After attending homecoming at the U of M with my sister and sorority sisters, I suggested we grab a meal at this location. We all like Half Shell - and usually dine at the one near Hacks Cross, but since Mendenhall is closer to U of M, we decided to eat here. First, let me say I have NEVER had a bad meal at Half Shell. I always order the Voodoo Chicken or Catfish because it never disappoints. The egg rolls are also very good. I understand that this location is the 'oldest' of the two, but my sister and I were completely grossed out by the bathrooms here. Its not that they are dirty, its that they are worse than a truck stop dirty. Makes you wonder about the employees fixing your food that use them.....very strong connection. As far as food ratings are concerned, Half Shell gets a strong 4 stars. Everyone was pleased with their menu selections. When it comes to service, I have to give ol' girl who waited on us a 2. She forgot my sorors shrimp, and didnt bring out the side items my sister requested. I know that we are not the only table she had, and waiters/waitresses are not perfect, but geez. Now that I think about it, not sure we got refills....hmm. Anyway - star rating is for this location sans the food. There is just no excuse for filthy bathrooms at a restaurant to the point where you don't want to eat. I will never go to this location, as far as cleanliness is concerned - its really gross
(1)
Michelle W.
Service is getting words and worse Everytime I go. The restaurant was not even crowded and people were getting up and leaving left and right after not seeing a server for over 10 minutes!
(2)
Leigh F.
tasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yum yum yum!!!!!!!! o m g it's amazin
(5)
Jerry O.
I've lived in Memphis all my life. I had never been here, but I learned they served soft-shelled crab, which I love. I went on a wednesday evening. The restaurant is dark, dingy and the table and floor was sticky. The bar is filled with noisy regulars. Two jumbo soft shelled crab was an entree listed on the menu. I ordered that. Almost an hour later, this sad-looking small palte comes from the kitchen with two not jumbo, very small-at best, soggy fried crabs. They had a pile of stove-top stuffing on top, and a puddle of runny, greasy mashed potatoes on the bottom. The crab tasted of old freezer burn, not much else. Sadly, the Stove top stuffing on top was the best part of a $20 meal. I hate there is a 'no star' rating. After polishing it off in about 6 bites, I left, and had a real meal to satisfy my hunger at McDonalds. Next time I want soft-shelled crab, I'm gonna drive the 8 hours to New Orleans.
(1)
CC D.
My restaurant theory is to find something you really like and stick with it. So this review is solely for the gumbo and cesar salad. That's all I've ever had at The Half Shell and it's probably all I ever will have. Why mess with a good thing.
(4)
B M.
I eat at the Half Shell at least once each month. The atmosphere is great with a lively bar. It is cozy and casual. Dark wood and dim lighting add to the ambience. Several TVs if you are interested in a game. My favorite menu item is the Red Beans and Rice, by far the best in Memphis. Their bisque and gumbo is also good. I've had the Amberjack, Monte Cristo sandwich, Po-Boy, and Crab Cakes, all were good. I always leave full and happy.
(5)
Justin S.
Have been to the Half Shell a few times. This evening was by far the worst customer service I have received at a restaurant. My party placed orders for appetizers and entrees. We did not receive our apps and the entrees that were fried were done so with what seemed to be old oil. I will not be returning for some time.
(1)
Benjamin D.
Everything I ate here was fantastic. The tuna was fresh, cooked perfectly, and the sides were tasty. I do appreciate how quickly they served us considering how packed the place was on a Saturday night.
(4)
Erica B.
The husband and I finally had the opportunity to have brunch here this morning. I ordered the Steak Benedict (steak, tomatoes and poached eggs on English muffins with Bearnaise sauce) and he opted for the Half Shell Benedict (poached eggs, lump crab meat and spinach on English muffins with Bearnaise sauce). While both were very good, his choice was the clear winner. Something about lump crab meat and spinach with Bearnaise is just simply delicious. It also helps that I am a big fan of their hash browns. They have a bit of a kick to them- not sure what the spice is, but it works. The best part is they are diced and fried crispy- not the soggy mush you usually get aside your eggs and bacon. My husband much prefers their grits and claimed them to be in his top 5 now. We also shared a piece of their coconut cake for dessert. While good, I wasn't blown away as The Beauty Shop has ruined all coconut cake experiences for me for life. I'm excited to come back here sans fetus to partake in their $3.75 brunch special Bloody Mary and mimosas. Not only did they look delicious, but the price is definitely right on. Nothing oozes class like getting a bit tipsy over brunch.
(4)
Misty R.
The Half Shell has been a Memphis staple for years. Most people you talk to love the Half Shell. I am no exception. If you want good, quality seafood in a relaxed atmosphere this is the place to go. I love their Gumbo and always get in in the winter time. For lunch I typically get the special- whatever is fresh and in season and I'm never disappointed. I love their spinach and the salads are good too. It's has a good size bar area and is a popular late night hang out.
(4)
Meg L.
I went in not expecting much at all and was totally surprised. I had excellent coconut shrimp. My mom had some Louisiana something catfish which I took a sample of and it was wonderful. Probably a bit better than my shrimp. Next time I'm in Memphis I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Tanya T.
The Half Shell has been around for years, and Memphians love to hang out at the bar or drop in for great seafood. I, too, like The Half Shell but I don't love it. The food is good and the service is attentive. The bar area is fun and usually crowded. The place just doesn't knock my socks off. Maybe it's because my hubby spent several years of his life in Louisiana and learned how to make authentic Cajun gumbo. Maybe it's because I love the Bayou Bar & Grill. I usually go at the suggestion of others, and I always order the Salad Nicoise. It is a great salad, and I do love the ambiance. For that, I give it 3 stars.
(3)
Stephanie N.
i LOVE this place. anytime i'm craving some shell seafood i come here. they have the best oysters. my husband enjoyed the po' boys and the curry mussels. the crab bisque is pretty yummy too. i always have to have the crab bisque and the oysters no matter what.
(5)
J C.
The Half Shell is a great find in Memphis. Very pleased with the Voodoo Salmon- the cut was a bit skimpy for dinner, but the serving of shrimp stuffing made up for it. The crab cakes were good as well. The lighting could be a bit better at night, as many patrons were having trouble reading the menu. I would definitely come back again, though. Very good food, good service, and reasonable prices make The Half Shell a worthy stop.
(4)
Elle S.
Love this place... it's a seafood-Cajun-bar food place. They have everything you want. They have really yummy cheese dip, oysters, voodoo anything, shrimp po'boy, Monte Cristo, salads...yummy! And they are open late... 2 am on Sunday and 3 the rest of the week!
(5)
Ming Z.
Half shell! How shall I rate you today?! How should I rate you after ate a very disappointed Salad Nichios? How can you screw up a salad? You know, I am not a stranger to you! I have been eating here for years. Alrighty. You deserve 3 star today. Fair and square. Most time I rate you 4. Because I do love the seafood gumbo, it is the best of the town. No kidding. Your Voodoo sauce is rich and full of flavor. Fish are always fresh and professionally cooked. But how can you screw up a simple salad nichios?! I had that before. It was great! Now you did it. If you want your 4star back, you gotta prove it, babe!
(3)
Shannon L.
Half Shell is one of my go-to restaurants in Memphis. I LOVE it! They have a great brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. I recommend the benedicts or the shrimp and grits. Great bloody mary and mimosa specials as well. For every other day, the Baja Seafood Nachos and VooDoo Catfish are my favs! The place has a great atmosphere. Everything is home-y and dimly lit. There is also a really nice wrap bar that's pretty inviting. Most of the tables are pretty secluded and tucked away between walls, so you can focus on your company at the table.
(5)
Geri D.
You bet this place is as good as it gets! I am so picky when it comes to eating out...probably because I'm a good cook. I used to think that the Crab Bisque at Connor's was my favorite, but his place has it beat by a mile. I would have just been happy with just that as my entree, but Hubby wanted to share several things. We are also crab cake snobs (Hudson's in Hilton Head & anyplace at the Outer Banks, NC). Now, Half Shell's also are in the running. We shared the baked oysters, but were too full by that time. We told our waitress to bring the food as it was ready, and in no particular order. The prices are right, as this was fairly casual. We liked the rustic decor. Hubby said it was the best meal he EVER has. Was I offended? Heck no, I must agree.
(5)
trisha j.
Awesome food. Awesome service. We had the king crab bisque, the grilled oysters and the surf and turf dinner. The bisque was wonderful. The oysters were out of this world. The filet was melt in your mouth tender. The crab legs were sweet and succulent. I can't say it enough, this place is fantastic! Can't wait to go back and try some of their other foods. Sorry I was limited to only five stars!!
(5)
Ben B.
I recently moved to Memphis and The Half Shell instantly became one of my favorite places to eat. We had oysters for a starter and they were good quality oysters that were not too big nor to small in size. I was impressed when they brought out not only Tabasco sauce, but also Louisiana hot sauce. The two best plates on our table was the soft shell crab (special) and my amberjack sandwich. I would also suggest trying the Italian spinach as a side, I loved it! The restaurant itself had a cozy feel to it that added to it's uniqueness.
(5)
J Z.
This is more of a 4.5 stars place! I've always wanted to try this ole-skool lookin' place! It was GREAT. Oysters/mussels/gumbo everything was on point! The crowd is mostly 40s-60 year olds going on dates... I felt slightly out of place but it was cute nonetheless :)
(4)
Justin H.
King crab bisque was great! Great little place to eat. Have eaten here twice and have not yet been disappointed. It's also great because it's open late.
(4)
Huyen T.
After the movies, me and my friends decided to go to half shells...knowing that it was open until 2am. Which was great! When we got there ( to our surprise it was right down the street from the movie lol) the place was placed! So I had to part behind the other building, but the short walk was worth it. When we got there, we didn't have to wait long and was seated. We had the lobster and shrimp bruschetta, it was different and delicious....though my friend thought that it was suppose to be hot and not cold. It went great with the French bread lol. Everything on the menu was affordable for seafood. Great place to hang out a nice.
(4)
Maya P.
Brunch at the Half Shell is consistently good, as are their staple menu items. I have a seafood allergy, so I have not tried most of the dishes here... however, the food I have had is usually fantastic. I recently went to brunch at "The Shell" with my mother, although for years my father and his wife have been regulars (as was I). We ordered one savory and one sweet dish. The food was rich and amazing, but the server couldn't answer simple questions about sauces and was slow to bring coffee refills. In her defense, I'm pretty sure she was new. She was friendly and slightly awkward but overall it was a good experience. If you like salads, order here. They are huge and crisp with fresh ingredients and tasty dressing. A lot of people like the Monte Cristo (I'm afraid to try it!) and the Reuben is yummy as can be. The Half Shell is responsible for my consumption of the best filet Mignon of my LIFE. It was a one time extraordinarily amazing filet, but in general it's always delicious.
(4)
Dayne B.
I was in the mood for a steak but it was 915ish on a Sunday and most places had closed up shop. This place was open late, and turned out to be pretty solid. Had to try oysters on the half shell, they were only ok. My main course was grilled amberjack, a fish I've never had before, with rice and broccoli. The fish was the highlight. I'd definitely recommend this spot, if it weren't for the oysters I would have four starred it, and I don't five star anything.
