Im trying to enjoy a meal so I usually go mid day Sunday because I love the exclusive feel. It was like we had the place all to ourselves. Very friendly wait staff. No complaints.
(4)Mary G.
I love this place. My husband (Ken) and I came in one day and we decided to get appetizers. We tried the smoked seafood sampler for 2 and now we have to get it every time we go there. We also got their fried calamari and their bruschetta. All fabulous. Best calamari I've ever had. We went back for Valentines Day. They had 8 specials on the 14th. Ken got one of the specials: crab and goat cheese risotto with fried fennel and fried proscutto on top - outstanding. I got a regular menu item: large shrimp and scallops in a fresh creamy Dijon sauce with artichoke hearts, spinach, leeks served over angel hair pasta. We got the smoked seafood appetizer for two; regular menu item. Each meal came with a salad. We took leftovers home. All I can say is that I am in love with their food and so is my husband. I highly recommend it to everyone.
(5)charles k.
Just moved here from NJ and read the reviews and gave it a shot. The food was average, the best part of the meal was the crab cake(i had the steak and cake). The calamari was decent. The service was good even though it was quite busy. Felt like for the price it wasn't worth it. 90 dollars after tip for 2. There was a caterpillar in my food, which kind of ruined my experience. Overall a okay experience, but too expensive for quality and ambiance. I won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)David R.
Well, we visited Blue Crab Grill @ 5:45pm on Friday, April 6. My party of four was seated almost immediately. Our waiter was attentive as we're the other staff, we were checked on several times by different servers. Our appetizers were superb, we had four different appetizers that we shared. Our entrees were delicious as well. The ambiance was really nice, a little dark for me, but still very pleasant. The only reason they didn't get five stars was because the waiter served our water with his hands on the rims of he glasses, not very sanitary. Over all, I would recommend this establishment with no regrets.
(4)Lucy L.
What a great find. Doesn't look like an amazing place but it truly is. Very casual with great seafood. My hubby loved the trout and I was blown away by the crab legs. Great preparation far from the usual drawn butter!! You won't be disappointed Awesome service as well!
(5)Sarah L.
I took my mom here for lunch on Saturday. The restaurant only had a few customers since we went on an off hour. We ordered the crab nachos for an appetizer. They weren't bad but there really wasn't much crab and it was like a crab paste. Also the ingredients weren't evenly distributed so you might just get a chip with just lettuce. Since we got full with that we ordered some things to go. I ordered their "Twice Salmon Club" and even hours later, from hanging out in my fridge, it was delicious. The service was fine and the place seemed clean. I want to come back to try some things on their dinner menu. If I lived closer I would have that salmon club at least a couple times a month.
(4)Sabrina B.
I used to live near the Blue Crab grill and was a somewhat frequent visitor a few years ago. I've been back occasionally over the past year and each time left a little more disappointed. Tonight was my last visit. I ordered salmon, medium rare. My husband ordered a tilefish special. My salmon was the smallest portion I had ever had a restaurant, especially for $24. The waiter claimed that he took it back and weighed it and it was 7oz. I don't know what 7oz looks like but it was like a tall fish stick. My husband described the tilefish as "just fair". We both agreed that this would be the last visit which is very sad since it used to be quite good.
(1)Jason L.
Me and my fiance had dinner here. This restaurant is located in a strip mall with plenty of parking. The decor to this place is nice. We had the booth seats and it was really roomy. We ordered a crab bisque soup and another soup on the daily special but forgot what it was. We had an appetizer but forgot what was called but it was a crab nacho thing and it was huge. For entrees we ordered the surf and turf and the deep fried oysters. The lobster tail was good but the steak tasted and looked like cardboard. They gave a dozen deep fried oysters for the other entree we had but wasn't really that great.
(3)Nan J.
I lived in Elkton, but go to Newark a lot. Having heard a lot about this restaurant, my friend and I decided to come for dinner after a long vacation. We had one starter and two entrees, which cost us $40 each. Food were served slow but the amount were enough so that we didn't order desserts. After all, though food was a bit more expensive than we thought, we still like the comfortable atmosphere, delicately cooked food and great service there.
