Horrible customer service and very overpriced. Seafood in the Buff is better. Not sure how this place is still in business.

Yummy steamed crabs & shrimp! If you can't do it at home with live crabs, let JC do it for you

I gave this place a solid 3 stars. The crab cake sandwich was just ok.. the meat was fresh and a good texture but everything else (the bun, the lettuce and fries) were less than stellar; pretty soggy all around. I would say skip the crab balls! All filler, very hard to tell if there is any actual crab meat.. tons of corn and who knows what else... Sadly I don't think we will go back, which is sad because it is the closest crab place to where we live. read more

I ordered steamed crabs to go. I had ordered the large size, but the crabs seemed small and were not heavy. They tasted okay but not sweet the way Maryland blue crabs do. For the price of 6 crabs ($50), I think I could do a little better somewhere else. For what it's worth, I only had to wait a short time for the crabs to be ready. read more

Good fresh seafood. Cooked to order as you wait. Generous portions. Grilled scallops, shrimp, crabcakes are very tasty. Clean basic restaurant plus available for takeout. Excellent service. read more

Decent pricing, service and fresh crabs! We went as a family of four and absolutely gorged ourselves to the point of no return - or maybe a return in a year, but we certainly had our crab appetite fully filled here. Most people seem to do take out but we were hammering away as soon as the food came out. read more

They have decent crabs!! Not the best I ever had but it's and okay last minute spot to go to! They are pretty pricey but the crabs are hit or miss sometimes read more

How the heck haven't I rated JC Crab House?! This place is amazing. Everything is delicious - generous portions on the meals and competitively priced. Before COVID we ate in a few times. You order fresh crab and eat in they give you everything you need for your fest! There is even a nearby handwash station with everything you need to clean your fingers of crab drippings, butter and old bay. During COVID they are taking the process of keeping staff and guests super safe. Even with the social distancing, masks, limit of 2 guests in at a time, they cleaned with cleaning agents every thing those 2 guests touched while in the shop before anyone else came in. It was the safest place I have been during this epidemic. Edited to remove my comment about wishing for delivery - Because they make an excellent point about its freshness! read more

Totally amazing seafood dinner, and great customer service! So glad I found the five star reviews on Yelp! We even chatted with some of the other customers who agree that the food and service are top notch! Looking forward to many more meals here! read more

JC Crab House - Fresh jumbo fried shrimp with hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw. Delicious dinner! - Seafood Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Delicious blue crabs ! Not a huge fan of the sides but excellent crabs & seasoning, great experience ! Convenient!

This review is about the customer service ONLY. **The food is good so I left a separate 5 star review for the food which is always consistent. ** However I've ordered here on several occasions and almost every time I've ordered from this establishment I have to interact with the same EXTREMELY rude staff member. I am generally a forgiving person and try to make peace and be understanding of people in the customer service/food industry because I know the work can be demanding. But I've hit my breaking point. My recent experience. (4/24/2021) On my first call I placed my order for 1/2 dozen large male crabs for $38 (I think because the person on the phone never told me the price). The associate ended the call and said please be on time. On my second call (5 minutes later) I asked to change my order from 1/2 large male to a full dozen of medium male crabs for $58. On my third call (approx 20 minutes later) I called because I wanted to inform the staff member that I would be 15 minutes late. She must have recognized my number because her greeting on the phone was, "do you want to cancel your order?" I said no. I told her I was going to be a little late. She said just come when you can. I said okay I just wanted to let you know so you don't give my order away (which has happened before when I ordered a few dozen crabs). Her response? She hung up in my face. ***I don't believe I did anything to deserve that type of service but it's really offensive *** I probably won't be spending money here again. read more

I was getting carryout. The crabs were great. The food was ready on time. I picked up the food and was gone in five minutes. When I got home we had a great crab feast. read more

Great food. My daughter's first MD crab and it was a great experience. Crabs were awesome (pricey but that's the market). Restaurant was clean. Service was super fast and friendly. read more

I ordered medium males and they were for sure small - I won't be back. I wasn't feeling the prices either ..feels like I was duped.

