Tracy's King Crab Shack 2 -CLOSED FOR SEASON — Restaurant in Juneau

Eating King Crab at Tracy's King Crab Shack 2 was a life changing experience.

First time in Juneau and like so many visitors, we came off the cruise ships looking for that very special meal that makes our visit to Alaska worth it.

Just a stroll from the main cruise ship dock running along Whittier Road, and past the Coast Guard Building, is Tracy’s King Crab - Shack 2. The dirt parking lot and rustic crab shacks gives this location an off the beaten path feel. Like the shrimp trunks in the North Shore of Oahu, this location is grounded in the food and supported by a beautiful backdrop. Ours surroundings are the towering mountains of Juneau touching the edge of the sea. Tracy’s lets you know you have found the right place to be.

Our large family got caught up in a very powerful gusty rainstorm. Soaked, wet and hungry, our family of picky eaters were ready to be nourished with an Alaskan King Crab experience. We all ordered the #1 Crab shop combo which not only included 1 pound of crab but a nice hot bowl of crab bisque and mini crab cakes.

The big question, which crab to choose, “Red or Golden?” “Red’s better”, said the friendly woman who took our order.

Come to find out, most restaurants have Golden which is the smaller species, so we went all in on the Red Alaskan. She asked us our names and where we lived to help identify our individual orders. When our orders were up, you could hear our names being called and all the cities from which we came- Hilo, Denver, Los Angeles. One thing’s for sure, we were all in one place, Tracy’s Shack 2 ready to taste some freshly steamed Red King Crab in Juneau.

Our 1 pound of Red King Crab was delivered to us in a roll of butcher paper. I unwrapped it like it was Christmas time, and there in front of me were the largest crab legs I have ever seen. The merus section, made up of the meaty top portion of the legs and shoulders, just slipped out of the shell upon lightly cracking it with the provided crab saw tool. Piping hot and steaming, the meat screamed of natural flavor. I just savored each moist bite, no sauce or butter needed.

Our family commented that we are so used to digging around with a fork to get the crab meat still stuck to the shell. Not Tracy’s, the whole piece of meat slipped out of the shell, it was a revelation.

Many restaurants serve crab overly salted but not at Tracy’s, as Chef Nate pointed out, “I cook it as God intended. I don’t mess with the recipe.” I did try a portion of my last leg with the butter sauce, and it was even more rich and sweet, but truthfully, for my taste, the inherent flavor was all that was needed. I’m with Chef Nate on that one. I was in King Crab heaven.

On the menu at Tracy’s were also outstanding items. One of our family favorites was the King Crab Bisque over rice. That was Juneau comfort food, warming us up from our recent Alaskan flash storm like a nurturing blanket.

And for those who love an excellent Crab Cake Roll sandwich, Tracy’s is quite unique with mini crab cakes at the bottom of the roll, topped with fresh crab meat and a light coleslaw that can be enhanced with their spicy red sauce. This crab cake roll tops any crab sandwich I have ever had in the lower 48.

At the end of our meal, I said, “Are you the manager here?” He looked at me bracing to hear a harsh complaint about my meal, but I extended out my hand to shake his and said, “Eating your King Crab today was a life changing experience!” Manager Jeremy thanked us for coming and walked me over to meet Chef Nate and the guys steaming the crabs.

When you have a hungry family and all you hear is the cracking of crab shells and enthusiastic nods and one word reactions like, “wow,” over and over, then you know this meal is one for the books.

Eating Red King Crabs are an absolutely, life changing experience.

Thank you Chef Nate and Manager Jeremy and the entire restaurant crew! Our meal at Tracy’s Shack 2 was our best of our Alaska trip and we’ll be talking story about Tracy’s until we all return for another crab eating life...

The biggest highlight of my Alaskan cruise was in Juneau as we visited Tracy's Crab Shack 2! At $70 per pound, we ordered the ALASKAN GOLDEN KING CRAB since it's described to have a mild rich flavor, is locally caught, and has limited supply. This was definitely the right pick since the seafood was so fresh. It also comes with a butter dip - it was neat to taste the different flavors that are brought out with and without the butter. The garlic roll on the side was also nice and fluffy. Fun fact: to make the crab legs easier to eat, they give you tools as an aid.

I highly recommend skipping the long line up at Tracy's King Crab Shack 1 which is the location closer to the port and gets some steps in, to visit their second location. No lines. Beautiful views. So worth the walk!

The staff were friendly. Not much service as per the nature of the venue which isn't a traditional restaurant-style but rather truly a "Shack". One of the crew members did come to check up on us once to ask if we needed anything. When you enter the area, you order at the booth per pound, giving them your name and where you're from. While you sit to wait, they call out "[your name] from [place]!" and bring the food to you. You are more than welcome to help yourself to iced water which they keep fully stocked up and cold near the seating area. There are metal picnic tables or bar stool type seats -...

The King Crab at this restaurant was simply excellent, delivering a flavor and freshness that is hard to rival. Each bite was succulent and rich, showcasing the natural sweetness of the crab meat, perfectly cooked and expertly seasoned. It was clear that the restaurant takes pride in sourcing high-quality seafood, making this dish a true highlight of the menu.

The service was equally commendable, with a team of attentive staff who ensured that every aspect of the dining experience was enjoyable. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and quick to assist with any questions or requests, creating a welcoming atmosphere that made the meal even more enjoyable.

Although there was a long line, it moved surprisingly fast, which is a testament to the restaurant's efficiency. The anticipation only added to the excitement of what was to come, and it was well worth the wait.

This experience should definitely be a part of your Juneau itinerary. If you're looking for a memorable meal, this is the place to be. I wholeheartedly recommend that anyone visiting the area make it a point to eat here; the combination of outstanding King Crab and excellent service makes it a must-try...