I bought the groupon for 2 for the crab feast. After I purchased it I was a little leery considering all of the bad reviews on here. I purposely decided to go on a Tuesday night, since a majority of the bad reviews seem to say that weekends were a bad night to go. We were seated promptly and the waitress came and got us drinks and we ordered some additional appetizers, and the crabs were out in short order. They were small crabs, but the two of us probably eat about a dozen each. They were good, considering they were on the small side, but it didn't bother us. Our bill for 2 after the groupon was deducted was around $10. Yes, they do add a groupon upcharge - but the groupon coupon specifically said there would be a charge at the restaurant, so it didnt bother since I knew going in. It was a muggy hot night and we sat inside, and it was a little uncomfortable temperature wise, and there was a movie going on outside on the streets of Bethesda, so it was a little noisy too, but overall, it didnt bother me. No complaints, but I guess we lucked out on a good night.
(4)
Bill S.
Hey, we liked it! A number of reviewers said it was a dump, its not. Its a crab shack recreation in trendy Bethesda. So if you are looking for a fancy gourmet meal this is not for you. But.. if you want huge portions of real Maryland style seafood. This is the place! The service was OK, the beer was cheap. we started off with a half pound of steamed shrimp. When the waitress brought out a huge portion of 15 count shrimp we made sure she hadn't doubled the order. The shrimp were perfect. I had a bowl of very good Maryland crab soup and the stuffed shrimp for an entree. That portion with sides was also huge. Phyllis got the crab cake which she claimed had too much breading. After stuffing our faces we had another complete meal from what we took home. This is a great place to go with a bear drinking crowd.
(4)
Deb G.
I'm surprised at all the terrible reviews - we had a really nice meal here. Crabs were out of season, but we had the seafood bake with clams, mussels, shrimp, and snow crab legs. The shrimp were great, as were the clams. The mussels were good but some were still sort of dirty, while the snow crab legs were a little overcooked but still tasty. And the hush puppies were super! Super!
(4)
Baby G.
I have no idea what you all are saying about this being the worst place you've been to, bad customer service and the owner is nasty, etc. I have been here twice within the last 2 weeks(today, being my 2nd visit) and have had nothing but excellent service. As a matter of fact the owner was running all of the tables by himself for a long time while we were there. He constantly walked past everyone asking if everything was okay, and refilled their beverages. I guess most of you are snobby people that walk in with your nose up in the air wanting everyone to kiss your a$$. To all the people that have given this establishment bad reviews probably were the cause of why things went wrong in the first place and now want to bash it. ** YELPERS** DON'T LISTEN TO ANY OF THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS ON HERE. THIS PLACE IS WAY BETTER THAN THE BETHESDA CRAB HOUSE. THEIR CRABS FOR THE ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB FEAST WERE VERY MEATY & DELICIOUS AS WELL AS THE CORN, FRIES & COLESLAW THAT COME WITH IT. THANK YOU TREY LESTRANGE FOR YOUR EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE TODAY, WE WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK!
(5)
Bruce A.
So sad. Used to go here in the '90's and loved it-as did my family for so many years. Took my girlfriend there for her birthday, with much hype and old stories from great crabs and times from my past. What a disappointment. The place is now a dump. Dilapidated (downright dangerous) stairs exist upto the restaurant, flies everywhere, a wait staff that hates each other and argued in front of everyone-- swearing in front of a table with little kids. I mean, come on...throwing the f-word in front of a 4 year old which almost came to blows over their scheduling issues or something that should have taken place out of sight. Just discovered the restaurant was shut down in mid-september for 24 health code violations that are now corrected. What's so disappointing is that the crabs were actually good...and what should be the easiest to keep in line, ambiance and wait-staff just flat out--sucked. Until they can get their act together again, fix the stairs and basically clean the place up....stay away. I know it's a crab house but, the filth is just plain-gross.
(1)
Annie S.
We saw nothing but poor reviews before going but we had a groupon so we decided to try it out. Not going back. The crabs were terrible. I don't know if they were frozen or just poorly cooked but they were just bad. Also, there's small crabs and there's illegal sized crabs. They certainly toed the line with the later. The waitress was pleasant enough but not very good. When the "butter" (which was fake) came out, it had chunks floating and at the bottom of it. When we questioned it, were told not to worry about it, that it was just hardened butter. I can assure you it was not. Fake movie theater butter doesn't harden and none of our butter had even changed state in 2 1/2 hours. Silver lining... The music was good but it's a radio station youncan get in your car which would be a far more enjoyable place to listen to it. Pass
(1)
Liz G.
Sigh. I really wanted to LOVE this place. As a native Washingtonian, who spent almost every summer of her youth on the North Carolina/Georgia coast, I love seafood. I also know that shrimp and crabs are not very difficult to cook. I bought the Groupon for the two-hour all you can eat crab feast for two. We also ordered spiced shrimp, and my bf, who doesn't enjoy the work it takes to eat crabs, ordered fish and chips. The service was spotty- obviously a bunch of high school kids who don't really care, but managed to keep us with drinks the whole time. The food: * Crabs were small males, some were borderline rotten, and all of them were WAY overcooked. The only plus side is the seasoning, which was great. But the crabs themselves were seriously questionable. * Corn on the cob, slaw and fries (comes with the crab feast)- corn was literally the saddest ear of corn I've ever seen. Not cleaned well, with silk and husk pieces, withered kernels and ultimately inedible. The slaw was a joke. Tasteless and loose. The fries were the best part, which is unfortunate for a seafood joint. * Shrimp were seasoned well but ludicrously overcooked. I've never worked so hard to get the shell off of a shrimp. The meat was rubbery and you could tell that they were fresh a LONG time ago. * Fish and chips were apparently bland and unworthy of any other adjectives. I'd love to see this place get a bit of help in the kitchen. In the meantime, I'll be looking elsewhere for my seafood.
(2)
Jim B.
Heed the negative reviews ... I did not :-( It has been my experience that sometimes the food can overcome major flaws in a restaurant's operation. Sadly Steamers DID NOT fall into that category! Please do not repeat my error and avoid this debacle, of a so called "Seafood House/Crab Shack", at all costs and have a nice meal elsewhere! I visited Steamers on my birthday (reservations on Tues. at 5:45pm made over a week in advance!) with four family members who all ordered off the menu except myself, who expressly chose Steamers too pick crabs on my birthday. I ordered a dozen "large as you have" crabs and proceeded to wait and wait for my order (note: the restaurant was relatively empty). Some 30 minutes later the server comes to the table and says they are "expecting some larger crabs" and they will be out soon, to my chagrin the rest of my family are well into their entrees! Thirty minutes later, still no crabs, my family has finished their entrees, and I notice the adjacent table of two, sat 45 minutes after ours (again w/no crabs), was eating crabs!! The server returns and says "they are almost ready"?? I asked how is it that the adjacent table is halfway through a dozen crabs? I was told "they ordered small crabs". Needless to say I lost it and asked for the check, and prepared to leave immediately. The manager never made an appearance and the server handled the situation horribly and did not offer me anything (e.g., App., couple of small crabs, something?) during the whole ordeal. Based on my experience at Steamers I would have to evaluate the myriad negative reviews of Steamers as much too kind! In hindsight there were a few warning signs that I did not heed, the numerous "terrible" service reviews, when making the reservation was asked if I was bringing a "Groupon" (I was not, but why would that matter for a reservation, especially on a Tuesday??), the large "Happy Hour til' 8pm" sign out front - but when our drink orders were taken, told HH only at the "laughable" bar (a postage stamp sized bar that might fit patrons 7 tops!). The final telltale sign to be had was after being seated - I observed a large party come in and then be shuffled between two rooms of this nearly empty restaurant, as our server stopped in mid-sentence to run over and direct them to another station; then return to the initial station 10 minutes later, a terrific start for them! Please don't say you were not warned. I can't! ;-)
(1)
Matt D.
The server was about the only good thing about this place.
(1)
Jason A.
Considering all of the places to grab some beer & crabs in Maryland, this is the absolute BEST in the DC area for sure!! The atmosphere is just as dive-y as you would expect for a crab joint & I could not have been more delighted. One tip....call ahead for any orders of steamed crabs to save you some time. If the weather is nice, sit out on the HUGE porch & enjoy!
(5)
Ringo C.
Went last night 7/17 Horrible service and food. STEER CLEAR of that place. Waste of time and money! Staff members were not kind. Food was subpar. Go somewhere else!
(1)
Sam D.
We bought the Groupon and went on Saturday around 3:30 pm expecting to wait for a table. The only good thing about this experience was that they sat us right away. But it was all downhill from there, and I guess that's why it wasn't full. We told the waitress we had the groupon as soon as we sat down, ordered our drinks and she left. After about 10 minutes, she returned with our drinks and said quickly "crabs should be about 10 minutes" and walked away. She did not ask us if we wanted to start with something (fries, coleslaw, and corn were included in the groupon) OR didn't even ask if we wanted to order anything else off the menu, since we asked her to hang onto one (and we would have if we had been given the chance). At that point, I looked around. 4 tables were waiting on crabs in addition to us. Everyone else had already started and were waiting for their next batch of crabs. We waited for 45 minutes. Our server never came back. Other servers didn't ask us if we needed anything. Not only were we waiting for crabs for almost an hour, but we had each one drink that was not refilled and were not asked if we would like anything in the meantime. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I've worked in the food industry for 6 years and have never seen such blatant disregard for customers. We went inside and asked the hostess for our tab. Our waitress came out of hiding to ask if we were leaving and then went and yelled at her manager to let him know we were leaving. She came back, told us we could leave, and we did. Came home and returned the groupon, you couldn't pay me to go back there again.
(1)
Jessica H.
I purchased a Livingsocial deal for this place. OMG- what a dump. I love crab houses and this place gives ALL crab houses a bad name. Horrible services, and flies everywhere. I ordered oysters and fried crab balls to start. The oysters were served to me only HALF shucked! SOOOO much shell, unbelievable. If I am paying $2 plus for oysters, at least clean them. The crab balls were all balls and no crab. It took almost an hour to get two appetizers, and our waitress was talking with other staff members, sitting down and cutting lemon. I watched her, she got up, served us our beers...did NOT wash her hands, and continued to chop away at the lemon....ew....CROSS-CONTAMINATION...Needless to say, we left, and did not pay for anything! I called Livingsocial and got a refund. I told them to revoke their deal if they don't want to be responsible for people getting sick.
(1)
Emilia B.
I was disappointed with the dingy atmosphere and lack of cleanliness at Steamers. We ordered the crab legs with sides. The hush puppies were quite good and the corn was decent. The crab leg meat was tasty. Our food came out in a good amount of time. We were on the patio and there were flies above each table. The wooden steps around the restaurant are quite risky to walk on and dilapidated. The bar crowd is a bit loud and drunk, even at 5pm(!) The inside portion of the place is stuffy. I asked if they had A/C (for future reference if I ever wanted to come here during the summer months) and they said 'nope.' The menu offerings, especially the crab legs and all-you-can-eat options, are totally overpriced, especially given that the place is rather unkempt and too casual for my taste. I think this place deserves the lower rating because our poor comrades who ordered the all-you-can-eat crabs (at 5pm) waited almost 2 hours only to be served with undercooked crabs (yuck!)
(2)
Tiffany M.
Came with a groupon at 5pm on Saturday. Staff was friendly upon arrival. After being seated, about 5 minutes later, another couple was seated by us. It took a while to get our order but the other couple ordered their crab feast about 5 minutes before us. No joke, we didn't get French fries and corn until after 6pm. Meanwhile the couple next to us was already on their second round of crabs before we got one round. It was extremely frustrating. Now onto the food. The French fries were good, the corn was absolutely terrible. I think it's deep fried but it was hard and crunchy and stuck to your teeth. The crabs weren't bad. Out of three batches we probably had 4 crabs that weren't good which I find normal for an AYCE crab feast. We have another groupon that I may offer to someone because it was just an event to come here considering we waited an hour for food.
(1)
Bella G.
I know times are rough but I had the last draw there when they charged us for refills on the iced tea. Who does that especially at a crab house for iced tea?
(2)
Peaceful S.
YUCK and NEVER AGAIN are words I use to describe this DUMP !! The regulars must keep the lights on there. I wish they would keep the heat on too because its freezing inside. I should've turned around once I noticed the standing space heaters upon entering. My mom suggested the place after purchasing a *groupon* and I guess you get what you pay for. I ordered the Crab and Advocado salad which came with a WHOLE head of lettuce and a tablespoon of shredded crabmeat...scattered advocado and soggy tomatoes. STRIKE ONE I thought, maybe the entree will make up the points. I then decided not to order an entree but orderd the crab quesadillas' instead..STRIKE TWO !! BLAND AND BURNED ...well at least the kids are happy. NOPE..STRIKE THREE !! My daughters chicken tenders were burned beyond recognition. How in the *HELL-O DARLIN* can you burn chicken tenders..I'm through trying to figure that part out. The bathroom is like an outhouse..you'll be wearing a coat/scarf the whole time if you visit in the winter time so LAYER UP !! The prices were no where near comparable to the PUPPYCHOW they serve. Overpriced to say the least* Service was ehhhhh...alright if you like being overtalked by your waitress. She seemed pretty amped up and talked loudly as if she was out at a club the night before and her ears hadn't POPPED yet. Simmer down lady... Oh well...I came... I ate and I WON'T be going back ....EVER !!
(1)
Kristin J.
This place is terrible. The shrimp and cod are frozen. How is that a restaurant in Maryland can not manage to have fresh seafood?! I ordered the Cod and received one funky piece of rubbery still half frozen cod. The rest of the plate was overflowing with french fries and salad. $20 for that! The rest of my party was unsatisfied as well. The waiter received a large tip for lack luster service b/c we had a party over five or six (which it didn't disclose on the menu). However, it was completely undeserving. Before leaving we overheard another party at a nearby table complain about the overflow of fillers as well. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)
Yang C.
After reading all the negative reviews, we really regretted about getting the groupon. Expecting the worst, we went on Saturday night and got there at 5:30pm all the way from Ashburn VA. The place had some seafood stinks, but no surprise there since it's a crab shack place. The server was really nice, the first batch of crabs has a couple of bad ones or empty/mushy, but our reorders came quickly and they were nice meaty crabs. 2 of us went through about 50 crabs, the server never slowed down bringing more to our table or give us weird looks. The drinks could have been refilled quicker, but I can't complain since our last all you can eat crab place took forever to bring out the reorders. I'd definitely come again if there's another groupon deal.
(4)
Candle P.
Nice place to enjoy all u can eat crabs! I bought a groupon and was a little hesitant after reading the reviews but I like to experience things for myself and we were not disappointed! The wait staff was friendly and they all helped each other keep the customers served and happy. I will say that it was a little hot inside and they opened the doors to catch the breeze, the flies had a field day with that! They also have an open patio if you desire to eat outside. As far as the decor is concerned it ties into the seafood atmosphere. Why would a restaurant where you are expected to get hands dirty have upscale dining tables and chairs????? Go with the flow, enjoy the crabs and other seafood, I would definitely return (with another groupon, of course) otherwise it is quite a distance from my home.
(4)
Douglas M.
Loved the food and our waitress Alicia was very attentive
(4)
Jess M.
My friends and I used to call this our go-to crab shack, but we will be moving on after this last experience. The service is fine, and if you order the crab feast, the sides are great, but the actual crabs were horrible. Over half the crabs we received were mushy and tasted rotten. For as much as we paid for our food, we deserved better and will find it elsewhere.
(2)
Chase M.
I went for the Groupon deal-all you can eat crabs- and could not have had a better time. There was always hot crabs coming out and they tasted great. The shrimp was amazing as well. The Service- PERFECT. They were on top of their game, and they have some pretty cute waitresses as an added bonus. I strongly recommend this place to anyone. The restaurant was a lot of fun and I will definitely be back with friends.
(4)
Bill R.
Staff was not very friendly and welcoming. Felt like we were a burden to our waitress and there were only 6 people in the place. Didn't even bother ordering food. When I finally tracked down the bar tender so I could close my tab I found her drinking outside with what was probably the manager or another customer. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!!!!!
(1)
Kerr K.
TERRIBLE DINING EXPERIENCE WITH HORRIBLE SERVICE!!!! VERY RUDE OWNER!! I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TO MY WORST ENEMY" If Negative Stars were Possible, I would rate Steamers, with Negative Stars!!! Bought A Groupon for a Crab Feast for $39, (a $77.00 Value). I also purchased one for my sister as a gift and we were allowed to all sit together. Our party was a total of 4 people (3 adults and 1 child ). We also ordered a side of Hush Puppies and a round of drinks. Service was very basic. Crabs were mostly small. Menus, condiments were very sticky. When we got our final bill, we went ahead and paid, but then noticed an issue, which I thought to ask our Server, just to understand the breakdown. Our round of drinks, hush puppies ($17) and Gratuity of $35.50 was automatically included for our table of 4. Taxes were assessed on the Estimated Value ($154) and not on the Actual Price. We were also charged an Additional $2.00 (plus tax and Gratuity). Our Grand total for the "Feast" $225.58. (Total out of pocket to cover taxes, gratuity and $17 of drinks, $69.58). Although it is customary to tip on the total pre-groupon value, it was not stated on the Groupon promotion or anywhere on the menu, that Gratuity would be automatically added. When I asked the Server why I was being charged $2.00 extra on the Groupon Promotion, she replied that the price of the Crabs Feast had gone up by $2.00 since the Groupon was offered and that she had to charge extra for it. I explained to her that she didn't have to adjust the bill since we had already paid, but that it was not right. She replied that she was not the owner and she would get the owner and I could speak with him. When the owner (older male) came, I extended my hand to greet him and politely and calmly explained the issue. The owner was not apologetic at all and became defensive saying they were not doing anything wrong and that it was only $2.00. I explained to him, that I had no problem paying for my purchases, but being charged an extra $2.00 (or any amount) without my knowledge was not right, especially when I had already paid for the GROUPON. The Owner kept on insisting they were not doing anything wrong and it was it was only $2.00. I further explained to him that as a customer, I felt that being charged extra (regardless of amount), without my knowledge and consent, was not right and unethical. (How many other people Groupon Customers were being charged the Extra $2.00, plus tax and gratuity without their knowledge or Consent?). I insisted that it was NOT RIGHT. He kept on insisting it was only $2.00 and he was not doing anything wrong. In anger he proceeded to pull a stack of cash out of his pocket and said "since you are making such a big deal, here is your $2.00". I declined the $2.00 and told him he could add it to our Server's tip who was standing next to us the entire time of the conversation. I ended the conversation and proceeded to leave. As I turned to walk away, the Owner of Steamers said "Don't come Back" and added "F**ker" also clearly audible to my 11 year old child who was standing along side us during the entire conversation!!! I would NEVER go back to this place.. There are many other nicer establishments, with better food, cleaner environment and most important, better customer service in the DC Metro area... What can you expect from a place that has a sign on the wall that states something like.... No whining, $5.00 Extra charge!!
(1)
Matt C.
Did the groupon deal and had a fun time. Crabs and sides were great (the fries, seemingly under appreciated, were amazing; so was the seasoning on the crabs). One downside- I don't normally critique service, but our server was especially lethargic on not a crowded night.
(4)
Jane J.
This was our second visit to Steamer's. We were looking for a place in Bethesda where you could play Keno and this seemed to be the only place to go. Both times we have sat at the bar and I have had the steamed crabs while this time my other half had a burger. The bar is not huge and this is more or less an outdoor restaurant. I say that loosely in that a good portion of the place is a deck either with or without a tent over it. It is not air conditioned so if it is hot you are going to be warm here. But the fact that it is a funky beach style place makes it much different and more laid back from the upscale restaurants in Bethesda. This place has a good number of regulars and don't be surprised to see a number of them at the bar. They are there to play Keno etc and drink. One of the regulars was getting a little out of control and the bar tender was keeping an eye on him and telling him to behave. I appreciated that as I was sitting near him at the bar. As we have only sat at the bar I don't know how the wait staff is but the bar crew are all friendly and look out for you and are as responsive as possible when they are pretty busy. I love steamed crabs and it is not summer without them. The first time I was there I thought the crabs were very wet. It took away from the flavor but they were still good. I had the jumbos the first time around and this time I had the mediums. The mediums were cooked just right and were really good with a lot of nice meat in them. I know I had to wait for a bit but we were playing keno so really did not notice the time but not more then 30 minutes max. My other half had the burger and thought it was ok not great. He was more interested in how his keno numbers were going so don't think he was paying much attention to what he ate. I have eaten crabs in a number of places from Captain Pell's to Dewey and Virginia Beach. I don't think that eating the crabs here are any worse or better then I have had anywhere else. You get some crabs that are light on meat no matter where you go and some that are a bit over cooked as it is just the nature of the beast with crabs and crowds. If you go on a busy night it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out you are going to have to wait for a while. I am looking forward to going back and having some more and winning some bucks back from our keno run. I just hope the drunk guy at the bar will not spray me every time he talks. THAT was disgusting. I think we got a price break on our bill because of him.
(3)
Linda F.
I came here for lunch with a friend. Pretty nice outdoor seating area (as in they had one). Service was slow and almost non existent. I ordered the crabby patty with a side of fries. The fries were good. The crab meat was bland and the burger was bland and dry. Not coming here again.
(2)
Anne S.