They don't stand behind their product. Sold us a dozen "larges" and 1/4 of the crabs were closer to 5 1/2" instead of the 6" they advertise for large. Not only were crabs small point to point but they were overall smaller. I called to ask for a credit (as a longtime regular customer, and someone who does client related work...that's a fair fix in my book). "We don't give refunds or credits," said the woman on the phone. As an aside, when we went to pick up yesterday the same woman was arguing with a customer because she'd given away the woman's order and was blaming the customer. Later y'all. read more

JC Crab House isn't quite four stars, but since it's niche in the area, I will give them the four. We came here on a Sunday evening for dinner. You order at the counter and seat yourself at picnic tables which already have condiments and napkin dispensers. They have nice oceanic decor on the walls. If you order a meal that will get your hands dirty, they have a sink in the dining area to get washed up. Interestingly enough, these are crabs from North Carolina, not the Chesapeake Bay. I asked for a water cup but they said they only have bottled water for sale. They brought our food out quickly. I shared the Crab Cake Sandwich ($10) and Soft Shell Crab Sandwich ($10), both of which come with a heaping amount of french fries. The ketchup was a bit watered down. Regarding the crabs, I was hoping for some more finesse and flavor, but you have to remember where you are - this isn't a fancy seafood restaurant but more like a hole-in-the-wall, grab and go place. The buns that they serve the sandwiches on are big, so they take away from the flavor of the crab. The lettuce and tomato are pretty basic and left unseasoned. For the Combination Platters that they offer, the Seafood Combo (C2 - $24) is one of the popular choices because you get to try everything - shrimp, oysters, crab cake, scallops, and fried fish. They did a good job of frying their items; everything was crunchy and not too greasy. I do wish they had more options to substitute sides. But overall, a good alternative to your typical dining options in Colesville. read more

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Fresh tasting food. We ordered large male crabs, fried oysters, crab cake, hush puppies, beers. Wish they had beer pitchers. The lady (and her son?) were nice. They confirmed that it was their family business. When they accidentally brought out shrimp instead of the oysters we'd ordered, the lady apologized multiple times and let us have two pieces of the shrimp. That was a nice gesture. Fyi, if u order crabs, there will be a small charge for the wooden mallets that are provided. My partner and I will come here again. :) read more

JC Crab House - Male crabs. Sweet meat. - Seafood Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Always a WINNER. Crabs are delicious, crab legs are great ... shrimp. Everything is good. You can also now dine in and enjoy your crabs feast style with family. They also prepare their own sauces for customers to try and various butters. All year round I go here! read more

The owner responded to my review and perpetuated the lie. I NEVER refused to view the video of the time my son and I entered the establishment. If that was the case, me refusing should have also ben captured. As several others have stated, a VERY disappointing experience. Again, cooking time should not have bee included in the 2-hour limit. Even if I had 3 crabs left on my tray, it took about 20 minutes to cook the crabs which is why we requested them then. $80 for 12 crabs is not cost-effective. We were expecting to get 18 each. I am now decreasing my stars from 2 to 1 as the entire staff appear to be dishonest. read more

Due to COVID, my boyfriend and I couldn't go to our usual spot for Maryland crabs so we decided to go grab crabs that were close to home. Unexpectedly we decided to check out JC Crab House, we call first to place our order and the staff was patient and friendly to explain the difference between large and jumbo crabs. When we arrived, we were very impressed in the way how the owner set up their protocols in how delivering the crabs out by taping 5 rows of boxes together to slide out the order to their customer (what a way to be resourceful! )Props to the owner for thinking an inexpensive way to keep everyone safe! Strongly recommend locals to support this small business! The crabs were cook and season in perfection, and we were happy they also sell wooden mallets! Sunday best! read more

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First of all, this place is price high as hell, I'm also not from here. Secondly, the lady at the counter is rude. Didn't get to try the food because they close in 34 mins. and I couldn't dine in. read more

Usually, some places will claim to sell large fresh steamed crabs but end up with a dry, over/under seasoned, and quite small for the price you've paid for. Not this place, not in the least bit that I've experience so far. In fact, it's everything that you would expect in how crabs should be in size and taste, just the right amount of Old Bay and the calamari was also delicious as it wasn't heavily fried in batter. Anyone who loves seafood. This place is highly recommended. read more

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This place have very good seafood. They know how to cook seafood very well. Me and my husband love the place. Everything taste delicious. We recommend this place 100 percent for you all. read more

GREAT place and GREAT staff. Best and freshest crab and seafood. Service is great and fast for pick up. The food was DELICIOUS. My husband and I can't wait to come back!! Definitely recommend this place to my family and friends!!! read more

JC Crab House - Fresh Crabs - Seafood Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

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This is another place I enjoy in the Colesville Shopping Centrer . This place is special and t orally unique . It's newly renovated and bigger . It sells great food there . Family owed by a family I truly respect . In my Asian heritage they have answers I don't totally have. That's why I love going there it has a family oriented feel that's intoxicating . It's my favorite places to be . If I love it here so wi you . So please support J C 's Crab House , This is one place you won't regret coming too. Let's bring America back together Again there. We look forward to seeing you all there very soon read more