(3)
Peter G.
Half-shell is what Red Lobster would look like if it was run by capitalist hipsters. Decor is an interesting assortment of old timey paintings & bar ware. Ambiance is dark. Interesting to note all tables included a shaker of Cajun spice. Wait staff has the look of the older profession variety, but the attitude of a cat wanting to go outside. Case-in-point one server explaining to the hostess that the 6 top she just sat HAS to leave the TV in the backroom on sports. This seemed less due to some requirement or policy & more like dude's desire to watch the game from an where in the restaurant. Our server didn't bother to explain or offer an app from the menu & seemed surprised when I ordered the lobster. We saw her again when she delivered the food & again when I flagged her down to request clairified butter (seemed to forgot it w/ meal) Despite lackluster service food was decent. Lobster was not overcooked or steamed, my side of spinach left something to be desired (dry & spiced?). Hit this place for happy hour anything more at own risk.
(2)
Seth W.
The other reviews are right on. Great place to eat. Recommend: their King Crab Bisque is out of this world.
(4)
Jolynna M.
For years, The Half Shell has been a favorite with Memphians throughout the city, and the reason is pretty simple: The food is good and the atmosphere is casual and comfortable. This past Sunday I went there after church for brunch. Now there are some great places in Memphis for brunch, but this is one of my personal favorites for two very good reasons. They have exceptional eggs benedict, and they mix up a pretty darned good bloody mary. And currently, on Sundays bloody marys and mimosas are only four bucks. Bonus. :)
(4)
Mark S.
It's been a while since I've been to the Half Shell. I must say, I really enjoyed it. Got the grilled oysters (cooked in garlic and butter) appetizer to start out with. About $10 for 6, a little high considering they shrink down a whole lot when grilled, but it's hard to find decent oysters in Memphis. These didn't dissapoint. For my meal, I had the blackened bacon cheeseburger with a stuff baked potato. I love burgers and this one was surprisingly better than I thought it would be. The blackened seasoning had just the right amount of spice to add some good flavor, didn't overpower it. I got it medium rare and it came out medium rare. That's always a plus in my book.
(4)
N. P.
This is the best seafood place in Memphis, in my opinion. When I have a hankering for Alaskan king crab legs, I go here. They are not cheap, but the quality matches the price. They have the perfect ratio of taste, fat, and fresh going on with the food. They have a big brunch menu with lots of seafood omlettes. The oysters are also incredible. The grilled salad nicoise is delicious, with large, salty artichokes. I have yet to try a steak, which they serve variations of.
(5)
Jason S.
Did lunch. Old place and a little run down.....but the food was FANTASTIC. If your a soft shell crab fan, I recommend the soft shell po-boy.
(4)
mark g.
Pretty fair food. Great service.
(3)
Lawrence M.
Decent restaurant in east memphis. Soups were good, vegetable selection is very poor like many Memphis restaurants. I thought the service was friendly yet slow. A bit dissappointing it didn't change at all when the lunch crowd cleared out. Other ratings gave this place four stars...no its not by any stretch. The food is fine overall but given the other many fine choices in the area, probably only worth attending of the others are full.
(2)
Sara P.
The parking area is deceptively small. I saw the over-flowing parking lot and assumed I and my party would have a huge wait. We were promptly sat and it was a nice location. The VooDoo Catfish was great along with the Key Lime Pie. I am glad we looked it up while in town and made the decision to go. Great flavor!
(4)
Jennifer H.
I LOVE this place! The atmosphere and staff are awesome! The food is AMAZING and the cost is little compared to the quality. I always try to stick to the same thing everywhere else i go, but at half shell I try different things all the time because I KNOW whatever I get is destined to be great! My favorites so far are the pan seared duck, voodoo chicken and the king club! This place is great!
(5)
Rory A.
Way better than I expected. We ended up here on a recommendation from our hotel shuttle driver because everything else was closed. Happy accident. This place has really good food and the staff was very nice. It took a long time for all of us to decide what we wanted because they have one of those menus where everything sounds yummy. Killer gumbo, steak was cooked perfectly and the Dungeness crab was really big and sweet. cons: No beers on tap.Just bottles If you are with a group the checks get kind of weird because they charge 18% gratuity and then something else of equal amount called a service charge. You only actually get charged one but it looks like a double charge.
(4)
Lisa B.
AWESOME onion rings!! Good service, good Cajun pasta. Mediocre shrimp and crab cakes. atmosphere : casual, good bar design for drinks. Very disappointed with the italian spinach. Would return w friends, but hope to find a better option for this fare in Memphis. Oh, don't be fooled by the name 1/2 shell... No mussels or oysters.
(3)
Ken Z.
Came here for oysters - when we got them they were warm and weren't cut from the shell. Maybe the foods good but I'll never get oysters here again until I'm assured they can do it right.
(1)
Mark H.
If you like raw oysters, then they have good ones. Man I must have eaten 2 dozen that night and I could have had more. Freah, cold and intact. I have eaten at bothlocations and they are both well above average. The only draw back is sometimes the service is slow from the bar. But that is something that will ebb and flo so I let it roll. Worth a mention but not a deal breaker. Go for the quality of the food and drinks but not for the speed at which they will come.. Worth the wait.
(4)
Greg A.
Very busy seafood restaurant in the "FedEx district" of Memphis. They get quite busy for lunch, so get there early. I especially enjoyed the po-boys. I had a catfish po-boy, which was quite good.
(3)
Paul B.
Best oysters in Memphis! Crab cakes are great!
(5)
Oneal B.
I've been looking for authentic Eggs Benedict in Memphis for 3 years and have finally found some at The Half Shell. Excellent Eggs Benedict at brunch, Saturday/Sunday till 3 p.m. Very friendly staff. A bit unusual, made with shaved country ham, but very good. Ask for some extra Hollandaise sauce and for my taste, a lemon wedge to squeeze. Good coffee.
(4)
David T.
See my review (elsewhere on my page) of the new location for specifics. This, the original store, is just as good, with a slightly more lived-in feel. Go. Eat. Drink. Enjoy. Come home with $ left in the wallet. Repeat.
(5)
Tom G.
We eat here two to three times per month and it's always excellent. Try the blackened Amberjack if it's on the menu. Also, the oysters are almost always excellent when in season (September-April), and only $9/dozen!
(4)
Julia C.
Went in on a busy Saturday night and was seated within a few minutes. Started with the crab bisque -- highly recommend it! So light and delicious, with perfect amounts of crab and great levels of spices. Also ordered the voodoo shrimp, which was cooked perfectly and included a side. Got the broccoli but I'd recommend the spinach and Parmesan; it looked delicious every time it walked past me! Service was attentive and fast, and for a busy Saturday, we were only there for perhaps 40 minutes due to fast ticket times. If I'm ever in Memphis again, I'm definitely going to come back. You should, too!
(5)
Carlos B.
The Half Shell brunch burger is one the best things to eat in Memphis. Charcoal flavored burger with jalapeno bacon served on toasted English muffins covered with Hollandaise sauce. Service was excellent. Price was great, 4 brunches for a total of $60 including drinks and tip.
(5)
David E.
It had been a number of years since I had eaten at the Half-Shell, so my wife and I decided we would go back. Boy, am I glad we did! I had a FABULOUS chicken sandwich. I decided to try the "Spicy Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich". Wow! Talk about an explosion of spicy flavor - it was the "slow smoked jalapeno bacon" that caught my eye, but it was the full compliment of all of the good and spicy flavors that held my attention - and my taste buds. Shoot, this sandwich was so spicy it would still be "hot" if it got "cold". Didn't happen - I ate it all before it could get "cold". My wife had the Voodoo Shrimp, and it was equally good - and the same "hot"/"cold" held true for her dish too. She truly enjoyed the shrimp stuffing that had shrimp in it too. The shrimp was seasoned perfectly and the stuffing merely enhanced the experience. Bottom line, don't do like we did - don't overlook this Memphis Classic - plan a great meal at the Half-Shell in your near future! We will be going back - there are too many other dishes I didn't get to try.
(5)
Mary H.
What can I say The Half shell is a Memphis institution has been consistently good for over 30 years, there are not many restaurants that you can say that about. The food is always spot on, I have never had a bad meal here, Lunch, Dinner or Brunch. I urge everyone to try the Brunch just once and you will be hooked (cheap mimosas). The cheese burger sliders are so good, the perfect combination of cheesy, beefy and a little kick! The Pain Perdue is amazing, I almost felt like I was in New Orleans (almost). The Lunch Specials during the week are very reasonable and tasty. Fresh veggies as sides and the Homemade rolls are Yummy! The Patio Salad with grilled shrimp is one of my favorite salads anywhere ( I actually crave one right now). Mixed greens, dried cranberries, spiced walnuts, blue cheese and balsamic vinegar dressing.
(4)
Chris M.
They must be doing something right as they have been around now forms long time. I've had some good meals and some not so good through the years but the original location leans more towards the good side. Had the fish tacos tonight and they were surprisingly good. I will absolutely go back and have them again. Service was good as usual and the prices are fair. If everything was as good as the tacos I'd give them four stars.
(3)
Lo B.
I have two words for you: seafood nachos. You're welcome. Oh and the drinks are strong and cheap, so there's that too.
(5)
Hart R.
I've always had a good experience at the Half Shell. The food is delicious!
(5)
Casey B.
Delicious food and fun atmosphere. I love their hot wings. The fat boy (po boy with several types of seafood on it) is one of my favorites. I feel fortunate this place is right down the street from my house.
(5)
Phillip S.
Tonight my family and I visited The Half Shell for the first time, on Valentine's Day. I'm glad we made reservations for an early dinner time (5pm), because by the time we left at 7pm, the wait looked really long! I wasn't sure what to expect atmosphere wise based on other Yelper's pictures....I was afraid it would look too much like a bar type atmosphere on the inside....but it's actually nicely decorated. Dark woods, candles. Classy enough without being overly fancy. The only thing that seemed out of place was the classic rock music playing throughout the night. I would have preferred something a little more laid back for the type of setting. We started off with an order of the Baja Seafood Nachos. It was maybe the priciest appetizer I've ever paid for, at almost $16. And sadly, it wasn't that good at all.....in fact, I might go as far as to say it was terrible. It may have been better without the Tilapia they put on it......the Tilapia had a really off taste.....almost like a dirty, muddy taste. It ruined the flavor of the nachos for both my wife and I. I do not recommend this appetizer at all. My wife and I both ordered a full order (1.5 lbs) of King Crab Legs. They were pricey at $38 a plate, but hey, it's Valentine's Day. The king crab was absolutely delicious! I think it's pretty hard on average to screw up crab legs though (although Red Lobster has managed to do it on occasion). And in case you were wondering, despite there only being 4 crab legs in a full order, it WILL fill you up. I'm a big guy, and even I was struggling towards the end to finish them. There is tons of meat in these suckers! We both had a stuffed baked potato as our side, and sadly, it was pretty dry and tasteless in my opinion. The dinner was also served with a fairly decent yeast roll. My son ordered the kids chicken tenders, and unfortunately he did not even eat them after one bite. My wife took a bite of his, and stated they were extremely dry. Service was pretty inattentive too, especially for the kind of money I was dropping. It took a long time for the waiter to notice we needed refills, and we just didn't see him as often as I would have liked. If I ever have the desire for king crab legs, I certainly know where to go, but this isn't a place I'll be in a big hurry to rush back to anytime soon.