(3)Christin H.
When I walked in the atmosphere took my breath away. I expected a little hole in the wall place, but the decor was beautiful (if not a little kitschy, but that may just be me). The jambalaya was to die for and rendered 2 days of leftovers. The portions of the entrees is fab. The waitstaff was attentive, refilled out glasses plenty of times, but was absent after the bill was paid. Granted, that is when things started to pick up a little. I will certainly be back for another meal.
(4)Mary J.
Gave a three for my boyfriend's meal. he really enjoyed the prime rib. my meal was disappointing. i ordered special sea bass and it was fried in flour. not as descibed. the appetizer of crab and shrimp cocktail tasted good but served in a martini glass that was impossible to eat from without losing half of it. and avocado was brown. but good flavors. service good.
(3)Peace M.
Because there's nothing good to say about, well, anything here, I'll just highlight the lowlights: Party of 35, space reserved weeks in advance, arrive to find that entire group is randomly dispersed at tables whereby couples/families couldn't sit together. Since the party was scattered anyway, we did ask to be seated at a larger, available table in the same area. We were told no; that there was a reservation for that table at 8PM. Guess what? By 9:30, still vacant. Service? Oh no. They don't do that here. TWO servers assigned to our group - again, of 35 people! Couldn't get a drink without literally tracking down a server, tapping his shoulder then making a request, or by standing at the bar FOREVER while the bartender dilly-dallied about. Once the order is placed let it suffice to say you'll wish you'd ordered two because you don't want to wait like that again. Speaking of waiting, would you like bread with your salad or entree? TOO BAD!!! Oh you can ask, but the chance that it'll show up while there's still food on the table is slim. The "loaf" we received was SO STALE it couldn't be cut or broken. COULD NOT! Want something fresher? Go ahead. Ask. I dare you. The food was dull and uninspired from starter to dessert. In fact, I can't even recall what I had other than the starter salad, made memerable only by what appeared to be an entire purple onion scattered on top. Oh! That, and the fact it was served without dressing and none was brought to our table. Yeah. We had to ask. And wait... and wait... and wait... Luckily, 20+ minutes had passed and our wine finally, magically appeared - so that helped pass the time. At some point this whole experience became hilarious, disolving my tablemates into fits of giggles and ridiculousness. There was dancing bread... I've heard that the owner of this restaurant is really an amazing person. It's unfortunate that he wasn't there that fateful Friday night when things went oh-so-terribly-wrong.
(1)Terese G.
We found The Blue Crab Grill last fall, and made it our regular stop each time we passed through the Newark area. The first several times our family ate there, we enjoyed our meals, which were nicely portioned, reasonably priced, and even a bit creative. The fried calamari was some of the best we'd ever had. But then in May we had dinner with a party of 10, and the day after our meal, four of us were sick with food poisoning-like symptoms. We narrowed it down to the gazpacho and/or the bruschetta dishes, which may have been a cross-contamination issue with either cutlery or a cutting board, as the ingredients were uncooked. My husband reached out to the owner to alert him, and the gentleman's response was, (in his exact words) "What do you want me to do about it?" My husband told him he felt we should be refunded for the meal (excluding the tip, of course, as the service had always been lovely), especially for the four of us who were sick. The manager said he was "going to visit his son for the weekend," and that he would "think about it when he got back." Well, of course he did not call us back, nor would he take or return any of our subsequent calls. So, Blue Crab Grill, it was nice while it lasted, but we won't be returning.
(1)Peter S.
My parents and I came here for dinner this evening. I had been meaning to come for a couple years. I work in Elkton and a co-worker assured me that this was the best crab bisque soup around. So off we went, very excited for the crab soup! We were seating immediately (it was 6:30 on a Saturday evening - I figured it would've been packed), but it was nice to be seated quickly. Water came out quickly, bread came out quickly, apps came out quickly, and our soups came out quickly, in that order. Water was good (haha), bread was good (with oil), the crab nachos were good as well. The soup was little more than a heavy cream broth with 1 or 2 pieces of crab meat. Extremely disappointed on that front. Felt sick from the heavy cream afterward. I ordered a blueberry mojito - was EXCELLENT. Two of us had salads with very dry, flavorless chicken, and one of us had the imperial crab. THAT was excellent as well. Pricey, though. $26 I believe. Salads were around $12. Service was friendly and efficient, but it wasn't an amazing experience food-wise. Would rather head down to Ches. City for the crab and the views.
