Crab Pot — Restaurant in Surf City

This was definitely our worst experience on the island. We were told it was a 45 minute wait, so we did. An hour later we were seated. It wasn't that busy inside. We saw several empty tables but were happy to have our table. We ordered appetizers and they came relatively quickly. We had hush puppies that were dry and overcooked and cheesy crab fries with very little crab and some unknown cheese like spread.

Two hours later part of 1 of the six meals we had ordered arrived - she crab soup. Again very little crab and the soup was only slightly warm. 10 minutes later, the other soup was brought to our table - same soup - same condition. Fifteen minutes later, after asking, parts of two other orders arrived. Five minutes another meal, ten minutes the server came and said that should do it. One of the meals was still not on our table. What was there was NOT good. Crab cakes were burned and dry with very little crab, but we knew there must have been some because we kept finding shell pieces. When we asked about the missing meal - a crab cake - the manager came over and told us they were out of crab cake. In the meantime we had sent back corn on the cob that was dried out and inedible and we had not gotten drink refills. We were told it was very busy on the two decks outside and that was why it was taking so long.

The manager did discount our food that we couldn't eat and took off the meal that never came. She handed us the bill and said that was all she could do then turned around and walked off. She proceeded to ignore us the rest of the time we were there - which wasn't long because it was such a disaster.

On our way out, we noticed that the outside decks were pretty much empty - we saw 4 couples - where were all the people we were told were being served before us?

This seems to be a great place for locals to go and nurse watered down beverages when there just isn't anywhere else to go. The "talent" that evening sent a musical shaker over to my 2 year old granddaughter while we were waiting. He then made a big announcement that if anyone was given a shaker, make sure to give it back before you leave....what?

Overall a horrible- EXPENSIVE - experience. I would suggest going...

FOOD: My Wife and I located the Crab Pot in early 2023. We decided to hop on our Harley Tri-Glide one Saturday Morning from Goldsboro, N.C. & enjoy a "Day Ride" on the bike to get Fresh Seafood for lunch. We Absolutely "Hit the Jackpot" when We located the Crab Pot!! We Now take this ride, usually every 4-6 weeks to eat here. We have enjoyed the Shrimp, Oysters, Scallops, Mahi-Mahi, & Crab Legs!! The Shrimp, Oysters, Scallops are Fried to Perfection...Just enough lightly batter to make them Absolutely Delicious without the heavy, thick, overbearing, Greasy batter that you get at some seafood restaurants. The Mahi-Mahi (I get mine Blackened)....OMG....Is Absolutely Phenomenal. I Don't care for Crab Legs, But My Wife does & EVERY time we visit here, She Always orders 1-2 Clusters and each time, she states that they are some of the BEST she has eaten. Considering the Fresh Seafood Market sits directly behind the Crab Pot and basically in the same parking lot, it's Almost a "No-Brainer" that Everything We have ever ordered from here is Fresh & Delicious!!!

SERVICE/ WAIT STAFF: Our Wait Staff has Always been Friendly and very accommodating. We Do Not have the first complaint from Any of the Staff that we have encountered when we now, routinely visit. Our Food has always been delivered to our table in a Very timely manner...and...cooked/prepared to Perfection!!

ATMOSPHERE: We absolutely Love the Atmosphere of the Crab Pot. It is sooo laid back and casual. I love the fact that there's NO Need to be "Dressed Up" and feel "Out of Place" to enjoy your dining experience here.

All-in-All....We Give the CRAB POT the Maximum Amount of Stars & would give 10, 20, 50, or 100 Stars if it were available!!

Sherwood...

Just got done eating here and I have to say I was extremely and utterly dissappointed. I am usually very understanding when it is busy or if a restaurant is understaffed but when I have to ask multiple times for multiple things that's when my understanding and patience goes out of the window. My husband and I ordered flounder with crab cake added on and according to the menu this is supposed to come with hushpuppies. Had to ask 5 times for hushpuppies then got charged 3.95 for them. Only got one refill on my drink and the only reason I got that refill was because my husband had to get someone else to refill it. We were with friends and they also had to ask multiple times for items that they had originally ordered. The service was ridiculous. I did end up having to ask someone else to help us out and I wish I got her name because as soon as I asked she got it to our table maybe 5 minutes later so I'm very appreciative of her. After saying all of this about the service I will say the food was pretty good. I wish i had the condiments I had asked for so I could eat it with my food but like I said after asking multiple times I just gave up. Everyone at our table did enjoy the food. The ONLY reason I am giving this establishment a 1 star is solely because of the service. Also my husband and I shared a plate ...flounder was 18.95$ plus crab cake with I believe was 5.95$ and then we got charged 3.95$ for hushpuppies that were supposed to come with our meal and then the check automatically includes gratuity ...... so we paid about 40$ for a plate to share ....smart idea for servers like the one we had..... All in all I'd give food a 4 star and service a 1...service was the deal...