The Crab Shack, 27 Years + of Good Food and Service at the Right Price
Written: Mar 21 '05 (Updated Nov 23 '05)
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Pros: Reliable all year round.
Cons: Not directly on the water
The Bottom Line: Excellent value of good fresh fish and an fine Italian menu too.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Crab Shack |
Along the Nautical Mile of Freeport are many restaurants. Only a few stay open all year and fewer still have been around more than a quarter of a century. The Crab Shack fits into both categories. This place has been a fixture ever since George, who for years worked NYC's Manhattan Club, The Waldorf Astoria and the Copacabana decided to leave the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and open a restaurant in Freeport's growing waterfront area.
Twenty seven years ago he opened this comfortable 16 table or so restaurant that has a nautical theme mixed in with what seems like a hundred pictures of himself with celebrities of Movies and Stage.
As you walk into the place you're first met with sports memorabilia of the NY Yankees, NY Mets, Islanders, and more. I wonder if this is George's son Andy's showcase or his own. In any case they have the Yankees and Mets together as a family and run the place the same way, father and son and as a family.
Parking
Anyone coming down the Nautical Mile is sure to pass by the Crab Shack because it is on the higher part of the canal. Be sure to be looking on your right as you come down and on one of the buildings you'll see a nautical painting covering its northern side. This is done by an artist from Long Island. His work can be found throughout Freeport and all over Long Island.
Once you see this art work you'll know you are at the Crab Shack and the driveway to the free parking is just before the building. It's easy to pass by. The reason I mention parking is because on summer week nights and Saturdays and Sundays parking is precious because of the incredible draw of the canal. It's a wonderful place to dine and then walk along the docks and perhaps listen to some live music as you stroll along.
A Bit About the Crab Shack
I have been to this place a number of times, mostly for lunch, but only once that I recall with my wife for dinner. I've been here a few times on my own too. Whenever I do walk in someone is quick to the door to seat me. The waitstaff has always been personable and attentive. It's usually a gal or two in the place wearing black and white.
The chairs are comfortable for this big guy and most of the tables, that are covered in blue cloth with a glass top, seat four. They can easily be rearranged for larger parties. Some trophy fish adorn the walls. The view out the window catches some of the action of people walking up and down the Nautical Mile and captures some of the boats in the background that are on the docks. There is definitely a sense of a nautical feel to the place.
A chalk board on the wall gives the specials of the day. Always be looking to see what they have because George is constantly looking for the best values of the season. This means that the menu may be a bit different each time you go. That would be for specials only. The Crab Shack has its basic and proven menu that they always try to keep in as fresh as can be.
I found out that the owners get fresh fish daily from different sources. If they can get some goods directly off the boats in Freeport they do. There are also a couple of fish markets on the canal they deal with. Otherwise they supplement their stock with fish directly from the Fulton Fish market in lower Manhattan.
It was also interesting to hear that even though the steamer clams they use are from Long Island, they bring them in from the north shore of the island rather than the south shore where the restaurant is. The reason is because the south shore has sandy beaches. The sand gets into the clams. To get cleaner clams they import from the north shore where the area is rocky due to an ice age that dropped rocks at that point and then made its way back north. That's why Long Island is hilly n the north and flat in the south. OK, enough of geography. It's just good to know that George and son look for the best product for our consumption.
The crowd that goes to the Crab Shack is mixed. Some places along the canal have younger crowds who want loud music, drinking at an outside bar and perhaps a chance to meet the opposite sex. This place is different it's more quiet and homey...and relaxed but I suppose meeting somebody of the opposite sex has happened here too. During the afternoons a mix of business, locals and couples come in to eat. At night it's more couples of mixed ages and out-of towners. The place has a good reputation so word has gotten around.
The Crab Shack is open daily 7 days a week all year round except for a couple of family holidays. They open at 11AM and close the doors at 10PM. They do stay open later in the summer particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Crab Shack offers bottled beers and wines. The place is clean and the restroom are too as well as being well stocked.
The Menu
The Crab Shack has two menus, actually three. One is their full menu that is served all day from opening till closing. They feature a lunch menu too. The last is a children's menu.
The usual Appetizers, Soups and Salads are listed. I like that the steamers and steamed mussels can be ordered by the bucket or half bucket. I'll go for a half on my own but when I've been here with my daughters we shared a full bucket. They are prepared well and are clean.
The same goes for the fried Calamari. You can get an individual appetizer platter for $7.50 or order something everyone can share at $11.95.
Do know that this place makes an individual and large Greek Salads too. George and family are Greek, you're not going to get a better salad anywhere. You're also going to find a very varied menu that you will not find in many of the other places on the canal. More on that later. Other salads like Grilled fish, and Chilled Shrimp platter are available too at prices of $14.95 and $15.95.