I gave one star because you have to rate the restaurant. Really, honestly, the worst crab I have ever seen or attempted to eat. Steamers smells like a rotten fish market and it certainly is obvious why. The crap was rotten. Go anywhere else.
(1)
Scott M.
We (2 of us) went this past Sunday at 5:00. the place was crowded. The 13 year old hostess (I wont say who greeted us) who met us as we walked in ask if we had a reservation. We said no and she started giving us a hard time about it. We had called eariler and were told we didint need one. She continued on and said she didint know why anyone would have told us that, then, in the same breath said well, all reservations are full and we arent rtaking anymore maybe. Maybe? You dont know? What!?!?! At that moment an adult hostess greeted us and verified we were a party of 2 and seated us immedatly w/out further questions. Our waiter (Brandon I think was his name) appeared right away ant took our order. We ordered the all you can eat crabs. He asked if we had a groupon which we did. Our food came in a very reasonable time being that everytying was made fresh and to order. Each time we ordered more crabs they came out quite promptly. On one occasion when we ordered more the wiater saw us getting low and had already put in an order for us for more crabs. Im not sure where all of the hell that others went through comes from as I said, the place was full and all the staff was very busy but our waiter kept right on top of us all the way until the end. I cant ask for more than that. Oh, and all ofthe food, the crabs, the corn and the fries were all piping hot when brought to the table. With the exception of the initial ordeal with the little girl at the hostess stand when we walked in where she tried to run us out the door I have no complaints or issues at all. I would have given a 3 star but the waiter was so good I went to 4.
(4)
r y.
I went to Steamer's for a all-you-can-eat function with a large group. I had the spicy shrimp, all you can eat Crabs and some coleslaw. The Shrimp were fresh and HUGE and the crabs were sweet and had lots of meat. The coleslaw was okay. It was super messy, but I ate my fill and I was very happy. My co-workers said that the hush puppies are amazing (I had a tiny bite - they were good) and the corn was super sweet and tasty. Our server was very good and kept cleaning out the buckets and bringing beverages. Overall, it was a very nice experience. I was really concerned after all these negative reviews, but my personal experience was different.
(4)
Douglas M.
Pei mussels had a strong odor and were of a strange consistency, crabby pretzel is pretty gross, and the crab cakes were bland and mushy and it's pretty expensive to boot stay away!
(1)
Steve C.
I think it is unfair that I cannot give this establishment a zero. What a steaming pile. I used to come here for one bartender in particular, but after the manager (his dad lets him run the place) got so hammered he called me a "f****** f*****," groped my fiance, and then got kicked out by his own staff for trying to pick a fight with another patron -- why come back? I would rather support good people that are trying to add to the community. Also, if you have children and you let them eat here, the State should take them from you.
(1)
William M.
The reviews of Steamers are obviously all over the place. I have been there twice in the past 9 months and both times it was pretty good to very good. It is what it is - this is not a fancy place by any means - plastic tables and chairs with brown paper covering the tables. The restaurant mostly feels like a big deck under a large tent - it is a crab shack! My wife and I recently went for crabs and appetizers - the crabs were excellent. They were cooked just right and they kept them coming. We also had the steamed shrimp and "crab balls" which were both very good. Drinks were also very good and reasonably priced. I am not a beer drinker but my wife is and she was pleased with the selection and the price. We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table which we expected on a beautiful night - I know when I sit down to eat crabs I plan to settle in for a while, so I assume others will do the same. The good news is they told us it would likely be a 45 minute wait but it ended up being shorter. Our server (Emma) was very pleasant, attentive and hustled the entire night even though she was very busy. The food runners and bus boys kept our table clean and tray of crabs well-stocked. As with any batch of crabs, some were more meaty than others but on average I would rate these better than most. We were told on Thursday night they have live music - we will go back again soon!
(4)
Lindsey W.
I stopped in at steamers for a few drinks and so my boyfriend could play Keno. The bar area is small but it has a good crowd of regulars. They've got cheap beer specials. Steamers isn't your typical restaurant building, it's 2 separate structures connected by large tents. They have large heaters inside the tents so it's warm during the winter. Steamers is not the trendy/gourmet meal that most Bethesda folks look for, it's a crab place so it's not the cleanest restaurant in Bethesda and has a crabby smell to it. I like their steamed shrimp but have had hit or miss experiences with the rest of their menu. Crabs have been good just don't show up late on an all you can eat night!
(2)
Matt H.
Liz G. and Jessica D. really nailed it with their reviews. In fact, Liz G's description of her GroupOn-based visit was almost an exactly perfect description of our GroupOn visit. Overcooked crabs. And at least half of ours were almost entirely empty--no meat! We had an all-you-can-eat crabfest for two ($77 value; GroupOn for $39). Two of our friends had one too. When it came time to pay the bill, they said "One per table" and wouldn't accept two of them. While I do understand the "one per table" policy, it was also possible to buy an all-you-can-eat crabfest GroupOn for four ($144 value; GroupOn for $78). Since we bought two GroupOns for two people (instead of one GroupOn for four people), they wouldn't accept them. This seemed a little unreasonable. Despite the lackluster service, our table of 6 was charged the standard "parties of 6 or more" 18% gratuity. After throwing in a single drink for each of us and an appetizer for the table to share, and the bill came to about $120 per couple. That's steep. We were so disappointed that we are going to let our other GroupOn expire so we can use the cash on something else. Even a second round of crabfest for $39 isn't worth it for us.
(1)
Juliet K.
came here with a groupon. and granted it was not really crab season we got decent sized crabs for the crab feast. the service was good in the beginning, but then i think because they realized that we were really killing the crabs they stopped asking us if we wanted more, and we had to flag them down. otherwise the service was pretty good. i expected horrible because some of the reviews. BUT we also went when it wasnt too busy. only about half .. maybe less then half... of the tables were taken. its not a fancy place. its crabs for pete's sake. so don't expect rainbows and butterflies. just expect crabs. the fries were also yummy. i'm not sure I would pay full price of $39 per person because you get better crabs at the wharf for probably a better price. but it was worth the groupon.
(3)
Bonnie W.
Sometimes you just need to get messy and have crabs. The time to do it around DC is in September/October when local crabs are at their biggest and sweetest. They are seasonal and so while you can get crabs year round you are pressing your luck on the quality. Rather than drive down to the bay, we used our Groupon for Steamers crabfeat last Saturday night. I called to check on the crab status and was told to show up by 8 pm to get the full 2 hours of all you can eat crab. We got there and had no problem getting an inside table near where other groups and families were cracking. Imagine my husbands joy when he found out we could order Octoberfest beer by the pitcher! Then our nice waitress brought our platter of 8 huge crabs fully, but overwhelmingly coated in Old Bay. Never wear good clothes to eat crabs because you will always end up with crab splatter on your shirt after hitting the claws with you wooden mallet. They were sweet and tasty. We kept hammering& slurping away, happy campers. Dont forget the good little cup of fresh slaw wirh the corn. We didnt eat the corn because we were too busy eating the crabs. My only con was the funny tasting butter which we didnt need because the crabs were so good. Originally written Oct 2012 but just posted.
(4)
Laura G.
When I first saw Steamers, I was excited by what looked like a cool, fun beachy exterior. My mistake! We chose a patio table, and we were awarded for our choice with the smell of something putrid (possibly from the area below the patio) and a cloud of flies and gnats, which swirled around the tables. Meanwhile, the food was very meh. The hush puppies were good (although the ketchup, oddly enough, tasted "off."). The crab sandwich was just "okay." And the pretzel with crabby dip was mostly just pretzel and cream cheese, with little crab to speak of. For $26.00, I like a little more to my meal than freezer-pretzels and hush puppies, but considering the low crab content in both dishes, that's pretty much all we got. And the doughy bread I did eat has left me feeling a little sick to my stomach. Considering all the excellent restaurants in Bethesda, I can see no reason to return to this one.
(2)
Carter H.
It's a crab shack. It's not going to be fancy, but you will be able to sit outside, drink a cold beer or pina colada, and get elbow deep in Old Bay, the Maryland way. we went on a quiet afternoon so it wasn't crowded and we did have to search a bit for our server, but I also appreciated being able to relax and take my time. Sounds like they got a bit overwhelmed with a recent Groupon deal, but give them another try, especially at a quieter time. I enjoyed my mini-beach vacation, sitting on the patio at Steamers.
(4)
Vanessa K.
This place was loud, service was subpar and the crabs were tiny and overcooked. 20% Gratuity was included for a party of 4 (what a rip off for the service...or lack thereof) and there was no mention of included gratuity on the menu or anywhere else. We used a groupon and this place charged us an extra $2 (yes just two dollars but how many people are they doing this to and making extra money...seems a little shady). Also the owner is rude and disrespectful. He told a member of my party to not come back because she called them out on their overcharging. The owner is rude and used profanities around a young child. Really wouldn't recommend this place. Would go for 0 stars if I could.
(1)
Angela J.
Had a great time. Came to use a Groupon and will come back! Jamie was our server and she was amazing!!
I have only one thing to say. Food poisoning. Believe Yelp.
(1)
Aileen F.
We have tried really hard to like this place, but I am writing this review to remind myself to just give up already. We have gotten a few livingsocial/groupon deals for here as well as just visiting without any promotion, but each time have been disappointed. The service always is slow and forget about us even when we have been the only customers. The food is always way too expensive for the quality. The last deal we did was for the 4 unlimited crabfeast meals and it was extremely lackluster. We are in Maryland, it's not hard to get good crabs, so as Seafood house what is their excuse? I only give them two stars because it has SUCH potential the way the restaurant is set up, they just need to get a new menu and new staff.
(2)
Todd K.
I see the bad reviews from the groupon but I dont get it. Hadn't been there in years so didn't comment. But had a Bday crab fest there on sunday. 17 people including 5 kids. They could not have been better. 1st - Called me the morning off to confirm and asked if I wanted inside, outside, or the grill room to ourselves. (We chose the room). We got there and they were ready for us. We had our main waitress and another person helping out. they asked us what game we wanted on the TV (Picked ALL of them! Redzone). They handled multiple groupons easily, we split the check many times over. Brought the crabs out faster then we could eat them (Some were bad but MOST were GREAT). Server was GREAT. The entire experience was better then I could have hoped for!!
(5)
Brendan B.
This place is terrible. We went there because we had a groupon for the crab feast. The corn was old and gross, the crabs smelled bad and appeared to have been sitting in a steamer for a few days. Then to top it all off in the middle of eating dinner and trying to give this place the benefit of the doubt a MOUSE ran across the dinning room floor. We saw the mouse and said something to the waitress. She said it was not their infestation so there was not much they could do about it. The manager came over and said this was the cleanest crab house we would ever find. We got the check and left. The other table who saw the mouse moved to another table and ate dinner. I will not be going back there again. I would highly recommend that you stay away from this place.
(1)
Rif H.
Beware of the small crabs. Most of the ones we had in a batch were bad. (We actually just ordered 6 large, but twice got 12 smalls instead and decided just to eat what was in front of us.) The shrimp and clams we ate as appetizers were good.
(2)
Rob T.
Having been here 10+ years ago, I thought it would be a nice place to take my girlfriend and her family to enjoy a crab dinner. We get there, and there are no crabs. The "delivery guy" wasn't going to make it to the restaurant, so we had to choose between what they call "hamburgers" and king crab legs. What choices we had! The waitress was at the bar the whole time or invisible. Pretty upsetting that this place takes up such good real estate in Bethesda. Step your game up Steamers
(1)
Susan L.
When i came to review this place, I was shocked by all the negative reviews. This was actually an A-OK place for me. The crabs weren't the best but they weren't the worst. We had a groupon for the crab feast. Yes, the decor is very casual (plastic chairs and paper table covers), but what do you expect when you're about to pig out on crabs? Who wants linen and crab shells flying all over the place? The decor fit the type of food and service offered. Our waiter was super nice and attentive. He always came back and asked if we wanted any refills on anything and to make sure we were happy. The crab feast comes with corn on the cob, fries and slaw. The fries weren't bad--just typical fries. The corn was sweet and yummy. The crabs come in about a dozen a tray ranging from small to medium and males. We had about 2-3 trays for our table and I'd say 3-5 were mushy. It's not that big of deal since they bring you an endless supply of crabs. You can just pick them out. The 3rd tray was a bit over cooked as if they left them in the steamer for just 3 minutes too long. You can always just ask for another tray. They're very accommodating. Anyway, it's a crab shack--so don't expect fancy dining. The people are nice and laid back. I did notice that they don't wash hands when handling the limes so I recommend not asking for lime in anything! For the groupon price, it's a decent place to chow on some crabs as long as you don't mind throwing away a few crummy ones. Not sure if i'd come back without the groupon? The crabs are listed at an unknown market price so I can't say if it's worth it or not. At the moment, I don't think I'd pay more than my groupon price--although that could change if I'm truly craving some crabs!
(3)
Ataya P.
We bought a deal from LivingSocial for Steamers. Despite the reviews, we liked it here! I ordered the Stuffed Shrimp and my boyfriend ordered the Ribs & Fried Shrimp. A little pricey, but we had no complaints about the food (taste or quality). You almost expect to walk into a classy environment on the inside, considering the exterior... but, to our surprise, it's a very informal bar scene on the inside. Reminds me of a bar you stumble into off of the beach boardwalk. But it was ok! My boyfriend loved watching the game on the TV's (and apparently the TV in the men's room). We came in on a slow night, so the staff were extra accommodating. They made sure to turn on the heat lamp by our table to keep us warm. We even received free shots from the bartender! Only downside is that the kitchen closes at 8:30 pm (later if the crowd is heavier), so you may want to get there kind of early. We will be dining there again!
(4)
Nikki K.
The restaurant is trying to look shabby chic, but it's really just shabby. Dirty and smelly. After waiting a few minutes before being greeted, a server showed us to a table. I went to move the basket of condiments that had been left on a chair and a ton of fruit flies started buzzing about. I said, 'no way' and asked for a new table. Our new table had crap all over it. We promptly decided to leave.
(1)
Thomas W.
Crabs & Football--what could be better. I do see an occasional NCAA College Basketball game here. It is strange to see a crab/seafood shack in Bethesda, but it is a little off the beaten path and not a problem to park--it is strange to say this about Bethesda. I really enjoy the steamed spiced shrimp, clam steamers and the hush puppies. The real reason to come here is for the all-you-can eat Maryland Crab Feast. If you are not in the mood for that the snow crab legs are outstanding. The friendly staff, owner, and waitresses will make you feel at home. It is true that we are not in Annapolis, Baltimore, or the Eastern Shore of Maryland here, but Steamer's will usually satisfy that craving for Maryland crabs, especially during football season. Yet you will not be disappointed if you come here any time of the year.
(4)
Thuy L.
Would I eat there again? Hmm... I think I'd rather have a bird throw up in my mouth. My sister's shrimp did not come out fully cooked. The food was NOT fresh. I will never go there again.
(1)
Lisa S.
We went there after we called to make sure the crabs were fresh. They had just been delivered that day. They're a great place if you don't need the posh atmosphere and just want to enjoy a good crab cake or fresh steamed crabs. The hush puppies were AMAZING! Its a cross of a sports bar, neighborhood pub and a seafood shack. The bathrooms are dirty but the staff is really friendly and they have Yuengling, which is hard to find outside of Pennsylvania. If you enjoy banging your crab and then putting the shells into a beer bucket, this is a good place to go.
(3)
Raycal B.
I purchased a deal from Living Social for this restaurant. Had never heard of it beforehand and this past Friday I went their after the movies with a friend and the food was pretty good. We got the Hot Maryland Crab Dip for appetizer which was served with celery, carrots, pita bread and crackers and it was delicious. For our meals we got the Crab Cake platter which came with your choice of two sides. I've had better crab cakes elsewhere and the hush puppies were fried a little too hard. I ended up eating all the crab dip and taking the crab cakes home to eat later because I was full. I would definitely go here again though.
(3)
Hugo C.
A good place to launder drug money, but that's about it. As for the food, the wings and fries are decent but not spectacular. That is all I would suggest ordering there. Bar tabs are usually low which makes it an okay spot to pre-game or post-game. They are usually open a little later than the other bars in Bethesda, as well. Service is not good because most of the waitstaff is incompetent, indifferent, or worse, both.
(2)
Orlangela A.
She said..."I spent my 21st birthday here and I have to say that is wasn't what I expected. First, the whole appearance kind of threw me off; they had plastic picnic chairs with a long wooden table with an old table cloth thrown on it. They also had fishnet looking window shades and everything just looked old and used. The food was actually okay; I had the crab cake but only ate about one bite. The appetizers filled me up. The cream of crab soup, mussels and crab legs were really good, probably the best thing on the menu. Most of the people in my group got seafood and were pretty satisfied. Overall, I give this restaurant a 2...the rooms were large and open but I wasn't pleased with my overall experience there." He said..."Not my first choice to take my girlfriends 21st birthday celebration to, but it wasn't my idea. Not liking seafood I ordered a steak. Now the idea of ordering land food in a seafood restaurant isn't all that great. Lesson learned. The steak came well done, even though I ordered it medium well. We went in with a party of about 20 and the tables that they had were from Walmart...probably $25 bucks for the whole set...you know those cheap plastic ones. Well the screen that they used for a window looked like they stole it from the ghetto, besides the tears and dirt on it, it allowed for creepers to stare at us while we ate. The price of the meal did not relate to the service or the quality of the food. They need Chef Ramsey in there to clean up their act."
(2)
Ed H.
It was a good night for sitting on a patio drinking beer and eating seafood. This place is what it is. Can you get better food somewhere else? Absolutely. We chose this place for the location - we wanted outdoor seafood without having to drive to somewhere like Cantler's in Annapolis. The service was a bit slow at first, but our waiter was friendly and he did take our drinks back to be remade (they were very watery pina coladas and tasted like mildly flavoured ice). I got the fish of the day, which was tilapia. Got it blackened and spicy, which was nice. Not brilliant, but adequate. There are some good sides to choose from. The corn on the cob was great, and the hush puppies were good and took me back to my childhood -- I don't remember the last time I had hush puppies. All told, this place is for sitting on the patio and drinking, and hanging out with friends, it's not really there for cuisine.
(2)
Keith L.
good service but food... not so much! I went with a party of 8 and I do not eat crabs, so I cannot comment on them other than to say that a few were sent back as being bad (but I am told that is not uncommon for crabs); I had some mussels as an app, and two of the three I ate were rancid- smelled like dog poop! Again, that happens occasionally, but you would hope to get better quality at a seafood restaurant! I ordered the ribs/fried shrimp dinner and the ribs were terrible- clearly old and reheated and smothered with the worst bbq sauce you've ever tasted- fried shrimp not much better; sent them back and got steamed shrimp- a much better choice. still, the food was just ok and in some cases, downright terrible- Chef Ramsey would not have approved ;-)
(2)
James M.
Excellent experience! But guys, its a crab house!! Don't go to Steamers for a gourmet dining experience. Go there for crabs, shrimp, clams, etc. and a cold draft beer. I grew up in Maryland and, take it from me, this is a good place to go for crabs. Service was efficient and friendly, crabs were very good for all-u-can-eat. For $39 we had all u can eat small-medium crabs that included all-u-can-eat fries and coleslaw. Its seems to me that people writing the negative reviews of this place aren't from Maryland, don't know crabs, and don't know what a crab house is. Enough with all the negative vibes! Eat crabs, drink beer, and be merry!
(4)
Merida F.
I went to Steamers finally after passing by several times. I ended up eating outside on the porch. We ordered crab cakes and they were excellent! the outdoor patio reminds me of eating on a boardwalk on the beach during my childhood but I felt like that added to the atmosphere. We were the only ones there during that time, so the waitstaff was very attentive. I would come back!
(4)
Melanie W.
Also got acquainted with this restaurant with Groupon 2 for 1 crab feast. Have lived in Maryland most of my life, have eaten a lot of crabs. I can say it was well worth the money. The crabs were prepared very well, small and medium males, could have been seasoned a bit better but this was not a deal breaker, out of about 3 dozen we ate, maybe 2 or 3 "mushy" ones. And that happens no matter where you go. Grilled corn on the cob was excellent, came with fries and some really bad coleslaw. I found the staff EXTREMELY friendly and attentive. She never missed a chance to stop by and ask us if we needed anything and kept the crabs a comin'.
(3)
Layla B.
I've been to Steamers twice, both on Groupon deals and had an awesome experience both times. Cheap beer, drinks, and delicious (in this case unlimited) crabs make for a really fun dinner with friends. The staff is friendly and accommodating (they cleared seats for us at the bar on one occasion, gave us quarters to feed the meter, and gave us a free pitcher of beer while we were waiting out some bad weather). I recommend this place for a casual, laid back night out with friends where you'll forget you're in downtown Bethesda and you're glass will never be empty.
(4)
Mark W.
I have never had a bad crab before today. These were either overcooked or mushy. There is no excuse for a bad crab at this time of year. You could not pay me to go back to Steamers. Absolutely horrible.
(1)
Chris B.
Why can't you rate zero (0) stars?! The staff seemed like it was their first day and they definitely didn't care. When the appetizer came at the same time as the entrees, I was told, "Sometimes that happens, buddy." We sat without drinks often: "I'm going to get them now." "Oh yea, I'm going to get them now." "Oh, you don't have your drinks yet." The food -- snow crabs legs and my friend had the crabcake -- was unbelievably overcooked. The crab meat was welded to the shell. It was awful.
