West Ashley Crab Shack Review
1901 Ashley River Road | Charleston S.C. 29407 | 843.763.4494
“The Restaurant Insider” Your Guide to Dining In the Lowcountry
A version of a backyard feast or an everyday oyster roast is a great way to describe this restaurant which opened its doors for business on May 7, 2001. Your dining experience begins outside the restaurant, which is surrounded by trees and has an outward shack appearance. The crab traps, fishnets and life preservers lure you in, with an inviting patio for outside dining. The interior walls are painted with Lowcountry murals, and was decorated by the employees in what can best be described as authentic nautical décor. Tables, private booths and a large bar are available for seating. The floors were specially made to be wheel chair accessible and wide ramps are positioned around the restaurant.
During our visit we started with a section of the diverse menu labeled Shacketizers. Selecting the Crab Shacks famous deviled crab, and the Lowcountry boiled shrimp. Upon tasting these dishes we were quickly able to determine that this was not your run of the mill seafood restaurant. After finishing these delicious appetizers we ask our server what she would recommend for our dinner selections. “One of the most requested entrees is our Shacktacular seafood sampler, made up of potatoes, corn on the cob, smoked sausage, crab legs, deviled crab, mussels, shrimp, oysters and clams,” was her response. Needless to say, we were sold. We kept our menus after giving her our order, just to see what could have been. One option was fresh seafood by the bucket, including the Shack’s buckets of oysters, clams and crab legs. Other Shack specialties include Shrimp and crab casserole, Lowcountry crab cakes, and Beaufort stew. Soup, Salads and Sandwiches (also known as Shackwiches) are also on the menu. For a grand finale the Crab Shack tempts you with Shack Sweets such as key lime pie and the shack attack.
We were beginning to doubt our decision to accept her recommendation, when our waitress walked up to the table with a tray piled high with an assortment of shellfish. The platter was huge, looked wonderful with the steam rising from it, and smelled wonderful. My companion stated that he now knows were the term “Come Roll Up Your Sleeves” originated, and proceeded to do just that. The subsequent forty five minutes turned into a butter soaked frenzy of oyster wrenching, shell cracking, shrimp peeling culinary excess. I have never had a seafood experience to match this. In the end we were both standing over our table finishing off the last of the delectable morsels., as well as the remaining paper towels left on a depleted roll. It is very evident that the staff of the Crab Shacks, spend a lot of time preparing the tastiest and freshest seafood available. If you’re looking to roll up your sleeves and dig right into a good meal, this fun, festive place offers something for everyone.
Local Loyalty Membership