(3)
Tracy M.
Nice place, the seafood is very good. The service was excellent.
(4)
Toni G.
I ordered the coconut shrimp but it was nearly burnt. So it was ok )not better than Outback) and the apricot dipping sauce was a little to sweet. I asked for another dipping sauce option but there was none however she offered cocktail and tartar which was not a viable choice...not a great option for coconut. So I doubt I'll return since I love seafood. I feel as if I just wasted money.
(3)
Diana T.
I like Half Shell... It's good and consistent whenever I go. I like to get the Egg Rolls, crab bisque, and the crab cakes. The atmosphere is okay... There's never anywhere to sit lol. We had to sit right in front of the kitchen last night and it was horrible. Also, there's this one hostess... She is the rudest little twit I have ever met! She should not be a hostess! Rolling her eyes, on her phone, and doesn't even speak! I ignore her and look for the nice one, since there are usually two at the door. Overall, it's a nice experience.
(4)
Jessica G.
Went Saturday after catching a late movie. I was in the mood for the Crab Stuffed Shrimp (my favorite) and my husband was being nostalgic. The Half Shell was a part of our first date over 10 years ago. It wasn't crowded, which isn't normal for a late Saturday night so we assumed we'd have a decent but late dinner. We were seated after about 10 minutes and no one EVER came to take our orders. We waited for over 20 minutes before we got up to leave. The same person who seated us, came and got the menus off of the table immediately and kept walking. I asked to speak with a manager and was told that he couldn't be found but he suddenly appeared. I explained the situation and he said, "It must have been a mix up. I'll have to get on these guys." Well, we weren't expecting a handout but we were kind of expecting a different response, along the lines of, "It apologize that this happened but please allow us to take your order or make the situation better." So much for pleasing the customer.
(1)
Sarah D.
How convenient that you remove the review that you say are not recommended. We had bad food, ( I know, I could not believe it either. The Half Shell on Winchester is great. Really professional and good food. You have a good manager at HS on Mendenhall; as long as you don't complain. He remembers you and when you go in the next time you always get the bad table behind the service bars. Have been tremendously disappointed the last two times on Mendenhall. A blind was open on the front of restaurant on Mendenhall. Glare was in my eyes the whole time I say there. I didn't say anything but someone else did and the bartender closed it. When he went by our table I have him a thumbs up and a smile. He smiled back in a friendly way. At that time the manager walked up to the bar and was just leaning against the bar. About that time the man opened up the blind so he could read the paper. So rude. I saw the bartender look at me so I smiled and said "he opened it again and the hot sun was glaring through.. He yelled back and pointed at the manager said he wasn't going to do anything about it. We immediate paid our bill and left. As we were leaving I looked over and saw a man reading a magazine. I couldn't believe how rude the manager was. I thought is this a library or a restaurant. We have not been back to Mendenhall. We love seafood and oysters so we tried HS on Winchester . Food was great, service was great. Restaurant is beautiful and roomy. Not all crowded like the bar on Mendenhall All Mendenhall cares about is selling mixed drinks. Don't complain at all if the crab bisque is not warm and no crab meat on the top. I bet there weren't four tablespoons of cb in that cup. Salad was wilted. The only thing that hadn't changed is their prices. Plus you have to leave a good tip since they don't pay them anything. I bet you take this one off the review board, because this really happened.
(2)
Jack A.
I get into Memphis on a monthly basis for work and eating is always up in the air.... Pork BBQ or Gus's or anything else tasty. But the Half Shell voodoo dishes are like an old friend you never see enough and always enjoy the visit. You can have steak, salmon, catfish, shrimp or chicken blackened with voodoo sauce. Get a side of broccoli and a beer, and it is flavor perfection. I had 7 blackened 24 count shrimp and wow, Eating voodoo was the highlight of my trip. If you like flavor and some spice on you food.. You need to make voodoo your newest friend. I have been eating their voodoo dishes for the better part of 7 years and it is still some the best food anywhere.
(4)
Christina N.
Whoa...! That's exactly the thought I had in the middle of my meal here. I tried one of the specials - a cider seafood stew that hat was simply delightful! The broth was light and sweet, which was nice compliment to the various seafood items mixed in with it. I don't know that I've ever had a better seafood soup/stew type of meal! It was perfectly cooked, appropriately seasoned and filled with unexpected flavor - a must try if you visit in the near future (I do believe it's a seasonal item). I also got a boat load of oysters! Perfectly cut from the shell, these oysters were fresh and delicious! The Half Shell is a pretty casual place but not too casual, so it's a good option when you're in jeans and also a good option for an after work snack! The service was also good. Our waiter visited frequently enough to have all of our needs met, but not so much that it was overbearing. He also let us take our time, which was nice. As a seafood lover - I HIGHLY recommend checking this place out. Wide variety, delicious seafood, and some unique menu items.
(5)
Nolen G.
.......what a cool local place in Memphis. I love this area, the Belmont, 1/2 Shell, Gus' Fried chicken. You cant go wrong. Best not eat too much so you can have dessert at Gibson's Donuts !!
(4)
Amanda G.
I went again recently & had a great server! She was really busy but very pleasant. The oysters were awesome. The Caesar salad was a bit too drenched with dressing or I would give 5 stars. The lobster bisque was great
(4)
Marcus J.
This restaurant is okay. For the prices, I expect a little more in terms of depths of flavor. Food just isn't good enough for these prices.
(3)
Lauren R.
Food is good, service is awful. We ate there last night, and they asked if we wanted a table or a booth. We said booth. One of the hostesses whispered to the other right in front of me "Put them at a table, she's too fat to fit in a booth!" because I am 9 months pregnant. SO rude. They need to do some serious training with their staff.
(2)
Tyler B.
Another great experience in Memphis. The bartender had worked here for over 15 years. It was great food, company, & service.
(4)
Cristina H.
Lunch Specials are the best!!! But this place is just all around good. The prices are reasonable and they don't skimp and that's why I love them!! If you were once a fac of Red Lobster, Pearls Oyster House or anything like that then you will defintely love Half Shell. The chargrilled and rockefeller oysters are my favorite. On this last visit I tried the oyster sliders are they were great! They have like 2 fried oysters on a slider bun with some really good sauce and tomatoes and i think lettuce. Its a really good appetizer to share with 2 people. I tried the Catfish Pauline and let me tell you this was a MEAL BABY!!! Its TWO pieces of catfish with some crab meat and delish sauce mix on top!! It had alittle bit of spice to it and im sure thats what makes it Louisana Style. It was breaded perfect and the perfect side was brocolli to go with the rice. This was definitely a meal I appreciated twice!! I think maybe even alittle bit more the second time when I was dead hungry at 9pm after putting my baby to sleep! They have a big menu so you can never get old with this place AND they have brunch!! I love this place so I'll be back more that once!!
(5)
Bob Y.
Perhaps my expectations were too high because there were so many rave reviews but we were a bit disappointed. It was good but not great as we had expected. We arrived about 6 pm on a Friday night, found a parking space at the front door and were seated right away. The outside has that "hole-in-the-wall" look which actually raised my expectations because we all have found rare gems in digs like that. We were seated in a wood-paneled alcove which was very noisy. A couple of screaming little ones at a nearby table didn't help. The menu is extensive so review online before you go or plan to spend some time perusing. We started with the crab bisque soup which was outstanding but our entrees arrived before we were half done and being rushed through this wonderful soup is not good. My wife had the Hawaiian Coconut Shrimp which was a little over-cooked but tasty. I had the Crab Stuffed Butterfly Shrimp over rice pilaf which was quite good. The shrimp were plump and tasty. The steamed broccoli was just right. Our server was very nice and just the right amount of attentiveness. The menu is interesting enough to warrant a return trip. I'd like to try the oysters. Will go for lunch next time. They also have a Saturday and Sunday brunch. BTW they only take reservations for parties of 8 or more but was no problem for us.
(3)
Michael M.
Great seafood in Memphis!
(4)
James S.
Started with the Shrimp & Lobster Bruschetta it is outstanding, then we split a plate of Oysters. The I had a bowl of Gumbo and Salad. My wife had Crab cakes. The food is great the service is great, the only bad thing I could say would be the parking lot is small. We will certainly be returning. Perfect place for lunch before a movie at the Paradiso
(5)
E Buzz M.
Great seafood.... local atmosphere. Ate at the bar. Good service ,good people. Good food.
This is one of the first restaurants I ate at after moving to Millington, Tennessee. We very much enjoyed every aspect of it, including the atmosphere, the service, and especially the quality of food. You can count on us returning in the future.
(4)
Shawn L.
This is a great place to eat. Regardless if you want fish or a burger you can't go wrong going here. The food is always good.
(4)
Kyle C.
This place is a perennial favorite among Memphians, for good reason. It is obviously a "local" restaurant, but it is easily more than that. Memphis is not exactly what you would call close to the ocean, which would otherwise provide you with fresh seafood. However, this place always hits a homerun with all of the seafood options that they serve on a daily basis. The oysters at the Half Shell are always amazing. If you are in the mood for fish, order one of the many numerous different options that they provide. You can never go wrong with any choice that you select. There are also offerings of traditional pub fare or bar food, for those who don't want to venture too far off of the beaten track. One of the other things that makes this place great is the always friendly and courteous staff, who will treat you like they have known you for years. Although I have not had it in years, due in part to the "little ones" that have joined my family in recent years, The brunch at the Half Shell is also amazing. And, I am still told by those who are able to frequent this establishment for Sunday brunch, that this is still the case. Great food. Great staff. Great seafood selections. Great bar. Great people watching. Plus, it's a local joint, to boot. Four very solid stars.
Only complaint: At first our visit was not so good, we were seated in an area that wasn't being waited. We were ignored for twenty mins until Matthew got someone's attention. HOWEVER, once we got a waitress and got our food, all was forgiven. The food is absolutely excellent! We had the fried grits and shrimp to start and shared the Salmon voodoo. 10/10!
(4)
Reginald W.
The food was great. The restaurant was very crowded though. We had to wait 15 min for a table (probably reasonable for no reservation on a Saturday night) and it was in a bad location by the door to the kitchen. My wife had the oysters and a shrimp poboy and loved it . I had the oyster sliders and a fat boy. The oyster sliders are amazing. Its a fried oyster , bacon and coleslaw as a sliders. Brilliant! I was totally surprised to find good seafood in a land locked state like Tennessee.
(4)
Matthew H.
They did it again I had been wanting the crab legs so it was a tough week and I wanted to treat ME!! Man this surf and turf dish with the steak med rare and king crab legs won't disappoint, even the veges were flavorful, good, and tasted like real food!!!
(5)
Andrea V.
One of my go to places in Memphis. The patio salad is delicious. Usually get it with blackened shrimp. Large portion makes a good meal.
