Saw this place on instagram and what a classic case of bait and switch. This place does NOT live up to the hype. We arrived on a Saturday around 3pm. The wait was about 25 minutes. Once we got inside, our waitress, Ciera was really nice. She had been working there a few weeks but told us all the food was good, whisper (It's NOT). We ordered the following 3 fish tacos 3 lobster tacos 1 lobster roll Chicken tenders Shrimp basket The fish tacos were freezer patties tossed on top of some lettuce and a soft taco. Trash. Don't waste your time. The Lobster tacos come with "ONE" small piece on a stack of lettuce and jalapeños. Once again, TRASH. Don't waste your time. The lobster roll came with a decent amount of lobster on the "hot dog sized roll" with a ton of sauce. Again, Don't waste your time. The fries were good. The shrimp basket was good and hot. The fries are a little bland. Overall, we were in and out in less than an hour. I have no clue how this place is as busy but the food is just not it. read more

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Not it! Social media has completely hyped this place all the way up smh From the moment I walked in, I was getting Tubi movie vibes and having to eat off a paper plate was confirmation. But our waitress, Kendall was sweet. And that's about all I have to say, no need to return....I repeat, not it! read more

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Always a great experience at Ocean Shack! Their seafood boil and all you can eat menus are really big and the seafood always tastes really fresh. Surprisingly, I love their margaritas too (most places make them way too sweet but these are great). Pricing can be a little expensive once all is said and done but I feel like you really get your money's worth here. Service is also always really prompt and helpful. read more

sat outside on a beautiful day and had some great snow, crab, legs and crawfish. Marcquis took great care of us. look forward to coming back. read more

I tried to give the restaurant the benfit of the doubt but they didn't get my order right. I have ordered over 8 times and maybe twice they got my order right. I ordered the catfish and I like it cooked well done, I like it cooked a little longer. But it always comes back mushy!!! And the reason why I'm writing this review is it looks like they saw the notes and did the exact opposite they maybe cooked the fish for two seconds literally!!!! read more

food was delicious and the service was superb. I will be back. Marquis our server was great. the chicken wings were delicious. Hail to the cook. read more

I came here to try the endless seafood and tapped out so early everything I had was delicious though! Im so glad I ignored the negative reviews and still gave this place a try! The atmosphere was just right, the music is good and not too loud and the service was outstanding. I went during happy hour time with a friend. They have a great happy hour as well! For our selections, we had the crab balls, catfish, and wings. We also did a regular boil. Mine had crawfish, crab legs, headless shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and ramen. For the sauce I did everything but the lemon pepper one. This was my first time adding noodles and it will not be the last. Everything was delicious, but I did feel like the butter taste was too prevalent so I will switch it up next time. The sausage also isnt the best, but I may get it again just to be sure lol. The wings and catfish were SO good. The crab balls are full of crab and minimal filler. Definitely recommend this place for seafood lovers or someone who just likes a good happy hour with fun bar tenders! read more

Ocean Shack - Bottomless Boil - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Food was delicious as always- this is my go to for the all u can eat options. Service is always impeccable and the server Renee goes out of her way to ensure that food comes out as ordered and that you are satisfied- music and ambience always amazing - highly recommend and it won't break the bank read more

My boyfriend and I went for lunch on a early Monday afternoon and give this place a 9/10! We ordered the AYCE option and everything we ate was fresh and tasty. I usually do seafood when I'm at the beach, but this place did not disappoint. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the cajun fries, hush puppies, crab bites, lobster bisque but they were soo good! I'd go back so I recommend. read more

Ocean Shack - Snow crab legs, boiled eggs, steamed shrimp, potatoes, black mussels, and sausage. 10/10! - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I really like going there. Fast and efficient service. Food was delicious. Definitely will be back! read more

