Ford's Fish Shack Chantilly — Restaurant in South Riding

Fresh Seafood, Friendly Service & Breezy Nautical Vibes

Ford’s Fish Shack in Chantilly is an absolute gem! My husband and I came here for a brunch date, and everything from the food to the ambiance was exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm, friendly service and seated quickly. The new layout of the restaurant is beautiful—bright, open, and airy with a charming nautical theme that instantly makes you feel like you’re enjoying a seaside meal. The windows that open up to let in the breeze added the perfect touch, giving the entire space the relaxing vibe of dining on a boat or coastal deck.

We were lucky to have Carlos as our server—he was knowledgeable, friendly, and made our experience even better. He told us about at least five specials they were offering that day and helped us decide what to try. His recommendations were spot-on, and his warm personality made us feel right at home.

We started with delicious mimosas and a few appetizers that blew us away—oyster's, rocket shrimp and calamari, both seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection. The corn muffins were warm, slightly sweet, and just the right texture—an underrated highlight. For our mains, we indulged in crab legs, crab cakes, and a classic plate of fish and chips. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. We wrapped it all up with a Strawberry Shortcake that was the perfect sweet finish to an unforgettable meal.

This spot has the kind of vibe that makes you want to linger a little longer, and I truly can’t wait to come back. Whether it’s for another date, a celebration, or just a casual seafood craving, Ford’s in Chantilly is officially on our favorites list....

Ford's Fish Shack Chantilly 25411 Eastern Marketplace Plaza Ste 100, Chantilly, VA 20152 Date: Friday June 6, 2025 Time: 5:30 PM

This review reflects a personal experience as a consumer and Chef.

Overall Impression:

The new spot's open! It's pretty cool. Packed when I got there, but the folks were friendly. You probably need to book a table on weekends, which seems smart. Thinking they might add a patio for the summer, which would be awesome.

Highlights: Welcome & Management: 10/10 Waiter: 10/10 (Excellent guest service)

Fried Calamari: 10/10 (very crispy and I've had it in many places, definitely the best)

House Burger: 10/10 (cooked to perfection, very juicy, the fries very good)

Oyster & Shrimp Jambalaya 10/10 Andouille Sausage, Penne Pasta, Creole Sauce Topped with Gulf Shrimp and Fried Oysters

Atmosphere & Service: Busy spot, but the service was still great. We were seated right away, and everyone was super attentive. The place was spotless too. Plus, the manager was really involved, checking on tables and making sure everyone was happy. All in all, a solid experience.

Final Thoughts:

Hey Tony, Ana, and team,

Just wanted to say congratulations! You've got a fantastic place. It's really welcoming and well done. I think the community is super happy to have such a great restaurant around. Seriously, well done, and I'm wishing you all the best...

Attended the Chantilly restaurant last night for the first time at this location (not a newbie). I must say the restaurant was beautiful, clean, and a great location. Now for the not so good. Our waiter was quick to welcome us and take our order for drinks and appetizers. The oysters were WP happy hour special and were not huge but good. The clam chowder was lukewarm at best? He came back to take our entree order and everything went down hill from there. He must of thought he was good enough to remember everything but hate to say you are not! My wife’s order was the oyster and scallops basket and it came back oysters and clams. The kicker to it all was he states she ordered clams and confirmed it twice. Funny thing is she doesn’t like clams and she specifically ordered scallops because she asked if she could get them fried since they were not listed as being fried on the menu. And the oysters were so small you couldn’t tell them apart from the clams!! So after reminding him again that she ordered scallops he brought back 3 scallops to add to the meal? It ended up being a disastrous high priced meal for mediocre food and terrible service. I have been a huge fan of FFS until last night and it might have...