(5)
Mary D.
Visiting from out of town wanted sums seafood and heard this place was the best was not disappointed great gumbo, oysters and salad but the best was the king crab generous portion and sweet and delicious I would recommend it highly. Go go go if you can !!!
I have a hard time not getting the Fat Boy poboy every time I'm here. I'm originally from the gulf coast and seafood at The Half Shell is about as good as it gets in Memphis.
(4)
LJ R.
We came here just for one thing their Monte Cristo. Really that's all you need. Well technically there's other items that you could try here but we just came here to try one item because we were going to other restaurants around Memphis just to sample some of their food. The Half Shell happen to be the first restaurant on our list so we had to save some room for the rest. This was my first ever Monte Cristo. I've heard of them but never tried it before until now. Very delicious. Who doesn't like a good ham and cheese sandwhich... and it's fried and dusted with powder sugar too :0 It was served hot , filled with lots juicy meat, and oozing with cheese when I took the fork to it. It was served with huge extra onion rings extra crispy on the inside, soft and moist on the inside. The waitress was very friendly. Best part was the hostess was a little kid, make sure they pay you with really good candy. The kid actually did a really good job. It was a good environment. I heard they have some good seafood. It gets busy here. Parking lot was filled and we ended up parking on the street, no problem though.
(4)
Tom G.
Went Friday night for a birthday dinner, 9 of us. Much better than my last visit. Service was attentive, even on a Friday night with the place packed. We split several items: Fried Shrimp, perfect, soup & salad, always great Lobster bisque, crab cakes. Well worth the visit and the $.
(4)
Scott F.
Always a great meal at Half Shell.
(4)
Tom E.
It was a Saturday night, and I just made a complete fool of myself- for better or for worse. I just got done with a spectacular elite event, but I was supposed to head to work to take care of something I was supposed to do Friday (oops). When I got the invite to come to the Half Shell, work was immediately put on the back burner. Now, there is a Half Shell about a mile from where I live, and I soon thereafter found out that was NOT the location to go to (another oops!). So I used my trusty Yelp app, and it got me in the right direction. One of my good friends Charlie B. (a native of MEM), had told me about this place from years ago, and how his mother loved it. I was excited to try it! This place is right near the train tracks, and had an interesting parking situation (ok, I didn't survey it all), I just weaved in and out of moving cars and pedestrians, and parked along the street. At the end of the night, my car was there and still in one piece, so I guess it was a legit spot? As I walked around, I noticed it had a nice crowd, and it was pretty big too- it could hold a lot of people- the bar was straight ahead, with eating areas on the left, and right. We sat at a 6 top, right inside the door on the left. It was like our own little alcove. That was cool! I wanted to work on a hangover, so I kept ordering vodka red bulls. They were out of the regular, so I got the sugar free ones. That was all good though, I told the server (forgot her name) it was probably for the best. The menu was vast and had a lot to offer, but since I had already been drinking, I got (don't laugh too hard, this is my go to food when I drink) the chicken caesar salad. After I saw those oysters come out though, I should have ordered dozens and start filling up every pocket. They looked so damn big and yummmmm. As we all sat and enjoyed our food and shared highly inappropriate dinner topics (I need to work on that), it was a great time. The salad was the perfect size, and came in clutch. Pretty decent! As it came to an end, it was check time. The checks were split, and tip was already added, but I added a few extra bones to it. We stayed for a few and talked some more. She then came to pick up the checks, which was kind of awkward... At this point, it was time to move on, then we tried to move to the bar, and then it was slammed full and no one to be found to help us out with that situation, so it was time to move on! I would love to come back and check out them oysters, amongst other things. Looks like a pretty solid place- glad I got to try it! One tip though, make sure you know the train schedule, as entering/exiting when a train rolls through will def test your patience!
(4)
Arpana W.
From the Oysters rockefeller to the Voodoo chicken, this place has it all (and a GREAT Sunday brunch, to boot!) If you haven't tried the Half Shell, it's time to make it happen. You will be pleasantly surprised be the variety of quality food you have to choose from. I can't rave enough about the Oysters Rockefeller (and I would in no way call myself an oyster fan - but this place changed my mind on that with a quickness). Parmesan cheese and spinach bubble over top of these VERY large oysters, and give off an enticing aroma as you wait for them to cool down just a touch before diving in. Take my word for it, just "Voodoo" anything (Tilapia, steak, chicken) - you'll be glad you did. Half Shell = The best seafood in Memphis, as far as I'm concerned.
(4)
April S.
Half Shell gets major points for serving a full menu at hours when other restaurants in the area are no longer open. Monday through Saturday you can order anything you desire until 2am. On Sundays the kitchen closes at 1am. This how I ended up at the Half Shell in the first place. Where else am I going to get hot wings in east Memphis at 1130 on Sunday night? This was my first visit to Half Shell and I have to say I was pretty impressed with the variety of items on the menu. Oysters, salads, sandwiches, and entrees galore. Something for everyone... even late. I already had my mouth set for hot wings (go figure) so that's what I ordered. For $8.25 you get 12 wings, half flats and half drummies, served with celery and home-made dressing. The wing pieces were disappointingly small. The flavor was good and the heat was mild. I prefer wing sauce that is a bit hotter. The blue cheese dressing was really great, and for me, it actually made the mediocre wings a bit more enjoyable. I would visit Half Shell again but I would order some thing other than wings. A salad with home-made blue cheese dressing, perhaps.
(3)
Kelley F.
Shrimp and grits are the best! Oyster poboys were pretty delicious too! Friendliest staff around.
(5)
Andy S.
The Half Shell is a restaurant focused on seafood in Memphis. The prices ranges from under $10 to almost $40, depending on whether you order a po boy sandwich or a steak and lobster. I started with a whiskey diet coke. It was strong and less than $5. I started with 6 peel and eat shrimp. It's one of my favorite foods. Only the shells remain. I believe it was $7.95 Then I had a soup and salad for $8.95. The salad was loaded with bacon and cheese, and I chose blue cheese dressing. I love a salad that is so loaded with toppings that I don't have to use a lot of dressing. For my soup, I had their delicious crab bisque. It had crab on top. It was full of crab, creamy, and delicious. Everyone enjoyed their food. No one had any complaints. Some of the things they ordered included tilapia, voodoo tuna, and jumbo fried shrimp po boy. I'm sure I'll be back. Next time, I think I'll try the tilapia royale which came with spinach cakes.
(4)
Dean D.
The Half Shell is one of my favorite places to visit for bar food. This location seems to always serve up pretty consistent food and how many bars in Memphis offer pretty darn good oysters! On this particular day I just happened to be in the area and decided to stop by for - wait for it - oysters! They were excellent; plump and juicy on the larger side, nicely chilled followed by the fish tacos made with tilapia. Recommendations: The oysters are always good, especially their Oyster Rockefeller. The peel and eat shrimp are also very good and the price is good as well. They make very good Po Boy's and I'd have to recommend either the Oyster Po Boy or their Soft Shell Crab Po Boy. Overall, good food at a great price and nice "locals" bar atmosphere.
(4)
Sofia M P.
This place is cozy, the food is very tasty, everything was served in time, prices are fare, service very friendly. I am definitely coming back to try the rest of the items in the menu. Kids menu is very good too, kids enjoyed their cheeseburger, not soul food, but it was one od those nights for them... hey as long as they are eating everything and are happy I'm happy too. I had crab bisque, stuffed shrimp, and my husband had a cup of gumbo and the coconut shrimp and everything was delish. For desert my kiddo tried the turtle cheesecake and it was very good too.
(4)
Mark S.
My last dinner in Memphis was here. It should've been my last meal on Earth. Crab cakes the size of hockey pucks that were fresh, delicious, and with the perfect sauce. Steak and King Crab legs for a main course, that comes with choice of potato and hot roll already buttered. I had never eaten King Crab legs before, but they were tremendously good. Even for those with a shellfish allergy, these babies were good. To top it off, I had a slice of key lime pie and a cup of coffee. I certainly treated myself by racking up a pretty good tab on just food, but it was well worth it. This meal was so good I lit up a cigarette and asked the waitress if it was good for her too (kidding). But really, after I finished this dinner I just sat back sipped my coffee and listened to the other people's conversations. Worth every dollar spent.
(5)
Freddie T.
This may be good for Memphis, but compared to Houston or Louisiana, it's pretty average. Fish is cooked well, gumbo is too thick, service leaves something to be desired.
(3)
Hang T.
This place is up to par with Red Lobster to me, and I actually like Red Lobster, but I have higher standards for independent restaurants. Lobster bisques - Good, thick, and hearty Any of those voodoo dishes - too much, overbearing, and one-dimensional Their signature voodoo stuffing is good initially, but if you keep eating it over and over again, it gets really tiring and boring for your taste buds. It was just too much voodoo for me. The service was fine. No complaints there. This place is very dark and not very fun at lunch time. It's more of a dinner place I guess.
(3)
Jeffery S.
Tried this place on a whim and found it to be a great find. Not sure how to describe the neighborhood that Half Shell is in. It's just down the street from Gus' Chicken. It doesn't appear to be all that bad but there is a security guard walking around the parking lot so customers will feel safe. Hell, it made me feel less safe, that was one scruffy looking security guard. Inside of the place is a nice dim looking honky tonk kinda place. This looks like Memphis. Took a minute or two to get seated but evenually I got a table. Menu had a variety of burgers, salads, seafood and cajun style stuff. I ordered the Red Beans and Rice and a Patio Salad. Both arrived pretty quickly and there was ample portions. Red Beans and rice had diced onion, cheese and diced sausage in it. It was pretty rich and filling, I could ony eat half of it. If I had a criticism, they probably were a bit too generous with the onion. The Patio Salad was a mix of leafy greens, blue cheese, cranberries, walnuts, artichokes and viniagretted dressing. So much food I could only eat half of each. Half shell also makes a dynamite crab stuffed shrimp. Monster onion rings too. One place for a good meal when in Memphis.
(4)
Andrea G.
You can't go wrong with anything in the menu; everything is so good and the place is lovely
(5)
Ashley C.
We were on a long drive from Virginia to Oklahoma. We got into Memphis crazy late starving. Our hotel pointed us to this little gem. ZOH MY GOODNESS! We contemplated changing our wedding caterer for our wedding (that weekend) to this place! The food knocked our socks off! We both got different types of po'boys that melted in our mouths. We literally cleaned our plates. I had red beans and rice on the side, and almost regretted the awesome po'boy because they were that yummy. We had awesome service and the sweetest waitress bought our dessert as a congratulations for our soon to be marriage. The only negative was when we ordered a dozen oysters. Granted we came at the end of the night, so we got the last 6 in the barrel. They weren't cleaned well and the yummy briny-ness had been washed away. That being said, we will make a specific trip to Memphis to eat here again.
(4)
Christophe M.
I made a mistake ordering something that was not deep fried because it ended up raw on my plate. Total disappointment, I simply do not understand why they have such raving reviews, maybe because people having this bad of an experience don't bother writing a review. Wont be coming back e-ever.
(2)
Brad G.
