Looking for a place in Destin where you can take your kids and not eat fast food? Joe’s Crab Shack provides families with a meal destination that offers kids and adults more variety than burgers. You’ll find tasty seafood, salads, sandwiches, and much more on the varied menu at this fun-loving eatery.
Because Destin’s Joe’s Crab Shack is so popular, most diners typically have to wait for a table. While waiting, take your kids to the outdoor play area. They’ll burn off extra energy before dinner and stop asking you how long it will be before you get a table. Most Joe’s Crab Shack locations have play areas. At the location in Destin, the playground is near the entrance, making it perfect for families waiting for tables or as a stop after the meal.
As evidenced by its playground, one of the biggest draws to this restaurant is its family friendliness. Joe’s Crab Shack goes out of its way to make everyone of all ages feel welcome with its variety of fun and flavorful dishes for all tastes. The kids’ menu goes beyond the typical burgers and chicken tenders. Kids can order their own child-size version of the restaurant’s popular steam pot. The smaller version comes with potatoes, crab, sausage, and corn on the cob. Plus, kids get a cup of ice cream and a drink included in their meal with any child entree or steam pot ordered.
While Joe’s Crab Shack offers great food and fun for kids, adults, too can enjoy great meals and fun cocktails. Some of the drinks come with glasses you get to keep as souvenirs of the meal. Special drinks even go beyond offering you the glass. For example, some cocktails served during Shark Week come with a shark toy. The menu also includes non-alcoholic cocktails in souvenir glasses for those who want to have a fun beverage without alcohol.
The range of food and drink options and causal setting make this a great destination for families that need to find food that meets the varied palates of kids and adults without resorting to a fast food chain.
When dining here, try some of these tasty recommendations from the menu at Joe’s Crab Shack in Destin:
Joe’s Classic Sampler
This sampler gives a little of everything for when you have a large group or can’t decide on one appetizer to order. Joe’s Classic Sampler comes with crispy fried calamari, spicy crab and seafood balls (Great Balls of Fire), and crab and shrimp dip. Within this sampler, diner favorites are the crab dip and calamari. The dip is a creamy, cheesy mix of crab, seafood, Parmesan cheese, and cream cheese that goes perfectly with the crispy tortilla chips that accompany it.
Steam Pots and Crab Buckets
Steam pots and crab buckets are among the most often ordered meals at Joe’s Crab Shack. You can opt for one of the prepared steam pots, which you can upgrade to serve two people. These pots come with seafood, crab, and seasonings. Some selections include corn, potatoes, or sausage with the other ingredients.
If you prefer a custom option, create your own crab bucket with your choice of seasoning. First, choose the type of crab to create the main portion of the pot. Next, select your seasoning with options that range from mild to caliente, as the restaurant calls its spiciest option. Many diners choose Old Bay seasoning or Ragin’ Cajun for their buckets. The bucket comes with corn on the cob and red potatoes seasoned with the same spices used for the crab. Don’t be afraid to wear the provided bib when enjoying your crab bucket or steam pot. You’ll need it for a messy, but tasty, meal.
Stop by Joe’s Crab Shack to feed your group with seafood and more in a festive location that offers fun and food for the whole family.
Insider Tips:
-A photographer roams the dining hall taking pictures of families enjoying their meals. You can buy these pictures as souvenirs of your visit to Destin and Joe’s Crab Shack or politely decline.
-Joe’s Crab Shack is great for families but skip this seafood spot with a party-like atmosphere if you want a quiet or romantic dinner.