(1)
Randi V.
Another wonderful meal. Alicia and team gave us great service. Food was hot, fresh and delicious.
(5)
Lee M.
After surviving 4 hours of pissing dook-dook, I had some spare time to type (with gloved hands) my experience at this diarrhea palace. Let me tell ya', if you need to lose eight pounds fast, Steamers is the place! Forget about Ex Lax, Glycerine suppositories, or latte enemas, the fried crab balls will have your bung hole asking "What is this? Memorial Day at the Lincoln Tunnel?" Ladies: if you think your man wants some crabs, find a cheap hooker. The last thing you want is to remember a milestone in your relationship only whenever you pass a sewage treatment plant or the dog drops a big ol' pile on the neighbor' front lawn. "Hey honey, remember that time you took me to Steamers and I had to get a butthole transplant?"
(1)
David W.
The server was great. The condiments were fine. The crabs were disgusting. Over cooked, mealy, and an embarrassment to the seafood industry. I am a former chef with Cordon Bleu credentials. Save your money.
(2)
Maria K.
Went here for my husband's birthday with the Groupon for the all you can eat 2 hour crab feast. The food we got was good. I only got one mushy crab, but the rest were great! The fries were really yummy, corn was yummy, and cole slaw was ok. It was a casual atmosphere, so i really wasn't expecting anything gourmet for the sides. The main reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because the service was suuuuuuuuuper slow! Super duper slow! Probably a result from a lot of people using the groupon... but still. So ridiculously slow. Think it took 30 minute to get any food on the table. And when we ordered more crab and sides... well it didn't come out quickly either... I put in the extra order before we were done figuring they'd be slow... and it still didn't come out when we were done.
(3)
J L.
I will never return to this dump. I was totally shocked by how run down it is. Just gettin up the steps was a total hazard. The boards are loose and the deck is totally sunken in. My husband and I arrived on a Friday evening and the hostess was in the middle of yelling at some customers because the reservation they made was for. 4 people and they ended up having 5. She was extremely rude. She threw down our silverware without even asking us if we wanted indoor or outdoor seating. Before we even had a chance to interject,someone from the kitchen came out to say there were no more crabs. On.A.Friday.Night. The hostess walked off and left us standing there. She announced in everyone's general direction that all you can eat crabs were done for the night and walked off and that was that. She never even came back to see if we would maybe want something else on the menu. Do not waste your time. Also-if you need handicap access they have none so don't bother. This place is terrible.
(1)
Robin T.
I went with significant apprehension based on the reviews on the site, but had a Buy With Me coupon to use up. I was pleasantly surprised! My boyfriend is not a seafood eater, but he thought his burger was really good as were the onion rings. I got the crab stuffed shrimp and hush puppies (yummy!) They have the outdoor area nicely covered and have heat lamps on which made it pleasant. It is a louder place, but it's a bar, so it's not so unexpected. My biggest complaint would be the price- $27 for my dish seemed high and I wouldn't come again unless I had another coupon. But if there was one, I would come.
(3)
Victoria S.
Steamers is so out of place - it seems like it should be in Dewey Beach or Ocean City. It's NEVER crowded. The most crowded I have seen it is when a friend of mine invited me to a work function here. It's on the edge of Bethesda at the end of the street out of way of the rest of the bars. But close enough to Caddies, Rock Bottom and Union Jacks that I seem to go here more often than I would like. I can describe it as a dive bar with seafood. Don't ask me why...I just end up here on occasion. It's a place to escape the crowds of drunk people where you can actually sit down and have a conversation with friends if you don't mind the seafood smell. (yuk)
(3)
Stan F.
This is more than eating fresh seafood, this is a Maryland tradition. Buckets of steamed blue crabs seasoned with old bay, picnic style tables hammers, all you can eat, corn on the cob, fries, drawn butter or vinegar
(5)
Alison T.
I am a frequent YELP visitor, but had never written a review until my dining experience last week COMPELLED me to join! This is my story.. Last Friday a bunch of girlfriends that I grew up with decided to catch up over crabs. One of the girls recommended this place, and though she was the only one who had been, we all agreed. We sat on the deck and had a very friendly waitress who told us about the all-you-can-eat crab special for $40. With it you got unlimited crabs and 2 sides, seemed like an easy choice. So two of us got that the other two decided to get the rib special that came with shrimp or a crab cake. The crabs came out first, and in record time, and we all tried them. I didn't know it was possible to have a 'bad' crab, but they were gross and mushy with a strange aftertaste. They were so bad that we had our waitress come over and try one. To which she agreed we had a bad batch, and brought out fresh ones. These weren't as mushy as the first batch, but still not great. The ribs were inedible. I have never seen, or tasted anything like them, I'm still not convinced they were ribs. They didn't resemble them in the least bit and were extremely overcooked. My friends crab cake was almost completely filler. We sent it back and got shrimp and king crab legs. Our waitress was super cool about us sending stuff back, but it shouldn't take 3 attempts to please an easygoing group of 20 somethings. To cap off the 3 strikes, at the end of our meal I noticed two mice running around at the table next to ours. When we told the waitress, she explained how they lived under the deck, and how cute they were. All and all, I can say it was my worst overall dining experience, the only reason I paid for my meal was because the waitress was sweet, and the bad food wasn't her fault. So beware, steer clear from this place, this was a fishy NIGHTMARE! And how ironic that the person who suggested this place didn't even end up showing up! Guess the joke was on us!
(1)
Christopher M.
We were a table of 9 people that sat on the deck for the first warm day of the year and everyone complimented the food. A lot of us worked in the restaurant business and many of us have been there before and we were commenting on the staff and the service. . Especially our server Stephanie and Adrienne. Crabs were good sized, all of our food came out promptly and hot.... and drinks came on time. We call it a great start to the spring season ...good luck the rest of the year
(5)
AJ D.
The service was a bit off, far too uncomfortable in nature but the food was decent. If you are looking for a really casual setting and service this place will fit the bill.
(3)
Ellen W.
We loved the all you can eat crabs. Service was a little slow for the place not being busy but the food was great! This place had the best fries and corn and the crabs were pretty big for auce. Will definitely come back. Parking was a lot better than Bethesda Crabhouse.
(5)
LD H.
Had a Groupon for this place (crab feast for two) - called ahead to make sure they could accommodate us, which they could (Oct 8 - a Monday that some people had off from work, but it wasn't a County holiday so I had to pay the parking meter). Let's start with the ambiance. From the outside it is non-descript, with an outdoor eating area. This is a place that has the typical outside siding on the exterior walls but the roof is one of those heavy tents you see at weddings and such - which was a very nice touch, and to accommodate the lack of insulation, they had the huge outdoor space heaters positioned around the area inside. We weren't cold, but neither did we take off our jackets. Someone in another area had asked for their unit to be turned up and it was, so when someone else came in and wanted to sit at the table near them, the host did make sure the family understood it would be warm there, which they were fine with. The atmosphere was sports bar type. There was a game on (don't remember what) but it was relatively low key and not noisy. It was also early in the evening, about 5:30 pm at the time [by the time we left, most of the tables were filled]. On to the food. We ordered, and to my surprise they did not have iced tea. So I stuck with water and my companion had beer. The first things the waitress brought out were the corn, french fries, and cole slaw...way before the crabs ever arrived. The corn was a bit sad looking and not crisp, the fries were great, and the cole slaw was unremarkable. However, it didn't matter as I didn't eat much of this since I was not going to fill up on this. So all this was cold by the time the crabs came...but you can ask for more, which I did and this time the corn was fresh and crisp and hot. The butter we were given in one little tub to share but I asked for my own and waitress was prompt bringing another (did I mention it was cool in the place? Oh, yeah, I did ... well the butter had solidified before we were done with the crabs but you could ask for more). Since we were one of the first diners of the evening, I suspect the first corn had been left over from the previous evening, as the second batch was wonderful. On to the crabs. Well, a party of six that came in after us got served their crab feast first, with us about 10 minutes later (not happy, but oh, well). But we dug in when they came and they were nice size male crabs. Generous portions, too...they don't scrimp on their offering. Some of the crabs were mushy when opened, but we just discarded them and kept going. Waitress came by occasionally to ensure we had all we needed - very attentive. For the second 'batch' of crabs I asked for just a couple, and we were served more than the first batch we had gotten. I did read the reviews of others that didn't have such a great experience, so it sounds a lot like who is in the kitchen and who is serving as well as how many patrons are in the place. I really enjoyed myself and so did my companion.
(4)
jeff c.
Place is kind of stuffy..almost to the point of being uncomfortable. The food was good though!
(3)
Ryan L.
the place is more of a crab house, but there was other seafood choices to choose from. their maryland blue point oysters were good and not too expensive for half a dozen. the burgers has actual crab meat instead of imitation crab meat. which makes it a little more expensive, but the price is still decent. i recommend eating here if you have a craving for crabs
(3)
Steven B.
For those who value style over substance or fine fixtures over fine food, this is not the restaurant for you. If you prefer to be wooed and pampered rather than enjoy your food, this is not the choice for you. If you would be willing to pay a fisherman to prepare your steak, or ask a shoemaker to paint your house, this is not your restaurant. However, if you want to eat seafood, at a seafood restaurant, one of the best known and longest surviving in Bethesda, while enjoying the game on any one of their many screens and in the company of a friendly staff, Steamers is the place for you! Situated at the end of Norfolk Avenue, at the end of Bethesda's so called restaurant section, Steamers has long been a choice for crab pickers and football watchers (crabs and football is what Maryland does, by the way). The same "family" of bar, wait, and kitchen staff has run Steamers for well over a decade, and in Bethesda, even ten years without closing is quite a feat. So you know they're doing something right. As someone who loves seafood, who would go to Ruth's Chris (or maybe even Outback) for a steak, and a crab house for crabs, and who has lived in Bethesda all my life, I truly appreciate the restaurant business in this town. It is plainly obvious to anyone who has spent more than a mere two days here that Bethesda's clientele is well versed in eating out, they only go where the eating is best, and that if a particular restaurant is not doing so well, the customers don't come. I can think of a certain chef who was made famous by cooking at what is regarded at one of Bethesda's finest restaurants (if you're from here, you'll know, but I won't tell). He had the skills and the financial backing, but when he left to start his own restaurant, he shut down inside a year. We're very picky eaters in Bethesda, and I argue that Steamers longevity alone is testament to its quality over quantity, its substance over style, and it's friendly family atmosphere. Moreover, Steamers is situated atop a hill, and therefore it does not use or need blinds on the windows.
(4)
Rawhide W.
I was introduced to this location by family while traveling had the all u can eat crab feast. It was a Monday night so the place was empty. Judging from some of the reviews it might have been a good thing. Crabs were good and they did keep the tray full. Fries, Cole slaw and a little corn accompanied our feast. Everything went well although the table did smell like a spoiled rag was used to clean up. Other than that we had no issues, service was great and attentive. Perhaps they are getting the hint, or this was a case of not being a busy night. Either way I'd return for another feast.
(4)
Lashawn G.
Pretty good crabs not a lot of old bay as I like but manageable. I had the crab feast which I believe is the best value especially if you hungry and love crabs as I do...but I will warn you that the bathrooms are a little undesirable and I got at least (3) crabs that's seemed rotten or old! The crab creamy soup was on point and the drinks were really good. But I will probably not be coming back here anytime soon. Still living my quarterdeck in Arlington!! Next I will go to Annapolis to try them there!!
(3)
Virtual M.
Went here for a "family and friends night out" about 3 weeks ago. The bartender was nice, very nice as a matter of fact. once everyone arrived we headed to a large table, we were seated near a TV and they changed the channel to what we wanted to watch (couldn't be because half the people at the table knew the owner? possibly) but for that simple reason, you would think that we would receive edible food.. everyone pretty much just ordered apps. but due to the fact that me and my friend had just worked all day and had not eaten yet we went for dinner food. I ordered the King Crab legs, for 26 bucks, they were less than okay.. they were very light, not much meat to them and no seasoning on them at all, they butter they brought out with it had already started getting hard when the meal was brought out, but I will say the fries and hushpuppies were ok. My friend ordered the 24 dollar scallop dinner. The first set of scallops, maybe 7 little tiny things, were so over salted and seasoned that they were inedible, so, those were sent back and another order was brought out, this time they were a gleaming white, like they had not even been cooked, scallops are supposed to have a nice sear on them, these just looked like someone took them from the freezer and stuck them in the microwave, the excuse this time, the chef (yea right) did not want to over cook them for fear they might "shrink in size" what the heck does that mean? We live in MD, we know good seafood and bad seafood and this was just bad. So in lieu of the 2 bad orders of scallops my friend was offered anything else she wanted on the menu, reasonably being scared to order anything else, we finally talked her into a piece of blackened tilapia. it was at least edible, but it surely wasn't blackened. she ate it anyways, as she was starving by this time, all she had was a big old plate of cole slaw and some of my crab legs, which there wasn't much to those. I've heard of this place several times due to my friends knowing the owner quite well, finally after 2 years, I go, and this is what happens. I probably wont go back again unless its for beers and an order of fries.
(1)
PC W.
How about Bethesda's worst seafood? I came here two years ago and it was very disappointing. I forget what I had but I remember how bad the service was and when we all left we said "never again", shaking our heads in unison.
(1)
Kate F.
Yikes. I've eaten at Steamers a few times over the year, but never again. I was served rotten crabs (smelled so terrible) on our first tray of crabs. The waitress was very sorry and promised us (I kid you not) "a tray of crabs that were recently cooked"!...as opposed to what? So, she bring out the next tray and the first two crabs we had were water logged- over cooked. I went for my second crab from the tray and removed the top shell and the smell of ammonia overwhelmed our table and the waitress was again horrified at the rotten crabs she served us for the second time. Not only did the crab smell awful, but the crab had white and blue mold growing on the inside. Needless to say, I was so disappointed when we left. It was a total killjoy and NO we didn't have to pay after a little resistance from the waitress as we ate some French fries over the course of our experience. And in case your wondering, yes, we both (my mother and I) got sick. Still not 100% and crabs do not sound appetizing. Please be careful of crabs at Steamers. I saw a family with three small girls as we left and I wish I had said something to them, but I didn't want to make a scene and I really wanted to get home as I was beginning to feel ill.
(1)
Amanda I.
Went here with a groupon for lunch today for the second time. There was only one other table when we went, so we did not have a problem with service. He was ready to take our order before we were, and when we were ready came back right away. We got the Maryland crab soup, there was a good amount of crab the broth had a kick to it, not much spiciness though and there were a lot of vegetables which I liked. I also ordered a crabby pretzel, which was my favorite last time and this time! A big soft pretzel topped with crab dip and cheese, how could I not like it! This time there were parts that were difficult to cut through, but I ended up liking the extra crunch. That one is an absolute have to get. I split the broiled fish tacos with my boyfriend, it came with 2 tacos (larger than normal taco size) with a good amount of fish and cabbage/tomato filling as well as sauce. However I wish I ordered the sauce on the side, I'm not the biggest fan of mayo- like sauces and there was a lot on them. I ended up eating the last half of the fish without the tortilla (because I was super stuffed and the extra sauciness). I would definitely order them again sauce on the side. Best part- it came with 2 sides. We got hush puppies, let me tell you these come as a huge portion, they are smaller than some other hush puppies I've had, but there were like 20 of them. AND they were served with honey on the side, never had them like that before and it was a cool spin. Other side we got corn on the cob, so it was good nothing special with that. I had a good experience both times I have come, leaving super stuffed (both were lunch time) and would go back again, especially for that crabby pretzel!
(4)
J. L.
I tried to be open-minded and adventurous today, walking into an establishment without first skimming through its online reputation. Big mistake, folks. Stay away for your own health. tl;dr Pros: -The waitress was super sweet and accomodating. But no waitress is sweet enough to make me suffer through this again. Cons: -To add insult to the injury of truly mediocre-tasting seafood, I started to fall extremely sick *during* the meal. I paid and sped out, leaving my leftovers behind out of pure instinct. Within 20 minutes, I had to leave my car in the nearest lot and Uber it to the nearest urgent care center. -I first thought I'd chalk it up to the warm weather and bad luck. I had thus headed to the CVS to grab some tummy ache meds from CVS, but the pharmacists all took one look at my face and pointed me straight to urgent care. When I told the receptionist where I got sick from, she stared at me with disbelief and said, "Girl, you should have KNOWN not to go there. That place is infamous for this." -I'm recovering now, and easily 200 dollars poorer if you tally up the cost of food, medical treatment, and medicine. I'm also sad that it's not a good seafood place. I thought it could be my spot to reminisce about Maine in. Oh well. -Waves of of garbage stench will waft across the seating out on the patio in nice weather.
(1)
Navi B.
This dump is closed. More details: bethesdamagazine.com/Bet…
(1)
Bryant R.
Went for a school event. Crabs were "unlimited," but they came out more and more slowly as the afternoon went on. I have been told by a local that these were relatively small crabs and low in meat so after all the effort of eating them, we went for a burger afterward, anyway.
(2)
Jill P.
Perhaps the owner(s) and manager(s) should sit down one day and try everything on the menu. (Did not have crabs so I won't comment on crabs.) A group of childhood friends gathered here recently on a Friday night. Many were in from out of town for a high school reunion. My vodka tonic was ok. I ordered the fish tacos. They were horrible. The taco shells (flour tortilla) appeared to be 8" and entirely too large for a portion and what they were filled with. There were large chopped pieces of cabbage and onion. I didn't recognize anything else. If there was fish in there, I couldn't see it. No sauce no flavor. (Hint- try the fish tacos at Wild Tomato and try to replicate it. A winner every time.) The friend on my left ordered a crab cake sandwich. It was an overlooked patty of undeterminable mush. He sent it back and said he wouldn't pay for it. The friend to my right ordered a cheeseburger cooked medium. What he got was an overlooked grey burger with bacon and cheese on it. He sent it back and 45 minutes later was presented with a burger he actually enjoyed that was cooked properly.45 minutes?! The friend across the table from me ordered a salad with no onions. She got a salad full of chopped onions that she could not eat. Another friend got a seafood pizza. That could have been an ok dish but it was completely soggy. There appears to be no supervision in the kitchen and zero quality control. A comment about the indoor heaters- the room needed to be better ventilated. Those heaters give off a noxious odor and we had to ask that the front door be propped open. That would have been satisfactory if the cigarette smokers had been directed to stand elsewhere and not in front of the door. The cigarette smoke filled the room. Back to my first comment about the owners/managers- get pro-active if you care about your business. Time for an overhaul.
(1)
Evan J.
Better places to find food and service. Place was not to busy, but you would think it was packed for how long the appetizers took. Frankly they took so long they just brought it with our food, which was not impressive. Burgers were undercooked though outside looked well done (I ordered it medium). Rings were overcooked and some of the family found the crabs to be a bit watery. $75 for 12 medium crabs is also way to much in my option.
(2)
Stacey B.
While the crabs were good, the wait staff was attentive, and the weather was beautiful outside, sitting on the semi-outdoor patio (white with red awning) was a terrible idea. The aroma of garbage and other unsavory scents seem to make their way across this patio, ruining ones' appetite. The staff were kind and they tried to explain, but the intermittent odor was enough to make me rethink my choice the next time I'm looking for an outside spot to dine on a beautiful, Sunday afternoon.
(1)
Ningxi X.
Yum.... crabs and frozen pina coladas! More like a 3.5 stars, allthough I have to say I may be somewhat biased since it's hard for me to give a low rating to a seafood restaurant. The place is pretty laid-back and almost like a fish shack. The service we received was really attentive, so I don't really know if it's usually spotty since other yelpers seem to have felt otherwise. The portions were generous, and I was quickly filled up way before I could finish my crab cake entree. Plus, free wifi with the password "crabs." Perfect spot to chill with friends or go on a casual date with some cold beer and delicious seafood!
(3)
Liza P.
Feeling Crabby---Then this is the place to come! My norm for Crabs is "Bethesda Crab House", but thought I would go out of my comfort zone and try something new, and boy am I glad I did! While the service was a bit touch and go, (she seemed a bit young and un-sure) the Crabs (From Texas) were every bit the Xtra Large we ordered and only paid $100 for a DZ?!!!! Between us TWO we could only eat FIVE! That is how meaty and heavy they were, not to mention the legs were like MALLETS in their own right! We also got a 1/2 LB of Steamed Shrimp, and let me tell you cooked PEEEEEEEEERFECTLY! Our buckets of beer we're CHILLED and delicious. And did I mention if you sit out doors on their covered yet fan controlled deck, you can also bring your DOG?! ***The only thing I mention to you "FOODIE YELPERS" if you like OLD FASHIONED old bay, bring your own, they only have a mix which to me was a bit salty? But even that being said it was good. After finishing our dinner we decided to head to the BAR for a night cap, the Bartenders Don and Miguel were exceptional! Not only was the bar staff friendly but prompt in their drink deliveries! An over all of those two completely being in sync and really knowing how to treat their customers! Because of that they seemed to collect an attractive crowd of couples, who were also engaging and very friendly. We will definitely be back, as a matter of fact I CANNOT WAIT!
(5)
Maria L.