Eggs Benedict.... Any eggs Benedict!!!!Enough said. How do they cook the eggs? So good you may catch a grizzlies player here!
(5)
Mary Kate M.
I love the Half Shell. I have come here a lot with my mom and it was really 'our spot' when she visited me in Memphis. Primarily when coming here I would by default get the shrimp and grits. It has a Creole kick to it that made it have some extra awesome flavor. If I didn't get that, I liked the Voodoo Chicken. Once again, great flavor and great food. Drinks here well made and not overpriced. Would you believe me that they make a pretty good margarita? Fact. I like the ambiance of the restaurant. Wood, dim lighting, and intimate. My only complaint is the trains. The restaurant is right beside the tracks and you can hear everything. It is something that goes with the territory due to the location. That's okay. It is not a deal breaker.
(4)
Chris J.
Today is my first time eating at the Half Shell and I must say that it will definitely not be my last. Being from New Orleans, I am often cautious about eating at restaurants that claim to have authentic creole/Cajun cuisine. I must say that after eating a "fatboy"(shrimp, oysters, crawfish Po boy), I felt like I had been beamed up from a Star Trek Spaceship back to New Orleans! The food here is awesome! I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Chandra L.
I went to half shell last night at 12:24. The kitchen closes on Sunday at 1:00am but when we walked in the waiter went right ahead and seated us. No problem. No fuss. I ordered a tequila sunrise( too strong not mixed well), grilled Louisiana oysters, and the seafood nachos. My friend had the fat boy poboy, red beans and rice, and king crab bisque. OMG!!!! the food was wonderful. Just excellent. If the Oysters were a little cheaper I definitely would have gotten more. But 10.95 is not that bad. Our total bill was 59.00. But the food was off the chain. Definitely will go back. Definitely recommend it.
(5)
Lydia F.
I was given about two dozen oysters and had no idea how to shuck them... I called the half shell and Scott so graciously shucked every single oyster for me. We also talked about recipes and how I could possibly cook the oysters. The halfshell has an amazing staff and they sincerely care about anyone who walks in their door!
(5)
Deen W.
My husband has been to The Half Shell many times, but I, a lifelong Memphian, had never been! I am so glad that he came up with the idea to have lunch here yesterday. The menu is awesome. There were several items that caught my eye (coconut mussels, voodoo shrimp, fish tacos, steak sandwich, etc. etc.). It would be fun to get a big table here with a group of friends and just try a bunch of stuff. On this venture, I opted for a bowl of gumbo (kinda on a gumbo kick right now!) and my husband was sweet enough to order the other item I was considering - the crab cake po'boy. (I'm a sucker for anything with remoulade!) The gumbo, while not my favorite in town (Dejavu & Stone Soup take 1st and 2nd, respectively), was very good. I would order it again, but as a cup instead of my main entree. The crab cake po'boy was equally nice. The atmosphere reminded me of Mortimer's....dark, a little tacky, with lots of animal pictures on the wall. Definitely not a knock, but let's face it - - it's no Houston's or Ruth's Chris. (And not like they're even trying to be, I know.) The service was fine and we left happy. With a menu like theirs, I would absolutely be down with going back and trying something else.
(3)
Amos R.
Voodoo catfish on bed of shrimp stuffing, sub-in Italian spinach for broccoli. My go-to meal and it never, never misses!
(5)
Amber C.
I went here with a group of friends last weekend, and the experience was, while not the worst, certainly not the best. I won't be back. To start, our waitress was both rude and too quick...I thought she was going to refuse me service when I didn't know what kind of beer I wanted as soon as I sat down! Once she brought us our drinks, she disappeared for a good 10 minutes. When she returned, it wasn't much better. She couldn't answer my question about the voodoo stuffing, which seems to be one of their big sellers, and seemed irritated that I had asked it (this was not a hard questions either - "does it have peppers in it?"). I ordered the jumbo crab stuffed shrimp, which was awful. The shrimp was really fishy tasting, in the "I may get food poisoning way" and the hollandaise sauce was so bad I scraped it all off. The rice pilaf under the shrimp tasted burnt, and the loaded baked potato I received was hard, flavorless, and had what tasted like plastic cheese baked onto it. Not that the food was very good, but before I was even finished the waitress took my plate and put it in a bus tub. Really? She didn't ask or anything, and when I got my check, I saw that I was overcharged for my meal - she was very huffy about fixing it. We all paid, and stayed maybe another 20 minutes and talked; they were not busy, but she walked by and glared at us several times, and wouldn't even look at the water glass I had put on the edge of the table to be filled. Just awful service, terrible food, and not the cleanest of places. My beer was the best part of the whole experience, and even it was overpriced.
(1)
Don S.
Arrive early for lunch, one of my favorite Sunday brunch spots. Great for oysters and eggs benedict with an emphasis on their seafood but good burgers and decent steaks. Bar can be quite noisy at times.
(4)
Jim L.
I keep going back and forth on three or four stars for this place. I'm going to stick with three just for the sake of a couple of problems. I'm just visiting Memphis, and I've hit Rendezvous, Tops, and Corky's, and, having been disappointed by Pearl's a few days back, was wandering around looking for oysters. I pointed the car down Poplar and wound up seeing this place off to the right. First thought: man, that's a huge menu. But I saw that bit about boiled live crawfish right off the bat, and it's been a while since I've had fresh crawfish (I can't eat those frozen Asian crawfish so many places serve, they just taste rotten to me), so I placed that order right away. I wound up adding a dozen oysters (they only have Gulf oysters, but that's way better than no oysters) and a cup of crawfish bisque. The boiled 'daddies came out first, but they were a bit hot, so I inhaled the bisque. A bit sweet, but really very good. Crawfish were next, and here's where the first problem hit: yeah, most of them were live when they were boiled, but some of them weren't. I learned quickly to give them a squeeze and toss the mushy ones to the side, but that first dead one was nasty. It doesn't take a lot to tell whether a crawfish is dead or alive, and a four or five star place would take pains to toss the dead ones. It's one thing to eat a processed and frozen dead crawfish, quite another to eat one that's been floating in room-temperature water for heaven knows how long. That's food poisoning waiting to happen. If I were to order them again, I'd make a special request to make darned sure they're really alive before they go in the pot. I hit the oysters next. First thing I notice is "Dang them're some big oysters!" The waitress says they've been like that the last couple of weeks, but some of them were as big as Pacific oysters. Lucky they didn't taste like Pacific oysters. But that's the first time I've ever had to cut an oyster in half before eating it. I do like the delicate flavor of a smaller oyster, and luckily I had hitchhikers on two of the big ones that I shucked with my table knife, and those were sweet. The big ones were good, but they have a stronger flavor that'd be wonderful fried. I had hoped to finish everything off with an oyster po-boy, but after eating a dozen of those monsters, there was no way I was going to be able to eat anything else. The oysters revealed problem number two, and that's poor shucking technique. As someone else mentioned, they don't release the oyster from the shell, so forget sucking them right off the shell. First, you have to remove the broken bits of shell, then you have to release the oyster. And on one of my oysters, the shucker managed to run the knife through the top shell, leaving half of it behind. I've never seen that before. Looked like an oyster with a sunroof. The hinge was still intact, too, so I'm not sure where they go in with the knife. Had to finish that one with the table knife too. A napkin gets dirty really fast when you have to handle and clean every oyster on the plate. And of course, a couple of hours later, what do I keep tasting? Rotten crawdad. That's a shame. Good food in general, silly problems that are easy to fix. Hope they're reading these reviews. Really wish I'd had room for that oyster po-boy, though...
(3)
Ramy K.
Voodoo shrimp will cast its spell on you.. ..fiery yet delicious. And the King Crab bisque .....royally delicious, mmmm. The shrimp and grits( usually my favor) was cooked to perfection but the sauce was weak and runny ): seeya
(4)
Kaylee W.
I have been to the Half Shell multiple times at both the Mendenhall and Southwind locations. It is a great place for dinner with friends or even a date. The atmosphere is always great! On the dinner menu my personal favorite is the Hawaiian Coconut Shrimp. These shrimp aren't the average catch. They are HUGE! I promise you will be full afterwards especially with a side (go for the stuffed potato) and a roll. If you're looking for a new brunch spot Sunday Brunch at the Half Shell is a MUST! I had the Eggs Benedict with breakfast potatoes. I plan on coming back next Sunday for more. Fabulous brunch for a fabulous price! Overall the Half Shell has recently become one of my favorite go to spots. Try it out! I can almost guarantee it will become a favorite of yours too!
(5)
Jon M.
Their fried oysters and spicy smokehouse chicken/hamburger sandwiches are my favorite. Everything else is ok. I had their seafood plate once with shrimp, oysters, mussel, and a crab leg. It could use more season to give it a creole taste. The red beans and rice are very good too though.
(4)
Helen L.
I saw these reviews the other week and was a bit sad that I had half a day left of work before the airport and unlikely had the time to swing by. To my surprise, the flight was delayed. I think this was the first time I welcomed a flight delay! Through rain or shine, I was going to make my way over there. The place was very laid back with many tables and booths and a middle bar section for those interested. I ordered their signature KING CRAB BISQUE which was thick and soothing. The SOUTHERN STYLE CRABCAKES were smaller but that is to be expected at most places. My main reason for going was to get my hands on the raw bar! I ordered a dozen of the JUST-SHUCKED OYSTERS all for myself and I plowed through those things quite quickly. Their oysters are from the Lousiana Gulf Coast. Most of them were HUGE. They were bigger than any I've ever seen! The service wasn't bad overall. I rushed there as soon as it was open and it packed up really quickly. Must be one of the better ones in town!
(4)
Joelle P.
Oysters are divine!
(5)
Taylor O.
This place is great. I have had dinner many of times here, and never been disappointed. I usually stick with the New Orleans Style Pasta and always do and will recommend it. What I really want to talk about is brunch. I had brunch for the first time here this past Sunday, and I will be attending next Sunday, next Sunday and probably the Sunday after that. The Nawlins Omelette is simply amazing. My taste buds could not stop cheering and I wanted another one before I left but realized that would not be a great idea for my stomach. So I will settle for it next week. Also, your wallet won't be mad at you either. See you next Sunday, Half Shell.
(5)
Dan E.
In Memphis if you have a winning location then you can do no wrong, or so it seems... We love to get caught up in the noisy bustling atmosphere that is this 40 something year old Pub style restaurant in the heart of east Memphis. For many Memphians this place is like "Cheers" with its dominant wrap around Bar just ahead of the entrance, its many regulars and generally solid selection of seafood in a place that is about as far away from any coastline in the U.S. as can be found. In fact if you haven't been there in years- when you walk in you will probably notice the same patrons at the bar stools (with a few hair adjustments) that you probably saw five or twenty-five years ago. Now that's comforting; And so is their menu. Amazing Oysters served three ways, there Voodoo Salmon on a bed of shrimp or crawfish filled stuffing and covered with an equal amazing peppery cream sauce. There steaks are to die for and should be accompanied with their spectacular cheesy garlicky spinach and potatoes. Honestly you can't find better tasting food at one of those fancier places that start with a Ruth or a Folks. My wife's favorite accompaniment to their fare is the dynamite 'double' top shelf Bloody Mary's who's homemade mix is so thick and awesome that it readily stands up to the alcohol- and obviously you only need one! Just be sure that they are in fact crowded 'cause if they aren't then they probably haven't even thawed anything out and it will arrive microwave cold in the centers and- they get rather uppity quickly. Oh, and their red beans and rice are a bust. So what have we learned- go there only when the parking lot is packed because then it is worth the wait, try their steaks and seafood, maybe accompany some great oysters with a top shelf Bloody Mary, kinda wanna stay away from anything that sounds like it came outta a can like their red beans or even their Clubstore purchased corned beef sandwich... and don't be surprised if you get an occasional attitude from the management! Oh, and remember their customer base has been there for what seems like centuries and lend their own happiness and personality to the place! Will definitely go back - crazy good drinks in a loud establishment. Gotta love that !
