Joe's Crab Shack

Waitress wasn't bad (I think...), but I have never tasted cold, under-cooked lobster in my entire life. UNTIL tonight that is. The other adult I was eating with also had lobster and their claws were cold and under-cooked as well. We were reluctant to communicate the condition of the main course to the waitress, but had never had the "privilege" of tasting such dangerously under-cooked food. So, we did just that and ended up talking to the less than professional and profusely sweating manager who was more interested in getting us out of the restaurant than ensuring nobody got sick. We also learned that their lobster claws are frozen and prepared separately. So, I guess that explains how the tails were mostly done. They charged us for a redo on the claws even though we told them not to bother, comped one of the two entrees, and sent us on our way. Perhaps they didn't hear us over the OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD RAP MUSIC. Dine at your own risk.

Food is average, Taste is of frozen seafood, hushpuppies were very bland. Main course was Shrimp Trio, coconut shrimp was good, crab stuffed was very watery and blah, Malibu was so over powered with spices and shrimp was rubbery. Service is below average, waiter took 10 minutes to show up and then another 10 for any beverage.
It seemed everyone had a birthday that night, which was very annoying as the staff was running around singing to them, very loud. Manager was at our table evry 5 - 10 minutes asking how things were, he didnt listen to what we really said, was Mr Excuse. Perhaps should have complained more, but we didnt. We just wont go back.
Beware of a place you get immediate seating on Saturday evening at 6 PM. I travel the US extensivly and will avoid Joe's Crab Shack everywhere now.
Oh yes, if I want line dancing I will go to a Country Western place, not a would be seafood place.
Gets 2 stars as I have actually had worse.

First time ever at joes and it was awesome!! Food and service was GREAT! Next time I get to St Paul I will defintely be stopping with the family so they can enjoy what I was able too. They were referred from a friend (Vince) that we meet there.

Way too loud, way too expensive; the whole experience was deemed ""not a good value."" The overpriced menu items are mushy, deep fried (although not labeled as such on the menu) and basically bland. The blaring music and P.A. announcements are actually painful. We will not go back .... ever.

excellent atmosphere and great food

I have never had more fun at a restaurant. My fiancee' and I went in with my 15 month old son. We were seated promptly by a friendly host. My son was enthralled by all the lights and fun things on the walls. Our drinks were brought out right away. The server anticipated our needs, so we never had to ask for refills or extra sauces. Then they asked me to dance the Cupid Shuffle with them. I happened to know the dance and joined in with the staff! It was a blast! All in all, I was incredibly impressed and will recommend to all of my friends.

Joes is back in business as of 12/03/2009 this is being wrote before it is open so no review yot but I will post one soon

This particular restorant went out of busines. It might have been a gerat place before but the building is for rent now.

I grew up in Maryland. Joe's is an poor imitation of the places I used to go to in Baltimore, with wooden tables covered with newspapers, with wonderful crab and very little else. But it's a chain, and better, IMHO, than others I've been to. The crab was good, though I could tell it had been frozen - what do you expect in Minnesota? The cole slaw is excellent, the service was friendly, if a bit slow. If you don't expect authentic, it's okay.

At least the prices are right -- after waiting endlessly, we were finally seated. Maybe it's my own fault for ordering it fried, but my entirely fried meal was heavy and lacked flavor. More like a seafood stand at the Fair than a restaurant. Stoic scandinavian types beware, the atmosphere is very ""boisterous"" to say the least. And what, does EVERYONE in the joint have a birthday today or what? My wife, on the other hand, thought her crab legs were wonderful.