This place is a dump. Dingy, dark, and damp on the inside, it reeks of pesticide (there is a reason for this, as I'll explain in a moment.) I opted to sit outside. I would have turned around and left, but I had a Groupon that had to be used. So first, the waitress didn't even greet me- I had told the hostess that I had a Groupon, so I officially became "the Groupon person." She came to the table and said, "You have a Groupon, right? Please give it to me." Okay, hello to you, too, missy! She also told me they had no drink specials even though I saw specials on the blackboard inside. Two of them tried to get me to order the all you can eat blue crabs, but I decided to get 3 crabs, 1/2 lb of steamed shrimp, and a bowl of cream of crab soup with a couple of Corona lights. The soup was an abhorrent cream of salt, and the crabs were a joke. They only had mediums, and although they did give me six instead of the three because they were so small, it did not make up for the fact that they were light as a feather, mushy, and empty. Two of them were "bad". If I had ordered a dozen of them (at $70 a dozen, mind you) I would have refused to pay. The shrimp saved the day, fortunately, but did not affect my rating. To top off the lousy service, the waitress did not give me a pen to sign my credit card slip, nor did she give me the normally requisite hand-wipes after my meal. This disappointing experience also came at a hefty price tag of $55. So I told a friend about my experience and he indicated that the restaurant was recently shut-down due to multiple health violations, including fly and roach infestations-- hence the lovely aroma in the main dining room! I just looked it up online and here's what I found: archive.wusa9.com/(S(xcy… In short: don't think about it!!
(1)
Kanisha W.
Went for the ayce crabs which were a nice size and good. The side dishes that come with the ayce crabs were also large portions and good. Went with 3 other couples so 6 ppl altogether so an 18% gratuity was added to each couple's bill which the waitress did not deserve! She was rude and acted as if we were bothering her by requesting anything. Always had to get her attention and ask multiple times for things. We ordered crab balls which were burnt and looked like they were cooked in old grease. The jumbo shrimp were nicely seasoned as well as the crabs. We were told they were running out of ayce crabs which was ridiculous. What happened to ayce??? The owner came out and spoke with us he was nice but clearly drunk ( stumbling and smelled of alcohol). He was sitting at the bar drinking in front of the customers.I watched him serving food and having trouble standing and finding the correct tables for the food. That is very unacceptable behavior from an owner. The local drunks at the bar seemed to be having a great time. Will probably find a different crab house next time I go to Maryland.
(2)
Elise A.
Crab feast - You will be tempting fate if you eat crabs at this restaurant. In the last month I stupidly tried eating their crab feast 2x. The first time the crabs reeked of ammonia indicating they were decayed. We left the restaurant. Thinking that may have been a fluke, I went back again. The crabs were even worse, ammonia smell, over cooked to the point the shells were black and the meat grey. In addition the few that looked edible tasted funny. Thankfully I wasn't sick. Do not eat here! I'd give it a minus 1 if I could
(1)
Byron G.
I came here after I bought a livingsocial voucher, I received very bad customer service. Felt very un welcomed and the server had an attitude. Some guy (her manager maybe) cursed her out in front of everyone and then her attitude completely changed. She started smiling and had a better attitude towards us. Despite her positive attitude change she got our order wrong and forgot to bring out my kids food and them tried to bill me for it. The crabs were good and that was the main reason for the visit. Id give the customer service 0 stars if possible and the food 4 stars overall experience 2 stars.
(2)
Michelle N.
Like others, I was expecting a bad time based on the reviews, but with a great groupon (I think) deal, my friend and I checked out Steamers anyway. Upon seating, my friend and I were immediately acknowledged by the staff. They took our order and gave us all the tools we needed. I think my only complaint would have been that it took awhile for the crabs to arrive at our table (my fav place they come out almost immediately) however it was just a sign that our crabs were steamed to order. The crabs were probably medium sized but still packed full of meat. The seasoning was flavorful without being too salty. It was a good ol' messy time. I passed on the coleslaw, the corn on the cob was a little on the small size, and the fries were okay. I'm here for the crabs. No time for filler stuff! I don't know how much all you can eat crabs would normally cost here (guess it depends on the season) but the deal is awesome. It's definitely worth a try. Just remember to tip for the full amount. Don't expect some sort of 5 star experience here. You're picking crabs. The place is going to be a little messy, smelly, and a little tacky. Dress casually.
(4)
Katie S.
Crabs were good. (Though there were a few bad ones) Service was great and ambience is the typical seafood/crab places that has that patio feel with the tents and chairs. If you are in the Bethesda area and are looking for some good crabs check this place out. I dont think there are many in the area. Good for a nice summer day dinner. Try the all-you-can eat crabs. The hush puppies and corn were also very good. If you have any issues, like a few of the reviews I read, why didn't you tried talking to the manager? They seemed very accommodating. People invest in business to make money. All business owners understand the importance of customer service. Typically customers who are unhappy either have high expectations and don't give the business an opportunity to fix problems or too demanding. There's always 2 sides to a story. We were happy with our dinner, though it is alittle pricy. Don't listen to reviews with groupons. Most groupons customers are overly demanding, and they want everything for free. This is one of the places I'd say try for yourself instead of looking at the over all ratings, you may be happy.
(4)
Elias F.
This place was one of worst seafood places I have ever been. Looks like a rat hole, food tastes 6 months old. Only redeeming quality bartender was friendly.
(1)
J C.
My husband and I came here looking for a good seafood place in Moco. We love crabs and didn't want to drive too far. For starters, the service was okay. We went after the lunch rush since we wanted to do the all you can eat crab option. We got seated pretty quickly and the waitress took our order. They brought our sides of coleslaw, fries, corn etc. Then they brought the crabs. I know that other yelpers mentioned that they didn't refill the food often but our waitress asked us what we wanted more of. Honestly, we didn't come for the fries so we never asked for more sides. As for the food... we weren't that impressed. The crabs were small and they seemed dirty. The crabs had a funny smell to them. I should have known better. Towards the end, I opened a crab and it was rotten inside. That pretty much ended the meal right there. Later I found out about the health violations that they had. Bleh
(2)
David S.
Worst crab feast I have ever had. Second round smelled like ammonia( spoiled). Small crabs and very light. I cant think of a positive. I don't really make reviews but when a restaurant goes so far out of their way to be disappointing I feel I have to warn others.
(1)
Lynette S.
This place has a worse reputation than it really deserves as far as I can tell. We ordered the Maryland crab soup, which was pretty good albeit not very crabby, the crab pretzel which was the star of the show, and the fried crab cakes which weren't winning any awards but definitely weren't bad. The service was alright. Overall, not the greatest restaurant on the planet, but better than I would have expected based on other reviews I've seen.
(4)
Alexa L.
Not enough places like this around for independent, cool vibe, non-corporate great seafood eating. It's exactly what I had been searching for: brown paper on the table, roll of paper towels, low-key vibe without trashy people and most importantly: Wonderful seafood. Try the Steamers Platter for two. Best seafood experience I've had in years.
(4)
Mandana Y.
Rude. Trust Yelp. Always trust Yelp. I purchased the crab-fest groupon, two of them, for 4 people each. I called a couple days ahead, made a reservation for Friday at 6:30 and said we were coming in with our groupons. The woman on the phone was extremely nice and thanked me for making the reservation so they can be sure to be able to accommodate us. Fast forward to Friday at 6:30. Walk in. Hostess: Are you here for crabs? Me: Yes! Hostess: We don't have any. Me: Oh, um I have a reservation, for 8? We called ahead and made a reservation... Hostess: Well we ran out. We won't have any for at least 2 hours, if they come, and then they wouldn't be ready for another 30 minutes. Me: Well I had called ahead, why didn't anyone call me and let me know? Hostess: It JUST happened an hour ago. Me: So why didn't someone call me an hour ago? Hostess: What do you want me to do there aren't any crabs. Me: Well I don't feel very comfortable with this, can I speak to a manager. Hostess: He's not here, he's on his way in. Me: That's alright, I'll wait. Another Hostess: [walks up to the hostess stand] Can I help you? Me: Well I had a reservation for 8 people, we all drove here from different parts of the DMV for crabs. I understand that you don't have crabs but I don't appreciate how rude and dismissive you guys are being about this. It's a Friday night at 6:30... Another Hostess: Well I don't know what to tell you. There are no crabs. Go to Bethesda Crab House. Me: So you're basically kicking us out? You're showing no desire to retain us as paying customers. Another Hostess: I don't know what you want from us. Me: I want nothing, I'd just like to speak to the manager. I'll wait till he gets here. Another Hostess: Oh I'm a manager. Me: [to myself - Bitch you're a liar, your coworker just said the manager, a guy, is on his way in] Okay in that case, best of luck to your crab house that doesn't have crabs. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. Mandana has finally learned her lesson.
(1)
AE W.
All - Make sure to read the reviews 10-15 deep. That is where the truth lies! Yikes! Service, food experience was all sub-par
(1)
Yoda E.
Purchased a Groupon for all-you-can-eat crabs. Made a reservation the day before. Confirmed we would be eating crabs. I'm in town visiting from California so I was super excited about this. We drove 45 minutes to the restaurant and emptied our pockets to feed the meter. I am not kidding you when I tell you that the manager came out to tell us that THEY WERE OUT OF CRABS!!! The manager told us they ran out of crabs yesterday, ordered an emergency supply, and ran out again. She insisted several times that it was not her fault! Who's fault is it? The crab's fault?! Did the crabs not order enough crabs to serve over a holiday weekend? Did the crabs post a groupon and then not order enough crabs to be able to serve customers? I don't think so. Shame on you Steamers.
(1)
A N.
This is an *extremely narrow* endorsement of Steamers, and relates to *outdoor deck* only. Steamers' pleasant outdoor deck is a great venue, especially during uncrowded hours, when you are missing the beach. Stick to simpler options: spiced shrimp and its excellent cocktail sauce or steamed mussels, for example. The onion rings are excellent. The cole slaw is very fresh but would benefit from less sugar. If you order simply and sit on the deck, you can have a good time at Steamers. Not worth it if no deck seating is available. We go a couple of times a year in the summer on off hours (say 2.30-4.30 pm). A number of caveats: 1)Despite the name, you can't get steamers here, even though (according to my server) customers request them frequently. This is an obvious lapse. 2)The interior is dingy and poorly decorated. Fine if you want a frat house atmosphere, otherwise stay away. 3)Even though Steamers is tremendously casual, its prices are not. My 4 stars are for the beachy deck with simple seafood, especially during uncrowded hours. Makes me feel like I've been to the shore.
(4)
Dee S.
Trust the negative reviews. I waited forever for my order of clams, and they arrived cold. I refused the order and left. Years ago, I had enjoyed eating crabs here, but Steamers seems to have gone downhill. Very sad.
(1)
Vincent M.
Went on Saturday with my family. The place seemed sleepy but I thought that was just atmosphere. The waitress was terrible. Came and disappeared for 20-30 minutes at a time. I ordered a frozen drink - it never came. We all ran out of water - nothing. Empty glasses the whole night. She never came back and asked if we needed more. Remember: it was 100 degrees on Saturday! Food was average but service was so bad I could not focus on anything else.
(1)
Phi N.
Not sure why this place gets such bad reviews... but the all you can eat crabs were good. Crabs were meaty and of decent size. Came with corn, fries, and coleslaw. Oh, and I also started off with the cream of crab soup, which was also pretty good. I'll be back for more.
(3)
Shadi S.
Trust in Yelp - the reviews speak for themselves. I wish I could give it no stars. Obviously the restaurant participated in the Groupon promotion to get some business. But what the restaurant fails to realize is if you have rude staff, terrible organization, and poor management, no amount of deals and promotions will get bodies (and revenue) in the door. I drove 22 miles to Steamers in my excitement to have crabs with my friends. They were out of crabs by 6pm on a FRIDAY night. Before the dinner crowd, even. And the staff was outright disrespectful, unapologetic, and didn't care that we were disappointed. They literally insisted we leave and go to another establishment (haha smart business!). I don't understand what kind of person is organizing this place. Clearly they don't even want business. Management: train your staff better. And how about preparing enough food for dinnertime on the weekend - especially when you're participating in a Groupon deal to increase business. I don't care if I sound pompous. I've worked in the industry. It's not rocket science. Trust in Yelp.
(1)
Marie Z.
I got the Groupon, I read the Yelp reviews and I was expecting the worst. It was far from it. We went on Sunday at 3:00 PM, no problem parking or getting a table. We got the crab dip for a starter, it was a generous portion and it was pretty darn good. Our crabs came to the table quickly as well as the reorders. The crabs were small to medium, perfectly cooked, they were heavy (some places get the light crabs, crabs have less meat just after they molt) and sweet just like they are suppose to be. Between the two of us we went through 40 crabs. Our waitress checked back with us frequently, perfect service. The coolest was our waitress let us take home the 8 crabs we did not finish. My suggestions, Go off peak hours If you sit on the patio, sit under the fans, it keeps the flies away Do NOT park in the Sherwin Williams parking lot, we watched a few cars get towed off. If you order beer, ask the price, $18.50 for a little pitcher of draft beer was the shocker on the bill.
(4)
Mark M.
I was expecting to have a bad experience based on the numerous negative reviews on Yelp! but i was pleasantly surprised. I went with one of my friends on Saturday around 3 PM. We were seated immediately, our server was very nice and the food came out really quickly. We went with the buffalo shrimp as a starter and then the crab feast for our entrees. The crabs were seasoned perfectly and were overall delicious! They were very quick to bring us additional crabs and anything else that we asked for. In summary, I'm not really sure why there are so many negative reviews. I had a very enjoyable experience and will definitely return at some point in the future. I would probably recommend not going during peak hours and if you are going to go with the crab feast, call in advance to make sure they have plenty of crabs in stock. The only thing that could have been better would be if their beer pitchers were bigger. They are pretty small.
(4)
Andy B.
I love me a good dive bar. I love me a good dive bar with seafood even better. Used the Groupon for the crab feast. Ate a ton, drank a bunch, and had a good old time with friends. At Steamers, you get what you'd expect upon entering the restaurant. Anything above that is a plus. I added a star to this review to offset all the negative reviews I read before going ... and I would return in a heartbeat
(4)
Helen C.
My friends and I got the Groupon for the unlimited crab feast. I think the meal was worth it for the price of the groupon, but definitely not for the regular price. It was nice to sit outside and our servers were really nice. Our only complaint was that the crabs were clearly not cooked while they were alive, which would have made their shells softer. Also, a bunch of the crabs were bad and inedible. Go to Baltimore if you want a really good crab experience!
(3)
Sandi R.
Best creamy crab soup I have ever had. Smooth & full of sweet crab meat. Perfect! Crab balls were 9 small poppers, delicious, crispy on the outside & full of crab (not breading). Casual "beachy" atmosphere. Very nice staff. Plastic patio chairs were a bit uncomfortable but sufficient for the decor. Love the outdoor patio seating.
(4)
Natasha S.
My girlfriend and I had purchased the "All you can eat crab feast for two" from Groupon and decided to use it on a Wednesday night, assuming it would be least busiest. I called first to see whether they had availability, then showed up around 15 minutes after. We were seated immediately, and the place was actually pretty busy. It seemed that we weren't the only ones there to redeem a Groupon, but additionally there was a Nationals game on which fed the loud roaring drunk obnoxious men hooting and hollering next to us the entire time. Moving on... We ordered the crab feast and the spiced shrimp as our appetizer. The shrimps were very large and tasty, but not super fresh. You could tell they were frozen ahead of time. The crab feast came with corn on the cob, fries and coleslaw which I thought was good, except for the coleslaw. It was plain awful. The crabs were male smalls and a few male mediums here and there. The quality was decent. Some crabs were meaty and pretty tasty while some were just really bad. I just avoided those, and moved on to the next crab and batch. From the reviews about this place, it seems I may have caught them on a pretty good night. Because our food wasn't THAT bad. Again, decent food. But not the best crabs. I doubt that we would come here again, we only really wanted to take advantage of the Groupon. One thing I have to praise them about is our good service from our waitress. I don't know her name, but she had tattoos and short hair. Super nice and attentive. She made sure we were stocked up on crabs and never passed our table without making sure we were okay. She was excellent, and down to earth. Probably one the best servers I've had in some time.
(3)
Marsha E.
went with friends for all you can eat crabs.....had a difficult time getting our waitress to bring drinks and more crabs. asked other staff to bring which they did.
(2)
Rebecca G.
Don't know what others are expecting from a crab house? If this place was plunked down next to the Chesapeake Bay or on the Boardwalk in OC it would be a gem. Sure it's run down. Sure it smells like beer and crabs. Sure the football games are way too loud. But I didn't come for that I came to eat CRABS. With my groupon, we polished off several dozen crabs, plates of fries, corn (frozen not fresh ) and cole slaw (not my favorite recipe). Good choices of beer on tap, pitchers available. And decent crabs ( though ditch the generic spice and splurge for the Old Bay) - wait staff was friendly and several folks kept us well stocked. And they let me take home my leftover crabs - crab soup! will be looking out for the next groupon.
(4)
Linda R.
Cons- stinky (old seafood smell) & flies! Pros- delicious 5 star food! We had raw oysters, crab & avocado salad (with LOTS of crab), and crab cakes (delicious!!). I'll come back & look for the Groupon next time ;o)
(4)
Jill K.
Great place to go if you want day old crabs... Crabs tasted horrible. They were mealy, tasted reheated and old.
(1)
Jesse P.
I would not recommend this place to anyone, and giving one star is far too generous. They have terrible, awful, despicable customer service practices, like telling you they are all out of crabs 20 minutes into your 2 hour crab feast (if you're low, why seat us for the feast to begin with?), serving food that isn't even edible, ignoring you, adding mystery un-explained extra charges on your bill, and overall just treating customers poorly. By the way... that extra money they charged me is "just how the computer rings it up" according to our waitress, so chances are if you've eaten here, they've overcharged you as well (LOOK CLOSELY, as the charges aren't listed, just added to the totals!). Never, have I ever, been to a business that just adds money to a bill and then expects you to pay it (I don't care if it is just a couple dollars!!) I can't figure out how this place is even in business after my experience there. Believe the reviews!!!!!!!
(1)
Nick R.
The whole staff including the owner are cocaine addicts. He got the biz from his daddy cuz he's a yuppy BCC bama. My sons mother worked there and cocaine flows through there like water. He/Trey is a creeper and avoid that place. Crabs are shitty and so is the atmosphere. Crossroads in Dayton 34.99 all you can eat and worth it vs Bethesda drama.
(1)
Norma S.
Crab feast! Great amount of food. No need for side dishes. Although they have them on the menu along with burgers and other stuff. I didn't even bother looking for what else I could select. Nice casual spot with indoor and outdoor sitting. Go with a big appetite and enjoy! Cheers! ** We did receive some that seemed like a bad batch. The waitress was more than willing to appease our request. We quickly received a new tray of healthy bright white crabs. at the end... full tummies and messy hands! :)
(4)
Anthony R.
Not nice when you have to pay to eat with a lot of flies all around you. Never ever again.
(1)
Aaron S.
I'm sort of surprised by all the negative responses. Granted, this isn't as good as "Bethesda Crab Shack" but is in no way on par with "Long John Silvers". If you are looking for a fancy and not run down looking place, you can go to any number of other restaurants in Bethesda. however, I thought that the atmosphere was an added charm to this place. I ordered the crab and 1/2 rack of ribs meal and I have to say it was pretty tasty. The sauce on the ribs was a little too sweet, but the crabcake and the hush puppies were satisfying! The best part though had to be the beach pail drinks! Delicious!!! The sweet tea vodka drink was so incredible! No issues with the servers either! I'd come back again
(3)
A. J.
unlike
(1)
Ron S.
Unfortunately, the lowest score is one star. I wish there was something lower and this place would get it. Went to try the crab feast using Groupon coupon. Corn was over cooked and dry, cole slaw had no taste and most of the crabs were MUSHY! The waitress replaced the mushy ones but it appeared that about 50% were mushy. Later, I talked to a knowledgeable crab man who said that mushy crabs mean that the crab was DEAD before cooking. Two in our party got sick that night! - we will NEVER go back to this place.
(1)
Jonathan E.
Great crabs, awesome outdoor patio, super-friendly staff, and my one of my favorite restaurants in Bethesda. I actually had my rehearsal dinner here and Steamers rocks. They bent over backwards to make our evening perfect. I come back here once every two weeks in the Spring and Summer. It's a great place and if you like crabs, there is not a better spot. I spend hours here hanging out on a Friday night relaxing, drinking beer, and taking in the evening over the best crabs in DC.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Gibran H.
Yeah
(5)Jenny A.
I bought the groupon for 2 for the crab feast. After I purchased it I was a little leery considering all of the bad reviews on here. I purposely decided to go on a Tuesday night, since a majority of the bad reviews seem to say that weekends were a bad night to go. We were seated promptly and the waitress came and got us drinks and we ordered some additional appetizers, and the crabs were out in short order. They were small crabs, but the two of us probably eat about a dozen each. They were good, considering they were on the small side, but it didn't bother us. Our bill for 2 after the groupon was deducted was around $10. Yes, they do add a groupon upcharge - but the groupon coupon specifically said there would be a charge at the restaurant, so it didnt bother since I knew going in. It was a muggy hot night and we sat inside, and it was a little uncomfortable temperature wise, and there was a movie going on outside on the streets of Bethesda, so it was a little noisy too, but overall, it didnt bother me. No complaints, but I guess we lucked out on a good night.