I picked up a crab feast last night for my partner's birthday. The dozen large male crabs were fresh, cooked well, and delicious. The seaweed salad was amazing. They sell paper rolls, mallets, everything you need for a great crab eating experience. Eat in wasn't an option, of course because of Covid, but I will return here for carry out and I bet it would be a nice place to eat in too someday! read more

JC Crab House - Dozen male blue crabs, seaweed salad, fries and corn! - Seafood Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Do not waste your money on this place. They are way overpriced. The crabs aren't clean and the service is terrible. For a dozen of male crabs, they want $115.00. Excessive and not worth it. They do not always serve you fresh crabs. By the way, yesterday, their price was $95.00 for a dozen of male crabs. When I complained about the ridiculous jump in price overnight, the guy was nice but the unkempt lady from the back had the audacity to wave me away like I was a child. They will never get my business again and I suggest all of you hardworking people who value your money find a new crab and shrimp place. They are unreasonably overpriced. Seriously. Seafood in the Buff is pricey but not like these people. Addendum: Response to the so called business mgr: I've complained a few times about the uncleanliness of the crabs and the matter was handled appropriately. If that rude ass lady explained things better, you would've kept my business so long as you addressed the issue with the cleanliness. I notice your unprofessional response did not address the rudeness of the lady. I believe you're her pretending to be someone else. You're right. I've patronized your business for years (hell, you're the closest crab place) but you were always overpriced and your customer service skills were always lacking. The quality of your crabs has declined which is why my business had. I called to request good crabs before arriving because I was nervous about what I'd get. I heard the rude ass lady in the background complaining that I'd have the nerve. Again, you will never get business from me again and I will tell everyone I know not to patronize. Learn to respect the people keeping your business afloat. read more

It is my husband's tradition to have crabs on his birthday. After a few phone calls to check price and availability we settled on JC Crab. It was a wise decision. We called ahead to order a full meal but they don't take advance orders on them. So we opted for just ordering steamed crabs and shrimp. We had a choice of seasoning or not and we opted for seasoned. Husband thoroughly enjoyed his crabs, meaty and well-cooked. I stuck with the steamed shrimp. They were perfectly cooked and spiced. It was a nice treat and a perfect way to celebrate a birthday. read more

Was looking for a place to take an out of town guest for some Maryland blue crabs. We found this little gem through Yelp, and not, we were not disappointed! Crabs, shrimp and a fried fish platter were all outstanding. Crabs were succulent and sweet and the steamed shrimp were perfectly done. The staff was fantastic - patient with the first time crab adventurers and quite friendly. We will definitely be heading out this way again! read more

JC Crab House - Half dozen seasoned extra-large male blue crabs! Yum! - Seafood Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

We've tried about 5 different crab places in the 10+ years we've lived in the Olney-Burtonsville area and found this one a couple years ago. It's conveniently close to us, but we'll drive to get better quality crabs. Once we even drove to the fish market in D.C to get a couple bushels for a get-together. We usually get a couple dozen steamed/seasoned crabs to go about 6 times a summer and these are by far the heaviest, meatiest crabs we've found in the area. The extra-large males are actually extra-large. I, and a couple of my sons, like the females and those are the best here too. Maybe too good. We tried getting some this past weekend, but the females were all reserved, so we just got males. The prices seems about right. Definately not a discount. I'm usually a frugal guy, but I won't even bother shopping around for crabs at this point. You get what you pay for and I don't like surprises when it comes to crabs. The place is family owned and the son usually works the counter. He recognizes me every time, sometimes even on the phone. I've never eaten there, but the place is clean and there's a clean, convenient bathroom there, only a few tables. We've had steamed/seasoned shrimp from there before and they were good. I haven't had anything else on the menu. Last weekend was still during the COVID shutdown and they had good procedures for social distancing. If you had to wait, people just waited in their cars or outside until you were waved in. The tables for placed in front of the shielded counter. You put your credit card into a long box thing and they pushed the order out to you on a long box thing. It was fairly busy in the 10 minutes I was there with about 5 other customers, probably about the usual volume, but there were never more than 1-2 people in the store. read more

You get mainly fried or steamed options but it's good. Very nice local fish spot. Not very big to sit down in but most places in that area are like that. read more

The seafood was good. I would have given 5 but they were a little rude due to the standards of this crazy virus. There is a more polite way to say wait outside. The seafood was fresh and we enjoyed it read more

