If you know, you know -- The Crab Shack is tucked away in that back parking structure where Marie Callender's used to be, surrounded by a few other restaurants. It's one of those "low-key hidden but worth finding" spots. Don't let the location fool you! I went on a Tuesday during the week when it wasn't busy at all -- nice and chill vibes. But babyyy once 6 PM hit? Dinner time activated. The crowd definitely started rolling in and you could feel the energy shift. So just know traffic picks up later in the evening if you're planning a visit. Now let's get into what matters: The staff? Super attentive and kind. I love when servers check on you just enough without hovering. And the food came out HOT. Not warm. Not "it's been sitting." I'm talking steaming, fresh, straight-to-the-table heat -- which is exactly how a crab boil should hit. Portions were generous because I was overly stuffed and still had plenty left over for the next day (which honestly might be the best part). Nothing like reheating a seafood boil and running it back. Thank you for hosting me and my guest -- we had such a good experience. I'll definitely be back for my next crab boil fix lol read more

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I love me a good seafood boil and unfortunately this place was not that. The wait is long, prices are high, quality is below average, and flavor is lacking.... We waited for 30 minutes to be seated even though plenty of tables were open, waited another 30 minutes to place an order, waited another 40 minutes until the food came out. At least the decor was "cute" pretty standard for a seafood boil and had TVs. We got 3 pounds of shrimp with the flavor mix and the spiciest level of heat in addition to some Cajun fries. The seafood was so bland and the fries were so dry with little to no seasoning. read more

The Crab Shack - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Gardena, California

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Excellent service from Karen and Dalia! Though today's shrimp is not that fresh, it's still taste good like any other day. Overall- this place is always amazing. Located in a commercial compound with numerous restaurants to choose from. Lots of dessert places to visit around the area. 2-19-2026 read more

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Slightly disappointed on our last visit. Sauce was extremely salty, which was surprising since I was just here a few months ago. The shrimp was not fresh this time. They were mushy and not the usual plumpness. I addressed it with the server, and she was kind enough to relay it to the back kitchen, but I'm not sure if it was received well. I hope it gets better. The sauce is what we come for. read more

Well this review is long overdue. Been coming here since they first opened and have been a fan since. It had been a while since I've been back to this location as I prefer their other location on artesia that has much easier parking, but since it's closed for now as it seems, we came here instead to celebrate a birthday. We were seated quickly as we got there before the dinner rush which was nice as they don't take reservations. Ambiance is chill, like the theme of the place still. It could use a little TLC, but it did the job. Bathroom needs an upgrade, just be warned. The workers were nice. On to the food, it has consistently been flavorful and made with quality ingredients. This time around we went with combo number 2, fish basket, garlic fries, garlic noodles, and fresh oysters. Everything was delicious, the stand out to me was the garlic noodles, a little oily but flavor packed; we left satisfied. Still a fan, will be back when craving a seafood boil. Happy eats, loves! ^_^ read more

The Crab Shack - Fish basket, garlic fries, garlic noodles - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Gardena, California

Family dinner night for a birthday. Very excited to eat at this place because I love a good seafood boil and the crab delivered. Parking at this place definitely sucks lol Came in got a table right away before it got too busy. Service wasn't too bad although our waitress forgot our water. We ordered combo #2 with 2 pounds of shrimp and 1 pound mussels. We also tried their Garlic noodles, garlic fries and fried fish and fresh oysters. The seafood boils were good as expected, some places can overcook their shrimp which makes it mushy and harder to peel but these were perfect. But the real winner here was the oysters OMG!! Sooo goood, sooo fresh. It literally taste like the ocean. Tip: put tabasco and lime on them read more

The Crab Shack - Garlic noodles & Fried Fish - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Gardena, California

This place is might go to for the shrimp and crawdads and Fish Andchip really good atmosphere good music good customer service and good food. Recommend the Fish Andchip but now they have a lobster sandwich. Go and check them out. Watch a game listen to music and get a buy one get one free beer from 3 PM to 6 PM. read more

