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Mon. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Tue-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tue-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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With the advice of Yelp reviewers, I aimed to eat at Joe's Take Away because I feared the wait at Joe's Stone Crab on a Saturday lunch. However, I wandered into the restaurant by accident with the host ready to seat us as soon as we walked in and thus began the best meal of my 4-day weekend. We had incredibly attentive servers. Not at all snooty trying to push the most expensive options on the menu when we asked about the $5.95 Chopped Tenderloin (basically 2 large beef patties) to round out a "Surf & Turf" style lunch.
What was ordered:
Lunch Special
--3 Stone Crab Claws (5 stars)
--Coleslaw (2 stars)
--Hashbrowns (3 stars)
--Creamed Spinach (3.5 stars)
--1/2 Key Lime Pie (5 stars)
Skinny Sweet Potato Fries (4 stars)
Chopped Tenderloin (4 stars)
Stone Crabs were awesome. So easy to eat. They do all the work for you. Coleslaw was too vinegar-y for our liking. Hashbrowns were trumped by the awesomely meaty thick "skinny" fries...which makes me wonder if the regular sweet potato fries are like giant wedges. Creamed spinach was nice and healthy (I added some salt to de-healthify a bit). Chopped tenderloin was not masked with seasoning so yummy meat flavor. I do not like Key Lime Pie. No "best homemade recipe" could convince me otherwise...until Joe's. Just enough tart and the crust seals it. Yum.
Are you freakin serious people?! This is one of those places that has my mom's voice playing in my head as I sit and wait an hour for a table..."if all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?".
Well, I guess me and 75% of SoBe all jumped off a bridge, and ended up in line at Joe's Stone Crap...I mean Crab. :)
We got there about 9pm on a Saturday, and had to wait an hour for our seats. The crowd is filled w/ old dood/hot chick combos.
Once we finally get our table, our server is this really old black man. At least 70 years old, so you can imagine how slow he moved.
We ordered:
Calamari
Shrimp Cocktails
Coconut Shrimp
Clam Chowder
Joe's Famous Cole Slaw
Large order of Stone Crab Claws
SeaBass
Grouper
Fried Sweet Potatoes
Cottage Fried Potatoes
The food was horrible, and the service was worst. I thought if we were hungry from waiting an hour, that the food would be good, but I was so let down. The Grouper was so nasty, my husband had to send it back even, and guys don't normally send their food back.
Out of the 5 stone crabs, we only ate 3. I don't know if it's because it's at the beginning of the season or what, but there was really nothing that special about this place. :(
Total for our bill was $160 for 4 people. Not bad, but I wouldn't go back. Oh, and they get ONE star for not charging us for corkage.
Joe's is by far my favorite restaurant in Miami, especially when someone else is paying. Waiting for a table can be the worst part, but if you know some old school Miami natives usually they know someone who can get you in quicker.
The aimbiance is amazing. Waiters in tuxedos and people wearing bibs. But the real joy of Joe's is the food! When Stone Crabs are in season, you MUST GO to Joe's. Order a huge plate of them and dig in. Other delicious specialties include, the fried chicken, cole slaw, fried zucchini and of course the Key Lime Pie. I went there with my boyfriend's family and we had a huge plate of all the above. It can be expensive so be ready but it is so worth it!
If you don't want to spend as much but still want the great stone crabs, grab some Joe's To Go and enjoy it on the beach!
My boyfriend and I had friends visiting us from Oregon. We were racking our brains to pick the perfect place to take them for dinner. We aren't Miami natives so we asked around at work and Joe's Stone Crab was mentioned more than once and it was seafood so it won out. After reading all of the reviews about how long the wait was we decided to get take out. We got take out for 6 people and I'm pretty sure we ordered one of everything on the menu. We called in the order and it was ready when we arrived. We ordered the stone crab (of course), fried oysters, lobster po' boy, conch, fried green tomatoes (yum!), grouper sandwich, calamari, coconut shrimp, and the lobster sandwich on rye. The stone crab was pre-cracked and perfect. You would think seafood take-out, maybe it won't be fresh. Not the case it was super fresh, hot and delicious. Out of everything we ordered I would probably not order the calamari or the conch and try something new next time. Overall A+ and delicious! What's better than delicious food in the comfort of your own home with perfect service and even better company. To top it all off we bought a key lime pie that came with a can of whip cream and boy was it the perfect ending to the night. Our friends loved the food! We will definitely be getting take-out again really soon!