(4)Bill S.
Hey, we liked it! A number of reviewers said it was a dump, its not. Its a crab shack recreation in trendy Bethesda. So if you are looking for a fancy gourmet meal this is not for you. But.. if you want huge portions of real Maryland style seafood. This is the place! The service was OK, the beer was cheap. we started off with a half pound of steamed shrimp. When the waitress brought out a huge portion of 15 count shrimp we made sure she hadn't doubled the order. The shrimp were perfect. I had a bowl of very good Maryland crab soup and the stuffed shrimp for an entree. That portion with sides was also huge. Phyllis got the crab cake which she claimed had too much breading. After stuffing our faces we had another complete meal from what we took home. This is a great place to go with a bear drinking crowd.
(4)Deb G.
I'm surprised at all the terrible reviews - we had a really nice meal here. Crabs were out of season, but we had the seafood bake with clams, mussels, shrimp, and snow crab legs. The shrimp were great, as were the clams. The mussels were good but some were still sort of dirty, while the snow crab legs were a little overcooked but still tasty. And the hush puppies were super! Super!
(4)Baby G.
I have no idea what you all are saying about this being the worst place you've been to, bad customer service and the owner is nasty, etc. I have been here twice within the last 2 weeks(today, being my 2nd visit) and have had nothing but excellent service. As a matter of fact the owner was running all of the tables by himself for a long time while we were there. He constantly walked past everyone asking if everything was okay, and refilled their beverages. I guess most of you are snobby people that walk in with your nose up in the air wanting everyone to kiss your a$$. To all the people that have given this establishment bad reviews probably were the cause of why things went wrong in the first place and now want to bash it. ** YELPERS** DON'T LISTEN TO ANY OF THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS ON HERE. THIS PLACE IS WAY BETTER THAN THE BETHESDA CRAB HOUSE. THEIR CRABS FOR THE ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB FEAST WERE VERY MEATY & DELICIOUS AS WELL AS THE CORN, FRIES & COLESLAW THAT COME WITH IT. THANK YOU TREY LESTRANGE FOR YOUR EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE TODAY, WE WILL DEFINITELY BE BACK!
(5)Bruce A.
So sad. Used to go here in the '90's and loved it-as did my family for so many years. Took my girlfriend there for her birthday, with much hype and old stories from great crabs and times from my past. What a disappointment. The place is now a dump. Dilapidated (downright dangerous) stairs exist upto the restaurant, flies everywhere, a wait staff that hates each other and argued in front of everyone-- swearing in front of a table with little kids. I mean, come on...throwing the f-word in front of a 4 year old which almost came to blows over their scheduling issues or something that should have taken place out of sight. Just discovered the restaurant was shut down in mid-september for 24 health code violations that are now corrected. What's so disappointing is that the crabs were actually good...and what should be the easiest to keep in line, ambiance and wait-staff just flat out--sucked. Until they can get their act together again, fix the stairs and basically clean the place up....stay away. I know it's a crab house but, the filth is just plain-gross.
(1)Annie S.
We saw nothing but poor reviews before going but we had a groupon so we decided to try it out. Not going back. The crabs were terrible. I don't know if they were frozen or just poorly cooked but they were just bad. Also, there's small crabs and there's illegal sized crabs. They certainly toed the line with the later. The waitress was pleasant enough but not very good. When the "butter" (which was fake) came out, it had chunks floating and at the bottom of it. When we questioned it, were told not to worry about it, that it was just hardened butter. I can assure you it was not. Fake movie theater butter doesn't harden and none of our butter had even changed state in 2 1/2 hours. Silver lining... The music was good but it's a radio station youncan get in your car which would be a far more enjoyable place to listen to it. Pass
(1)Liz G.
Sigh. I really wanted to LOVE this place. As a native Washingtonian, who spent almost every summer of her youth on the North Carolina/Georgia coast, I love seafood. I also know that shrimp and crabs are not very difficult to cook. I bought the Groupon for the two-hour all you can eat crab feast for two. We also ordered spiced shrimp, and my bf, who doesn't enjoy the work it takes to eat crabs, ordered fish and chips. The service was spotty- obviously a bunch of high school kids who don't really care, but managed to keep us with drinks the whole time. The food: * Crabs were small males, some were borderline rotten, and all of them were WAY overcooked. The only plus side is the seasoning, which was great. But the crabs themselves were seriously questionable. * Corn on the cob, slaw and fries (comes with the crab feast)- corn was literally the saddest ear of corn I've ever seen. Not cleaned well, with silk and husk pieces, withered kernels and ultimately inedible. The slaw was a joke. Tasteless and loose. The fries were the best part, which is unfortunate for a seafood joint. * Shrimp were seasoned well but ludicrously overcooked. I've never worked so hard to get the shell off of a shrimp. The meat was rubbery and you could tell that they were fresh a LONG time ago. * Fish and chips were apparently bland and unworthy of any other adjectives. I'd love to see this place get a bit of help in the kitchen. In the meantime, I'll be looking elsewhere for my seafood.
(2)Jim B.
Heed the negative reviews ... I did not :-( It has been my experience that sometimes the food can overcome major flaws in a restaurant's operation. Sadly Steamers DID NOT fall into that category! Please do not repeat my error and avoid this debacle, of a so called "Seafood House/Crab Shack", at all costs and have a nice meal elsewhere! I visited Steamers on my birthday (reservations on Tues. at 5:45pm made over a week in advance!) with four family members who all ordered off the menu except myself, who expressly chose Steamers too pick crabs on my birthday. I ordered a dozen "large as you have" crabs and proceeded to wait and wait for my order (note: the restaurant was relatively empty). Some 30 minutes later the server comes to the table and says they are "expecting some larger crabs" and they will be out soon, to my chagrin the rest of my family are well into their entrees! Thirty minutes later, still no crabs, my family has finished their entrees, and I notice the adjacent table of two, sat 45 minutes after ours (again w/no crabs), was eating crabs!! The server returns and says "they are almost ready"?? I asked how is it that the adjacent table is halfway through a dozen crabs? I was told "they ordered small crabs". Needless to say I lost it and asked for the check, and prepared to leave immediately. The manager never made an appearance and the server handled the situation horribly and did not offer me anything (e.g., App., couple of small crabs, something?) during the whole ordeal. Based on my experience at Steamers I would have to evaluate the myriad negative reviews of Steamers as much too kind! In hindsight there were a few warning signs that I did not heed, the numerous "terrible" service reviews, when making the reservation was asked if I was bringing a "Groupon" (I was not, but why would that matter for a reservation, especially on a Tuesday??), the large "Happy Hour til' 8pm" sign out front - but when our drink orders were taken, told HH only at the "laughable" bar (a postage stamp sized bar that might fit patrons 7 tops!). The final telltale sign to be had was after being seated - I observed a large party come in and then be shuffled between two rooms of this nearly empty restaurant, as our server stopped in mid-sentence to run over and direct them to another station; then return to the initial station 10 minutes later, a terrific start for them! Please don't say you were not warned. I can't! ;-)
(1)Matt D.
The server was about the only good thing about this place.
(1)Jason A.
Considering all of the places to grab some beer & crabs in Maryland, this is the absolute BEST in the DC area for sure!! The atmosphere is just as dive-y as you would expect for a crab joint & I could not have been more delighted. One tip....call ahead for any orders of steamed crabs to save you some time. If the weather is nice, sit out on the HUGE porch & enjoy!
(5)Ringo C.
Went last night 7/17 Horrible service and food. STEER CLEAR of that place. Waste of time and money! Staff members were not kind. Food was subpar. Go somewhere else!
(1)Sam D.
We bought the Groupon and went on Saturday around 3:30 pm expecting to wait for a table. The only good thing about this experience was that they sat us right away. But it was all downhill from there, and I guess that's why it wasn't full. We told the waitress we had the groupon as soon as we sat down, ordered our drinks and she left. After about 10 minutes, she returned with our drinks and said quickly "crabs should be about 10 minutes" and walked away. She did not ask us if we wanted to start with something (fries, coleslaw, and corn were included in the groupon) OR didn't even ask if we wanted to order anything else off the menu, since we asked her to hang onto one (and we would have if we had been given the chance). At that point, I looked around. 4 tables were waiting on crabs in addition to us. Everyone else had already started and were waiting for their next batch of crabs. We waited for 45 minutes. Our server never came back. Other servers didn't ask us if we needed anything. Not only were we waiting for crabs for almost an hour, but we had each one drink that was not refilled and were not asked if we would like anything in the meantime. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I've worked in the food industry for 6 years and have never seen such blatant disregard for customers. We went inside and asked the hostess for our tab. Our waitress came out of hiding to ask if we were leaving and then went and yelled at her manager to let him know we were leaving. She came back, told us we could leave, and we did. Came home and returned the groupon, you couldn't pay me to go back there again.
(1)Jessica H.
I purchased a Livingsocial deal for this place. OMG- what a dump. I love crab houses and this place gives ALL crab houses a bad name. Horrible services, and flies everywhere. I ordered oysters and fried crab balls to start. The oysters were served to me only HALF shucked! SOOOO much shell, unbelievable. If I am paying $2 plus for oysters, at least clean them. The crab balls were all balls and no crab. It took almost an hour to get two appetizers, and our waitress was talking with other staff members, sitting down and cutting lemon. I watched her, she got up, served us our beers...did NOT wash her hands, and continued to chop away at the lemon....ew....CROSS-CONTAMINATION...Needless to say, we left, and did not pay for anything! I called Livingsocial and got a refund. I told them to revoke their deal if they don't want to be responsible for people getting sick.
(1)Emilia B.
I was disappointed with the dingy atmosphere and lack of cleanliness at Steamers. We ordered the crab legs with sides. The hush puppies were quite good and the corn was decent. The crab leg meat was tasty. Our food came out in a good amount of time. We were on the patio and there were flies above each table. The wooden steps around the restaurant are quite risky to walk on and dilapidated. The bar crowd is a bit loud and drunk, even at 5pm(!) The inside portion of the place is stuffy. I asked if they had A/C (for future reference if I ever wanted to come here during the summer months) and they said 'nope.' The menu offerings, especially the crab legs and all-you-can-eat options, are totally overpriced, especially given that the place is rather unkempt and too casual for my taste. I think this place deserves the lower rating because our poor comrades who ordered the all-you-can-eat crabs (at 5pm) waited almost 2 hours only to be served with undercooked crabs (yuck!)
(2)Tiffany M.
Came with a groupon at 5pm on Saturday. Staff was friendly upon arrival. After being seated, about 5 minutes later, another couple was seated by us. It took a while to get our order but the other couple ordered their crab feast about 5 minutes before us. No joke, we didn't get French fries and corn until after 6pm. Meanwhile the couple next to us was already on their second round of crabs before we got one round. It was extremely frustrating. Now onto the food. The French fries were good, the corn was absolutely terrible. I think it's deep fried but it was hard and crunchy and stuck to your teeth. The crabs weren't bad. Out of three batches we probably had 4 crabs that weren't good which I find normal for an AYCE crab feast. We have another groupon that I may offer to someone because it was just an event to come here considering we waited an hour for food.
(1)Bella G.
I know times are rough but I had the last draw there when they charged us for refills on the iced tea. Who does that especially at a crab house for iced tea?
(2)Peaceful S.
YUCK and NEVER AGAIN are words I use to describe this DUMP !! The regulars must keep the lights on there. I wish they would keep the heat on too because its freezing inside. I should've turned around once I noticed the standing space heaters upon entering. My mom suggested the place after purchasing a *groupon* and I guess you get what you pay for. I ordered the Crab and Advocado salad which came with a WHOLE head of lettuce and a tablespoon of shredded crabmeat...scattered advocado and soggy tomatoes. STRIKE ONE I thought, maybe the entree will make up the points. I then decided not to order an entree but orderd the crab quesadillas' instead..STRIKE TWO !! BLAND AND BURNED ...well at least the kids are happy. NOPE..STRIKE THREE !! My daughters chicken tenders were burned beyond recognition. How in the *HELL-O DARLIN* can you burn chicken tenders..I'm through trying to figure that part out. The bathroom is like an outhouse..you'll be wearing a coat/scarf the whole time if you visit in the winter time so LAYER UP !! The prices were no where near comparable to the PUPPYCHOW they serve. Overpriced to say the least* Service was ehhhhh...alright if you like being overtalked by your waitress. She seemed pretty amped up and talked loudly as if she was out at a club the night before and her ears hadn't POPPED yet. Simmer down lady... Oh well...I came... I ate and I WON'T be going back ....EVER !!
(1)Kristin J.
This place is terrible. The shrimp and cod are frozen. How is that a restaurant in Maryland can not manage to have fresh seafood?! I ordered the Cod and received one funky piece of rubbery still half frozen cod. The rest of the plate was overflowing with french fries and salad. $20 for that! The rest of my party was unsatisfied as well. The waiter received a large tip for lack luster service b/c we had a party over five or six (which it didn't disclose on the menu). However, it was completely undeserving. Before leaving we overheard another party at a nearby table complain about the overflow of fillers as well. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)Yang C.
After reading all the negative reviews, we really regretted about getting the groupon. Expecting the worst, we went on Saturday night and got there at 5:30pm all the way from Ashburn VA. The place had some seafood stinks, but no surprise there since it's a crab shack place. The server was really nice, the first batch of crabs has a couple of bad ones or empty/mushy, but our reorders came quickly and they were nice meaty crabs. 2 of us went through about 50 crabs, the server never slowed down bringing more to our table or give us weird looks. The drinks could have been refilled quicker, but I can't complain since our last all you can eat crab place took forever to bring out the reorders. I'd definitely come again if there's another groupon deal.
(4)Candle P.
Nice place to enjoy all u can eat crabs! I bought a groupon and was a little hesitant after reading the reviews but I like to experience things for myself and we were not disappointed! The wait staff was friendly and they all helped each other keep the customers served and happy. I will say that it was a little hot inside and they opened the doors to catch the breeze, the flies had a field day with that! They also have an open patio if you desire to eat outside. As far as the decor is concerned it ties into the seafood atmosphere. Why would a restaurant where you are expected to get hands dirty have upscale dining tables and chairs????? Go with the flow, enjoy the crabs and other seafood, I would definitely return (with another groupon, of course) otherwise it is quite a distance from my home.
(4)Douglas M.
Loved the food and our waitress Alicia was very attentive
(4)Jess M.
My friends and I used to call this our go-to crab shack, but we will be moving on after this last experience. The service is fine, and if you order the crab feast, the sides are great, but the actual crabs were horrible. Over half the crabs we received were mushy and tasted rotten. For as much as we paid for our food, we deserved better and will find it elsewhere.
(2)Chase M.
I went for the Groupon deal-all you can eat crabs- and could not have had a better time. There was always hot crabs coming out and they tasted great. The shrimp was amazing as well. The Service- PERFECT. They were on top of their game, and they have some pretty cute waitresses as an added bonus. I strongly recommend this place to anyone. The restaurant was a lot of fun and I will definitely be back with friends.
(4)Bill R.
Staff was not very friendly and welcoming. Felt like we were a burden to our waitress and there were only 6 people in the place. Didn't even bother ordering food. When I finally tracked down the bar tender so I could close my tab I found her drinking outside with what was probably the manager or another customer. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!!!!!
(1)Kerr K.
TERRIBLE DINING EXPERIENCE WITH HORRIBLE SERVICE!!!! VERY RUDE OWNER!! I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TO MY WORST ENEMY" If Negative Stars were Possible, I would rate Steamers, with Negative Stars!!! Bought A Groupon for a Crab Feast for $39, (a $77.00 Value). I also purchased one for my sister as a gift and we were allowed to all sit together. Our party was a total of 4 people (3 adults and 1 child ). We also ordered a side of Hush Puppies and a round of drinks. Service was very basic. Crabs were mostly small. Menus, condiments were very sticky. When we got our final bill, we went ahead and paid, but then noticed an issue, which I thought to ask our Server, just to understand the breakdown. Our round of drinks, hush puppies ($17) and Gratuity of $35.50 was automatically included for our table of 4. Taxes were assessed on the Estimated Value ($154) and not on the Actual Price. We were also charged an Additional $2.00 (plus tax and Gratuity). Our Grand total for the "Feast" $225.58. (Total out of pocket to cover taxes, gratuity and $17 of drinks, $69.58). Although it is customary to tip on the total pre-groupon value, it was not stated on the Groupon promotion or anywhere on the menu, that Gratuity would be automatically added. When I asked the Server why I was being charged $2.00 extra on the Groupon Promotion, she replied that the price of the Crabs Feast had gone up by $2.00 since the Groupon was offered and that she had to charge extra for it. I explained to her that she didn't have to adjust the bill since we had already paid, but that it was not right. She replied that she was not the owner and she would get the owner and I could speak with him. When the owner (older male) came, I extended my hand to greet him and politely and calmly explained the issue. The owner was not apologetic at all and became defensive saying they were not doing anything wrong and that it was only $2.00. I explained to him, that I had no problem paying for my purchases, but being charged an extra $2.00 (or any amount) without my knowledge was not right, especially when I had already paid for the GROUPON. The Owner kept on insisting they were not doing anything wrong and it was it was only $2.00. I further explained to him that as a customer, I felt that being charged extra (regardless of amount), without my knowledge and consent, was not right and unethical. (How many other people Groupon Customers were being charged the Extra $2.00, plus tax and gratuity without their knowledge or Consent?). I insisted that it was NOT RIGHT. He kept on insisting it was only $2.00 and he was not doing anything wrong. In anger he proceeded to pull a stack of cash out of his pocket and said "since you are making such a big deal, here is your $2.00". I declined the $2.00 and told him he could add it to our Server's tip who was standing next to us the entire time of the conversation. I ended the conversation and proceeded to leave. As I turned to walk away, the Owner of Steamers said "Don't come Back" and added "F**ker" also clearly audible to my 11 year old child who was standing along side us during the entire conversation!!! I would NEVER go back to this place.. There are many other nicer establishments, with better food, cleaner environment and most important, better customer service in the DC Metro area... What can you expect from a place that has a sign on the wall that states something like.... No whining, $5.00 Extra charge!!
(1)Matt C.
Did the groupon deal and had a fun time. Crabs and sides were great (the fries, seemingly under appreciated, were amazing; so was the seasoning on the crabs). One downside- I don't normally critique service, but our server was especially lethargic on not a crowded night.
(4)Jane J.
This was our second visit to Steamer's. We were looking for a place in Bethesda where you could play Keno and this seemed to be the only place to go. Both times we have sat at the bar and I have had the steamed crabs while this time my other half had a burger. The bar is not huge and this is more or less an outdoor restaurant. I say that loosely in that a good portion of the place is a deck either with or without a tent over it. It is not air conditioned so if it is hot you are going to be warm here. But the fact that it is a funky beach style place makes it much different and more laid back from the upscale restaurants in Bethesda. This place has a good number of regulars and don't be surprised to see a number of them at the bar. They are there to play Keno etc and drink. One of the regulars was getting a little out of control and the bar tender was keeping an eye on him and telling him to behave. I appreciated that as I was sitting near him at the bar. As we have only sat at the bar I don't know how the wait staff is but the bar crew are all friendly and look out for you and are as responsive as possible when they are pretty busy. I love steamed crabs and it is not summer without them. The first time I was there I thought the crabs were very wet. It took away from the flavor but they were still good. I had the jumbos the first time around and this time I had the mediums. The mediums were cooked just right and were really good with a lot of nice meat in them. I know I had to wait for a bit but we were playing keno so really did not notice the time but not more then 30 minutes max. My other half had the burger and thought it was ok not great. He was more interested in how his keno numbers were going so don't think he was paying much attention to what he ate. I have eaten crabs in a number of places from Captain Pell's to Dewey and Virginia Beach. I don't think that eating the crabs here are any worse or better then I have had anywhere else. You get some crabs that are light on meat no matter where you go and some that are a bit over cooked as it is just the nature of the beast with crabs and crowds. If you go on a busy night it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out you are going to have to wait for a while. I am looking forward to going back and having some more and winning some bucks back from our keno run. I just hope the drunk guy at the bar will not spray me every time he talks. THAT was disgusting. I think we got a price break on our bill because of him.
(3)Linda F.
I came here for lunch with a friend. Pretty nice outdoor seating area (as in they had one). Service was slow and almost non existent. I ordered the crabby patty with a side of fries. The fries were good. The crab meat was bland and the burger was bland and dry. Not coming here again.
(2)Anne S.
I gave one star because you have to rate the restaurant. Really, honestly, the worst crab I have ever seen or attempted to eat. Steamers smells like a rotten fish market and it certainly is obvious why. The crap was rotten. Go anywhere else.
(1)Scott M.
