Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar — Restaurant in Frederick

We were enticed by the great reviews and gave this place a shot...however, we ill-informed that this establishment turns into full on college bar scene at 930pm. Eff this place! So, here's the story: walked in at 830pm on 08/31/2019 (a Saturday nite). Started off by ordering drinks, entrees, & 2 dozen oysters for an appetizer. Our drinks came out promptly, however, the oysters and food did not. The patrons around us are becoming louder, the crowd size is growing, and the average age is dropping as the inebriation level is proportionally rising. 45 minutes later and, after watching others who came in after us receive their meals, did we complain. Literally walked to the back and into the kitchen in order to find the server, who seemed to be hiding out, to make our complaint known. Our meals & oysters finally show up about 930pm, just was we are told by the now bouncer on the scene that the "restaurant" is about to turn into a dance club full of drunken jerks who are barely 21 and the table we're at is going to be used as the DJ booth. So, now we have to move, with our food, as the lights are dimming and it is getting more and more difficult to even move as patrons are shoulder to shoulder. At this point, we became very vocal; had to, as it was now louder than a NASCAR race at this point. Manager comes over and takes about 45% of the check off our tab due to our food being cold, and the fact that it took them an hour to shuck 24 oysters. So, we're like, ok, thats something, thanks, please bring us boxes and the check so we can just get the hell out of this place. 30 minutes later, its now 10pm we're still waiting. The music is so loud my eardrums are screaming...So, we walk into the kitchen again to find someone, anyone to settle our bill as we were pretty much mere moments away from just skipping out on the bill. Bottom line, this experience sucked. Be a bar or be a restaurant but don't be both, or if you can't make up your mind, at least tell your patrons walking through the door at 830pm on a Saturday that in an hour, this place turns into a disgusting frat house and don't expect your food to come out anytime soon or warm, let alone 24 oysters that should have taken 5 minutes to shuck and present. What a joke. I truly hope this review saves someone else from making the same mistake! VERY...

🦪The Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar in Frederick, Maryland, is an absolute gem! Situated in a fantastic 1800s era building, the architecture is stunning with exposed red brick and wooden beams. The restaurant offers two distinct spaces and outdoor patio seating on both sides.

The first room is spacious, featuring a beautiful wooden bar, booths, and tables. The other side has another custom nostalgic bar and additional tables, with a patio off that side as well. Just like the other locations in this restaurant group, they pride themselves on scratch-made food, mostly made in-house and to order, with top-quality ingredients.

I was in town for a few days and ate here more than once. On my first visit, I had the Griff, a house-made jumbo crab cake sandwich, which was absolutely phenomenal. Today, I started with the crab balls as an appetizer and followed with the Gregga, their renowned lobster roll, accompanied by fries and a side of slaw. The lobster was fresh and abundant, seasoned with a slight kick, and stuffed into a perfectly buttered top-split roll. The crab balls also had a delightful spicy kick and were simply delightful.

Both sides of the restaurant boast a full bar, and they offer a wonderful oyster selection along with daily specials. If you're ever in Frederick, Maryland, this place is a must-visit for an incredible seafood experience!

#RestaurantReview #ShuckinShack #FrederickMD #SeafoodLovers #LobsterRoll #CrabCake #ScratchKitchen #HistoricCharm #LocalEats #OysterSelection...

Two stars reflect quality adjusted for pricing; food quality is 3 stars.

SUMMARY Think of this restaurant as a casual bar with some seafood attached and you’ll get a good idea of the vibe. Food quality varied from very good to forgettable. Overall, there’s better seafood to be had elsewhere. Overpriced for the food and service quality (a good-sized lunch for 2 was $80 before tax and tip; $100 after tax and tip.)

Details:

The best item we tasted were the raw oysters of the day from Chincoteague Island, MD. Nice and briny. Unfortunately, they were gritty: more careful cleaning would have been apt. Extra points for the very good horseradish served on the side.

The seafood sampler platters at $26.99 per person are good (not outstanding), but overpriced for what they are. Note that they do not come with sides (menu is somewhat unclear about which items come with sides, so ask.) Steamed shrimp was very good, steamed clams and mussels good enough, steamed oysters forgettable. There is better seafood to be had elsewhere at better prices.

If you order sides, corn on the cob is very good, coleslaw good and fries average/forgettable.

A minus for the lack of a bowl for shells. Ask for an extra plate. Another minus for the small carry out cups: the lids do not fit properly on the cups.

Service is no frills, as...