Steven T.
Yelp
FAMILY FOOD ADVENTURE!!!
We tried this place while out for a couple days in our favorite place "TREASURE ISLAND BEACH"
We had just went kayaking on the Ocean, so FUN!!!
When we were leaving we asked the attendant for a recommendation for good Seafood, she gave us a couple and we chose Crabby's on the pass, sounded Fun and based on its vicinity to where we were, this place was close and we were hungry!!!
We arrived and parking was across the street from the entrance, right hand side, be careful there are some low laying spots in the parking area.
The place has a fun looking beachy feel to it, even Oversized Adirondack chairs outside for pic ops!!!
We got seated pretty quickly as it was off season so it wasn't that busy. We sat right at the window where we could see the boats pass under the overpass, it was great!
Our first waiter came to the table with sun glasses in and was a little too chill for a server, in my opinion of course. I felt like I was bothering him asking questions about what drink brand they carried and after saying it was our first time there I thought he would be more attentive, but nope didn't change a thing for him.
I felt like he figured oh their tourists and aren't gonna be back, they probably don't tip well b/c of this and for a family if 5 with 3 kids I'm sure he has experienced bad tipping, but I am from the industry and tip very well when deserved.
My second question after the drinks was to see if they could do grouper nuggets for our youngest as they had fried grouper on the menu and in my mind all they would have to do is cut them down before breading them. "If made fresh" like it should be for a place this close to the ocean.
He said he would find out and walked away with a bit of an attitude, I looked at the Fam and said, "what a way to start with a new guest table"
A few mins he came back and said he was being moved to the outside area and the bartender would be covering our table inside, THANK YOU!!!
The Bartender was very nice, not sure if the waiter heard what I said, but either way we were happy with the changeover.
I asked the bartender the same ? about the grouper and he didn't even go anywhere, just said I'm sure they can!!!
We started our order with Drinks & 2 apps.
Drinks came quickly and appetizers followed in a reasonable amount of time.
For the apps we ordered their version of a fire cracker shrimp as well as the fried calamari.
Everyone enjoyed the shrimp, it was delicious!!!
The calamari was lack luster at best, it was definitely pre-breaded frozen rings, not made in house.
We would expect for a place near to the ocean to have the frozen, but then defrosted in house, then breaded with fresh seasoned bread crumbs/flour mix on "REAL DEFROSTED SQUID RINGS"
We would expect a fresher version of calamari than pre breaded frozen rings that imitate onion rings sizes with a hard fried coating. Not worth the price, we didn't even finish it b/c of how bland of a dish it was.
For our entree's we ordered just a couple and split so we could try a few things.
The boy got the Steak, mash potato w/veg, he enjoyed it, but has had better.
The little one got her grouper nuggets, we ordered 2 orders so we could try as well. The grouper was a basic tasting breaded fish, nothing spectacular to be honest.
The wife got the coconut shrimp, these were good, but not sure if they were in house made, if not they are a high quality buy in stock item.
The the oldest kid and I shared the apps, the wife plate and we all shared the extra grouper plate.
All in all we got a decent amount of food a little lower than expected food quality with drinks for about 100$
135$ with Tip!!! This Server deserved it, he really turned our experience around!!!
This place is a little pricey for quality, but great aesthetic, def good enough to try once and maybe if we are in the mood for some shrimp by the water we would go back.
Both shrimp dishes were the best plate's of the entire meal, but you can get good shrimp most other places as well!!!
The visual environment and outside areas were nice, but more of a touristy one time to eat place feel, more than a come back for our great tasting food type place.
I feel locals may recommend out of their perspective of a great drinking place, rather than great food.
I gave 4 stars b/c I feel the bartender saved the experience, it was a clean themed place with a nice outside area for photo ops and to watch the vessels go by.
Wish their food hit the mark then this would be a 5 star experience.
We were there in the off season so maybe they have better cooks when it is the busy season b/c they make more they can pay more which would attract experienced employees.
Maybe we'll try again at that time! I will update if we do!!!
Hope you enjoy your experience at
"Crabby's on the Pass"