Tasty seafood, incredible bisque, somewhat slow but decent service. Try their sweet potato fries -- fantastic flavor and an awesome dipping sauce. Too expensive for what it is, but I guess that's just what you get for dining in a tourist town.
(4)
The K.
Delicious Seafood Bisque, Mahi wrap very tasty but a bit too much blackening seasoning and the hand-cut fries are very good, no Thrashers, but a nice part of our meal.
(4)
Brian A.
If the waiter wasn't such a jackass, it would have been fine. Our party of 8 (4 kids included) did not have a very long wait to get in to this seafood landmark in RB during the season. The drinks from the bar were good and well-balanced. Once we got to the table, though, it was as if we were in a different world. Our waiter was less than pleasant, did not explain anything, and even told one of our table companions that if she told HIM about what she wanted - which, btw, she did - he would have checked to see if it could be done. The food that arrived - mostly at the same time - was good, not spectacular. Those who got softshell crabs seemed to like them. I got an abundant steamer platter with a couple of clams still full of sand. Others around the table seemed to be OK with their dishes. Things that took a long time and a waiter with attitude (not in the saucy, fun way either) made this a meh experience.
(2)
Michael B.
Horrible. I ordered a Louisiana Oyster Shooter and they did not shuck the oyster properly. I ended up cracking a tooth! We ended up only getting appetizers (since the order had already been placed) and the crab balls and broiled scallops tasted like they were microwaved and were rubbery. They wait staff was slow and unprofessional as well. It took us 20 minutes to get our check AFTER we finished our appetizers. We were never asked if we even WANTED entrees. Go someplace else. There are plenty of seafood restaurants in the area. Go to Fins or Timothys in Rehoboth or JD Schuckers in Lewes.
(1)
Lisa V.
Good service. Fun family atmosphere. Food below average. A disappointment :(
(2)
Z M.
Not as good as it once was. Kid friendly though. Poor mojitos.we won't be back.
(2)
Andrew B.
Went here as part of a family gathering. Crabcakes were very meaty, but very mediocre. I didn't care for the seasoning style (horseradish) and they didn't taste that fresh. Garden salad was very nice. Service was good, once we were seated. Although they seated us on the left side of the restaurant, which requires anyone handicapped to have to walk ALL the way around the outside of the restaurant, starting on the right side. We specifically told them we had a handicapped person in our party upon arrival.
(2)
Jennifer K.
About 2.5 rungs up the ladder from Red Lobster, and not for land lubbers. Reeking of stale seafood odors, the menu features only four non-seafood choices: chicken breast, and three steak options. Yes, it's the beach, but most people prefer a menu with some variety. Suitable for large family groups and decidedly un-fancy. Good for picky eaters who find the other restaurants in and around Rehoboth to be "too fancy."
(2)
Ken H.
With the wife melting down from hunger at the doorway of Jake's, we decided to head inside, knowing nothing of the restaurant. Started with the crab stuffed mushrooms... chunks of mayonaise that were arguably larger than the crab pieces, all slathered with a covering of cheese. Since the wife also ordered the crabcake, we knew we were in for a long, mayo-filled night., As expected, the crabcake was not up-to-par... but, my blackened mahi sandwich was good enough to go 2 stars on this forgettable spot by the beach.
(2)
Carolyn B.
great casual spot for seafood while at the beach. they are famous for their crabcakes, which were good, although i think my mom's are better! we went with a group of 6 on a saturday night and didnt have to wait which was a bonus - they have a lot of seating. margaritas were good, as were our appetizers: coconut shrimp and crab-stuffed mushrooms. the service was decent too. cant say much for the atmosphere - its no frills, and definitely draws a family crowd (exhibit a - the family with 2 screaming kids nearby at 9pm on a sat night!).
(3)
Patti M.
PLEASE PLEASE do NOT waste your money at Jakes. Me best friend and I stopped at Jakes tonight after shopping at the outlets, what a big mistake. first....we enter and there are tons of empty tables but we are told there is a 30 minute wait. very strange. the menu lists the crab cakes as JUMBO LUMP crab cakes. i decide to order one crab cake dinner, my friend asks the waiter if the crab imperial is jumbo lump, his reply was yes. the crab imperial was not edible, it tasted like fish and there was not ONE lump of crab meat. my friend took a few bites and told the waiter it was horrible. he offered to bring her a crab cake but knowing my crab cake was horrible, she declined. he never brought the manager over. i opened my crab cake up to look at what i was eating.....it was all claw meat NO lumps and tasted like fish. no old bay, no seasoning, just horrible and smashed. corn on the cob was not good, baked potato was just ok. we finally asked for the manager, he was polite, asked why she didn't like the crab imperial, she explained it was not lump crab meat and tasted like fish. he acted surprised and said the crab meat is brought in fresh each day (which could not be true!!!!). then he pointed to my crab cake and said it was jumbo lump!!!!!! i had it all open and spread out on the plate....NO LUMP....just yucky old fishy tasting claw meat. he said he would take my friends meal off the bill. the bills comes, he took $7.50 off the bill, that was it!!!!!! we asked for the manager AGAIN, this time we get another manager with an attitude. my friend got so upset she told him to "comp" the ENTIRE check because we were not paying. he finally agreed but first tried to make us feel bad saying the waiter would have to pay which we did not want to happen. after we fussed some more he said the waiter would not have to pay. at that point we left a tip for waiter and left. we left hungry, stopped at subway!
(1)
David B.
For a special dinner yesterday,my wife ordered the shrimp Alfredo and I ordered the special stuffed rockfish with crab meat plus we ordered two side salads before dinner. before we had a chance to have our second bite of our salad, they delivered our entrees and then delivered our check even before we finished dinner. Plus our drinks stunk. My wife had a bloody Mary way too spicy and I had frozen margarita,which was just ok. I would give the food two stars but the service was terrible.
(1)
Rob C.
We tried to get into Jake's two years ago and the line was out the door with the wait lasting a couple of hours long. When wandering the streets of Rehoboth on a summertime friday night, we decided to give it a try and were "lucky" enough to get in. Come early, otherwise the line stacks up, although I am not entirely sure why they get so much attention. We started with some crab balls that were deep fried. They tasted good, but the serving size was lacking at 4 balls. I had a lobster that was slightly over cooked (steamed) while Felicia had fried shrimp that were also overcoaked. The entrees were generously sized. The wait staff was stretched over too many tables and the service suffered. Overall, an average beach seafood house, but nothing special.
(3)
Linda W.
In the week we vacationed at Rehoboth this year, we made it to Jake's twice. I would have gone for the Crab Imperial on a daily basis had I been able to convince the non-seafood eating members of the family. You're not familiar with Crab Imperial? At Jake's, Crab Imperial is a softball sized mound of fresh, sweet, real Maryland jumbo crab lumps (the chalkboard identified Kent Island, MD as the source) gently mixed with and held together by just the merest touch of egg, a dab of mayo and a kiss of Old Bay, glazed with a rich sauce, and run under the broiler until browned and beautiful. Or, if you really know your seafood, it can be stuffed into fresh caught local flounder or Maryland rockfish. It just doesn't get any better. Fresh Maryland corn on the cob made a wonderful side with some decent fries to boot. A crisp, refreshing St. Germaine Sangria rounded out the meal...BOTH times I got there! BTW, don't miss the sangria either. Cucumber and strawberries were muddled together with muscato and a little St. Germaine and topped with a little bubbly. I can't imagine a more perfect beach indulgence. Service was great at the bar at lunch, the bartender friendly and full of great suggestions for other spots to dine in town. I can't wait to get back to Jake's again next year!
(4)
Paul G.
Ate there last night. Pros: great food. Rose's Rockfish is the best. Perfectly cooked rockfish in awesome marinara-type sauce. Mouth is watering just thinking about it. The jumbo shrimp that my table-mates was good but the crab mix was more mix than crab. Not worth like $23. Small point- the steamed broccoli was beautiful. So fresh and not overdone or underdone. After a couple of days of burgers and funnel cakes, something healthy that actually tasted great was so welcome. Cons: Jake's plays a little game called "Make people wait outside for 20 minutes even though there are tables available." They take advantage of the fact that waiting patrons can't actually see most of the tables while standing outside the restaurant. Here's a heads up - many of them are open. Would seem to be a strategy by Jake's management to create false perception of overflowing demand, which they hope drives actual demand. And they try to sell you drinks while you wait. So, if you're reading this while waiting outside Jake's, tell the hostess you need to use the restroom. Then when you walk through the restaurant, take a look at the open tables. They will be there. The question is why you're still waiting outside for one.
(3)
Steve J.
We ate here a couple years ago and we're really impressed so we decided to stop again this year. Something just wasn't the same. The service was fine but the food was OK at best and not cheap. Not sure what changed but it lost its place on our list of must go places in Rehoboth.
(3)
Anna M.
This place is fairly good especially for happy hour. However the 'seafood bisque' should be called seafood chowder . The only redeeming quality about it was the large chunks of seafood that were mixed in. Despite that I would one back for the happy hour oyster special. The they have$1 oysters that are so fresh and delicious that you will never want to stop eating them. The staff is also wonderful especially Moose (he's very sweet, attentive and will flash you a winning smile)
(4)
Heather C.
This place looks nice outside so you would think the outside matched the inside. It was dirty. We had a few broken chairs that had to be switched. The inside needs more than an update. If your plan is get seafood, you might as well eat at a Red Lobster -really that bad. This is a beach town and you would expect decent seafood, not even close. We suspect it was previously frozen from a supermarket. We will not be back again, many great places in Rehoboth to dine at.
(1)
Peter K.
Wow. Really overpriced for mediocre food and a rundown restaurant. Try the boardwalk instead.
(1)
ernest k.
Visited Jakes Seafood House Saturday August1 2015 the first big mistake made portions were small service was slow portions of my food was cold.this was my second time in a jakes restaurant and the last.
(2)
Janice J.
On Saturday night, We had already waited 45 minutes at Claws only to be told it would be another 20 minutes. Really! So we left and went to Jakes Seafood House. We were able to sit right away at the bar area tables which were fine. We ordered the crab balls to share as an appetizer. They were hot and delicious. My husband ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi with the mashed potatoes and string beans was great! Huge portion! I ordered the broiled seafood platter. All my favorites shrimp, scallops and flounder. It was so well seasoned and truly yummy!! Our meal ended with a piece of key lime pie. Perfect! We will be back. Thanks for saving our night out!!
(5)
Kyle T.
Went here recently with a large party with no prior reservation. We were seated 30 minutes faster than their estimate which was a pleasant surprise. Our waitress was pleasant but inattentive, we were all parched from spending a day on the beach but she never came by to refill our waters and we had to ask refills several times, which was annoying. Also annoying was the fact that the waitress told us that we wouldn't be receiving complimentary bread because 'the kitchen was out,' yet 15 minutes later we saw the table next to us receive bread. When we saw this, we asked if we could have some bread too but we received the same answer, which was obviously not true. My food (stuffed flounder) was prepared and plated well, as was the food of some of my friends that I also tasted, however the portion sizes were small given how much the food cost. 7 of our dishes came out together, but then the last member of our party was made to wait for several minutes while they 'finished cooking his dish' while we ate, which is always annoying.
(3)
A K.
I don't usually get to eat a lot of seafood, as I am from the Midwest, but I was VERY happy with the selection on the menu and the quality of the food I received. Even more impressive was the kindness I received from the owner. I ate at Jakes the evening before I was scheduled to fly back to Chicago. It wasn't until I was back in Dover at 1030 pm that I realized I didn't have my phone. After searching the car the next morning it was apparent I had left it at the restaurant. The owner was there when I called at 730 and agreed to send my phone to my home address that afternoon. I'm sure you can imagine my relief to have this resolved before getting on the plane. I felt truly blessed that a stranger would take the time to go out their way to help me when they really didn't have to. I will go to Jake's anytime I am in Rehoboth Beach.
(5)
Ken W.
Great food and service as always. The seafood bisque is the best we've had... anywhere. Our 17th year coming to Jake's and never disappointed. We had the broiled seafood platter, lobster Mac n Cheese, kids fried shrimp and crab cake. All were fantastic. We'll see you again next year!
(5)
Michael K.
Just had a cup of the seafood bisque soup which stellar. Each spoonful had a healthy chunk of seafood. I strongly recommend this place.
(5)
Northern L.
OFF THE HOOK We found this restaurant while vacationing in Rehoboth and we're so happy about it. Fantastic food and drinks. We especially enjoy the bar area to eat lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is great. The hughest dining area around. Reservations are available but not needed as the place is so large. Even during peak season there is probably only a five minute wait. The steamed shrimp are huge and reasonably priced as are all the dishes. We recommend that anyone wanting great seafood or burgers give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
(3)
Eric Z.
I ordered the fish and chips, you would think a stand by in a seafood place. I got one pathetic small piece of fish and a ridiculously small portion of cole slaw, a plastic cup you'd get dressing in, actually a complete embarrassment to serve. I would not want to be "Jake" and put my name on that dish. Server did get me a larger portion of cole slaw, but still... Really. I Will not be back with so many other options around.
(2)
John G.
Fantastic food and service. Nice and quiet. Absolutely no complaints. This is one of our favorites in town. Prices are a little high, but you do get what you pay for here. The menu is great too. They have most everything. I don't recommend taking children, however.
(5)
Joseph K.
Super fantastic cole slaw. Drinks are excellent. Try the captains punch which even my bride enjoyed I liked the fried seafood platter. Each item was cooked properly. Scallops and flounder were tender. Crab cakes are definitely worth a try. Light and tasty.
(4)
Carol S.
The food was fantastic. The crab soup was amazing. The martinis weren't bad either. I don't believe there was a bad item on the menu. I went with a group and i believe we tried everything. I had the crab cakes which were delicious.
(4)
Ling L.
Great deals for happy hour - full-sized appetizers. The fish tacos we had included big chunks of mahi maui.
(4)
Erin S.
This has always been my 'go to' spot at Rehoboth. Typically we are greeted with a very friendly staff, endless bread and quick refills, good food..just a nice atmosphere. This last visit was different; dont know if it was the waitress or just the place. Little things make a big difference! We asked for bread b/c noticed we hadn't gotten any; the waitress said it is only available upon request now, so she did bring us some...just one roll each. Not to sound like a pig, but if I'm going out I dont want to ask and would like more than one piece. The waitress was really young, and not very attentive, which really hurts a place. She was nice but just not the type of great staff that really want the customer to have a nice time. She was young and gave off the vibe of not wanting to be there. I go out for the experience, not just the food. Everything was brought out too quick and rushed out the door. The food wasn't bad, but nothing special this time. New managment? A bad day? not sure, but this time Id just give it an 'eh' not bad by any means, but not good....service needs improved!!
(2)
Julie K.
The food was very good scallops, shrimp, sweet potato fries, onion straws. Service was ok. They had a large selection of food, had a hard time choosing our food! I will go back again. I was impressed.
(4)
George S.
Service was awesome. We liked Zach. The special soup was great. It had a of fish and seasoned well. It could have been a little warmer. I had fish and chips. Chips were great the fish was not crispy. It could have been old oil or sat under the heat lite to long. The place is a little tired but excellent service.
(3)
Krista B.
Don't be intimidated by the boisterous day drinkers at the bar in front. We went in for lunch and were seated in the nice quiet back area to eat. The mojitos are bomb, and servers were fun and friendly. My mom's fried ("padded") oysters are better, and my Caesar salad was OK. Overall a fun spot though.
(3)
Nick P.
Visited at 1130 AM on a Monday so it was not busy. Hostess let my family in a couple of minute early which was a nice gesture since we were wrangling 3 young children. Food was amazing! Had bisque which was creamy and deliscious, blackened Mahi tacos which were just the right amount of spicy, and the Memphis BBQ burger which was cooked perfectly and had very good slaw and bacon. Overall very good visit. Would bring family or friends again!
(5)
Tom R.
Excellent service. I never knew that Sangria could come with muddled cucumber, but suddenly, I cannot imagine it any other way. The seafood platter lived up to the price and my family enjoyed the meal very much. I think this will be a new tradition for my family!
(5)
Alyson O.
I would give this place 3.5 stars but not 4. The food was basic and not fancy but the drinks were awesome. The St. Germaine white sangria is exceptional. Perfect after a summer day at the beach. I would go back for the sangria alone!
(3)
Linda V.
We came in with a party of 6 Andrea was our waitress. She was great. The food was wonderful from lobster to prime rib. The lobster was perfect as was the prime rib.
(5)
Ally W.
Awesome, we have been eating here every weekend. Doesn't dissapoint! Best crab cakes I have had, they are made of crab no filler great seasoning, beach fries, seafood bisque is also really good and lots of meat! Friendly staff, great for kids (highway location has arcade games in the back), easy to get into with large or small parties!
(5)
Denis G.
It is 2014. A place that chooses to fry in Peanut Oil really should mention that on the menu so people with Allergies will stay away. We had to walk out after being seated and placing our drink order. My son told the server he was allergic and to his credit he did check with the kitchen and told us right away. It just would have been helpful to know beforehand. Three stars are for the courteous server and staff. Can't give review on much else.
(3)
Iryna B.
Meh...very typical american joint. No taste, everything over-fried and overcooked. Salads come from packages, seafood seems fresh but all the beauty of original flavor is being destroyed by cooks unable to peel a shrimp properly or turn a piece of fish into a nicely tasting dish. Service is good and quick though. Very friendly.
(2)
Foodspy J.
There isn't enough space to share how pleased we were with this restaurant. The atmosphere, service and food were Excellent! We ordered and shared a variety of seafood dishes and there were no disappointments. A few of the dishes, raw oysters - sweet and succulent, broiled seafood platter - excellent - cooked perfectly! Crab cakes - plump and fresh! We only wish we could have gotten back for more. This will be a traditional stop when visiting Rehoboth! What a great experience!
Arrival 5pm. It was not busy. Blackened mahi mahi was far from blackened. It was also dry. Red skinned mashed potatoes tasted like they had mayo in them. Lobster Mac and cheese... Lobster was chewy, pasta was penne with a red sauce??? I would not recommend this place to friends and I would never go back.
(1)
Matt E.
Jake's is quite a spacious restaurant which incorporates a bar in the front and the dining room in back. The place was clean and the service wasn't bad at all. The menu was obviously mostly seafood but had other options as well, there was something for everyone. The food I got was tasty and well cooked, not everyone was as lucky. What was consistant across the board was the overpriced dishes. What I got for nearly $30 (broiled seafood platter) should have been half that price. Some of the entrees were even worse, my girlfriends stuffed shrimp were mostly just 4 or so shirmp with some mayo based dip like stuff in a bowl. My girlfriends parents were also pretty disappointed with the quality of their food and the prices as well. If you're looking for good seafood and/or an affordable place for a nice sit-down dinner, Jake's isn't it. If you're like me and don't have a choice of coming here or not, it won't be too bad, especially if you're not paying.
(3)
Kimberly M.
My husband and I ate at this restaurant. Food and service was great. We had crab cake sandwich and the lobster roll. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Allison K.
Very surprised at the negative reviews I read on here about this place. We came in and got seated right away which was very nice- I think it's because we were a party of 6- it somehow worked for us. The wait staff was nice, efficient, and friendly. The local beer was great! Excellent vodka tonic garnished with a fresh lime. We got the tomato basil mozzarella caprese salad as an appetizer to share- very tasty and fresh. The rolls were fine as well. I got the house salad with chicken- ill of fresh great veggies. THE DRESSING WAS BEYOND GOOD! Another friend got the spring salad which she enjoyed and a side of corn on the cob that was good. Another got Mahi Mahi special and loved it. My mom got spice steamed shrimp which she loved. Good clams and crab cakes too. The bathrooms were clean enough. We had a nice evening and really enjoyed ourselves :) I'd recommend coming here
(4)
William B.
I've been there six or seven times over the years. This place is OK but not worth standing in line for. The food is just OK no matter what you order. They boast of great crab cakes but there are far better to be had for the same price range at many other places. Last night the French Fries were cold and the server vanished so no chance of sending them back. The steamed broccoli was steamed to death. I will try to remember not to go back. There are many better choices in Rehoboth downtown.
(2)
Donna S.
We went to Jake's for the second time today. The last time was dinner for 8 people. This time was lunch for two. Both times the food was excellent and the service very good. Today we had the crab cake sandwich. The crab meat is the high quality lump meat and there was almost no filler. I grew up in the Baltimore suburbs and these were the real deal. The mint lemonade was refreshing.
(5)
Anthony H.
Went to this place at 9:00pm they told us they were not sitting anybody after 9pm! I'm sorry but it was in-season and it's a vacation destination. If your going to own a restaurant on the strip you should be open to tourist eating pass 9pm.... Very disappointed so make sure when eating here it's before 9pm.....
(1)
DL H.
Last day before heading home we were craving some seafood so decided to give this place a try. It turned out pretty decent. I was craving scallops but didn't really want an entire meal of them, and lucky me they had them on appetizer for $10. They came out with about 6 and were very good. The flounder we had was decent, nothing spectacular, but I would definitely go back again. Also they have Birch beer, which is a win for me.
(4)
Rob M.
Empty at 5:15, busy at 5:45. Unimpressed with reheated frozen food. Expected so much more from a "Seafood House" at the beach! Others in our group went to another place close by, I should have gone with them.
(2)
Jessica M.
I really enjoyed this place. My boyfriend and I sat in the bar area and had a few drinks before ordering dinner. The bartenders were very nice. Dinner was very good. If I didn't live so far away, I'd go back!
(4)
Joan S.
Our food was Great !!!! We travel a lot, therefore we eat at places that aren't so Great... we read the reviews and decided to go anyway on a whim. First we ordered Lobster macaroni and cheese which was delicious. We ordered a bowl of the seafood bisque which was equally impressive. My broiled seafood platter was extremely tasty and cooked to perfection, and our waiter was excellent. I'm not sure if we ate at the same place as these other people, but our experience was wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)
Nancy R.
After seeing how busy this place gets I was disappointed about the food and service. FOOD: We didn't even get the complimentary bread to start our meal. Boo. For apps, we had the crab & spinach dip and the clam strips. The dip is very good with the crusty warm bread that accompanies it. The clam strips were scrawny and very few. There were enough for everyone to have one. I couldn't even tell you if it was any good. Since I was in the mood for mussels, I ordered the Steamed Shellfish Medley. Yes you get a lot of food, but it was ok. The mussels was scrawny and the shrimp was rubbery (overcooked). The steamed clams were good and the scallop was plentiful and ok. Luckily my 2 sides of fries and cole slaw were delicious. There are better places to eat seafood at Rehoboth Beach.
(2)
David C.
I usually visit Jake's on each trip to Rehoboth. We had the crab\artichoke appetizer. It arrived with plenty of warm bread and was good. I ordered the mahi mahi w/2 sides and the serving size was good. A friend had the Rockfish w/2 sides and he enjoyed his dinner too. We were both happy with our meal and service. Our fish was fresh and reasonably priced. Yes, I recommend!
(4)
Leah S.
First there was a fly in my drink, not a good start to a birthday dinner. One person had the Mahi Mahi, the other the highly recommended Rockfish. End result both of us were sick all night and into the next day! When the manager was called about this he seemed to hardly care. VERY SAD BIRTHDAY GIRL!
(1)
Leslie B.
Every time someone comes to visit we go to Jakes at the beach, OMG the Seafood Bisque is to die for! Kids are welcome, the table are large, the prices are right and the steamers are always delicious and hot!
(5)
Big B.
Mediocre food. Condiments served in plastic carry out cups. For the price you'd expect a piece of bread and a salad plus a side, but no. Over cooked shrimp. Crab cake that tasted like it had been frozen. Don't waste your money.
(1)
Janssen C.
Underrated seafood restaurant. Unbelievably rich seafood bisque. Plain menu of seafood classics like crab cakes and various broiled/fried platters won't impress but also won't disappoint. Good belly clams, without the freshness complaints I'm seeing in most of the other Yelp reviews. Young inexperienced wait staff (brought us the wrong check) but enthusiastic (quickly fixed it) and personable.
(3)
Joe T.
As we usually do on the first evening of our nearly annual vacation in Rehoboth, we ate dinner at Jake's. OK....not great....as usual. I had Rose's Rockfish, my wife had the grilled salmon with jalapeño pesto. The rockfish was relatively bland and topped with a huge amount of a pedestrian salsa. My wife indicated that the salmon was just 'alright' and the pesto was overly spicy. Service was very good. Overall....as I said, OK not great.
(3)
Scott S.
