Angry Crab Shack — Restaurant in Peoria

So, I went to the restaurant located at 75ave and Cactus. I have been here many times and have always received great food and service. On this particular occasion, the atmosphere was great, and for the most part, the food was good. I went with my son as he had bever been to an Angry Crab Shack before. We started odd with an appetizer of the fried calamari, which was great. The calamari was perfectly fried and was nice and crispy on the outside and soft and not rubbery at all on the inside. We were both hungary, so we ordered the boil for two with an extra pound of head off shrimp. Our server was polite and professional and answered all of our questions, even with a little bit of much appreciated humor. Our appetizer came out reasonably quick, and as stated above, it was great. After we received our appetizer is where things started to go slightly south. I say slightly south because our server was still great, but it took quite a while for our boil to make it to the table and just about everything after that took forever to get. We asked for drink refills and had to ask a second time to finally get them, and we had asked for extra sauce for our calamari, which we finally got after a second reminder. We were sitting there watching while we were eating, and the restaurant had not gotten any busier. He was bringing asked for items to other tables around us. We had not been rude, and none of our humor or demeanor had changed, but for some reason, it seemed like he had just forgotten about anything we asked for or something. The other thing that was an issue was that as we were eating the shrimp, we noticed that some of them were very good and fresh, but a large portion of them were like they were leftovers from the first batch if the day they boiled, they were soft and soggy and mushy and just not very good. Fortunately, this became more obvious towards the end of the meal. I brought the soggy shrimp to our servers attention and told him that we had had an issue with the shrimp through the entire boil. We whowed him a bunch of the shrimp left in the bottom of the bag and how nasty they even looked. Our server said that he would look into it and we ordered ordered some desert. After waiting quite a while for our desert, we ate it and asked again about the shrimp. The server said he would look into it and brought our check. I paid the check and reminded him that we had never heard about the shrimp. We waited for about 10 minutes and just left because we had other plans. The mushy shrimp did some damage to our meal, but the rest of the meal was well cooked and very good. I just had a hugh problem with paying $140.00 just for the boil and extra shrimp to have well over half of the shrimp be nasty. I paid the bill and even tipped fairly well because, for the most part, the meal and service were pretty good. The couple of items we had to ask for a couple of times and waiting definitely took a negative spin to out meal, but ubwas with my son, and for the most part, things were pretty good. But, as stated, it was very frustrating to pay as much as we did to have mostly terrible shrimp...

Oh, dear reader, I must regale you with the tale of my recent dining escapade at The Angry Crab, where whimsy and absurdity danced together like a joyous waltz! This night was filled with mirth, laughter, and the unforgettable presence of our nefarious server and bartender, the one and only Sir Keenan.

As I stepped into The Angry Crab, the atmosphere enveloped me in its playful embrace. The walls were adorned with menacing paintings of ceremonial dancing crustaceans and aged wood that had been colorfully tagged with the names of, what I assume are the local ruffians. It was like entering a fantastical underwater gangland, where the laws of gravity and vandalism were delightfully suspended.

Ah, Keenan, the maestro of merriment! With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he greeted us with a twirl and a curtsy. Clad in a lobster-shaped hat, eyepatch, and a plastic hook for a left hand, he effortlessly blended in with the enchanting ambiance of the restaurant. His infectious cackle filled the air, setting the tone for an evening of messy absurdity.

Now, dear reader, let me regale you with the culinary wonders that awaited me. The menu, crafted with a touch of sophistication and a dash of madness, offered dishes that defied the boundaries of conventional cuisine. From the "Crabby Cravings" to the "Lobster Lunacy," each item beckoned with promises of gluttonous devilry.

I decided to embark on a gastronomic journey and cautiously ordered the “Crabby Appendages of Snow”.

As Sir Keenan placed the dish in front of me, he exclaimed, "Prepare yourself for a taste explosion that will transport you to the moon!” Then, as he exited stage right, he actually moonwalked, did another twirl, and vocally exploded with a “Hee! Hee!”

And oh, what a fantastical explosion it was! In every sense of the word. The crabby appendage limbs were a delightful blend of flavors, with each bite sending my taste buds on a Space Mountain-esque rollercoaster of joy. I couldn't help but giggle out loud with delight as I savored each mouth morsel.

Throughout the evening, Keenan regaled me with ancient tales of antagonist crab pirates, lobster races, and the secret lives of oyster spies. His storytelling skills were as remarkable as his mixology prowess. He told us about a few of their famous cocktail concoctions, with names like "The Squid's Ink Surprise" and "The Tipsy Tentacle," although they were out of most of the ingredients to make them. They tasted delicious to my ear. And I think that’s good enough.

As the evening drew to a close, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. The danger, the laughter, and the absurdity had cast a spell on me, and I didn't want it to end. But alas, all good things must come, as they say, and so did my adventure at The Angry Crab.

If you seek a dining experience that defies the ordinary, where cackles of laughter swirl in the air like confetti, and where Sir Keenan, the Master of Crabs, guides you through a culinary Wonderland, then The Angry Crab is the place for you. Embrace the absurdity, dear reader. Embrace it with both arms so tightly that it too,...

Title: Inconsistent Flavors and Questionable Freshness, but Worth a Visit

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

I have frequented Angry Crab on multiple occasions, and my experiences have been a bit of a mixed bag. While there are certainly some positives to highlight, I cannot overlook the inconsistent flavors and concerns regarding freshness that I have encountered during my visits.

Let's start with the positives. Angry Crab has a lively and energetic atmosphere that sets the stage for a fun dining experience. The staff members have always been friendly and attentive, ensuring that our needs were met throughout our time there. The concept of a crab-centric menu is intriguing and allows for a unique seafood adventure.

However, I must address the issue of inconsistent flavors that I have noticed during my visits. On some occasions, the flavors have been spot-on, providing a delightful explosion of tastes. However, on other visits, certain dishes lacked the same level of consistency. It felt as if the kitchen struggled to maintain a uniform flavor profile, resulting in a hit-or-miss culinary experience. This inconsistency in flavors has left me wanting more and prevented me from fully enjoying the diverse range of offerings Angry Crab has.

Furthermore, I must express my concerns about the freshness of the crab and crawfish. While I understand that crawfish are often out of season and may be sourced frozen, I expected a higher level of quality and freshness, regardless of the circumstances. Unfortunately, the crab and crawfish dishes I have tried were not up to par. The crab meat seemed lackluster and lacked the succulence and sweetness I had hoped for. The crawfish, despite being frozen, should still have maintained a reasonable quality, but they fell short of expectations. This lack of freshness in the seafood was disappointing and left me questioning the overall quality of the ingredients.

Despite these shortcomings, I still believe Angry Crab is worth a visit, especially if you're seeking a lively atmosphere and a unique seafood experience. While the flavors may not always hit the mark and the freshness of the crab and crawfish may be lacking, there are still enjoyable aspects to be found. However, I would advise tempering your expectations and being prepared for potential inconsistencies.

In conclusion, my experiences at Angry Crab have been a mixed bag. Although the vibrant ambiance and attentive staff create a pleasant dining environment, the inconsistent flavors and lack of freshness in the crab and crawfish are valid concerns. If you decide to give it a try, approach it with an open mind, but be aware that your...