best crab for your buck, 8/31/2009
Reviewer: Emmanuel
from Santa Barbara, CA
This is a great hang out spot Yummi crab and good beer selection worth a return trip any day great fast service and the chowder is the best along with tender delicious king crab Could use more restrooms though but over all a great find better than the crab shack any day
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Impressed, 8/23/2009
Reviewer: Michael Kennelly
from Peoria, IL
Best seafood I've had in years!!! Amazingly inexpensive especially considering the location. Truly a bargain for seafood that doesn't get any fresher. Great service sitting at the bar. Outstanding bloody mary. Kudos!
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Liability of a waiter..., 8/9/2009
Reviewer: Michele N.
from Santa Barbara, CA
What an experience! Our waiter was drinking on the job! No joke. I wouldn't have minded it so much except that he was screwing up everyone's orders. He was waiting on a couple outside as my party and I watched from inside - facing directly at the table outside. He was down right drinking beer from the extra glass he had stashed at the table! Is he the manager - or is there no manager on duty? Who would allow this? Such a liability for a restaurant. Like I said - it would've been all good except that the service truly suffered as a result.
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A New Family Classic, 7/13/2009
Reviewer: Jeremy
from Chicago, IL
This place has the best seafood I have ever had. Their clam chowder is to die for! My family lives in Santa Barbara and now every time we go out there, we go here!
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Good Food/Service, not a "fine dining" experience, 6/29/2009
Reviewer: Glenn
from Buellton
Keep in mind this is not a "fine dining" place even though the prices might attest to that. I would suggest on a crowded day get food at the "to go" counter and eat on the public picnic benches next door, you have a little shelter from the wind. They have outdoor picnic seating with hardly any wind shelter(from the Harbor) and cramped bar type seating inside. For a bigger group of people or special date or if you have kids try Moby Dick next door with great views and service. For a quick bite try the "to go" window. For me the Lobster Tacos were just Ok and a Rubio's Grill type taco tasted better to me. The coconut shrimp were better(not as good as Opal or Palace Grill though!). The onion rings were good for me so not sure what the fuss about them are. The cole slaw was better at Moby Dick. Its not as good as I remembered. Rachel Ray $40/a day here.
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yummm, 6/25/2009
Reviewer: Cara
from Santa Barbara, CA
the lobster tacos were amazing! the coconut shrimp was pretty good. the onion rings were not tasty but the service was good and the view is gorgeous.
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Enjoy this spot 1 or 2 times a month, 4/18/2009
Reviewer: Jon
from Santa Barbara, CA
Live right off Cabrillo and State and often walk to the local
restuarants. Really enjoy the SB Shellfish company. Have always
had friendly helpful service, and even once when my friend
misunderstood what he was ordering they remade what he wanted
graciously. Fish is fresh and local catch. Love the slaw !!
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Just ok, 4/15/2009
Reviewer: Nicole
from Goleta
This place is just ok. It's small and poorly run and the service really mars the taste of the food. I was there 2 weekends ago and got the half lobster special. While the lobster was sweet and delicious everything else was terrible. For $20 I expect a little more. The salad was over dressed, the onion rings were inedible (and I love anything fried) and the butter looked like melted margarine and tasted like it too. The service was not good, I'm not sure if this guy just didn't want to be there, was having a bad day or what, but it was not good. We won't be back.
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Would Never Recommend, 4/14/2009
Reviewer: Kazzanda
from Santa Barbara, CA
The only good thing about this place is the location. It is at the end of the Wharf which is nice. The menu for outdoor ordering is very small and blocked by other customers while they order. I ordered the Crab Sandwich which came with Onion Rings and Coleslaw. The man at the window said he would call my number when it was ready, which he never did. So my food was left sitting at the order window where other customers come and go. Very poor service. Then the food was horrible. The sandwich tasted like pepper with tuna, not crab. It was very overseasoned! The onion rings were extremely greasy and messy. Prior to ordering my meal I noticed a lot of food in the trash, but after attempting to eat mine I knew why. It was $11.91 for the sandwich and I didn't even eat half. Quality of food and customer service needs improvement.