(3)
Wayne R.
The dinner was awesome, as always. This time, we had the desert of the day, Chocolate and Caramel Cheesecake. It was so worth it :)
(5)
Tamisha M.
I went for lunch and got the seafood nachos, as usual. It was great and had the bisque. The bisque is just wonderful, even got a bowl to go.
(4)
Kahala B.
It was ok. From the moment we walked in, we really did not know what to expect. It was quite dark and gloomy. We asked if it was a smoke free restaurant and was ensyred that it was but they allow people to smoke right outside the front door so they may as well let them smoke in.
(3)
Jessica B.
Oysters on the half shell are HUGE! King crab bisque was really good. I love cream based soups, so I give the crab bisque 2 thumbs up!
(4)
Gary D.
A good local place with decent variety. Never had anything that wasn't good. Seafood is always prepared perfectly.
(4)
Sunny M.
Great atomsphere and excellent food. Kids friendly.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No 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 Caters : Yes
Alesha S.
After attending homecoming at the U of M with my sister and sorority sisters, I suggested we grab a meal at this location. We all like Half Shell - and usually dine at the one near Hacks Cross, but since Mendenhall is closer to U of M, we decided to eat here. First, let me say I have NEVER had a bad meal at Half Shell. I always order the Voodoo Chicken or Catfish because it never disappoints. The egg rolls are also very good. I understand that this location is the 'oldest' of the two, but my sister and I were completely grossed out by the bathrooms here. Its not that they are dirty, its that they are worse than a truck stop dirty. Makes you wonder about the employees fixing your food that use them.....very strong connection. As far as food ratings are concerned, Half Shell gets a strong 4 stars. Everyone was pleased with their menu selections. When it comes to service, I have to give ol' girl who waited on us a 2. She forgot my sorors shrimp, and didnt bring out the side items my sister requested. I know that we are not the only table she had, and waiters/waitresses are not perfect, but geez. Now that I think about it, not sure we got refills....hmm. Anyway - star rating is for this location sans the food. There is just no excuse for filthy bathrooms at a restaurant to the point where you don't want to eat. I will never go to this location, as far as cleanliness is concerned - its really gross
(1)Michelle W.
Service is getting words and worse Everytime I go. The restaurant was not even crowded and people were getting up and leaving left and right after not seeing a server for over 10 minutes!
(2)Leigh F.
tasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yum yum yum!!!!!!!! o m g it's amazin
(5)Jerry O.
I've lived in Memphis all my life. I had never been here, but I learned they served soft-shelled crab, which I love. I went on a wednesday evening. The restaurant is dark, dingy and the table and floor was sticky. The bar is filled with noisy regulars. Two jumbo soft shelled crab was an entree listed on the menu. I ordered that. Almost an hour later, this sad-looking small palte comes from the kitchen with two not jumbo, very small-at best, soggy fried crabs. They had a pile of stove-top stuffing on top, and a puddle of runny, greasy mashed potatoes on the bottom. The crab tasted of old freezer burn, not much else. Sadly, the Stove top stuffing on top was the best part of a $20 meal. I hate there is a 'no star' rating. After polishing it off in about 6 bites, I left, and had a real meal to satisfy my hunger at McDonalds. Next time I want soft-shelled crab, I'm gonna drive the 8 hours to New Orleans.
(1)CC D.
My restaurant theory is to find something you really like and stick with it. So this review is solely for the gumbo and cesar salad. That's all I've ever had at The Half Shell and it's probably all I ever will have. Why mess with a good thing.
(4)B M.
I eat at the Half Shell at least once each month. The atmosphere is great with a lively bar. It is cozy and casual. Dark wood and dim lighting add to the ambience. Several TVs if you are interested in a game. My favorite menu item is the Red Beans and Rice, by far the best in Memphis. Their bisque and gumbo is also good. I've had the Amberjack, Monte Cristo sandwich, Po-Boy, and Crab Cakes, all were good. I always leave full and happy.
(5)Justin S.
Have been to the Half Shell a few times. This evening was by far the worst customer service I have received at a restaurant. My party placed orders for appetizers and entrees. We did not receive our apps and the entrees that were fried were done so with what seemed to be old oil. I will not be returning for some time.
(1)Benjamin D.
Everything I ate here was fantastic. The tuna was fresh, cooked perfectly, and the sides were tasty. I do appreciate how quickly they served us considering how packed the place was on a Saturday night.
(4)Erica B.
The husband and I finally had the opportunity to have brunch here this morning. I ordered the Steak Benedict (steak, tomatoes and poached eggs on English muffins with Bearnaise sauce) and he opted for the Half Shell Benedict (poached eggs, lump crab meat and spinach on English muffins with Bearnaise sauce). While both were very good, his choice was the clear winner. Something about lump crab meat and spinach with Bearnaise is just simply delicious. It also helps that I am a big fan of their hash browns. They have a bit of a kick to them- not sure what the spice is, but it works. The best part is they are diced and fried crispy- not the soggy mush you usually get aside your eggs and bacon. My husband much prefers their grits and claimed them to be in his top 5 now. We also shared a piece of their coconut cake for dessert. While good, I wasn't blown away as The Beauty Shop has ruined all coconut cake experiences for me for life. I'm excited to come back here sans fetus to partake in their $3.75 brunch special Bloody Mary and mimosas. Not only did they look delicious, but the price is definitely right on. Nothing oozes class like getting a bit tipsy over brunch.
(4)Misty R.
The Half Shell has been a Memphis staple for years. Most people you talk to love the Half Shell. I am no exception. If you want good, quality seafood in a relaxed atmosphere this is the place to go. I love their Gumbo and always get in in the winter time. For lunch I typically get the special- whatever is fresh and in season and I'm never disappointed. I love their spinach and the salads are good too. It's has a good size bar area and is a popular late night hang out.
(4)Meg L.
I went in not expecting much at all and was totally surprised. I had excellent coconut shrimp. My mom had some Louisiana something catfish which I took a sample of and it was wonderful. Probably a bit better than my shrimp. Next time I'm in Memphis I'll definitely be back.
(4)Tanya T.
The Half Shell has been around for years, and Memphians love to hang out at the bar or drop in for great seafood. I, too, like The Half Shell but I don't love it. The food is good and the service is attentive. The bar area is fun and usually crowded. The place just doesn't knock my socks off. Maybe it's because my hubby spent several years of his life in Louisiana and learned how to make authentic Cajun gumbo. Maybe it's because I love the Bayou Bar & Grill. I usually go at the suggestion of others, and I always order the Salad Nicoise. It is a great salad, and I do love the ambiance. For that, I give it 3 stars.
(3)Stephanie N.
i LOVE this place. anytime i'm craving some shell seafood i come here. they have the best oysters. my husband enjoyed the po' boys and the curry mussels. the crab bisque is pretty yummy too. i always have to have the crab bisque and the oysters no matter what.
(5)J C.
The Half Shell is a great find in Memphis. Very pleased with the Voodoo Salmon- the cut was a bit skimpy for dinner, but the serving of shrimp stuffing made up for it. The crab cakes were good as well. The lighting could be a bit better at night, as many patrons were having trouble reading the menu. I would definitely come back again, though. Very good food, good service, and reasonable prices make The Half Shell a worthy stop.
(4)Elle S.
Love this place... it's a seafood-Cajun-bar food place. They have everything you want. They have really yummy cheese dip, oysters, voodoo anything, shrimp po'boy, Monte Cristo, salads...yummy! And they are open late... 2 am on Sunday and 3 the rest of the week!
(5)Ming Z.
Half shell! How shall I rate you today?! How should I rate you after ate a very disappointed Salad Nichios? How can you screw up a salad? You know, I am not a stranger to you! I have been eating here for years. Alrighty. You deserve 3 star today. Fair and square. Most time I rate you 4. Because I do love the seafood gumbo, it is the best of the town. No kidding. Your Voodoo sauce is rich and full of flavor. Fish are always fresh and professionally cooked. But how can you screw up a simple salad nichios?! I had that before. It was great! Now you did it. If you want your 4star back, you gotta prove it, babe!
(3)Shannon L.
Half Shell is one of my go-to restaurants in Memphis. I LOVE it! They have a great brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. I recommend the benedicts or the shrimp and grits. Great bloody mary and mimosa specials as well. For every other day, the Baja Seafood Nachos and VooDoo Catfish are my favs! The place has a great atmosphere. Everything is home-y and dimly lit. There is also a really nice wrap bar that's pretty inviting. Most of the tables are pretty secluded and tucked away between walls, so you can focus on your company at the table.
(5)Geri D.
You bet this place is as good as it gets! I am so picky when it comes to eating out...probably because I'm a good cook. I used to think that the Crab Bisque at Connor's was my favorite, but his place has it beat by a mile. I would have just been happy with just that as my entree, but Hubby wanted to share several things. We are also crab cake snobs (Hudson's in Hilton Head & anyplace at the Outer Banks, NC). Now, Half Shell's also are in the running. We shared the baked oysters, but were too full by that time. We told our waitress to bring the food as it was ready, and in no particular order. The prices are right, as this was fairly casual. We liked the rustic decor. Hubby said it was the best meal he EVER has. Was I offended? Heck no, I must agree.
(5)trisha j.
Awesome food. Awesome service. We had the king crab bisque, the grilled oysters and the surf and turf dinner. The bisque was wonderful. The oysters were out of this world. The filet was melt in your mouth tender. The crab legs were sweet and succulent. I can't say it enough, this place is fantastic! Can't wait to go back and try some of their other foods. Sorry I was limited to only five stars!!
(5)Ben B.
I recently moved to Memphis and The Half Shell instantly became one of my favorite places to eat. We had oysters for a starter and they were good quality oysters that were not too big nor to small in size. I was impressed when they brought out not only Tabasco sauce, but also Louisiana hot sauce. The two best plates on our table was the soft shell crab (special) and my amberjack sandwich. I would also suggest trying the Italian spinach as a side, I loved it! The restaurant itself had a cozy feel to it that added to it's uniqueness.
(5)J Z.
This is more of a 4.5 stars place! I've always wanted to try this ole-skool lookin' place! It was GREAT. Oysters/mussels/gumbo everything was on point! The crowd is mostly 40s-60 year olds going on dates... I felt slightly out of place but it was cute nonetheless :)
(4)Justin H.