This place is better than the reviews I have seen. Must be some angry vacationers. Our waitress was friendly, fast and accommodating. The food was very good (my lobster was a little overcooked). Prices were very fair. Very family friendly. I am going back. Put this place on your good list.
(4)
Ajeeb T.
Ate there this evening after riding the ferry over to Lewes from Cape May and driving down to Rehoboth Beach. The food was very good from our appetizers of Lobster Macaroni and Cheese and my seafood bisque to the entrees of Rose's Rock Fish that I had and the broiled seafood platter my girlfriend had. The sides were very good as well, my semisolid applesauce and fries were good hear as well. One of the better seafood restaurants I've eaten at and the service was good as well.
(5)
Amr A.
Food we ordered was great (house salad, scallops and pasta for the kids). Service was excellent.
Great service, big selection, great food, great wine! We go here every year while we are on vacation. This last time we had for appetizers, the Calamari and their Tomato Caprese (fabulous) and for our Entrees I had New York stripe (they prepared it Pittsburgh rare as I requested w/ no issues) and my hubby had the Mahi Mahi, my daughter had Shrimp Alfredo and my son had their turkey club (don't ask, for some reason he doesn't like seafood). Either way, something for everyone and we had a great dinner and love this place.
(4)
Janet S.
Wow. I'm honestly stunned as to why everyone is so dramatically bent out of shape over Jake's. I had a perfectly lovely experience. Lisa and I got to the restaurant tired and hungry after some marathon outlet shopping and were seated immediately. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, made great recommendations, and was super accommodating to Lisa's insanely picky needs. The rolls were served warm, the seafood bisque was yummy, the applesauce tasted homemade and fresh, and my broiled seafood platter combined with great service made me a very happy camper. Lisa and I left delighted. And she managed not to toss her shrimpies on the ferry ride back to Cape May.
(4)
Heather K.
Ok, I'm just going to say it. If you're going to have the balls to list "Maryland Crab Cakes" on your menu, those damned crabcakes better have Old Bay as one of the primary ingredients. If not, you should be sued for false advertising. And if your crabcakes taste like wet tissue paper (AHEM, Jakes!) , then you should be sued for crimes against humanity. The only thing that saved my meal was the fact that I was staying nearby, and was able to run home and grab a cannister of Old Bay. Otherwise, my "Maryland Crab Cake" would have been a tasteless, chewy waste of claw meat.
(2)
Mitch R.
One of the worst seafood restaurants I have ever encountered. My girlfriend and I were looking for a place to eat while on vacation later on at night. Everywhere else was packed but we found Jake's and the wait was only five minutes. This place looks very promising as you walk in, it looks nice and upscale. We were seated by a friendly hostess and after that, things went downhill. There was a large family at the table next to us who were vocally upset since it had been forever since they put in their order. Their waiter (who was also ours) was very confused and kept on bring out plates at different times instead of waiting a couple minutes and bringing it out all at once. This was adding to their frustration and the waiters confusion. Anyway, I digress. I had to send my first drink back, which was an iced tea which tasted like someone had dropped some fish in the container holding the beverage. It was DISGUSTING. Fish "essence" and iced tea is not a good combination. We ordered some coconut shrimp as an appetizer and it wasn't spectacular at all. My crab imperial was completely inedible. There was almost NO crab in the dish, and what crab there was, was completely shredded and dispersed in tiny little strands. It was overly mayonnaise-y and had no flavor other than hot mayo and grease. If I had to give you an example, I would say there was 8 ounces of mayo and less than a 1/2 ounce of crab meat. Gross. My girlfriends scallops were tiny and overcooked, the portion size left a lot to be desired as well. For the prices that they charge, I would expect a decent meal and good service and neither of which I received. What I got in return for what I paid was the feeling that I was about to get sick from the food and the feeling that I was robbed. Avoid this place!
(1)
Ari R.
I've never been able to actually pinpoint the worst restaurant I have ever been to... until I went to Jake's. Jake's is a dismal, overpriced tourist trap. Portions are tiny, prices are high, the crowd is all families with screaming kids and the food is about the worst you can find in the country. They even put seasoning from a shaker on their broiled scallops. Why would you disguise the taste of "fresh" seafood with cheap seasoning from a shaker? Each course of our meal was worse than the last. The staff is completely soulless. They really don't care here because they have a locked-in tourist crowd. I cannot stress how disappointed you will be if you eat here. This is not fine seafood or even good seafood. Avoid at all costs.
(1)
Andy C.
Wound up here on our honeymoon after much higher rated places nearby couldn't seat us. This was one of the top 10 meals of my life. The salad with the house dressing was incredible. I could eat it for days. The oysters were huge and clean, and the seafood chowder was generous with the good stuff but not so heavy that it filled you up. We also had the fried appetizer sampler which included some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had. For dinner we had the asian yellowfin tuna and the stuffed rockfish. Both were outstanding. Being from Baltimore I have high standards for seafood, especially rockfish, especially rockfish stuffed with crab imperial, but it was absolutely fantastic. Finally, the staff was kind and attentive and had a great grasp on the menu. Our waitress answered every single one of our many questions and wasn't pushy as we took our time. We decided to try to go back for every anniversary.
(5)
Chuck S.
Last Jakes I went to on Rt.1 the service was bad, this one I decided to give this one a chance. Im glad we did. I got the 14 oz. prime rib, broccoli, mashed potatoes and a broiled crab cake. Needless to say my faith has been restored. The prime rib seemed roasted and finished on the grill, it was juicy and had a nice flavor. The mashed potatoes were awesome and I actually licked the bowl they were in, (no lie), broccoli was moist and not over-seasoned or have too much butter. the crabcake was awesome and I ate it slowly. My friend got the small crab imperial, he ate that as slow as possible. People whine about the prices saying its a (tourist trap) but you are paying for the location, its a block from the beach. I know the prime rib was a little overpriced, but I can only imagine the property taxes or rent the owner(s) are paying. I dont eat fish but the prices listed on the "specials" menu looked reasonable, my friend also agreed. He is a seafood connoisseur and he agreed the prices weren't that bad. The food was good and the service was excellent. Peoples experiences maybe when the dinner rush hits and some of them expect infants to remain silent at all time (get a grip), Our visit was a at 6:00pm on Memorial day. Stuff happens, Im a fan of this location. Nuff said.
(4)
Lexy M.
Jake's Seafood House is Down Right Awful! I'm sorry boys & girls.. I just had to go there. Let me start off by saying though, the young pretty waitress and hostess were very friendly and had great smiles but if these pretty darlings actually tasted their own food at this place.. their smiles would be gone! lol My friend and I were so upset about our meal that we actually only ate half and quickly paid our bill so we could go get ice cream to make up for the awful dinner. We did enjoy & love our ice cream though (thank god)! Jakes has been said to have the best seafood in Rehoboth Beach. Now, who told that lie??!! If Ruby Tuesday's can serve better seafood than you, i'm not sure what you call good. We had their "Famous Fried Seafood Platter".... it was just nasty beans lol. I enjoyed the side of fries better to be honest. If your looking to have a nice seafood dinner in Rehoboth I would NOT suggest this place. You will waste your money and time. $26 for an awful crappy cheap looking seafood platter..... run far far away! ;o)
(1)
Becky S.
Tasty seafood, incredible bisque, somewhat slow but decent service. Try their sweet potato fries -- fantastic flavor and an awesome dipping sauce. Too expensive for what it is, but I guess that's just what you get for dining in a tourist town.
(4)
The K.
Delicious Seafood Bisque, Mahi wrap very tasty but a bit too much blackening seasoning and the hand-cut fries are very good, no Thrashers, but a nice part of our meal.
(4)
Brian A.
If the waiter wasn't such a jackass, it would have been fine. Our party of 8 (4 kids included) did not have a very long wait to get in to this seafood landmark in RB during the season. The drinks from the bar were good and well-balanced. Once we got to the table, though, it was as if we were in a different world. Our waiter was less than pleasant, did not explain anything, and even told one of our table companions that if she told HIM about what she wanted - which, btw, she did - he would have checked to see if it could be done. The food that arrived - mostly at the same time - was good, not spectacular. Those who got softshell crabs seemed to like them. I got an abundant steamer platter with a couple of clams still full of sand. Others around the table seemed to be OK with their dishes. Things that took a long time and a waiter with attitude (not in the saucy, fun way either) made this a meh experience.
(2)
Michael B.
Horrible. I ordered a Louisiana Oyster Shooter and they did not shuck the oyster properly. I ended up cracking a tooth! We ended up only getting appetizers (since the order had already been placed) and the crab balls and broiled scallops tasted like they were microwaved and were rubbery. They wait staff was slow and unprofessional as well. It took us 20 minutes to get our check AFTER we finished our appetizers. We were never asked if we even WANTED entrees. Go someplace else. There are plenty of seafood restaurants in the area. Go to Fins or Timothys in Rehoboth or JD Schuckers in Lewes.
(1)
Lisa V.
Good service. Fun family atmosphere. Food below average. A disappointment :(
(2)
Z M.
Not as good as it once was. Kid friendly though. Poor mojitos.we won't be back.
(2)
Andrew B.
Went here as part of a family gathering. Crabcakes were very meaty, but very mediocre. I didn't care for the seasoning style (horseradish) and they didn't taste that fresh. Garden salad was very nice. Service was good, once we were seated. Although they seated us on the left side of the restaurant, which requires anyone handicapped to have to walk ALL the way around the outside of the restaurant, starting on the right side. We specifically told them we had a handicapped person in our party upon arrival.
(2)
Jennifer K.
About 2.5 rungs up the ladder from Red Lobster, and not for land lubbers. Reeking of stale seafood odors, the menu features only four non-seafood choices: chicken breast, and three steak options. Yes, it's the beach, but most people prefer a menu with some variety. Suitable for large family groups and decidedly un-fancy. Good for picky eaters who find the other restaurants in and around Rehoboth to be "too fancy."
(2)
Ken H.
With the wife melting down from hunger at the doorway of Jake's, we decided to head inside, knowing nothing of the restaurant. Started with the crab stuffed mushrooms... chunks of mayonaise that were arguably larger than the crab pieces, all slathered with a covering of cheese. Since the wife also ordered the crabcake, we knew we were in for a long, mayo-filled night., As expected, the crabcake was not up-to-par... but, my blackened mahi sandwich was good enough to go 2 stars on this forgettable spot by the beach.
(2)
Carolyn B.
great casual spot for seafood while at the beach. they are famous for their crabcakes, which were good, although i think my mom's are better! we went with a group of 6 on a saturday night and didnt have to wait which was a bonus - they have a lot of seating. margaritas were good, as were our appetizers: coconut shrimp and crab-stuffed mushrooms. the service was decent too. cant say much for the atmosphere - its no frills, and definitely draws a family crowd (exhibit a - the family with 2 screaming kids nearby at 9pm on a sat night!).
(3)
Patti M.
PLEASE PLEASE do NOT waste your money at Jakes. Me best friend and I stopped at Jakes tonight after shopping at the outlets, what a big mistake. first....we enter and there are tons of empty tables but we are told there is a 30 minute wait. very strange. the menu lists the crab cakes as JUMBO LUMP crab cakes. i decide to order one crab cake dinner, my friend asks the waiter if the crab imperial is jumbo lump, his reply was yes. the crab imperial was not edible, it tasted like fish and there was not ONE lump of crab meat. my friend took a few bites and told the waiter it was horrible. he offered to bring her a crab cake but knowing my crab cake was horrible, she declined. he never brought the manager over. i opened my crab cake up to look at what i was eating.....it was all claw meat NO lumps and tasted like fish. no old bay, no seasoning, just horrible and smashed. corn on the cob was not good, baked potato was just ok. we finally asked for the manager, he was polite, asked why she didn't like the crab imperial, she explained it was not lump crab meat and tasted like fish. he acted surprised and said the crab meat is brought in fresh each day (which could not be true!!!!). then he pointed to my crab cake and said it was jumbo lump!!!!!! i had it all open and spread out on the plate....NO LUMP....just yucky old fishy tasting claw meat. he said he would take my friends meal off the bill. the bills comes, he took $7.50 off the bill, that was it!!!!!! we asked for the manager AGAIN, this time we get another manager with an attitude. my friend got so upset she told him to "comp" the ENTIRE check because we were not paying. he finally agreed but first tried to make us feel bad saying the waiter would have to pay which we did not want to happen. after we fussed some more he said the waiter would not have to pay. at that point we left a tip for waiter and left. we left hungry, stopped at subway!
(1)
David B.
For a special dinner yesterday,my wife ordered the shrimp Alfredo and I ordered the special stuffed rockfish with crab meat plus we ordered two side salads before dinner. before we had a chance to have our second bite of our salad, they delivered our entrees and then delivered our check even before we finished dinner. Plus our drinks stunk. My wife had a bloody Mary way too spicy and I had frozen margarita,which was just ok. I would give the food two stars but the service was terrible.
(1)
Rob C.
We tried to get into Jake's two years ago and the line was out the door with the wait lasting a couple of hours long. When wandering the streets of Rehoboth on a summertime friday night, we decided to give it a try and were "lucky" enough to get in. Come early, otherwise the line stacks up, although I am not entirely sure why they get so much attention. We started with some crab balls that were deep fried. They tasted good, but the serving size was lacking at 4 balls. I had a lobster that was slightly over cooked (steamed) while Felicia had fried shrimp that were also overcoaked. The entrees were generously sized. The wait staff was stretched over too many tables and the service suffered. Overall, an average beach seafood house, but nothing special.
Arrival 5pm. It was not busy. Blackened mahi mahi was far from blackened. It was also dry. Red skinned mashed potatoes tasted like they had mayo in them. Lobster Mac and cheese... Lobster was chewy, pasta was penne with a red sauce??? I would not recommend this place to friends and I would never go back.
(1)
Amr A.
Food we ordered was great (house salad, scallops and pasta for the kids). Service was excellent.
Great service, big selection, great food, great wine! We go here every year while we are on vacation. This last time we had for appetizers, the Calamari and their Tomato Caprese (fabulous) and for our Entrees I had New York stripe (they prepared it Pittsburgh rare as I requested w/ no issues) and my hubby had the Mahi Mahi, my daughter had Shrimp Alfredo and my son had their turkey club (don't ask, for some reason he doesn't like seafood). Either way, something for everyone and we had a great dinner and love this place.
(4)
Janet S.
Wow. I'm honestly stunned as to why everyone is so dramatically bent out of shape over Jake's. I had a perfectly lovely experience. Lisa and I got to the restaurant tired and hungry after some marathon outlet shopping and were seated immediately. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, made great recommendations, and was super accommodating to Lisa's insanely picky needs. The rolls were served warm, the seafood bisque was yummy, the applesauce tasted homemade and fresh, and my broiled seafood platter combined with great service made me a very happy camper. Lisa and I left delighted. And she managed not to toss her shrimpies on the ferry ride back to Cape May.
(4)
Heather K.
Ok, I'm just going to say it. If you're going to have the balls to list "Maryland Crab Cakes" on your menu, those damned crabcakes better have Old Bay as one of the primary ingredients. If not, you should be sued for false advertising. And if your crabcakes taste like wet tissue paper (AHEM, Jakes!) , then you should be sued for crimes against humanity. The only thing that saved my meal was the fact that I was staying nearby, and was able to run home and grab a cannister of Old Bay. Otherwise, my "Maryland Crab Cake" would have been a tasteless, chewy waste of claw meat.
(2)
Matt E.
Jake's is quite a spacious restaurant which incorporates a bar in the front and the dining room in back. The place was clean and the service wasn't bad at all. The menu was obviously mostly seafood but had other options as well, there was something for everyone. The food I got was tasty and well cooked, not everyone was as lucky. What was consistant across the board was the overpriced dishes. What I got for nearly $30 (broiled seafood platter) should have been half that price. Some of the entrees were even worse, my girlfriends stuffed shrimp were mostly just 4 or so shirmp with some mayo based dip like stuff in a bowl. My girlfriends parents were also pretty disappointed with the quality of their food and the prices as well. If you're looking for good seafood and/or an affordable place for a nice sit-down dinner, Jake's isn't it. If you're like me and don't have a choice of coming here or not, it won't be too bad, especially if you're not paying.
(3)
Kimberly M.
My husband and I ate at this restaurant. Food and service was great. We had crab cake sandwich and the lobster roll. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Foodspy J.
There isn't enough space to share how pleased we were with this restaurant. The atmosphere, service and food were Excellent! We ordered and shared a variety of seafood dishes and there were no disappointments. A few of the dishes, raw oysters - sweet and succulent, broiled seafood platter - excellent - cooked perfectly! Crab cakes - plump and fresh! We only wish we could have gotten back for more. This will be a traditional stop when visiting Rehoboth! What a great experience!
(5)
Allison K.
Very surprised at the negative reviews I read on here about this place. We came in and got seated right away which was very nice- I think it's because we were a party of 6- it somehow worked for us. The wait staff was nice, efficient, and friendly. The local beer was great! Excellent vodka tonic garnished with a fresh lime. We got the tomato basil mozzarella caprese salad as an appetizer to share- very tasty and fresh. The rolls were fine as well. I got the house salad with chicken- ill of fresh great veggies. THE DRESSING WAS BEYOND GOOD! Another friend got the spring salad which she enjoyed and a side of corn on the cob that was good. Another got Mahi Mahi special and loved it. My mom got spice steamed shrimp which she loved. Good clams and crab cakes too. The bathrooms were clean enough. We had a nice evening and really enjoyed ourselves :) I'd recommend coming here
(4)
William B.
I've been there six or seven times over the years. This place is OK but not worth standing in line for. The food is just OK no matter what you order. They boast of great crab cakes but there are far better to be had for the same price range at many other places. Last night the French Fries were cold and the server vanished so no chance of sending them back. The steamed broccoli was steamed to death. I will try to remember not to go back. There are many better choices in Rehoboth downtown.
(2)
Anthony H.
Went to this place at 9:00pm they told us they were not sitting anybody after 9pm! I'm sorry but it was in-season and it's a vacation destination. If your going to own a restaurant on the strip you should be open to tourist eating pass 9pm.... Very disappointed so make sure when eating here it's before 9pm.....
(1)
DL H.
Last day before heading home we were craving some seafood so decided to give this place a try. It turned out pretty decent. I was craving scallops but didn't really want an entire meal of them, and lucky me they had them on appetizer for $10. They came out with about 6 and were very good. The flounder we had was decent, nothing spectacular, but I would definitely go back again. Also they have Birch beer, which is a win for me.
(4)
Rob M.
Empty at 5:15, busy at 5:45. Unimpressed with reheated frozen food. Expected so much more from a "Seafood House" at the beach! Others in our group went to another place close by, I should have gone with them.
(2)
Jessica M.
I really enjoyed this place. My boyfriend and I sat in the bar area and had a few drinks before ordering dinner. The bartenders were very nice. Dinner was very good. If I didn't live so far away, I'd go back!
(4)
Nancy R.
After seeing how busy this place gets I was disappointed about the food and service. FOOD: We didn't even get the complimentary bread to start our meal. Boo. For apps, we had the crab & spinach dip and the clam strips. The dip is very good with the crusty warm bread that accompanies it. The clam strips were scrawny and very few. There were enough for everyone to have one. I couldn't even tell you if it was any good. Since I was in the mood for mussels, I ordered the Steamed Shellfish Medley. Yes you get a lot of food, but it was ok. The mussels was scrawny and the shrimp was rubbery (overcooked). The steamed clams were good and the scallop was plentiful and ok. Luckily my 2 sides of fries and cole slaw were delicious. There are better places to eat seafood at Rehoboth Beach.
(2)
David C.
I usually visit Jake's on each trip to Rehoboth. We had the crab\artichoke appetizer. It arrived with plenty of warm bread and was good. I ordered the mahi mahi w/2 sides and the serving size was good. A friend had the Rockfish w/2 sides and he enjoyed his dinner too. We were both happy with our meal and service. Our fish was fresh and reasonably priced. Yes, I recommend!
(4)
Leah S.
First there was a fly in my drink, not a good start to a birthday dinner. One person had the Mahi Mahi, the other the highly recommended Rockfish. End result both of us were sick all night and into the next day! When the manager was called about this he seemed to hardly care. VERY SAD BIRTHDAY GIRL!
(1)
Leslie B.
Every time someone comes to visit we go to Jakes at the beach, OMG the Seafood Bisque is to die for! Kids are welcome, the table are large, the prices are right and the steamers are always delicious and hot!
(5)
Janice J.
On Saturday night, We had already waited 45 minutes at Claws only to be told it would be another 20 minutes. Really! So we left and went to Jakes Seafood House. We were able to sit right away at the bar area tables which were fine. We ordered the crab balls to share as an appetizer. They were hot and delicious. My husband ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi with the mashed potatoes and string beans was great! Huge portion! I ordered the broiled seafood platter. All my favorites shrimp, scallops and flounder. It was so well seasoned and truly yummy!! Our meal ended with a piece of key lime pie. Perfect! We will be back. Thanks for saving our night out!!
(5)
Eric Z.
I ordered the fish and chips, you would think a stand by in a seafood place. I got one pathetic small piece of fish and a ridiculously small portion of cole slaw, a plastic cup you'd get dressing in, actually a complete embarrassment to serve. I would not want to be "Jake" and put my name on that dish. Server did get me a larger portion of cole slaw, but still... Really. I Will not be back with so many other options around.
(2)
John G.
Fantastic food and service. Nice and quiet. Absolutely no complaints. This is one of our favorites in town. Prices are a little high, but you do get what you pay for here. The menu is great too. They have most everything. I don't recommend taking children, however.
(5)
Linda W.
In the week we vacationed at Rehoboth this year, we made it to Jake's twice. I would have gone for the Crab Imperial on a daily basis had I been able to convince the non-seafood eating members of the family. You're not familiar with Crab Imperial? At Jake's, Crab Imperial is a softball sized mound of fresh, sweet, real Maryland jumbo crab lumps (the chalkboard identified Kent Island, MD as the source) gently mixed with and held together by just the merest touch of egg, a dab of mayo and a kiss of Old Bay, glazed with a rich sauce, and run under the broiler until browned and beautiful. Or, if you really know your seafood, it can be stuffed into fresh caught local flounder or Maryland rockfish. It just doesn't get any better. Fresh Maryland corn on the cob made a wonderful side with some decent fries to boot. A crisp, refreshing St. Germaine Sangria rounded out the meal...BOTH times I got there! BTW, don't miss the sangria either. Cucumber and strawberries were muddled together with muscato and a little St. Germaine and topped with a little bubbly. I can't imagine a more perfect beach indulgence. Service was great at the bar at lunch, the bartender friendly and full of great suggestions for other spots to dine in town. I can't wait to get back to Jake's again next year!
(4)
Paul G.
Ate there last night. Pros: great food. Rose's Rockfish is the best. Perfectly cooked rockfish in awesome marinara-type sauce. Mouth is watering just thinking about it. The jumbo shrimp that my table-mates was good but the crab mix was more mix than crab. Not worth like $23. Small point- the steamed broccoli was beautiful. So fresh and not overdone or underdone. After a couple of days of burgers and funnel cakes, something healthy that actually tasted great was so welcome. Cons: Jake's plays a little game called "Make people wait outside for 20 minutes even though there are tables available." They take advantage of the fact that waiting patrons can't actually see most of the tables while standing outside the restaurant. Here's a heads up - many of them are open. Would seem to be a strategy by Jake's management to create false perception of overflowing demand, which they hope drives actual demand. And they try to sell you drinks while you wait. So, if you're reading this while waiting outside Jake's, tell the hostess you need to use the restroom. Then when you walk through the restaurant, take a look at the open tables. They will be there. The question is why you're still waiting outside for one.
(3)
Steve J.
We ate here a couple years ago and we're really impressed so we decided to stop again this year. Something just wasn't the same. The service was fine but the food was OK at best and not cheap. Not sure what changed but it lost its place on our list of must go places in Rehoboth.
(3)
Anna M.
This place is fairly good especially for happy hour. However the 'seafood bisque' should be called seafood chowder . The only redeeming quality about it was the large chunks of seafood that were mixed in. Despite that I would one back for the happy hour oyster special. The they have$1 oysters that are so fresh and delicious that you will never want to stop eating them. The staff is also wonderful especially Moose (he's very sweet, attentive and will flash you a winning smile)
(4)
Heather C.
This place looks nice outside so you would think the outside matched the inside. It was dirty. We had a few broken chairs that had to be switched. The inside needs more than an update. If your plan is get seafood, you might as well eat at a Red Lobster -really that bad. This is a beach town and you would expect decent seafood, not even close. We suspect it was previously frozen from a supermarket. We will not be back again, many great places in Rehoboth to dine at.
