Claw Shack — Restaurant in San Jose

On a Sunday evening, my family and I came to Claw Shack and unfortunately had a very unpleasant experience with one particular waiter (photo attached). I’ve been coming here since my college years, and I've always enjoyed this restaurant because the staff has usually been kind and professional. Sadly, this time was different.

While we were waiting on the bench inside for our table (as instructed by another staff member who said it would be less than 5 minutes), a waiter wearing a black hat and dirty shoes suddenly came up and told us to wait outside. He wasn’t our server or the manager, yet he insisted twice that we leave the restaurant and stand outside in the heat. This was upsetting, especially for our 2-year-old daughter, who had been happy walking in but ended up crying and frustrated once we were told to wait outdoors.

What made it worse is that instead of helping his coworker clean up the table or even checking with them, this waiter stood in front of us and repeatedly told us to go outside. It felt unnecessary and rude, and it completely ruined our dine-in experience.

I’ve been dining in Claw Shack since my college years with friends and family, and I’ve never encountered behavior like this from any staff member here. It was disappointing and unprofessional, and I truly hope management addresses this so that other families don’t have the...

It’s just a little place casual.

I’ve eaten here twice, the first time was really good, but my friend ordered and I couldn’t remember which sauce but I think medium spicy shambalaya. At that time we had shrimp and clam 1lb each with add on combo corn potato and sausage. 4.5-5 stars.

This last time was a week ago. This time certain parts were not as delicious, while others were.

We ordered shrimp 1lb, 1lb crawfish with house sauce mild(since one friend can’t eat spicy…be careful even mild has a little kick) with corn. I don’t think the shrimp was simmered in the sauce like the first time, it tasted more like they cooked shrimp in water then threw it in sauce…so the flavor was more watered down. Then I was disappointed because we had ordered extra corn to be added to shrimp, but they forgot and so they brought it separately.the “outside” corn tasted terrible . It’s just the cheap frozen highly processed kind and tasted worse without immersion in the sauce. I was disappointed in corn and the way my meal was cooked this time. 3.5 stars. Though sauce did taste very good

The wings in garlic sauce was 4 stars and French fries were 5 stars!! Really the best….

The garlic noodle was simple and also delish 4.5 stars

We also had lobster tail in garlic sauce with French bread and that was 4,5 stars!

I smelled like garlic...

Very impressed with this place. We came in on a Saturday night, and I was half expecting a two hour wait like some other places that I won't mention. To my surprise we were seated right away.

Now I'm not the greatest reviewer so I'll get to the point - the staff was courteous and quick, and the food was awesome. Their shrimp seemed huge compared to their competition. And I love the fact that you can purchase shrimp with the heads already off (for slightly more $$; but I'm lazy so that's a big plus). Also, the staff asks if you need gloves. GLOVES. I know some traditionalists cringe at the thought of using gloves, but that is huge if you don't want to use steel wool scrubbing your hands afterwards trying to get the garlic smell off. Plus like I said earlier, I'm a little lazy so that was perfect for me.

I also had the sausage, corn, and steamed rice which were all tasty, but I gotta give a special shout out to the clam chowder. I don't profess to be a chowder connoisseur, but that was the best damn chowder I've tasted so far. I shared a bowl with my fiancé and we practically ended up having a spoon battle over the last remaining bits. Definitely ordering two next time.

All in all, I will make it a point to come back to this place. I just hope it holds up to my...