I was craving a seafood boil and I found this place by accident. Not sure why the other ratings complained about the service, but we ordered to go and the service was great. I live in Rancho palos verdes and my food was still smoking hot when I got home. The prices are very reasonable and the sauce was great. Chunks of garlic and the perfect amount of spice (I got medium). I got 1lb of shrimp, corn, & potatoes and I still had food left after I was done. This location is with a bunch of other food spots so parking can be congested but the food is fire and worth it. Gardena has been showing out lately with the food spots. I recommend this location if you're looking for a seafood boil with lots of flavor! read more

The Crab Shack - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Gardena, California

Amazing food good to eat good people and the spice is off the level and you can get the best food here

Haven't been in awhile, the service was very good and our meal delicious. The one thing I wish they would do is place gliders or silencing bases on the chairs, the noise the chairs make when they move is cringe worthy, so much that I think I would rather order to-go than dine in. The staff are very personable, there were at least two servers on the floor who seemed to ensure each patron was attended to, it was very nice to see and experience... I just need the chairs not to be so noisy: metal chair on concrete floor totally messed with the ambiance, even over the two televisions that were showcasing two different sporting events. Otherwise a delightful afternoon. read more

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The shrimp was absolutely awesome! Everything tasted fresh and well seasoned. The pricing was very affordable, especially for the quality of food you get. The atmosphere was beautiful and made the whole experience even better. Our server was also very attentive and welcoming, which made the visit even more enjoyable. Definitely a great spot if you're craving good seafood--I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Every time I call they never answer the phone an when I get to the place to place a order I called the phone before I ordered there phone rings an they let it ring then when you tell them about it they say the phone never rang but yet they be on there phones while the phone is ringing read more

Pretty good food. I had the crab shack fried rice (that didn't have any crab in it but had a nice mix of other seafoods and meats and was very light and had a good taste). Quick and kind service team. It wasn't the best seafood I ever had but it was wonderful and a great ambiance for a family meal. read more

The Crab Shack - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Gardena, California

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I don't know about this location but the Long Beach location is NOT good though awful service and have to ask for absolutely everything.

Don't get the clam chowder. Basically a thick paste of potato with no clams and large pieces of celery. It was good once upon a time ( maybe that why I gave it 2 stars) . Also sign on the door says only snow crab lol that's a joke right I mean you are the crab shack. Anywho pass read more

This spot fell off. They no longer serve king crab. Snow Crab ONLY. They used to have an AMAZING clam chowder that was full of clams. I got a cup the other day and it had nothing but potatoes and celery. I literally had 2 pieces of clam. If you're going to lower the quality at least lower the price. $15 for a a cup of clam chowder with 2 pieces of clam is nasty work. Just call it potato soup. read more

Hands down my favorite seafood boil spot! From the moment you walk in, you're hit with that amazing aroma of spices and seafood that just gets your mouth watering. The atmosphere is always lively and fun, perfect for a casual night out with friends or family. Plus, I love the choice of music they always play. The seafood is always incredibly fresh and cooked to perfection. Last time, we had a pound of shrimp in the medium-spice Crabshack style sauce, and it was amazing! We love to add corn and sausage to it, plus potatoes and hard-boiled eggs. The CrabShack style sauce is seriously addictive! Their Cajun fries are also always good, hot, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. A must-try and my favorite is their Garlic noodles that comes with sausage and shrimp - perfectly buttery and garlicky! We also get a side of steamed rice, which goes perfectly with the seafood boil. Food also always comes out quickly! The service is always top-notch, too. The staff is super friendly and attentive, making sure you have everything you need. If you're a seafood lover, you absolutely HAVE to try Crabshack. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! read more

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I always get the head on shrimp in the medium crab shack sauce with Cajun fries. I love this place.. I come pretty often lol.. :-) read more