(1)
Peter K.
Wow. Really overpriced for mediocre food and a rundown restaurant. Try the boardwalk instead.
(1)
ernest k.
Visited Jakes Seafood House Saturday August1 2015 the first big mistake made portions were small service was slow portions of my food was cold.this was my second time in a jakes restaurant and the last.
(2)
Kyle T.
Went here recently with a large party with no prior reservation. We were seated 30 minutes faster than their estimate which was a pleasant surprise. Our waitress was pleasant but inattentive, we were all parched from spending a day on the beach but she never came by to refill our waters and we had to ask refills several times, which was annoying. Also annoying was the fact that the waitress told us that we wouldn't be receiving complimentary bread because 'the kitchen was out,' yet 15 minutes later we saw the table next to us receive bread. When we saw this, we asked if we could have some bread too but we received the same answer, which was obviously not true. My food (stuffed flounder) was prepared and plated well, as was the food of some of my friends that I also tasted, however the portion sizes were small given how much the food cost. 7 of our dishes came out together, but then the last member of our party was made to wait for several minutes while they 'finished cooking his dish' while we ate, which is always annoying.
(3)
A K.
I don't usually get to eat a lot of seafood, as I am from the Midwest, but I was VERY happy with the selection on the menu and the quality of the food I received. Even more impressive was the kindness I received from the owner. I ate at Jakes the evening before I was scheduled to fly back to Chicago. It wasn't until I was back in Dover at 1030 pm that I realized I didn't have my phone. After searching the car the next morning it was apparent I had left it at the restaurant. The owner was there when I called at 730 and agreed to send my phone to my home address that afternoon. I'm sure you can imagine my relief to have this resolved before getting on the plane. I felt truly blessed that a stranger would take the time to go out their way to help me when they really didn't have to. I will go to Jake's anytime I am in Rehoboth Beach.
(5)
Ken W.
Great food and service as always. The seafood bisque is the best we've had... anywhere. Our 17th year coming to Jake's and never disappointed. We had the broiled seafood platter, lobster Mac n Cheese, kids fried shrimp and crab cake. All were fantastic. We'll see you again next year!
(5)
Michael K.
Just had a cup of the seafood bisque soup which stellar. Each spoonful had a healthy chunk of seafood. I strongly recommend this place.
(5)
Northern L.
OFF THE HOOK We found this restaurant while vacationing in Rehoboth and we're so happy about it. Fantastic food and drinks. We especially enjoy the bar area to eat lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is great. The hughest dining area around. Reservations are available but not needed as the place is so large. Even during peak season there is probably only a five minute wait. The steamed shrimp are huge and reasonably priced as are all the dishes. We recommend that anyone wanting great seafood or burgers give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
(3)
Erin S.
This has always been my 'go to' spot at Rehoboth. Typically we are greeted with a very friendly staff, endless bread and quick refills, good food..just a nice atmosphere. This last visit was different; dont know if it was the waitress or just the place. Little things make a big difference! We asked for bread b/c noticed we hadn't gotten any; the waitress said it is only available upon request now, so she did bring us some...just one roll each. Not to sound like a pig, but if I'm going out I dont want to ask and would like more than one piece. The waitress was really young, and not very attentive, which really hurts a place. She was nice but just not the type of great staff that really want the customer to have a nice time. She was young and gave off the vibe of not wanting to be there. I go out for the experience, not just the food. Everything was brought out too quick and rushed out the door. The food wasn't bad, but nothing special this time. New managment? A bad day? not sure, but this time Id just give it an 'eh' not bad by any means, but not good....service needs improved!!
(2)
Julie K.
The food was very good scallops, shrimp, sweet potato fries, onion straws. Service was ok. They had a large selection of food, had a hard time choosing our food! I will go back again. I was impressed.
(4)
George S.
Service was awesome. We liked Zach. The special soup was great. It had a of fish and seasoned well. It could have been a little warmer. I had fish and chips. Chips were great the fish was not crispy. It could have been old oil or sat under the heat lite to long. The place is a little tired but excellent service.
(3)
Krista B.
Don't be intimidated by the boisterous day drinkers at the bar in front. We went in for lunch and were seated in the nice quiet back area to eat. The mojitos are bomb, and servers were fun and friendly. My mom's fried ("padded") oysters are better, and my Caesar salad was OK. Overall a fun spot though.
(3)
Nick P.
Visited at 1130 AM on a Monday so it was not busy. Hostess let my family in a couple of minute early which was a nice gesture since we were wrangling 3 young children. Food was amazing! Had bisque which was creamy and deliscious, blackened Mahi tacos which were just the right amount of spicy, and the Memphis BBQ burger which was cooked perfectly and had very good slaw and bacon. Overall very good visit. Would bring family or friends again!
(5)
Tom R.
Excellent service. I never knew that Sangria could come with muddled cucumber, but suddenly, I cannot imagine it any other way. The seafood platter lived up to the price and my family enjoyed the meal very much. I think this will be a new tradition for my family!
(5)
Alyson O.
I would give this place 3.5 stars but not 4. The food was basic and not fancy but the drinks were awesome. The St. Germaine white sangria is exceptional. Perfect after a summer day at the beach. I would go back for the sangria alone!
(3)
Carol S.
The food was fantastic. The crab soup was amazing. The martinis weren't bad either. I don't believe there was a bad item on the menu. I went with a group and i believe we tried everything. I had the crab cakes which were delicious.
(4)
Ling L.
Great deals for happy hour - full-sized appetizers. The fish tacos we had included big chunks of mahi maui.
(4)
Linda V.
We came in with a party of 6 Andrea was our waitress. She was great. The food was wonderful from lobster to prime rib. The lobster was perfect as was the prime rib.
(5)
Ally W.
Awesome, we have been eating here every weekend. Doesn't dissapoint! Best crab cakes I have had, they are made of crab no filler great seasoning, beach fries, seafood bisque is also really good and lots of meat! Friendly staff, great for kids (highway location has arcade games in the back), easy to get into with large or small parties!
(5)
Denis G.
It is 2014. A place that chooses to fry in Peanut Oil really should mention that on the menu so people with Allergies will stay away. We had to walk out after being seated and placing our drink order. My son told the server he was allergic and to his credit he did check with the kitchen and told us right away. It just would have been helpful to know beforehand. Three stars are for the courteous server and staff. Can't give review on much else.
(3)
Iryna B.
Meh...very typical american joint. No taste, everything over-fried and overcooked. Salads come from packages, seafood seems fresh but all the beauty of original flavor is being destroyed by cooks unable to peel a shrimp properly or turn a piece of fish into a nicely tasting dish. Service is good and quick though. Very friendly.
(2)
Foodspy J.
There isn't enough space to share how pleased we were with this restaurant. The atmosphere, service and food were Excellent! We ordered and shared a variety of seafood dishes and there were no disappointments. A few of the dishes, raw oysters - sweet and succulent, broiled seafood platter - excellent - cooked perfectly! Crab cakes - plump and fresh! We only wish we could have gotten back for more. This will be a traditional stop when visiting Rehoboth! What a great experience!
(5)
Joan S.
Our food was Great !!!! We travel a lot, therefore we eat at places that aren't so Great... we read the reviews and decided to go anyway on a whim. First we ordered Lobster macaroni and cheese which was delicious. We ordered a bowl of the seafood bisque which was equally impressive. My broiled seafood platter was extremely tasty and cooked to perfection, and our waiter was excellent. I'm not sure if we ate at the same place as these other people, but our experience was wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)
Scott S.
This place is better than the reviews I have seen. Must be some angry vacationers. Our waitress was friendly, fast and accommodating. The food was very good (my lobster was a little overcooked). Prices were very fair. Very family friendly. I am going back. Put this place on your good list.
(4)
Ajeeb T.
Ate there this evening after riding the ferry over to Lewes from Cape May and driving down to Rehoboth Beach. The food was very good from our appetizers of Lobster Macaroni and Cheese and my seafood bisque to the entrees of Rose's Rock Fish that I had and the broiled seafood platter my girlfriend had. The sides were very good as well, my semisolid applesauce and fries were good hear as well. One of the better seafood restaurants I've eaten at and the service was good as well.
(5)
Amr A.
Food we ordered was great (house salad, scallops and pasta for the kids). Service was excellent.
Arrival 5pm. It was not busy. Blackened mahi mahi was far from blackened. It was also dry. Red skinned mashed potatoes tasted like they had mayo in them. Lobster Mac and cheese... Lobster was chewy, pasta was penne with a red sauce??? I would not recommend this place to friends and I would never go back.
(1)
Matt E.
Jake's is quite a spacious restaurant which incorporates a bar in the front and the dining room in back. The place was clean and the service wasn't bad at all. The menu was obviously mostly seafood but had other options as well, there was something for everyone. The food I got was tasty and well cooked, not everyone was as lucky. What was consistant across the board was the overpriced dishes. What I got for nearly $30 (broiled seafood platter) should have been half that price. Some of the entrees were even worse, my girlfriends stuffed shrimp were mostly just 4 or so shirmp with some mayo based dip like stuff in a bowl. My girlfriends parents were also pretty disappointed with the quality of their food and the prices as well. If you're looking for good seafood and/or an affordable place for a nice sit-down dinner, Jake's isn't it. If you're like me and don't have a choice of coming here or not, it won't be too bad, especially if you're not paying.
(3)
Kimberly M.
My husband and I ate at this restaurant. Food and service was great. We had crab cake sandwich and the lobster roll. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Allison K.
Very surprised at the negative reviews I read on here about this place. We came in and got seated right away which was very nice- I think it's because we were a party of 6- it somehow worked for us. The wait staff was nice, efficient, and friendly. The local beer was great! Excellent vodka tonic garnished with a fresh lime. We got the tomato basil mozzarella caprese salad as an appetizer to share- very tasty and fresh. The rolls were fine as well. I got the house salad with chicken- ill of fresh great veggies. THE DRESSING WAS BEYOND GOOD! Another friend got the spring salad which she enjoyed and a side of corn on the cob that was good. Another got Mahi Mahi special and loved it. My mom got spice steamed shrimp which she loved. Good clams and crab cakes too. The bathrooms were clean enough. We had a nice evening and really enjoyed ourselves :) I'd recommend coming here
(4)
William B.
I've been there six or seven times over the years. This place is OK but not worth standing in line for. The food is just OK no matter what you order. They boast of great crab cakes but there are far better to be had for the same price range at many other places. Last night the French Fries were cold and the server vanished so no chance of sending them back. The steamed broccoli was steamed to death. I will try to remember not to go back. There are many better choices in Rehoboth downtown.
(2)
Donna S.
We went to Jake's for the second time today. The last time was dinner for 8 people. This time was lunch for two. Both times the food was excellent and the service very good. Today we had the crab cake sandwich. The crab meat is the high quality lump meat and there was almost no filler. I grew up in the Baltimore suburbs and these were the real deal. The mint lemonade was refreshing.
(5)
Joseph K.
Super fantastic cole slaw. Drinks are excellent. Try the captains punch which even my bride enjoyed I liked the fried seafood platter. Each item was cooked properly. Scallops and flounder were tender. Crab cakes are definitely worth a try. Light and tasty.
(4)
Joe T.
As we usually do on the first evening of our nearly annual vacation in Rehoboth, we ate dinner at Jake's. OK....not great....as usual. I had Rose's Rockfish, my wife had the grilled salmon with jalapeño pesto. The rockfish was relatively bland and topped with a huge amount of a pedestrian salsa. My wife indicated that the salmon was just 'alright' and the pesto was overly spicy. Service was very good. Overall....as I said, OK not great.
(3)
Big B.
Mediocre food. Condiments served in plastic carry out cups. For the price you'd expect a piece of bread and a salad plus a side, but no. Over cooked shrimp. Crab cake that tasted like it had been frozen. Don't waste your money.
(1)
Janssen C.
Underrated seafood restaurant. Unbelievably rich seafood bisque. Plain menu of seafood classics like crab cakes and various broiled/fried platters won't impress but also won't disappoint. Good belly clams, without the freshness complaints I'm seeing in most of the other Yelp reviews. Young inexperienced wait staff (brought us the wrong check) but enthusiastic (quickly fixed it) and personable.
Great service, big selection, great food, great wine! We go here every year while we are on vacation. This last time we had for appetizers, the Calamari and their Tomato Caprese (fabulous) and for our Entrees I had New York stripe (they prepared it Pittsburgh rare as I requested w/ no issues) and my hubby had the Mahi Mahi, my daughter had Shrimp Alfredo and my son had their turkey club (don't ask, for some reason he doesn't like seafood). Either way, something for everyone and we had a great dinner and love this place.
(4)
Janet S.
Wow. I'm honestly stunned as to why everyone is so dramatically bent out of shape over Jake's. I had a perfectly lovely experience. Lisa and I got to the restaurant tired and hungry after some marathon outlet shopping and were seated immediately. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, made great recommendations, and was super accommodating to Lisa's insanely picky needs. The rolls were served warm, the seafood bisque was yummy, the applesauce tasted homemade and fresh, and my broiled seafood platter combined with great service made me a very happy camper. Lisa and I left delighted. And she managed not to toss her shrimpies on the ferry ride back to Cape May.
(4)
Mitch R.
One of the worst seafood restaurants I have ever encountered. My girlfriend and I were looking for a place to eat while on vacation later on at night. Everywhere else was packed but we found Jake's and the wait was only five minutes. This place looks very promising as you walk in, it looks nice and upscale. We were seated by a friendly hostess and after that, things went downhill. There was a large family at the table next to us who were vocally upset since it had been forever since they put in their order. Their waiter (who was also ours) was very confused and kept on bring out plates at different times instead of waiting a couple minutes and bringing it out all at once. This was adding to their frustration and the waiters confusion. Anyway, I digress. I had to send my first drink back, which was an iced tea which tasted like someone had dropped some fish in the container holding the beverage. It was DISGUSTING. Fish "essence" and iced tea is not a good combination. We ordered some coconut shrimp as an appetizer and it wasn't spectacular at all. My crab imperial was completely inedible. There was almost NO crab in the dish, and what crab there was, was completely shredded and dispersed in tiny little strands. It was overly mayonnaise-y and had no flavor other than hot mayo and grease. If I had to give you an example, I would say there was 8 ounces of mayo and less than a 1/2 ounce of crab meat. Gross. My girlfriends scallops were tiny and overcooked, the portion size left a lot to be desired as well. For the prices that they charge, I would expect a decent meal and good service and neither of which I received. What I got in return for what I paid was the feeling that I was about to get sick from the food and the feeling that I was robbed. Avoid this place!
(1)
Ari R.
I've never been able to actually pinpoint the worst restaurant I have ever been to... until I went to Jake's. Jake's is a dismal, overpriced tourist trap. Portions are tiny, prices are high, the crowd is all families with screaming kids and the food is about the worst you can find in the country. They even put seasoning from a shaker on their broiled scallops. Why would you disguise the taste of "fresh" seafood with cheap seasoning from a shaker? Each course of our meal was worse than the last. The staff is completely soulless. They really don't care here because they have a locked-in tourist crowd. I cannot stress how disappointed you will be if you eat here. This is not fine seafood or even good seafood. Avoid at all costs.
(1)
Andy C.
Wound up here on our honeymoon after much higher rated places nearby couldn't seat us. This was one of the top 10 meals of my life. The salad with the house dressing was incredible. I could eat it for days. The oysters were huge and clean, and the seafood chowder was generous with the good stuff but not so heavy that it filled you up. We also had the fried appetizer sampler which included some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had. For dinner we had the asian yellowfin tuna and the stuffed rockfish. Both were outstanding. Being from Baltimore I have high standards for seafood, especially rockfish, especially rockfish stuffed with crab imperial, but it was absolutely fantastic. Finally, the staff was kind and attentive and had a great grasp on the menu. Our waitress answered every single one of our many questions and wasn't pushy as we took our time. We decided to try to go back for every anniversary.
(5)
Chuck S.
Last Jakes I went to on Rt.1 the service was bad, this one I decided to give this one a chance. Im glad we did. I got the 14 oz. prime rib, broccoli, mashed potatoes and a broiled crab cake. Needless to say my faith has been restored. The prime rib seemed roasted and finished on the grill, it was juicy and had a nice flavor. The mashed potatoes were awesome and I actually licked the bowl they were in, (no lie), broccoli was moist and not over-seasoned or have too much butter. the crabcake was awesome and I ate it slowly. My friend got the small crab imperial, he ate that as slow as possible. People whine about the prices saying its a (tourist trap) but you are paying for the location, its a block from the beach. I know the prime rib was a little overpriced, but I can only imagine the property taxes or rent the owner(s) are paying. I dont eat fish but the prices listed on the "specials" menu looked reasonable, my friend also agreed. He is a seafood connoisseur and he agreed the prices weren't that bad. The food was good and the service was excellent. Peoples experiences maybe when the dinner rush hits and some of them expect infants to remain silent at all time (get a grip), Our visit was a at 6:00pm on Memorial day. Stuff happens, Im a fan of this location. Nuff said.
(4)
Lexy M.
Jake's Seafood House is Down Right Awful! I'm sorry boys & girls.. I just had to go there. Let me start off by saying though, the young pretty waitress and hostess were very friendly and had great smiles but if these pretty darlings actually tasted their own food at this place.. their smiles would be gone! lol My friend and I were so upset about our meal that we actually only ate half and quickly paid our bill so we could go get ice cream to make up for the awful dinner. We did enjoy & love our ice cream though (thank god)! Jakes has been said to have the best seafood in Rehoboth Beach. Now, who told that lie??!! If Ruby Tuesday's can serve better seafood than you, i'm not sure what you call good. We had their "Famous Fried Seafood Platter".... it was just nasty beans lol. I enjoyed the side of fries better to be honest. If your looking to have a nice seafood dinner in Rehoboth I would NOT suggest this place. You will waste your money and time. $26 for an awful crappy cheap looking seafood platter..... run far far away! ;o)
(1)
Becky S.
Tasty seafood, incredible bisque, somewhat slow but decent service. Try their sweet potato fries -- fantastic flavor and an awesome dipping sauce. Too expensive for what it is, but I guess that's just what you get for dining in a tourist town.
(4)
The K.
Delicious Seafood Bisque, Mahi wrap very tasty but a bit too much blackening seasoning and the hand-cut fries are very good, no Thrashers, but a nice part of our meal.
(4)
Brian A.
If the waiter wasn't such a jackass, it would have been fine. Our party of 8 (4 kids included) did not have a very long wait to get in to this seafood landmark in RB during the season. The drinks from the bar were good and well-balanced. Once we got to the table, though, it was as if we were in a different world. Our waiter was less than pleasant, did not explain anything, and even told one of our table companions that if she told HIM about what she wanted - which, btw, she did - he would have checked to see if it could be done. The food that arrived - mostly at the same time - was good, not spectacular. Those who got softshell crabs seemed to like them. I got an abundant steamer platter with a couple of clams still full of sand. Others around the table seemed to be OK with their dishes. Things that took a long time and a waiter with attitude (not in the saucy, fun way either) made this a meh experience.
(2)
Michael B.
Horrible. I ordered a Louisiana Oyster Shooter and they did not shuck the oyster properly. I ended up cracking a tooth! We ended up only getting appetizers (since the order had already been placed) and the crab balls and broiled scallops tasted like they were microwaved and were rubbery. They wait staff was slow and unprofessional as well. It took us 20 minutes to get our check AFTER we finished our appetizers. We were never asked if we even WANTED entrees. Go someplace else. There are plenty of seafood restaurants in the area. Go to Fins or Timothys in Rehoboth or JD Schuckers in Lewes.
(1)
Lisa V.
Good service. Fun family atmosphere. Food below average. A disappointment :(
(2)
Z M.
Not as good as it once was. Kid friendly though. Poor mojitos.we won't be back.
(2)
Andrew B.
Went here as part of a family gathering. Crabcakes were very meaty, but very mediocre. I didn't care for the seasoning style (horseradish) and they didn't taste that fresh. Garden salad was very nice. Service was good, once we were seated. Although they seated us on the left side of the restaurant, which requires anyone handicapped to have to walk ALL the way around the outside of the restaurant, starting on the right side. We specifically told them we had a handicapped person in our party upon arrival.
(2)
Jennifer K.
About 2.5 rungs up the ladder from Red Lobster, and not for land lubbers. Reeking of stale seafood odors, the menu features only four non-seafood choices: chicken breast, and three steak options. Yes, it's the beach, but most people prefer a menu with some variety. Suitable for large family groups and decidedly un-fancy. Good for picky eaters who find the other restaurants in and around Rehoboth to be "too fancy."
(2)
Heather K.
Ok, I'm just going to say it. If you're going to have the balls to list "Maryland Crab Cakes" on your menu, those damned crabcakes better have Old Bay as one of the primary ingredients. If not, you should be sued for false advertising. And if your crabcakes taste like wet tissue paper (AHEM, Jakes!) , then you should be sued for crimes against humanity. The only thing that saved my meal was the fact that I was staying nearby, and was able to run home and grab a cannister of Old Bay. Otherwise, my "Maryland Crab Cake" would have been a tasteless, chewy waste of claw meat.
(2)
Ken H.
With the wife melting down from hunger at the doorway of Jake's, we decided to head inside, knowing nothing of the restaurant. Started with the crab stuffed mushrooms... chunks of mayonaise that were arguably larger than the crab pieces, all slathered with a covering of cheese. Since the wife also ordered the crabcake, we knew we were in for a long, mayo-filled night., As expected, the crabcake was not up-to-par... but, my blackened mahi sandwich was good enough to go 2 stars on this forgettable spot by the beach.
(2)
Carolyn B.
great casual spot for seafood while at the beach. they are famous for their crabcakes, which were good, although i think my mom's are better! we went with a group of 6 on a saturday night and didnt have to wait which was a bonus - they have a lot of seating. margaritas were good, as were our appetizers: coconut shrimp and crab-stuffed mushrooms. the service was decent too. cant say much for the atmosphere - its no frills, and definitely draws a family crowd (exhibit a - the family with 2 screaming kids nearby at 9pm on a sat night!).
(3)
Patti M.
PLEASE PLEASE do NOT waste your money at Jakes. Me best friend and I stopped at Jakes tonight after shopping at the outlets, what a big mistake. first....we enter and there are tons of empty tables but we are told there is a 30 minute wait. very strange. the menu lists the crab cakes as JUMBO LUMP crab cakes. i decide to order one crab cake dinner, my friend asks the waiter if the crab imperial is jumbo lump, his reply was yes. the crab imperial was not edible, it tasted like fish and there was not ONE lump of crab meat. my friend took a few bites and told the waiter it was horrible. he offered to bring her a crab cake but knowing my crab cake was horrible, she declined. he never brought the manager over. i opened my crab cake up to look at what i was eating.....it was all claw meat NO lumps and tasted like fish. no old bay, no seasoning, just horrible and smashed. corn on the cob was not good, baked potato was just ok. we finally asked for the manager, he was polite, asked why she didn't like the crab imperial, she explained it was not lump crab meat and tasted like fish. he acted surprised and said the crab meat is brought in fresh each day (which could not be true!!!!). then he pointed to my crab cake and said it was jumbo lump!!!!!! i had it all open and spread out on the plate....NO LUMP....just yucky old fishy tasting claw meat. he said he would take my friends meal off the bill. the bills comes, he took $7.50 off the bill, that was it!!!!!! we asked for the manager AGAIN, this time we get another manager with an attitude. my friend got so upset she told him to "comp" the ENTIRE check because we were not paying. he finally agreed but first tried to make us feel bad saying the waiter would have to pay which we did not want to happen. after we fussed some more he said the waiter would not have to pay. at that point we left a tip for waiter and left. we left hungry, stopped at subway!
(1)
David B.
For a special dinner yesterday,my wife ordered the shrimp Alfredo and I ordered the special stuffed rockfish with crab meat plus we ordered two side salads before dinner. before we had a chance to have our second bite of our salad, they delivered our entrees and then delivered our check even before we finished dinner. Plus our drinks stunk. My wife had a bloody Mary way too spicy and I had frozen margarita,which was just ok. I would give the food two stars but the service was terrible.
(1)
Rob C.