1. Visibly pregnant wife and I go there early
2. Wife and I are relegated to the bar as most everybody else (still, of note, some are more equal than others)
3. No barstool for my pregnant wife
4. Wait time more than 1 hour standing, despite my wife (again, visibly pregnant) asking for a table repeatedly
5. Several people arriving later got tables more quickly
6. Left the restaurant and went to the takeout next door, hungry, because bar appetizers are not appealing at all
7. Stone crabs so-so
8. Oysters PASTEURIZED and rubber-like
9. King crab legs excellent
10. Wine bad
11. Bread horrible, foam-like (worst ever)
12. Bill - 250 USD, remember it's the takeout
13. Experience saved by the King crab legs, not the Stone crab, which were ok but not stellar (King crab leges were much more expensive, though).
Food - A+
Ambience - NA just kidding - D
Service - C
Value - B
Well, not really what I expected.
I need to go back again and try some other food to make my final judgement. The experience was a bit disappointing.
Among the positive points are the location and service. Everything looks fancy and distinguished but some of the customers didn't really played the game.
I went there with two colleagues and we had crab cakes, and the chowder. Nothing really to die for. Too heavy compared to same dishes from other restaurants. For dessert we tried the Key lime and Cheesecake but it was just average like the main dish.
I was told the stone crab is excellent so I guess I shall give it another try.
You have not lived until you have stone crabs from Joe's.
This place lives up to its reputation. Simply the best stone crabs I've had in my life. Prepare yourself as the wait is ridiculous...many times up to 3 hours in peak times and season over the summer.
Yes, its quite expensive, but an experience to not be missed.
There is no such thing as a stone crab overdose.
This place has gotta migrate to Los Angeles....chop chop management!
Still as good as it's always been.
A miami institution worth the wait, worth the price, and worth going through the South Beach attitude.
Joes service is excellent, the staff are well trained and well mannered. Very refreshing from the poser restaurants that cropped up during the boom. Most of which have now disappeared into the Lehman brothers grave.
As everyone talks about, this place is very very good. Stone Crabs are very tasty. I will go back!!
Any one who would wait 1-2 hours for a table here must be desperate. If you are foolish enough to "grease" the hosts palms to get a table faster, then you're a...fool. Yes, the stone crabs are good. The food in general is bland and boring. The service is solid. I recommend it for lunch on a weekday, because there is usually no wait, or nonsense. Settle for the take-away next door. There is more variety and you don't feel that you are being taken advantage of.
NEVER did I ever know what a 'stone crab' was... in a conversation with a friend who lives and works in the east ... So.. for dinner..and a weekend.. we both fly into MIA.. and he treats me to dinner to this place Ive heard him rave and rave about ... Now I know what they are.. and I love... ordered as a starter... we did...and ordered with the meal... couldnt get enough.. Truly, we opted for steaks to go with the stone crab claws... mojitos and key lime pie for dessert... full yes... a must go and do in MIA...
If you have never had stone crab before this is the place to loose your stone crab virginity. If you have not scheduled a dinner here good luck getting in. However, if you have be prepared for a unique dining experience. The restaurant is huge, noisy and crowded. The food is fantastic (I have been here many times and only have had the stone crab, I do not see reason to get anything else). Wine selection is top notch, and the bar is well stocked.
This is the story of a crab claw so good that even the bumbling idiots that run this place couldn't mess it up...
If you don't have reservations, just turn up, take a number and then wait in the waiting area with 500 other people. After a couple of drinks and standing around, you'll eventually have your number called and seated to a table.
You'll be disappointed that the place is just so cheesy looking. It takes more than a cheap suit to make a waiter, but they'll be friendly enough for their shortcomings to not bother you too much.
You'll look over the menu and decide wisely on the crab cakes and some variation on the crab claws. You'll probably order some vegetables or something because you think you should try and be healthy.
