This is everything a typical neighborhood, corner bar and restaurant should be in Baltimore. I have been here several times and usually eat in the bar area, just because of the lively vibe. Super friendly service even when the place is packed. The prices absolutely can't be beat. Last night I had the whole lobster tail stuffed with crab meat and a NY strip steak cooked medium rare with a baked potato and broccoli for $27. A gin and tonic was a hair under $4. This is a neighborhood bar....that's totally worth the 10 mile sojourn when I need a change of scene and flavor from my own hood.
(4)
Dirk J.
Authentic Eastern Shore Seafood. Neighborhood feel but you won't feel like an outsider.
(5)
Douqi W.
Arrived at 7 pm on a Saturday. Got seated right away though there's a little bit of a crowd. The server came up and asked us 24 or 38? We thought it was the size of the crab so we ordered 24 since you have to order a dozen at a time and there's only 2 of us. We also ordered a bowl of crab soup from others recommendation. The crab soup arrived right away and it's a pretty decent sized bowl. It was more like a gumbo without the rice. It has pretty good flavor and some good sized chunks of crab. Slightly spicy but not like super spicy, so if the heat bothers you, then you should not order this. It's not too salty so it was good. Waited almost 40 minutes before our crab arrives. I think they probably only have 1 or 2 steamers and only steam one or two order at a time. The crab was really good. Lots of Old Bay seasoning. It gets kinda too salty at the end of the meal though. We also counted the crab and I think we got 1 or 2 extras. Hubby insisted he ate 8, though I thought he ate 7... Highly recommend this place for crab. We didn't try anything else since all we wanted was crab. Some tips: When you get into the restaurant from the bar side of the door, you have to walk into the crab/seafood eating area to get the servers attention. Yuengling from the tap was good!! The 24 meant the cost, not the weight or size!! So if you can afford it, get the higher number and get there early. If you are going with only 1 other person, get someone you can stand eating with for more than 2 hours. We spent 3.5 hours total in there and 2.5 on eating the crab. ;) Wear your crappy clothes!! And pants!! It splashes everywhere... They don't provide bibs like those in the south during crawfish festival. =)
(5)
Cristina P.
My very first time in MD and thanks to my boyfriend my very first time experiencing MD Crabs! They were amazing!!! This place is def a must if you are in town. Our waitress Stephanie was the best wait... THE BEST waitress I've ever had. Her sweetness, charisma and enthusiasm was beyond amazing. She helped us pick our food and she was right on point. Thank you Stephanie!!!
(5)
B J F.
I was in Baltimore last weekend visiting friends and suggested we go here per the Yelp reviews. They had never been but had always seen the parking full. We drove up at 1:30 Saturday afternoon and were able to park right out front - maybe first bad sign? Door sign said seat yourself so we picked a table by the window. Young waitress came over and gave us menus. My friend's husband asked "what do you have for crabs today?" She replied "I don't know I just got here". And that's all we got for 7 minutes. No one ever came over and asked if we wanted drinks or brought water or told us about the crabs so we left and went down the road to a much friendlier crab place. Maybe just the wrong day since the very few people who were there didn't seem to be eating crabs.
(1)
Mary S.
Great soup, Friendly locals, typical neighborhood bar & restaurant! When in Baltimore this is def a go to eatery to experience great seafood. Sitting at the bar was fun ;)
(5)
Heather M.
Went a few months ago now but wanted to review this gem. Super divey place with a real local feel. Walked in and a few locals were hanging out at the bar and there was absolutely no one in the restaurant. Uh-O.... We decide to stay anyway and ordered a dozed large steamed crabs and a crab cake dinner (for 2). Crab cake was good but really didn't need it because the crabs were big and filling! And o man... they were delicious! We ended up not being able to finish them and took them home and ate them the next day. Still just as good! Don't let the emptiness fool you. This place was good and reasonably priced. Service was also friendly. When Crab season starts up again, this is the place to go. Disclosure: This was my first Maryland steamed crab experience but I'm no newbie to crab eating.
(5)
Travis P.
Best crab cake in Maryland! The soft shell crab is damn good too.
(5)
Hennie Rose D.
My cousin and I are from out of state. We came across the Shultz's crab house on yelp. It was great. Amazing service good food. Friendly staff. Honestly nicest people we've met in Maryland during our trip.
(5)
Jane D.
Great visit to Schultz's today. The food is delicious and definitely homemade. I will be back for more of their delicious seafood. They also give you a piping hot loaf of bread to share. I could make a meal of just the bread and melted butter. Nice portions and reasonable prices are also a plus. The only thing I would say is don't go if you are limited with time. The restaurant is very popular and it could use a larger wait staff. Be prepared to wait for someone to take your order. The staff is friendly and our waitress was very efficient. The wait was definitely worth it. Restaurants like Schultz's are what makes eastern Baltimore County great. A nice neighborhood place to enjoy delicious food with family and friends. You can't beat that! : )
(4)
Samantha T.
This place is definitely old school. I came for lunch and the waitress mentioned it had been slow lately. However, I felt EXTREMELY rushed when placing my order. In fact, I kept second guessing my order the whole time I was waiting for my food. While the service I experienced was nothing to rave about, the food was very good. Definitely the best crab cake I've ever had. I ordered the Lump crab cake and friend shrimp platter. It was delicious. I was hoping to order the steamed crab I read about in Yelp reviews, but was told that's not available during the day because no one is here to cook them. Bummer. Wish I would have known that before I came. Be sure to call ahead if you're not going for dinner and you're craving steamed crab.
(3)
Lee F.
Selected this place for dinner out based on other reviews, but I'm afraid I can't be quite as glowing with my review. I found everything about this place--from the food to the service--to be somewhat average. For an appetizer, I ordered the crab soup, which was pretty mediocre. It was a little light on crab meat compared to other crab soup I've had. And in the end it was relatively bland tasting. For the main course, I got the jumbo lump crab cake platter with green beans and mashed potatoes. Per the other reviews, the crab cakes are supposed to be one of their specialties. They do have a lot of meat in them, but I found them to be rather salty. Several times as I brought a bite to my mouth the meat smelled spoiled, but it didn't taste bad. For service, I ate at the bar, and the bar maid was fine. Not particularly friendly or helpful with the menu, but not rude either. She asked if I wanted gravy on the potatoes, and I said yes. She charged me an extra dollar for it. And there might be something to the non-local experience vs. the local one. The same bartender was extremely friendly to some obvious locals that came in while I was there. In my view, it's not worth the price you pay for food. Outside of all of that, this would be a good place to drink w/ a few friends.