We tried to get into Jake's two years ago and the line was out the door with the wait lasting a couple of hours long. When wandering the streets of Rehoboth on a summertime friday night, we decided to give it a try and were "lucky" enough to get in. Come early, otherwise the line stacks up, although I am not entirely sure why they get so much attention. We started with some crab balls that were deep fried. They tasted good, but the serving size was lacking at 4 balls. I had a lobster that was slightly over cooked (steamed) while Felicia had fried shrimp that were also overcoaked. The entrees were generously sized. The wait staff was stretched over too many tables and the service suffered. Overall, an average beach seafood house, but nothing special.
(3)
Donna S.
We went to Jake's for the second time today. The last time was dinner for 8 people. This time was lunch for two. Both times the food was excellent and the service very good. Today we had the crab cake sandwich. The crab meat is the high quality lump meat and there was almost no filler. I grew up in the Baltimore suburbs and these were the real deal. The mint lemonade was refreshing.
(5)
Anthony H.
Went to this place at 9:00pm they told us they were not sitting anybody after 9pm! I'm sorry but it was in-season and it's a vacation destination. If your going to own a restaurant on the strip you should be open to tourist eating pass 9pm.... Very disappointed so make sure when eating here it's before 9pm.....
(1)
DL H.
Last day before heading home we were craving some seafood so decided to give this place a try. It turned out pretty decent. I was craving scallops but didn't really want an entire meal of them, and lucky me they had them on appetizer for $10. They came out with about 6 and were very good. The flounder we had was decent, nothing spectacular, but I would definitely go back again. Also they have Birch beer, which is a win for me.
(4)
Rob M.
Empty at 5:15, busy at 5:45. Unimpressed with reheated frozen food. Expected so much more from a "Seafood House" at the beach! Others in our group went to another place close by, I should have gone with them.
(2)
Jessica M.
I really enjoyed this place. My boyfriend and I sat in the bar area and had a few drinks before ordering dinner. The bartenders were very nice. Dinner was very good. If I didn't live so far away, I'd go back!
(4)
Joan S.
Our food was Great !!!! We travel a lot, therefore we eat at places that aren't so Great... we read the reviews and decided to go anyway on a whim. First we ordered Lobster macaroni and cheese which was delicious. We ordered a bowl of the seafood bisque which was equally impressive. My broiled seafood platter was extremely tasty and cooked to perfection, and our waiter was excellent. I'm not sure if we ate at the same place as these other people, but our experience was wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)
Nancy R.
After seeing how busy this place gets I was disappointed about the food and service. FOOD: We didn't even get the complimentary bread to start our meal. Boo. For apps, we had the crab & spinach dip and the clam strips. The dip is very good with the crusty warm bread that accompanies it. The clam strips were scrawny and very few. There were enough for everyone to have one. I couldn't even tell you if it was any good. Since I was in the mood for mussels, I ordered the Steamed Shellfish Medley. Yes you get a lot of food, but it was ok. The mussels was scrawny and the shrimp was rubbery (overcooked). The steamed clams were good and the scallop was plentiful and ok. Luckily my 2 sides of fries and cole slaw were delicious. There are better places to eat seafood at Rehoboth Beach.
(2)
David C.
I usually visit Jake's on each trip to Rehoboth. We had the crab\artichoke appetizer. It arrived with plenty of warm bread and was good. I ordered the mahi mahi w/2 sides and the serving size was good. A friend had the Rockfish w/2 sides and he enjoyed his dinner too. We were both happy with our meal and service. Our fish was fresh and reasonably priced. Yes, I recommend!
(4)
Leah S.
First there was a fly in my drink, not a good start to a birthday dinner. One person had the Mahi Mahi, the other the highly recommended Rockfish. End result both of us were sick all night and into the next day! When the manager was called about this he seemed to hardly care. VERY SAD BIRTHDAY GIRL!
(1)
Leslie B.
Every time someone comes to visit we go to Jakes at the beach, OMG the Seafood Bisque is to die for! Kids are welcome, the table are large, the prices are right and the steamers are always delicious and hot!
(5)
Big B.
Mediocre food. Condiments served in plastic carry out cups. For the price you'd expect a piece of bread and a salad plus a side, but no. Over cooked shrimp. Crab cake that tasted like it had been frozen. Don't waste your money.
(1)
Janssen C.
Underrated seafood restaurant. Unbelievably rich seafood bisque. Plain menu of seafood classics like crab cakes and various broiled/fried platters won't impress but also won't disappoint. Good belly clams, without the freshness complaints I'm seeing in most of the other Yelp reviews. Young inexperienced wait staff (brought us the wrong check) but enthusiastic (quickly fixed it) and personable.
(3)
Joe T.
As we usually do on the first evening of our nearly annual vacation in Rehoboth, we ate dinner at Jake's. OK....not great....as usual. I had Rose's Rockfish, my wife had the grilled salmon with jalapeño pesto. The rockfish was relatively bland and topped with a huge amount of a pedestrian salsa. My wife indicated that the salmon was just 'alright' and the pesto was overly spicy. Service was very good. Overall....as I said, OK not great.
(3)
Scott S.
This place is better than the reviews I have seen. Must be some angry vacationers. Our waitress was friendly, fast and accommodating. The food was very good (my lobster was a little overcooked). Prices were very fair. Very family friendly. I am going back. Put this place on your good list.
(4)
Ajeeb T.
Ate there this evening after riding the ferry over to Lewes from Cape May and driving down to Rehoboth Beach. The food was very good from our appetizers of Lobster Macaroni and Cheese and my seafood bisque to the entrees of Rose's Rock Fish that I had and the broiled seafood platter my girlfriend had. The sides were very good as well, my semisolid applesauce and fries were good hear as well. One of the better seafood restaurants I've eaten at and the service was good as well.
(5)
Mitch R.
One of the worst seafood restaurants I have ever encountered. My girlfriend and I were looking for a place to eat while on vacation later on at night. Everywhere else was packed but we found Jake's and the wait was only five minutes. This place looks very promising as you walk in, it looks nice and upscale. We were seated by a friendly hostess and after that, things went downhill. There was a large family at the table next to us who were vocally upset since it had been forever since they put in their order. Their waiter (who was also ours) was very confused and kept on bring out plates at different times instead of waiting a couple minutes and bringing it out all at once. This was adding to their frustration and the waiters confusion. Anyway, I digress. I had to send my first drink back, which was an iced tea which tasted like someone had dropped some fish in the container holding the beverage. It was DISGUSTING. Fish "essence" and iced tea is not a good combination. We ordered some coconut shrimp as an appetizer and it wasn't spectacular at all. My crab imperial was completely inedible. There was almost NO crab in the dish, and what crab there was, was completely shredded and dispersed in tiny little strands. It was overly mayonnaise-y and had no flavor other than hot mayo and grease. If I had to give you an example, I would say there was 8 ounces of mayo and less than a 1/2 ounce of crab meat. Gross. My girlfriends scallops were tiny and overcooked, the portion size left a lot to be desired as well. For the prices that they charge, I would expect a decent meal and good service and neither of which I received. What I got in return for what I paid was the feeling that I was about to get sick from the food and the feeling that I was robbed. Avoid this place!
(1)
Ari R.
I've never been able to actually pinpoint the worst restaurant I have ever been to... until I went to Jake's. Jake's is a dismal, overpriced tourist trap. Portions are tiny, prices are high, the crowd is all families with screaming kids and the food is about the worst you can find in the country. They even put seasoning from a shaker on their broiled scallops. Why would you disguise the taste of "fresh" seafood with cheap seasoning from a shaker? Each course of our meal was worse than the last. The staff is completely soulless. They really don't care here because they have a locked-in tourist crowd. I cannot stress how disappointed you will be if you eat here. This is not fine seafood or even good seafood. Avoid at all costs.
(1)
Andy C.
Wound up here on our honeymoon after much higher rated places nearby couldn't seat us. This was one of the top 10 meals of my life. The salad with the house dressing was incredible. I could eat it for days. The oysters were huge and clean, and the seafood chowder was generous with the good stuff but not so heavy that it filled you up. We also had the fried appetizer sampler which included some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had. For dinner we had the asian yellowfin tuna and the stuffed rockfish. Both were outstanding. Being from Baltimore I have high standards for seafood, especially rockfish, especially rockfish stuffed with crab imperial, but it was absolutely fantastic. Finally, the staff was kind and attentive and had a great grasp on the menu. Our waitress answered every single one of our many questions and wasn't pushy as we took our time. We decided to try to go back for every anniversary.
(5)
Chuck S.
Last Jakes I went to on Rt.1 the service was bad, this one I decided to give this one a chance. Im glad we did. I got the 14 oz. prime rib, broccoli, mashed potatoes and a broiled crab cake. Needless to say my faith has been restored. The prime rib seemed roasted and finished on the grill, it was juicy and had a nice flavor. The mashed potatoes were awesome and I actually licked the bowl they were in, (no lie), broccoli was moist and not over-seasoned or have too much butter. the crabcake was awesome and I ate it slowly. My friend got the small crab imperial, he ate that as slow as possible. People whine about the prices saying its a (tourist trap) but you are paying for the location, its a block from the beach. I know the prime rib was a little overpriced, but I can only imagine the property taxes or rent the owner(s) are paying. I dont eat fish but the prices listed on the "specials" menu looked reasonable, my friend also agreed. He is a seafood connoisseur and he agreed the prices weren't that bad. The food was good and the service was excellent. Peoples experiences maybe when the dinner rush hits and some of them expect infants to remain silent at all time (get a grip), Our visit was a at 6:00pm on Memorial day. Stuff happens, Im a fan of this location. Nuff said.
(4)
Lexy M.
Jake's Seafood House is Down Right Awful! I'm sorry boys & girls.. I just had to go there. Let me start off by saying though, the young pretty waitress and hostess were very friendly and had great smiles but if these pretty darlings actually tasted their own food at this place.. their smiles would be gone! lol My friend and I were so upset about our meal that we actually only ate half and quickly paid our bill so we could go get ice cream to make up for the awful dinner. We did enjoy & love our ice cream though (thank god)! Jakes has been said to have the best seafood in Rehoboth Beach. Now, who told that lie??!! If Ruby Tuesday's can serve better seafood than you, i'm not sure what you call good. We had their "Famous Fried Seafood Platter".... it was just nasty beans lol. I enjoyed the side of fries better to be honest. If your looking to have a nice seafood dinner in Rehoboth I would NOT suggest this place. You will waste your money and time. $26 for an awful crappy cheap looking seafood platter..... run far far away! ;o)
(1)
Ally W.
Awesome, we have been eating here every weekend. Doesn't dissapoint! Best crab cakes I have had, they are made of crab no filler great seasoning, beach fries, seafood bisque is also really good and lots of meat! Friendly staff, great for kids (highway location has arcade games in the back), easy to get into with large or small parties!
(5)
Denis G.
It is 2014. A place that chooses to fry in Peanut Oil really should mention that on the menu so people with Allergies will stay away. We had to walk out after being seated and placing our drink order. My son told the server he was allergic and to his credit he did check with the kitchen and told us right away. It just would have been helpful to know beforehand. Three stars are for the courteous server and staff. Can't give review on much else.
(3)
Iryna B.
Meh...very typical american joint. No taste, everything over-fried and overcooked. Salads come from packages, seafood seems fresh but all the beauty of original flavor is being destroyed by cooks unable to peel a shrimp properly or turn a piece of fish into a nicely tasting dish. Service is good and quick though. Very friendly.
(2)
Linda W.
In the week we vacationed at Rehoboth this year, we made it to Jake's twice. I would have gone for the Crab Imperial on a daily basis had I been able to convince the non-seafood eating members of the family. You're not familiar with Crab Imperial? At Jake's, Crab Imperial is a softball sized mound of fresh, sweet, real Maryland jumbo crab lumps (the chalkboard identified Kent Island, MD as the source) gently mixed with and held together by just the merest touch of egg, a dab of mayo and a kiss of Old Bay, glazed with a rich sauce, and run under the broiler until browned and beautiful. Or, if you really know your seafood, it can be stuffed into fresh caught local flounder or Maryland rockfish. It just doesn't get any better. Fresh Maryland corn on the cob made a wonderful side with some decent fries to boot. A crisp, refreshing St. Germaine Sangria rounded out the meal...BOTH times I got there! BTW, don't miss the sangria either. Cucumber and strawberries were muddled together with muscato and a little St. Germaine and topped with a little bubbly. I can't imagine a more perfect beach indulgence. Service was great at the bar at lunch, the bartender friendly and full of great suggestions for other spots to dine in town. I can't wait to get back to Jake's again next year!
(4)
Paul G.
Ate there last night. Pros: great food. Rose's Rockfish is the best. Perfectly cooked rockfish in awesome marinara-type sauce. Mouth is watering just thinking about it. The jumbo shrimp that my table-mates was good but the crab mix was more mix than crab. Not worth like $23. Small point- the steamed broccoli was beautiful. So fresh and not overdone or underdone. After a couple of days of burgers and funnel cakes, something healthy that actually tasted great was so welcome. Cons: Jake's plays a little game called "Make people wait outside for 20 minutes even though there are tables available." They take advantage of the fact that waiting patrons can't actually see most of the tables while standing outside the restaurant. Here's a heads up - many of them are open. Would seem to be a strategy by Jake's management to create false perception of overflowing demand, which they hope drives actual demand. And they try to sell you drinks while you wait. So, if you're reading this while waiting outside Jake's, tell the hostess you need to use the restroom. Then when you walk through the restaurant, take a look at the open tables. They will be there. The question is why you're still waiting outside for one.
(3)
Steve J.
We ate here a couple years ago and we're really impressed so we decided to stop again this year. Something just wasn't the same. The service was fine but the food was OK at best and not cheap. Not sure what changed but it lost its place on our list of must go places in Rehoboth.
(3)
Anna M.
This place is fairly good especially for happy hour. However the 'seafood bisque' should be called seafood chowder . The only redeeming quality about it was the large chunks of seafood that were mixed in. Despite that I would one back for the happy hour oyster special. The they have$1 oysters that are so fresh and delicious that you will never want to stop eating them. The staff is also wonderful especially Moose (he's very sweet, attentive and will flash you a winning smile)
(4)
Heather C.
This place looks nice outside so you would think the outside matched the inside. It was dirty. We had a few broken chairs that had to be switched. The inside needs more than an update. If your plan is get seafood, you might as well eat at a Red Lobster -really that bad. This is a beach town and you would expect decent seafood, not even close. We suspect it was previously frozen from a supermarket. We will not be back again, many great places in Rehoboth to dine at.
(1)
Peter K.
Wow. Really overpriced for mediocre food and a rundown restaurant. Try the boardwalk instead.
(1)
ernest k.
Visited Jakes Seafood House Saturday August1 2015 the first big mistake made portions were small service was slow portions of my food was cold.this was my second time in a jakes restaurant and the last.
(2)
Janice J.
On Saturday night, We had already waited 45 minutes at Claws only to be told it would be another 20 minutes. Really! So we left and went to Jakes Seafood House. We were able to sit right away at the bar area tables which were fine. We ordered the crab balls to share as an appetizer. They were hot and delicious. My husband ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi with the mashed potatoes and string beans was great! Huge portion! I ordered the broiled seafood platter. All my favorites shrimp, scallops and flounder. It was so well seasoned and truly yummy!! Our meal ended with a piece of key lime pie. Perfect! We will be back. Thanks for saving our night out!!
(5)
Kyle T.
Went here recently with a large party with no prior reservation. We were seated 30 minutes faster than their estimate which was a pleasant surprise. Our waitress was pleasant but inattentive, we were all parched from spending a day on the beach but she never came by to refill our waters and we had to ask refills several times, which was annoying. Also annoying was the fact that the waitress told us that we wouldn't be receiving complimentary bread because 'the kitchen was out,' yet 15 minutes later we saw the table next to us receive bread. When we saw this, we asked if we could have some bread too but we received the same answer, which was obviously not true. My food (stuffed flounder) was prepared and plated well, as was the food of some of my friends that I also tasted, however the portion sizes were small given how much the food cost. 7 of our dishes came out together, but then the last member of our party was made to wait for several minutes while they 'finished cooking his dish' while we ate, which is always annoying.
(3)
Carol S.
The food was fantastic. The crab soup was amazing. The martinis weren't bad either. I don't believe there was a bad item on the menu. I went with a group and i believe we tried everything. I had the crab cakes which were delicious.
(4)
Ling L.
Great deals for happy hour - full-sized appetizers. The fish tacos we had included big chunks of mahi maui.
(4)
A K.
I don't usually get to eat a lot of seafood, as I am from the Midwest, but I was VERY happy with the selection on the menu and the quality of the food I received. Even more impressive was the kindness I received from the owner. I ate at Jakes the evening before I was scheduled to fly back to Chicago. It wasn't until I was back in Dover at 1030 pm that I realized I didn't have my phone. After searching the car the next morning it was apparent I had left it at the restaurant. The owner was there when I called at 730 and agreed to send my phone to my home address that afternoon. I'm sure you can imagine my relief to have this resolved before getting on the plane. I felt truly blessed that a stranger would take the time to go out their way to help me when they really didn't have to. I will go to Jake's anytime I am in Rehoboth Beach.
(5)
Ken W.
Great food and service as always. The seafood bisque is the best we've had... anywhere. Our 17th year coming to Jake's and never disappointed. We had the broiled seafood platter, lobster Mac n Cheese, kids fried shrimp and crab cake. All were fantastic. We'll see you again next year!
(5)
Michael K.
Just had a cup of the seafood bisque soup which stellar. Each spoonful had a healthy chunk of seafood. I strongly recommend this place.
(5)
Northern L.
OFF THE HOOK We found this restaurant while vacationing in Rehoboth and we're so happy about it. Fantastic food and drinks. We especially enjoy the bar area to eat lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is great. The hughest dining area around. Reservations are available but not needed as the place is so large. Even during peak season there is probably only a five minute wait. The steamed shrimp are huge and reasonably priced as are all the dishes. We recommend that anyone wanting great seafood or burgers give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
(3)
Eric Z.
I ordered the fish and chips, you would think a stand by in a seafood place. I got one pathetic small piece of fish and a ridiculously small portion of cole slaw, a plastic cup you'd get dressing in, actually a complete embarrassment to serve. I would not want to be "Jake" and put my name on that dish. Server did get me a larger portion of cole slaw, but still... Really. I Will not be back with so many other options around.
(2)
John G.
Fantastic food and service. Nice and quiet. Absolutely no complaints. This is one of our favorites in town. Prices are a little high, but you do get what you pay for here. The menu is great too. They have most everything. I don't recommend taking children, however.
(5)
Joseph K.
Super fantastic cole slaw. Drinks are excellent. Try the captains punch which even my bride enjoyed I liked the fried seafood platter. Each item was cooked properly. Scallops and flounder were tender. Crab cakes are definitely worth a try. Light and tasty.
(4)
Erin S.
This has always been my 'go to' spot at Rehoboth. Typically we are greeted with a very friendly staff, endless bread and quick refills, good food..just a nice atmosphere. This last visit was different; dont know if it was the waitress or just the place. Little things make a big difference! We asked for bread b/c noticed we hadn't gotten any; the waitress said it is only available upon request now, so she did bring us some...just one roll each. Not to sound like a pig, but if I'm going out I dont want to ask and would like more than one piece. The waitress was really young, and not very attentive, which really hurts a place. She was nice but just not the type of great staff that really want the customer to have a nice time. She was young and gave off the vibe of not wanting to be there. I go out for the experience, not just the food. Everything was brought out too quick and rushed out the door. The food wasn't bad, but nothing special this time. New managment? A bad day? not sure, but this time Id just give it an 'eh' not bad by any means, but not good....service needs improved!!
(2)
Julie K.
The food was very good scallops, shrimp, sweet potato fries, onion straws. Service was ok. They had a large selection of food, had a hard time choosing our food! I will go back again. I was impressed.
(4)
George S.
Service was awesome. We liked Zach. The special soup was great. It had a of fish and seasoned well. It could have been a little warmer. I had fish and chips. Chips were great the fish was not crispy. It could have been old oil or sat under the heat lite to long. The place is a little tired but excellent service.
(3)
Krista B.
Don't be intimidated by the boisterous day drinkers at the bar in front. We went in for lunch and were seated in the nice quiet back area to eat. The mojitos are bomb, and servers were fun and friendly. My mom's fried ("padded") oysters are better, and my Caesar salad was OK. Overall a fun spot though.
(3)
Nick P.
Visited at 1130 AM on a Monday so it was not busy. Hostess let my family in a couple of minute early which was a nice gesture since we were wrangling 3 young children. Food was amazing! Had bisque which was creamy and deliscious, blackened Mahi tacos which were just the right amount of spicy, and the Memphis BBQ burger which was cooked perfectly and had very good slaw and bacon. Overall very good visit. Would bring family or friends again!
(5)
Tom R.
Excellent service. I never knew that Sangria could come with muddled cucumber, but suddenly, I cannot imagine it any other way. The seafood platter lived up to the price and my family enjoyed the meal very much. I think this will be a new tradition for my family!
(5)
Alyson O.
I would give this place 3.5 stars but not 4. The food was basic and not fancy but the drinks were awesome. The St. Germaine white sangria is exceptional. Perfect after a summer day at the beach. I would go back for the sangria alone!
(3)
Linda V.
We came in with a party of 6 Andrea was our waitress. She was great. The food was wonderful from lobster to prime rib. The lobster was perfect as was the prime rib.
(5)
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Address :29 Baltimore Ave
Rehoboth Beach, DE, 19971
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Touristy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Becky S.
Tasty seafood, incredible bisque, somewhat slow but decent service. Try their sweet potato fries -- fantastic flavor and an awesome dipping sauce. Too expensive for what it is, but I guess that's just what you get for dining in a tourist town.
(4)The K.
Delicious Seafood Bisque, Mahi wrap very tasty but a bit too much blackening seasoning and the hand-cut fries are very good, no Thrashers, but a nice part of our meal.
(4)Brian A.
If the waiter wasn't such a jackass, it would have been fine. Our party of 8 (4 kids included) did not have a very long wait to get in to this seafood landmark in RB during the season. The drinks from the bar were good and well-balanced. Once we got to the table, though, it was as if we were in a different world. Our waiter was less than pleasant, did not explain anything, and even told one of our table companions that if she told HIM about what she wanted - which, btw, she did - he would have checked to see if it could be done. The food that arrived - mostly at the same time - was good, not spectacular. Those who got softshell crabs seemed to like them. I got an abundant steamer platter with a couple of clams still full of sand. Others around the table seemed to be OK with their dishes. Things that took a long time and a waiter with attitude (not in the saucy, fun way either) made this a meh experience.
(2)Michael B.
Horrible. I ordered a Louisiana Oyster Shooter and they did not shuck the oyster properly. I ended up cracking a tooth! We ended up only getting appetizers (since the order had already been placed) and the crab balls and broiled scallops tasted like they were microwaved and were rubbery. They wait staff was slow and unprofessional as well. It took us 20 minutes to get our check AFTER we finished our appetizers. We were never asked if we even WANTED entrees. Go someplace else. There are plenty of seafood restaurants in the area. Go to Fins or Timothys in Rehoboth or JD Schuckers in Lewes.
(1)Lisa V.
Good service. Fun family atmosphere. Food below average. A disappointment :(
(2)Z M.
Not as good as it once was. Kid friendly though. Poor mojitos.we won't be back.
(2)Andrew B.
Went here as part of a family gathering. Crabcakes were very meaty, but very mediocre. I didn't care for the seasoning style (horseradish) and they didn't taste that fresh. Garden salad was very nice. Service was good, once we were seated. Although they seated us on the left side of the restaurant, which requires anyone handicapped to have to walk ALL the way around the outside of the restaurant, starting on the right side. We specifically told them we had a handicapped person in our party upon arrival.
(2)Jennifer K.
About 2.5 rungs up the ladder from Red Lobster, and not for land lubbers. Reeking of stale seafood odors, the menu features only four non-seafood choices: chicken breast, and three steak options. Yes, it's the beach, but most people prefer a menu with some variety. Suitable for large family groups and decidedly un-fancy. Good for picky eaters who find the other restaurants in and around Rehoboth to be "too fancy."
(2)Ken H.
With the wife melting down from hunger at the doorway of Jake's, we decided to head inside, knowing nothing of the restaurant. Started with the crab stuffed mushrooms... chunks of mayonaise that were arguably larger than the crab pieces, all slathered with a covering of cheese. Since the wife also ordered the crabcake, we knew we were in for a long, mayo-filled night., As expected, the crabcake was not up-to-par... but, my blackened mahi sandwich was good enough to go 2 stars on this forgettable spot by the beach.