King crab bisque was great! Great little place to eat. Have eaten here twice and have not yet been disappointed. It's also great because it's open late.
(4)Huyen T.
After the movies, me and my friends decided to go to half shells...knowing that it was open until 2am. Which was great! When we got there ( to our surprise it was right down the street from the movie lol) the place was placed! So I had to part behind the other building, but the short walk was worth it. When we got there, we didn't have to wait long and was seated. We had the lobster and shrimp bruschetta, it was different and delicious....though my friend thought that it was suppose to be hot and not cold. It went great with the French bread lol. Everything on the menu was affordable for seafood. Great place to hang out a nice.
(4)Maya P.
Brunch at the Half Shell is consistently good, as are their staple menu items. I have a seafood allergy, so I have not tried most of the dishes here... however, the food I have had is usually fantastic. I recently went to brunch at "The Shell" with my mother, although for years my father and his wife have been regulars (as was I). We ordered one savory and one sweet dish. The food was rich and amazing, but the server couldn't answer simple questions about sauces and was slow to bring coffee refills. In her defense, I'm pretty sure she was new. She was friendly and slightly awkward but overall it was a good experience. If you like salads, order here. They are huge and crisp with fresh ingredients and tasty dressing. A lot of people like the Monte Cristo (I'm afraid to try it!) and the Reuben is yummy as can be. The Half Shell is responsible for my consumption of the best filet Mignon of my LIFE. It was a one time extraordinarily amazing filet, but in general it's always delicious.
(4)Dayne B.
I was in the mood for a steak but it was 915ish on a Sunday and most places had closed up shop. This place was open late, and turned out to be pretty solid. Had to try oysters on the half shell, they were only ok. My main course was grilled amberjack, a fish I've never had before, with rice and broccoli. The fish was the highlight. I'd definitely recommend this spot, if it weren't for the oysters I would have four starred it, and I don't five star anything.
(3)Peter G.
Half-shell is what Red Lobster would look like if it was run by capitalist hipsters. Decor is an interesting assortment of old timey paintings & bar ware. Ambiance is dark. Interesting to note all tables included a shaker of Cajun spice. Wait staff has the look of the older profession variety, but the attitude of a cat wanting to go outside. Case-in-point one server explaining to the hostess that the 6 top she just sat HAS to leave the TV in the backroom on sports. This seemed less due to some requirement or policy & more like dude's desire to watch the game from an where in the restaurant. Our server didn't bother to explain or offer an app from the menu & seemed surprised when I ordered the lobster. We saw her again when she delivered the food & again when I flagged her down to request clairified butter (seemed to forgot it w/ meal) Despite lackluster service food was decent. Lobster was not overcooked or steamed, my side of spinach left something to be desired (dry & spiced?). Hit this place for happy hour anything more at own risk.
(2)Seth W.
The other reviews are right on. Great place to eat. Recommend: their King Crab Bisque is out of this world.
(4)Jolynna M.
For years, The Half Shell has been a favorite with Memphians throughout the city, and the reason is pretty simple: The food is good and the atmosphere is casual and comfortable. This past Sunday I went there after church for brunch. Now there are some great places in Memphis for brunch, but this is one of my personal favorites for two very good reasons. They have exceptional eggs benedict, and they mix up a pretty darned good bloody mary. And currently, on Sundays bloody marys and mimosas are only four bucks. Bonus. :)
(4)Mark S.
It's been a while since I've been to the Half Shell. I must say, I really enjoyed it. Got the grilled oysters (cooked in garlic and butter) appetizer to start out with. About $10 for 6, a little high considering they shrink down a whole lot when grilled, but it's hard to find decent oysters in Memphis. These didn't dissapoint. For my meal, I had the blackened bacon cheeseburger with a stuff baked potato. I love burgers and this one was surprisingly better than I thought it would be. The blackened seasoning had just the right amount of spice to add some good flavor, didn't overpower it. I got it medium rare and it came out medium rare. That's always a plus in my book.
(4)N. P.
This is the best seafood place in Memphis, in my opinion. When I have a hankering for Alaskan king crab legs, I go here. They are not cheap, but the quality matches the price. They have the perfect ratio of taste, fat, and fresh going on with the food. They have a big brunch menu with lots of seafood omlettes. The oysters are also incredible. The grilled salad nicoise is delicious, with large, salty artichokes. I have yet to try a steak, which they serve variations of.
(5)Jason S.
Did lunch. Old place and a little run down.....but the food was FANTASTIC. If your a soft shell crab fan, I recommend the soft shell po-boy.
(4)mark g.
Pretty fair food. Great service.
(3)Lawrence M.
Decent restaurant in east memphis. Soups were good, vegetable selection is very poor like many Memphis restaurants. I thought the service was friendly yet slow. A bit dissappointing it didn't change at all when the lunch crowd cleared out. Other ratings gave this place four stars...no its not by any stretch. The food is fine overall but given the other many fine choices in the area, probably only worth attending of the others are full.
(2)Sara P.
The parking area is deceptively small. I saw the over-flowing parking lot and assumed I and my party would have a huge wait. We were promptly sat and it was a nice location. The VooDoo Catfish was great along with the Key Lime Pie. I am glad we looked it up while in town and made the decision to go. Great flavor!
(4)Jennifer H.
I LOVE this place! The atmosphere and staff are awesome! The food is AMAZING and the cost is little compared to the quality. I always try to stick to the same thing everywhere else i go, but at half shell I try different things all the time because I KNOW whatever I get is destined to be great! My favorites so far are the pan seared duck, voodoo chicken and the king club! This place is great!
(5)Rory A.
Way better than I expected. We ended up here on a recommendation from our hotel shuttle driver because everything else was closed. Happy accident. This place has really good food and the staff was very nice. It took a long time for all of us to decide what we wanted because they have one of those menus where everything sounds yummy. Killer gumbo, steak was cooked perfectly and the Dungeness crab was really big and sweet. cons: No beers on tap.Just bottles If you are with a group the checks get kind of weird because they charge 18% gratuity and then something else of equal amount called a service charge. You only actually get charged one but it looks like a double charge.
(4)Lisa B.
AWESOME onion rings!! Good service, good Cajun pasta. Mediocre shrimp and crab cakes. atmosphere : casual, good bar design for drinks. Very disappointed with the italian spinach. Would return w friends, but hope to find a better option for this fare in Memphis. Oh, don't be fooled by the name 1/2 shell... No mussels or oysters.
(3)Ken Z.
Came here for oysters - when we got them they were warm and weren't cut from the shell. Maybe the foods good but I'll never get oysters here again until I'm assured they can do it right.
(1)Mark H.
If you like raw oysters, then they have good ones. Man I must have eaten 2 dozen that night and I could have had more. Freah, cold and intact. I have eaten at bothlocations and they are both well above average. The only draw back is sometimes the service is slow from the bar. But that is something that will ebb and flo so I let it roll. Worth a mention but not a deal breaker. Go for the quality of the food and drinks but not for the speed at which they will come.. Worth the wait.
(4)Greg A.
Very busy seafood restaurant in the "FedEx district" of Memphis. They get quite busy for lunch, so get there early. I especially enjoyed the po-boys. I had a catfish po-boy, which was quite good.
(3)Paul B.
Best oysters in Memphis! Crab cakes are great!
(5)Oneal B.
I've been looking for authentic Eggs Benedict in Memphis for 3 years and have finally found some at The Half Shell. Excellent Eggs Benedict at brunch, Saturday/Sunday till 3 p.m. Very friendly staff. A bit unusual, made with shaved country ham, but very good. Ask for some extra Hollandaise sauce and for my taste, a lemon wedge to squeeze. Good coffee.
(4)David T.
See my review (elsewhere on my page) of the new location for specifics. This, the original store, is just as good, with a slightly more lived-in feel. Go. Eat. Drink. Enjoy. Come home with $ left in the wallet. Repeat.
(5)Tom G.
We eat here two to three times per month and it's always excellent. Try the blackened Amberjack if it's on the menu. Also, the oysters are almost always excellent when in season (September-April), and only $9/dozen!
(4)Julia C.
Went in on a busy Saturday night and was seated within a few minutes. Started with the crab bisque -- highly recommend it! So light and delicious, with perfect amounts of crab and great levels of spices. Also ordered the voodoo shrimp, which was cooked perfectly and included a side. Got the broccoli but I'd recommend the spinach and Parmesan; it looked delicious every time it walked past me! Service was attentive and fast, and for a busy Saturday, we were only there for perhaps 40 minutes due to fast ticket times. If I'm ever in Memphis again, I'm definitely going to come back. You should, too!
(5)Carlos B.
The Half Shell brunch burger is one the best things to eat in Memphis. Charcoal flavored burger with jalapeno bacon served on toasted English muffins covered with Hollandaise sauce. Service was excellent. Price was great, 4 brunches for a total of $60 including drinks and tip.
(5)David E.
It had been a number of years since I had eaten at the Half-Shell, so my wife and I decided we would go back. Boy, am I glad we did! I had a FABULOUS chicken sandwich. I decided to try the "Spicy Smokehouse Chicken Sandwich". Wow! Talk about an explosion of spicy flavor - it was the "slow smoked jalapeno bacon" that caught my eye, but it was the full compliment of all of the good and spicy flavors that held my attention - and my taste buds. Shoot, this sandwich was so spicy it would still be "hot" if it got "cold". Didn't happen - I ate it all before it could get "cold". My wife had the Voodoo Shrimp, and it was equally good - and the same "hot"/"cold" held true for her dish too. She truly enjoyed the shrimp stuffing that had shrimp in it too. The shrimp was seasoned perfectly and the stuffing merely enhanced the experience. Bottom line, don't do like we did - don't overlook this Memphis Classic - plan a great meal at the Half-Shell in your near future! We will be going back - there are too many other dishes I didn't get to try.
(5)Mary H.
What can I say The Half shell is a Memphis institution has been consistently good for over 30 years, there are not many restaurants that you can say that about. The food is always spot on, I have never had a bad meal here, Lunch, Dinner or Brunch. I urge everyone to try the Brunch just once and you will be hooked (cheap mimosas). The cheese burger sliders are so good, the perfect combination of cheesy, beefy and a little kick! The Pain Perdue is amazing, I almost felt like I was in New Orleans (almost). The Lunch Specials during the week are very reasonable and tasty. Fresh veggies as sides and the Homemade rolls are Yummy! The Patio Salad with grilled shrimp is one of my favorite salads anywhere ( I actually crave one right now). Mixed greens, dried cranberries, spiced walnuts, blue cheese and balsamic vinegar dressing.
(4)Chris M.
They must be doing something right as they have been around now forms long time. I've had some good meals and some not so good through the years but the original location leans more towards the good side. Had the fish tacos tonight and they were surprisingly good. I will absolutely go back and have them again. Service was good as usual and the prices are fair. If everything was as good as the tacos I'd give them four stars.
(3)Lo B.
I have two words for you: seafood nachos. You're welcome. Oh and the drinks are strong and cheap, so there's that too.
(5)Hart R.
I've always had a good experience at the Half Shell. The food is delicious!
(5)Casey B.