(3)Matt W.
Sometimes I find a place based on local tips, and this was one of them. I was told it was worth the drive over from Elkton for dinner, and I think they were right, but what I wasn't warned is that they are EXPENSIVE. Like, I'm on an expense account for work and STILL thought it was too rich expensive. Now, that said, it seems like a nice place (even if the decor would give Robert Irvine flashbacks to the 1980s), and they had a decent crowd of regulars. I think the prices are also fair considering that they literally had listings of where it came from, when it was bought, and the boat that the catch came off of. (When the waiter mentions the special today is a rockfish that was caught "about an hour ago", it's FRESH.) As it was, I managed to put together a pretty decent meal of fresh mussels in spicy diavolo sauce (listed as an appetizer, but it came with about a dozen large mussels), sauteed spinach side, and some of the complimentary bread. Also of note, they had something called "Trash Can Ice Cream", which was house made ice cream with peanut brittle, walnuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, and FRUITY PEBBLES mixed in. I repeat: FRUITY PEBBLES. They even serve it in a little trash can shaped dish. How cute is that? If you have $28-40 a plate money, I would go here and have a great time. If you're on a budget, either plan to make a meal of appetizers, or consider another option.
(3)Michael R.
Was hoping for some good East Coast seafood during my business trip here, but am sad to say that I cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone. The ambiance and service are dated and the location in a strip mall doesn't help. As an appetizer I ordered the crab bisque which was advertised as rich, creamy, full of crab and refined with sherry. Unfortunately it arrived lukewarm and tasted like canned soup full of added heavy cream and canned crab meat. My main course was the linguine vongole which was also disappointing. The few clams on the pasta were not cooked through and the garlic sauce with chopped clam meat and basil seemed pre cooked, microwaved, tasted dull and was starchy. The one star is for the good on tap local beer selection at the bar.
(1)Shelly C.
My first experience here was (SEAFOOD HEAVEN!!) 4 almost 5 star worthy but then I went back (UH OH...dun dun dun). I gave my second experience a generous 2 stars which rounds out to 3. First time I went on a Sunday w/ FH and enjoyed several marvelous dishes at the hands of a kind and capable waiter. The calamari was like buttery velvet that just melted in your mouth. Probably some of the best I've had to date. The crab bisque was also prepared to perfection with a smooth roux, dash of sherry, and plenty of succulent crab meat. My entrée was the seared scallop dish with pesto risotto and lobster sauce. Gordon Ramsey woulda been proud of those scallops-cooked beautifully and oh so outta the sea fresh! FH ordered the crazy jambalaya and aside from his dish not including crawfish (as specified on menu) and the clams and mussels being gritty, he was pretty happy with his dish. We polished off our meal with a slice of Smith Island cake which my FH said was just like his grandmother's SIC. Our waiter always anticipated our needs whether it was a drink refill or extra drawn butter. My second visit was on a Friday so I made a reservation online and noted it was a milestone birthday for me. Once we were seated we got a flighty waitress that barely tended to our table. I noted she spent the bulk of her time chatting up a large party of customers she seemed to know. When it came time for the amuse bouche to come out, a runner brought out 2 servings when there were actually 3 of us at the table. When I pointed this out to the waitress she actually laughed instead of apologizing and said yeah your right not sure why he only brought the 2. She did bring out a 3rd but again no apology. We sat through portions of our meal neglected with our glasses empty. Both my mother and I ordered surf and turf. The steak was not filet and I'm generous in assuming it was sirloin. It was extremely chewy and sinewy and even the steak knife resisted in cutting it. While my mother was eating her food she actually found a small piece of blue plastic in it. I assume it was part of a toothpick used to distinguish food but can't say for sure because our waitress never came back to ask how we were doing. Eventually a busboy cleared our plates and she came back to see if we wanted dessert. At some point I honestly thought she would comment on it being my birthday-even if I didn't get a slice of cake, just a happy birthday...but I got nothing. I ordered a slice of the ameretto cake anyway and thought it was tasty. I made 2 trips to this restaurant in the same week and I can't get over how different my experiences were. I have no desire to go back and have the waitress ever wait on me again but I will go back on an off night, request a different server if she is there, and hope to relive that glorious first experience that took me to seafood heaven!