(2)Carolyn B.
great casual spot for seafood while at the beach. they are famous for their crabcakes, which were good, although i think my mom's are better! we went with a group of 6 on a saturday night and didnt have to wait which was a bonus - they have a lot of seating. margaritas were good, as were our appetizers: coconut shrimp and crab-stuffed mushrooms. the service was decent too. cant say much for the atmosphere - its no frills, and definitely draws a family crowd (exhibit a - the family with 2 screaming kids nearby at 9pm on a sat night!).
(3)Patti M.
PLEASE PLEASE do NOT waste your money at Jakes. Me best friend and I stopped at Jakes tonight after shopping at the outlets, what a big mistake. first....we enter and there are tons of empty tables but we are told there is a 30 minute wait. very strange. the menu lists the crab cakes as JUMBO LUMP crab cakes. i decide to order one crab cake dinner, my friend asks the waiter if the crab imperial is jumbo lump, his reply was yes. the crab imperial was not edible, it tasted like fish and there was not ONE lump of crab meat. my friend took a few bites and told the waiter it was horrible. he offered to bring her a crab cake but knowing my crab cake was horrible, she declined. he never brought the manager over. i opened my crab cake up to look at what i was eating.....it was all claw meat NO lumps and tasted like fish. no old bay, no seasoning, just horrible and smashed. corn on the cob was not good, baked potato was just ok. we finally asked for the manager, he was polite, asked why she didn't like the crab imperial, she explained it was not lump crab meat and tasted like fish. he acted surprised and said the crab meat is brought in fresh each day (which could not be true!!!!). then he pointed to my crab cake and said it was jumbo lump!!!!!! i had it all open and spread out on the plate....NO LUMP....just yucky old fishy tasting claw meat. he said he would take my friends meal off the bill. the bills comes, he took $7.50 off the bill, that was it!!!!!! we asked for the manager AGAIN, this time we get another manager with an attitude. my friend got so upset she told him to "comp" the ENTIRE check because we were not paying. he finally agreed but first tried to make us feel bad saying the waiter would have to pay which we did not want to happen. after we fussed some more he said the waiter would not have to pay. at that point we left a tip for waiter and left. we left hungry, stopped at subway!
(1)David B.
For a special dinner yesterday,my wife ordered the shrimp Alfredo and I ordered the special stuffed rockfish with crab meat plus we ordered two side salads before dinner. before we had a chance to have our second bite of our salad, they delivered our entrees and then delivered our check even before we finished dinner. Plus our drinks stunk. My wife had a bloody Mary way too spicy and I had frozen margarita,which was just ok. I would give the food two stars but the service was terrible.
(1)Rob C.
We tried to get into Jake's two years ago and the line was out the door with the wait lasting a couple of hours long. When wandering the streets of Rehoboth on a summertime friday night, we decided to give it a try and were "lucky" enough to get in. Come early, otherwise the line stacks up, although I am not entirely sure why they get so much attention. We started with some crab balls that were deep fried. They tasted good, but the serving size was lacking at 4 balls. I had a lobster that was slightly over cooked (steamed) while Felicia had fried shrimp that were also overcoaked. The entrees were generously sized. The wait staff was stretched over too many tables and the service suffered. Overall, an average beach seafood house, but nothing special.
(3)Linda W.
In the week we vacationed at Rehoboth this year, we made it to Jake's twice. I would have gone for the Crab Imperial on a daily basis had I been able to convince the non-seafood eating members of the family. You're not familiar with Crab Imperial? At Jake's, Crab Imperial is a softball sized mound of fresh, sweet, real Maryland jumbo crab lumps (the chalkboard identified Kent Island, MD as the source) gently mixed with and held together by just the merest touch of egg, a dab of mayo and a kiss of Old Bay, glazed with a rich sauce, and run under the broiler until browned and beautiful. Or, if you really know your seafood, it can be stuffed into fresh caught local flounder or Maryland rockfish. It just doesn't get any better. Fresh Maryland corn on the cob made a wonderful side with some decent fries to boot. A crisp, refreshing St. Germaine Sangria rounded out the meal...BOTH times I got there! BTW, don't miss the sangria either. Cucumber and strawberries were muddled together with muscato and a little St. Germaine and topped with a little bubbly. I can't imagine a more perfect beach indulgence. Service was great at the bar at lunch, the bartender friendly and full of great suggestions for other spots to dine in town. I can't wait to get back to Jake's again next year!
(4)Paul G.
Ate there last night. Pros: great food. Rose's Rockfish is the best. Perfectly cooked rockfish in awesome marinara-type sauce. Mouth is watering just thinking about it. The jumbo shrimp that my table-mates was good but the crab mix was more mix than crab. Not worth like $23. Small point- the steamed broccoli was beautiful. So fresh and not overdone or underdone. After a couple of days of burgers and funnel cakes, something healthy that actually tasted great was so welcome. Cons: Jake's plays a little game called "Make people wait outside for 20 minutes even though there are tables available." They take advantage of the fact that waiting patrons can't actually see most of the tables while standing outside the restaurant. Here's a heads up - many of them are open. Would seem to be a strategy by Jake's management to create false perception of overflowing demand, which they hope drives actual demand. And they try to sell you drinks while you wait. So, if you're reading this while waiting outside Jake's, tell the hostess you need to use the restroom. Then when you walk through the restaurant, take a look at the open tables. They will be there. The question is why you're still waiting outside for one.
(3)Steve J.
We ate here a couple years ago and we're really impressed so we decided to stop again this year. Something just wasn't the same. The service was fine but the food was OK at best and not cheap. Not sure what changed but it lost its place on our list of must go places in Rehoboth.
(3)Anna M.
This place is fairly good especially for happy hour. However the 'seafood bisque' should be called seafood chowder . The only redeeming quality about it was the large chunks of seafood that were mixed in. Despite that I would one back for the happy hour oyster special. The they have$1 oysters that are so fresh and delicious that you will never want to stop eating them. The staff is also wonderful especially Moose (he's very sweet, attentive and will flash you a winning smile)
(4)Heather C.
This place looks nice outside so you would think the outside matched the inside. It was dirty. We had a few broken chairs that had to be switched. The inside needs more than an update. If your plan is get seafood, you might as well eat at a Red Lobster -really that bad. This is a beach town and you would expect decent seafood, not even close. We suspect it was previously frozen from a supermarket. We will not be back again, many great places in Rehoboth to dine at.
(1)Peter K.
Wow. Really overpriced for mediocre food and a rundown restaurant. Try the boardwalk instead.
(1)ernest k.
Visited Jakes Seafood House Saturday August1 2015 the first big mistake made portions were small service was slow portions of my food was cold.this was my second time in a jakes restaurant and the last.
(2)Janice J.
On Saturday night, We had already waited 45 minutes at Claws only to be told it would be another 20 minutes. Really! So we left and went to Jakes Seafood House. We were able to sit right away at the bar area tables which were fine. We ordered the crab balls to share as an appetizer. They were hot and delicious. My husband ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi with the mashed potatoes and string beans was great! Huge portion! I ordered the broiled seafood platter. All my favorites shrimp, scallops and flounder. It was so well seasoned and truly yummy!! Our meal ended with a piece of key lime pie. Perfect! We will be back. Thanks for saving our night out!!
(5)Kyle T.
Went here recently with a large party with no prior reservation. We were seated 30 minutes faster than their estimate which was a pleasant surprise. Our waitress was pleasant but inattentive, we were all parched from spending a day on the beach but she never came by to refill our waters and we had to ask refills several times, which was annoying. Also annoying was the fact that the waitress told us that we wouldn't be receiving complimentary bread because 'the kitchen was out,' yet 15 minutes later we saw the table next to us receive bread. When we saw this, we asked if we could have some bread too but we received the same answer, which was obviously not true. My food (stuffed flounder) was prepared and plated well, as was the food of some of my friends that I also tasted, however the portion sizes were small given how much the food cost. 7 of our dishes came out together, but then the last member of our party was made to wait for several minutes while they 'finished cooking his dish' while we ate, which is always annoying.
(3)A K.
I don't usually get to eat a lot of seafood, as I am from the Midwest, but I was VERY happy with the selection on the menu and the quality of the food I received. Even more impressive was the kindness I received from the owner. I ate at Jakes the evening before I was scheduled to fly back to Chicago. It wasn't until I was back in Dover at 1030 pm that I realized I didn't have my phone. After searching the car the next morning it was apparent I had left it at the restaurant. The owner was there when I called at 730 and agreed to send my phone to my home address that afternoon. I'm sure you can imagine my relief to have this resolved before getting on the plane. I felt truly blessed that a stranger would take the time to go out their way to help me when they really didn't have to. I will go to Jake's anytime I am in Rehoboth Beach.
(5)Ken W.
Great food and service as always. The seafood bisque is the best we've had... anywhere. Our 17th year coming to Jake's and never disappointed. We had the broiled seafood platter, lobster Mac n Cheese, kids fried shrimp and crab cake. All were fantastic. We'll see you again next year!
(5)Michael K.
Just had a cup of the seafood bisque soup which stellar. Each spoonful had a healthy chunk of seafood. I strongly recommend this place.
(5)Northern L.
OFF THE HOOK We found this restaurant while vacationing in Rehoboth and we're so happy about it. Fantastic food and drinks. We especially enjoy the bar area to eat lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is great. The hughest dining area around. Reservations are available but not needed as the place is so large. Even during peak season there is probably only a five minute wait. The steamed shrimp are huge and reasonably priced as are all the dishes. We recommend that anyone wanting great seafood or burgers give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
(3)Eric Z.
I ordered the fish and chips, you would think a stand by in a seafood place. I got one pathetic small piece of fish and a ridiculously small portion of cole slaw, a plastic cup you'd get dressing in, actually a complete embarrassment to serve. I would not want to be "Jake" and put my name on that dish. Server did get me a larger portion of cole slaw, but still... Really. I Will not be back with so many other options around.
(2)John G.
Fantastic food and service. Nice and quiet. Absolutely no complaints. This is one of our favorites in town. Prices are a little high, but you do get what you pay for here. The menu is great too. They have most everything. I don't recommend taking children, however.
(5)Joseph K.
Super fantastic cole slaw. Drinks are excellent. Try the captains punch which even my bride enjoyed I liked the fried seafood platter. Each item was cooked properly. Scallops and flounder were tender. Crab cakes are definitely worth a try. Light and tasty.
(4)Carol S.
The food was fantastic. The crab soup was amazing. The martinis weren't bad either. I don't believe there was a bad item on the menu. I went with a group and i believe we tried everything. I had the crab cakes which were delicious.
(4)Ling L.
Great deals for happy hour - full-sized appetizers. The fish tacos we had included big chunks of mahi maui.
(4)Erin S.
This has always been my 'go to' spot at Rehoboth. Typically we are greeted with a very friendly staff, endless bread and quick refills, good food..just a nice atmosphere. This last visit was different; dont know if it was the waitress or just the place. Little things make a big difference! We asked for bread b/c noticed we hadn't gotten any; the waitress said it is only available upon request now, so she did bring us some...just one roll each. Not to sound like a pig, but if I'm going out I dont want to ask and would like more than one piece. The waitress was really young, and not very attentive, which really hurts a place. She was nice but just not the type of great staff that really want the customer to have a nice time. She was young and gave off the vibe of not wanting to be there. I go out for the experience, not just the food. Everything was brought out too quick and rushed out the door. The food wasn't bad, but nothing special this time. New managment? A bad day? not sure, but this time Id just give it an 'eh' not bad by any means, but not good....service needs improved!!
(2)Julie K.
The food was very good scallops, shrimp, sweet potato fries, onion straws. Service was ok. They had a large selection of food, had a hard time choosing our food! I will go back again. I was impressed.
(4)George S.
Service was awesome. We liked Zach. The special soup was great. It had a of fish and seasoned well. It could have been a little warmer. I had fish and chips. Chips were great the fish was not crispy. It could have been old oil or sat under the heat lite to long. The place is a little tired but excellent service.
(3)Krista B.
Don't be intimidated by the boisterous day drinkers at the bar in front. We went in for lunch and were seated in the nice quiet back area to eat. The mojitos are bomb, and servers were fun and friendly. My mom's fried ("padded") oysters are better, and my Caesar salad was OK. Overall a fun spot though.
(3)Nick P.
Visited at 1130 AM on a Monday so it was not busy. Hostess let my family in a couple of minute early which was a nice gesture since we were wrangling 3 young children. Food was amazing! Had bisque which was creamy and deliscious, blackened Mahi tacos which were just the right amount of spicy, and the Memphis BBQ burger which was cooked perfectly and had very good slaw and bacon. Overall very good visit. Would bring family or friends again!
(5)Tom R.
Excellent service. I never knew that Sangria could come with muddled cucumber, but suddenly, I cannot imagine it any other way. The seafood platter lived up to the price and my family enjoyed the meal very much. I think this will be a new tradition for my family!
(5)Alyson O.
I would give this place 3.5 stars but not 4. The food was basic and not fancy but the drinks were awesome. The St. Germaine white sangria is exceptional. Perfect after a summer day at the beach. I would go back for the sangria alone!
(3)Linda V.
We came in with a party of 6 Andrea was our waitress. She was great. The food was wonderful from lobster to prime rib. The lobster was perfect as was the prime rib.
(5)Ally W.
Awesome, we have been eating here every weekend. Doesn't dissapoint! Best crab cakes I have had, they are made of crab no filler great seasoning, beach fries, seafood bisque is also really good and lots of meat! Friendly staff, great for kids (highway location has arcade games in the back), easy to get into with large or small parties!
(5)Denis G.
It is 2014. A place that chooses to fry in Peanut Oil really should mention that on the menu so people with Allergies will stay away. We had to walk out after being seated and placing our drink order. My son told the server he was allergic and to his credit he did check with the kitchen and told us right away. It just would have been helpful to know beforehand. Three stars are for the courteous server and staff. Can't give review on much else.
(3)Iryna B.
Meh...very typical american joint. No taste, everything over-fried and overcooked. Salads come from packages, seafood seems fresh but all the beauty of original flavor is being destroyed by cooks unable to peel a shrimp properly or turn a piece of fish into a nicely tasting dish. Service is good and quick though. Very friendly.
(2)Foodspy J.
There isn't enough space to share how pleased we were with this restaurant. The atmosphere, service and food were Excellent! We ordered and shared a variety of seafood dishes and there were no disappointments. A few of the dishes, raw oysters - sweet and succulent, broiled seafood platter - excellent - cooked perfectly! Crab cakes - plump and fresh! We only wish we could have gotten back for more. This will be a traditional stop when visiting Rehoboth! What a great experience!
(5)Niran A.
I was craving some sort of whitefish stuffed with crab, while recently at Rehoboth Beach. Upon a recommendation we landed at Jake's. The one on Highway 1. The décor and ambiance of the restaurant is quite lacking especially for the relatively higher prices Jake's demands for its food. I started off with the seared tuna appetizer which sounded nice - fresh seared tuna on crispy wontons with seaweed salad. While the tuna tasted nice, it was way overpowered by the sugary "goop" that was on top of each piece. The seaweed salad makes sense as an accompaniment but we have seen this so many times before. The worst part of this appetizer, other than the sauce of course, was the measly five pieces of tuna you get for $8. Pass! As my main I went with the flounder with crab imperial. The entrée came sizzling to my table which was nice; however, once the plate stops sizzling you realize how much butter is surrounding your fish. Regardless, the fish was cooked very well and the crab imperial, while rich, was packed with lump blue crab. The two played off each other while and proved to be a filling and quite delicious dish. The entrée also included two sides which were obviously amazing because I can't even remember what they were. Either way, the fish was the main star and the sides were just there to make diners more full. Would I go back? Yes, I definitely would as I feel this is a nice spot for beach vacationers wanting some fresh seafood. There were some slip-ups but nothing dramatic enough to keep me from returning. By the way, the service was very good. I believe our server's name was Rosie.
(3)Christy B.
Arrival 5pm. It was not busy. Blackened mahi mahi was far from blackened. It was also dry. Red skinned mashed potatoes tasted like they had mayo in them. Lobster Mac and cheese... Lobster was chewy, pasta was penne with a red sauce??? I would not recommend this place to friends and I would never go back.
(1)Matt E.
Jake's is quite a spacious restaurant which incorporates a bar in the front and the dining room in back. The place was clean and the service wasn't bad at all. The menu was obviously mostly seafood but had other options as well, there was something for everyone. The food I got was tasty and well cooked, not everyone was as lucky. What was consistant across the board was the overpriced dishes. What I got for nearly $30 (broiled seafood platter) should have been half that price. Some of the entrees were even worse, my girlfriends stuffed shrimp were mostly just 4 or so shirmp with some mayo based dip like stuff in a bowl. My girlfriends parents were also pretty disappointed with the quality of their food and the prices as well. If you're looking for good seafood and/or an affordable place for a nice sit-down dinner, Jake's isn't it. If you're like me and don't have a choice of coming here or not, it won't be too bad, especially if you're not paying.
(3)Kimberly M.
My husband and I ate at this restaurant. Food and service was great. We had crab cake sandwich and the lobster roll. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Allison K.
Very surprised at the negative reviews I read on here about this place. We came in and got seated right away which was very nice- I think it's because we were a party of 6- it somehow worked for us. The wait staff was nice, efficient, and friendly. The local beer was great! Excellent vodka tonic garnished with a fresh lime. We got the tomato basil mozzarella caprese salad as an appetizer to share- very tasty and fresh. The rolls were fine as well. I got the house salad with chicken- ill of fresh great veggies. THE DRESSING WAS BEYOND GOOD! Another friend got the spring salad which she enjoyed and a side of corn on the cob that was good. Another got Mahi Mahi special and loved it. My mom got spice steamed shrimp which she loved. Good clams and crab cakes too. The bathrooms were clean enough. We had a nice evening and really enjoyed ourselves :) I'd recommend coming here
(4)William B.
I've been there six or seven times over the years. This place is OK but not worth standing in line for. The food is just OK no matter what you order. They boast of great crab cakes but there are far better to be had for the same price range at many other places. Last night the French Fries were cold and the server vanished so no chance of sending them back. The steamed broccoli was steamed to death. I will try to remember not to go back. There are many better choices in Rehoboth downtown.
(2)Donna S.
We went to Jake's for the second time today. The last time was dinner for 8 people. This time was lunch for two. Both times the food was excellent and the service very good. Today we had the crab cake sandwich. The crab meat is the high quality lump meat and there was almost no filler. I grew up in the Baltimore suburbs and these were the real deal. The mint lemonade was refreshing.
(5)Anthony H.
Went to this place at 9:00pm they told us they were not sitting anybody after 9pm! I'm sorry but it was in-season and it's a vacation destination. If your going to own a restaurant on the strip you should be open to tourist eating pass 9pm.... Very disappointed so make sure when eating here it's before 9pm.....
(1)DL H.
Last day before heading home we were craving some seafood so decided to give this place a try. It turned out pretty decent. I was craving scallops but didn't really want an entire meal of them, and lucky me they had them on appetizer for $10. They came out with about 6 and were very good. The flounder we had was decent, nothing spectacular, but I would definitely go back again. Also they have Birch beer, which is a win for me.
(4)Rob M.
Empty at 5:15, busy at 5:45. Unimpressed with reheated frozen food. Expected so much more from a "Seafood House" at the beach! Others in our group went to another place close by, I should have gone with them.
(2)Jessica M.
I really enjoyed this place. My boyfriend and I sat in the bar area and had a few drinks before ordering dinner. The bartenders were very nice. Dinner was very good. If I didn't live so far away, I'd go back!
(4)Joan S.
Our food was Great !!!! We travel a lot, therefore we eat at places that aren't so Great... we read the reviews and decided to go anyway on a whim. First we ordered Lobster macaroni and cheese which was delicious. We ordered a bowl of the seafood bisque which was equally impressive. My broiled seafood platter was extremely tasty and cooked to perfection, and our waiter was excellent. I'm not sure if we ate at the same place as these other people, but our experience was wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)Nancy R.
After seeing how busy this place gets I was disappointed about the food and service. FOOD: We didn't even get the complimentary bread to start our meal. Boo. For apps, we had the crab & spinach dip and the clam strips. The dip is very good with the crusty warm bread that accompanies it. The clam strips were scrawny and very few. There were enough for everyone to have one. I couldn't even tell you if it was any good. Since I was in the mood for mussels, I ordered the Steamed Shellfish Medley. Yes you get a lot of food, but it was ok. The mussels was scrawny and the shrimp was rubbery (overcooked). The steamed clams were good and the scallop was plentiful and ok. Luckily my 2 sides of fries and cole slaw were delicious. There are better places to eat seafood at Rehoboth Beach.
(2)David C.
I usually visit Jake's on each trip to Rehoboth. We had the crab\artichoke appetizer. It arrived with plenty of warm bread and was good. I ordered the mahi mahi w/2 sides and the serving size was good. A friend had the Rockfish w/2 sides and he enjoyed his dinner too. We were both happy with our meal and service. Our fish was fresh and reasonably priced. Yes, I recommend!
(4)Leah S.
First there was a fly in my drink, not a good start to a birthday dinner. One person had the Mahi Mahi, the other the highly recommended Rockfish. End result both of us were sick all night and into the next day! When the manager was called about this he seemed to hardly care. VERY SAD BIRTHDAY GIRL!
(1)Leslie B.
Every time someone comes to visit we go to Jakes at the beach, OMG the Seafood Bisque is to die for! Kids are welcome, the table are large, the prices are right and the steamers are always delicious and hot!
(5)Big B.
Mediocre food. Condiments served in plastic carry out cups. For the price you'd expect a piece of bread and a salad plus a side, but no. Over cooked shrimp. Crab cake that tasted like it had been frozen. Don't waste your money.
(1)Janssen C.
Underrated seafood restaurant. Unbelievably rich seafood bisque. Plain menu of seafood classics like crab cakes and various broiled/fried platters won't impress but also won't disappoint. Good belly clams, without the freshness complaints I'm seeing in most of the other Yelp reviews. Young inexperienced wait staff (brought us the wrong check) but enthusiastic (quickly fixed it) and personable.
(3)Joe T.
As we usually do on the first evening of our nearly annual vacation in Rehoboth, we ate dinner at Jake's. OK....not great....as usual. I had Rose's Rockfish, my wife had the grilled salmon with jalapeño pesto. The rockfish was relatively bland and topped with a huge amount of a pedestrian salsa. My wife indicated that the salmon was just 'alright' and the pesto was overly spicy. Service was very good. Overall....as I said, OK not great.
(3)Scott S.
This place is better than the reviews I have seen. Must be some angry vacationers. Our waitress was friendly, fast and accommodating. The food was very good (my lobster was a little overcooked). Prices were very fair. Very family friendly. I am going back. Put this place on your good list.
(4)Ajeeb T.
Ate there this evening after riding the ferry over to Lewes from Cape May and driving down to Rehoboth Beach. The food was very good from our appetizers of Lobster Macaroni and Cheese and my seafood bisque to the entrees of Rose's Rock Fish that I had and the broiled seafood platter my girlfriend had. The sides were very good as well, my semisolid applesauce and fries were good hear as well. One of the better seafood restaurants I've eaten at and the service was good as well.
(5)Amr A.
Food we ordered was great (house salad, scallops and pasta for the kids). Service was excellent.
(4)Doug W.
Arrived at 8:15 Friday night and were seated promptly. I was hoping to find a nice tuna steak. The menu listed a tuna steak with peach salsa. There was a star next to the item. The star indicated the chef has paired the entrée with his choice of vegetable and starch. While I appreciate the effort the chef had taken to choose redskin potatoes and broccoli I prefer no carbs and just requested to double up on the broccoli. Truly to my surprise the waitress informed me that there was no substitution and if I wanted no potato and a substitute of broccoli I would have to pay extra. She was a bit embarrassed about the policy. I get that the pre-fixed menu helps the part timers in the kitchen get things right but the request was simple. Quite frankly this was the first place I have visited that forced you to take an item that your were not able to eat. I asked what if I had an allergy? I was told they would not place the item on the plate but I would have to pay for a substitute. The tuna was cooked perfectly but the peach salsa was overpowered by the red onion. My wife had a shrimp and veggy wrap that was fine. The mojito was fresh and well made. My red skinned potatoes were served In a separate bowl and were thrown away.
(2)Sue S.
Great service, big selection, great food, great wine! We go here every year while we are on vacation. This last time we had for appetizers, the Calamari and their Tomato Caprese (fabulous) and for our Entrees I had New York stripe (they prepared it Pittsburgh rare as I requested w/ no issues) and my hubby had the Mahi Mahi, my daughter had Shrimp Alfredo and my son had their turkey club (don't ask, for some reason he doesn't like seafood). Either way, something for everyone and we had a great dinner and love this place.