We (2 of us) went this past Sunday at 5:00. the place was crowded. The 13 year old hostess (I wont say who greeted us) who met us as we walked in ask if we had a reservation. We said no and she started giving us a hard time about it. We had called eariler and were told we didint need one. She continued on and said she didint know why anyone would have told us that, then, in the same breath said well, all reservations are full and we arent rtaking anymore maybe. Maybe? You dont know? What!?!?! At that moment an adult hostess greeted us and verified we were a party of 2 and seated us immedatly w/out further questions. Our waiter (Brandon I think was his name) appeared right away ant took our order. We ordered the all you can eat crabs. He asked if we had a groupon which we did. Our food came in a very reasonable time being that everytying was made fresh and to order. Each time we ordered more crabs they came out quite promptly. On one occasion when we ordered more the wiater saw us getting low and had already put in an order for us for more crabs. Im not sure where all of the hell that others went through comes from as I said, the place was full and all the staff was very busy but our waiter kept right on top of us all the way until the end. I cant ask for more than that. Oh, and all ofthe food, the crabs, the corn and the fries were all piping hot when brought to the table. With the exception of the initial ordeal with the little girl at the hostess stand when we walked in where she tried to run us out the door I have no complaints or issues at all. I would have given a 3 star but the waiter was so good I went to 4.
(4)r y.
I went to Steamer's for a all-you-can-eat function with a large group. I had the spicy shrimp, all you can eat Crabs and some coleslaw. The Shrimp were fresh and HUGE and the crabs were sweet and had lots of meat. The coleslaw was okay. It was super messy, but I ate my fill and I was very happy. My co-workers said that the hush puppies are amazing (I had a tiny bite - they were good) and the corn was super sweet and tasty. Our server was very good and kept cleaning out the buckets and bringing beverages. Overall, it was a very nice experience. I was really concerned after all these negative reviews, but my personal experience was different.
(4)Douglas M.
Pei mussels had a strong odor and were of a strange consistency, crabby pretzel is pretty gross, and the crab cakes were bland and mushy and it's pretty expensive to boot stay away!
(1)Steve C.
I think it is unfair that I cannot give this establishment a zero. What a steaming pile. I used to come here for one bartender in particular, but after the manager (his dad lets him run the place) got so hammered he called me a "f****** f*****," groped my fiance, and then got kicked out by his own staff for trying to pick a fight with another patron -- why come back? I would rather support good people that are trying to add to the community. Also, if you have children and you let them eat here, the State should take them from you.
(1)William M.
The reviews of Steamers are obviously all over the place. I have been there twice in the past 9 months and both times it was pretty good to very good. It is what it is - this is not a fancy place by any means - plastic tables and chairs with brown paper covering the tables. The restaurant mostly feels like a big deck under a large tent - it is a crab shack! My wife and I recently went for crabs and appetizers - the crabs were excellent. They were cooked just right and they kept them coming. We also had the steamed shrimp and "crab balls" which were both very good. Drinks were also very good and reasonably priced. I am not a beer drinker but my wife is and she was pleased with the selection and the price. We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table which we expected on a beautiful night - I know when I sit down to eat crabs I plan to settle in for a while, so I assume others will do the same. The good news is they told us it would likely be a 45 minute wait but it ended up being shorter. Our server (Emma) was very pleasant, attentive and hustled the entire night even though she was very busy. The food runners and bus boys kept our table clean and tray of crabs well-stocked. As with any batch of crabs, some were more meaty than others but on average I would rate these better than most. We were told on Thursday night they have live music - we will go back again soon!
(4)Lindsey W.
I stopped in at steamers for a few drinks and so my boyfriend could play Keno. The bar area is small but it has a good crowd of regulars. They've got cheap beer specials. Steamers isn't your typical restaurant building, it's 2 separate structures connected by large tents. They have large heaters inside the tents so it's warm during the winter. Steamers is not the trendy/gourmet meal that most Bethesda folks look for, it's a crab place so it's not the cleanest restaurant in Bethesda and has a crabby smell to it. I like their steamed shrimp but have had hit or miss experiences with the rest of their menu. Crabs have been good just don't show up late on an all you can eat night!
(2)Matt H.
Liz G. and Jessica D. really nailed it with their reviews. In fact, Liz G's description of her GroupOn-based visit was almost an exactly perfect description of our GroupOn visit. Overcooked crabs. And at least half of ours were almost entirely empty--no meat! We had an all-you-can-eat crabfest for two ($77 value; GroupOn for $39). Two of our friends had one too. When it came time to pay the bill, they said "One per table" and wouldn't accept two of them. While I do understand the "one per table" policy, it was also possible to buy an all-you-can-eat crabfest GroupOn for four ($144 value; GroupOn for $78). Since we bought two GroupOns for two people (instead of one GroupOn for four people), they wouldn't accept them. This seemed a little unreasonable. Despite the lackluster service, our table of 6 was charged the standard "parties of 6 or more" 18% gratuity. After throwing in a single drink for each of us and an appetizer for the table to share, and the bill came to about $120 per couple. That's steep. We were so disappointed that we are going to let our other GroupOn expire so we can use the cash on something else. Even a second round of crabfest for $39 isn't worth it for us.
(1)Juliet K.
came here with a groupon. and granted it was not really crab season we got decent sized crabs for the crab feast. the service was good in the beginning, but then i think because they realized that we were really killing the crabs they stopped asking us if we wanted more, and we had to flag them down. otherwise the service was pretty good. i expected horrible because some of the reviews. BUT we also went when it wasnt too busy. only about half .. maybe less then half... of the tables were taken. its not a fancy place. its crabs for pete's sake. so don't expect rainbows and butterflies. just expect crabs. the fries were also yummy. i'm not sure I would pay full price of $39 per person because you get better crabs at the wharf for probably a better price. but it was worth the groupon.
(3)Bonnie W.
Sometimes you just need to get messy and have crabs. The time to do it around DC is in September/October when local crabs are at their biggest and sweetest. They are seasonal and so while you can get crabs year round you are pressing your luck on the quality. Rather than drive down to the bay, we used our Groupon for Steamers crabfeat last Saturday night. I called to check on the crab status and was told to show up by 8 pm to get the full 2 hours of all you can eat crab. We got there and had no problem getting an inside table near where other groups and families were cracking. Imagine my husbands joy when he found out we could order Octoberfest beer by the pitcher! Then our nice waitress brought our platter of 8 huge crabs fully, but overwhelmingly coated in Old Bay. Never wear good clothes to eat crabs because you will always end up with crab splatter on your shirt after hitting the claws with you wooden mallet. They were sweet and tasty. We kept hammering& slurping away, happy campers. Dont forget the good little cup of fresh slaw wirh the corn. We didnt eat the corn because we were too busy eating the crabs. My only con was the funny tasting butter which we didnt need because the crabs were so good. Originally written Oct 2012 but just posted.
(4)Laura G.
When I first saw Steamers, I was excited by what looked like a cool, fun beachy exterior. My mistake! We chose a patio table, and we were awarded for our choice with the smell of something putrid (possibly from the area below the patio) and a cloud of flies and gnats, which swirled around the tables. Meanwhile, the food was very meh. The hush puppies were good (although the ketchup, oddly enough, tasted "off."). The crab sandwich was just "okay." And the pretzel with crabby dip was mostly just pretzel and cream cheese, with little crab to speak of. For $26.00, I like a little more to my meal than freezer-pretzels and hush puppies, but considering the low crab content in both dishes, that's pretty much all we got. And the doughy bread I did eat has left me feeling a little sick to my stomach. Considering all the excellent restaurants in Bethesda, I can see no reason to return to this one.
(2)Carter H.
It's a crab shack. It's not going to be fancy, but you will be able to sit outside, drink a cold beer or pina colada, and get elbow deep in Old Bay, the Maryland way. we went on a quiet afternoon so it wasn't crowded and we did have to search a bit for our server, but I also appreciated being able to relax and take my time. Sounds like they got a bit overwhelmed with a recent Groupon deal, but give them another try, especially at a quieter time. I enjoyed my mini-beach vacation, sitting on the patio at Steamers.
(4)Vanessa K.
This place was loud, service was subpar and the crabs were tiny and overcooked. 20% Gratuity was included for a party of 4 (what a rip off for the service...or lack thereof) and there was no mention of included gratuity on the menu or anywhere else. We used a groupon and this place charged us an extra $2 (yes just two dollars but how many people are they doing this to and making extra money...seems a little shady). Also the owner is rude and disrespectful. He told a member of my party to not come back because she called them out on their overcharging. The owner is rude and used profanities around a young child. Really wouldn't recommend this place. Would go for 0 stars if I could.
(1)Angela J.
Had a great time. Came to use a Groupon and will come back! Jamie was our server and she was amazing!!
(5)Radhay C.
Not bad, you get what you pay for. I see all the negative comments and I tend to agree with a lot of them. The thing is you have to know what you are dealing with and then you have to play the game. You are not at a 4-5 star restaurant. If you want that, there are dozens of them in Bethesda, MD. I went here on a Saturday afternoon with my fiancée, around 2PM and was seated immediately. We asked to sit on the outside patio(theres a nice awning that provides good shade). It was actually nicer outside than it was inside, go figure. But anyways, there was a LONG wait and my fiancé was getting really irate(needless to say she didn't know what she was dealing with and she def didn't know how to play the game). I looked at it differently, it was so nice on the patio, almost felt as if we were at the beach. Because we had the groupon, we were served our unlimited French fries, coleslaw, and corn, all was very delicious. I urged my fiancé to get a beer and since I was driving I got an ice tea. While we waited around 45 minutes fr our crabs to come, we had a great time eating our appetizers and drinking our drinks. When the crabs finally came, they were pretty good, sometimes you will find a few dirty looking crabs in a batch but you know what?...Its all you can eat, just throw em away and order more. The trick here if your doing the crab feast, as soon as they bring your crabs out, order another batch right then and there, drinks too. If you do that, you will ALWAYS have drinks and food. This place for 2-3 hours provided good food, drinks and the perfect ambiance for me and my fiancé to spend quality time chatting up about our lives, work, etc. If you are pressed for time, DO NOT GO HERE AT ALL! Remember initially there will be a wait if you ordered crabs but remember, as soon as the crabs come out, order another set! The ambiance is really beach like on a nice sunny day if you sit on the patio and the conversation you and a loved one can have is really good. It almost felt as if we had driven down to Annapolis(minus the water of course). Well that's my two cents.
(3)L H.
I have only one thing to say. Food poisoning. Believe Yelp.
(1)Aileen F.
We have tried really hard to like this place, but I am writing this review to remind myself to just give up already. We have gotten a few livingsocial/groupon deals for here as well as just visiting without any promotion, but each time have been disappointed. The service always is slow and forget about us even when we have been the only customers. The food is always way too expensive for the quality. The last deal we did was for the 4 unlimited crabfeast meals and it was extremely lackluster. We are in Maryland, it's not hard to get good crabs, so as Seafood house what is their excuse? I only give them two stars because it has SUCH potential the way the restaurant is set up, they just need to get a new menu and new staff.
(2)Todd K.
I see the bad reviews from the groupon but I dont get it. Hadn't been there in years so didn't comment. But had a Bday crab fest there on sunday. 17 people including 5 kids. They could not have been better. 1st - Called me the morning off to confirm and asked if I wanted inside, outside, or the grill room to ourselves. (We chose the room). We got there and they were ready for us. We had our main waitress and another person helping out. they asked us what game we wanted on the TV (Picked ALL of them! Redzone). They handled multiple groupons easily, we split the check many times over. Brought the crabs out faster then we could eat them (Some were bad but MOST were GREAT). Server was GREAT. The entire experience was better then I could have hoped for!!
(5)Brendan B.
This place is terrible. We went there because we had a groupon for the crab feast. The corn was old and gross, the crabs smelled bad and appeared to have been sitting in a steamer for a few days. Then to top it all off in the middle of eating dinner and trying to give this place the benefit of the doubt a MOUSE ran across the dinning room floor. We saw the mouse and said something to the waitress. She said it was not their infestation so there was not much they could do about it. The manager came over and said this was the cleanest crab house we would ever find. We got the check and left. The other table who saw the mouse moved to another table and ate dinner. I will not be going back there again. I would highly recommend that you stay away from this place.
(1)Rif H.
Beware of the small crabs. Most of the ones we had in a batch were bad. (We actually just ordered 6 large, but twice got 12 smalls instead and decided just to eat what was in front of us.) The shrimp and clams we ate as appetizers were good.
(2)Rob T.
Having been here 10+ years ago, I thought it would be a nice place to take my girlfriend and her family to enjoy a crab dinner. We get there, and there are no crabs. The "delivery guy" wasn't going to make it to the restaurant, so we had to choose between what they call "hamburgers" and king crab legs. What choices we had! The waitress was at the bar the whole time or invisible. Pretty upsetting that this place takes up such good real estate in Bethesda. Step your game up Steamers
(1)Susan L.
When i came to review this place, I was shocked by all the negative reviews. This was actually an A-OK place for me. The crabs weren't the best but they weren't the worst. We had a groupon for the crab feast. Yes, the decor is very casual (plastic chairs and paper table covers), but what do you expect when you're about to pig out on crabs? Who wants linen and crab shells flying all over the place? The decor fit the type of food and service offered. Our waiter was super nice and attentive. He always came back and asked if we wanted any refills on anything and to make sure we were happy. The crab feast comes with corn on the cob, fries and slaw. The fries weren't bad--just typical fries. The corn was sweet and yummy. The crabs come in about a dozen a tray ranging from small to medium and males. We had about 2-3 trays for our table and I'd say 3-5 were mushy. It's not that big of deal since they bring you an endless supply of crabs. You can just pick them out. The 3rd tray was a bit over cooked as if they left them in the steamer for just 3 minutes too long. You can always just ask for another tray. They're very accommodating. Anyway, it's a crab shack--so don't expect fancy dining. The people are nice and laid back. I did notice that they don't wash hands when handling the limes so I recommend not asking for lime in anything! For the groupon price, it's a decent place to chow on some crabs as long as you don't mind throwing away a few crummy ones. Not sure if i'd come back without the groupon? The crabs are listed at an unknown market price so I can't say if it's worth it or not. At the moment, I don't think I'd pay more than my groupon price--although that could change if I'm truly craving some crabs!
(3)Ataya P.
We bought a deal from LivingSocial for Steamers. Despite the reviews, we liked it here! I ordered the Stuffed Shrimp and my boyfriend ordered the Ribs & Fried Shrimp. A little pricey, but we had no complaints about the food (taste or quality). You almost expect to walk into a classy environment on the inside, considering the exterior... but, to our surprise, it's a very informal bar scene on the inside. Reminds me of a bar you stumble into off of the beach boardwalk. But it was ok! My boyfriend loved watching the game on the TV's (and apparently the TV in the men's room). We came in on a slow night, so the staff were extra accommodating. They made sure to turn on the heat lamp by our table to keep us warm. We even received free shots from the bartender! Only downside is that the kitchen closes at 8:30 pm (later if the crowd is heavier), so you may want to get there kind of early. We will be dining there again!
(4)Nikki K.
The restaurant is trying to look shabby chic, but it's really just shabby. Dirty and smelly. After waiting a few minutes before being greeted, a server showed us to a table. I went to move the basket of condiments that had been left on a chair and a ton of fruit flies started buzzing about. I said, 'no way' and asked for a new table. Our new table had crap all over it. We promptly decided to leave.
(1)Thomas W.
Crabs & Football--what could be better. I do see an occasional NCAA College Basketball game here. It is strange to see a crab/seafood shack in Bethesda, but it is a little off the beaten path and not a problem to park--it is strange to say this about Bethesda. I really enjoy the steamed spiced shrimp, clam steamers and the hush puppies. The real reason to come here is for the all-you-can eat Maryland Crab Feast. If you are not in the mood for that the snow crab legs are outstanding. The friendly staff, owner, and waitresses will make you feel at home. It is true that we are not in Annapolis, Baltimore, or the Eastern Shore of Maryland here, but Steamer's will usually satisfy that craving for Maryland crabs, especially during football season. Yet you will not be disappointed if you come here any time of the year.
(4)Thuy L.
Would I eat there again? Hmm... I think I'd rather have a bird throw up in my mouth. My sister's shrimp did not come out fully cooked. The food was NOT fresh. I will never go there again.
(1)Lisa S.
We went there after we called to make sure the crabs were fresh. They had just been delivered that day. They're a great place if you don't need the posh atmosphere and just want to enjoy a good crab cake or fresh steamed crabs. The hush puppies were AMAZING! Its a cross of a sports bar, neighborhood pub and a seafood shack. The bathrooms are dirty but the staff is really friendly and they have Yuengling, which is hard to find outside of Pennsylvania. If you enjoy banging your crab and then putting the shells into a beer bucket, this is a good place to go.
(3)Raycal B.
I purchased a deal from Living Social for this restaurant. Had never heard of it beforehand and this past Friday I went their after the movies with a friend and the food was pretty good. We got the Hot Maryland Crab Dip for appetizer which was served with celery, carrots, pita bread and crackers and it was delicious. For our meals we got the Crab Cake platter which came with your choice of two sides. I've had better crab cakes elsewhere and the hush puppies were fried a little too hard. I ended up eating all the crab dip and taking the crab cakes home to eat later because I was full. I would definitely go here again though.
(3)Hugo C.
A good place to launder drug money, but that's about it. As for the food, the wings and fries are decent but not spectacular. That is all I would suggest ordering there. Bar tabs are usually low which makes it an okay spot to pre-game or post-game. They are usually open a little later than the other bars in Bethesda, as well. Service is not good because most of the waitstaff is incompetent, indifferent, or worse, both.
(2)Orlangela A.
She said..."I spent my 21st birthday here and I have to say that is wasn't what I expected. First, the whole appearance kind of threw me off; they had plastic picnic chairs with a long wooden table with an old table cloth thrown on it. They also had fishnet looking window shades and everything just looked old and used. The food was actually okay; I had the crab cake but only ate about one bite. The appetizers filled me up. The cream of crab soup, mussels and crab legs were really good, probably the best thing on the menu. Most of the people in my group got seafood and were pretty satisfied. Overall, I give this restaurant a 2...the rooms were large and open but I wasn't pleased with my overall experience there." He said..."Not my first choice to take my girlfriends 21st birthday celebration to, but it wasn't my idea. Not liking seafood I ordered a steak. Now the idea of ordering land food in a seafood restaurant isn't all that great. Lesson learned. The steak came well done, even though I ordered it medium well. We went in with a party of about 20 and the tables that they had were from Walmart...probably $25 bucks for the whole set...you know those cheap plastic ones. Well the screen that they used for a window looked like they stole it from the ghetto, besides the tears and dirt on it, it allowed for creepers to stare at us while we ate. The price of the meal did not relate to the service or the quality of the food. They need Chef Ramsey in there to clean up their act."
(2)Ed H.
It was a good night for sitting on a patio drinking beer and eating seafood. This place is what it is. Can you get better food somewhere else? Absolutely. We chose this place for the location - we wanted outdoor seafood without having to drive to somewhere like Cantler's in Annapolis. The service was a bit slow at first, but our waiter was friendly and he did take our drinks back to be remade (they were very watery pina coladas and tasted like mildly flavoured ice). I got the fish of the day, which was tilapia. Got it blackened and spicy, which was nice. Not brilliant, but adequate. There are some good sides to choose from. The corn on the cob was great, and the hush puppies were good and took me back to my childhood -- I don't remember the last time I had hush puppies. All told, this place is for sitting on the patio and drinking, and hanging out with friends, it's not really there for cuisine.
(2)Keith L.
good service but food... not so much! I went with a party of 8 and I do not eat crabs, so I cannot comment on them other than to say that a few were sent back as being bad (but I am told that is not uncommon for crabs); I had some mussels as an app, and two of the three I ate were rancid- smelled like dog poop! Again, that happens occasionally, but you would hope to get better quality at a seafood restaurant! I ordered the ribs/fried shrimp dinner and the ribs were terrible- clearly old and reheated and smothered with the worst bbq sauce you've ever tasted- fried shrimp not much better; sent them back and got steamed shrimp- a much better choice. still, the food was just ok and in some cases, downright terrible- Chef Ramsey would not have approved ;-)
(2)James M.
Excellent experience! But guys, its a crab house!! Don't go to Steamers for a gourmet dining experience. Go there for crabs, shrimp, clams, etc. and a cold draft beer. I grew up in Maryland and, take it from me, this is a good place to go for crabs. Service was efficient and friendly, crabs were very good for all-u-can-eat. For $39 we had all u can eat small-medium crabs that included all-u-can-eat fries and coleslaw. Its seems to me that people writing the negative reviews of this place aren't from Maryland, don't know crabs, and don't know what a crab house is. Enough with all the negative vibes! Eat crabs, drink beer, and be merry!
(4)Merida F.
I went to Steamers finally after passing by several times. I ended up eating outside on the porch. We ordered crab cakes and they were excellent! the outdoor patio reminds me of eating on a boardwalk on the beach during my childhood but I felt like that added to the atmosphere. We were the only ones there during that time, so the waitstaff was very attentive. I would come back!
(4)Melanie W.
Also got acquainted with this restaurant with Groupon 2 for 1 crab feast. Have lived in Maryland most of my life, have eaten a lot of crabs. I can say it was well worth the money. The crabs were prepared very well, small and medium males, could have been seasoned a bit better but this was not a deal breaker, out of about 3 dozen we ate, maybe 2 or 3 "mushy" ones. And that happens no matter where you go. Grilled corn on the cob was excellent, came with fries and some really bad coleslaw. I found the staff EXTREMELY friendly and attentive. She never missed a chance to stop by and ask us if we needed anything and kept the crabs a comin'.
(3)Layla B.