(3)Jim M.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was amazing. I had the crazy jambalaya. The alligator sausage was really good too. So good I wanted to buy extra just to take it home for later.
(5)Rob L.
My freshman UD son requested seafood for dinner on parent's weekend. Doing better than the dining hall was a low bar to hurdle, but according to Yelp, it was this place or back to the Mall for Caribbean fare. Blue Crab did not disappoint. Although the wait was long, since apparently this is a popular place on parent's weekend, it was worth it. Son's Drunken crab legs were plenty, my crab cake was above average, and spouse's shrimp sambucca was my favorite. While I'm not a fan, there was a decent oyster selection. While waiting, I watched the kitchen action through windows, and they were pro's. Each plate going out looked yummy. I'll definitely encourage another seafood craving on our next visit.
(4)Miriam B.
What a great seafood restaurant. I dined here last weekend with my husband and we were very pleased with our food overall with the exception of my gratin of potatoes( they sent more out). I had the surf and turf which consisted of marinated filet mignon and a butter lobster tail that was stuffed with crab imperial. My husband had the " crazy jambaya" great dish loaded with mussels, clams, crab claws, shrimp and scallops in a tomato sauce with rice. We shared a dessert. It was tough to choose with so many selections but we ordered the amaretto cake with berries and whipped cream . Great dessert too. If I lived in the state this would be a regular place for me.
(4)Micaela L.
This was my favorite place in Bear. I only came for lunch, but there are plenty of options and they're all decently priced (10-15). You get a lot of food for your money, and it seems like lunch is a great deal, considering their dinner prices are a lot higher. It looks like a fun place, but it might be a little tacky for dinner. Out of the options around Bear/Newark, this is still the best place to go. The area isn't as pretty as mainstreet, but the food is a lot better.
(4)Joanna A.
Had the seafood bisque which was really good and very cheesey. Had the crab quesadilla which was just grossly drenched and soaked by time it came to table.. and fell apart because it was made with way too much oil. My boyfriend got a sandwich. Not impressed and won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)S W.
Reliably good. I've been here a few times, But stopped in for lunch for the first time today. My chicken lentil soup was outstanding. My companion's crab bisque was mediocre. It tasted of uncooked flour, like the roux hadn't been cooked long enough. My spinach salad with bacon was tasty, but the spinach was huge and a bit tough. My companions ruben sandwich was good. Lunch salads or sandwiches are $9-13, soups are $3-5 for a small cup. I'd rate them at 3.5 stars if that were an option. Also, note that as of 1/7/11, the map location of this restaurant is incorrect on Yelp. The place is located on Elkton Road, near the intersection with Christiana Parkway, in Suburban Plaza.
(4)Peter C.
Not very good but quite expensive. While not terrible, this would certainly not be my choice.
(3)Kate C.
This used to be a favorite of ours, but after 2 terrible experiences, we won't return. Latest try - Service was slow, waitress did not come back to check on us, food was served to us by the hostess, but restaurant was not busy at all so not sure why we couldn't get good service. "Amuse bouche" was a smear of white cheese spread on a ritz cracker, crab bisque changed - was NOT the same as it used to be..sour tasting and yellow glop. Scallops were so rubbery I had to spit it into a napkin, ordered sautéed spinach for an upcharge but was served overcooked vegetable medley...then couldn't find the waitress for almost 15 minutes to request the correct side, husband ordered fish medium and it was brought very rare. Gave a star, because one in our party said her crab cake and risotto were very good, but she was the only happy one. Then you get the bill and you feel like crying. Disappointed that it has gone so down hill - and is very inconsistent. One bad trip, one good trip that makes you feel like...ooo, maybe it is better again and then WHAM, a horrible trip. Won't be returning. If you want delicious seafood and excellent crab bisque, just suck it up and drive the extra few miles and go to Woody's in Northeast. Trust me.