(4)Janet S.
Wow. I'm honestly stunned as to why everyone is so dramatically bent out of shape over Jake's. I had a perfectly lovely experience. Lisa and I got to the restaurant tired and hungry after some marathon outlet shopping and were seated immediately. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, made great recommendations, and was super accommodating to Lisa's insanely picky needs. The rolls were served warm, the seafood bisque was yummy, the applesauce tasted homemade and fresh, and my broiled seafood platter combined with great service made me a very happy camper. Lisa and I left delighted. And she managed not to toss her shrimpies on the ferry ride back to Cape May.
(4)Heather K.
Ok, I'm just going to say it. If you're going to have the balls to list "Maryland Crab Cakes" on your menu, those damned crabcakes better have Old Bay as one of the primary ingredients. If not, you should be sued for false advertising. And if your crabcakes taste like wet tissue paper (AHEM, Jakes!) , then you should be sued for crimes against humanity. The only thing that saved my meal was the fact that I was staying nearby, and was able to run home and grab a cannister of Old Bay. Otherwise, my "Maryland Crab Cake" would have been a tasteless, chewy waste of claw meat.
(2)Mitch R.
One of the worst seafood restaurants I have ever encountered. My girlfriend and I were looking for a place to eat while on vacation later on at night. Everywhere else was packed but we found Jake's and the wait was only five minutes. This place looks very promising as you walk in, it looks nice and upscale. We were seated by a friendly hostess and after that, things went downhill. There was a large family at the table next to us who were vocally upset since it had been forever since they put in their order. Their waiter (who was also ours) was very confused and kept on bring out plates at different times instead of waiting a couple minutes and bringing it out all at once. This was adding to their frustration and the waiters confusion. Anyway, I digress. I had to send my first drink back, which was an iced tea which tasted like someone had dropped some fish in the container holding the beverage. It was DISGUSTING. Fish "essence" and iced tea is not a good combination. We ordered some coconut shrimp as an appetizer and it wasn't spectacular at all. My crab imperial was completely inedible. There was almost NO crab in the dish, and what crab there was, was completely shredded and dispersed in tiny little strands. It was overly mayonnaise-y and had no flavor other than hot mayo and grease. If I had to give you an example, I would say there was 8 ounces of mayo and less than a 1/2 ounce of crab meat. Gross. My girlfriends scallops were tiny and overcooked, the portion size left a lot to be desired as well. For the prices that they charge, I would expect a decent meal and good service and neither of which I received. What I got in return for what I paid was the feeling that I was about to get sick from the food and the feeling that I was robbed. Avoid this place!
(1)Ari R.
I've never been able to actually pinpoint the worst restaurant I have ever been to... until I went to Jake's. Jake's is a dismal, overpriced tourist trap. Portions are tiny, prices are high, the crowd is all families with screaming kids and the food is about the worst you can find in the country. They even put seasoning from a shaker on their broiled scallops. Why would you disguise the taste of "fresh" seafood with cheap seasoning from a shaker? Each course of our meal was worse than the last. The staff is completely soulless. They really don't care here because they have a locked-in tourist crowd. I cannot stress how disappointed you will be if you eat here. This is not fine seafood or even good seafood. Avoid at all costs.
(1)Andy C.
Wound up here on our honeymoon after much higher rated places nearby couldn't seat us. This was one of the top 10 meals of my life. The salad with the house dressing was incredible. I could eat it for days. The oysters were huge and clean, and the seafood chowder was generous with the good stuff but not so heavy that it filled you up. We also had the fried appetizer sampler which included some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had. For dinner we had the asian yellowfin tuna and the stuffed rockfish. Both were outstanding. Being from Baltimore I have high standards for seafood, especially rockfish, especially rockfish stuffed with crab imperial, but it was absolutely fantastic. Finally, the staff was kind and attentive and had a great grasp on the menu. Our waitress answered every single one of our many questions and wasn't pushy as we took our time. We decided to try to go back for every anniversary.
(5)Chuck S.
Last Jakes I went to on Rt.1 the service was bad, this one I decided to give this one a chance. Im glad we did. I got the 14 oz. prime rib, broccoli, mashed potatoes and a broiled crab cake. Needless to say my faith has been restored. The prime rib seemed roasted and finished on the grill, it was juicy and had a nice flavor. The mashed potatoes were awesome and I actually licked the bowl they were in, (no lie), broccoli was moist and not over-seasoned or have too much butter. the crabcake was awesome and I ate it slowly. My friend got the small crab imperial, he ate that as slow as possible. People whine about the prices saying its a (tourist trap) but you are paying for the location, its a block from the beach. I know the prime rib was a little overpriced, but I can only imagine the property taxes or rent the owner(s) are paying. I dont eat fish but the prices listed on the "specials" menu looked reasonable, my friend also agreed. He is a seafood connoisseur and he agreed the prices weren't that bad. The food was good and the service was excellent. Peoples experiences maybe when the dinner rush hits and some of them expect infants to remain silent at all time (get a grip), Our visit was a at 6:00pm on Memorial day. Stuff happens, Im a fan of this location. Nuff said.
(4)Lexy M.
Jake's Seafood House is Down Right Awful! I'm sorry boys & girls.. I just had to go there. Let me start off by saying though, the young pretty waitress and hostess were very friendly and had great smiles but if these pretty darlings actually tasted their own food at this place.. their smiles would be gone! lol My friend and I were so upset about our meal that we actually only ate half and quickly paid our bill so we could go get ice cream to make up for the awful dinner. We did enjoy & love our ice cream though (thank god)! Jakes has been said to have the best seafood in Rehoboth Beach. Now, who told that lie??!! If Ruby Tuesday's can serve better seafood than you, i'm not sure what you call good. We had their "Famous Fried Seafood Platter".... it was just nasty beans lol. I enjoyed the side of fries better to be honest. If your looking to have a nice seafood dinner in Rehoboth I would NOT suggest this place. You will waste your money and time. $26 for an awful crappy cheap looking seafood platter..... run far far away! ;o)
(1)Becky S.
Tasty seafood, incredible bisque, somewhat slow but decent service. Try their sweet potato fries -- fantastic flavor and an awesome dipping sauce. Too expensive for what it is, but I guess that's just what you get for dining in a tourist town.
(4)The K.
Delicious Seafood Bisque, Mahi wrap very tasty but a bit too much blackening seasoning and the hand-cut fries are very good, no Thrashers, but a nice part of our meal.
(4)Brian A.
If the waiter wasn't such a jackass, it would have been fine. Our party of 8 (4 kids included) did not have a very long wait to get in to this seafood landmark in RB during the season. The drinks from the bar were good and well-balanced. Once we got to the table, though, it was as if we were in a different world. Our waiter was less than pleasant, did not explain anything, and even told one of our table companions that if she told HIM about what she wanted - which, btw, she did - he would have checked to see if it could be done. The food that arrived - mostly at the same time - was good, not spectacular. Those who got softshell crabs seemed to like them. I got an abundant steamer platter with a couple of clams still full of sand. Others around the table seemed to be OK with their dishes. Things that took a long time and a waiter with attitude (not in the saucy, fun way either) made this a meh experience.
(2)Michael B.
Horrible. I ordered a Louisiana Oyster Shooter and they did not shuck the oyster properly. I ended up cracking a tooth! We ended up only getting appetizers (since the order had already been placed) and the crab balls and broiled scallops tasted like they were microwaved and were rubbery. They wait staff was slow and unprofessional as well. It took us 20 minutes to get our check AFTER we finished our appetizers. We were never asked if we even WANTED entrees. Go someplace else. There are plenty of seafood restaurants in the area. Go to Fins or Timothys in Rehoboth or JD Schuckers in Lewes.
(1)Lisa V.
Good service. Fun family atmosphere. Food below average. A disappointment :(
(2)Z M.
Not as good as it once was. Kid friendly though. Poor mojitos.we won't be back.
(2)Andrew B.
Went here as part of a family gathering. Crabcakes were very meaty, but very mediocre. I didn't care for the seasoning style (horseradish) and they didn't taste that fresh. Garden salad was very nice. Service was good, once we were seated. Although they seated us on the left side of the restaurant, which requires anyone handicapped to have to walk ALL the way around the outside of the restaurant, starting on the right side. We specifically told them we had a handicapped person in our party upon arrival.
(2)Jennifer K.
About 2.5 rungs up the ladder from Red Lobster, and not for land lubbers. Reeking of stale seafood odors, the menu features only four non-seafood choices: chicken breast, and three steak options. Yes, it's the beach, but most people prefer a menu with some variety. Suitable for large family groups and decidedly un-fancy. Good for picky eaters who find the other restaurants in and around Rehoboth to be "too fancy."
(2)Ken H.
With the wife melting down from hunger at the doorway of Jake's, we decided to head inside, knowing nothing of the restaurant. Started with the crab stuffed mushrooms... chunks of mayonaise that were arguably larger than the crab pieces, all slathered with a covering of cheese. Since the wife also ordered the crabcake, we knew we were in for a long, mayo-filled night., As expected, the crabcake was not up-to-par... but, my blackened mahi sandwich was good enough to go 2 stars on this forgettable spot by the beach.
(2)Carolyn B.
great casual spot for seafood while at the beach. they are famous for their crabcakes, which were good, although i think my mom's are better! we went with a group of 6 on a saturday night and didnt have to wait which was a bonus - they have a lot of seating. margaritas were good, as were our appetizers: coconut shrimp and crab-stuffed mushrooms. the service was decent too. cant say much for the atmosphere - its no frills, and definitely draws a family crowd (exhibit a - the family with 2 screaming kids nearby at 9pm on a sat night!).
(3)Patti M.
PLEASE PLEASE do NOT waste your money at Jakes. Me best friend and I stopped at Jakes tonight after shopping at the outlets, what a big mistake. first....we enter and there are tons of empty tables but we are told there is a 30 minute wait. very strange. the menu lists the crab cakes as JUMBO LUMP crab cakes. i decide to order one crab cake dinner, my friend asks the waiter if the crab imperial is jumbo lump, his reply was yes. the crab imperial was not edible, it tasted like fish and there was not ONE lump of crab meat. my friend took a few bites and told the waiter it was horrible. he offered to bring her a crab cake but knowing my crab cake was horrible, she declined. he never brought the manager over. i opened my crab cake up to look at what i was eating.....it was all claw meat NO lumps and tasted like fish. no old bay, no seasoning, just horrible and smashed. corn on the cob was not good, baked potato was just ok. we finally asked for the manager, he was polite, asked why she didn't like the crab imperial, she explained it was not lump crab meat and tasted like fish. he acted surprised and said the crab meat is brought in fresh each day (which could not be true!!!!). then he pointed to my crab cake and said it was jumbo lump!!!!!! i had it all open and spread out on the plate....NO LUMP....just yucky old fishy tasting claw meat. he said he would take my friends meal off the bill. the bills comes, he took $7.50 off the bill, that was it!!!!!! we asked for the manager AGAIN, this time we get another manager with an attitude. my friend got so upset she told him to "comp" the ENTIRE check because we were not paying. he finally agreed but first tried to make us feel bad saying the waiter would have to pay which we did not want to happen. after we fussed some more he said the waiter would not have to pay. at that point we left a tip for waiter and left. we left hungry, stopped at subway!
(1)David B.
For a special dinner yesterday,my wife ordered the shrimp Alfredo and I ordered the special stuffed rockfish with crab meat plus we ordered two side salads before dinner. before we had a chance to have our second bite of our salad, they delivered our entrees and then delivered our check even before we finished dinner. Plus our drinks stunk. My wife had a bloody Mary way too spicy and I had frozen margarita,which was just ok. I would give the food two stars but the service was terrible.
(1)Rob C.
We tried to get into Jake's two years ago and the line was out the door with the wait lasting a couple of hours long. When wandering the streets of Rehoboth on a summertime friday night, we decided to give it a try and were "lucky" enough to get in. Come early, otherwise the line stacks up, although I am not entirely sure why they get so much attention. We started with some crab balls that were deep fried. They tasted good, but the serving size was lacking at 4 balls. I had a lobster that was slightly over cooked (steamed) while Felicia had fried shrimp that were also overcoaked. The entrees were generously sized. The wait staff was stretched over too many tables and the service suffered. Overall, an average beach seafood house, but nothing special.
(3)Niran A.
I was craving some sort of whitefish stuffed with crab, while recently at Rehoboth Beach. Upon a recommendation we landed at Jake's. The one on Highway 1. The décor and ambiance of the restaurant is quite lacking especially for the relatively higher prices Jake's demands for its food. I started off with the seared tuna appetizer which sounded nice - fresh seared tuna on crispy wontons with seaweed salad. While the tuna tasted nice, it was way overpowered by the sugary "goop" that was on top of each piece. The seaweed salad makes sense as an accompaniment but we have seen this so many times before. The worst part of this appetizer, other than the sauce of course, was the measly five pieces of tuna you get for $8. Pass! As my main I went with the flounder with crab imperial. The entrée came sizzling to my table which was nice; however, once the plate stops sizzling you realize how much butter is surrounding your fish. Regardless, the fish was cooked very well and the crab imperial, while rich, was packed with lump blue crab. The two played off each other while and proved to be a filling and quite delicious dish. The entrée also included two sides which were obviously amazing because I can't even remember what they were. Either way, the fish was the main star and the sides were just there to make diners more full. Would I go back? Yes, I definitely would as I feel this is a nice spot for beach vacationers wanting some fresh seafood. There were some slip-ups but nothing dramatic enough to keep me from returning. By the way, the service was very good. I believe our server's name was Rosie.
(3)Christy B.
Arrival 5pm. It was not busy. Blackened mahi mahi was far from blackened. It was also dry. Red skinned mashed potatoes tasted like they had mayo in them. Lobster Mac and cheese... Lobster was chewy, pasta was penne with a red sauce??? I would not recommend this place to friends and I would never go back.
(1)Amr A.
Food we ordered was great (house salad, scallops and pasta for the kids). Service was excellent.
(4)Doug W.
Arrived at 8:15 Friday night and were seated promptly. I was hoping to find a nice tuna steak. The menu listed a tuna steak with peach salsa. There was a star next to the item. The star indicated the chef has paired the entrée with his choice of vegetable and starch. While I appreciate the effort the chef had taken to choose redskin potatoes and broccoli I prefer no carbs and just requested to double up on the broccoli. Truly to my surprise the waitress informed me that there was no substitution and if I wanted no potato and a substitute of broccoli I would have to pay extra. She was a bit embarrassed about the policy. I get that the pre-fixed menu helps the part timers in the kitchen get things right but the request was simple. Quite frankly this was the first place I have visited that forced you to take an item that your were not able to eat. I asked what if I had an allergy? I was told they would not place the item on the plate but I would have to pay for a substitute. The tuna was cooked perfectly but the peach salsa was overpowered by the red onion. My wife had a shrimp and veggy wrap that was fine. The mojito was fresh and well made. My red skinned potatoes were served In a separate bowl and were thrown away.
(2)Sue S.
Great service, big selection, great food, great wine! We go here every year while we are on vacation. This last time we had for appetizers, the Calamari and their Tomato Caprese (fabulous) and for our Entrees I had New York stripe (they prepared it Pittsburgh rare as I requested w/ no issues) and my hubby had the Mahi Mahi, my daughter had Shrimp Alfredo and my son had their turkey club (don't ask, for some reason he doesn't like seafood). Either way, something for everyone and we had a great dinner and love this place.
(4)Janet S.
Wow. I'm honestly stunned as to why everyone is so dramatically bent out of shape over Jake's. I had a perfectly lovely experience. Lisa and I got to the restaurant tired and hungry after some marathon outlet shopping and were seated immediately. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, made great recommendations, and was super accommodating to Lisa's insanely picky needs. The rolls were served warm, the seafood bisque was yummy, the applesauce tasted homemade and fresh, and my broiled seafood platter combined with great service made me a very happy camper. Lisa and I left delighted. And she managed not to toss her shrimpies on the ferry ride back to Cape May.
(4)Heather K.
Ok, I'm just going to say it. If you're going to have the balls to list "Maryland Crab Cakes" on your menu, those damned crabcakes better have Old Bay as one of the primary ingredients. If not, you should be sued for false advertising. And if your crabcakes taste like wet tissue paper (AHEM, Jakes!) , then you should be sued for crimes against humanity. The only thing that saved my meal was the fact that I was staying nearby, and was able to run home and grab a cannister of Old Bay. Otherwise, my "Maryland Crab Cake" would have been a tasteless, chewy waste of claw meat.
(2)Matt E.
Jake's is quite a spacious restaurant which incorporates a bar in the front and the dining room in back. The place was clean and the service wasn't bad at all. The menu was obviously mostly seafood but had other options as well, there was something for everyone. The food I got was tasty and well cooked, not everyone was as lucky. What was consistant across the board was the overpriced dishes. What I got for nearly $30 (broiled seafood platter) should have been half that price. Some of the entrees were even worse, my girlfriends stuffed shrimp were mostly just 4 or so shirmp with some mayo based dip like stuff in a bowl. My girlfriends parents were also pretty disappointed with the quality of their food and the prices as well. If you're looking for good seafood and/or an affordable place for a nice sit-down dinner, Jake's isn't it. If you're like me and don't have a choice of coming here or not, it won't be too bad, especially if you're not paying.
(3)Kimberly M.
My husband and I ate at this restaurant. Food and service was great. We had crab cake sandwich and the lobster roll. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Foodspy J.
There isn't enough space to share how pleased we were with this restaurant. The atmosphere, service and food were Excellent! We ordered and shared a variety of seafood dishes and there were no disappointments. A few of the dishes, raw oysters - sweet and succulent, broiled seafood platter - excellent - cooked perfectly! Crab cakes - plump and fresh! We only wish we could have gotten back for more. This will be a traditional stop when visiting Rehoboth! What a great experience!
(5)Allison K.
Very surprised at the negative reviews I read on here about this place. We came in and got seated right away which was very nice- I think it's because we were a party of 6- it somehow worked for us. The wait staff was nice, efficient, and friendly. The local beer was great! Excellent vodka tonic garnished with a fresh lime. We got the tomato basil mozzarella caprese salad as an appetizer to share- very tasty and fresh. The rolls were fine as well. I got the house salad with chicken- ill of fresh great veggies. THE DRESSING WAS BEYOND GOOD! Another friend got the spring salad which she enjoyed and a side of corn on the cob that was good. Another got Mahi Mahi special and loved it. My mom got spice steamed shrimp which she loved. Good clams and crab cakes too. The bathrooms were clean enough. We had a nice evening and really enjoyed ourselves :) I'd recommend coming here
(4)William B.
I've been there six or seven times over the years. This place is OK but not worth standing in line for. The food is just OK no matter what you order. They boast of great crab cakes but there are far better to be had for the same price range at many other places. Last night the French Fries were cold and the server vanished so no chance of sending them back. The steamed broccoli was steamed to death. I will try to remember not to go back. There are many better choices in Rehoboth downtown.
(2)Anthony H.
Went to this place at 9:00pm they told us they were not sitting anybody after 9pm! I'm sorry but it was in-season and it's a vacation destination. If your going to own a restaurant on the strip you should be open to tourist eating pass 9pm.... Very disappointed so make sure when eating here it's before 9pm.....
(1)DL H.
Last day before heading home we were craving some seafood so decided to give this place a try. It turned out pretty decent. I was craving scallops but didn't really want an entire meal of them, and lucky me they had them on appetizer for $10. They came out with about 6 and were very good. The flounder we had was decent, nothing spectacular, but I would definitely go back again. Also they have Birch beer, which is a win for me.
(4)Rob M.
Empty at 5:15, busy at 5:45. Unimpressed with reheated frozen food. Expected so much more from a "Seafood House" at the beach! Others in our group went to another place close by, I should have gone with them.
(2)Jessica M.
I really enjoyed this place. My boyfriend and I sat in the bar area and had a few drinks before ordering dinner. The bartenders were very nice. Dinner was very good. If I didn't live so far away, I'd go back!
(4)Nancy R.
After seeing how busy this place gets I was disappointed about the food and service. FOOD: We didn't even get the complimentary bread to start our meal. Boo. For apps, we had the crab & spinach dip and the clam strips. The dip is very good with the crusty warm bread that accompanies it. The clam strips were scrawny and very few. There were enough for everyone to have one. I couldn't even tell you if it was any good. Since I was in the mood for mussels, I ordered the Steamed Shellfish Medley. Yes you get a lot of food, but it was ok. The mussels was scrawny and the shrimp was rubbery (overcooked). The steamed clams were good and the scallop was plentiful and ok. Luckily my 2 sides of fries and cole slaw were delicious. There are better places to eat seafood at Rehoboth Beach.
(2)David C.
I usually visit Jake's on each trip to Rehoboth. We had the crab\artichoke appetizer. It arrived with plenty of warm bread and was good. I ordered the mahi mahi w/2 sides and the serving size was good. A friend had the Rockfish w/2 sides and he enjoyed his dinner too. We were both happy with our meal and service. Our fish was fresh and reasonably priced. Yes, I recommend!
(4)Leah S.
First there was a fly in my drink, not a good start to a birthday dinner. One person had the Mahi Mahi, the other the highly recommended Rockfish. End result both of us were sick all night and into the next day! When the manager was called about this he seemed to hardly care. VERY SAD BIRTHDAY GIRL!
(1)Leslie B.
Every time someone comes to visit we go to Jakes at the beach, OMG the Seafood Bisque is to die for! Kids are welcome, the table are large, the prices are right and the steamers are always delicious and hot!
(5)Janice J.
On Saturday night, We had already waited 45 minutes at Claws only to be told it would be another 20 minutes. Really! So we left and went to Jakes Seafood House. We were able to sit right away at the bar area tables which were fine. We ordered the crab balls to share as an appetizer. They were hot and delicious. My husband ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi with the mashed potatoes and string beans was great! Huge portion! I ordered the broiled seafood platter. All my favorites shrimp, scallops and flounder. It was so well seasoned and truly yummy!! Our meal ended with a piece of key lime pie. Perfect! We will be back. Thanks for saving our night out!!
(5)Eric Z.
I ordered the fish and chips, you would think a stand by in a seafood place. I got one pathetic small piece of fish and a ridiculously small portion of cole slaw, a plastic cup you'd get dressing in, actually a complete embarrassment to serve. I would not want to be "Jake" and put my name on that dish. Server did get me a larger portion of cole slaw, but still... Really. I Will not be back with so many other options around.
(2)John G.
Fantastic food and service. Nice and quiet. Absolutely no complaints. This is one of our favorites in town. Prices are a little high, but you do get what you pay for here. The menu is great too. They have most everything. I don't recommend taking children, however.
(5)Linda W.
In the week we vacationed at Rehoboth this year, we made it to Jake's twice. I would have gone for the Crab Imperial on a daily basis had I been able to convince the non-seafood eating members of the family. You're not familiar with Crab Imperial? At Jake's, Crab Imperial is a softball sized mound of fresh, sweet, real Maryland jumbo crab lumps (the chalkboard identified Kent Island, MD as the source) gently mixed with and held together by just the merest touch of egg, a dab of mayo and a kiss of Old Bay, glazed with a rich sauce, and run under the broiler until browned and beautiful. Or, if you really know your seafood, it can be stuffed into fresh caught local flounder or Maryland rockfish. It just doesn't get any better. Fresh Maryland corn on the cob made a wonderful side with some decent fries to boot. A crisp, refreshing St. Germaine Sangria rounded out the meal...BOTH times I got there! BTW, don't miss the sangria either. Cucumber and strawberries were muddled together with muscato and a little St. Germaine and topped with a little bubbly. I can't imagine a more perfect beach indulgence. Service was great at the bar at lunch, the bartender friendly and full of great suggestions for other spots to dine in town. I can't wait to get back to Jake's again next year!
(4)Paul G.
Ate there last night. Pros: great food. Rose's Rockfish is the best. Perfectly cooked rockfish in awesome marinara-type sauce. Mouth is watering just thinking about it. The jumbo shrimp that my table-mates was good but the crab mix was more mix than crab. Not worth like $23. Small point- the steamed broccoli was beautiful. So fresh and not overdone or underdone. After a couple of days of burgers and funnel cakes, something healthy that actually tasted great was so welcome. Cons: Jake's plays a little game called "Make people wait outside for 20 minutes even though there are tables available." They take advantage of the fact that waiting patrons can't actually see most of the tables while standing outside the restaurant. Here's a heads up - many of them are open. Would seem to be a strategy by Jake's management to create false perception of overflowing demand, which they hope drives actual demand. And they try to sell you drinks while you wait. So, if you're reading this while waiting outside Jake's, tell the hostess you need to use the restroom. Then when you walk through the restaurant, take a look at the open tables. They will be there. The question is why you're still waiting outside for one.