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I am surprised to see this place only having 3.5 rating, in my opinion I thought this place was great. To be fair I went a long time ago, so I have no clue if the place has gone downhill since the last time I went. The seafood boil was so tasty. We did AYCE option, I definitely don't think it was worth the price considering how much my partner and I can eat. If you know you can eat a lot then I highly suggest it. The drinks are fine, I got the flight but none of the drinks were super impressive. We sat outside during the summer, which I sorta regret considering the have 0 shade, so hopefully they add some or have at least. The inside isn't anything too crazy but it was super packed last time I went, so I recommend maybe calling ahead to figure out wait times especially for indoor seating. read more

Ocean Shack - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Wings were fried to perfection and the ranch was superb (tasted homemade). Key lime pie was not too sour like i've had at other restaurants. It was subtle and smooth. Service was A1. Ocean Shack is brand new so i'm grading on a curve. Things to critique: Buffalo sauce does not taste like buffalo sauce - maybe it's their twist but it was weird Cajun seasoning needs more flavor - Maybe more paprika garlic and cayenne Key Lim Pie slice was pretty thin for $5.99. They should charge $6.99 and double the slice size. read more

Ocean Shack - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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We visited Ocean Shack around 2 PM this past Saturday, and it wasn't very busy at the time. We were seated immediately, which was a great start. I ordered a Bloody Mary, and my friend ordered a margarita, but we both received margaritas instead. When I brought this to our waiter's attention, he was very quick to correct the mistake. He was a soft-spoken, very kind individual who provided good service overall. However, we noticed that the bartender seemed inexperienced, as it took much longer than expected to prepare our drinks. My friend ordered fried oysters and lemon pepper wings, which she enjoyed, while I opted for a cheeseburger and onion rings that were delicious. During our meal, I noticed a few fruit flies around our table--not a huge issue but something that usually points to cleanliness problems, likely around the bar area. The bartender wasn't particularly busy, with only a few patrons at the bar (mostly drinking beer), but we observed that they were giving most of their attention to one person at the end of the bar. What stood out the most was the bartender taking 3-4 shots and drinking with that customer while we were there. As time went on, the bartender grew louder and more animated, which felt unprofessional and quite distracting. A drunk bartender isn't exactly the kind of entertainment you'd hope for in this setting. This was our first visit to Ocean Shack, and we drove 40 minutes to try it. While the food was enjoyable, the experience was dampened by the bar issues and the lack of professionalism we observed. Hopefully, this feedback helps improve the overall atmosphere and service. read more

Ocean Shack - Bloody Mary - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

everything was amazing !!! we come at least once a month and the food is always fresh

Food was delicious. Small local place. staff were great! I would definitely go back. The food was cooked to order and came out piping hot! read more

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This is for Ocean Shack in Arlington. Coming from New England, I was excited to learn of a seafood restaurant located a few blocks from my house. Last week, I ordered the crab cake sandwich for take-out. It was terrific. Last night, I again ordered the crab cake sandwich. It was like it was from another restaurant; it was half the size of the first one and burnt. Further, I am handicapped and use assistive devices to walk. The handicapped parking space directly in front of the restaurant was occupied by a non-handicapped car (not parked). I asked the 20-something woman about it, and she said, "Will there be nothing I can do?" Nothng? How about announcing to have the person move the car? Parking in a handicap space is a $500 fine. That's my last time there. I hear great things about Salt Line and Seamores; I will try them out. I recommend skipping this place. read more

Food was torch ,service was fast and the ambiance was nice most definitely going back read more

Ocean Shack - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Cute little bar/restaurant. We ordered several items that were pretty good. The Bloody Mary is considered an entree, read more

Ocean Shack - Bloody Mary - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Food was SO GOOD!! 10/10 - I got a make your own & it was delicious. Service was great, fast and servers were kind & friendly. Restaurant was clean and easy to find. Kid friendly!! read more

Ocean Shack - Make your own - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Second time here and still as good as I remember. I recommend making a reservation as it can get very busy at times and the place is not that big. However, the food comes out quick and it's love to mix all the flavors together with the seafood boils and the one that feeds 2-3 people def does that. You can get the all you can eat if you have a big appetite and want to try different things, but just hate you can't take the AYCE food home if you don't eat it all. If you want some seafood, def try this place out. read more