(1)Jeff B.
Poor Quality, Bad Seafood, Good Beer. The decor and atmosphere was actually surprisingly elegant and clean. Now for the bad - which is all around the food, the way it is prepared and the quality of it! We got the Crab Rangoon's which came out and looked very pleasing (good presentation). However, the center of the Rangoon was not cooked (uncooked, cold crab meat). My girlfriends was actually still frozen in the center. Horrible! Next I got the Jumbo Shrimp and Scallion Pasta. The shrimp where very poor quality as if they were not fresh at all. They tasted very fishy. My girlfriend went with the crab cakes. Very little crab meat in the crab cake and all was just bread filling. The little crab in the cake was frozen and also bad meat. The beer selection was the only positive from Blue Crab. For a 78.00 bill, we could have gone somewhere 100x better.
(2)Yue M.
I really love this place, the food is tasty and awesome! I appreciate Beth's best service, she is gorgeous, sweet and nice! She presents me free cookies, recommends me fresh lobster and crab, lemon cake! Finally she gives me a white rose ballpen! I am so surprised and excited! I will come back again!
(5)Cara S.
It sounds like this place might be hit or miss based on the other reviews, but I thought it was a hit. I was visiting from LA, and in comparison the prices seemed like a steal. ($6 for a decent glass of wine is nearly impossible to find where I live! They are more like $16.) The mussels and the pasta dish with clams were excellent. Next time I'm back in Delaware, I'll be sure to stop by.
(5)Dianne C.
The steamed shrimp appetizer were delicious. I got the whole lobster-not that large and the tail meat was tasteless and tough. I told the waiter I had a hard time eating it and he didn't say anything. My husband had clams in linguini. It was a bit greasy and garlicky. I am thankful we had the shrimp, as I don't feel I had enough for dinner. Visited March 2012
(3)Jim N.
Stopped here en-route from NC to NYC at recommendation of hotel desk staff. It was great! The restaurant is attractive, clean and colorful; service is fast and friendly; crabcakes were extraordinary, veggie sides were super-fresh and tasty. Good house wine. Let's just say that they are permanently on my list to visit when on the road in this area! A bit pricey for some; but, it is very good and gives a good value.
(4)Craig M.
Being from New England, we thought we knew all there was to know about fine seafood. We were wrong. This place is outstanding. From the friendly environment to the excellent service and the truly outstanding food this place is absolutely 5-star. The steamed shrimp was the most succulent I have ever eaten. The Jambalaya was to die for and the Imperial Crab, well...indeed Imperial and Maryland's best. We cannot wait to pass through this part of the country again to enjoy this meal. Not only do they serve memorable food here, they also go over and above to delight their customers and create an unforgettable experience, which we will never forget. Outstanding!
(5)Justin S.
Who would have thought such a high-quality seafood restaurant would be tucked into the Suburban Plaza strip mall?!? If you're a seafood fan, then you have to try this place out. I've been here twice but definitely plan on frequenting it. The first time was for lunch. They have an excellent lunch menu with all types of sandwiches and salads. Some co-workers of mine got the seafood salad, which they thoroughly enjoyed. The salad was also gigantic! Another co-worker got the Baltimore Po-Boy (a sandwich with fried oysters). He never chooses anything else on the menu because he thinks it's just that good. I got one of the crab cake sandwiches. It was a good size, and I thought the crab, seasoning and sauce were the perfect combination of flavors. The best part, however, was their crab bisque. So creamy, with the perfect amount of crab. Our waitress was a bit overwhelmed, but understandably so, since the place was packed. Luckily, other staff members stepped in to help out. The next time I went for dinner. Of course, there was a dinner menu, as well as an extensive list of specials. My mouth watered just reading it! Again, I got the crab bisque, which was excellent. For my entree, I got the jumbo scallops over a bed of garden risotto. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and so was the risotto. Risotto can go very wrong, if cooked improperly. That was clearly not the case here! My partner got the surf and turf (lobster tail and filet). Finally, I found a place in Delaware where they cook the filet to the correct temperature. The filet was ordered medium-rare, and that's just how it came out. Lastly, our waitress was awesome! She was so friendly, and the service was great. Kudos to the Blue Crab. They really do everything right. I look forward to my next visit!