I've been to Steamers twice, both on Groupon deals and had an awesome experience both times. Cheap beer, drinks, and delicious (in this case unlimited) crabs make for a really fun dinner with friends. The staff is friendly and accommodating (they cleared seats for us at the bar on one occasion, gave us quarters to feed the meter, and gave us a free pitcher of beer while we were waiting out some bad weather). I recommend this place for a casual, laid back night out with friends where you'll forget you're in downtown Bethesda and you're glass will never be empty.
(4)Mark W.
I have never had a bad crab before today. These were either overcooked or mushy. There is no excuse for a bad crab at this time of year. You could not pay me to go back to Steamers. Absolutely horrible.
(1)Chris B.
Why can't you rate zero (0) stars?! The staff seemed like it was their first day and they definitely didn't care. When the appetizer came at the same time as the entrees, I was told, "Sometimes that happens, buddy." We sat without drinks often: "I'm going to get them now." "Oh yea, I'm going to get them now." "Oh, you don't have your drinks yet." The food -- snow crabs legs and my friend had the crabcake -- was unbelievably overcooked. The crab meat was welded to the shell. It was awful.
(1)Randi V.
Another wonderful meal. Alicia and team gave us great service. Food was hot, fresh and delicious.
(5)Lee M.
After surviving 4 hours of pissing dook-dook, I had some spare time to type (with gloved hands) my experience at this diarrhea palace. Let me tell ya', if you need to lose eight pounds fast, Steamers is the place! Forget about Ex Lax, Glycerine suppositories, or latte enemas, the fried crab balls will have your bung hole asking "What is this? Memorial Day at the Lincoln Tunnel?" Ladies: if you think your man wants some crabs, find a cheap hooker. The last thing you want is to remember a milestone in your relationship only whenever you pass a sewage treatment plant or the dog drops a big ol' pile on the neighbor' front lawn. "Hey honey, remember that time you took me to Steamers and I had to get a butthole transplant?"
(1)David W.
The server was great. The condiments were fine. The crabs were disgusting. Over cooked, mealy, and an embarrassment to the seafood industry. I am a former chef with Cordon Bleu credentials. Save your money.
(2)Maria K.
Went here for my husband's birthday with the Groupon for the all you can eat 2 hour crab feast. The food we got was good. I only got one mushy crab, but the rest were great! The fries were really yummy, corn was yummy, and cole slaw was ok. It was a casual atmosphere, so i really wasn't expecting anything gourmet for the sides. The main reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because the service was suuuuuuuuuper slow! Super duper slow! Probably a result from a lot of people using the groupon... but still. So ridiculously slow. Think it took 30 minute to get any food on the table. And when we ordered more crab and sides... well it didn't come out quickly either... I put in the extra order before we were done figuring they'd be slow... and it still didn't come out when we were done.
(3)J L.
I will never return to this dump. I was totally shocked by how run down it is. Just gettin up the steps was a total hazard. The boards are loose and the deck is totally sunken in. My husband and I arrived on a Friday evening and the hostess was in the middle of yelling at some customers because the reservation they made was for. 4 people and they ended up having 5. She was extremely rude. She threw down our silverware without even asking us if we wanted indoor or outdoor seating. Before we even had a chance to interject,someone from the kitchen came out to say there were no more crabs. On.A.Friday.Night. The hostess walked off and left us standing there. She announced in everyone's general direction that all you can eat crabs were done for the night and walked off and that was that. She never even came back to see if we would maybe want something else on the menu. Do not waste your time. Also-if you need handicap access they have none so don't bother. This place is terrible.
(1)Robin T.
I went with significant apprehension based on the reviews on the site, but had a Buy With Me coupon to use up. I was pleasantly surprised! My boyfriend is not a seafood eater, but he thought his burger was really good as were the onion rings. I got the crab stuffed shrimp and hush puppies (yummy!) They have the outdoor area nicely covered and have heat lamps on which made it pleasant. It is a louder place, but it's a bar, so it's not so unexpected. My biggest complaint would be the price- $27 for my dish seemed high and I wouldn't come again unless I had another coupon. But if there was one, I would come.
(3)Victoria S.
Steamers is so out of place - it seems like it should be in Dewey Beach or Ocean City. It's NEVER crowded. The most crowded I have seen it is when a friend of mine invited me to a work function here. It's on the edge of Bethesda at the end of the street out of way of the rest of the bars. But close enough to Caddies, Rock Bottom and Union Jacks that I seem to go here more often than I would like. I can describe it as a dive bar with seafood. Don't ask me why...I just end up here on occasion. It's a place to escape the crowds of drunk people where you can actually sit down and have a conversation with friends if you don't mind the seafood smell. (yuk)
(3)Stan F.
This is more than eating fresh seafood, this is a Maryland tradition. Buckets of steamed blue crabs seasoned with old bay, picnic style tables hammers, all you can eat, corn on the cob, fries, drawn butter or vinegar
(5)Alison T.
I am a frequent YELP visitor, but had never written a review until my dining experience last week COMPELLED me to join! This is my story.. Last Friday a bunch of girlfriends that I grew up with decided to catch up over crabs. One of the girls recommended this place, and though she was the only one who had been, we all agreed. We sat on the deck and had a very friendly waitress who told us about the all-you-can-eat crab special for $40. With it you got unlimited crabs and 2 sides, seemed like an easy choice. So two of us got that the other two decided to get the rib special that came with shrimp or a crab cake. The crabs came out first, and in record time, and we all tried them. I didn't know it was possible to have a 'bad' crab, but they were gross and mushy with a strange aftertaste. They were so bad that we had our waitress come over and try one. To which she agreed we had a bad batch, and brought out fresh ones. These weren't as mushy as the first batch, but still not great. The ribs were inedible. I have never seen, or tasted anything like them, I'm still not convinced they were ribs. They didn't resemble them in the least bit and were extremely overcooked. My friends crab cake was almost completely filler. We sent it back and got shrimp and king crab legs. Our waitress was super cool about us sending stuff back, but it shouldn't take 3 attempts to please an easygoing group of 20 somethings. To cap off the 3 strikes, at the end of our meal I noticed two mice running around at the table next to ours. When we told the waitress, she explained how they lived under the deck, and how cute they were. All and all, I can say it was my worst overall dining experience, the only reason I paid for my meal was because the waitress was sweet, and the bad food wasn't her fault. So beware, steer clear from this place, this was a fishy NIGHTMARE! And how ironic that the person who suggested this place didn't even end up showing up! Guess the joke was on us!
(1)Christopher M.
We were a table of 9 people that sat on the deck for the first warm day of the year and everyone complimented the food. A lot of us worked in the restaurant business and many of us have been there before and we were commenting on the staff and the service. . Especially our server Stephanie and Adrienne. Crabs were good sized, all of our food came out promptly and hot.... and drinks came on time. We call it a great start to the spring season ...good luck the rest of the year
(5)AJ D.
The service was a bit off, far too uncomfortable in nature but the food was decent. If you are looking for a really casual setting and service this place will fit the bill.
(3)Ellen W.
We loved the all you can eat crabs. Service was a little slow for the place not being busy but the food was great! This place had the best fries and corn and the crabs were pretty big for auce. Will definitely come back. Parking was a lot better than Bethesda Crabhouse.
(5)LD H.
Had a Groupon for this place (crab feast for two) - called ahead to make sure they could accommodate us, which they could (Oct 8 - a Monday that some people had off from work, but it wasn't a County holiday so I had to pay the parking meter). Let's start with the ambiance. From the outside it is non-descript, with an outdoor eating area. This is a place that has the typical outside siding on the exterior walls but the roof is one of those heavy tents you see at weddings and such - which was a very nice touch, and to accommodate the lack of insulation, they had the huge outdoor space heaters positioned around the area inside. We weren't cold, but neither did we take off our jackets. Someone in another area had asked for their unit to be turned up and it was, so when someone else came in and wanted to sit at the table near them, the host did make sure the family understood it would be warm there, which they were fine with. The atmosphere was sports bar type. There was a game on (don't remember what) but it was relatively low key and not noisy. It was also early in the evening, about 5:30 pm at the time [by the time we left, most of the tables were filled]. On to the food. We ordered, and to my surprise they did not have iced tea. So I stuck with water and my companion had beer. The first things the waitress brought out were the corn, french fries, and cole slaw...way before the crabs ever arrived. The corn was a bit sad looking and not crisp, the fries were great, and the cole slaw was unremarkable. However, it didn't matter as I didn't eat much of this since I was not going to fill up on this. So all this was cold by the time the crabs came...but you can ask for more, which I did and this time the corn was fresh and crisp and hot. The butter we were given in one little tub to share but I asked for my own and waitress was prompt bringing another (did I mention it was cool in the place? Oh, yeah, I did ... well the butter had solidified before we were done with the crabs but you could ask for more). Since we were one of the first diners of the evening, I suspect the first corn had been left over from the previous evening, as the second batch was wonderful. On to the crabs. Well, a party of six that came in after us got served their crab feast first, with us about 10 minutes later (not happy, but oh, well). But we dug in when they came and they were nice size male crabs. Generous portions, too...they don't scrimp on their offering. Some of the crabs were mushy when opened, but we just discarded them and kept going. Waitress came by occasionally to ensure we had all we needed - very attentive. For the second 'batch' of crabs I asked for just a couple, and we were served more than the first batch we had gotten. I did read the reviews of others that didn't have such a great experience, so it sounds a lot like who is in the kitchen and who is serving as well as how many patrons are in the place. I really enjoyed myself and so did my companion.
(4)jeff c.
Place is kind of stuffy..almost to the point of being uncomfortable. The food was good though!
(3)Ryan L.
the place is more of a crab house, but there was other seafood choices to choose from. their maryland blue point oysters were good and not too expensive for half a dozen. the burgers has actual crab meat instead of imitation crab meat. which makes it a little more expensive, but the price is still decent. i recommend eating here if you have a craving for crabs
(3)Steven B.
For those who value style over substance or fine fixtures over fine food, this is not the restaurant for you. If you prefer to be wooed and pampered rather than enjoy your food, this is not the choice for you. If you would be willing to pay a fisherman to prepare your steak, or ask a shoemaker to paint your house, this is not your restaurant. However, if you want to eat seafood, at a seafood restaurant, one of the best known and longest surviving in Bethesda, while enjoying the game on any one of their many screens and in the company of a friendly staff, Steamers is the place for you! Situated at the end of Norfolk Avenue, at the end of Bethesda's so called restaurant section, Steamers has long been a choice for crab pickers and football watchers (crabs and football is what Maryland does, by the way). The same "family" of bar, wait, and kitchen staff has run Steamers for well over a decade, and in Bethesda, even ten years without closing is quite a feat. So you know they're doing something right. As someone who loves seafood, who would go to Ruth's Chris (or maybe even Outback) for a steak, and a crab house for crabs, and who has lived in Bethesda all my life, I truly appreciate the restaurant business in this town. It is plainly obvious to anyone who has spent more than a mere two days here that Bethesda's clientele is well versed in eating out, they only go where the eating is best, and that if a particular restaurant is not doing so well, the customers don't come. I can think of a certain chef who was made famous by cooking at what is regarded at one of Bethesda's finest restaurants (if you're from here, you'll know, but I won't tell). He had the skills and the financial backing, but when he left to start his own restaurant, he shut down inside a year. We're very picky eaters in Bethesda, and I argue that Steamers longevity alone is testament to its quality over quantity, its substance over style, and it's friendly family atmosphere. Moreover, Steamers is situated atop a hill, and therefore it does not use or need blinds on the windows.
(4)Rawhide W.
I was introduced to this location by family while traveling had the all u can eat crab feast. It was a Monday night so the place was empty. Judging from some of the reviews it might have been a good thing. Crabs were good and they did keep the tray full. Fries, Cole slaw and a little corn accompanied our feast. Everything went well although the table did smell like a spoiled rag was used to clean up. Other than that we had no issues, service was great and attentive. Perhaps they are getting the hint, or this was a case of not being a busy night. Either way I'd return for another feast.
(4)Lashawn G.
Pretty good crabs not a lot of old bay as I like but manageable. I had the crab feast which I believe is the best value especially if you hungry and love crabs as I do...but I will warn you that the bathrooms are a little undesirable and I got at least (3) crabs that's seemed rotten or old! The crab creamy soup was on point and the drinks were really good. But I will probably not be coming back here anytime soon. Still living my quarterdeck in Arlington!! Next I will go to Annapolis to try them there!!
(3)Virtual M.
Went here for a "family and friends night out" about 3 weeks ago. The bartender was nice, very nice as a matter of fact. once everyone arrived we headed to a large table, we were seated near a TV and they changed the channel to what we wanted to watch (couldn't be because half the people at the table knew the owner? possibly) but for that simple reason, you would think that we would receive edible food.. everyone pretty much just ordered apps. but due to the fact that me and my friend had just worked all day and had not eaten yet we went for dinner food. I ordered the King Crab legs, for 26 bucks, they were less than okay.. they were very light, not much meat to them and no seasoning on them at all, they butter they brought out with it had already started getting hard when the meal was brought out, but I will say the fries and hushpuppies were ok. My friend ordered the 24 dollar scallop dinner. The first set of scallops, maybe 7 little tiny things, were so over salted and seasoned that they were inedible, so, those were sent back and another order was brought out, this time they were a gleaming white, like they had not even been cooked, scallops are supposed to have a nice sear on them, these just looked like someone took them from the freezer and stuck them in the microwave, the excuse this time, the chef (yea right) did not want to over cook them for fear they might "shrink in size" what the heck does that mean? We live in MD, we know good seafood and bad seafood and this was just bad. So in lieu of the 2 bad orders of scallops my friend was offered anything else she wanted on the menu, reasonably being scared to order anything else, we finally talked her into a piece of blackened tilapia. it was at least edible, but it surely wasn't blackened. she ate it anyways, as she was starving by this time, all she had was a big old plate of cole slaw and some of my crab legs, which there wasn't much to those. I've heard of this place several times due to my friends knowing the owner quite well, finally after 2 years, I go, and this is what happens. I probably wont go back again unless its for beers and an order of fries.
(1)PC W.
How about Bethesda's worst seafood? I came here two years ago and it was very disappointing. I forget what I had but I remember how bad the service was and when we all left we said "never again", shaking our heads in unison.
(1)Kate F.
Yikes. I've eaten at Steamers a few times over the year, but never again. I was served rotten crabs (smelled so terrible) on our first tray of crabs. The waitress was very sorry and promised us (I kid you not) "a tray of crabs that were recently cooked"!...as opposed to what? So, she bring out the next tray and the first two crabs we had were water logged- over cooked. I went for my second crab from the tray and removed the top shell and the smell of ammonia overwhelmed our table and the waitress was again horrified at the rotten crabs she served us for the second time. Not only did the crab smell awful, but the crab had white and blue mold growing on the inside. Needless to say, I was so disappointed when we left. It was a total killjoy and NO we didn't have to pay after a little resistance from the waitress as we ate some French fries over the course of our experience. And in case your wondering, yes, we both (my mother and I) got sick. Still not 100% and crabs do not sound appetizing. Please be careful of crabs at Steamers. I saw a family with three small girls as we left and I wish I had said something to them, but I didn't want to make a scene and I really wanted to get home as I was beginning to feel ill.
(1)Amanda I.
Went here with a groupon for lunch today for the second time. There was only one other table when we went, so we did not have a problem with service. He was ready to take our order before we were, and when we were ready came back right away. We got the Maryland crab soup, there was a good amount of crab the broth had a kick to it, not much spiciness though and there were a lot of vegetables which I liked. I also ordered a crabby pretzel, which was my favorite last time and this time! A big soft pretzel topped with crab dip and cheese, how could I not like it! This time there were parts that were difficult to cut through, but I ended up liking the extra crunch. That one is an absolute have to get. I split the broiled fish tacos with my boyfriend, it came with 2 tacos (larger than normal taco size) with a good amount of fish and cabbage/tomato filling as well as sauce. However I wish I ordered the sauce on the side, I'm not the biggest fan of mayo- like sauces and there was a lot on them. I ended up eating the last half of the fish without the tortilla (because I was super stuffed and the extra sauciness). I would definitely order them again sauce on the side. Best part- it came with 2 sides. We got hush puppies, let me tell you these come as a huge portion, they are smaller than some other hush puppies I've had, but there were like 20 of them. AND they were served with honey on the side, never had them like that before and it was a cool spin. Other side we got corn on the cob, so it was good nothing special with that. I had a good experience both times I have come, leaving super stuffed (both were lunch time) and would go back again, especially for that crabby pretzel!
(4)J. L.
I tried to be open-minded and adventurous today, walking into an establishment without first skimming through its online reputation. Big mistake, folks. Stay away for your own health. tl;dr Pros: -The waitress was super sweet and accomodating. But no waitress is sweet enough to make me suffer through this again. Cons: -To add insult to the injury of truly mediocre-tasting seafood, I started to fall extremely sick *during* the meal. I paid and sped out, leaving my leftovers behind out of pure instinct. Within 20 minutes, I had to leave my car in the nearest lot and Uber it to the nearest urgent care center. -I first thought I'd chalk it up to the warm weather and bad luck. I had thus headed to the CVS to grab some tummy ache meds from CVS, but the pharmacists all took one look at my face and pointed me straight to urgent care. When I told the receptionist where I got sick from, she stared at me with disbelief and said, "Girl, you should have KNOWN not to go there. That place is infamous for this." -I'm recovering now, and easily 200 dollars poorer if you tally up the cost of food, medical treatment, and medicine. I'm also sad that it's not a good seafood place. I thought it could be my spot to reminisce about Maine in. Oh well. -Waves of of garbage stench will waft across the seating out on the patio in nice weather.
(1)Navi B.
This dump is closed. More details: bethesdamagazine.com/Bet…
(1)Bryant R.
Went for a school event. Crabs were "unlimited," but they came out more and more slowly as the afternoon went on. I have been told by a local that these were relatively small crabs and low in meat so after all the effort of eating them, we went for a burger afterward, anyway.
(2)Jill P.
Perhaps the owner(s) and manager(s) should sit down one day and try everything on the menu. (Did not have crabs so I won't comment on crabs.) A group of childhood friends gathered here recently on a Friday night. Many were in from out of town for a high school reunion. My vodka tonic was ok. I ordered the fish tacos. They were horrible. The taco shells (flour tortilla) appeared to be 8" and entirely too large for a portion and what they were filled with. There were large chopped pieces of cabbage and onion. I didn't recognize anything else. If there was fish in there, I couldn't see it. No sauce no flavor. (Hint- try the fish tacos at Wild Tomato and try to replicate it. A winner every time.) The friend on my left ordered a crab cake sandwich. It was an overlooked patty of undeterminable mush. He sent it back and said he wouldn't pay for it. The friend to my right ordered a cheeseburger cooked medium. What he got was an overlooked grey burger with bacon and cheese on it. He sent it back and 45 minutes later was presented with a burger he actually enjoyed that was cooked properly.45 minutes?! The friend across the table from me ordered a salad with no onions. She got a salad full of chopped onions that she could not eat. Another friend got a seafood pizza. That could have been an ok dish but it was completely soggy. There appears to be no supervision in the kitchen and zero quality control. A comment about the indoor heaters- the room needed to be better ventilated. Those heaters give off a noxious odor and we had to ask that the front door be propped open. That would have been satisfactory if the cigarette smokers had been directed to stand elsewhere and not in front of the door. The cigarette smoke filled the room. Back to my first comment about the owners/managers- get pro-active if you care about your business. Time for an overhaul.
(1)Evan J.
Better places to find food and service. Place was not to busy, but you would think it was packed for how long the appetizers took. Frankly they took so long they just brought it with our food, which was not impressive. Burgers were undercooked though outside looked well done (I ordered it medium). Rings were overcooked and some of the family found the crabs to be a bit watery. $75 for 12 medium crabs is also way to much in my option.
(2)Stacey B.
While the crabs were good, the wait staff was attentive, and the weather was beautiful outside, sitting on the semi-outdoor patio (white with red awning) was a terrible idea. The aroma of garbage and other unsavory scents seem to make their way across this patio, ruining ones' appetite. The staff were kind and they tried to explain, but the intermittent odor was enough to make me rethink my choice the next time I'm looking for an outside spot to dine on a beautiful, Sunday afternoon.
(1)Ningxi X.
Yum.... crabs and frozen pina coladas! More like a 3.5 stars, allthough I have to say I may be somewhat biased since it's hard for me to give a low rating to a seafood restaurant. The place is pretty laid-back and almost like a fish shack. The service we received was really attentive, so I don't really know if it's usually spotty since other yelpers seem to have felt otherwise. The portions were generous, and I was quickly filled up way before I could finish my crab cake entree. Plus, free wifi with the password "crabs." Perfect spot to chill with friends or go on a casual date with some cold beer and delicious seafood!
(3)Liza P.