Ocean Shack - Crabmeat Fries, chicken Wings, crab bites, Ocean Jumbo Bag - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Where are my seafood lovers at?? Well you should try newly opened Ocean Shack in Arlington VA!! @oceanshackarlington It's a sports bar and seafood restaurant all in one. They have an extensive locations menu with different seafood options and a great happy hour for cocktails. Recs Seafood boil bag Margarita flight Seafood bloody Bloody Mary ( it had lobster tail, crab clusters, hush puppies, scallops) Crab fries Crab cake sandwich Walk ins accepted Reservations recommended. read more

5 stars 5 star 5 STARSSSSSSS! We walked in with no reservation and were sat quickly! The staff was friendly and accommodating.... They didn't have one of the spirits we ordered so we got an upgraded spirit comped for us! We came for the all you can eat and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! (Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs) BUT My advice: DON'T ORDER MORE TIL YOU'RE DONE/ ALMOST DONE WITH YOUR TRAY. After the 1st, you can be charged.... Plus, we hate waste, right? RIGHT! ... Diandre was our waiter and was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Top tier service! We sat outside so I was definitely worried about being "out of sight out of mind" but that was absolutely not the case! Very mindful, very efficient! We'll be back again and again, and as long as the staff stays that way, you've got a regular from me! If you love seafood, get in there and give it a try! read more

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Not sure why this place has bad reviews, the blue crabs were so heavy and full of crab. The food kept coming and it was plentiful. They weren't stingy like some places and even before we finished the first round she was asking for our second order. The only thing that I think could be better is the sauce. read more

Ocean Shack - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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We were looking for a seafood boil and this spot kept popping up our feed. We got a margarita flight to pair with all the great seafood. We tried their snow crab legs, mussels, clams, shrimps, crawfish and blue crabs! They also have a variety of appetizers that were really good as well. We loved the variety, but quality could be a tad better. Overall, still a good seafood boil spot! read more

Ocean Shack - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Found this place thanks to the Guide to Imbibe and it was a great find. Came for the Hawaii Sunrise but also ordered the shrimp basket. Both were delicious. The basket serving size was great. I even had some to take home. I will definitely be back. The bartender was welcoming and engaging. There was live music going on when I visited as well, which added to the good vibes. read more

Ocean Shack - Hawaii Sunrise - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Some good things have changed, big time. Portions have shrunk. Staff, while pleasant, are glued to their cell phones. Bathroom was atrocious. Filthy. Looks like the beginning of the end. read more

Saw this place on social media and it piqued my interest. And it did NOT disappoint. Roughly $60 per person for all you can eat. You definitely get your fill! Very much worth at least trying read more

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first time trying seafood boil after the endless tiktoks and it was SO good. the service was super friendly, and the food was incredible. lots to choose from. i do wish the seasonings were a bit stronger, especially with the spice, like it kinda seemed like the seasoning was just poured over the seafood instead of like the food marinating and collecting that flavor. i'd go back their ayce price is pretty good for the options and the amount of food read more

Came here after seeing advertisement on Instagram. When we walked in it was not the cleanest place and it was dark and gloomy. The waitress was really nice and polite and she took her time to assist us in ordering. We decided on the all you can eat. The food was good clam was a little salty and they forgot the shrimp and corn with our order but it came out separately and wasn't seasoned like the rest of the meal. I would come back to try other things but it's not really something to run home too. read more

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Glad I visited! I had been driving by this place for awhile and decided to give it a shot. Prices are very competitive. The service was good. We tried a few different things and they were all very good. They have an all you can eat menu - may try in the future. I liked the decor and seating options. The happy hour menu and prices are really good. Overall a solid seafood location. read more

We got the AYCE menu. The crab leg is probably the only thing worth getting there. Some of the items were quite mediocre and not even good. Overall we didn't feel like it's good value. Staff were friendly and attentive. Plenty of parking. read more

Ocean Shack - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

The food is outstanding with that unique Gulf of Mexico kiss. The casual but comfortable seating, the moderate and not annoying televisions behind that bar stay quiet and out of the way if that's not your cup tea and the floor staff is friendly and boy, do they stay busy. I've been there on three occasions. We took a visiting friend from Montreal a few weeks ago and he was blown away how cool it was and tied on his bib and tucked into crab and slaw, declaring it matching anywhere in Florida (where was headed. The happy hour starts at 2 PM for you early birds. read more