(3)
Debi N.
Solid home cooked/small town kind of place. Although I've never had crabs here, their entrees are solid. Ranging from black fin or lump crab cakes, variety of steamed fried shrimp, oysters (when they are in season -- I wanted fried oysters last time I was there but apparently they weren't in season), and a whole bunch of other seafood dishes. Entrees come with two sides and bread and are portioned well. I suggest the lump crab cake combo with fried shrimp and cucumber salad for a side. After a long day of boating this is our go to place to roll up our sleeves for some old county seafood and leave with happy full bellies.
(4)
J L L.
I'm in Maryland visiting and went here for my last seafood dinner. Service was very slow. The restaurant was pretty empty and they sat us at the table that people constantly walk by and bump into you. I ordered Jumbo Lump Crap Cake with fried shrimp, fries & cucumber salad. The seafood was very good. My daughter ordered New York Strip Steak and it was flavorless, dry and tough to chew.
(2)
Donna D.
It was my first time having Maryland crab since I moved to Baltimore a year ago, and I searched Yelp for authentic Maryland crab and Schultz's came up. I came in on Sunday after they opened and seated myself. It didn't get crowded the entire time I was there, which was nice because I was worried there would be a Sunday afternoon church rush. When we ordered, I think the server had a slow start and didn't really answer my questions about the menu very well, but I was able to get everything that I wanted. My friend and I ordered the crab soup, crab cake, and half a dozen medium-sized steamed crab. All were very good, especially the crab cake and the steamed crab! The steamed crab take 30-40 minutes since they are prepared fresh. The wait is very worth it! The interior is very homey and has a vintage vibe. I noticed that a number of the customers knew the server and the workers, which is nice since it made the atmosphere seem very local and very friendly. Since it was one of my first times eating crab, I definitely got a lot of "newbie" stares haha but I just dug in and worked off of memories of my mother opening up the crabs. It was a very fun, long and tedious dining experience, and I would highly recommend having a beer or two and coming in with some time on your hands. Overall, I found my dining experience at Schultz's to be very good and I would definitely go again!
(4)
Nick A.
One of the BEST old school crab-seafood houses in the Baltimore area. Real nice crab cakes and hot fresh crabs and cold beer. If your near the area and want crabs go here !
(4)
Glenn S.
This place is amazing! It's got an old time feel to it and you can tell it's been there a while. We had a $50 gift card and went on a Saturday night. It was definitely packed full of people smashing some crabs. We opted out on the crabs and went for entrees. We got mussels as an appetizer which were really good(you know they're good when they've got just a teeny bit of sand). We also got a crab cake platter and scallops, both were absolutely perfect. I believe the tab came out to $43? Not bad at all. I will definitely be back but next time with some new faces. If you're in the area I definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Michael G.
I came here because of the reviews... I don't get it. Steamed crabs were not available, neither were soft shell. There were three of us and the verdict was unanimous, this place is terrible. Everything, and I mean from the bread to the crab to the side dishes... it just was bad. I wouldn't eat here again, and I'm astonished beyond reasonable belief this business actually has enough repeat customers to keep the doors open. The staff was very nice, the food was just god awful, worse than you would find at a diner. I cannot de-recommend strongly enough. Yuck.
(1)
Brandy P.
Local seafood. Great service, good food. Yes I would go there again.
(4)
Ellen R.
We've been going to Schultz's for years. We love the wood paneling and stuffed marlins and other nautical decor. In fact, we just love Schultz's. Was there last night and had a feast. Maybe it's because it's March and the crustaceans were from Louisiana, but the decent sized crabs weren't very sweet or seasoned well. Raw oysters are good and a total bargain. The backfin crab cake wasn't worth it. Spring for the lump. Among the sides, the cucumber salad is a definite stand out. The very best thing they have at Schultz's is the gumbo. It is not to be missed under any circumstances. (I was there with a native New Orleanean who was delighted.) And, while you're getting gumbo, you may as well order a loaf of homemade bread as the perfect go with. Schultz's is the kind of restaurant that I think out-of-towners think of when they think of Baltimore restaurants. O's on the bar tv--yes, pre-season ball--loads of (fairly) affordable seafood, and unpretentious. Will definitely be back often.
(4)
Guava A.
My boyfriend and I had the best time here- the wait staff was incredibly friendly, the food was delicious, and it was fun to eat! This was my first experience eating Maryland crab, so my boyfriend wanted me to have an authentic experience and this was definitely the place to go. We had the crab soup which was slightly spicy and reminded me of gumbo. It had nice chunks of crab meat and a ton of veggies. We also shared the crab pretzel which was essentially a soft pretzel covered in cheesy crab dip. It was SO GOOD. Definitely not to be missed! Skip the bread and get this instead. There are huge chunks of crab meat and cheese all over the place, it's so darn good. And finally for the main event we got 12 crabs. They were the 24s. I'm not sure what that means but they threw in a few extra and they were so sweet and delicious! And they are so fun to eat! It's sort of like breaking down a lobster but they don't give you a mini fork so you really have to go to town on the thing. I got so excited about it, I sliced my thumb on the shell. But I didn't even care it was so tasty!!! If you are looking for a delicious, fun dinner and an authentic Maryland crab meal- this is the place to go.
(5)
Frank S.