Despite the long wait in the other room, you'll be disappointed that the food gets to your table moments after you order it: "are you sure you had enough time to prepare this? I'm happy to wait a little longer if it means its going to be great?".
Then you'll taste the crab cakes. Oh...my...god!!
Then you'll taste the crab claws. Oh...my...god!!
You'll realise just how great these claws are and how this place can get away with all its other shortcomings. Forget about all the other things you ordered, clearly that was just a mistake. These people can't cook a potato, but they can do so little to a crab claw to preserve it's flavour it'll make you happy that you came.
I've been here twice. Once the wait was way too long, So we ended up going to the "Take-Away" location that is attached.
The steak sandwich was great! juicy, and flavorful
The Lobster Roll was good as well. An east coast fave.
of the actual restaurant - the same is true for their location in Las Vegas (Caesar's - Forum Shops) ::
- New England Clam Chowder - one of the better chowders i've had
- The prime boneless NY Strip is enough for two. well seasoned. Pair it with the stone crab and you have a great meal for a date.
Eh...:
the Hashed brown / Lyonnaise - was weird. it wasn't QUITE mashed potatoes, and yet it wasn't QUITE hashed browns either... so it just had a confused kind of feel to it...
So - If you are short on time, or want to impress a loved one with a nice meal - the Take Away place is pretty fast, 20-30 minute wait after you order. And the restaurant itself has a great feel to it. cozy and intimate, quiet. like any other upscale steakhouse.
Worst server ever - Louis. Not only did he talk down to my group of girlfriends (we are all working nyc professional yuppies) as if we were children but he actually sarcastically threatened my friend that he should have smacked her because we didn't know there was FREE parking across the street. And I swear he gave us a partly frozen key lime pie because the last couple of slivers of them suckers during my visits my friends and I wanted to lick the plate clean.
WOW. Just wow. I had to tell the manager not to retaliate but for the famous establishment Joe's has become over the years, I felt they needed to know, as a favor to improve their name. They were very apologetic and I did feel satisfied sharing my experience.
Louis, I hope you were fired in this bad economy for treating diners with such disrespect.
P.S. - I still love their food, it is hands down delicious.
I love crabs. I've gone to heaven here.
The first time I finally braved the wait at Joe's was during…
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Get bottle of wine and some cups from one of the South Beach liquor stores
- Get a blanket
- Pick up 6 crab claws/person from the takeout line here (expect a pretty short wait for takeout unlike the restaurant)
- Drive east to the beach around 2nd street and park either in a lot or parallel
- Sneak onto beach and devour crabs and wine on the beach.
Maybe it's because I've been blessed with numerous paid-for-by-someone else meals here but I just don't get what the fuss is all about. This happens to be the restaurant that my office chooses to celebrate or treat their staff to a nice lunch or dinner. Everyone else in the office jumps for joy while I groan.
I've tried pretty much everything here and this place is really about the crabs. The mahi mahi is just ok and slightly greasy with the butter sauce they use. The steak not good at all. I'm not a big fan of crab, so I stick with the fried chicken, salad and apps. But the yummies appetizers are fried and if I'm not careful I end up having to pop a bunch of pepto for the heartburn after the meal. The selection of wines is very good, though I'm a sucker for any place that has ice wine on the wine list.
Don't be tricked by the fantastic sounding brownie dessert. The key lime pie is the best and the one thing that doesn't make me groan -- well at least not in a bad way.
While the service is professional, it is not friendly. If my bosses didn't know how to get a quick table here, it would be a major pain waiting to get seated, which is the excuse I use to avoid bringing out-of-town guests here.
Parking tip: Joe's has a private lot that across the street so you can avoid the valet. It looks like it should be a meterd lot, but it's not.
Yeah, it hosts throngs of tourists. Yeah, you'll wait for a table no matter when you come in. Yeah, it's expensive. Oh and It also lives up to the hype.
C, myself and the dining partner in crime stopped in on our second night in Miami. I had been dreaming about Joe's since I bought my plane tickets.