JC Crab House - A dozen of male crabs. The crab special C. With 2 clusters 2 corn and 1lb of shrimp and an extra 3 clusters. - Seafood Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Called this place to ask if they had crabs available today and the woman who answered said yes. I asked for a suggestion on which crabs (male, female, size, etc) had the best bang for your buck since it always varies and she instantly caught a huge attitude. Completely turned off from trying this place. No thanks. read more

Love this business. I've been supporting them since they opened. I love the family oriented business along with everything on the menu. It's awesome to know I don't have to leave the county to get GREAT crabs and seafood. read more

Amazingly Amazing! This place is a goldmine. Family coming to town from NYC and wanted seafood. My daughter's friend recommended we check out JC Crab House. And we pleasantly did! We ordered combination fried and steam plates. EVERYTHING was cooked to protection! EVERYTHING was FRESH! Our table full of delicious assortment of seafood we took our time eating and talking. Within an hour of being there they sold out of their Extra Large through their Medium Male Crabs! (So order your Male crabs early) I'm headed back later this month to try their Male Crabs! I'll circle back then. read more

The restaurant was very clean and inviting. The staff was was really nice and that was my reasoning for still ordering from even though it was empty. The service was pretty fast, yet very pricy. I was very displeased with the taste of the overpriced food that I purchased. I was pretty disappointed to say the least! read more

I've had takeout from JC Crab House twice so my review is based on those experiences. Let me start with the GOOD - the hushpuppies. Point blank. They are delicious. Probably some of the best I've had. Their crab legs are also really good but, yes, they are pricey. My orders have always been done quickly and paying and leaving is super quick. The BAD - the last time I ordered shrimp from here they were not good. I am not sure if they were overcooked or what but they tasted almost metallic. The other downside is the price. I am all about paying money for good food, especially seafood, but when you pay a lot of money and the seafood is just meh, it's not great. I would probably try it one more time before deciding if I am coming back or not, but there are some other great seafood places in Maryland that I would rather go to. read more

I had walked by JC a few times, even grabbed a menu a time or two. Yet I never managed to be motivated enough to go in and try their food. Well, I have fixed that. I mustered the motivation and made my way into JC. A few things to note so you prepared for your experience. There are only a hand full picnic tables, so dinning isn't always going to be a viable option, especially if they are busy. You order at the counter and they call your name, so it's rather self serve in that regards, which is ok if you are able bodied and you don't want to tip. The menu is seafood (in case the name didn't give that way) and is priced accordingly. Seasonal pricing is a thing here as it should be. I had the crab balls, 6 for $9.99. They were very ball like, not very crab like. I also have the 21 shrimp feast, fried. Great sized shrimp, not overly breaded and very good. Their side fries were a solid effort, their coleslaw, don't bother; very, very small container and not very good. I love a good slaw, this was just cabbage with sauce. I will go back because affordable seafood is hard to find and this place was good, just not great. read more

I tried this restaurant for a second time because all of my friends in the neighborhood said it was their favorite. I wish I knew why? This time I ordered a soft shell crab sandwich with crispy french fries. The french fries were not crispy the soft shell crab was crispy. It made the little crab that there was very very dry. How I ask how could they put such a small soft shell crab on a bun and charge $13.99 for it? I asked for crispy french fries several times, but alas they did not come out crispy. I asked for no tartar sauce and asked if I could substitute cocktail sauce instead. Not once did he tell me that there would be a $.50 surcharge for it. So when I got there I was charged $.50. I said no thank you. When my meal came I asked where the cocktail sauce was and he said I changed my mind and I said no I want the cocktail sauce but you asked me to take $.50 off my bill and I said fine. The portions are not worth the price! The cashier was rude! I will not go back to this restaurant again! I had to give it one star so the review would post. But honestly it should not even get one star! I should've brought the meal back and gotten my money returned!! Very sad face read more

We generally go to Cantlers or Harris for crabs, but we did not feel like driving for one hour so we searched for steamed crabs in the silver Spring area and found JC Crab House. Overall, the food was a big disappointment. We started with a dozen oysters that the waitress said were from Chesapeake Bay but I have my doubts about the origin of these oysters. They were tasteless, tired looking and did not taste like The Bay oysters. We left 6 out of the 12 but the waitress did not ask why we only ate 6 oysters. The 6 large male crabs were ok but did not have the sweet taste of fresh male crabs. Also, I wonder if there is a legal definition of a Large crab as the ones we had were rather small. The indifferent waitress brought the food and disappeared, but the check included mandatory 18% tip. No where on the menu is there a statement about the restaurant's gratuity policy. Although the waitress said that the restaurant gets fresh crabs and oysters every morning , the crabs did not taste like they slept in the Bay yesterday read more