Growing up in Baltimore, I'm too familiar with neighborhood restaurant/bars on the street corners (that, and duckpin bowling). I hadn't been to one in a long time, so it was a #tbt moment meeting friends here for dinner last night. We went for the steamed crabs, but ended up ordering crab cakes and steamed shrimp while waiting the (expected) 35 minutes for 2 dozen of the "50's" to arrive. Went with Jumbo Lump (not Backfin) and they were very good - packing a nice little 'bite' in the seasoning and - not kidding - no pieces of shell. Equally pleased with the steamed shrimp, although, for me, 'jumbo' shrimp is a size or two larger than these but again, tasty and a nice cocktail sauce (you'll need more, it's a small cup).. Served with 'crab seasoning' (not Old Bay, but similar), the crabs were meat-y and well cooked. They were not terribly consistent in size, but I never expect that. And whatever beer you drink there, try at least one Natty-Boh, a Baltimore tradition, although not brewed locally anymore - a pilsener with light color and crisp (not very hoppy, sorry IPA fans) finish. Service was superb, we tipped 25%, coffee was made fresh for me, and a slice of creamy smooth chocolate mousse pie - my name for it, 'cause I can't recall what they called it - there's no desert menu - the waitress brought a hand written list of items, and this one had 2 slices left so... :) :)
(4)
Pamela K.
Great seafood. The soft shell crab is the best anywhere. Tip- ask for your crab cake well done. They tend to be still a bit mushy in the middle. Stuffed Shrimp is tasty and the crab pretzel rules. The steamed crabs are heavy and perfect amount of real Old Bay. Good selection of sides including fresh corn on the Cob and fresh garden salad.
(4)
Kate M.
Went here after house hunting all afternoon and was more then pleased with everything!! Had local crabs that we were told would be small because of it being so early in the season but was very happy with how much meat was in them! Service was great, food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was perfect for picking crabs. Highly recommend!!!
(5)
Ty M.
very disappointed ! have had several locals recommend. I have had better steak in a truck stop dive. The oysters were very small I would have been ashamed to serve them. The service at the bar was very poor to say the least. Really think a three star is to much but the bread and french fries were good. best thing I could say about the place.
(3)
Rick S.
First time in Baltimore for Steamed Crab this past labor day weekend. Spent the whole car ride down from NYC looking up spots, decided on Schultz's after reading countless reviews, blogposts, best of lists, etc. There are so many recommendations online and so many opinions it can be overwhelming so I was forced into making a somewhat blind decision. In the end, I felt very fortunate to have ended up at Schultz's. We showed up with a pitbull and they were very accomodating. George set us up outside at a picnic bench (keep in mind that this is not a waterfront restaurant but situated inside of a neighborhood about 15 or so outside of Baltimore). Despite this, the ambiance was great, a very old school - local feel, and service couldn't have been better. I do think sitting inside would have been a nice experience. It looks great in there - with wood paneling, stuffed fish on the walls, a pool table and circle bar. Then there's food of course, and beer. We ordered a pound of boiled shrimp to start (after being told that the crab takes about 35 minutes to cook - a good sign apparently). Shrimp were great and served with onions cooked in the same pot, everything seasoned generously with old bay - and sides of cocktail sauce. Then came orders of jalapeno poppers and fried cheese balls -all good especially washed down with local pitchers of Natty Bo (National Bohemian). After eating our delicous snacks - a dozen medium sized crab came out on a giant platter alongside buckets for carcasses and mallets for smacking. These guys were exactily how I expected them to be - a glorious mess - fun to eat, tasty and liberally seasoned with old bay. To top it off, the prices at Schultz's were a lot more reasonable than I was expecting after looking at other spots online and George, our waiter, seriously could not have been a cooler guy. Unless you are heart set on water views, head to Schultz's. George will give you pro directions to the waterfront post crab feast.
(4)
Lauren T.
First visit and I loved it! I'm a sucker for restaurants like this, with its dark oak paneling, big fish on the walls and tables like my great-granddad had in his kitchen. Nothing fancy or updated, just fantastic food! My two dining companions had crab cakes, with big hunks of crab, little filler and great flavor. One also had shrimp salad, with big pieces of shrimp. The crab pretzel appetizer was also a big hit, with plenty of gooey crab dip on the pretzel. Most of the menu involves crabs, shrimp, oysters and other seafood delights. Not being a seafood fan, I ordered the hot roast beef sandwich, which was delicious! Gravy galore, lean roast beef between two slices of white bread, french fries. Yum! Steamed crabs do take 35 minutes, since they're steamed to order, but plenty of people were cracking away, even on a Tuesday night. The steamed crabs smelled wonderful!
(4)
Deborah G.
Schultz's Crab House is rated #1 of 45 restaurants in Essex so we decided to personally see for ourselves what this place is all about. It's 19 miles from the Towson area in an old part of Essex. The exterior is attractive and clean looking with a bright red awning that announces "Schultz's since 1969." Honestly I've been around Baltimore since well before 1969 and I've never heard of this place till Yelp. We went in and found a very clean crab house environment - tile floor (not the usual dirty carpeting) and the old knotty pine club basement style of decorating everywhere. There were lots of nautical posters and fish art on the walls. The sign said seat yourself and we did at a table near the bar so we could see what was happening in both rooms. We ordered Maryland crab soup which was tasty but had a bit too much of Old Bay for my personal taste. Next we had three subpar tossed salads with the tasty house dressing which has some parmesan cheese for flavoring. Then we each had crab cake special platters. A 6 ounce lump crab cake with two sides. The crab cake was broiled and was so hot it took a few minutes for it to cool before I could eat it. The veggies - steak fries from a freezer bag tasted like frozen spuds and I would advise don't order these. My guys had the baked potato and that was hot and fresh and the best of the potato choices. We ate all of the crab cakes and found them fresh, tasty and devoid of filler. Then we had a platter of the stuffed fried shrimp. These were a little heavy on the breading but they were filled with a nice amount of white crab meat and were quite tasty. The cole slaw was home made and very good while the peas were overcooked and mushy. Next came the large steamed crabs and they were hot, hot , hot. So hot it took us 20 minutes to eat the first one of these succulent creatures. The crabs took us to a place we have not been in a long time - crab heaven. We really found these crustaceans to be the best crabs we have had in about 5 years. The seasoning is great making the crab meat have that perfect Maryland crab flavor that is sorely lacking in many of the local crab houses. In closing, we had a great time and we will return. I would stay away from most of the vegetables and stick to the cole slaw and baked potatoes. Also if they give you the bread with your meal - it ti excellent - hot and fresh. Kudos for Schultz's. Happy steamed crab cracking time is back in Essex.