(5)Dave M.
Went here for lunch, during their peak busy time. The service was poor, waitress forgot part of order. Was hard to get her attention and she was clearly overworked. At end of meal, she apologized for bad service, but even her apology came off as if to say, 'You know, I didn't even really try--I'm putting as much effort into this apology as I did my service.' This kind of overshadowed the food itself. The sandwich was decent I suppose, but the whole experience was thumbs down and I probably wouldn't go back because of the below-average service.
(2)Nicole B.
Stopped in here for a snack one Sunday. Band was just finishing up. Shared the 1/2 lb of steamed shrimp which were jumbo. It was about 8 shrimp. Also shared firecracker shrimp eggrolls. They are also really good. Will return for dinner!
(5)Charles R.
Was there for lunch after stopping at State Line for my monthly wine run. I was very surprised at how good the food was, especially after seeing some very negative reviews. The special was a deep fried soft shell that came with a very nice slaw and large cut order of fries. The soft shell was not greasy, and was not fishy tasting as I've gotten elsewhere. One of the other specials was a prime rib of beef sandwich that was exellent. It aslo came with slaw and fries. The serivce was prompt and friendly and the prices are moderate. Lunch for 2 with ice tea and a club soda was $30.00. I don't see how anyone thinks this place is expensive. The same meal at Legal Seafoods at King of Prussia Mall would be close to $40. I noticed their dinner menu had 1 1/4 lb lobster for $25. Again , around where I live that lobster dinner would be $35.
(4)Colin P.
This is a fun special occasion dinner location. Last time I was there, I had the jambalaya and was surprised to find that my bowl was overflowing with seafood! I don't normally expect a pile of crab legs to come with my jambalaya, but there they were. It was a pleasant surprise and the quality was great. My wife had mussels and she too was surprised with the portion. The service is good, if a little slow, but the staff is friendly and the quality of the food makes up for the time you wait to get your dinner. I would be remiss if I did not mention that it's a little pricey. My wife and I had a drink or two with dinner and broke a c-note. Without dessert or appetizers. The only other comment would be that the decor is a little odd. It seems that they're trying to go with a modern upscale ambience, but there's a little too much Nautical decor. All in all, if you're ready to pay the price for good seafood, you won't be disappointed.
(3)Amanda L.
The food has unfortunately gone downhill since we have been here last. The drunken clam recipe has been modified and it is only so-so now. The lobster (which I never had before) was overcooked and full of black gunk. My biggest complaint is the fact that our waitress had a bloody nose the entire time. I mentioned this to her since I thought she was unaware, but she blithely replied that she'd had a cold. I'm pregnant and I certainly don't want to catch anything. As my wise dad says, "If your server is unhygenic, openly bleeding, etc. then you must get up and leave immediately and never return." While I unfortunately stayed through the meal (complete with stale bread and an undressed potato), I will heed his advice and never return.
(1)Lisa V.
Another awesome dinner tonight at The Blue Crab with our favorite waiter, Roger. We almost always order off the specials, and we're never disappointed. They have a great variety for every taste. Love it for lunch too!
(5)Lisa S.
Went to the Blue Crab Grill with my family. 1st, I had a dirty napkin with lipstick on it, 2nd the seafood was horrible and way overpriced. Would not go back again. We really felt ripped off!! We eat out alot and this is one of the worst places to eat.
(1)Mrinteresting W.
