Angry Crab Shack — Restaurant in Phoenix

I've never done a negative review before this. My family and I decided to meet up at Angry Crab on Happy Valley Rd. I knew they didnt take reservations but called ahead , as a courtesy, to let them know we were a group of 8, and would be there at 2:30. The person on the phone said they only had two tables that could accomodate a group that size. She told us they had just seated two groups and since 2:30 was 45 minutes away we should not have too long of a wait. We arrived at 2:20 and the hostess took our temperatures ( Covid) and explained we would have to wait outside on the patio. It was 105 degrees outside. We said OK, and ordered some beverages to drink while we waited. I was told I would be texted as soon as our table was ready. We waited, outside, half an hour later we got a text that asked if we'd be willing to split up the group ,even though we checked in and were added to the list when we arrived. We talked to the server and he told us they sat down another large party, that arrived after us, by mistake. The manager did not have the courtesy to come and talk to us. We asked how long it would be , the server went inside to check, came back and said "about half an hour". Once again, Indifferent, no apology, and no manager interaction. We decided to leave at that point. We went across the street to Buffalo Wild Wings, were seated promptly and enjoyed the service as well as great food. My wife had never been to Angry crab, one of my Sons was really looking forward to it, Ive been there a few times. People make mistakes all the time, so what ? they set people down before us that arrived after us, things happen. It was the apathetic, so what, attitude of the staff and management that put a damper on an otherwise fine day. Imagine expecting us to wait outside in 105 degree heat for an hour just to eat overpriced and mediocre seafood. We went because it is an experience, not because it is a culinary delight. We did have an experience. A very...

Solidly, okay. Disappointment stemmed from the food and facilities, particularly for the price. 6.5/10 overall.

Food: 5/10. Just okay. The shrimp felt overcooked, the king crab felt old or maybe just not fresh. It would not have been so frustrating if it hadn't cost $125 for the boil for two (before tax/tip). It didn't quite feel worth the price, and I felt a bit let down. The spice levels are also overstated-- the hot felt like black pepper. The spices themselves were pretty bland as well, very disappointing because we even selected the trifecta (cajun, lemon pepper, garlic). Either there just wasn't enough seasoning, or else they just call Old Bay cajun. Drinks were very nice, however-- I had both a sweet peach lemonade and a western son mojito, and regretted neither.

Service: 10/10. Service was good, at least-- our server recommended and brought us sauce at a different level of spice on the side when we were dithering and couldn't decide. Pretty attentive, no complaints about service.

Facilities: 6/10. Bathroom was a tiny bit scary. It smelled clean, but you'll see there are some dubious spots, including a hole in the ceiling, perhaps where a fan used to be? The paper towels are awkwardly located outside the bathrooms, between the men's and women's. Weird, as that means you have to touch the door handle without a paper towel coming out.

Atmosphere: 7/10. Feels family friendly, a lot of TVs all around, mostly playing sports. We got there not long after opening on a Sunday (around 11am), and the crowds were sparse. People apparently doodle on the walls-- kind of charming in a backcountry kind of way, but it does make me wonder how often they clean the walls.

Overall: I felt slightly disappointed, but also embarrassed because this was my selection, and I invited my best friend because it was her birthday. It really bummed me out that this was...

I want start off by saying that I love the Angry Crab. This location is an absolute joke. I have been to all the valley locations and never had an issue, ever. The seating took a while but that's whatever, it just means they're a busy place. We got in and placed our order within about 5-8 minutes, we sat there for 35 minutes before getting a refill on our waters while the other tables got constant attention, I'm thinking it was just because it was just water. That was about the time our hush puppy appetizer finally showed up. About 10 minutes later my wife's food came out and we sat there waiting for mine. A few minutes later the waitress said "oh, you shouldn't wait. The food comes out as prepared, it might get cold." Other Angry Crab locations don't delay the orders at all. So we sat there with the food getting cold and my Alaskan Cod finally came out. I look down and it was literally 2 nuggets of fish, about maybe the equivalent of 1 full piece of fish. At this point I had to speak to a manager. The manager came out, he was a nice guy and was very apologetic and offered some more fish, which was very gracious. We were explained that literally that day they were told to change the recipe and the portion sizes, but yet didn't change the price. Other locations give you so much food that even a big guy like myself takes a box home. We were explained that it was franchised (aka cheap and will cut any corner they can). This place has been open for like 2 months and it's already driving away customers. When discussing the food from other locations the workers (manager as well) had no clue what we were talking about, they both admitted that they had never been to the Angry Crab before working there, and even tried to convince me that it used to be cornmeal battered, which no location does and it would dry out the fish. So overall, not a...