We started with the Stone Crab Ceviche. It was very good, but probably not worth the $16 we paid for it. The chopped salad we had, however, was worth every penny. Love those candied peanuts.
For entrees, I ordered the Large Stone crab claws. 5 extra healthy claws served chilled. They were plump and sweet. Served with a classic Mustard sauce (not sweet) C had the Crab cakes. He said they were the best crab cakes he's ever tasted (coming from Maryland that's saying something). The dining partner in crime had the Fried shrimp. Simply amazing. We also had the hash browns as a side. This is a MUST.
For dessert, Key lime pie, (what else would you order?) Without a doubt the best Key Lime Pie I've ever tasted.
Service is brilliant. I can't say enough good things about Joe's.
I absolutely loved my experience at Joe's. The service was just alright but the food more than made up for the so so service.
It is NOT an inexpensive experience.
We ordered lobster mac and cheese and mashed potatoes to go with our jumbo stone crab claws. Four of us with five claws each. IT WAS SO MUCH FOOD! and the cost of all of that was about $340 (not including cocktails, tax, or tip) The claws are around $12 each of the large claws.
This is definitely a must-have experience. So many people asked me, "hey did you go to Joe's?"
3 words. Stone Crab Claws.
Dear Owner,
you need to open one in Los Angeles!!!!
New fan,
Joe
OKAY...YOU KNOW a bad experience has been had if 5 months later, I still cringe with the thought of this restaurant!!!
So I went to Miami in March with two girlfriends and went to Joe's with them b/c they said that they ABSOLUTELY had to come here b/c one of them said friend recommended this place (and apparently all of the Yelpers do too) so we went!!....O M G........the wait was 2 HOURS....we were starvvvvvvvvving...it was 9pm by the time we got in and we had already eaten a pastry and gotten some coffee from Joe's Take away shop right next door!
FINE...I can't blame them for being super popular and for us not making a reservation...no deduction for that...HOWEVER, if this place IS that packed....then the food/service BETTER be superb for the prices we're paying for it right? WRONG-O!
they are known for their stone crab claws---wow....the most oVERRATED claws i've EVER eaten....bland...the sauce was way too creamy so after I ate a few, I started to feel sick....granted this may also have to do with my asian-upbringing where we like to season and sautee lots of seafood, but I've always been a big fan of ALL seafood from different cuisine backgrounds including just plain steamed lobster/crab with a nice sauce on the side...I would've much preferred a more vinegar based sauce instead of a cream based one (tooo rich---CREAMY but BLANDDD)
We also ordred a halibut dish---overly seasoned and salty----by the time we got it....even when i was so hungry---u would think that food would TASTe BETTER RIGHT?! wrong-O...big big disappointment...it was SO salty and even ME, the NON-EATING-RICE-CHINESE GIRL was wishing for some rice to go with this salty dish at the end of the meal!!! sooo overrated and couldn't even taste the halibut b/c it was overly-seasoned to the point that we could've preserved that piece of fish for a month!!! =x
We also ordered a crabcakes---there were a decent amount of crab chunks in here (holy crap, there better be considering they're known for the crabs they serve!!) but I judge all of my crabcakes based on---How much crab meat is in here? and again, how CREAMY is it? sooo many places put too much cream/mayo in there mixed in with the crabcake base....and this one was the same....sooo creamy i had to stop eating it after a few bites it just got too rich..
sigh...oh right....the service was TERRIBLE....our waitress was SOOOOo bitchy....Forgive us b/c we're new to this place, starving and went out of our way to come here b/c we had heard superb reviews about this place and wanted to ask about the menu and what was delicious....she rarely came to our table to ask about how our meal was...was very apparent in her impatience and had a tone of attitude in everything she said...OH AND I GUESS IT DIDNT HELP that all asian girls don't age even though my gf was 29 and her gf was 38 (wtf...she looked like she as 20...hahahaha) so i guess they don't treat ppl who look young with respect b/c they think we have no money? god, I was probably with two of the most high-maintenance girls alive!!! (should i be calling a 38 year old lady a girl? lol) OH RIGHT...another thing..this place is big....big and packed...and i had to not we were probably the only group of asian people there hahahaha didn't really mind, but definitely noticed we stuck out hahahahaa (not necessarily in a bad way though hehe ;);))
never going there again...unless someone ABSOLUTELY begs me to go and is treating me....oh and that person taking me better be s 6ft+, gorgeous, CHISELED-FACE HUNK OF A MALE!!!!!!!!!!