(4)
Doug S.
The best steamed crabs in the Baltimore area. Steamed fresh when you order them. Super fresh and great seasoning.
(5)
Mike P.
a family favorite for 40 years. nothing fancy just great steamed crabs, crab cakes and crab soup.
(5)
G L.
I was visiting family from out of town and wanted some local Maryland seafood. This place hit the spot. The menu offers a wide range of seafood selections and the food did not disappoint. The prices are also very reasonable. I highly recommend Schultz's if you want to taste Maryland crab with a nice local flavor. I have two kids age 8 and 5 the restaurant offers a nice kid's meal for just $5, great deal.
(4)
Jackie B.
Best crab soup in Maryland. I never been rushed to order. The lady that complained about being rushed is stupid. I Never had a problem with nothing here. Its a crab house seafood joint. Do expect crab on demand in the off season like a retarded and make a fool of your self. This is not burger king. Don't complain about crabs if you have no idea what your talking about. Five star because thats what you get here. The md crab soup is always perfect. The 2 bar tenters are nice and on time with service.
(5)
Karrie F.
I've lived in Essex my entire life and went to Mount Carmel high and just found this place! The environment was nice and home feeling, the fish on the wall felt like I was in my Dad's house, and the service was fast. Between my husband & I and our two children we spent $100. I ordered a crab cake platter which the crab cake was amazing! My daughter ordered a sirloin steak and that too was very tasty! My husband ate the crab cake and shrimp salad. And our youngest had a grilled cheese. The only thing I was very nervous about was as soon as I pulled away from the restaurant if became very ill. I was very sick for the next 24 hours so our plans for Friday evening were shot because I was in the bathroom the rest of the evening. Then my husband started with the stomach issue and him & I were be only ones who are the crab cakes. So I am a little nervous about going again. I had to laugh at the server though. I asked for a highchair and he asked which one is that? the one that goes on the seat or stands by itself. Made us chuckle a little. Kind of felt bad for him. He barely checked on is during our meal and we had no napkins but 2 at the beginning when we were seated. Our bill was $84.00 and I still gave him a $16.00 tip. Thing is they put on their receipts what we should tip! Which honestly i thought it starts at 15%. They do 18%, 20% and 22%. I was a server for 4 years starting at the age of 14 so I totally get it. Might be returning May not be at this point because no one else was sick around us or the Children haven't became sick. One last thing is I ordered a piña colada. Well that just tasted like water and a tiny bit of liquor. Wasn't impressed with that at all. The price was decent but couldn't even drink more than two sips because it was just nasty. Now the server seen it sitting there full still and I was waiting for him to ask is everything okay? But that never happened!
(3)
C M.
Saturday night, even though very busy, had excellent food and service. Crab Cakes were excellent, as usual. On street parking is a little dangerous with cars speeding by. Wish they had their own parking lot.
(4)
Sonya A.
First introduced to crab fluffs here by my fave lunch buddy... Be very hungry if you're going to order it... They use nutmeg in the cream of crab... The best bloody Mary's... BMore style... Go to staple for steamed shrimp and crab dip.
(4)
Alicia V.
Schult'z never disappoints! Came here for lunch. Ordered grilled chicken salad. Way better than expected, and huge. Also ordered $3.99 fries. Also tasty, crisp, and a large portion. Then split a dozen med ($42) steamed crabs with my daughter. Ate every last one.
(5)
Julie H.
Lively place. You know it's going to be good from the minute you arrive with the busy parking lot, to the tables of crab pounding! Nothing fancy, just about seafood, steamed crabs and crab cakes done right. Our waitress (Tracy) was attentive, helpful and pointed out off menu items, and made suggestions. Nice experience.
(5)
Debra P.
I went there for the first time yesterday and the cheesy jumbo crab lump pretzel and the dozen of HOT seasoned crabs was delicious!! I will definitely go back!! -:)
(5)
Jackie H.
My family haunts Schultz's. Figuratively, but maybe also literally as well. Schultz's is where my late grandmother taught me how to wield a mallet. Whenever we go back, something in the way the crab pops open for me makes me think she's watching. Yes, Schultz's is as close to a religious experience my Presbyterian-Catholic-Jewish extended family is ever likely to share. Schultz's has a great, friendly ambience, and I know for a fact that it can accomodate very large groups, with advance notice. You have to order crabs here. You just have to. Fight through the pain as the Old Bay seeps into the tiny cuts you'll get on your fingers. It means you're doing it right.
(5)
Leslie S.
Excellent steamed crabs, really good service, good cold beer. Great way to spend a long, leisurely Sunday afternoon. Parking is on the street.
(5)
Mary B.
Fantastic crab cakes and steamed crabs. This is an authentic, family owned "Baltimore" crab house. Prices are extremely reasonable. Atmosphere is dated but it gives it a certain charm. Parking can be sketchy (mostly street parking on a busy road) but you can usually get a good space out front if you are patient.
(5)
Schlaf T.
EXCELLENT!! The jumbo lump crab cakes are just as one would hope-- big pieces of crab meat with just the right amount of filling (not much). One of the best in a region known for them. Other customers seemed to be enjoying their whole steamed crabs. The service was great, too.
(5)
Ann T.
Visiting my sister from KY, she took us to Schultz's for lunch. We ordered 2 dozen mouth-watering seasoned Old Bay broiled crabs, 6 super sweet corn on the cobs, a crab cake sandwich for my 3 yr old, and a large pitcher of unsweet tea (add your own sugar). Total: $120 for 4 adults & 1 toddler. The place was uniquely decorated with different types of fish hanging on plagues, has a huge billiard table in the bar area with a massive screen tv. The crabs were cooked to please, not overdone and not undercooked.......simply awesomely good. Food took awhile for 2 dozen crabs but well worth the wait, unless you have an impatient hungry toddler. The service was great, just dont forget to tip the waitress or she'll come after you. Forgetting to tip the waitress for the great food & friendly service due to an anxious toddler & an irritated infant, the waitress came after us loudly for not leaving a tip for out $120 bill. An honest mistake from us but even if the services were bad, seems rude to questioned about the amount or lack of tip left on the table.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch 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 : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Christy D.