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Out of the water freshness...great taste, right price, fun!, 3/29/2009
Reviewer: Randy Innis
from Las Vegas, NV
We've been to the Shellfish Company twenty times over the past 15 years when we travel to the Central Coast. We've even stayed at Pismo and driven to the pier for lunch, gone to the wineries and back to Pismo again. Staying in SB is o.k. too but the beach in Pismo is our favorite. At the Shellfish the young people who have waited on us are always fun, attentive and professional in their own young way. A nice wine or a cool beer with the dishes makes for a great lunch and/or dinner. Can't say enough about the crab plates, the chowder, the cocktails and the experience in general. Wait to sit up at the bar close to the tanks and where you can see the food being prepared. Too much fun!!
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I agree with Mike - Rockin Meal for Your $$, 3/10/2009
Reviewer: Huyen
from Santa Barbara, CA
I went there over the weekend while the whale madness was going on, and ordered from the to go window, my food was out in under 5-7 mintues. It's probably one of the best deals on the Wharf when it comes to quality seafood and affordable prices. I had a giant crab sandwich with nice toasted texas toast, cripsy onions rings, and a nice portion of cole slaw. $10.95..not too shabby! My friend has the coconut shrimp plate and the shrimp are like no other restaurant I've been to in SB..and I've been around! Jumbo shrimp..mmm..great views, great people, and great food..I love home! You can get a crab plate for $14..c'mon that's a steal.
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The gem of the wharf! , 3/9/2009
Reviewer: Mike
from Santa Barbara, CA
I love this place. First, my suggestion to any of the negative reviews is if you are ordering crab or lobster, to order what is LIVE in the tank. Dungeness isn't always available fresh and you're likely getting pre-cooked/frozen. If the crab is not in the tank, don't order it. They have an excellent selection of Oysters and the variety is usually changing, which is nice. They get LOCAL ridgeback shrimp and spot prawns which is rare to find in any local restaurants. They are amazing and nothing like regular restaurant shrimp. This is truly a great place in Santa Barbara!
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Locals favorite, 1/12/2009
Reviewer: Renee Calwell
from Santa Barbara, CA
This little treasure has to be our favorite place in sb, we've been going there for years. Great, fresh seafood (most of its still swimming in the tanks), ice cold beer, gorgeous location, and a fun & helpful serving crew. They only have stools inside and no full bar so heads up if youre looking for the wine n dine ritzy fluff, but if you want quality food served fast while looking out at the pacific ocean, Shellfish is your place.
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Blown Mind! , 1/9/2009
Reviewer: Kevin Reynolds
from LA, CA
Food was awesome, I had the Lobster Tacos and they were sooo good! My wife had the half dungeness crab and she loved it (even let me have a leg, the meat was so sweet). Our server was friendly and funny and the overall atmosphere of the place was laid back and fun. Tiny place though, and only bar stools inside, but if you love seafood you'll love this place.
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An Illusion, 12/15/2008
Reviewer: Michele
from Santa Barbara, CA
So I have been to this restaurant before and have had a fairly decent experience, but not great enough for me to come back. It wasn't until my friend said that she had been wanting to go eat crab at the Shellfish Company and asked if I would join her. We got some others together in hopes of eating some yummy seafood. We had quite the surprise when pretty much everything that people ordered was way sub-par and some even inedible. I am from Maryland and know what a good crab looks and tastes like. Three of us chose the Dungeness crab and they were the worst crabs that each of us had ever eaten!!!! The shrimp tacos had three tiny little shrimp in each taco. The oysters were only okay. And the lobster bisque was terrible. The server we had was amazing and took off money for the crabs...thankfully!!! I won't be returning there again. It's sad that such a special location is taking advantage of their customers and giving them less quality food for a high price. Do it right or let someone else take over the lovely spot.
