Happy Crab — Restaurant in Auburn

Sadly I had a very disappointing dining experience tonight.

I have been to the this restaurant a couple of times before and the staff were friendly and the food was amazing. I was excited to go there for dinner tonight since my family now thought this would be our new favorite seafood boil place.

However, tonight that was NOT the case and just might have changed my mind about this restaurant. Our waiter was friendly but the lady at the front desk was not. When I received my food I had noticed that it wasn’t correct so I asked the lady that was previously at the front desk (since she was now walking the floor and our waiter was busy with other tables) I just wanted to make sure since I did not want to be charged for something I didn’t receive. She then tells me that my waiter misheard and asked if I wanted her to take it back and add what was missing. I told her it was fine, since I did not want to be an inconvenience.

My sister then asked her if we could add/ order 3 sides of rice (for our party of 3) she now replied in a rude manner. Stating that it would be an extra charge. Almost insinuating, like if we could afford that in a way, keep in mind our bill was already at $200 at this point.

When we finally started eating we had noticed all of the labels on our combos had said mild, when we had ordered non spicy. We figured maybe it was a typo or something. We tried our food and they were all indeed, Spicy. The other two in my party decided it was fine and they would just eat theirs, once again because we did not want to be a inconvenience since the lady at the front desk was already being rude to us. However, I do not do well with spicy so I waited to see if a waiter or anyone was going to walk past so I could flag them down to let them know. After waiting about 10 minutes, no one had passed by so I went up to the front desk to the lady that was already being rude and was apologetic since I hate to be a bother. I let her know that my order was spicy when I had ordered non spicy. She followed me back to our table and asked which one was wrong and then offered to remake it.

She came back with my now remade order, or so I thought. It was still spicy. Im pretty sure it was the same order I sent back but was just put into a new bag with a new sauce that “wasn’t spicy” but everything had already been sitting in the previously spicy sauce and covered in / marinated in the sauce that was spicy. (Just a reminder I have ordered this before and know that the non spicy has no spice to it at all)

At this point I was over it. So I just gave up and waited for my party to be done so we could leave, but while they were eating their food, they became very disappointed as well. The crab and lobster tail were over cooked, and the portions were a lot smaller compared to the previous times we had been. We ordered the same exact combo as before, but actually added extra add ons and yet it was still smaller to pervious visits. How does that work ?

We also all ordered a soda and waited for refills that never came. To the point of, it just felt like they were avoiding our table intentionally.

This one experience sadly ruined this restaurant for me. Which sucks because previously I had been raving to all my friends and family about this place and couldn’t recommend it enough! But I no longer...

Came for the Grand Opening

The place looks nice really nice on the inside. Warm greeting when you walk in plus a Giant King Crab chandelier and Giant Lobster figurine that you can grab a picture with when you walk in.

Quickly seated & put orders in for our drinks and appetizers.

Server was warm, friendly and attentive. A couple of others walked by and checked on us as well.

Server brought out our drinks and some bibs, a small bucket and a small basket. The bibs had plastic gloves folded inside of it so be careful when you open it so you don’t drop them. The bucket is for your empty shells and the basket that has napkins, crab claw crackers, scissors and wipes for when the job is done.

What I got

Feeling Right combo that comes with … 1 Cluster Snow Crab 1 Lobster tail 1/2 pound shrimp 1/2 pound sausage - no sausage I don’t eat pork. 1 Fresh hand pulled noodle 2 corns 2 potatoes

Flavor Garlic Butter No heat Garlic bread

Fall in love 1 Cluster Snow Crab 1/2 pound shrimp 1/2 pound green mussels 1/2 pound sausages 2 corns 2 potatoes House special - Mala sauce No heat Fall Regular fries w/Ranch

PRICE was amazing for what you get. I’m a big seafood boil or just seafood food eater period. I see a lot of people complaining about the price but try buying the same things in their combo somewhere else and see how much more you will be paying.

TASTE Garlic Butter - tastes like butter and garlic. It was nothing extra in there that made it special. Nothing that would make it stand out from another places garlic butter flavor. Lobster tail was small, cut down the middle, delicious & cooked perfectly. I loved it. Star of the show. The shrimp in the combo only come with the head on. No option to pay extra to get it with the heads off. That sucked. Got 6 of them and they were a decent size. Used the scissors to cut the heads off. Easy peasy. Snow crab had a frozen taste to it and was overcooked. That sucked Fresh hand pulled noodle was the 2nd star of the show. It was delicious . Wish I had a 2nd noodle. Corn was sweet and the potato was a red potato. the garlic toast had a frozen taste to it I didn’t eat it. Fries with the ranch was good. House special - Mala sauce was like a Cajun Asian type sauce. It was a new taste it was different it was good and I took some shrimp from my garlic butter and dipped it in this sauce that was good too. I wonder if they let you pick more than one sauce.

No free refills on the drinks Parking lot is rather small Tables are big enough to be able to eat comfortably Chairs are like single couches- so comfy They do have booths you can sit at as well. The tables and chairs are better IMO!

Overall I had a good experience and I would definitely come back again.

I didn’t do a good job taking pictures of the food this time but be looking for an update on my next visit.

Check this place out if you are...

I asked my boyfriend to bring me here for a late Valentine's Day dinner as we wanted to avoid the crowds on Valentine's Day. We remembered that parking here can be real tight but luckily there were a few spots in the late afternoon. We entered and we were greeted then taken to our seat. We love the renovations to the place as we have been to this location before it changed into Happy Crab. It felt much more intimate and the lighting was nice. We didn't get to see the robot server going around but they were testing it probably for the dinner service.

Our waitress greeted us and took our order which was a Clam Chowder, Feeling Right combo with additional scallops in mala sauce (Go to Hell spice), Assorted Seafood Fried Wild Rice, Jambalaya, and Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake. We received our clam chowder quickly and I love that it came with bacon on top. However, I was severely disappointed that the clam chowder was just Iver's. I know this for sure as I literally had Iver's Clam Chowder earlier in the same day so I know the taste although they are crafty for hiding the test slightly with the bacon. Now I ordered the jambalaya after we ordered our initial order so we received the fried rice first then after several minutes we received the jambalaya. Now, I know another table which was a pretty big group (more than 5 people) also ordered seafood boils as I kept seeing them pass by. I'm glad I added the jambalaya as my boyfriend finished his meal and my seafood boil was still not coming out. Once I did receive my seafood boil, the spice level was not too spicy and I didn't get the mala numbing feeling so that was also very disappointing especially with how long I waited as I was really hungry and looking forward to my meal. However, I do love the hand pulled noodles and the seafood was cooked to perfection!

I would just be sure to know that if you don't order seafood boils then you will receive your food much more quickly than seafood boil orders. So if your table is ordering separate items, just be know you won't be able to eat at the same time. Additionally, I'm also conflicted on the service as our server seemed very disinterested in helping us, didn't come by as often as the other server and she also sighed in front of us when we put in our order for dessert. However, the other server stopped by to give me a togo bag and takeout container and she was so much sweeter and helpful as she even packed up my...