This is everything a typical neighborhood, corner bar and restaurant should be in Baltimore. I have been here several times and usually eat in the bar area, just because of the lively vibe. Super friendly service even when the place is packed. The prices absolutely can't be beat. Last night I had the whole lobster tail stuffed with crab meat and a NY strip steak cooked medium rare with a baked potato and broccoli for $27. A gin and tonic was a hair under $4. This is a neighborhood bar....that's totally worth the 10 mile sojourn when I need a change of scene and flavor from my own hood.
(4)Dirk J.
Authentic Eastern Shore Seafood. Neighborhood feel but you won't feel like an outsider.
(5)Douqi W.
Arrived at 7 pm on a Saturday. Got seated right away though there's a little bit of a crowd. The server came up and asked us 24 or 38? We thought it was the size of the crab so we ordered 24 since you have to order a dozen at a time and there's only 2 of us. We also ordered a bowl of crab soup from others recommendation. The crab soup arrived right away and it's a pretty decent sized bowl. It was more like a gumbo without the rice. It has pretty good flavor and some good sized chunks of crab. Slightly spicy but not like super spicy, so if the heat bothers you, then you should not order this. It's not too salty so it was good. Waited almost 40 minutes before our crab arrives. I think they probably only have 1 or 2 steamers and only steam one or two order at a time. The crab was really good. Lots of Old Bay seasoning. It gets kinda too salty at the end of the meal though. We also counted the crab and I think we got 1 or 2 extras. Hubby insisted he ate 8, though I thought he ate 7... Highly recommend this place for crab. We didn't try anything else since all we wanted was crab. Some tips: When you get into the restaurant from the bar side of the door, you have to walk into the crab/seafood eating area to get the servers attention. Yuengling from the tap was good!! The 24 meant the cost, not the weight or size!! So if you can afford it, get the higher number and get there early. If you are going with only 1 other person, get someone you can stand eating with for more than 2 hours. We spent 3.5 hours total in there and 2.5 on eating the crab. ;) Wear your crappy clothes!! And pants!! It splashes everywhere... They don't provide bibs like those in the south during crawfish festival. =)
(5)Cristina P.
My very first time in MD and thanks to my boyfriend my very first time experiencing MD Crabs! They were amazing!!! This place is def a must if you are in town. Our waitress Stephanie was the best wait... THE BEST waitress I've ever had. Her sweetness, charisma and enthusiasm was beyond amazing. She helped us pick our food and she was right on point. Thank you Stephanie!!!
(5)B J F.
I was in Baltimore last weekend visiting friends and suggested we go here per the Yelp reviews. They had never been but had always seen the parking full. We drove up at 1:30 Saturday afternoon and were able to park right out front - maybe first bad sign? Door sign said seat yourself so we picked a table by the window. Young waitress came over and gave us menus. My friend's husband asked "what do you have for crabs today?" She replied "I don't know I just got here". And that's all we got for 7 minutes. No one ever came over and asked if we wanted drinks or brought water or told us about the crabs so we left and went down the road to a much friendlier crab place. Maybe just the wrong day since the very few people who were there didn't seem to be eating crabs.
(1)Mary S.
Great soup, Friendly locals, typical neighborhood bar & restaurant! When in Baltimore this is def a go to eatery to experience great seafood. Sitting at the bar was fun ;)
(5)Heather M.
Went a few months ago now but wanted to review this gem. Super divey place with a real local feel. Walked in and a few locals were hanging out at the bar and there was absolutely no one in the restaurant. Uh-O.... We decide to stay anyway and ordered a dozed large steamed crabs and a crab cake dinner (for 2). Crab cake was good but really didn't need it because the crabs were big and filling! And o man... they were delicious! We ended up not being able to finish them and took them home and ate them the next day. Still just as good! Don't let the emptiness fool you. This place was good and reasonably priced. Service was also friendly. When Crab season starts up again, this is the place to go. Disclosure: This was my first Maryland steamed crab experience but I'm no newbie to crab eating.
(5)Travis P.
Best crab cake in Maryland! The soft shell crab is damn good too.
(5)Hennie Rose D.
My cousin and I are from out of state. We came across the Shultz's crab house on yelp. It was great. Amazing service good food. Friendly staff. Honestly nicest people we've met in Maryland during our trip.
(5)Jane D.
Great visit to Schultz's today. The food is delicious and definitely homemade. I will be back for more of their delicious seafood. They also give you a piping hot loaf of bread to share. I could make a meal of just the bread and melted butter. Nice portions and reasonable prices are also a plus. The only thing I would say is don't go if you are limited with time. The restaurant is very popular and it could use a larger wait staff. Be prepared to wait for someone to take your order. The staff is friendly and our waitress was very efficient. The wait was definitely worth it. Restaurants like Schultz's are what makes eastern Baltimore County great. A nice neighborhood place to enjoy delicious food with family and friends. You can't beat that! : )
(4)Samantha T.
This place is definitely old school. I came for lunch and the waitress mentioned it had been slow lately. However, I felt EXTREMELY rushed when placing my order. In fact, I kept second guessing my order the whole time I was waiting for my food. While the service I experienced was nothing to rave about, the food was very good. Definitely the best crab cake I've ever had. I ordered the Lump crab cake and friend shrimp platter. It was delicious. I was hoping to order the steamed crab I read about in Yelp reviews, but was told that's not available during the day because no one is here to cook them. Bummer. Wish I would have known that before I came. Be sure to call ahead if you're not going for dinner and you're craving steamed crab.
(3)Lee F.
Selected this place for dinner out based on other reviews, but I'm afraid I can't be quite as glowing with my review. I found everything about this place--from the food to the service--to be somewhat average. For an appetizer, I ordered the crab soup, which was pretty mediocre. It was a little light on crab meat compared to other crab soup I've had. And in the end it was relatively bland tasting. For the main course, I got the jumbo lump crab cake platter with green beans and mashed potatoes. Per the other reviews, the crab cakes are supposed to be one of their specialties. They do have a lot of meat in them, but I found them to be rather salty. Several times as I brought a bite to my mouth the meat smelled spoiled, but it didn't taste bad. For service, I ate at the bar, and the bar maid was fine. Not particularly friendly or helpful with the menu, but not rude either. She asked if I wanted gravy on the potatoes, and I said yes. She charged me an extra dollar for it. And there might be something to the non-local experience vs. the local one. The same bartender was extremely friendly to some obvious locals that came in while I was there. In my view, it's not worth the price you pay for food. Outside of all of that, this would be a good place to drink w/ a few friends.
