The Red Eyed Crab — Restaurant in Downe Township

About a month ago, I had the pleasure of dining at The Red Eyed Crab. I was sort of in the area. (nothing is really in this area!) But, this spot is really cool. Nice setting for a restaurant right on the creek, and very interesting and fun decor both indoors and out!

Our wait was long. I had called for reservations, but told they were booked for the rest of the night. I was encouraged to come and try first come, first serve. That part was a bit strange. They could at least start a wait list by phone or online. Yet, we took our chances and then spent the almost hour wait talking with other customers and looking around at the nautical knickknacks and memorabilia.

The food was the star anyhow! So, once we got in I have to say it was worth it. Something not advertised is that every meal came with a bowl of house salad. A lovely touch and a tasty starter. There was also a complimentary bread basket. We ordered a couple of apps that were very delicious! I loved the top neck clams served with butter. My daughter had shrimp parm, which she loved. I noted the shrimp were enormous! My husband had fried chicken, and he enjoyed it. Goes to show, they really have something for everyone and do everything they offer really well! My father had a steak and veggies. I went full seafood and wound up very happy! I really believe my dish was some of the best broiled seafood I have ever had! I had a shrimp and scallops combo that was just perfect! Everyone raved about the sides, which seemed summertime Jersey fresh & local. Great presentation of dinners, too. Just be aware of needing reservations and it is a BYOB.

• The only unpleasant note is that the ladies room was full of both living and dead flies. The room was filthy. I really wish this was not the case, but it is true. The sink and toilet looked like they hadn't been cleaned in a month and there was a really foul odor in the room. Here's hoping the kitchen is in a...

I really want to love this place but I've been disappointed on 3 occasions. Tried breakfast, lunch, & dinner. All fell short. Everything is under seasoned. Seafood dishes lack a good portion of seafood. For breakfast I ordered the Hangover, I asked for a substitution of a crab cake instead of lump crab. I was told it would be $5 more. I was good with it since I had tasted one of their crab cakes when one of my kids had ordered it before. Well, I didn't get a whole crabcake. I got 2 small patties which appeared to be about half the size of their normal crab cake if combined. Poached Eggs were a little over cooked but I think it was from being placed on hot crabcakes. My lunch item was an oyster po'boy. Flavor was good but the 3 small oysters were spaced out as seen in the picture I posted when I created the map link. I would have paid a dollar or two more to fill the roll. Flavor was good just lacked oysters. For dinner I had the seafood trio alfredo. It was way under-seasoned and needed more seafood. A couple more shrimp and more crab would help. Seafood was done right but needed more of it. I, as well as others, have posted reviews on their Facebook page that pointed out issues but have not seen any responses from the restaurant. I personally sent a fb message weeks ago but still haven't gotten a response. They don't seem to care about comments or questions on social media. Hopefully they get it together. This area is long-overdue for a nice...

We called on Saturday and was told that they aren’t taking any more reservations for the day but the gentleman on the phone said to come on over and they would squeeze us in. We drove 30 minutes only to be told they’re not allowing anyone to dine there, unless they made reservations. When we explained we were told to come anyway a man (who we didn’t get his name) but the girls said that’s not how it works and we would have to come back when they start allowing walk ins again 2 hours later. I understand you have policies, and those rules need to be followed to ensure diners get the best experience possible. But don’t waste peoples time. And maybe, if someone tells you they were told something by someone else who works there, maybe be willing to go talk to them. And little customer service in a customer service industry wouldn’t hurt. But it definitely hurt me and my family, including our elderly parents who drove an hour to our place, then a half hour to yours. If we would have been told from the start that they were too busy fine. But a waste of perfectly good night, is very angering. Thanks but no thanks. This is why we eat at chain restaurants I guess. It’s just easier and they’re friendlier. Red Lobster for the win,...