Krab King — Restaurant in Westphalia

So I had a hankering for seafood ever since finishing create my Google Maps curated list of DMV seafood eats. Plus, I'm back to being a pescatarian 🦀🦑🥗💟🍽 again after committing to it in the past (was for 2 years in 2016 - 2018.) It totals about 60 restaurants. Krab King stood out with their delectable menu so I decided to visit them and order.

Prior to ordering, I called for their specific address as my GPS was somehow not finding it 😤🙄🤔 and on Krab King's website it listed the business number and street BUT no city, state, etc. It was in Maryland on Google, but NOT their website. I looked for Crain Highway and there's two: Crain Highway and Old Crain Highway. Confusing right 🙃?

So I called and the Krab King staff (young guy) was helpful giving me driving instructions to Krab King - even though he couldn't hear me clearly (I guess it was muffled with the speaker on 😣.) Good thing the Ford dealership (landmark 😅), is across the street. (Thanks B.J. for the help 👏🏾!) It wasn't too far from me when I first called so onward I drove to the restaurant.

The parking lot is big (not Target or Walmart MEGA huge 😅) but it gets the job done ✅. It shares a free parking lot with neighboring grocery store, Giant. I bought one order of each: Salmon Rolls, King Rolls, and Krab Fries. I was asked if I wanted sauces, I said "Sure 😃." That was it. Then, I paid and patiently waited 🙂. The lady bartender was pretty sweet 🧁. I chopped it up with her and asked how long the restaurant had been open, which she said was about 2 years 🤯. (This is such a hidden foodie gem!) There was a small family that left and the little girl was gracious enough to tip the bartender (without wanting to let her mom know 😅.) It was a cute and funny moment!

The bartender lady asked if I wanted a take-out bag. I kindly thanked her, said my goodbyes, and exited the restaurant. (Upon exiting, I noticed the bag fee 🤔 wasn't applied. I'm pretty sure it is applicable, but anyways searching 'Prince George's County Better Bag Bill' should pull the plastic ban/fees on reusable bags & paper bags. - They're missing out on money 🤯...The law went into effect January 1, 2024.)

All this to say...NEXT time I arrive I'll buy the Krab Fries again and the Seafood Alfredo 😎👏🏾! I had a good time. Krab King made a good first impression and I appreciate that 💯. For their patience in giving me driving directions, to talking with me while I waited for my food, and to bagging everything. Overall, A1 job from new restaurant Krab King.🥇

Please come and enjoy yourselves. I know...

I went to this establishment because it was my husband’s birthday. He stated that this is the new “hotness” in the area for seafood and he wanted to try it. I told him he can call in the order and I will go pick it up because I was out running errands, but he stated that he was not able to and for me to walk in and order it- it’s just seafood so it should t take that long. Looked them up online and googled the address. I walked into the establishment, There was no wait time I was greeted promptly by a young lady at the register. Once again, I have never been to this restaurant, so I was not sure what they had to offer, so I quickly called my husband and ask what he wanted. He stated he wanted the seafood Alfredo. Once the order was placed with the young lady, she Stated that my total will be $42.20, I handed her my card, she insert it into the register and then flipped over the screen for me to sign for my purchase.

Now yes I agree you should always READ before you sign but I didn’t in this case. I asked how long for the wait and I was told about 20 minutes. I went back to my vehicle to wait. 15 minutes how’s by and I decided to check my receipt and BOOM! I was charged $51!! There was an $8.80 TIP ADDED RO MY ORDER!

I went back in and asked to speak to a manager because this is not what I was told, and the manager said “did you sign for this?” And I said “NO, I didn’t authorize a $8 tip.”

(at the bottom of the receipt. There is suggested tip chart at the bottom of your receipt based on your total and that was nothing near compared to what my tip should’ve been. Now I know some people are thinking eight dollars is not a lot but it’s the principle that it was done sneakily)

The manager, then explained to me that the way that he has his register set up is that there is a tip option on the top of the screen before you sign for your purchase at the bottom of the screen and the register will automatically select the highest tip based on your bill. Where they do that at???

He nicely refunded me back the ILLEGAL tip without a fuss and I thanked him for his generosity. My husband stated the food was amazing however o will never go back to this establishment if information like this is NOT EXPRESSED OR EXPLAINED when placing an order.

Please check your bill/tab when eating at this...

I was looking for a nearby restaurant with delicious food, wine, and dessert. I didn't want to have to drive 20-45 minutes, search for parkong, and then pay an arm and a leg for a meal that I could have had at Chili's.

Enter Krab King! Both my friend and I were interested in the same twisted salad so she got it with shrimp, and I got it with salmon. We ordered the Jerk crab and shrimp quesadillas to start, and a 1911 Black cider and Cabernet Sauvignon to drink. Everything was delicious. The quesadillas weren't heavy enough to spoil my appetite, I had two, but should have had one to save room for dessert. My friend had just one and took the other home in a to-go box. The salad was flavorful with the dried cranberries balancing out the interspersed more bitter greens. I loved that the salmon was freshly hot off the grill. I had worried it would be cool, but it was lovely, sizzling, and delectable.

At the end, i didn't have room for dessert but I was disappointed that there were only two choices: cheesecake and a version of peach cobbler a la mode. Neither are my favorities, but I would have tried the peach cobbler.

I should have looked at the paper bill more carefully. It seemed that a 20% gratuity was already added to the bill. I added another 15% tip when prompted by the small credit card kiosk not knowing that. It made our bill top out at just above $100. We would have liked to have been offered water with our meals. It didnt appear that other tables were either. Our appetizer came with one extra plate. The table was small, so I ate from the appetizer plate itself while my friend used the small plate. The lighting took a little time to adjust to. The black walls and soft lights create an atmosphere, that may be a touch too dark especially for early or summer dinners coming in from a bright day. Finally, we would have liked for the music to come down a click or two. We had to raise our voices or repeat ourselves to be heard at times and when you're out cstching up with your girlfriend or having a romantic dinner with your loved one, you don't want to have to shout.

Overall, great restaurant. Unexpectedly upscale in a shopping center anchored by a Giant grocery store. I shall return, even if it's just to hit the bar for a few...