(3)Debi N.
Solid home cooked/small town kind of place. Although I've never had crabs here, their entrees are solid. Ranging from black fin or lump crab cakes, variety of steamed fried shrimp, oysters (when they are in season -- I wanted fried oysters last time I was there but apparently they weren't in season), and a whole bunch of other seafood dishes. Entrees come with two sides and bread and are portioned well. I suggest the lump crab cake combo with fried shrimp and cucumber salad for a side. After a long day of boating this is our go to place to roll up our sleeves for some old county seafood and leave with happy full bellies.
(4)J L L.
I'm in Maryland visiting and went here for my last seafood dinner. Service was very slow. The restaurant was pretty empty and they sat us at the table that people constantly walk by and bump into you. I ordered Jumbo Lump Crap Cake with fried shrimp, fries & cucumber salad. The seafood was very good. My daughter ordered New York Strip Steak and it was flavorless, dry and tough to chew.
(2)Donna D.
It was my first time having Maryland crab since I moved to Baltimore a year ago, and I searched Yelp for authentic Maryland crab and Schultz's came up. I came in on Sunday after they opened and seated myself. It didn't get crowded the entire time I was there, which was nice because I was worried there would be a Sunday afternoon church rush. When we ordered, I think the server had a slow start and didn't really answer my questions about the menu very well, but I was able to get everything that I wanted. My friend and I ordered the crab soup, crab cake, and half a dozen medium-sized steamed crab. All were very good, especially the crab cake and the steamed crab! The steamed crab take 30-40 minutes since they are prepared fresh. The wait is very worth it! The interior is very homey and has a vintage vibe. I noticed that a number of the customers knew the server and the workers, which is nice since it made the atmosphere seem very local and very friendly. Since it was one of my first times eating crab, I definitely got a lot of "newbie" stares haha but I just dug in and worked off of memories of my mother opening up the crabs. It was a very fun, long and tedious dining experience, and I would highly recommend having a beer or two and coming in with some time on your hands. Overall, I found my dining experience at Schultz's to be very good and I would definitely go again!
(4)Nick A.
One of the BEST old school crab-seafood houses in the Baltimore area. Real nice crab cakes and hot fresh crabs and cold beer. If your near the area and want crabs go here !
(4)Glenn S.
This place is amazing! It's got an old time feel to it and you can tell it's been there a while. We had a $50 gift card and went on a Saturday night. It was definitely packed full of people smashing some crabs. We opted out on the crabs and went for entrees. We got mussels as an appetizer which were really good(you know they're good when they've got just a teeny bit of sand). We also got a crab cake platter and scallops, both were absolutely perfect. I believe the tab came out to $43? Not bad at all. I will definitely be back but next time with some new faces. If you're in the area I definitely recommend this place!
(5)Michael G.
I came here because of the reviews... I don't get it. Steamed crabs were not available, neither were soft shell. There were three of us and the verdict was unanimous, this place is terrible. Everything, and I mean from the bread to the crab to the side dishes... it just was bad. I wouldn't eat here again, and I'm astonished beyond reasonable belief this business actually has enough repeat customers to keep the doors open. The staff was very nice, the food was just god awful, worse than you would find at a diner. I cannot de-recommend strongly enough. Yuck.
(1)Brandy P.
Local seafood. Great service, good food. Yes I would go there again.
(4)Ellen R.
We've been going to Schultz's for years. We love the wood paneling and stuffed marlins and other nautical decor. In fact, we just love Schultz's. Was there last night and had a feast. Maybe it's because it's March and the crustaceans were from Louisiana, but the decent sized crabs weren't very sweet or seasoned well. Raw oysters are good and a total bargain. The backfin crab cake wasn't worth it. Spring for the lump. Among the sides, the cucumber salad is a definite stand out. The very best thing they have at Schultz's is the gumbo. It is not to be missed under any circumstances. (I was there with a native New Orleanean who was delighted.) And, while you're getting gumbo, you may as well order a loaf of homemade bread as the perfect go with. Schultz's is the kind of restaurant that I think out-of-towners think of when they think of Baltimore restaurants. O's on the bar tv--yes, pre-season ball--loads of (fairly) affordable seafood, and unpretentious. Will definitely be back often.
(4)Guava A.
My boyfriend and I had the best time here- the wait staff was incredibly friendly, the food was delicious, and it was fun to eat! This was my first experience eating Maryland crab, so my boyfriend wanted me to have an authentic experience and this was definitely the place to go. We had the crab soup which was slightly spicy and reminded me of gumbo. It had nice chunks of crab meat and a ton of veggies. We also shared the crab pretzel which was essentially a soft pretzel covered in cheesy crab dip. It was SO GOOD. Definitely not to be missed! Skip the bread and get this instead. There are huge chunks of crab meat and cheese all over the place, it's so darn good. And finally for the main event we got 12 crabs. They were the 24s. I'm not sure what that means but they threw in a few extra and they were so sweet and delicious! And they are so fun to eat! It's sort of like breaking down a lobster but they don't give you a mini fork so you really have to go to town on the thing. I got so excited about it, I sliced my thumb on the shell. But I didn't even care it was so tasty!!! If you are looking for a delicious, fun dinner and an authentic Maryland crab meal- this is the place to go.
(5)Frank S.