We came straight from the beach, hungry and sun burned. I'm not sure if we were appropriately dressed amongst the dinner crowd, but they let us in anyway. Thank goodness! (Sign says: No beach attire)
Mary Alice was our server - she was so entertaining. She made sure we knew what we were ordering, and how much to order.
Bread: crusty outside, warm and chewy inside. I could've eaten the whole basket, and gone home happy.
Appetizer:
Oysters on the half shell... a little lemon, little tobasco - heaven
Black mussels were good, and sauce was perfect for dipping. If I had to do it again, I'd double on the oysters, and nix the mussels.
Stone crabs: Mary Alice was on the money, the sweetest crab I've ever had. Large crabs are meatier and sweeter. We ordered 3-4 large crabs for 6 girls.
Sides: Hash browns and creamed spinach. Hash browns were amazing,. I would order the hash browns over creamed spinach, and try a different side next time...maybe the grilled tomatoes.
Dessert: Birthday key lime pie for our friend. One slice of pie for 6 girls to share, holding back was hard. Go next door and buy the whole pie.
Tip from Mary Alice: when singing happy birthday, speed it up, you'll sound like a singer =)
I loved my experience at Joe's Stone Crab, and I would definitely come back again.
Joe's is great if you get what they're known for: STONE CRAB.
Don't go there an order a steak, go there and order STONE CRAB.
They're also known for their sides like the hash browns, which I think is amusing, but they compliment the meal well.
They also make great KEY LIME PIES.
Joe's = STONE CRAB and KEY LIME PIES.
They're famous for their no-reservation policy. So get there early (or right after dinner time). I've waited around 30 minutes at the most, which isn't so bad. It's Miami. You will have to wait anywhere you go, and you will see people showing off. Don't worry, don't be intimidated. The whole city is like that. Just enjoy the food!
Yes, it's expensive, but not prohibitively expensive provided you just get the crab.
So if you don't like seafood, don't go to this place. The reason I keep mentioning this is because I've heard too many unfounded rants about Joe's. It's called Joe's STONE CRAB--what do you expect?
The only reason I give it four stars is because I like quieter places, but I'll make the sacrifice and go there :)
No reservations. Can usually take an hour to wait for a table. I don't mind. Because then I'll just take three hours to get through my claws. I get into a zone and don't get up until the restaurant is cleared.
This is a must visit if you are a tourist in South Beach. It's like going up the Eiffel Tower of Paris. Are you really going to tell your friends at home that you skipped this spot because of the wait?
Parking lot across the street.
RESTAURANT CLOSES MAY 18th, 2009 this year. Here's your heads up! Hurry in. LOL
I was recommended to Joe's Stone Crab by Rich L. of DC Yelp infamy who, incidentally, also offered to send me the number of the hottest stripper in Miami, which I declined because it would violate my "No Strippers on a Schoolnight" policy.
My heart sank as my taxi rolled up to the main doors which were hidden behind a heaving mass of moneyed, and oddly--but expensively--dressed bodies, a morass of hungry people at 7:45pm on a Saturday night. The place reminds me of a remote midwestern Cheesecake Factory, with people milling around everywhere, and the cheesy interior design. I made my way to the host's desk, his voice battering my eardrums as he called groups to their tables. He seated me immediately at one of the row of two-tops ranged against a wooden room divider.
The restaurant and its patrons are pure soap opera: tiled floors, wrought iron, copper pots, faux-campania, unbuttoned shirts, slicked-back hair, leopard print, bleached and bouffant hair, cleavage everywhere. Amazing peoplewatching, especially from my small, innocuous table by the main artery.
My water glass was filled before I sat down, and my server, a super-tall and robust grey-haired man in evening-wear, promptly greeted me and gave me a small plate of really horrible-looking bread rolls, including what appeared to be a deflated onion croissant.