I don't just dole out 5 stars to anybody, go ahead and check my profile. I have yet to have a bad meal here in three visits. The chief really knows what they are doing from bisk to crab cakes, pulled pork to home-cut french fries. Seasoning is perfect, texture, smell... EVERYTHING. Do not give this place a miss. Full bar, some nice beers on tap, nothing too fancy. Lovely aquarium with a live puffer fish and lots of very unique sea-themed decorations on the wall. Lovely place, not chintzy at all.
(5)Kevin D.
The food was just ok. The amuse bouche was phenominal and set us up for a top notch dinner, but it was not to be. My date ordered the scallop pasta. The pasta was over done and the sauce kind of gloppy. It had a decent flavor, but the execution was rather mediocre. I had the soft shell crabs. They were good, but greasy. All in all just a very average experience.
(3)Kara T.
Consistenly good food. I come here when I want tasty seafood or interesting fare (they often have at least one game or non-traditional meat on the menu -- ostrich, bison, venison, alligator sausage to name a few). The drunken crab legs or drunken mussles are always good. It's a comfortable atmosphere and good for romance but also to bring the kids (mine love the fish tanks and cool sea-life inspired wall hangings, plus at Christmas there's a sea-theme decorated tree). The service can be really slow both to get food and for clean up after. I do not like staring at my destroyed table of crumpled napkins and food scapings after finishing a great meal, so that is an area Blue Crab could improve. Please please please check out your customers and bus their tables when they're done eating. I was disappointed that Blue Crab Grill was not opened for lunch on Sunday -- we went to a chain instead and were disappointed to miss an Blue Crab Grill eating expereince.
(4)Mary Jo S.
The blue neon "Blue Crab Grill" beckons us every time we come back for a visit. And every time we have a good meal of the freshest seafood and beers on tap. The husband enjoys the bar service as well. From the jumbo lump crab sandwiches, oyster PO-boys, to the nightly special everything tastes wonderful. This is our escape; where we can enjoy a good meal, drink a few drinks, and de-family sensitize. Seated In a cozy booth, you feel like you are in a place where pub meets Little Mermaid. To the locals, I am sure there are hidden gems of better seafood and less sterile environment but until you Yelp them, we will be coming back to the Blue Crab Grill.
(4)Mike R.
A great restaurant hidden away in a strip mall. Authentic MD crab Cakes with huge lumps of fresh crab. I also REALLY loved the smoked fish appetizer platter. It was to die for. Even had a tasty drink. Staff friendly and attentive. I will come back if I have an opportunity.
(5)Scott C.
Like some of the other reviews from the past, I had a great experience at the Blue Crab Grill. However, we visited this Friday night (3 adults and two children) and had a vastly different experience. First...(and I know this isn't about the food)...but the hostess was dressed very inappropriately. Now....we sat down and none of the three high chairs had working straps for our 14 month old daughter. The hostesses all commented matter-of-factly that none of the high chairs had working straps. Our waiter was very nice. Polite and attentive. We got our drinks in a timely fashion. My wife ordered a grapefruit margarita which was very strong. Maybe they hoped you wouldn't care about your entree by the time you finish your drink. Our crab bisque arrived quickly and was just as delicious as we'd experienced in the past. Our entrees took a very long time, long enough that we didn't have the luxury to send things back (we were dealing with a cranky baby). My son's hamburger was undercooked for a small child's burger (barely medium) My Shrimp Sambuca was served over cold/lukewarm pasta Lastly...my wife's scallops were like rubber. Even if they were good...there were only three of them. Not a great value. Sadly...we don't plan on returning. We liked the food in the past and the location was very convenient for us. Blue Crab Grill....what happened to you???
(1)Bob L.
The food and service were excellent. The seafood salad was delightful and well priced. A trout special was equally good.
(5)Ben B.