Growing up in Baltimore, I'm too familiar with neighborhood restaurant/bars on the street corners (that, and duckpin bowling). I hadn't been to one in a long time, so it was a #tbt moment meeting friends here for dinner last night. We went for the steamed crabs, but ended up ordering crab cakes and steamed shrimp while waiting the (expected) 35 minutes for 2 dozen of the "50's" to arrive. Went with Jumbo Lump (not Backfin) and they were very good - packing a nice little 'bite' in the seasoning and - not kidding - no pieces of shell. Equally pleased with the steamed shrimp, although, for me, 'jumbo' shrimp is a size or two larger than these but again, tasty and a nice cocktail sauce (you'll need more, it's a small cup).. Served with 'crab seasoning' (not Old Bay, but similar), the crabs were meat-y and well cooked. They were not terribly consistent in size, but I never expect that. And whatever beer you drink there, try at least one Natty-Boh, a Baltimore tradition, although not brewed locally anymore - a pilsener with light color and crisp (not very hoppy, sorry IPA fans) finish. Service was superb, we tipped 25%, coffee was made fresh for me, and a slice of creamy smooth chocolate mousse pie - my name for it, 'cause I can't recall what they called it - there's no desert menu - the waitress brought a hand written list of items, and this one had 2 slices left so... :) :)
(4)Pamela K.
Great seafood. The soft shell crab is the best anywhere. Tip- ask for your crab cake well done. They tend to be still a bit mushy in the middle. Stuffed Shrimp is tasty and the crab pretzel rules. The steamed crabs are heavy and perfect amount of real Old Bay. Good selection of sides including fresh corn on the Cob and fresh garden salad.
(4)Kate M.
Went here after house hunting all afternoon and was more then pleased with everything!! Had local crabs that we were told would be small because of it being so early in the season but was very happy with how much meat was in them! Service was great, food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was perfect for picking crabs. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Ty M.
very disappointed ! have had several locals recommend. I have had better steak in a truck stop dive. The oysters were very small I would have been ashamed to serve them. The service at the bar was very poor to say the least. Really think a three star is to much but the bread and french fries were good. best thing I could say about the place.
(3)Rick S.
First time in Baltimore for Steamed Crab this past labor day weekend. Spent the whole car ride down from NYC looking up spots, decided on Schultz's after reading countless reviews, blogposts, best of lists, etc. There are so many recommendations online and so many opinions it can be overwhelming so I was forced into making a somewhat blind decision. In the end, I felt very fortunate to have ended up at Schultz's. We showed up with a pitbull and they were very accomodating. George set us up outside at a picnic bench (keep in mind that this is not a waterfront restaurant but situated inside of a neighborhood about 15 or so outside of Baltimore). Despite this, the ambiance was great, a very old school - local feel, and service couldn't have been better. I do think sitting inside would have been a nice experience. It looks great in there - with wood paneling, stuffed fish on the walls, a pool table and circle bar. Then there's food of course, and beer. We ordered a pound of boiled shrimp to start (after being told that the crab takes about 35 minutes to cook - a good sign apparently). Shrimp were great and served with onions cooked in the same pot, everything seasoned generously with old bay - and sides of cocktail sauce. Then came orders of jalapeno poppers and fried cheese balls -all good especially washed down with local pitchers of Natty Bo (National Bohemian). After eating our delicous snacks - a dozen medium sized crab came out on a giant platter alongside buckets for carcasses and mallets for smacking. These guys were exactily how I expected them to be - a glorious mess - fun to eat, tasty and liberally seasoned with old bay. To top it off, the prices at Schultz's were a lot more reasonable than I was expecting after looking at other spots online and George, our waiter, seriously could not have been a cooler guy. Unless you are heart set on water views, head to Schultz's. George will give you pro directions to the waterfront post crab feast.
(4)Lauren T.
First visit and I loved it! I'm a sucker for restaurants like this, with its dark oak paneling, big fish on the walls and tables like my great-granddad had in his kitchen. Nothing fancy or updated, just fantastic food! My two dining companions had crab cakes, with big hunks of crab, little filler and great flavor. One also had shrimp salad, with big pieces of shrimp. The crab pretzel appetizer was also a big hit, with plenty of gooey crab dip on the pretzel. Most of the menu involves crabs, shrimp, oysters and other seafood delights. Not being a seafood fan, I ordered the hot roast beef sandwich, which was delicious! Gravy galore, lean roast beef between two slices of white bread, french fries. Yum! Steamed crabs do take 35 minutes, since they're steamed to order, but plenty of people were cracking away, even on a Tuesday night. The steamed crabs smelled wonderful!
(4)Deborah G.
Schultz's Crab House is rated #1 of 45 restaurants in Essex so we decided to personally see for ourselves what this place is all about. It's 19 miles from the Towson area in an old part of Essex. The exterior is attractive and clean looking with a bright red awning that announces "Schultz's since 1969." Honestly I've been around Baltimore since well before 1969 and I've never heard of this place till Yelp. We went in and found a very clean crab house environment - tile floor (not the usual dirty carpeting) and the old knotty pine club basement style of decorating everywhere. There were lots of nautical posters and fish art on the walls. The sign said seat yourself and we did at a table near the bar so we could see what was happening in both rooms. We ordered Maryland crab soup which was tasty but had a bit too much of Old Bay for my personal taste. Next we had three subpar tossed salads with the tasty house dressing which has some parmesan cheese for flavoring. Then we each had crab cake special platters. A 6 ounce lump crab cake with two sides. The crab cake was broiled and was so hot it took a few minutes for it to cool before I could eat it. The veggies - steak fries from a freezer bag tasted like frozen spuds and I would advise don't order these. My guys had the baked potato and that was hot and fresh and the best of the potato choices. We ate all of the crab cakes and found them fresh, tasty and devoid of filler. Then we had a platter of the stuffed fried shrimp. These were a little heavy on the breading but they were filled with a nice amount of white crab meat and were quite tasty. The cole slaw was home made and very good while the peas were overcooked and mushy. Next came the large steamed crabs and they were hot, hot , hot. So hot it took us 20 minutes to eat the first one of these succulent creatures. The crabs took us to a place we have not been in a long time - crab heaven. We really found these crustaceans to be the best crabs we have had in about 5 years. The seasoning is great making the crab meat have that perfect Maryland crab flavor that is sorely lacking in many of the local crab houses. In closing, we had a great time and we will return. I would stay away from most of the vegetables and stick to the cole slaw and baked potatoes. Also if they give you the bread with your meal - it ti excellent - hot and fresh. Kudos for Schultz's. Happy steamed crab cracking time is back in Essex.
