Shaking seafood — Restaurant in Salem

I took my boyfriend out for his birthday dinner on May 27, 2023. When we first pulled up and saw the building, I was skeptical about how the food was going to be only because it looked (on the outside, like a small pizzeria). We walked inside and were pleasantly surprised at the interior. There were a bunch of tvs at the bar area, the place was clean and well lit. We were seated at a booth, and our waiter came over, we ordered a couple of beers while we looked at the menu. Our waiter was unfamiliar with the food because he said that he didn't eat seafood. That was a little disappointing only because I like to get the opinion of the staff as to what their favorite dish would be. I got the boil with King Crab and Black Mussels, and he got the boil with the king crab, clams, and headless shrimp (which they do not peel BTW we found out the hard way lol). When the dinners came out I was so surprised to see how many mussels came in the boil and just how big they were (I ordered a 1/2 lb of mussels but it seemed like a lot more). We both got the special seasoning, which is a combination of all of them, and we each got the medium heat. It was perfect. Everything was amazing. The crab meat was sweet and tender, and the black mussels were out of this world. The clams were very small, the shrimp wasn't peeled but had great flavor, and the potatoes and corn were mouth watering. The price was pretty steep, it was $55 for a pound of king crab (3 HUGE legs), we had each ordered a pound, the mussels weren't too pricey and neither were the clams or shrimp. We will be back to possibly try the all you can eat buffet...

So went as a "group". (MIL BD). The place was NOT crowded.

There were (after some confusion) 2 waitresses, one on training.

It seemed that the only other 3 tables seated were also our seasoned waitresses tables, although there were other servers in the restaurant.

OK, past that. Our entire party has arrived and food orders start to be taken. The trainee literally got to our end of the table and told us she had to go put the first half in and would come back for ours .....

So now the food starts to arrive and the seasoned waitress starts yelling at us about what is in the seafood plate/bags. We hadn't even held them in our hands yet, how would we know?

Also, admist this, she is throwing things onto the table, taken items out of our hands as we are holding them, and randomly moving the plates of food around in front of the party with out waiting for a reply as to whether or not it was correct.

Added to, as orders were taken, some ordered chicken. Sauces were asked about, and chosen. Ranch specifically.

Expecting ranch, we received 3 small dishes of tartar sauce.

We inquired about the ranch, got an apologie, and away she went.

Looking up, she is seen at the head of the other side of the table, just hanging out.

After a few glances to catch the eye and raise a small dish, she brought the ranch.

The food was OK. I did not partake of the seafood, but no one took home food, so I assume it was enjoyed.

Unfortunetly, no matter how ok/good the food was, service means alot, and there just...

I didn’t expect to be so impressed by a seafood spot that’s not exactly near an ocean, but wow, Shaking Seafood knocked it out of the park! Normally, we stick to Capt Loui’s, but after hearing rave reviews from friends, we decided to give this place a try—and I’m so glad we did.

First off, parking is a breeze with their free lot right off the main road. No endless circling for a spot—just park and go. Walking inside, the atmosphere is vibrant and fun. There’s a long bar, plenty of TVs for sports fans, and a lively vibe that makes it feel like a perfect hangout spot for friends and family alike.

The menu offers something for everyone—whether you’re in the mood for a classic fried seafood basket, a flavorful Cajun boil, or even something non-seafood like a cheesesteak. We ordered the Cajun boil, and while the sauce was a little less flavorful than other places I’ve been to, it was still delicious and hit the spot. The fried scallops, though? Amazing. They were so juicy and tender. And those fries? Crispy and golden perfection.

The service was another highlight—our waiter was so friendly and efficient, making sure we had everything we needed without even asking.

All in all, Shaking Seafood exceeded my expectations and I will certainly to go back. Next time, I’ll definitely turn up the spice on the Cajun boil to see how it compares. If you’re in the area and craving seafood,...