RESTAURANTS

Joe's Stone Crab
11 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-0365

Mention South Beach to any non-Floridian over 50 and chances are they’ll automatically rattle off something like: "Oh, so you must know where Joe’s Stone Crab is, then?" or "You know, I was in Miami in 19-whatever and I ate at Joe’s. Is it still there?" …as if knowing Joe’s is some sort of rite of passage.…which is not to insult non-Floridians over 50 but to make a point: Joe’s was a destination point for South Florida visitors before South Beach was. And the Joe’s experience is unforgettable. Apparently, for a few decades, it was the only reason tourists came to this once culturally depleted neck of the woods at all. Joe’s isn’t a restaurant.

It’s a phenomenon. And the truth is, it’s so cavernous, it’s impossible for locals to miss. It occupies an entire city block, and teems with activity from open to close every single day. Celebrities and hot shots make reservations and are whisked off to the only reserved tables Joe’s offers. The inexperienced put in their names with one of the bouncer-esque maitre-d’s and wait up to two and a half hours for their coveted tables. Those in the know courageously grease the palm of one of those intimidating fellas at the door and wait only half as long for theirs. The celebrated stone crab is in all its glory at Joe’s. (Stick to the medium claws for flavor and quality.) And delight in saying you’ve experienced it.

Have you tried Joe's Stone Crab?  Review it

 

Reviewer: Andrea from Nebraska Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 1-Bad Ambiance: 3-Fair Food Quality: 1-Bad Value for Price: 1-Bad Review:  Waited over an hour for the food.  Mashed potatoes were instant and cold.  Crab salad was dumped on wilted lettuce from a can.

Reviewer: Marie from Montana Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 5-Excellent Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 4-Good Review:  My husband and I went to South Beach for our honeymoon.  We were told to try Joe's and that we wouldn't be disappointed.  Our experience exceeded our expectations!  From the ambiance, to the wait staff, everything was exquisit.  We will use the mail-order service for our anniversary.

Reviewer: Mark from Indiana Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 4-Good Ambiance: 3-Fair Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 3-Fair Review:  Joe's wait is long and the ambience average, so do what we do regularly by getting their carry out.  The carry menu is excellent.  You can call ahead and it is ready when you get there.  This makes for a great lunch poolside or on the beach. Don't spend you time waiting for a table.  Enjoy it on your own terms.  We love the claws, spinach, hash browns, and key lime pie.  Be sure to try their mustard with the crab.

Reviewer: Tracy from Saugerties NY Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 4-Good Ambiance: 1-Bad Food Quality: 4-Good Value for Price: 3-Fair Review:  Food was really good. Our table was awful too much traffic walking around us. This place is busy. We might try it again, but would need better table. People from all over love this place.

Reviewer: Virlin Lester from Atlanta, GA Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 4-Good Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 4-Good Review:  A great experience! Spent 2/15/08 evening dining at Joe's for the first time and truly enjoyed the experience of having stone crab for the first time.

Reviewer: Matt from Toronto, CA Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 4-Good Ambiance: 4-Good Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 4-Good Review:  The food is absolutely phenomenal... The wait not so desirable. After your first sip of the lobster bisque or your first bite of the lobster tail, you'll realize the wait was well worth it.

Reviewer: HCW from Toronto, CA Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 5-Excellent Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 5-Excellent Review:  They are one of the reasons I keep coming back to Miami.  To avoid the line up try their take out service (you may eat at the take out bar) - same food and same quality.

Reviewer: Evie from Miami, FL Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 4-Good Ambiance: 3-Fair Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 3-Fair Review:  Expect a wait!!  You can slip some money to get ahead of the line.  Or just show up early!  The food is great.  Seating is tight, very tight!  Its a must visit.  A true Miami classic!

Reviewer: Kevin from Orlando, FL Recommended: No Overall Rating: Service: 1-Bad Ambiance: 4-Good Food Quality: 2-Poor Value for Price: 2-Poor Review:  Rude bartender, rude host, poor service from our server.  Casual fare at fine dining prices.  Living in Florida I have had better seafood at a road side bar then from Joes.  Lots of other GREAT restaurants in this price range right down the street.  Oh yeah and a horrific wait.

Reviewer: Paul from Toronto, Canada Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 5-Excellent Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 4-Good Review:  Dined there many times when I have visited SoBe and just can't say enough good things.  They had moved from what I remember as the foot of Collins Ave to the new premises some time ago I guess but everything is as excellent as always including the green apple martoonis :)

Reviewer: Chris from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 5-Excellent Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 5-Excellent Review:  It was well worth the trip from the Virgin Islands...From the staff to the food, everything was excellent, I would definitely recommend it to others. You can't put a price on great food. I'm looking forward to going to Joes on my next visit.

Reviewer: South Beach Magazine Reader from Wisconsin Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 4-Good Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 5-Excellent Review:  We vacation in Miami Beach every year, and have been going for over 30 years.  No year is complete without a trip to Joe's.  The stone crabs are exceptional, the service is usually great, and the key lime pie is the best I've ever had.  My son always has the New York Strip and it is aged perfectly and scrumptious.  Joe's also has the best coffee served anywhere.  We used to rush to get there when the doors opened, now we go whenever we want to and show a $20.00 to the maitre'd.  We usually don't have to wait more that 30 minutes and most times less than that.  It's a little intimidating and they won't take the money until you leave.  Upon leaving, the maitre'd, like he has eyes in the back of his head turns and extends his hand to receive his tip and bids you a fond farewell.  The prices are high, but the food and the experience are worth it.

Reviewer: Mary & Steve from Beavercreek, OH Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 5-Excellent Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 5-Excellent Review:  Joe's Stone Crab is a South Beach favorite.  We dine there every time we are in town.  The service is outstanding and the food is out of this world.  The real secret is to walk into the restaurant at 4PM and put your name on the list for 5 o'clock seating!  It works every time!

Reviewer: Ervin Cruz from Miami Recommended: No Overall Rating: Service: 2-Poor Ambiance: 4-Good Food Quality: 3-Fair Value for Price: 1-Bad Review:  Well despite the fact that there was a two and a half hour wait, if you are not a celebrity the service sucks. Very mean people.

Reviewer: South Beach Magazine Reader from Clewiston, FL Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 4-Good Ambiance: 5-Excellent Food Quality: 5-Excellent Value for Price: 4-Good Review:  Excellent Restaurant. When we arrived, we were told the wait would be about an hour. We went to the bar for a cocktail and appetizers. We were called in 3 minutes. Unexpected...

Reviewed by:  Carol from Fort Lauderdale    Recommended: Yes Overall Rating: Service: 5-Excellent Ambiance: 3-Fair Food Quality: 4-Good Value for Price: 4-Good Review:  After hearing about Joe's from everyone from my grandmother to my pastor, we finally had to try it. My husband and I drove down from Fort Lauderdale and after all the hype we thought we'd be disappointed - but we actually had a great experience. The food isn't too frilly and the stone crab was the best we'd ever had! We really enjoyed the family style servings because it let try a few different things. We even ordered an extra slice of key lime pie to take home with us. It was absolutely worth the drive and we'll be back for sure!