Service here sucks. Too many young people with no interpersonal skills. You literally have to ask for EVERYTHING. I had to ask for a pen to write my name down although there wasn't a wait. I had to ask for a table cloth I had to ask for a menu, then I had to ask for napkins because there wasn't any on the table, I had to ask for a bib, then ask for gloves to eat, and to top it off I had to ask for the bill as I spent my entire meal asking questions when they should have asked one simple question. "How is everything?" Not even that. Holy mother of god you guys suck at this location. Probably one of the worst service experiences I've ever had was tonight, 3-24-26 at 7:30pm. Wow, I hope you guys close down. read more

I've been coming to the Crab Shack for a couple of years now, and it's always hit or miss. Sometimes the shrimp is decent -- fresh enough and the Crab Shack sauce has good flavor and texture. But other times, the shrimp just fall apart in your hands, and the sauce is watered down. I've asked them to drain the shrimp well before adding the sauce, and when they actually do it, the food turns out fine. But most of the time they don't, and it ends up a mess. It's really frustrating not knowing what to expect every time you go. read more

Parking is limited since the restaurant is located in a strip mall so be prepared to circle a bit before finding parking. When you enter the restaurant it's spacious, the register to the left is used for takeout and when you enter there is a clip board to write your name on if there is a waitlist. We were seated quickly and the order was taken quickly. The food came out quickly, I ordered 1 lb of clams and 1 dungeons crab. The clams were not cleaned sufficiently so every bit I took there was a crunch in the clams because of the sand. The crab was decent in the crab shack style. The food's flavoring was not anything special. I would skip this restaurant and go to other places in California that are way better. Overall, a skip for me and will not be going back. read more

This is not my favorite style of Cajun food but The Crab Shack is much better than most of them! Service was prompt and restaurant was clean! Next time I'll stick to the shrimp, corn, and potatoes because the sausage tasted freezer burnt!! Kids liked the chicken tenders, PoBoy was just okay!! read more

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I am a pescatarian with a pork allergy, and I have visited the Crab Shack Artesia location several times over the past year and a half. I have recently visited the Gardena location at least 3 times previously including today. Each time I ordered, I clearly communicated that I could not consume pork as I have an allergy. However, during my visit today, I was informed for the first time that the seafood is cooked in pork-based broth/water, even when pork is omitted from the dish. I was NEVER previously told this, and had I known, I would not have eaten there. This was extremely concerning to learn after having spent hundreds of dollars at both Crab Shack locations under the belief that my food was free from any pork ingredients. Looking back, I often felt unwell after dining, but I assumed it may have been due to seasoning or garlic. Now it is clear that this exposure to pork likely caused those reactions. For individuals like myself who avoid pork for health, allergy, or religious reasons, this lack of transparency presents a serious issue. I truly appreciate the manager's professionalism during my visit and their willingness to explain the process. However, I strongly recommend that Crab Shack clearly disclose that seafood and other non-pork items are prepared in pork-based broth so customers can make informed decisions before ordering. I am sharing this feedback in hopes it will help prevent future misunderstandings and potential health risks for others with dietary restrictions. read more

Food is great highly disappointed to be notified after placing a over the phone order and paying for the order upon arrival that I'm not able to get the shrimp separately due to my daughter's shrimp allergy I wouldn't have got a combo!!! She's normally accommodated I for sure can't eat all of this alone and although she's 6 she loves her boils and this was a request $67 and still have to go buy her food some where else is crazy read more

I had one of the most unprofessional experiences I've ever had at The Crab Shack, and it happened the moment the doors opened at 4:00 PM. Right at opening, a staff member opened the door and another employee immediately asked her why she did that and said she should have waited. I politely said, "Isn't it 4:00?" and she turned around with a very aggressive attitude and said they were "trying to figure out where to seat us." When I told her she didn't need to speak to me with that attitude, she responded, "I'm not giving you attitude, but since you're having one with me, I'm going to catch one with you." That is completely unacceptable customer service. She then continued explaining that they were doing inventory on the floor but followed it by saying she didn't even need to explain that to me because she could refuse to serve me if she wanted to. To make things worse, she looked extremely unprofessional. Her hair was messy and not properly secured, and she was cutting lemons without wearing gloves, which is concerning when it comes to food safety. Being rude to customers the moment the restaurant opens and handling food without proper hygiene is not okay. If this is the way customers are treated at the door, I can only imagine what happens behind the scenes. Very disappointing experience read more

Great service fun atmosphere and food was delicious!!!! Highly recommended. I will be returning soon.