(4)Doug S.
The best steamed crabs in the Baltimore area. Steamed fresh when you order them. Super fresh and great seasoning.
(5)Mike P.
a family favorite for 40 years. nothing fancy just great steamed crabs, crab cakes and crab soup.
(5)G L.
I was visiting family from out of town and wanted some local Maryland seafood. This place hit the spot. The menu offers a wide range of seafood selections and the food did not disappoint. The prices are also very reasonable. I highly recommend Schultz's if you want to taste Maryland crab with a nice local flavor. I have two kids age 8 and 5 the restaurant offers a nice kid's meal for just $5, great deal.
(4)Jackie B.
Best crab soup in Maryland. I never been rushed to order. The lady that complained about being rushed is stupid. I Never had a problem with nothing here. Its a crab house seafood joint. Do expect crab on demand in the off season like a retarded and make a fool of your self. This is not burger king. Don't complain about crabs if you have no idea what your talking about. Five star because thats what you get here. The md crab soup is always perfect. The 2 bar tenters are nice and on time with service.
(5)Karrie F.
I've lived in Essex my entire life and went to Mount Carmel high and just found this place! The environment was nice and home feeling, the fish on the wall felt like I was in my Dad's house, and the service was fast. Between my husband & I and our two children we spent $100. I ordered a crab cake platter which the crab cake was amazing! My daughter ordered a sirloin steak and that too was very tasty! My husband ate the crab cake and shrimp salad. And our youngest had a grilled cheese. The only thing I was very nervous about was as soon as I pulled away from the restaurant if became very ill. I was very sick for the next 24 hours so our plans for Friday evening were shot because I was in the bathroom the rest of the evening. Then my husband started with the stomach issue and him & I were be only ones who are the crab cakes. So I am a little nervous about going again. I had to laugh at the server though. I asked for a highchair and he asked which one is that? the one that goes on the seat or stands by itself. Made us chuckle a little. Kind of felt bad for him. He barely checked on is during our meal and we had no napkins but 2 at the beginning when we were seated. Our bill was $84.00 and I still gave him a $16.00 tip. Thing is they put on their receipts what we should tip! Which honestly i thought it starts at 15%. They do 18%, 20% and 22%. I was a server for 4 years starting at the age of 14 so I totally get it. Might be returning May not be at this point because no one else was sick around us or the Children haven't became sick. One last thing is I ordered a piña colada. Well that just tasted like water and a tiny bit of liquor. Wasn't impressed with that at all. The price was decent but couldn't even drink more than two sips because it was just nasty. Now the server seen it sitting there full still and I was waiting for him to ask is everything okay? But that never happened!
(3)C M.
Saturday night, even though very busy, had excellent food and service. Crab Cakes were excellent, as usual. On street parking is a little dangerous with cars speeding by. Wish they had their own parking lot.
(4)Sonya A.
First introduced to crab fluffs here by my fave lunch buddy... Be very hungry if you're going to order it... They use nutmeg in the cream of crab... The best bloody Mary's... BMore style... Go to staple for steamed shrimp and crab dip.
(4)Alicia V.
Schult'z never disappoints! Came here for lunch. Ordered grilled chicken salad. Way better than expected, and huge. Also ordered $3.99 fries. Also tasty, crisp, and a large portion. Then split a dozen med ($42) steamed crabs with my daughter. Ate every last one.
(5)Julie H.
Lively place. You know it's going to be good from the minute you arrive with the busy parking lot, to the tables of crab pounding! Nothing fancy, just about seafood, steamed crabs and crab cakes done right. Our waitress (Tracy) was attentive, helpful and pointed out off menu items, and made suggestions. Nice experience.
(5)Debra P.
I went there for the first time yesterday and the cheesy jumbo crab lump pretzel and the dozen of HOT seasoned crabs was delicious!! I will definitely go back!! -:)
(5)Jackie H.
My family haunts Schultz's. Figuratively, but maybe also literally as well. Schultz's is where my late grandmother taught me how to wield a mallet. Whenever we go back, something in the way the crab pops open for me makes me think she's watching. Yes, Schultz's is as close to a religious experience my Presbyterian-Catholic-Jewish extended family is ever likely to share. Schultz's has a great, friendly ambience, and I know for a fact that it can accomodate very large groups, with advance notice. You have to order crabs here. You just have to. Fight through the pain as the Old Bay seeps into the tiny cuts you'll get on your fingers. It means you're doing it right.
(5)Leslie S.
Excellent steamed crabs, really good service, good cold beer. Great way to spend a long, leisurely Sunday afternoon. Parking is on the street.
(5)Mary B.
Fantastic crab cakes and steamed crabs. This is an authentic, family owned "Baltimore" crab house. Prices are extremely reasonable. Atmosphere is dated but it gives it a certain charm. Parking can be sketchy (mostly street parking on a busy road) but you can usually get a good space out front if you are patient.
(5)Schlaf T.
EXCELLENT!! The jumbo lump crab cakes are just as one would hope-- big pieces of crab meat with just the right amount of filling (not much). One of the best in a region known for them. Other customers seemed to be enjoying their whole steamed crabs. The service was great, too.
(5)Ann T.
Visiting my sister from KY, she took us to Schultz's for lunch. We ordered 2 dozen mouth-watering seasoned Old Bay broiled crabs, 6 super sweet corn on the cobs, a crab cake sandwich for my 3 yr old, and a large pitcher of unsweet tea (add your own sugar). Total: $120 for 4 adults & 1 toddler. The place was uniquely decorated with different types of fish hanging on plagues, has a huge billiard table in the bar area with a massive screen tv. The crabs were cooked to please, not overdone and not undercooked.......simply awesomely good. Food took awhile for 2 dozen crabs but well worth the wait, unless you have an impatient hungry toddler. The service was great, just dont forget to tip the waitress or she'll come after you. Forgetting to tip the waitress for the great food & friendly service due to an anxious toddler & an irritated infant, the waitress came after us loudly for not leaving a tip for out $120 bill. An honest mistake from us but even if the services were bad, seems rude to questioned about the amount or lack of tip left on the table.
(4)