The Crab Shack prepares their foods from the grill, fried, and Scampi style. In fact for an extra buck you can even have the entrees Cajun Style. I've never tried it that way, though I do love Cajun foods.
Update June 2005
I tried the broiled shell fish cajun style for the first time. It was excellent! Just the right amount of spice gave this dish a nice kick. I recommend it.
Back to the original review.
Every time I go there I am attracted to the Broiled scallops or Ipswich Clam Strips. I love the stuff and the Crab Shack gives a good portion. That's important to this big guy.
The entrees that include a well assorted selection of fish run about $16.96- $19.95. That includes the combos on the menu like Lobster Tail, Shrimp, and Scallops or the Shrimp Scallop, Sole, and Scrod combo. Another combo has Shrimp Scallops, Sole Clam Strips, and Crabcakes, still $19.95. This last one is fried while the others are broiled. All these entrees include salad or cole slaw and a choice of potato or salad. They have good food at a good value.
The salad is made of a nice mix of greens. Not just iceberg.
George also offers a pretty complete Italian dinner selection. The calamari is always a favorite and it's good to know the guys in the kitchen do not overcook it. No rubbery food here. The calamari is tender, just the way I like it.
To me there is nothing better than shell food and fish with a red or white sauce and George does them both well. Actually I never had the white sauce but my wife ordered it and I had a taste. One of these days I want to try their Mussels Fra Diavolo. After I do I'll report back.
Here's a brief list of some of the Italian dishes.
Calamari and Shrimp Combo $18.95
Linguine with Clam Sauce (Red or white) $14.50
Zupa Di Mare $19.95
That one has Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, Scallops, and Calamari over linguine
Shrimp Parmigiani over Linguine $16.50
Shrimp Scampi $16.50
Chicken Cutlet Parmigiana with Linguine $13.50
All the above are served with salad.
The Crab Shack?
Now this place is called the Crab Shack and guess what? They serve crabs. I don't mean they serve to ornery and cantankerous characters, (maybe they do if they behave themselves) but I do mean they have Maryland Style Crabcakes and also Fried Soft Shell Crabs. You won't find these in many of the other establishments along the canal.
You can order them as an entree with a full dinner or you can also order them as sandwiches served on toasted sesame seed rolls. They have a fine selection of sandwiches that are $5.95-$8.95. Once again in June 2005 we had their crab cakes. They are crispy outside and quite flavourful in. They are a good choice as an appetizer or meal.
Lunch Menu
It's good to know that the lunch menu offers these same sandwiches in the afternoon along with cole slaw and either French fries or baked potato for just a couple-a-few dollars more. It's a pretty good value. Even better if you like the list of lunch entrees that consist of pastas and broiled or fried fish/chicken and more you can get them with soup or salad, dessert and coffee or tea at prices at $12.95-$15.95 complete. This again is a very good value for the fresh fish and well prepared food they serve.
Lunch salads are also offered.
Children's Menu
Though you won't see a lot of kids later in the night at this restaurant it is good to know that they do have an inviting children's menu that makes the place affordable for families. Burgers, Pita pizza, chicken fingers, pastas, and fish baskets and more are available at prices between $3.95-$7.50. Except for the pizza and Linguine they come with fries. They all include a soda or milk.
The Crab Shack also offers dessert and coffee, Cappuccino or Espresso for adults. The kids can get a scoop of ice cream for $1.75. Now George and Andy may not like this but I always go directly across the street to Ralph's Italian Ices for dessert but Ralph's closes for the winter as do many of the other restaurants. The Crab Shack is open all year.
In Closing
The only negative about the Crab Shack is that it is not directly on the water even though you are just thirty yards away. You will however get consistently good fresh foods that are well prepared and good in portion size at a fair price. They have there own parking lot and the servers and atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. I suggest enjoying your lunch or dinner and then take a walk along the canal. There's nothing like a relaxing stroll after a fine meal prepared by George and Andy.
Other Freeport reviews by Popsrocks
Freeport's Nautical Mile A great destination with dozens of fine restaurants.
Nautical Mile Restaurants and Attractions
Cafe by the Sea Good menu and great desserts. Fun entertainment too!
RACHEL'S Waterside Grill Fine Fare on Freeport's Nautical Mile
Otto's Sea Grill On the Nautical Mile. Right on the water.
Bracco's Clam and Oyster Bar
Montana's Pizzeria and Restaurant Good Italian food near Nautical Mile
Ralph's Italian Ices a favorite on the canal.
Jeremy's Ale House
Water Lilly's Waterside Cafe
Pier 95 A very fine Portuguese-Mediterranean Restaurant on the Hudson Canal just minutes from the Nautical Mile
The South Street Seaport @ Freeport a simple and very informative Maritime Museum.
Long Island So much to so many
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
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