Came with my family of 13 and asked how long they mentioned it was about 20 minutes ..but the place was half empty! So asked why we couldn't be seated on the half empty side ..wow being from the valley never have I heard something like this! I am soooo dumbfounded with this place ! So we left..obviously they don't want our business Happy new year 2024! read more

The Crab Shack - Unbelievable! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Gardena, California

My son loves coming to The Crab Shack for every event or Birthday dinner. The food is always amazing. It's usually very busy so we always have to wait about 10-30 minutes to be seated. The food comes out quick though and the servers are usually on top of things. At times they do forget an item here or there but that's understandable. The inside is nothing too fancy. I guess what you would expect from any crab boil place. My family and I always have a good time here and leaving happy and full. The seafood boils are delicious. Don't forget a side of garlic bread. Mmmmm. Definitely have to check this place out. read more

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I ordered Combo #1 and opted for 2 pounds of shrimp and 1 pound of mussels. I added an extra pound of shrimp with corn and potatoes to feed my group of 6. Overall, it was the perfect amount of food, and the shrimp were perfectly cooked--plump, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The mussels were just as impressive--sweet and tender with a nice briny flavor that paired well with the sauce. We also ordered calamari, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It had a really nice crunch without being greasy, and the dipping sauce was the perfect complement. The garlic noodles were also a highlight--chewy, savory, and garlicky with additional seafood. We also ordered a side of rice to soak up the sauces from the Cajun boil. Service was friendly and quick, and the atmosphere is casual but cozy, making it a great spot for a laid-back seafood feast. The prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity you get. read more

Great experience, seafood was fresh and well seasoned. Music playing and TVs was a cool vibe.

Good place. Service was fantastic. Central Minnesota lacks really great food so this was a really wonderful place to visit. Bathrooms were creepy and fully Ìf graffiti but overall I'd go back. I really enjoyed the place read more

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Let me tell you about The Crab Shack in Gardena - it's become a real cornerstone of our local food scene, and for good reason. But to truly appreciate it, you need a little backstory. Before we landed in Gardena, our seafood boil cravings meant a trek all the way to the San Gabriel Valley or Koreatown. So, discovering The Crab Shack was practically a culinary miracle - a fantastic seafood fix just minutes from home! It quickly became our go-to. Then came our wedding anniversary. We decided to revisit an old favorite from our pre-Gardena days, a competitor that had just opened a new spot in Torrance. We were excited, nostalgic even. My wife had her heart set on one thing, and one thing only: King Crab legs. And guess what? They were out. Completely out. We were there to celebrate, so we settled for lobster tails, but the disappointment was palpable. That night, I heard the words, "Never Again," and trust me, she meant it. So, back to The Crab Shack - our reliable, never-out-of-King-Crab haven! Yes, seafood can be a bit of a splurge, especially when the wifey has her eye on those glorious King Crab legs. But for us, it's worth it. Our go-to seasoning is the "Crab Shack Style" - that perfect blend of lemon pepper and garlic butter. We usually stick to mild, especially with our 7-year-old in tow (they have mild with a little kick, medium with some heat, and spicy for the brave!). My wife's usual order? Those coveted King Crab legs, plus some sweet corn on the cob and juicy shrimp. For me, it's all about King Crab legs with the pork sausages and shrimp in that flavorful boil. We're firm believers in keeping the shells on until we're ready to eat. We think it locks in all that delicious seasoning. When our son joins us, he's a big fan of their Garlic Noodles - buttery, garlicky goodness with shrimp, pork sausage, Parmesan, and fresh basil. Or sometimes we opt for the Crab Shack Garlic Fried Rice, their signature Cajun-seasoned fried rice with the same tasty shrimp and sausage combo. My wife has also ventured into their Gumbo, and she raves about the rich roux sauce packed with okra, andouille sausage, shrimp, and chicken. Flavorful is an understatement, she says! For starters, we can never resist the Garlic Fries - crispy and loaded with garlic and Parmesan. Or the classic Crab Shack Wings with Fries, those fried chicken wings coated in their signature seasoning are just addictive. The Crab Shack isn't just a restaurant; it's a reliable spot that consistently delivers on our seafood cravings. It's where "Never Again" turned into "Always Again" for our seafood boils. If you're in Gardena and looking for a fantastic, flavorful seafood experience, The Crab Shack is a definite 5-star recommendation from our family! read more