I ordered a medium serving of stone crab claws ($21.95), which came with drawn butter and a mustard aioli, a ramekin of creamed garlic spinach ($5.95), and a glass of BV Napa Valley chardonnay ($8.00), Joe's featured wine, which was served in a red wine glass. According to my server the main difference among the sizes is the effort you're willing to exert in taking them apart.
I'm not sure the larger sizes are worth the premium, as the crab claws were expertly cracked and the meat was easy to extract. They were beautifully steamed and chilled, light and sweet, delicious with the mustard dipping sauce. The creamed spinach, cooked with whole roasted garlic cloves, was a pleasant and tasty, but totally unexceptional accompaniment that I could quite happily have done without. I know just under nothing about wine, but the chardonnay was quite sweet, and not something I would have again with crabs which, in my mind, should have a drier accompaniment.
And then they forgot about me.
I managed to finish four claws before giving up, saving space for Joe's famous Key Lime Pie. So I sat for twenty or so minutes, fingering a lemon (to get the smell of crabs off my fingers, of course, what were you thinking?), watching people walk in, and out, and chatting to a drunk, but well-preserved, older lady who meandered up to my table with a glass of white wine in her hand, and said "Awww, you're alone?" and made a sad face. I explained that I was in town for work, and then had a surreal conversation with her about the cold, snow, and Banff, and then she told me to enjoy my [lonely] meal and made a sad face again, and wandered off to rejoin her husband. Huh?
Eventually, one of the busboys took pity on me and started clearing my table, which reminded my server that I was there. I boxed up my leftovers and ordered a slice of Key Lime Pie, which had a delicious, spicy, gingery graham cracker crust but was otherwise simultaneously far too sweet and far too sour, too much of everything, so I had to abandon it.
I don't think I'll be coming back to Joe's, to be honest. The crab claws, albeit delicious, are not really amazing enough to make it worth the time, lunacy, and cost.
There is an obvious reason that Joe's Stone Crab in South Beach Miami has been around for 95 years, and it's not just the location... Joe's stone crabs serves up the freshest, cleanest, most delicious stone crabs this side of the Mississippi (does Mississippi have stone crabs?)... The waiter told us that the stone crabs have been caught locally in South Florida for years.
The stone crabs are served pre-cracked with a piquant mustard-mayonnaise sauce, complementing the cool, fresh stone crabs with a lively kick. I found a recipe for the mustard sauce on http://Epicurious.com, however I have yet to try it out, so do not take my word for it.
* 1 tablespoon Colman's dry mustard, or more to taste,
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 2 teaspoons Worcestershire
* 1 teaspoon A-1 sauce
* 2 tablespoons light cream
* salt
Joe's Stone Crabs - Soft Shell Crabs in Oats
Joe's Stone Crabs - Soft Shell Crabs in Oats
Interesting fact about stone crabs from Joe's website: "The claws make up half the weight of the whole crab, they are removed by carefully grabbing from the rear and twisting. The crab is returned to water and the claw regenerates. It takes between 12 to 24 months to reach legal size again"... Fact or Fiction? I am still skeptical.
I had ordered the evening's special, Soft Shell crabs battered in oats over rhubarb, baby corn and spinach in a creamy sherry sauce... divine! The crunchy dry texture of the batter contrasted perfectly with the creamy, soothing consistency of the sauce... the rhubarb and baby corns were crunchy (cooked beautifully), and the spinach leaves soft, but still green, not overcooked. The whole dish was beautiful.
For the sides, we ordered the spinach sauteed in garlic (very garlicy) and the hash browns... Both fantastic. The hash browns were seasoned with salt and pepper and had crispy outer crust. Our waiter informed us that these were the two staple side dishes... rightfully so.
And of course, had to order the Key Lime Pie for dessert... This was key lime pie done right... Yellow, creamy, not too tart but just enough, with a thick crumbling pie crust. Beautiful.
As much as I rave, the only way to fully experience these world famous stone crabs is to try them yourself... Be prepared to be impressed.
First off, I'm not sure about these people who talk about a huge wait. We were there at about 7:45 on a Friday and waited about 20 minutes. We didnt even have time to finish our drinks at the bar!