(3)Steve J.
We ate here a couple years ago and we're really impressed so we decided to stop again this year. Something just wasn't the same. The service was fine but the food was OK at best and not cheap. Not sure what changed but it lost its place on our list of must go places in Rehoboth.
(3)Anna M.
This place is fairly good especially for happy hour. However the 'seafood bisque' should be called seafood chowder . The only redeeming quality about it was the large chunks of seafood that were mixed in. Despite that I would one back for the happy hour oyster special. The they have$1 oysters that are so fresh and delicious that you will never want to stop eating them. The staff is also wonderful especially Moose (he's very sweet, attentive and will flash you a winning smile)
(4)Heather C.
This place looks nice outside so you would think the outside matched the inside. It was dirty. We had a few broken chairs that had to be switched. The inside needs more than an update. If your plan is get seafood, you might as well eat at a Red Lobster -really that bad. This is a beach town and you would expect decent seafood, not even close. We suspect it was previously frozen from a supermarket. We will not be back again, many great places in Rehoboth to dine at.
(1)Peter K.
Wow. Really overpriced for mediocre food and a rundown restaurant. Try the boardwalk instead.
(1)ernest k.
Visited Jakes Seafood House Saturday August1 2015 the first big mistake made portions were small service was slow portions of my food was cold.this was my second time in a jakes restaurant and the last.
(2)Kyle T.
Went here recently with a large party with no prior reservation. We were seated 30 minutes faster than their estimate which was a pleasant surprise. Our waitress was pleasant but inattentive, we were all parched from spending a day on the beach but she never came by to refill our waters and we had to ask refills several times, which was annoying. Also annoying was the fact that the waitress told us that we wouldn't be receiving complimentary bread because 'the kitchen was out,' yet 15 minutes later we saw the table next to us receive bread. When we saw this, we asked if we could have some bread too but we received the same answer, which was obviously not true. My food (stuffed flounder) was prepared and plated well, as was the food of some of my friends that I also tasted, however the portion sizes were small given how much the food cost. 7 of our dishes came out together, but then the last member of our party was made to wait for several minutes while they 'finished cooking his dish' while we ate, which is always annoying.
(3)A K.
I don't usually get to eat a lot of seafood, as I am from the Midwest, but I was VERY happy with the selection on the menu and the quality of the food I received. Even more impressive was the kindness I received from the owner. I ate at Jakes the evening before I was scheduled to fly back to Chicago. It wasn't until I was back in Dover at 1030 pm that I realized I didn't have my phone. After searching the car the next morning it was apparent I had left it at the restaurant. The owner was there when I called at 730 and agreed to send my phone to my home address that afternoon. I'm sure you can imagine my relief to have this resolved before getting on the plane. I felt truly blessed that a stranger would take the time to go out their way to help me when they really didn't have to. I will go to Jake's anytime I am in Rehoboth Beach.
(5)Ken W.
Great food and service as always. The seafood bisque is the best we've had... anywhere. Our 17th year coming to Jake's and never disappointed. We had the broiled seafood platter, lobster Mac n Cheese, kids fried shrimp and crab cake. All were fantastic. We'll see you again next year!
(5)Michael K.
Just had a cup of the seafood bisque soup which stellar. Each spoonful had a healthy chunk of seafood. I strongly recommend this place.
(5)Northern L.
OFF THE HOOK We found this restaurant while vacationing in Rehoboth and we're so happy about it. Fantastic food and drinks. We especially enjoy the bar area to eat lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is great. The hughest dining area around. Reservations are available but not needed as the place is so large. Even during peak season there is probably only a five minute wait. The steamed shrimp are huge and reasonably priced as are all the dishes. We recommend that anyone wanting great seafood or burgers give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
(3)Erin S.
This has always been my 'go to' spot at Rehoboth. Typically we are greeted with a very friendly staff, endless bread and quick refills, good food..just a nice atmosphere. This last visit was different; dont know if it was the waitress or just the place. Little things make a big difference! We asked for bread b/c noticed we hadn't gotten any; the waitress said it is only available upon request now, so she did bring us some...just one roll each. Not to sound like a pig, but if I'm going out I dont want to ask and would like more than one piece. The waitress was really young, and not very attentive, which really hurts a place. She was nice but just not the type of great staff that really want the customer to have a nice time. She was young and gave off the vibe of not wanting to be there. I go out for the experience, not just the food. Everything was brought out too quick and rushed out the door. The food wasn't bad, but nothing special this time. New managment? A bad day? not sure, but this time Id just give it an 'eh' not bad by any means, but not good....service needs improved!!
(2)Julie K.
The food was very good scallops, shrimp, sweet potato fries, onion straws. Service was ok. They had a large selection of food, had a hard time choosing our food! I will go back again. I was impressed.
(4)George S.
Service was awesome. We liked Zach. The special soup was great. It had a of fish and seasoned well. It could have been a little warmer. I had fish and chips. Chips were great the fish was not crispy. It could have been old oil or sat under the heat lite to long. The place is a little tired but excellent service.
(3)Krista B.
Don't be intimidated by the boisterous day drinkers at the bar in front. We went in for lunch and were seated in the nice quiet back area to eat. The mojitos are bomb, and servers were fun and friendly. My mom's fried ("padded") oysters are better, and my Caesar salad was OK. Overall a fun spot though.
(3)Nick P.
Visited at 1130 AM on a Monday so it was not busy. Hostess let my family in a couple of minute early which was a nice gesture since we were wrangling 3 young children. Food was amazing! Had bisque which was creamy and deliscious, blackened Mahi tacos which were just the right amount of spicy, and the Memphis BBQ burger which was cooked perfectly and had very good slaw and bacon. Overall very good visit. Would bring family or friends again!
(5)Tom R.
Excellent service. I never knew that Sangria could come with muddled cucumber, but suddenly, I cannot imagine it any other way. The seafood platter lived up to the price and my family enjoyed the meal very much. I think this will be a new tradition for my family!
(5)Alyson O.
I would give this place 3.5 stars but not 4. The food was basic and not fancy but the drinks were awesome. The St. Germaine white sangria is exceptional. Perfect after a summer day at the beach. I would go back for the sangria alone!
(3)Carol S.
The food was fantastic. The crab soup was amazing. The martinis weren't bad either. I don't believe there was a bad item on the menu. I went with a group and i believe we tried everything. I had the crab cakes which were delicious.
(4)Ling L.
Great deals for happy hour - full-sized appetizers. The fish tacos we had included big chunks of mahi maui.
(4)Linda V.
We came in with a party of 6 Andrea was our waitress. She was great. The food was wonderful from lobster to prime rib. The lobster was perfect as was the prime rib.
(5)Ally W.
Awesome, we have been eating here every weekend. Doesn't dissapoint! Best crab cakes I have had, they are made of crab no filler great seasoning, beach fries, seafood bisque is also really good and lots of meat! Friendly staff, great for kids (highway location has arcade games in the back), easy to get into with large or small parties!
(5)Denis G.
It is 2014. A place that chooses to fry in Peanut Oil really should mention that on the menu so people with Allergies will stay away. We had to walk out after being seated and placing our drink order. My son told the server he was allergic and to his credit he did check with the kitchen and told us right away. It just would have been helpful to know beforehand. Three stars are for the courteous server and staff. Can't give review on much else.
(3)Iryna B.
Meh...very typical american joint. No taste, everything over-fried and overcooked. Salads come from packages, seafood seems fresh but all the beauty of original flavor is being destroyed by cooks unable to peel a shrimp properly or turn a piece of fish into a nicely tasting dish. Service is good and quick though. Very friendly.
(2)Foodspy J.
There isn't enough space to share how pleased we were with this restaurant. The atmosphere, service and food were Excellent! We ordered and shared a variety of seafood dishes and there were no disappointments. A few of the dishes, raw oysters - sweet and succulent, broiled seafood platter - excellent - cooked perfectly! Crab cakes - plump and fresh! We only wish we could have gotten back for more. This will be a traditional stop when visiting Rehoboth! What a great experience!
(5)Joan S.
Our food was Great !!!! We travel a lot, therefore we eat at places that aren't so Great... we read the reviews and decided to go anyway on a whim. First we ordered Lobster macaroni and cheese which was delicious. We ordered a bowl of the seafood bisque which was equally impressive. My broiled seafood platter was extremely tasty and cooked to perfection, and our waiter was excellent. I'm not sure if we ate at the same place as these other people, but our experience was wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)Scott S.
This place is better than the reviews I have seen. Must be some angry vacationers. Our waitress was friendly, fast and accommodating. The food was very good (my lobster was a little overcooked). Prices were very fair. Very family friendly. I am going back. Put this place on your good list.
(4)Ajeeb T.
Ate there this evening after riding the ferry over to Lewes from Cape May and driving down to Rehoboth Beach. The food was very good from our appetizers of Lobster Macaroni and Cheese and my seafood bisque to the entrees of Rose's Rock Fish that I had and the broiled seafood platter my girlfriend had. The sides were very good as well, my semisolid applesauce and fries were good hear as well. One of the better seafood restaurants I've eaten at and the service was good as well.
(5)Amr A.
Food we ordered was great (house salad, scallops and pasta for the kids). Service was excellent.
(4)Niran A.
I was craving some sort of whitefish stuffed with crab, while recently at Rehoboth Beach. Upon a recommendation we landed at Jake's. The one on Highway 1. The décor and ambiance of the restaurant is quite lacking especially for the relatively higher prices Jake's demands for its food. I started off with the seared tuna appetizer which sounded nice - fresh seared tuna on crispy wontons with seaweed salad. While the tuna tasted nice, it was way overpowered by the sugary "goop" that was on top of each piece. The seaweed salad makes sense as an accompaniment but we have seen this so many times before. The worst part of this appetizer, other than the sauce of course, was the measly five pieces of tuna you get for $8. Pass! As my main I went with the flounder with crab imperial. The entrée came sizzling to my table which was nice; however, once the plate stops sizzling you realize how much butter is surrounding your fish. Regardless, the fish was cooked very well and the crab imperial, while rich, was packed with lump blue crab. The two played off each other while and proved to be a filling and quite delicious dish. The entrée also included two sides which were obviously amazing because I can't even remember what they were. Either way, the fish was the main star and the sides were just there to make diners more full. Would I go back? Yes, I definitely would as I feel this is a nice spot for beach vacationers wanting some fresh seafood. There were some slip-ups but nothing dramatic enough to keep me from returning. By the way, the service was very good. I believe our server's name was Rosie.
(3)Christy B.
Arrival 5pm. It was not busy. Blackened mahi mahi was far from blackened. It was also dry. Red skinned mashed potatoes tasted like they had mayo in them. Lobster Mac and cheese... Lobster was chewy, pasta was penne with a red sauce??? I would not recommend this place to friends and I would never go back.
(1)Matt E.
Jake's is quite a spacious restaurant which incorporates a bar in the front and the dining room in back. The place was clean and the service wasn't bad at all. The menu was obviously mostly seafood but had other options as well, there was something for everyone. The food I got was tasty and well cooked, not everyone was as lucky. What was consistant across the board was the overpriced dishes. What I got for nearly $30 (broiled seafood platter) should have been half that price. Some of the entrees were even worse, my girlfriends stuffed shrimp were mostly just 4 or so shirmp with some mayo based dip like stuff in a bowl. My girlfriends parents were also pretty disappointed with the quality of their food and the prices as well. If you're looking for good seafood and/or an affordable place for a nice sit-down dinner, Jake's isn't it. If you're like me and don't have a choice of coming here or not, it won't be too bad, especially if you're not paying.
(3)Kimberly M.
My husband and I ate at this restaurant. Food and service was great. We had crab cake sandwich and the lobster roll. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Allison K.
Very surprised at the negative reviews I read on here about this place. We came in and got seated right away which was very nice- I think it's because we were a party of 6- it somehow worked for us. The wait staff was nice, efficient, and friendly. The local beer was great! Excellent vodka tonic garnished with a fresh lime. We got the tomato basil mozzarella caprese salad as an appetizer to share- very tasty and fresh. The rolls were fine as well. I got the house salad with chicken- ill of fresh great veggies. THE DRESSING WAS BEYOND GOOD! Another friend got the spring salad which she enjoyed and a side of corn on the cob that was good. Another got Mahi Mahi special and loved it. My mom got spice steamed shrimp which she loved. Good clams and crab cakes too. The bathrooms were clean enough. We had a nice evening and really enjoyed ourselves :) I'd recommend coming here
(4)William B.
I've been there six or seven times over the years. This place is OK but not worth standing in line for. The food is just OK no matter what you order. They boast of great crab cakes but there are far better to be had for the same price range at many other places. Last night the French Fries were cold and the server vanished so no chance of sending them back. The steamed broccoli was steamed to death. I will try to remember not to go back. There are many better choices in Rehoboth downtown.
(2)Donna S.
We went to Jake's for the second time today. The last time was dinner for 8 people. This time was lunch for two. Both times the food was excellent and the service very good. Today we had the crab cake sandwich. The crab meat is the high quality lump meat and there was almost no filler. I grew up in the Baltimore suburbs and these were the real deal. The mint lemonade was refreshing.
(5)Joseph K.
Super fantastic cole slaw. Drinks are excellent. Try the captains punch which even my bride enjoyed I liked the fried seafood platter. Each item was cooked properly. Scallops and flounder were tender. Crab cakes are definitely worth a try. Light and tasty.
(4)Joe T.
As we usually do on the first evening of our nearly annual vacation in Rehoboth, we ate dinner at Jake's. OK....not great....as usual. I had Rose's Rockfish, my wife had the grilled salmon with jalapeño pesto. The rockfish was relatively bland and topped with a huge amount of a pedestrian salsa. My wife indicated that the salmon was just 'alright' and the pesto was overly spicy. Service was very good. Overall....as I said, OK not great.
(3)Big B.
Mediocre food. Condiments served in plastic carry out cups. For the price you'd expect a piece of bread and a salad plus a side, but no. Over cooked shrimp. Crab cake that tasted like it had been frozen. Don't waste your money.
(1)Janssen C.
Underrated seafood restaurant. Unbelievably rich seafood bisque. Plain menu of seafood classics like crab cakes and various broiled/fried platters won't impress but also won't disappoint. Good belly clams, without the freshness complaints I'm seeing in most of the other Yelp reviews. Young inexperienced wait staff (brought us the wrong check) but enthusiastic (quickly fixed it) and personable.
(3)Doug W.
Arrived at 8:15 Friday night and were seated promptly. I was hoping to find a nice tuna steak. The menu listed a tuna steak with peach salsa. There was a star next to the item. The star indicated the chef has paired the entrée with his choice of vegetable and starch. While I appreciate the effort the chef had taken to choose redskin potatoes and broccoli I prefer no carbs and just requested to double up on the broccoli. Truly to my surprise the waitress informed me that there was no substitution and if I wanted no potato and a substitute of broccoli I would have to pay extra. She was a bit embarrassed about the policy. I get that the pre-fixed menu helps the part timers in the kitchen get things right but the request was simple. Quite frankly this was the first place I have visited that forced you to take an item that your were not able to eat. I asked what if I had an allergy? I was told they would not place the item on the plate but I would have to pay for a substitute. The tuna was cooked perfectly but the peach salsa was overpowered by the red onion. My wife had a shrimp and veggy wrap that was fine. The mojito was fresh and well made. My red skinned potatoes were served In a separate bowl and were thrown away.
(2)Sue S.
Great service, big selection, great food, great wine! We go here every year while we are on vacation. This last time we had for appetizers, the Calamari and their Tomato Caprese (fabulous) and for our Entrees I had New York stripe (they prepared it Pittsburgh rare as I requested w/ no issues) and my hubby had the Mahi Mahi, my daughter had Shrimp Alfredo and my son had their turkey club (don't ask, for some reason he doesn't like seafood). Either way, something for everyone and we had a great dinner and love this place.
(4)Janet S.
Wow. I'm honestly stunned as to why everyone is so dramatically bent out of shape over Jake's. I had a perfectly lovely experience. Lisa and I got to the restaurant tired and hungry after some marathon outlet shopping and were seated immediately. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, made great recommendations, and was super accommodating to Lisa's insanely picky needs. The rolls were served warm, the seafood bisque was yummy, the applesauce tasted homemade and fresh, and my broiled seafood platter combined with great service made me a very happy camper. Lisa and I left delighted. And she managed not to toss her shrimpies on the ferry ride back to Cape May.
(4)Mitch R.
One of the worst seafood restaurants I have ever encountered. My girlfriend and I were looking for a place to eat while on vacation later on at night. Everywhere else was packed but we found Jake's and the wait was only five minutes. This place looks very promising as you walk in, it looks nice and upscale. We were seated by a friendly hostess and after that, things went downhill. There was a large family at the table next to us who were vocally upset since it had been forever since they put in their order. Their waiter (who was also ours) was very confused and kept on bring out plates at different times instead of waiting a couple minutes and bringing it out all at once. This was adding to their frustration and the waiters confusion. Anyway, I digress. I had to send my first drink back, which was an iced tea which tasted like someone had dropped some fish in the container holding the beverage. It was DISGUSTING. Fish "essence" and iced tea is not a good combination. We ordered some coconut shrimp as an appetizer and it wasn't spectacular at all. My crab imperial was completely inedible. There was almost NO crab in the dish, and what crab there was, was completely shredded and dispersed in tiny little strands. It was overly mayonnaise-y and had no flavor other than hot mayo and grease. If I had to give you an example, I would say there was 8 ounces of mayo and less than a 1/2 ounce of crab meat. Gross. My girlfriends scallops were tiny and overcooked, the portion size left a lot to be desired as well. For the prices that they charge, I would expect a decent meal and good service and neither of which I received. What I got in return for what I paid was the feeling that I was about to get sick from the food and the feeling that I was robbed. Avoid this place!
(1)Ari R.
I've never been able to actually pinpoint the worst restaurant I have ever been to... until I went to Jake's. Jake's is a dismal, overpriced tourist trap. Portions are tiny, prices are high, the crowd is all families with screaming kids and the food is about the worst you can find in the country. They even put seasoning from a shaker on their broiled scallops. Why would you disguise the taste of "fresh" seafood with cheap seasoning from a shaker? Each course of our meal was worse than the last. The staff is completely soulless. They really don't care here because they have a locked-in tourist crowd. I cannot stress how disappointed you will be if you eat here. This is not fine seafood or even good seafood. Avoid at all costs.
(1)Andy C.
Wound up here on our honeymoon after much higher rated places nearby couldn't seat us. This was one of the top 10 meals of my life. The salad with the house dressing was incredible. I could eat it for days. The oysters were huge and clean, and the seafood chowder was generous with the good stuff but not so heavy that it filled you up. We also had the fried appetizer sampler which included some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had. For dinner we had the asian yellowfin tuna and the stuffed rockfish. Both were outstanding. Being from Baltimore I have high standards for seafood, especially rockfish, especially rockfish stuffed with crab imperial, but it was absolutely fantastic. Finally, the staff was kind and attentive and had a great grasp on the menu. Our waitress answered every single one of our many questions and wasn't pushy as we took our time. We decided to try to go back for every anniversary.
(5)Chuck S.
Last Jakes I went to on Rt.1 the service was bad, this one I decided to give this one a chance. Im glad we did. I got the 14 oz. prime rib, broccoli, mashed potatoes and a broiled crab cake. Needless to say my faith has been restored. The prime rib seemed roasted and finished on the grill, it was juicy and had a nice flavor. The mashed potatoes were awesome and I actually licked the bowl they were in, (no lie), broccoli was moist and not over-seasoned or have too much butter. the crabcake was awesome and I ate it slowly. My friend got the small crab imperial, he ate that as slow as possible. People whine about the prices saying its a (tourist trap) but you are paying for the location, its a block from the beach. I know the prime rib was a little overpriced, but I can only imagine the property taxes or rent the owner(s) are paying. I dont eat fish but the prices listed on the "specials" menu looked reasonable, my friend also agreed. He is a seafood connoisseur and he agreed the prices weren't that bad. The food was good and the service was excellent. Peoples experiences maybe when the dinner rush hits and some of them expect infants to remain silent at all time (get a grip), Our visit was a at 6:00pm on Memorial day. Stuff happens, Im a fan of this location. Nuff said.
(4)Lexy M.
Jake's Seafood House is Down Right Awful! I'm sorry boys & girls.. I just had to go there. Let me start off by saying though, the young pretty waitress and hostess were very friendly and had great smiles but if these pretty darlings actually tasted their own food at this place.. their smiles would be gone! lol My friend and I were so upset about our meal that we actually only ate half and quickly paid our bill so we could go get ice cream to make up for the awful dinner. We did enjoy & love our ice cream though (thank god)! Jakes has been said to have the best seafood in Rehoboth Beach. Now, who told that lie??!! If Ruby Tuesday's can serve better seafood than you, i'm not sure what you call good. We had their "Famous Fried Seafood Platter".... it was just nasty beans lol. I enjoyed the side of fries better to be honest. If your looking to have a nice seafood dinner in Rehoboth I would NOT suggest this place. You will waste your money and time. $26 for an awful crappy cheap looking seafood platter..... run far far away! ;o)
(1)Becky S.
Tasty seafood, incredible bisque, somewhat slow but decent service. Try their sweet potato fries -- fantastic flavor and an awesome dipping sauce. Too expensive for what it is, but I guess that's just what you get for dining in a tourist town.
(4)The K.
Delicious Seafood Bisque, Mahi wrap very tasty but a bit too much blackening seasoning and the hand-cut fries are very good, no Thrashers, but a nice part of our meal.
(4)Brian A.
If the waiter wasn't such a jackass, it would have been fine. Our party of 8 (4 kids included) did not have a very long wait to get in to this seafood landmark in RB during the season. The drinks from the bar were good and well-balanced. Once we got to the table, though, it was as if we were in a different world. Our waiter was less than pleasant, did not explain anything, and even told one of our table companions that if she told HIM about what she wanted - which, btw, she did - he would have checked to see if it could be done. The food that arrived - mostly at the same time - was good, not spectacular. Those who got softshell crabs seemed to like them. I got an abundant steamer platter with a couple of clams still full of sand. Others around the table seemed to be OK with their dishes. Things that took a long time and a waiter with attitude (not in the saucy, fun way either) made this a meh experience.
(2)Michael B.
Horrible. I ordered a Louisiana Oyster Shooter and they did not shuck the oyster properly. I ended up cracking a tooth! We ended up only getting appetizers (since the order had already been placed) and the crab balls and broiled scallops tasted like they were microwaved and were rubbery. They wait staff was slow and unprofessional as well. It took us 20 minutes to get our check AFTER we finished our appetizers. We were never asked if we even WANTED entrees. Go someplace else. There are plenty of seafood restaurants in the area. Go to Fins or Timothys in Rehoboth or JD Schuckers in Lewes.
(1)Lisa V.
Good service. Fun family atmosphere. Food below average. A disappointment :(
(2)Z M.
Not as good as it once was. Kid friendly though. Poor mojitos.we won't be back.
(2)Andrew B.
Went here as part of a family gathering. Crabcakes were very meaty, but very mediocre. I didn't care for the seasoning style (horseradish) and they didn't taste that fresh. Garden salad was very nice. Service was good, once we were seated. Although they seated us on the left side of the restaurant, which requires anyone handicapped to have to walk ALL the way around the outside of the restaurant, starting on the right side. We specifically told them we had a handicapped person in our party upon arrival.
(2)Jennifer K.
About 2.5 rungs up the ladder from Red Lobster, and not for land lubbers. Reeking of stale seafood odors, the menu features only four non-seafood choices: chicken breast, and three steak options. Yes, it's the beach, but most people prefer a menu with some variety. Suitable for large family groups and decidedly un-fancy. Good for picky eaters who find the other restaurants in and around Rehoboth to be "too fancy."
(2)Heather K.
Ok, I'm just going to say it. If you're going to have the balls to list "Maryland Crab Cakes" on your menu, those damned crabcakes better have Old Bay as one of the primary ingredients. If not, you should be sued for false advertising. And if your crabcakes taste like wet tissue paper (AHEM, Jakes!) , then you should be sued for crimes against humanity. The only thing that saved my meal was the fact that I was staying nearby, and was able to run home and grab a cannister of Old Bay. Otherwise, my "Maryland Crab Cake" would have been a tasteless, chewy waste of claw meat.