Staffing needs to be trained better and present themselves with more confidence. Crossed out our name on the waiting list but never seated us or greeted us until we asked. Ordering was the same, lacked confidence and knowledge of the menu and food. Food was amazing and flavor was on point. No complaints there. Still would recommend but wish staffing would step it up a little read more

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I was walking on their sticky, greasy and cracked floor and fell on my hip. I was in pain and asked to speak with the manager. The owner came over and immediately told me I could contact his attorney. We all have attorney's, he could have contacted mine too. I told the owner I wanted to complete an incident report. Just in case I woke up the next morning in alot of pain. The owner became defensive. He wanted me to come see where I fell. I wasn't going to fall again. I told him, "No." Then he comes over and offers a free round of watered doen margaritas on him. He didn't have the decency to try to comp our meal which was truly inexpensive. Regardless of if I was trying to sue or not, his establishment was negligent. You have to keep a clean, non greasy floor and repair those cracks in the cement floor. He may have gotten away easy with me. You better believe he will be getting sued in the future if that floor is not repaired, they don't dry the floor after mopping or remove grease from the floor. I could have really gotten hurt. read more

I was a bit skeptical because of this place being a chain.. Thank goodness they proved me wrong. Food yumm to the tum. He: Hot peeled shrimp in a bowl with potatoes and sausage. She: Clam chowdah, damn good garlic noodles and garlic bread. Her: Fried oysters & fries. Me: Lump crab cakes with their slaw! Service was ok , they did the thing despite the crowd and a little strange customer behavior. Ambiance: Great because of the company I was with and the tunes in the background! 3.5 yumms up tho!! read more

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Seafood boil spots are plentiful in LA but not all are great quality. I'm glad to finally find a place that is close by that has an excellent quality seafood boil. Parking is shared in a big lot with many other businesses and the spaces can be a bit tight but not an issue, even during peak hours. Tried the crab shack garlic fries and they were so good! Fried well and didn't get stale too quickly or soggy. The garlic flavor was all on point and paired well with the cheese. Definitely a must-get for each visit. I've gotten a pound of the crawfish on one visit and also tried the Combo #2 on another visit and both times were consistent and great quality. The spices definitely pack a punch, even for someone who loves spicy food. I believe the seafood is frozen which could be better but understandable BUT I have to say that it is way better than Boiling Crab. The texture isn't mushy and for being frozen, it exceeds expectations. The gloves provided are a bit thin so better to double glove. Service is also top-notch, was checked on several times without being overbearing. Even during peak times, service was great. Really hope this place never changes! read more

The Crab Shack - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Gardena, California

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I'm used to the boiling crab. So when I had the "shebang" (can't remember the name) it had some cinnamon and some other seasoning that just didn't agree with me. The shrimp was a little mushy and overcooked. I did a take out order so I don't know about the service read more

The weight was not too long, got seated sooner than expected . First time trying the waiter helped us in choosing our combo. Amazing food and fast service. Will be back. read more

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Been coming here and still find my way back to this place. Wonderful customer service, they are very attentive. Great music taste, atmosphere, and the place is clean. But the most important thing is the food 10/10. The shrimp delicious the seasoning on everything is perfect and let's not forget about their crab shack fries! Will continue to come here. read more

The experience was great fast service and the food was delicious. Definitely will be coming back