Started off with the Seafood Bisque which we both thought was amazing. If it hadn't been 10 blocks from our hotel we would have walked back and had another bowl for lunch the next day! Next I had the cold seafood platter. The shrimp were good, the oysters great and the lobster amazing. Sadly the only think on it that disappointed me was the Stone Crab Claws. Everything else was very good though.
Don't let the "wait" scare you off!
I don't really know what I can write that the other 125 reviews haven't already covered, but we really, really, loved this place so I wanted to chime in.
We got there, waltzed up to the forboding (and maybe a little hilarious) Maitre D'. Stood there awkwardly for a few seconds.
MD: Can I help you?
Joe: Yes, we would like a table?
(Why do you think we are standing here?? It is certainly not to look at you in your penguin suit)
We were told the wait would be an hour so we pulled up to the bar and had a few glasses of wine from the polite bartender. We lost track of time but were very surprised when we heard "MR. JOE!" booming over the loud speaker so it must not have been an hour.
Our waiter was very prompt and courteous. He gave some good recommendations about the menu. We ended up sampling a bit of everything: splitting the seafood bisque, medium stone crabs, ginger salmon, and a side of the hash browns with onions. Everything was perfect!
The bisque was more than enough to share and the waiter happily brought it to us in two bowls. It was the perfect consistency...not too creamy, not too sherry-y. My boyf doesn't even like seafood bisque and he loved it! The stone crabs were great...but even more difficult than normal to eat because the shells were so delicate and crumbly. I absolutely LOVED the mustard sauce and was so happy to see someone posted a recipe for it in a previous review. The boyf, being a good Maryland boy, was not as impressed with the crabs. He was impressed with the ginger salmon. The sauce was perfect and not at all overpowering and the fish was cooked to perfection. The waiter had also recommended the famous hash browns which we ordered with onions, and they were delicious as well.
We were sooooo stuffed and enjoyed such a great variety and the bill only came to ~$65. It was the perfect meal for our last night in SoBe.
Oh, and did I mention the bisque?
I think the whole "one hour wait" is just a standard time they give everybody. Went here on Saturday night around 7pm. Only waited about 20 minutes or so before being seated. Had a couple drinks at the bar while waiting.
Service at this place is impeccable. Mary Alice was our server and she had some old school charm that made us feel at home. Ordered the Hash Browns, Sweet Potato fries, and a larger order of stone crab. The bread appetizers were delicious and soft. The hash browns were extremely crispy and flavorful. The sweet potato fries just great. Everything came out within 5 minutes of ordering which was awesome.
Oh so good.
My first time here was in 1997 and yes, the wait time was usually 2 hours long. I know the recent reviewers say that the wait is around 20 minutes and that's because we're in a recession, right?
The stone crabs are so fresh and vibrant because they are chilled and served with really good butter and mustard sauce.
Aside from the crab claws, the house salad dressing is amazing - it's chunky, sweet, and salty.
I've been to the Joe's Stone Crab at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, but I have to say it's not as good as the Miami location. The crab in Las Vegas is not as fresh - obviously - and you can taste it.
I wasn't planning to eat there but ended up doing so. We went for the infamous key lime pie...but the boy said we had to try the stone crab since we were waiting in line for an hour at 10:30pm on Saturday. So we did.
Dinner for two:
One Manhattan clam chower
One order of medium stone crab
A salad
One key lime pie
One apple pie
Cost: $100 including tip.
I thought it was overpriced. Service was good but I wasn't really impressed. Big parties of rich-looking people eating away...felt highly pretentious. But the food was good. It was my first time trying the stone crab, I was impressed but wondering if it was worth the $40-$50. The apple pie was homemade, topped with walnuts. The boy had the key lime pie....which I had to steal cause it was sooo good!!!
I probably wouldn't go back there unless someone else is buying dinner...or it's a really special occasion. The take-out cafe beside suits me just fine!
Tip-bits:
Dress to impress!
Call in advance (not sure if they take reservations tho...)
Prepare to wait on weekends.