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I love this place
Reviewer: Taylor
from Santa Barbara, CA
I often eat a clam chowder here when i fish at the pier and it makes my day so much better. Forget about all those other places on the pier that are over priced. This place is good and priced well. My friend's brother loves to watch the live crabs in the window. A locals favorite.
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Best seafood, best prices!!!
Reviewer: Juls
from Bodfish, CA
I loved this place. The oysters were to die for and the calamari melts in your mouth. The staff is friendly, the view spectacular. Can't wait to go back to S.B. to try more. The only drawback is they only serve beer and wine.
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Great Food, Great Location, Great Service....
Reviewer: Joseph Andrew McLean
from Glasgow, Scotland
I visited this restuarant in January this year and I thought the food and service was excellent, the seafood was just how I like it, when its as fresh as this its best served plain & simple! It was so good I visited twice in one weekend.
I will make every effort to visit when I visit California again in November.
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Delicious
Reviewer: fletch
from santa barbara
The food and service this time was perfect.The wife had crab as alwalys and I had the peel n eat shrimp.The shrimp was the best ever and the crab was great also.If you like it and they have it get the shrimp.It will be messy but worth it.
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Best Place for Seafood!
Reviewer: Melissa Andreotti
from Sparks, Nevada
They have the best seafood for the best prices with the best view and amazing staff. I don't live in CA but every time I even go near central CA I have to stop by this place to get some crab and steamers. I had my first taste of seafood there 4 years ago and they set my standards very high. I recommend them to anyone who wants some exceptional seafood with energetic, friendly staff.
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Service doesn't matter for tourists.
Reviewer: fletch
from santa barbara
The service is usually minimal here with a rush,rush attitude.I don't mind but be a great server with great food.I'm a local and it seems they now just don't care about service.When the three of us were asked,"are you ready to order?",I replied I could use a couple of minutes.The sigh that came from the server was obvious.I asked for water three times,too busy couldn't do it.I ordered Clam cakes, nope got crab cakes.It didn't matter both were tasteless.My onion rings cold.My wife's crab was great,her lobster bisque tasted like tomato bisque.The server asked once about the food,three times if we were ready to pay.I eat here usually 6-8 times a year and tell everyone how good the food is.I hope I came on a "bad" day as others have put it here.
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Best place for great seafood and a beer
Reviewer: Javier
from Goleta
I often dine at The Shellfish Co. and have never been disappointed. All of the shellfish they serve is extremely fresh and delicious. Also, the presentation of the food is great. I love to go on a nice day and have a cold beer and great crab or lobster. The service is always friendly and attentive. I highly recommend the Shellfish!
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Bummer.
Reviewer: Christine
from Los Olivos
I usually love to visit the SBShellfish, and will go back to enjoy more food. Today I was able to visit and enjoy 3 fantastic oysters, and asked the Chef to choose for me, between the clams or crab cakes. On his suggestion- I ordered the clams. A huge bowl arrived with a smile and it took approximately 2 seconds to figure out the garlic was burned while cooking. The clams were perfect- but the burnt garlic really ruined the broth- the best part. To add to my injury, I was given a burnt roll. Again, I will return, because I love this place and understand its not always going to be perfect. I didn't say anything because I was on a tight schedule- needed to be back to pick up my daughter at school. I hope for better luck next time.
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Nice Saturday lunch!!
Reviewer: Steve
from Oxnard, CA
We used the SB Rest. Guide to choose a spot for lunch with visitors from the Mid-West. Beautiful weather! A little cool for the outdoor tables, but the overhead heaters worked well. Best part was no wait for the table @ 11:30AM on the Saturday after Thanksgiving!!!!!!
Mari (server) offered when we prompted that it was her SECOND DAY ON THE JOB!!! Without this information, we would have assumed she had been with this place for a very long time...menu described flawlessly! Great attitude and prompt/attentive service (service defined as a 20% tip!!) Food was very good if not "out of this world." Clam Chowder excellent for Santa Barbara area!!! We will try the crab "fest" or lobster dinners next time.
Highly Recommend!
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