Click for how we figure the ratingsClaws is an upbeat, noisy restaurant. Of course, it is a beachy crab house with a busy bar and people hammering on innocent crustaceans, drinking beer and having fun. A lot of the noise, however, isn't necessarily from these fun-loving patrons. What I'm talking about is servers and runners throwing plates onto the tables, slamming dishes into busspans (it's a wonder they don't break) and talking loudly to one another from across the room as if they were in there alone. Looks like the servers and bartenders run the place.

I've been there six times since they opened for the season, and the feedback is evenly divided. Last night our server took a very long time making initial contact (no acknowledgement of that fact, by the way), and then apparently found it beneath him to clear our plates when we were finished. We sat and stared at our congealing leftovers for a good 10-15 minutes--and we were the only party in the room! On an earlier visit, the waitress was fun and made the meal delightful. Apparently at Claws it's the luck of the draw. Poor management? Poor training? Perhaps. I am a fan of Claws' sister restaurant, Fins, and every time I go into Claws I'm expecting the same sort of food and service. Sometimes it happens--sometimes it doesn't.

On an earlier visit we started with the Crabby Abby Crab Pretzel. Crabmeat and cheese on a warm pretzel: Now what can be wrong with that? Nothing--but beware: It's filling! It is best shared. Last night we had the Clams Casino. Not a "hoity-toity" preparation at all, it's basic and cheesy--just about what you would expect for the reasonable price. And I would order it again. The Maryland Crab Soup was unusual--almost a cross between the traditional preparation and French onion soup (without the cheese). If you like onions and lots of veggies, order this. On a couple of our earlier visits, the fried oysters were hot, crunchy and crispy (like CLAWScrabsunglassesthey always are at Fins). Last night (and on one other visit) they arrived soggy and mushy and room temperature. Did they sit in the window for 10 minutes while our waiter did whatever, or did the kitchen send them out that way? Doesn't really matter: The person who ordered them as a main course was thoroughly disappointed.

On the other hand, I can't say enough good things about the Lobster Roll (lobster chunks in a light dressing with tiny bits of celery--worth every penny. Read more in my review of Fins). Last night one of our companions had the "Salad Sampler" (generous portions of that great lobster salad, nicely spiced shrimp salad and a (very) mild potato salad surrounded by field greens). Our off-handed waiter never offered her a choice of dressing, and the greens came out dry. Too bad. All he had to say was "What kind of dressing would you like with that?"

On two of our earlier visits, the fried flounder was delicious, hot and crispy. Several also enjoyed the crab cakes (get 'em fried...the crust adds to the mild taste). Others have gone several times for the lobster special and they speak very highly of it. I have to say that the hush puppies were a disappointment. I order them wherever I go, and these (for lack of a better word) were kind of "spongy" and a little sweet (more like a corn fritter). Unless they're meant them to be that way, I suspect they might have been undercooked, though the outside was appetizingly brown and firm.

I don't go into restaurants looking for bad things to write about. In fact, I'm often accused of saying "too many" nice things. But off-handed service can ruin the experience, and I consider "the experience" to be as important as any other factor. Claws is a hit 'n' miss place, and, I suspect, largely dependent on who ends up waiting on you. I want to try more things there, but I have to say my first choice will be Fins.

Claws is in downtown Rehoboth Beach at 167 Rehoboth Avenue, on the north side just east of the Post Office. They have limited hours in the off-season, so be sure to call 302-227-2529. Click here for the menu at Claws. (L. (in season), D., Bar) Price range: Moderate +.    

 

 

Comments 

 
0 # Alex 2010-05-21 13:36
My wife and I love your site and your advice has been spot-on every time. You have really expanded our resources when it comes to dining out. We've been to Claws twice so far this season, and we liked it. It's not fine dining, and we had a waitress both times (not the guy you refer to) and all was OK. It is VERY noisy (the bar was full and we couldnt even talk), but it IS, after all, a "beachy" (as you say) crab house.
We will go back, but we might change tables if a guy is our server. Too bad you didn't print his name.
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-1 # d 2010-05-28 06:48
Some of your comments are right on.I eat there often and enjoy it but some things you wrote Ive neverseen.Example throwing plates and slamming dishesinto busspans.Itis noisy but Ive never seen that happen.Enjoy your site butsometimes your reviews seem a little mixed up.Maybe you guys are a little over extended
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+1 # Jackie B 2010-05-30 06:38
Umm...it doesn't look like the foodie is the one who's a little mixed up here.....
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+1 # sandy toes 2010-08-02 16:09
We are full-time local RB's and we love this site. I agree fully with your review of Claws...we were there last night. We don't go often because we have had similar experiences. We went last night because we didn't want to drive on Route 1 and wanted crabs. The wait was about 30 minutes and they paged us right on. The crabs were fine and surprisingly our waitress was great. The hostesses not so much. And yes things WERE being dropped and thrown. And most of the wait staff didn't act like they realized they are serving in a restaurant. Maybe it depends on where you sit??? The Mac and Cheese is always a hit with my 6 year old!! It's very kid friendly so that may up the noise. I think there are better crab houses but not many to choose from in RB.
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-1 # Steve Barnard 2011-05-04 08:18
I ate at Claws on Monday based on a recommendation. The service was friendly and prompt, but the food less than stellar. I ordered linguini with clam sauce from the special menu ($12.99). It is a favorite dish of mine and this one looked great and was served with fresh mussels and a sprinkling of spices. Unfortunately looking great and tasting great are two different things. The dish was literally swimming in about 1" of water which rinsed most of the sauce off of the properly cooked linguini. It seems like a simple step to drain any pasta before applying the sauce, but this step was missed in this case. I'll give Claws another try but must call a "strike one" on this local favorite.
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+1 # Jackye 2011-06-11 21:35
We just came from Claws & was disappointed. I chose it because they had lobster tail on the menu. Asked very nice waiter if the tails are boiled not broiled and he took my order as I told him I could not stand broiled. They came broiled hard &dry with tasteless butter! I sent them back and received new. They looked much better but I could hardly get them out of shell as they kept bouncing back. I dipped them in the tasteless butter and chewed and chewed. When finally finished a little piece it had the worst after taste. My husband thought it had been frozen I said it was definaty not MAine lobster as the waiter said. I could not finish most of a whole tail how sad
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0 # VId Lopez 2011-12-03 16:46
We are new to the area since July of 2011 and have tried many restaurants in the are. We ate there about two months ago and were very disappointed and unimpressed with the place. For some reason we felt it smelled very "musty", the service was not very good, the waitress had an attitude and it was expensive. Will not go there again.
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