Eat at Joe’s Crab Shack: We did and enjoyed new Steampots, Drinks and Desserts!

Three generations of our family enjoys going to Joe’s Crab Shack.   My parents love the family time together,  as we enjoy good food, fun, drinks and dessert.  I enjoy not cooking, cleaning and spending time with the family (a cocktail or two doesn’t hurt!).  The children love the play areas where they can crawl, climb and slide the evening away followed by a great meal, dessert and trust me they are so ready for bed by the time we get home.  We head to Joe’s Crab Shack for special events like birthdays and graduations, since they do take reservations and any day is a good day when you “Eat at Joe’s”.  My parents are coming in a few weeks, and when they travel is the only time they get to go to Joe’s, so being a good daughter I took advantage of an opportunity to “test eat and drink” the new steampots, desserts and drinks so that I would know which ones to recommend to them when they arrive (after all you know I’m going to be scoring a scallop or shrimp or two from their steam pot – it’s half the fun!)

Can I take your drink order? 

Joe’s has a number of specialty drinks like these mason jar cocktails (you get to take the mason jar home) as well as the Shark Attack.  A selection of wines, beers and soft drinks are available too.   Hmm which one to help me cool off in the hot Houston heat?

We started off with both chilled and hot shrimp.  Chilled has always been a favorite of mine, and I often just order it and a side salad and I’m set for dinner, but the “hot” shrimp is pretty “hot” – as in I wanted more than one to share.  It is definitely more flavorful with a mix of spices that make it not to cold and not to hot, but just right.

Which one is your favorite?

Now just because Joe’s has some new steampots doesn’t mean that they are getting rid of the tried and true ones you love! But the question is how do you possibly make a choice from all of these?

You already know about the Classic Steampot but did you know about these steampots?

Sunset Fire-Grilled:  Snow crab, Dungeness crab, shrimp and smoked sausage

Samuel Adams Steampot:  Snow crab, 1 lb of clams, lobster claws, smoked sausage, all steamed in Samuel Adams Lager

The Orleans: 1 lb. Crawfish, 12 shrimp and andouille sausage

The Rajin Cajun: Cajun flavors Dungeness crab, Queen crab, shrimp and andouille sausage

The KJ Steampot:  Snow crab, seared scallops and mussels in a light Kendall Jackson wine sauce.

The Bean Town Bake:  2 whole split lobsters, 1 lb clams, shrimp and smoked sausage.

NEW! Artic Bay:  Queen crab, shrimp,a WHOLE split lobster (so all the work there is done for you) and sausage in Old Bay Seasoning

NEW! Santolla Steampot:  Antarctic King crab, clams, shrimp, New Zealand green lipped mussels, smokes sausage in a spicy garlic wine sauce and Old Bay Seasoning.

Want to know my favorites?  Dungeness crab is easiest to eat, but the Queen crab is sweetie. Shrimp is always a favorite and I have to say that the scallops in the KJ steampot where mouthwatering.  I could actually eat those with just a little side of corn and potatoes or a salad.  My suggestion – get more than one and share!

Just for the kids . . .

Also, did you know that Joe’s has an amazing children’s menu – it’s actually healthy (endorsed by Kids Live Well)! Sure there are a number of fried foods available but parents can choose steamed vegetables, applesauce and other sides. My daughter’s love being able to pick and choose exactly what they like for their meal. The playground (available at most locations) gives them all sorts of outdoor fun and I have caught them more than once doing a little dance inside whenever the music allows them too.  Come on, you know you have wanted to get up and dance a time or two!

If you have room for dessert there are two new ones that you will really enjoy – the Berry Cobbler and the Carrot Cake. I honestly can’t decide which is my favorite! The kids enjoyed sharing the cobbler best so I grabbed a picture quick before anyone ate it!

You can find Joe’s online at:  www.joescrabshack.com – where you can also learn about their gluten free menu options, on Facebook, Twitter and my personal favorite YouTube (where you can learn to get the most of your meal like this video).