Half Shell Oyster House — Restaurant in Biloxi

I would like to start off by saying Micah was an excellent server he was very attentive to your party and made accommodation when necessary.

On the other hand, I called ahead about 5 days before needing to know if the could accommodate a large party, I was told they could and I was extremely pleased as I have been to the other half shell location and they were wonderful so I decided to try this one as it was closer to me and less traffic with the festivities that was happening on the coast that day! It was supposed to be a surprise birthday celebration for my husband and I stopped by earlier to drop off his cake to the restaurant as my previous conversation with a hostess stated I could do that, I was greater with the most difficult host they was very short and unpleasant! I’m guessing it was because I didn’t look put together as I had been running around all day, she then told me that I would have to wait upon our arrival to which I told her it was a surprise party and that I needed my guest to be seated before I got there with my husband and she told me it company policy and that they have no where to put us until we are all there I was already running late so I gave her the cake and left, some of the people from my party arrived and they were also greeted with the same attitude from this host and told that had to wait and could not be seated until half of the 18 people arrived, so I called at told the host that I would like to drop the number of reserved seats for my guess so they could be seated before we got there and she (did not get her name blond lady wearing a pink top on 4/12/25) was very rude over the phone I asked her if my party that was waiting could hide something inside and surprise him to which she told me there is no where to hide “ we only have a kitchen in the back” which I didn’t ask her what she had in the back I said thanks and hung up. Upon arrival I was dressed for dinner and not casual as when I dropped off the cake! I walked in with my husband and son and she was soooo”nice hello how can I help you you guys look so nice” I then told her party for Micka and her entire attitude changed again back to her normal attitude saying “oh your party is upstairs” I was soooo frustrated as why would you say MY PARTY IS UPSTAIRS when I coordinated with them to have this be a surprise!!!

Anyway the night got worse when I went to get the cake from them and I had a decorative pint bottle on there and was told it had to leave the restaurant as It was an outside container! I tried to explain it would not be opened in the restaurant and it was just decorative! The manager I’m assuming he had on a blue shirt different from the servers and hostess. Stood behind us the entire time watching until I decided it was time for me and my party to go, he took my husband card and said he would take care of the bill only for the server Micah to come back to our table to close us out! I don’t know maybe he thought we were going to walk out on the tab!

All I know is that this place will NEVER get me to be a customer or recommend anyone...

We visited seven southern states this past week, stopping at a highly reviewed/praised restaurant in each stop. Half shell was our favorite! We will be coordinating a vacation, in the future, to make SURE we can come by this gem of a restaurant at least one more time. My god the food was so good.

Quality of food: 10 of 10. I ordered a dozen local oysters and a dozen ‘Texan’ oysters, raw in a half shell. Wife ordered almond crusted chicken with chargrilled asparagus and creme brûlée from heaven. I mean, sweet potato creme brûlée. Food was prompt, served exactly as ordered and as promised by our server Wendelin! That creme brûlée was incredibly decadent and well balanced! Oysters were fresh and the almond crusted chicken was packed with flavor and perfectly cooked.

Value of price/quality/quantity: 9 of 10. Oysters were a bit pricey - but wow they were good. Only reason I don’t give a 10 here is because I ended up investing $38.50 for two dozen. But whaddya gonna do when you’re looking for super fresh? I also have no idea how this value compares with neighboring restaurants - but that’s not going to deter me from recommending Half Shell Oyster House above all other restaurants in a 50 mile radius.

Ambience: 10 of 10. We were seated up stairs and felt very ‘in the spot’. Every seat in this restaurant makes you feel like you’re at a head table. Clean, modern, yet classic in design — ideal for casual meet up or fancy rehearsal dinner. Also, I enjoyed that sports were on the television but that sound was muted. I could still pretend I was listening to my wife during dinner, while following what was going on with Patrick Mahomes’ concussion protocol.

Cleanliness: 11 of 10. This restaurant is immaculate! All the staff was well trained in presenting a Covid safe environment while making guests feel entirely comfortable.

Customer service: 11 of 10. Similar to other reviews, each staff deserves to be recognized by name. Wendelin was so patient with us and checked in on us frequently without making it seem like it was a chore. She was inviting, excited to serve us, and that really made our experience worth sharing with our loved ones. We can’t wait to ‘show off’ our discovery of Half Shell Oyster Bar with our family and friends when we get a chance to visit Biloxi again.

Overall: 10 of 10! Couldn’t have asked for an experience to deliver more in terms of everything we were hoping and expecting for our...

Food was great! However, my server Laurie S. left a lot to be desired.

Our server seemed somewhere else. Either that, or she decided since we were in super casual attire & not as dressed up as a lot of the other clientele, that we weren’t worth her time.

When she took our drink order, I asked if they had roscoto (it’s a sweet red). She said yes & then she delivered me a white wine. so I asked again. Oops, They don’t have it. She brought me out Moscato the only one they had. It wasn’t a big deal But she could’ve been friendly.

Also, my friend who I was dining with told her she wanted to order me a glass of wine and please put it on her bill. It came on my bill. Again, no big deal.

My classmate ordered clams as an appetizer. She absolutely raved about them!

I had the shrimp and grits. Very happy with my dinner! Would happily eat it again.

However, I ordered a salad as one of my sides with no cheese. I know she heard me because she asked me If the cheese in my shrimp and grits was OK. I explained that yes it was OK I just don’t care for cold cheese on my salad. Yet my salad came out with what appeared to be a shredded Colby cheese.

I couldn’t get my servers attention so when someone else Delivered our entrées, I was then able to ask for a new salad.

Our server did not come back until essentially our meal was through. My coworker did not care for her entrée, which was the peel and eat shrimp. The shrimp were not deveined, and it grossed her out. Our server was definitely abrupt and rude at that point, not even attempting to hide her distain.

She did come by & ask if we wanted dessert and we let her know we were ready for our checks & going to go have ice cream.

I’ve been known to go back for great service and okay food. I typically don’t go back for great food and meh service, Which is what I received tonight.

I’m on the fence on how I tipped her. I gave her 18%, Which is far more than she deserved.

I spent many years serving & bartending. My oldest daughter currently does, as well as countless friends and family. I know all too well how much people rely on their tips to live. Yeah, I wonder if I’m part of the problem for tipping her 18% when I probably should’ve given her a buck, no...