Cracked Crab, Pismo Beach

I will make a career in telling as many people as I can how poorly this restaurant and the two men who were controlling traffic inside this pitiful restaurant treated us. It was November 26 2010 as we waited for over 45 mins outside in the cold to try this small restaurant with no parking. As a matter of fact the next door parking space even expressed it VIVIDLY, " NO CRACKED CRAB PARKING ". That's a hint how the management runs this restaurant. they could not even be friendly with the neighbors or neighboring businesses, Well, as it was I went inside to check as the party of 7 before us went in so I figure it was our party of five next. As it turns out our table was ready however there was a party of 9 next to us and we asked why we haven't been seated. The hostess said that our table was ready and pointed to a table of 6 freshly cleaned so I called the rest of the group into the restaurant. As we get in the two short men in short sleeve T's with logo said that they are just waiting for "something" anyway as a couple left at the same time in the adjacent table they hurriedly fixed the setting for 10 and then offered us a table for 4. I had asked that we be seated in a table that would accommodate all 5 of us instead of a table for 4. As I added to them that we waited for almost an hour and we deserve a nice and comfortable table and besides we came ahead of the party of 10. Well the one person, male, short sort of chunky said that the party of 10 came ahead of us ( ??? ) so I started to look at the list and he hurriedly took the list away and left me just in sheer and utter amazement how they can treat customers, future repeat patrons like this. Is it because we were Asians or is it because they had priority for bigger parties. Either way they DID NOT deserve our business so we left. I hope you understand why I am going out of my way to write this to discourage you from patronizing this restaurant and most especially to spare you from experiencing this terrible situation. I and my family will try our best NEVER to go to a Cracked Crab restaurant ever again.

This is an AWESOME place to eat. What an experience! Great food dumped in the middle of the table for all to dive in and eat what they want. I can't wait to go back.

If you go, you must get the clam chowder and the fried king crab appetizer. Its a little pricey at $25.00 for just soup and an appetizer but you cannot beat the taste with a stick. Excellent food; do not miss it.

Love this restaurant. Always visit every chance we get. Have sent many of our friends. Great food & service!! Hope to visit again next month and have some of their great fish tacos!!

FRESH! Went here for a saturday lunch on Valentines day. The wait was only about 15 minutes for this small place. Once inside the food took over. We opted for the "bucket" of fish on out table. Sounds odd, but still tasty. be sure to pay the extra bucks and substitute for the Alaskan King Crab...the meat that came outta there was scrumptious. Dont be scared away by the line, go inside, its worth the wait.

The only downfall is they are a little over priced. But it is a fun place to go. We have gone 6 years in a row for my daughters birthday. We all love it. It is a lot of fun when you take someone that doesn't like to eat with their fingers, as they do dump it on the table. It's all finger foods. Except like the salad or soups. They have a really great salad that they add crab too. So yummmers. You have to try this place for yourself. Take a lot of money though as it is around $100 for 2 people.

Yummy food, Very nice staff, kid friendly, close to beach and clean what more do you need at a restaurant!

In March, I got the chance to go to the Cracked Crab, my experience was awesome, the best service, the best crab, I would recommend it to everyone, its a bit pricey but worth every penny. Joyce from Maine

The Cracked Crab is a great local place to go if you are in the mood for seafood. They bring you a bucket of crab and dump it in the middle of your table...and of course provide you with the necessary tools with which to eat it. They have cute souvenir t-shirts, too.

I ate at the Cracked Crab on my last evening at Pismo Beach. They had the BEST clam chowder hands down that I had while on my visit. Some of my family members had a great time with the bibs and the bucket meal. Tons of delicious food. Our waitress was great and the service was awesome. We walked in the door and two young ladies opened the doors for us and welcomed us in. Very friendly!! We observed how efficently and smoothly EVERYONE worked. This restaurant is a must!