Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant — Restaurant in Columbia

A small mistake by one server that could have turned out very positively unfortunately turned into an ordeal.

We ordered the catfish basket and the shrimp basket. We were given a number and took a seat. We displayed the number on the table and our server brought us out a basket that looked to have different items in it than we ordered. We asked if this was a combination of the two baskets because we had ordered the shrimp basket and the catfish basket but this has both in it plus a piece of sausage and something else.

It was our first time there and we had made mention of that so we thought maybe they had added the sausage or something for us to try. She assured us the shrimp basket was on its way out so we tried the catfish.

Next our same waitress came out with both baskets, explained there was an error that the other basket was on a different order but for us to go ahead and keep it and enjoy.

Soon, a different server came out with several receipts in her hand and asked what we had ordered. Then asked why we had three baskets. When we tried to explain it she then asked if we paid for the extra basket at which point a third person came out and told her it was ok that it was a mistake. She still tried to insist we pay but the other girl took her away.

After we were close to finishing, the rude server came back and asked if we needed anything else. We said no,but thank you. She then said "I hope you enjoyed your free basket, your server will be paying for it" and she walked off.

We were floored. Didn't know what to say.... In fact, we were down right offended that a mistake by the establishment created such an uncomfortable situation for everyone. Also, the food wasn't that good. The catfish was dry, the shrimp was over cooked, but the hush puppies were amazing and so was the sausage we didn't order.

I cannot express how much this situation upset us and wanted to let everyone know why we will not be back.

Edit: We understand that mistakes happen and that the employee that was rude was young. We also feel that forcing an employee to pay for a mistake such as that is not cool at all which is why we gave her the $20 when we left. If that employee did not have to pay for the mistaken meal then the other girl blatantly lied to us which means not only is she "young" but spiteful and the tone she took suggests this. If she did have to pay for that mistaken meal then the company is practicing horrible business practices and we do not want to do business with them anymore.

The fact that the girl came back to our table in an attempt to make us feel bad for a mistake by the staff is just not cool in the least. She was snide, rude, and the whole situation could have been handled ANY OTHER WAY and it would have been...

I have eaten carry out from here many times now. I usually always get the Cajun steamer w/snow crab or the lobster and shrimp, both are great. Good southern spice with just enough kick ( mild ), fresh taste, always hot. Garlic butter can be a bit heavy on garlic side for me, so I always opt for plain butter, plus one extra ( l like butter ). Sides are a bit shy and limited, so I always order extra.

I have also had the seafood lover w/ king crab. I feel the lobster and shrimp may be the better deal of the steamers for the money as the snow and king crab tends to be on the smaller side and requires much more work vs reward for the money. I have not tried the Dungeness crab option yet.

I personally would like to see and kind of expected to see whole blue crab as a steamer option, it is great and I consider it a true southern crab. Over all the prices are fair, food is good, excellent fast service and I will continue to be a returning customer.

Just a personal tip, if your doing a take out steamer and you will not be eating your meal right away, consider asking for a slightly shorter cook time as the shellfish will continue cooking in its shell and may be slightly over cooked when you get to it. Personally I commute 30 miles before I get home and have found my crab to be over cooked, this is no way the restaurants fault. I simply ask for a slightly shorter cook time, and it is no longer a problem.

I would also like to add my thoughts on "fresh" crab. As I am lead to believe all snow, king and im assuming Dungeness crab that is sold in the lower states is pre cooked before shipping. Blue crab and lobster can be fresh as they can be caught from the gulf and Atlantic, and they do sell live lobster and blue crab in there market, though I must admit I have not visited the market since their open, but intend to. I just wonder if they use live "fresh" lobster for there steamers and why no blue crab, fried soft shell excluded? Either fresh or from frozen, its still the best southern and fast seafood in Columbia, Mo...

I’m so very angry right now. Mainly because I have to write a negative review about a restaurant that I have rather enjoyed for several years now. However I will not be returning after my experience today. My husband put in an online order through DoorDash (it’s easier for him to do it this way so he doesn’t mess up the order). We have never, until today, had a problem picking up an online order by simply walking in telling them our name and that I’m there to pick up our order and my husband’s name. However today one of the employees decided to make it difficult and embarrassing to retrieve my order. He loudly tried to accuse me of trying to steal the order. After trying to explain to him that I did not work for DoorDash so I was not given a confirmation number. He pulled my food back from me and told me I need to call and ask for a confirmation number, even after calling and having my husband confirm that we were not given a confirmation number. In fact the DoorDash app says to just share the information I had already given him; the name, the order and that I’m picking up the food. He continued to insinuate that I was trying to steal the food even though my husband was on the phone trying to confirm the food order as well. he refused to speak to him and walked to the back. He embarrassed me in front of the entire restaurant and he ruined an experience I rather loved to treat myself to quite often. It took me simply explaining to another employee what was going for her to simply say “oh I’m sorry I don’t know what he did that” and hand me my food. I’m so upset. I feel profiled (I’m a black women) , embarrassed and harassed. I’m more disappointed than anything because out of principle that they never see another...