(2)Ken H.
With the wife melting down from hunger at the doorway of Jake's, we decided to head inside, knowing nothing of the restaurant. Started with the crab stuffed mushrooms... chunks of mayonaise that were arguably larger than the crab pieces, all slathered with a covering of cheese. Since the wife also ordered the crabcake, we knew we were in for a long, mayo-filled night., As expected, the crabcake was not up-to-par... but, my blackened mahi sandwich was good enough to go 2 stars on this forgettable spot by the beach.
(2)Carolyn B.
great casual spot for seafood while at the beach. they are famous for their crabcakes, which were good, although i think my mom's are better! we went with a group of 6 on a saturday night and didnt have to wait which was a bonus - they have a lot of seating. margaritas were good, as were our appetizers: coconut shrimp and crab-stuffed mushrooms. the service was decent too. cant say much for the atmosphere - its no frills, and definitely draws a family crowd (exhibit a - the family with 2 screaming kids nearby at 9pm on a sat night!).
(3)Patti M.
PLEASE PLEASE do NOT waste your money at Jakes. Me best friend and I stopped at Jakes tonight after shopping at the outlets, what a big mistake. first....we enter and there are tons of empty tables but we are told there is a 30 minute wait. very strange. the menu lists the crab cakes as JUMBO LUMP crab cakes. i decide to order one crab cake dinner, my friend asks the waiter if the crab imperial is jumbo lump, his reply was yes. the crab imperial was not edible, it tasted like fish and there was not ONE lump of crab meat. my friend took a few bites and told the waiter it was horrible. he offered to bring her a crab cake but knowing my crab cake was horrible, she declined. he never brought the manager over. i opened my crab cake up to look at what i was eating.....it was all claw meat NO lumps and tasted like fish. no old bay, no seasoning, just horrible and smashed. corn on the cob was not good, baked potato was just ok. we finally asked for the manager, he was polite, asked why she didn't like the crab imperial, she explained it was not lump crab meat and tasted like fish. he acted surprised and said the crab meat is brought in fresh each day (which could not be true!!!!). then he pointed to my crab cake and said it was jumbo lump!!!!!! i had it all open and spread out on the plate....NO LUMP....just yucky old fishy tasting claw meat. he said he would take my friends meal off the bill. the bills comes, he took $7.50 off the bill, that was it!!!!!! we asked for the manager AGAIN, this time we get another manager with an attitude. my friend got so upset she told him to "comp" the ENTIRE check because we were not paying. he finally agreed but first tried to make us feel bad saying the waiter would have to pay which we did not want to happen. after we fussed some more he said the waiter would not have to pay. at that point we left a tip for waiter and left. we left hungry, stopped at subway!
(1)David B.
For a special dinner yesterday,my wife ordered the shrimp Alfredo and I ordered the special stuffed rockfish with crab meat plus we ordered two side salads before dinner. before we had a chance to have our second bite of our salad, they delivered our entrees and then delivered our check even before we finished dinner. Plus our drinks stunk. My wife had a bloody Mary way too spicy and I had frozen margarita,which was just ok. I would give the food two stars but the service was terrible.
(1)Rob C.
We tried to get into Jake's two years ago and the line was out the door with the wait lasting a couple of hours long. When wandering the streets of Rehoboth on a summertime friday night, we decided to give it a try and were "lucky" enough to get in. Come early, otherwise the line stacks up, although I am not entirely sure why they get so much attention. We started with some crab balls that were deep fried. They tasted good, but the serving size was lacking at 4 balls. I had a lobster that was slightly over cooked (steamed) while Felicia had fried shrimp that were also overcoaked. The entrees were generously sized. The wait staff was stretched over too many tables and the service suffered. Overall, an average beach seafood house, but nothing special.
(3)Donna S.
We went to Jake's for the second time today. The last time was dinner for 8 people. This time was lunch for two. Both times the food was excellent and the service very good. Today we had the crab cake sandwich. The crab meat is the high quality lump meat and there was almost no filler. I grew up in the Baltimore suburbs and these were the real deal. The mint lemonade was refreshing.
(5)Anthony H.
Went to this place at 9:00pm they told us they were not sitting anybody after 9pm! I'm sorry but it was in-season and it's a vacation destination. If your going to own a restaurant on the strip you should be open to tourist eating pass 9pm.... Very disappointed so make sure when eating here it's before 9pm.....
(1)DL H.
Last day before heading home we were craving some seafood so decided to give this place a try. It turned out pretty decent. I was craving scallops but didn't really want an entire meal of them, and lucky me they had them on appetizer for $10. They came out with about 6 and were very good. The flounder we had was decent, nothing spectacular, but I would definitely go back again. Also they have Birch beer, which is a win for me.
(4)Rob M.
Empty at 5:15, busy at 5:45. Unimpressed with reheated frozen food. Expected so much more from a "Seafood House" at the beach! Others in our group went to another place close by, I should have gone with them.
(2)Jessica M.
I really enjoyed this place. My boyfriend and I sat in the bar area and had a few drinks before ordering dinner. The bartenders were very nice. Dinner was very good. If I didn't live so far away, I'd go back!
(4)Joan S.
Our food was Great !!!! We travel a lot, therefore we eat at places that aren't so Great... we read the reviews and decided to go anyway on a whim. First we ordered Lobster macaroni and cheese which was delicious. We ordered a bowl of the seafood bisque which was equally impressive. My broiled seafood platter was extremely tasty and cooked to perfection, and our waiter was excellent. I'm not sure if we ate at the same place as these other people, but our experience was wonderful and we will definitely return.
(5)Nancy R.
After seeing how busy this place gets I was disappointed about the food and service. FOOD: We didn't even get the complimentary bread to start our meal. Boo. For apps, we had the crab & spinach dip and the clam strips. The dip is very good with the crusty warm bread that accompanies it. The clam strips were scrawny and very few. There were enough for everyone to have one. I couldn't even tell you if it was any good. Since I was in the mood for mussels, I ordered the Steamed Shellfish Medley. Yes you get a lot of food, but it was ok. The mussels was scrawny and the shrimp was rubbery (overcooked). The steamed clams were good and the scallop was plentiful and ok. Luckily my 2 sides of fries and cole slaw were delicious. There are better places to eat seafood at Rehoboth Beach.
(2)David C.
I usually visit Jake's on each trip to Rehoboth. We had the crab\artichoke appetizer. It arrived with plenty of warm bread and was good. I ordered the mahi mahi w/2 sides and the serving size was good. A friend had the Rockfish w/2 sides and he enjoyed his dinner too. We were both happy with our meal and service. Our fish was fresh and reasonably priced. Yes, I recommend!
(4)Leah S.
First there was a fly in my drink, not a good start to a birthday dinner. One person had the Mahi Mahi, the other the highly recommended Rockfish. End result both of us were sick all night and into the next day! When the manager was called about this he seemed to hardly care. VERY SAD BIRTHDAY GIRL!
(1)Leslie B.
Every time someone comes to visit we go to Jakes at the beach, OMG the Seafood Bisque is to die for! Kids are welcome, the table are large, the prices are right and the steamers are always delicious and hot!
(5)Big B.
Mediocre food. Condiments served in plastic carry out cups. For the price you'd expect a piece of bread and a salad plus a side, but no. Over cooked shrimp. Crab cake that tasted like it had been frozen. Don't waste your money.
(1)Janssen C.
Underrated seafood restaurant. Unbelievably rich seafood bisque. Plain menu of seafood classics like crab cakes and various broiled/fried platters won't impress but also won't disappoint. Good belly clams, without the freshness complaints I'm seeing in most of the other Yelp reviews. Young inexperienced wait staff (brought us the wrong check) but enthusiastic (quickly fixed it) and personable.
(3)Joe T.
As we usually do on the first evening of our nearly annual vacation in Rehoboth, we ate dinner at Jake's. OK....not great....as usual. I had Rose's Rockfish, my wife had the grilled salmon with jalapeño pesto. The rockfish was relatively bland and topped with a huge amount of a pedestrian salsa. My wife indicated that the salmon was just 'alright' and the pesto was overly spicy. Service was very good. Overall....as I said, OK not great.
(3)Scott S.
This place is better than the reviews I have seen. Must be some angry vacationers. Our waitress was friendly, fast and accommodating. The food was very good (my lobster was a little overcooked). Prices were very fair. Very family friendly. I am going back. Put this place on your good list.
(4)Ajeeb T.
Ate there this evening after riding the ferry over to Lewes from Cape May and driving down to Rehoboth Beach. The food was very good from our appetizers of Lobster Macaroni and Cheese and my seafood bisque to the entrees of Rose's Rock Fish that I had and the broiled seafood platter my girlfriend had. The sides were very good as well, my semisolid applesauce and fries were good hear as well. One of the better seafood restaurants I've eaten at and the service was good as well.
(5)Mitch R.
One of the worst seafood restaurants I have ever encountered. My girlfriend and I were looking for a place to eat while on vacation later on at night. Everywhere else was packed but we found Jake's and the wait was only five minutes. This place looks very promising as you walk in, it looks nice and upscale. We were seated by a friendly hostess and after that, things went downhill. There was a large family at the table next to us who were vocally upset since it had been forever since they put in their order. Their waiter (who was also ours) was very confused and kept on bring out plates at different times instead of waiting a couple minutes and bringing it out all at once. This was adding to their frustration and the waiters confusion. Anyway, I digress. I had to send my first drink back, which was an iced tea which tasted like someone had dropped some fish in the container holding the beverage. It was DISGUSTING. Fish "essence" and iced tea is not a good combination. We ordered some coconut shrimp as an appetizer and it wasn't spectacular at all. My crab imperial was completely inedible. There was almost NO crab in the dish, and what crab there was, was completely shredded and dispersed in tiny little strands. It was overly mayonnaise-y and had no flavor other than hot mayo and grease. If I had to give you an example, I would say there was 8 ounces of mayo and less than a 1/2 ounce of crab meat. Gross. My girlfriends scallops were tiny and overcooked, the portion size left a lot to be desired as well. For the prices that they charge, I would expect a decent meal and good service and neither of which I received. What I got in return for what I paid was the feeling that I was about to get sick from the food and the feeling that I was robbed. Avoid this place!
(1)Ari R.
I've never been able to actually pinpoint the worst restaurant I have ever been to... until I went to Jake's. Jake's is a dismal, overpriced tourist trap. Portions are tiny, prices are high, the crowd is all families with screaming kids and the food is about the worst you can find in the country. They even put seasoning from a shaker on their broiled scallops. Why would you disguise the taste of "fresh" seafood with cheap seasoning from a shaker? Each course of our meal was worse than the last. The staff is completely soulless. They really don't care here because they have a locked-in tourist crowd. I cannot stress how disappointed you will be if you eat here. This is not fine seafood or even good seafood. Avoid at all costs.
(1)Andy C.
Wound up here on our honeymoon after much higher rated places nearby couldn't seat us. This was one of the top 10 meals of my life. The salad with the house dressing was incredible. I could eat it for days. The oysters were huge and clean, and the seafood chowder was generous with the good stuff but not so heavy that it filled you up. We also had the fried appetizer sampler which included some of the best fried shrimp I've ever had. For dinner we had the asian yellowfin tuna and the stuffed rockfish. Both were outstanding. Being from Baltimore I have high standards for seafood, especially rockfish, especially rockfish stuffed with crab imperial, but it was absolutely fantastic. Finally, the staff was kind and attentive and had a great grasp on the menu. Our waitress answered every single one of our many questions and wasn't pushy as we took our time. We decided to try to go back for every anniversary.
(5)Chuck S.
Last Jakes I went to on Rt.1 the service was bad, this one I decided to give this one a chance. Im glad we did. I got the 14 oz. prime rib, broccoli, mashed potatoes and a broiled crab cake. Needless to say my faith has been restored. The prime rib seemed roasted and finished on the grill, it was juicy and had a nice flavor. The mashed potatoes were awesome and I actually licked the bowl they were in, (no lie), broccoli was moist and not over-seasoned or have too much butter. the crabcake was awesome and I ate it slowly. My friend got the small crab imperial, he ate that as slow as possible. People whine about the prices saying its a (tourist trap) but you are paying for the location, its a block from the beach. I know the prime rib was a little overpriced, but I can only imagine the property taxes or rent the owner(s) are paying. I dont eat fish but the prices listed on the "specials" menu looked reasonable, my friend also agreed. He is a seafood connoisseur and he agreed the prices weren't that bad. The food was good and the service was excellent. Peoples experiences maybe when the dinner rush hits and some of them expect infants to remain silent at all time (get a grip), Our visit was a at 6:00pm on Memorial day. Stuff happens, Im a fan of this location. Nuff said.
(4)Lexy M.
Jake's Seafood House is Down Right Awful! I'm sorry boys & girls.. I just had to go there. Let me start off by saying though, the young pretty waitress and hostess were very friendly and had great smiles but if these pretty darlings actually tasted their own food at this place.. their smiles would be gone! lol My friend and I were so upset about our meal that we actually only ate half and quickly paid our bill so we could go get ice cream to make up for the awful dinner. We did enjoy & love our ice cream though (thank god)! Jakes has been said to have the best seafood in Rehoboth Beach. Now, who told that lie??!! If Ruby Tuesday's can serve better seafood than you, i'm not sure what you call good. We had their "Famous Fried Seafood Platter".... it was just nasty beans lol. I enjoyed the side of fries better to be honest. If your looking to have a nice seafood dinner in Rehoboth I would NOT suggest this place. You will waste your money and time. $26 for an awful crappy cheap looking seafood platter..... run far far away! ;o)
(1)Ally W.
Awesome, we have been eating here every weekend. Doesn't dissapoint! Best crab cakes I have had, they are made of crab no filler great seasoning, beach fries, seafood bisque is also really good and lots of meat! Friendly staff, great for kids (highway location has arcade games in the back), easy to get into with large or small parties!
(5)Denis G.
It is 2014. A place that chooses to fry in Peanut Oil really should mention that on the menu so people with Allergies will stay away. We had to walk out after being seated and placing our drink order. My son told the server he was allergic and to his credit he did check with the kitchen and told us right away. It just would have been helpful to know beforehand. Three stars are for the courteous server and staff. Can't give review on much else.
(3)Iryna B.
Meh...very typical american joint. No taste, everything over-fried and overcooked. Salads come from packages, seafood seems fresh but all the beauty of original flavor is being destroyed by cooks unable to peel a shrimp properly or turn a piece of fish into a nicely tasting dish. Service is good and quick though. Very friendly.
(2)Linda W.
In the week we vacationed at Rehoboth this year, we made it to Jake's twice. I would have gone for the Crab Imperial on a daily basis had I been able to convince the non-seafood eating members of the family. You're not familiar with Crab Imperial? At Jake's, Crab Imperial is a softball sized mound of fresh, sweet, real Maryland jumbo crab lumps (the chalkboard identified Kent Island, MD as the source) gently mixed with and held together by just the merest touch of egg, a dab of mayo and a kiss of Old Bay, glazed with a rich sauce, and run under the broiler until browned and beautiful. Or, if you really know your seafood, it can be stuffed into fresh caught local flounder or Maryland rockfish. It just doesn't get any better. Fresh Maryland corn on the cob made a wonderful side with some decent fries to boot. A crisp, refreshing St. Germaine Sangria rounded out the meal...BOTH times I got there! BTW, don't miss the sangria either. Cucumber and strawberries were muddled together with muscato and a little St. Germaine and topped with a little bubbly. I can't imagine a more perfect beach indulgence. Service was great at the bar at lunch, the bartender friendly and full of great suggestions for other spots to dine in town. I can't wait to get back to Jake's again next year!
(4)Paul G.
Ate there last night. Pros: great food. Rose's Rockfish is the best. Perfectly cooked rockfish in awesome marinara-type sauce. Mouth is watering just thinking about it. The jumbo shrimp that my table-mates was good but the crab mix was more mix than crab. Not worth like $23. Small point- the steamed broccoli was beautiful. So fresh and not overdone or underdone. After a couple of days of burgers and funnel cakes, something healthy that actually tasted great was so welcome. Cons: Jake's plays a little game called "Make people wait outside for 20 minutes even though there are tables available." They take advantage of the fact that waiting patrons can't actually see most of the tables while standing outside the restaurant. Here's a heads up - many of them are open. Would seem to be a strategy by Jake's management to create false perception of overflowing demand, which they hope drives actual demand. And they try to sell you drinks while you wait. So, if you're reading this while waiting outside Jake's, tell the hostess you need to use the restroom. Then when you walk through the restaurant, take a look at the open tables. They will be there. The question is why you're still waiting outside for one.
(3)Steve J.
We ate here a couple years ago and we're really impressed so we decided to stop again this year. Something just wasn't the same. The service was fine but the food was OK at best and not cheap. Not sure what changed but it lost its place on our list of must go places in Rehoboth.
(3)Anna M.
This place is fairly good especially for happy hour. However the 'seafood bisque' should be called seafood chowder . The only redeeming quality about it was the large chunks of seafood that were mixed in. Despite that I would one back for the happy hour oyster special. The they have$1 oysters that are so fresh and delicious that you will never want to stop eating them. The staff is also wonderful especially Moose (he's very sweet, attentive and will flash you a winning smile)
(4)Heather C.
This place looks nice outside so you would think the outside matched the inside. It was dirty. We had a few broken chairs that had to be switched. The inside needs more than an update. If your plan is get seafood, you might as well eat at a Red Lobster -really that bad. This is a beach town and you would expect decent seafood, not even close. We suspect it was previously frozen from a supermarket. We will not be back again, many great places in Rehoboth to dine at.
(1)Peter K.
Wow. Really overpriced for mediocre food and a rundown restaurant. Try the boardwalk instead.
(1)ernest k.
Visited Jakes Seafood House Saturday August1 2015 the first big mistake made portions were small service was slow portions of my food was cold.this was my second time in a jakes restaurant and the last.
(2)Janice J.
On Saturday night, We had already waited 45 minutes at Claws only to be told it would be another 20 minutes. Really! So we left and went to Jakes Seafood House. We were able to sit right away at the bar area tables which were fine. We ordered the crab balls to share as an appetizer. They were hot and delicious. My husband ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi with the mashed potatoes and string beans was great! Huge portion! I ordered the broiled seafood platter. All my favorites shrimp, scallops and flounder. It was so well seasoned and truly yummy!! Our meal ended with a piece of key lime pie. Perfect! We will be back. Thanks for saving our night out!!
(5)Kyle T.
Went here recently with a large party with no prior reservation. We were seated 30 minutes faster than their estimate which was a pleasant surprise. Our waitress was pleasant but inattentive, we were all parched from spending a day on the beach but she never came by to refill our waters and we had to ask refills several times, which was annoying. Also annoying was the fact that the waitress told us that we wouldn't be receiving complimentary bread because 'the kitchen was out,' yet 15 minutes later we saw the table next to us receive bread. When we saw this, we asked if we could have some bread too but we received the same answer, which was obviously not true. My food (stuffed flounder) was prepared and plated well, as was the food of some of my friends that I also tasted, however the portion sizes were small given how much the food cost. 7 of our dishes came out together, but then the last member of our party was made to wait for several minutes while they 'finished cooking his dish' while we ate, which is always annoying.
(3)Carol S.
The food was fantastic. The crab soup was amazing. The martinis weren't bad either. I don't believe there was a bad item on the menu. I went with a group and i believe we tried everything. I had the crab cakes which were delicious.
(4)Ling L.
Great deals for happy hour - full-sized appetizers. The fish tacos we had included big chunks of mahi maui.
(4)A K.
I don't usually get to eat a lot of seafood, as I am from the Midwest, but I was VERY happy with the selection on the menu and the quality of the food I received. Even more impressive was the kindness I received from the owner. I ate at Jakes the evening before I was scheduled to fly back to Chicago. It wasn't until I was back in Dover at 1030 pm that I realized I didn't have my phone. After searching the car the next morning it was apparent I had left it at the restaurant. The owner was there when I called at 730 and agreed to send my phone to my home address that afternoon. I'm sure you can imagine my relief to have this resolved before getting on the plane. I felt truly blessed that a stranger would take the time to go out their way to help me when they really didn't have to. I will go to Jake's anytime I am in Rehoboth Beach.
(5)Ken W.
Great food and service as always. The seafood bisque is the best we've had... anywhere. Our 17th year coming to Jake's and never disappointed. We had the broiled seafood platter, lobster Mac n Cheese, kids fried shrimp and crab cake. All were fantastic. We'll see you again next year!
(5)Michael K.
Just had a cup of the seafood bisque soup which stellar. Each spoonful had a healthy chunk of seafood. I strongly recommend this place.
(5)Northern L.
OFF THE HOOK We found this restaurant while vacationing in Rehoboth and we're so happy about it. Fantastic food and drinks. We especially enjoy the bar area to eat lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is great. The hughest dining area around. Reservations are available but not needed as the place is so large. Even during peak season there is probably only a five minute wait. The steamed shrimp are huge and reasonably priced as are all the dishes. We recommend that anyone wanting great seafood or burgers give it a try. You will not be disappointed.
(3)Eric Z.
I ordered the fish and chips, you would think a stand by in a seafood place. I got one pathetic small piece of fish and a ridiculously small portion of cole slaw, a plastic cup you'd get dressing in, actually a complete embarrassment to serve. I would not want to be "Jake" and put my name on that dish. Server did get me a larger portion of cole slaw, but still... Really. I Will not be back with so many other options around.
(2)John G.
Fantastic food and service. Nice and quiet. Absolutely no complaints. This is one of our favorites in town. Prices are a little high, but you do get what you pay for here. The menu is great too. They have most everything. I don't recommend taking children, however.
(5)Joseph K.
Super fantastic cole slaw. Drinks are excellent. Try the captains punch which even my bride enjoyed I liked the fried seafood platter. Each item was cooked properly. Scallops and flounder were tender. Crab cakes are definitely worth a try. Light and tasty.
(4)Erin S.
This has always been my 'go to' spot at Rehoboth. Typically we are greeted with a very friendly staff, endless bread and quick refills, good food..just a nice atmosphere. This last visit was different; dont know if it was the waitress or just the place. Little things make a big difference! We asked for bread b/c noticed we hadn't gotten any; the waitress said it is only available upon request now, so she did bring us some...just one roll each. Not to sound like a pig, but if I'm going out I dont want to ask and would like more than one piece. The waitress was really young, and not very attentive, which really hurts a place. She was nice but just not the type of great staff that really want the customer to have a nice time. She was young and gave off the vibe of not wanting to be there. I go out for the experience, not just the food. Everything was brought out too quick and rushed out the door. The food wasn't bad, but nothing special this time. New managment? A bad day? not sure, but this time Id just give it an 'eh' not bad by any means, but not good....service needs improved!!
(2)Julie K.
The food was very good scallops, shrimp, sweet potato fries, onion straws. Service was ok. They had a large selection of food, had a hard time choosing our food! I will go back again. I was impressed.
(4)George S.
Service was awesome. We liked Zach. The special soup was great. It had a of fish and seasoned well. It could have been a little warmer. I had fish and chips. Chips were great the fish was not crispy. It could have been old oil or sat under the heat lite to long. The place is a little tired but excellent service.
(3)Krista B.
Don't be intimidated by the boisterous day drinkers at the bar in front. We went in for lunch and were seated in the nice quiet back area to eat. The mojitos are bomb, and servers were fun and friendly. My mom's fried ("padded") oysters are better, and my Caesar salad was OK. Overall a fun spot though.
(3)Nick P.
Visited at 1130 AM on a Monday so it was not busy. Hostess let my family in a couple of minute early which was a nice gesture since we were wrangling 3 young children. Food was amazing! Had bisque which was creamy and deliscious, blackened Mahi tacos which were just the right amount of spicy, and the Memphis BBQ burger which was cooked perfectly and had very good slaw and bacon. Overall very good visit. Would bring family or friends again!
(5)Tom R.
Excellent service. I never knew that Sangria could come with muddled cucumber, but suddenly, I cannot imagine it any other way. The seafood platter lived up to the price and my family enjoyed the meal very much. I think this will be a new tradition for my family!
(5)Alyson O.
I would give this place 3.5 stars but not 4. The food was basic and not fancy but the drinks were awesome. The St. Germaine white sangria is exceptional. Perfect after a summer day at the beach. I would go back for the sangria alone!
(3)Linda V.
We came in with a party of 6 Andrea was our waitress. She was great. The food was wonderful from lobster to prime rib. The lobster was perfect as was the prime rib.
(5)