Feeling Crabby---Then this is the place to come! My norm for Crabs is "Bethesda Crab House", but thought I would go out of my comfort zone and try something new, and boy am I glad I did! While the service was a bit touch and go, (she seemed a bit young and un-sure) the Crabs (From Texas) were every bit the Xtra Large we ordered and only paid $100 for a DZ?!!!! Between us TWO we could only eat FIVE! That is how meaty and heavy they were, not to mention the legs were like MALLETS in their own right! We also got a 1/2 LB of Steamed Shrimp, and let me tell you cooked PEEEEEEEEERFECTLY! Our buckets of beer we're CHILLED and delicious. And did I mention if you sit out doors on their covered yet fan controlled deck, you can also bring your DOG?! ***The only thing I mention to you "FOODIE YELPERS" if you like OLD FASHIONED old bay, bring your own, they only have a mix which to me was a bit salty? But even that being said it was good. After finishing our dinner we decided to head to the BAR for a night cap, the Bartenders Don and Miguel were exceptional! Not only was the bar staff friendly but prompt in their drink deliveries! An over all of those two completely being in sync and really knowing how to treat their customers! Because of that they seemed to collect an attractive crowd of couples, who were also engaging and very friendly. We will definitely be back, as a matter of fact I CANNOT WAIT!
(5)Maria L.
This place is a dump. Dingy, dark, and damp on the inside, it reeks of pesticide (there is a reason for this, as I'll explain in a moment.) I opted to sit outside. I would have turned around and left, but I had a Groupon that had to be used. So first, the waitress didn't even greet me- I had told the hostess that I had a Groupon, so I officially became "the Groupon person." She came to the table and said, "You have a Groupon, right? Please give it to me." Okay, hello to you, too, missy! She also told me they had no drink specials even though I saw specials on the blackboard inside. Two of them tried to get me to order the all you can eat blue crabs, but I decided to get 3 crabs, 1/2 lb of steamed shrimp, and a bowl of cream of crab soup with a couple of Corona lights. The soup was an abhorrent cream of salt, and the crabs were a joke. They only had mediums, and although they did give me six instead of the three because they were so small, it did not make up for the fact that they were light as a feather, mushy, and empty. Two of them were "bad". If I had ordered a dozen of them (at $70 a dozen, mind you) I would have refused to pay. The shrimp saved the day, fortunately, but did not affect my rating. To top off the lousy service, the waitress did not give me a pen to sign my credit card slip, nor did she give me the normally requisite hand-wipes after my meal. This disappointing experience also came at a hefty price tag of $55. So I told a friend about my experience and he indicated that the restaurant was recently shut-down due to multiple health violations, including fly and roach infestations-- hence the lovely aroma in the main dining room! I just looked it up online and here's what I found: archive.wusa9.com/(S(xcy… In short: don't think about it!!
(1)Kanisha W.
Went for the ayce crabs which were a nice size and good. The side dishes that come with the ayce crabs were also large portions and good. Went with 3 other couples so 6 ppl altogether so an 18% gratuity was added to each couple's bill which the waitress did not deserve! She was rude and acted as if we were bothering her by requesting anything. Always had to get her attention and ask multiple times for things. We ordered crab balls which were burnt and looked like they were cooked in old grease. The jumbo shrimp were nicely seasoned as well as the crabs. We were told they were running out of ayce crabs which was ridiculous. What happened to ayce??? The owner came out and spoke with us he was nice but clearly drunk ( stumbling and smelled of alcohol). He was sitting at the bar drinking in front of the customers.I watched him serving food and having trouble standing and finding the correct tables for the food. That is very unacceptable behavior from an owner. The local drunks at the bar seemed to be having a great time. Will probably find a different crab house next time I go to Maryland.
(2)Elise A.
Crab feast - You will be tempting fate if you eat crabs at this restaurant. In the last month I stupidly tried eating their crab feast 2x. The first time the crabs reeked of ammonia indicating they were decayed. We left the restaurant. Thinking that may have been a fluke, I went back again. The crabs were even worse, ammonia smell, over cooked to the point the shells were black and the meat grey. In addition the few that looked edible tasted funny. Thankfully I wasn't sick. Do not eat here! I'd give it a minus 1 if I could
(1)Byron G.
I came here after I bought a livingsocial voucher, I received very bad customer service. Felt very un welcomed and the server had an attitude. Some guy (her manager maybe) cursed her out in front of everyone and then her attitude completely changed. She started smiling and had a better attitude towards us. Despite her positive attitude change she got our order wrong and forgot to bring out my kids food and them tried to bill me for it. The crabs were good and that was the main reason for the visit. Id give the customer service 0 stars if possible and the food 4 stars overall experience 2 stars.
(2)Michelle N.
Like others, I was expecting a bad time based on the reviews, but with a great groupon (I think) deal, my friend and I checked out Steamers anyway. Upon seating, my friend and I were immediately acknowledged by the staff. They took our order and gave us all the tools we needed. I think my only complaint would have been that it took awhile for the crabs to arrive at our table (my fav place they come out almost immediately) however it was just a sign that our crabs were steamed to order. The crabs were probably medium sized but still packed full of meat. The seasoning was flavorful without being too salty. It was a good ol' messy time. I passed on the coleslaw, the corn on the cob was a little on the small size, and the fries were okay. I'm here for the crabs. No time for filler stuff! I don't know how much all you can eat crabs would normally cost here (guess it depends on the season) but the deal is awesome. It's definitely worth a try. Just remember to tip for the full amount. Don't expect some sort of 5 star experience here. You're picking crabs. The place is going to be a little messy, smelly, and a little tacky. Dress casually.
(4)Katie S.
Crabs were good. (Though there were a few bad ones) Service was great and ambience is the typical seafood/crab places that has that patio feel with the tents and chairs. If you are in the Bethesda area and are looking for some good crabs check this place out. I dont think there are many in the area. Good for a nice summer day dinner. Try the all-you-can eat crabs. The hush puppies and corn were also very good. If you have any issues, like a few of the reviews I read, why didn't you tried talking to the manager? They seemed very accommodating. People invest in business to make money. All business owners understand the importance of customer service. Typically customers who are unhappy either have high expectations and don't give the business an opportunity to fix problems or too demanding. There's always 2 sides to a story. We were happy with our dinner, though it is alittle pricy. Don't listen to reviews with groupons. Most groupons customers are overly demanding, and they want everything for free. This is one of the places I'd say try for yourself instead of looking at the over all ratings, you may be happy.
(4)Elias F.
This place was one of worst seafood places I have ever been. Looks like a rat hole, food tastes 6 months old. Only redeeming quality bartender was friendly.
(1)J C.
My husband and I came here looking for a good seafood place in Moco. We love crabs and didn't want to drive too far. For starters, the service was okay. We went after the lunch rush since we wanted to do the all you can eat crab option. We got seated pretty quickly and the waitress took our order. They brought our sides of coleslaw, fries, corn etc. Then they brought the crabs. I know that other yelpers mentioned that they didn't refill the food often but our waitress asked us what we wanted more of. Honestly, we didn't come for the fries so we never asked for more sides. As for the food... we weren't that impressed. The crabs were small and they seemed dirty. The crabs had a funny smell to them. I should have known better. Towards the end, I opened a crab and it was rotten inside. That pretty much ended the meal right there. Later I found out about the health violations that they had. Bleh
(2)David S.
Worst crab feast I have ever had. Second round smelled like ammonia( spoiled). Small crabs and very light. I cant think of a positive. I don't really make reviews but when a restaurant goes so far out of their way to be disappointing I feel I have to warn others.
(1)Lynette S.
This place has a worse reputation than it really deserves as far as I can tell. We ordered the Maryland crab soup, which was pretty good albeit not very crabby, the crab pretzel which was the star of the show, and the fried crab cakes which weren't winning any awards but definitely weren't bad. The service was alright. Overall, not the greatest restaurant on the planet, but better than I would have expected based on other reviews I've seen.
(4)Alexa L.
Not enough places like this around for independent, cool vibe, non-corporate great seafood eating. It's exactly what I had been searching for: brown paper on the table, roll of paper towels, low-key vibe without trashy people and most importantly: Wonderful seafood. Try the Steamers Platter for two. Best seafood experience I've had in years.
(4)Mandana Y.
Rude. Trust Yelp. Always trust Yelp. I purchased the crab-fest groupon, two of them, for 4 people each. I called a couple days ahead, made a reservation for Friday at 6:30 and said we were coming in with our groupons. The woman on the phone was extremely nice and thanked me for making the reservation so they can be sure to be able to accommodate us. Fast forward to Friday at 6:30. Walk in. Hostess: Are you here for crabs? Me: Yes! Hostess: We don't have any. Me: Oh, um I have a reservation, for 8? We called ahead and made a reservation... Hostess: Well we ran out. We won't have any for at least 2 hours, if they come, and then they wouldn't be ready for another 30 minutes. Me: Well I had called ahead, why didn't anyone call me and let me know? Hostess: It JUST happened an hour ago. Me: So why didn't someone call me an hour ago? Hostess: What do you want me to do there aren't any crabs. Me: Well I don't feel very comfortable with this, can I speak to a manager. Hostess: He's not here, he's on his way in. Me: That's alright, I'll wait. Another Hostess: [walks up to the hostess stand] Can I help you? Me: Well I had a reservation for 8 people, we all drove here from different parts of the DMV for crabs. I understand that you don't have crabs but I don't appreciate how rude and dismissive you guys are being about this. It's a Friday night at 6:30... Another Hostess: Well I don't know what to tell you. There are no crabs. Go to Bethesda Crab House. Me: So you're basically kicking us out? You're showing no desire to retain us as paying customers. Another Hostess: I don't know what you want from us. Me: I want nothing, I'd just like to speak to the manager. I'll wait till he gets here. Another Hostess: Oh I'm a manager. Me: [to myself - Bitch you're a liar, your coworker just said the manager, a guy, is on his way in] Okay in that case, best of luck to your crab house that doesn't have crabs. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. There is a reason why old businesses need to do groupons. There is a reason businesses have 2 star ratings on Yelp. Mandana has finally learned her lesson.
(1)AE W.
All - Make sure to read the reviews 10-15 deep. That is where the truth lies! Yikes! Service, food experience was all sub-par
(1)Yoda E.
Purchased a Groupon for all-you-can-eat crabs. Made a reservation the day before. Confirmed we would be eating crabs. I'm in town visiting from California so I was super excited about this. We drove 45 minutes to the restaurant and emptied our pockets to feed the meter. I am not kidding you when I tell you that the manager came out to tell us that THEY WERE OUT OF CRABS!!! The manager told us they ran out of crabs yesterday, ordered an emergency supply, and ran out again. She insisted several times that it was not her fault! Who's fault is it? The crab's fault?! Did the crabs not order enough crabs to serve over a holiday weekend? Did the crabs post a groupon and then not order enough crabs to be able to serve customers? I don't think so. Shame on you Steamers.
(1)A N.
This is an *extremely narrow* endorsement of Steamers, and relates to *outdoor deck* only. Steamers' pleasant outdoor deck is a great venue, especially during uncrowded hours, when you are missing the beach. Stick to simpler options: spiced shrimp and its excellent cocktail sauce or steamed mussels, for example. The onion rings are excellent. The cole slaw is very fresh but would benefit from less sugar. If you order simply and sit on the deck, you can have a good time at Steamers. Not worth it if no deck seating is available. We go a couple of times a year in the summer on off hours (say 2.30-4.30 pm). A number of caveats: 1)Despite the name, you can't get steamers here, even though (according to my server) customers request them frequently. This is an obvious lapse. 2)The interior is dingy and poorly decorated. Fine if you want a frat house atmosphere, otherwise stay away. 3)Even though Steamers is tremendously casual, its prices are not. My 4 stars are for the beachy deck with simple seafood, especially during uncrowded hours. Makes me feel like I've been to the shore.
(4)Dee S.
Trust the negative reviews. I waited forever for my order of clams, and they arrived cold. I refused the order and left. Years ago, I had enjoyed eating crabs here, but Steamers seems to have gone downhill. Very sad.
(1)Vincent M.
Went on Saturday with my family. The place seemed sleepy but I thought that was just atmosphere. The waitress was terrible. Came and disappeared for 20-30 minutes at a time. I ordered a frozen drink - it never came. We all ran out of water - nothing. Empty glasses the whole night. She never came back and asked if we needed more. Remember: it was 100 degrees on Saturday! Food was average but service was so bad I could not focus on anything else.
(1)Phi N.
Not sure why this place gets such bad reviews... but the all you can eat crabs were good. Crabs were meaty and of decent size. Came with corn, fries, and coleslaw. Oh, and I also started off with the cream of crab soup, which was also pretty good. I'll be back for more.
(3)Shadi S.
Trust in Yelp - the reviews speak for themselves. I wish I could give it no stars. Obviously the restaurant participated in the Groupon promotion to get some business. But what the restaurant fails to realize is if you have rude staff, terrible organization, and poor management, no amount of deals and promotions will get bodies (and revenue) in the door. I drove 22 miles to Steamers in my excitement to have crabs with my friends. They were out of crabs by 6pm on a FRIDAY night. Before the dinner crowd, even. And the staff was outright disrespectful, unapologetic, and didn't care that we were disappointed. They literally insisted we leave and go to another establishment (haha smart business!). I don't understand what kind of person is organizing this place. Clearly they don't even want business. Management: train your staff better. And how about preparing enough food for dinnertime on the weekend - especially when you're participating in a Groupon deal to increase business. I don't care if I sound pompous. I've worked in the industry. It's not rocket science. Trust in Yelp.
(1)Marie Z.
I got the Groupon, I read the Yelp reviews and I was expecting the worst. It was far from it. We went on Sunday at 3:00 PM, no problem parking or getting a table. We got the crab dip for a starter, it was a generous portion and it was pretty darn good. Our crabs came to the table quickly as well as the reorders. The crabs were small to medium, perfectly cooked, they were heavy (some places get the light crabs, crabs have less meat just after they molt) and sweet just like they are suppose to be. Between the two of us we went through 40 crabs. Our waitress checked back with us frequently, perfect service. The coolest was our waitress let us take home the 8 crabs we did not finish. My suggestions, Go off peak hours If you sit on the patio, sit under the fans, it keeps the flies away Do NOT park in the Sherwin Williams parking lot, we watched a few cars get towed off. If you order beer, ask the price, $18.50 for a little pitcher of draft beer was the shocker on the bill.
(4)Mark M.
I was expecting to have a bad experience based on the numerous negative reviews on Yelp! but i was pleasantly surprised. I went with one of my friends on Saturday around 3 PM. We were seated immediately, our server was very nice and the food came out really quickly. We went with the buffalo shrimp as a starter and then the crab feast for our entrees. The crabs were seasoned perfectly and were overall delicious! They were very quick to bring us additional crabs and anything else that we asked for. In summary, I'm not really sure why there are so many negative reviews. I had a very enjoyable experience and will definitely return at some point in the future. I would probably recommend not going during peak hours and if you are going to go with the crab feast, call in advance to make sure they have plenty of crabs in stock. The only thing that could have been better would be if their beer pitchers were bigger. They are pretty small.
(4)Andy B.
I love me a good dive bar. I love me a good dive bar with seafood even better. Used the Groupon for the crab feast. Ate a ton, drank a bunch, and had a good old time with friends. At Steamers, you get what you'd expect upon entering the restaurant. Anything above that is a plus. I added a star to this review to offset all the negative reviews I read before going ... and I would return in a heartbeat
(4)Helen C.
My friends and I got the Groupon for the unlimited crab feast. I think the meal was worth it for the price of the groupon, but definitely not for the regular price. It was nice to sit outside and our servers were really nice. Our only complaint was that the crabs were clearly not cooked while they were alive, which would have made their shells softer. Also, a bunch of the crabs were bad and inedible. Go to Baltimore if you want a really good crab experience!
(3)Sandi R.
Best creamy crab soup I have ever had. Smooth & full of sweet crab meat. Perfect! Crab balls were 9 small poppers, delicious, crispy on the outside & full of crab (not breading). Casual "beachy" atmosphere. Very nice staff. Plastic patio chairs were a bit uncomfortable but sufficient for the decor. Love the outdoor patio seating.
(4)Natasha S.
My girlfriend and I had purchased the "All you can eat crab feast for two" from Groupon and decided to use it on a Wednesday night, assuming it would be least busiest. I called first to see whether they had availability, then showed up around 15 minutes after. We were seated immediately, and the place was actually pretty busy. It seemed that we weren't the only ones there to redeem a Groupon, but additionally there was a Nationals game on which fed the loud roaring drunk obnoxious men hooting and hollering next to us the entire time. Moving on... We ordered the crab feast and the spiced shrimp as our appetizer. The shrimps were very large and tasty, but not super fresh. You could tell they were frozen ahead of time. The crab feast came with corn on the cob, fries and coleslaw which I thought was good, except for the coleslaw. It was plain awful. The crabs were male smalls and a few male mediums here and there. The quality was decent. Some crabs were meaty and pretty tasty while some were just really bad. I just avoided those, and moved on to the next crab and batch. From the reviews about this place, it seems I may have caught them on a pretty good night. Because our food wasn't THAT bad. Again, decent food. But not the best crabs. I doubt that we would come here again, we only really wanted to take advantage of the Groupon. One thing I have to praise them about is our good service from our waitress. I don't know her name, but she had tattoos and short hair. Super nice and attentive. She made sure we were stocked up on crabs and never passed our table without making sure we were okay. She was excellent, and down to earth. Probably one the best servers I've had in some time.
(3)Marsha E.
went with friends for all you can eat crabs.....had a difficult time getting our waitress to bring drinks and more crabs. asked other staff to bring which they did.
(2)Rebecca G.
Don't know what others are expecting from a crab house? If this place was plunked down next to the Chesapeake Bay or on the Boardwalk in OC it would be a gem. Sure it's run down. Sure it smells like beer and crabs. Sure the football games are way too loud. But I didn't come for that I came to eat CRABS. With my groupon, we polished off several dozen crabs, plates of fries, corn (frozen not fresh ) and cole slaw (not my favorite recipe). Good choices of beer on tap, pitchers available. And decent crabs ( though ditch the generic spice and splurge for the Old Bay) - wait staff was friendly and several folks kept us well stocked. And they let me take home my leftover crabs - crab soup! will be looking out for the next groupon.
(4)Linda R.
Cons- stinky (old seafood smell) & flies! Pros- delicious 5 star food! We had raw oysters, crab & avocado salad (with LOTS of crab), and crab cakes (delicious!!). I'll come back & look for the Groupon next time ;o)
(4)Jill K.
Great place to go if you want day old crabs... Crabs tasted horrible. They were mealy, tasted reheated and old.
(1)Jesse P.
I would not recommend this place to anyone, and giving one star is far too generous. They have terrible, awful, despicable customer service practices, like telling you they are all out of crabs 20 minutes into your 2 hour crab feast (if you're low, why seat us for the feast to begin with?), serving food that isn't even edible, ignoring you, adding mystery un-explained extra charges on your bill, and overall just treating customers poorly. By the way... that extra money they charged me is "just how the computer rings it up" according to our waitress, so chances are if you've eaten here, they've overcharged you as well (LOOK CLOSELY, as the charges aren't listed, just added to the totals!). Never, have I ever, been to a business that just adds money to a bill and then expects you to pay it (I don't care if it is just a couple dollars!!) I can't figure out how this place is even in business after my experience there. Believe the reviews!!!!!!!
(1)Nick R.
The whole staff including the owner are cocaine addicts. He got the biz from his daddy cuz he's a yuppy BCC bama. My sons mother worked there and cocaine flows through there like water. He/Trey is a creeper and avoid that place. Crabs are shitty and so is the atmosphere. Crossroads in Dayton 34.99 all you can eat and worth it vs Bethesda drama.
(1)Norma S.
Crab feast! Great amount of food. No need for side dishes. Although they have them on the menu along with burgers and other stuff. I didn't even bother looking for what else I could select. Nice casual spot with indoor and outdoor sitting. Go with a big appetite and enjoy! Cheers! ** We did receive some that seemed like a bad batch. The waitress was more than willing to appease our request. We quickly received a new tray of healthy bright white crabs. at the end... full tummies and messy hands! :)
(4)Anthony R.
Not nice when you have to pay to eat with a lot of flies all around you. Never ever again.
(1)Aaron S.
I'm sort of surprised by all the negative responses. Granted, this isn't as good as "Bethesda Crab Shack" but is in no way on par with "Long John Silvers". If you are looking for a fancy and not run down looking place, you can go to any number of other restaurants in Bethesda. however, I thought that the atmosphere was an added charm to this place. I ordered the crab and 1/2 rack of ribs meal and I have to say it was pretty tasty. The sauce on the ribs was a little too sweet, but the crabcake and the hush puppies were satisfying! The best part though had to be the beach pail drinks! Delicious!!! The sweet tea vodka drink was so incredible! No issues with the servers either! I'd come back again
(3)A. J.
unlike
(1)Ron S.
Unfortunately, the lowest score is one star. I wish there was something lower and this place would get it. Went to try the crab feast using Groupon coupon. Corn was over cooked and dry, cole slaw had no taste and most of the crabs were MUSHY! The waitress replaced the mushy ones but it appeared that about 50% were mushy. Later, I talked to a knowledgeable crab man who said that mushy crabs mean that the crab was DEAD before cooking. Two in our party got sick that night! - we will NEVER go back to this place.
(1)Jonathan E.
Great crabs, awesome outdoor patio, super-friendly staff, and my one of my favorite restaurants in Bethesda. I actually had my rehearsal dinner here and Steamers rocks. They bent over backwards to make our evening perfect. I come back here once every two weeks in the Spring and Summer. It's a great place and if you like crabs, there is not a better spot. I spend hours here hanging out on a Friday night relaxing, drinking beer, and taking in the evening over the best crabs in DC.
(5)