Ocean Shack - Fried crusty chicken, onion rings, sauce, craft beer from the tap. - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I really enjoyed my meal and the margarita flight. My only complaint is my crab cake was way too greasy. Other than that I give the experience a 4 out 5. read more

Ocean Shack - Fried shrimp Basket with a Fried Crab Cake - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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The AYCE seafood boil did not disappoint in flavor. The restaurant did not have blue crabs, we were not advised until we ordered for our second round. The only disappointment was that they only served 3 crab clusters with each order, although we had a party of 4....& they provided way too many French fries, considering they charge if large amounts of food are not eaten (fill you up on the cheap sides). The Buffalo wings were tasty, so were the crab balls. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. I completely forgot about the fried oysters--they were not fresh and had a bad taste. Would not recommend the friend oysters, stick with the AYCE seafood boil. read more

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I recently dined at Ocean Shack, and I have to say the service was outstanding. Renee was truly exceptional; she was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. Her suggestions were spot on, and her friendly demeanor really enhanced the experience. The food was delicious and packed with flavor, making for a fantastic evening overall. read more

It was very dirty. The dining hall and bathroom. Even the front windows were filthy dirty

3.5 - Pretty solid AYCE value. The snow crab legs are a good size and aren't part cooked. The service can be slow when it's super busy but that's to be expected. I really enjoy the blue crabs, I wish they would sautee the sausage a little bit instead of slicing it and throwing it on the tray. read more

I had to return my rental car to Reagan National Airport, so it only made sense to have my Bestie meet me up at the Ocean Shack before I dropped the car off. Parking is available directly in front of the restaurant, a decent amount of handicap spots, literally an entire lot of free parking spaces. There won't be any parking tickets or cars getting towed over on this side of town (not like in DC). The restaurant is actually pretty big and I love the flare on the walls. We were greeted by Ricky who was so awesome and since we came at lunchtime, there was only one other couple that seated immediately after us. So we kind of had the place for ourselves. Ricky went over the menu with us, and also told us his favorite drinks so we had to try the flights. We ordered the first flight option: (Mango, Strawberry, Spicy Cucumber, Guava) but my Bestie asked to swap the spicy cucumber for watermelon. We then ordered a couple of appetizers, and they all came out really quickly. I am a calamari girl, so those were definitely ordered and they were delicious! My favorite was the crab bites. I am not sure how they got all those flavors into them, but GET THEM, also the popcorn chicken and buffalo chicken being on the menu is nice especially when you have people who either don't like seafood, or they are all allergic, but can, however have wings. Here is what we ordered: Crab Bites Oysters + Oysters with garlic butter Fries Calamari Popcorn Basil Chicken Ocean Jumbo Platter Bag Shrimp Tacos Fried Catfish Basket w/ onion rings Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp w/ mashed potatoes Salmon w/ mashed potatoes and rice Scallop w/ mashed potatoes and broccoli The actual entrées are pretty big, and so is the jumbo platter bag/boil. The literal star of the show, round of applause or claws lol. The boil came with crab legs, muscles, shrimp, crawfish and a host of other things I didn't even get to because I was knee deep into my crab legs. Again the portion is really big and it definitely matches the price point. I cannot wait to go back to try one up their pretty cool, Bloody Mary drinks when I'm not the designated driver! They've got a forever customer in me! read more

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Lobster roll was small and a little dry. I wasn't really a fan of the sauce. Fries were just ok. The basil fried chicken was really good. I'm glad I ordered it. Customer service was good. read more

Ocean Shack - Popcorn Basil Chicken - Seafood Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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I'm not really a crab boil person. My review may be a little bit bias. In my opinion it's generic and can be made at home! The sauce was good.... Nothing I wouldn't write home about , to each its own. If you're going to try the unlimited option, it might be a bang for your buck. Why not give it a try? read more

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