Well first off I went there with fiance and father. We ordered a ton of stuff so I have alot to review. We started off with 4 apps the special smoked sampler was amazing scallops were tiny but amazing. Trout and samon amazing garnish amazing everything about it amazing and for 14 bucks was def big enough for 2 people. Next we got the lump crab and shrimp cocktail. Was sad to only have 2 shrimp since there were three of us but the amount of lump crab made up for it we all enjoyed that. Next oyster rockafeller only came with 4 but it was only 9 bucks so cant be to sad with that and ended it with a order or raw oysters, we got the ones from virgina and they were really really good. For diner my fiance got the drunken crab legs. It came with 3 huge clusters and the broth was truely to die for. So good asked for it to come home so I can put it with some pasta and have a great lunch. My father got 2 dishes which were the steak and cake. And the crab imperial. He mentioned the crab cake was kinda plain but it was 100 percent lump crab meat and wasnt bad by far just bland. The crab imperial was top 3 he has ever had vegs were great and the homemade augratin was the best I have ever had all the side were perfect. I had the seafood jumbalya and it was loaded with seafood shrimp a huge cluster of snow crab legs 3 huge scallops crawfish huge junks of sausage and chicken and the broth was once again amazing....all in all I couldnt give a 4 and a half so I picked 5 cause it was better then a 4 everyone said it was expensive but not 1 dish was over 30 bucks and im speaking of resturants ive been to where a bill for 2 people has been over 400 bucks...now thats an expensive resturant...def going back to enjoy good food and make sure the second time around is just as good and not a fluke....if it is this is going to be one of my fav resturants to visit....
(5)Stephen M.
The food is okay and I wasn't all that impressed. The negative is the pricing. They have a nice choice of beers and food but one can find a meal that is just as good but cheaper elsewhere in Newark. I heard lunch is the way to go here, but I was there for dinner.
(3)Yasmeen F.
To put it in perspective, I loved this place so much during my first visit that just a few hours after I left there, I went on Yelp to immediately share my experience. Located in a mid-sized, off the beaten path plaza in little Delaware, this restaurant will delight you, perhaps, even surprise you with their quality of food. We came for an anniversary dinner. The inside had spacious seating with a view of a glass room where you can slightly see preparations of some sort (I didn't fully examine it). I recommend sitting at a booth where there's more privacy and seat comfort. We ordered the calamari appetizer which was perfectly fried without the taste of oil found in most other places. The salad and soup were promptly served with wonderful presentation and exquisite taste- all prepared with fresh ingredients. Bread is also served that was accompanied with an oil and various spice mix. Don't fill up on those, however, because the dish portions are quite a bit! We had 3 cheese ravioli with chicken sausage, a dish that encompassed the entire plate- a very big square plate that is a little intimidating at first glance. Absolutely delicious though. Other members of my party had the surf and turf, adequately sized and yummy. The fish tasted fresh and was a good portion. I had the wild mushroom and chicken marsala- a delicate blend of mushrooms and chicken breast on top of angel hair pasta. There was a slight indication that it was prepared with wine, which was a fine touch for the overall dish. The desserts, set at $7 each, were reasonably priced and oh so good. We had the cheesecake and peanut butter and chocolate cake... both adorned with hand-whipped cream, sliced strawberries and chocolate drizzle. The prices were justified with the quality and quantity of the food. The next time I come back, I'll have to try other seafood items which I was tempted to upload with this review, but trust me when I say it's a pleasant surprise when you see it in person... a notion that could fairly represent the entire seafood establishment.
(5)Walter W.
I settled in to a comfortable booth here after a long day coming up I-95. I was impressed with the expansive appetizer and entree menu covering many types of seafood. My friends and I tried the calamari and mussels to start. The calamari was fried to perfection, lightly breaded and delicious, with a delicious dipping sauce. The beer steamed mussels were served in a thick beer broth with spring onions, tomatoes, sausage, and spices. Fish, shrimp and steak entrees were cooked perfectly with generous sized portions and nice vegetable sides. The specials apparently frequently change. The day we went there were swordfish, seafood sausage and lamb chops. This is the kind of cozy home cooked meal type of establishment you want to settle into after a hard days work. Our attentive waiter kept us filled with microbrew beer and the full bar was an added bonus. I highly recommend The Blue Crab Grill.
(5)