Captain Billy's Crab House — Restaurant in Maryland

I hate when I have to give a "less than" great review. This spot may be great for some, but for me it's a no. I'm not saying don't go, because everyone tastebuds aren't the same. My mother in law and I went to lunch to celebrate our birthdays and this is where she wanted to go. We both ordered the Waterman's platter that comes with 2 sides, 4 crab leg clusters, 6 whole crabs and a 1lb of shrimp for $100. That's an amazing price. However, the taste was lacking big time! Barely any seasoning, the shrimp stuck to the shell, the meat was hard to get out of the clusters, the spinach was chopped possibly frozen but decently seasoned, the applesauce tasted straight out of a can with chunks of apple-no cinnamon no nothing! Crabs tasted boiled or steamed in straight water- no beer, no seasoning-nothing. I guess thats why a lot of older people prefer this spot because it taste like nursing home food. The crab dip was more cheese than crab and the hushpuppies, I just didn't like. Comes with honey and butter in condiment packets...tiny packets. The melted butter for your crabs is not real butter-sent me straight to the bathroom it was so oily. I ended up eating 2 whole crabs and 1 cluster. Took the rest home to my husband who didn't complain until he got to work and text me: those crabs sucked...and them hushpuppies too. He didn't even touch the shrimp because he couldn't get the shell off. I know this is a well known spot and has been around for a long time, but yall need to change some things..like your cook(s) and the quality of seafood and/or how it's being prepared. Food plus 2 sodas came to $295 which included an automatically added handwritten gratuity of $49. First off, I don't recall being advised of that, secondly, I know how to add my own tip and last- you short yourself because I normally tip above. The added tip was about 22% for 2 people. Service was fast but I can't say it worthy of the higher end. She wasn't that friendly or accommodating. Nevertheless, I paid the bill without complaints. My mother in law may be back...

I had only visited Capt Billy's Crab House on one other occasion more than 10 years ago but had no real recollection of my experience but this time around I had a great experience.

I wanted to dine al fresco on the deck overlooking the Potomac but it was closed as it had been raining off and on that day.

The drink (I had one Captain Billy's Iced Tea since it was my birthday celebration) was excellent and was not lacking in spirits. The crab dip for a table appetizer was surprisingly good albeit a bit runny for my tastes but delicious with a decent portion of lump crab meat and ample seasoning. As good as the dip was, the bread was even better. So much so that even after the dip was finished we got another order of just the bread to enjoy on its own.

My entree was the fried seafood platter which came with fried shrimp, oysters, scallops, tilapia and crabcake & 2 sides. I chose a side salad (ranch dressing) and cole slaw. Both were good and I finished them.

The fried items were good with the exception of the tilapia which was fried a bit too hard for my liking and the crabcake which was also fried too hard for me. It was also more backfin as opposed to lump which I prefer but it wasn't bad just a little too hard on the outside. It seemed like an afterthought to me. I also ordered an additional fried platter to take home to my wife since the restaurant would be closing for the season after the next day's service (10/17/2021).

For dessert I ordered the Classic Smith Island Cake which while tasty was a very small portion for what they charge ($6).

Aside from the well done fish and crabcake and small slice of cake I had a good experience and will definitely take my family there when they reopen next year. I give it a...

I have never been disrespected or humiliated like this ever in my entire life. i drove a hour here from DC. When first meeting the waitress she seemed irritated and in a rush. The place is riddled with nets and flies so i asked to be moved and she responded there was flies everywhere moving wouldn't make a difference. I did eventually move and she told me good luck. Near the end of our meal the nasty waitress told me in front of my date that i look like precious. Now i am at least 200 pounds lighter and couple of shades lighter i am a brown skin women however i look nothing like that women. This WHITE waitress continued to tell me how beautiful precious is after i explained to her that i was offended. i even asked another black couple who happened to be regulars do they understand why i am offended and they agreed and they where calling this women by her first name they where all familiar with each other. I then told the women she looked like precious and she laughed and said no. at that point i knew she knew it wasn't a compliment. After speaking to the manager who clearly didnt understand at first until i showed her a picture and at that moment she understood why this was offensive. she did apologize and offered a 6 dollar discount on a 65$ bill. I have never been so embarrassed in my life im glad i was not with a group of people. There is absolutely no excuse for this if she thought i was beautiful then thats what she should have said. I will advise that NO BLACK PERSON EATS HERE. and i will be posting this everywhere and updating it continuously. This kind of underhanded backdoor racism will not be tolerated it 2019 we have voices and i...