Valet parking, or self-parking around the corner (they have a Joe's stone crab lot)
Still the best key lime pie anywhere on this earth and stone crab claws that are amazing with the creamy dipping sauce. Service still good but was not as last year.
Bottom line: Still the best key lime pie to die for. Awesome stone crab if you're into that.
One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Fantastic and fresh stone crab and fish along with… Read more »
First let me just say....I'm sure you are probably going to visit this place no matter what we are going to say on here. It just seems like "the" place to go when you are on vacationi in Miami Beach.
The ambiance in the restaurant is nice, our waiter was wonderful, food delicious. But I just don't think it's worth the wait (1 1/2+ hours) for this place. Plus all of the cheesy old men hugging the host on their way out was really irritating me while I was waiting. My suggestion if you go....get a spot at the bar, get some appetizers and lots of drinks to help you forget the wait. I wish I did that! The food is good - and I left feeling full and happy.
This is seafood heaven!
Although we weren't too happy that our 7:30pm reservations was in reality an 8pm seating, but the food was amazing. During the 30-minute wait in the outdoor patio area, we ordered the shrimp cocktail, which was well complimented with whatever white wine my colleague handed me.
The Alaskan king crab, dungeness crab, and stone crab were all amazing. It can get messy, but it's all well worth the effort. We also ordered three sides of sweet potato fries, spinach, and cole slaw. Don't forget to eat the yummy bread too. If I lived in Miami, I would make advanced reservations at least 2x a month.
For dessert: make room for key lime pie.
All this wonderful food doesn't come cheap, so expect to pay up!
This is THE place for STONE CRAB!!!!!!!!!!! You have to order the Jumbo claws because it's the BEST!!!!!! they can be expensive though.
They crack them, so it's not that tough to eat. The quality of crab is excellent. The sweet potato fries are nice. The Baked tomatoes are also pretty good. Highly recommended if you visit Miami.
A "must" stop that we had to go to he said. So, after walking (with 2 people who are not fond of even a block or two treks) for a mile before finally stumbling upon it.
Yup, crowded with a 45min wait.
Place is huge upon entering and being seated.
winners: Joe's lobster bisque
OK: Stone Crab
eh: Mahi-Mahi
You cannot eat any better crab legs.. these are soo fresh, you'd think they were still alive!!!
Ice chilled oyster's, first class restaurant;
and not just any fish food eatery..
This is where you run into Miami locals with fat cash, celebs, and athletes of all kinds...
It's a monument of Miami, South Beach FL..
You know what? I don't understand the popularity Joe's has had on people for so many years. Sure its a given that crabs are delicious to eat. But its also a pain to get the good stuff out. I mean how can you seriously enjoy going to an upscale restaurant where 80% of the time you struggle to crack (or whack) the shell and make a mess out of the table and yourself?
the other thing i dont understand about Joe's is that they have a dress code. You gotta dress nice to get in here y'know! Even if you're wearing a bib. Seriously, why bother on even dressing nice to this place if you're gonna wear a frickin bib?!?! I understand its to cover yourself from spilling crab juice on your Armani suit, but what's so 5-star'ish about wearing bibs?
I'm giving it 2 stars because well, they do serve some good crabs and some good, although not great nor original, mustard sauce. But with those daunting negative factors like its high prices, and its long wait times..its not worth the money or the time. It really isn't!
Think about it! To go to a place that is pricey, wear a big fat baby bib, eat with your hands, make a mess, have flying shell pieces from someone else's 'stomp' hit you in the face AND expect nothing short of the best thing EVER..you have to be stupid. .... or a tourist!
Joe's Take Away is a much better option. at least i can eat the same thing without demeaning myself on wearing a bib and worrying about the crab juice on my shirt.
Joe's Stone Crab is a historical restaurant full of hypocrisy.
A great place to go...just once!
yes, it's expensive, and there are a lot of bad reviews for this place. but trust me...the stone crabs are worth it. they are really that good.
Miami Beach, FL
Category: Seafood Markets
Miami Beach, FL
Category: Seafood
Miami Beach, FL
Category: Sandwiches
Miami Beach, FL
Category: Latin American
Miami Beach, FL
Category: Cuban
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