Delicious food and fun atmosphere. I love their hot wings. The fat boy (po boy with several types of seafood on it) is one of my favorites. I feel fortunate this place is right down the street from my house.
(5)Phillip S.
Tonight my family and I visited The Half Shell for the first time, on Valentine's Day. I'm glad we made reservations for an early dinner time (5pm), because by the time we left at 7pm, the wait looked really long! I wasn't sure what to expect atmosphere wise based on other Yelper's pictures....I was afraid it would look too much like a bar type atmosphere on the inside....but it's actually nicely decorated. Dark woods, candles. Classy enough without being overly fancy. The only thing that seemed out of place was the classic rock music playing throughout the night. I would have preferred something a little more laid back for the type of setting. We started off with an order of the Baja Seafood Nachos. It was maybe the priciest appetizer I've ever paid for, at almost $16. And sadly, it wasn't that good at all.....in fact, I might go as far as to say it was terrible. It may have been better without the Tilapia they put on it......the Tilapia had a really off taste.....almost like a dirty, muddy taste. It ruined the flavor of the nachos for both my wife and I. I do not recommend this appetizer at all. My wife and I both ordered a full order (1.5 lbs) of King Crab Legs. They were pricey at $38 a plate, but hey, it's Valentine's Day. The king crab was absolutely delicious! I think it's pretty hard on average to screw up crab legs though (although Red Lobster has managed to do it on occasion). And in case you were wondering, despite there only being 4 crab legs in a full order, it WILL fill you up. I'm a big guy, and even I was struggling towards the end to finish them. There is tons of meat in these suckers! We both had a stuffed baked potato as our side, and sadly, it was pretty dry and tasteless in my opinion. The dinner was also served with a fairly decent yeast roll. My son ordered the kids chicken tenders, and unfortunately he did not even eat them after one bite. My wife took a bite of his, and stated they were extremely dry. Service was pretty inattentive too, especially for the kind of money I was dropping. It took a long time for the waiter to notice we needed refills, and we just didn't see him as often as I would have liked. If I ever have the desire for king crab legs, I certainly know where to go, but this isn't a place I'll be in a big hurry to rush back to anytime soon.
(3)Tracy M.
Nice place, the seafood is very good. The service was excellent.
(4)Toni G.
I ordered the coconut shrimp but it was nearly burnt. So it was ok )not better than Outback) and the apricot dipping sauce was a little to sweet. I asked for another dipping sauce option but there was none however she offered cocktail and tartar which was not a viable choice...not a great option for coconut. So I doubt I'll return since I love seafood. I feel as if I just wasted money.
(3)Diana T.
I like Half Shell... It's good and consistent whenever I go. I like to get the Egg Rolls, crab bisque, and the crab cakes. The atmosphere is okay... There's never anywhere to sit lol. We had to sit right in front of the kitchen last night and it was horrible. Also, there's this one hostess... She is the rudest little twit I have ever met! She should not be a hostess! Rolling her eyes, on her phone, and doesn't even speak! I ignore her and look for the nice one, since there are usually two at the door. Overall, it's a nice experience.
(4)Jessica G.
Went Saturday after catching a late movie. I was in the mood for the Crab Stuffed Shrimp (my favorite) and my husband was being nostalgic. The Half Shell was a part of our first date over 10 years ago. It wasn't crowded, which isn't normal for a late Saturday night so we assumed we'd have a decent but late dinner. We were seated after about 10 minutes and no one EVER came to take our orders. We waited for over 20 minutes before we got up to leave. The same person who seated us, came and got the menus off of the table immediately and kept walking. I asked to speak with a manager and was told that he couldn't be found but he suddenly appeared. I explained the situation and he said, "It must have been a mix up. I'll have to get on these guys." Well, we weren't expecting a handout but we were kind of expecting a different response, along the lines of, "It apologize that this happened but please allow us to take your order or make the situation better." So much for pleasing the customer.
(1)Sarah D.
How convenient that you remove the review that you say are not recommended. We had bad food, ( I know, I could not believe it either. The Half Shell on Winchester is great. Really professional and good food. You have a good manager at HS on Mendenhall; as long as you don't complain. He remembers you and when you go in the next time you always get the bad table behind the service bars. Have been tremendously disappointed the last two times on Mendenhall. A blind was open on the front of restaurant on Mendenhall. Glare was in my eyes the whole time I say there. I didn't say anything but someone else did and the bartender closed it. When he went by our table I have him a thumbs up and a smile. He smiled back in a friendly way. At that time the manager walked up to the bar and was just leaning against the bar. About that time the man opened up the blind so he could read the paper. So rude. I saw the bartender look at me so I smiled and said "he opened it again and the hot sun was glaring through.. He yelled back and pointed at the manager said he wasn't going to do anything about it. We immediate paid our bill and left. As we were leaving I looked over and saw a man reading a magazine. I couldn't believe how rude the manager was. I thought is this a library or a restaurant. We have not been back to Mendenhall. We love seafood and oysters so we tried HS on Winchester . Food was great, service was great. Restaurant is beautiful and roomy. Not all crowded like the bar on Mendenhall All Mendenhall cares about is selling mixed drinks. Don't complain at all if the crab bisque is not warm and no crab meat on the top. I bet there weren't four tablespoons of cb in that cup. Salad was wilted. The only thing that hadn't changed is their prices. Plus you have to leave a good tip since they don't pay them anything. I bet you take this one off the review board, because this really happened.
(2)Jack A.
I get into Memphis on a monthly basis for work and eating is always up in the air.... Pork BBQ or Gus's or anything else tasty. But the Half Shell voodoo dishes are like an old friend you never see enough and always enjoy the visit. You can have steak, salmon, catfish, shrimp or chicken blackened with voodoo sauce. Get a side of broccoli and a beer, and it is flavor perfection. I had 7 blackened 24 count shrimp and wow, Eating voodoo was the highlight of my trip. If you like flavor and some spice on you food.. You need to make voodoo your newest friend. I have been eating their voodoo dishes for the better part of 7 years and it is still some the best food anywhere.
(4)Christina N.
Whoa...! That's exactly the thought I had in the middle of my meal here. I tried one of the specials - a cider seafood stew that hat was simply delightful! The broth was light and sweet, which was nice compliment to the various seafood items mixed in with it. I don't know that I've ever had a better seafood soup/stew type of meal! It was perfectly cooked, appropriately seasoned and filled with unexpected flavor - a must try if you visit in the near future (I do believe it's a seasonal item). I also got a boat load of oysters! Perfectly cut from the shell, these oysters were fresh and delicious! The Half Shell is a pretty casual place but not too casual, so it's a good option when you're in jeans and also a good option for an after work snack! The service was also good. Our waiter visited frequently enough to have all of our needs met, but not so much that it was overbearing. He also let us take our time, which was nice. As a seafood lover - I HIGHLY recommend checking this place out. Wide variety, delicious seafood, and some unique menu items.
(5)Nolen G.
.......what a cool local place in Memphis. I love this area, the Belmont, 1/2 Shell, Gus' Fried chicken. You cant go wrong. Best not eat too much so you can have dessert at Gibson's Donuts !!
(4)Amanda G.
I went again recently & had a great server! She was really busy but very pleasant. The oysters were awesome. The Caesar salad was a bit too drenched with dressing or I would give 5 stars. The lobster bisque was great
(4)Marcus J.
This restaurant is okay. For the prices, I expect a little more in terms of depths of flavor. Food just isn't good enough for these prices.
(3)Lauren R.
Food is good, service is awful. We ate there last night, and they asked if we wanted a table or a booth. We said booth. One of the hostesses whispered to the other right in front of me "Put them at a table, she's too fat to fit in a booth!" because I am 9 months pregnant. SO rude. They need to do some serious training with their staff.
(2)Tyler B.
Another great experience in Memphis. The bartender had worked here for over 15 years. It was great food, company, & service.
(4)Cristina H.
Lunch Specials are the best!!! But this place is just all around good. The prices are reasonable and they don't skimp and that's why I love them!! If you were once a fac of Red Lobster, Pearls Oyster House or anything like that then you will defintely love Half Shell. The chargrilled and rockefeller oysters are my favorite. On this last visit I tried the oyster sliders are they were great! They have like 2 fried oysters on a slider bun with some really good sauce and tomatoes and i think lettuce. Its a really good appetizer to share with 2 people. I tried the Catfish Pauline and let me tell you this was a MEAL BABY!!! Its TWO pieces of catfish with some crab meat and delish sauce mix on top!! It had alittle bit of spice to it and im sure thats what makes it Louisana Style. It was breaded perfect and the perfect side was brocolli to go with the rice. This was definitely a meal I appreciated twice!! I think maybe even alittle bit more the second time when I was dead hungry at 9pm after putting my baby to sleep! They have a big menu so you can never get old with this place AND they have brunch!! I love this place so I'll be back more that once!!
(5)Bob Y.
Perhaps my expectations were too high because there were so many rave reviews but we were a bit disappointed. It was good but not great as we had expected. We arrived about 6 pm on a Friday night, found a parking space at the front door and were seated right away. The outside has that "hole-in-the-wall" look which actually raised my expectations because we all have found rare gems in digs like that. We were seated in a wood-paneled alcove which was very noisy. A couple of screaming little ones at a nearby table didn't help. The menu is extensive so review online before you go or plan to spend some time perusing. We started with the crab bisque soup which was outstanding but our entrees arrived before we were half done and being rushed through this wonderful soup is not good. My wife had the Hawaiian Coconut Shrimp which was a little over-cooked but tasty. I had the Crab Stuffed Butterfly Shrimp over rice pilaf which was quite good. The shrimp were plump and tasty. The steamed broccoli was just right. Our server was very nice and just the right amount of attentiveness. The menu is interesting enough to warrant a return trip. I'd like to try the oysters. Will go for lunch next time. They also have a Saturday and Sunday brunch. BTW they only take reservations for parties of 8 or more but was no problem for us.
(3)Michael M.
Great seafood in Memphis!
(4)James S.
Started with the Shrimp & Lobster Bruschetta it is outstanding, then we split a plate of Oysters. The I had a bowl of Gumbo and Salad. My wife had Crab cakes. The food is great the service is great, the only bad thing I could say would be the parking lot is small. We will certainly be returning. Perfect place for lunch before a movie at the Paradiso
(5)E Buzz M.
Great seafood.... local atmosphere. Ate at the bar. Good service ,good people. Good food.
(5)Craig W.
I have eaten here many times before. Always I have been with groups or in a hurry. Tonight. I took my time. After enjoying a nice Abita, I ordered the shrimp and lobster bruschetta on recommendation of my waiter, Chris. Good call. Get this. The bread is delicious. And the shrimp and lobster mixture has a perfect blend of creamy and spice. I then had the seafood combo with Italian spinach. Great meal. I finished the meal with a Woodchuck and the strawberry shortcake. These smooth creamy layers complimented with the sweet and sour pucker of the strawberries. Touché. Good job. I will be back. And I nearly forgot... The music. Thank you. I love America and I love my country. It is nice to hear some good American music.
(5)Stephanie S.
This is one of the first restaurants I ate at after moving to Millington, Tennessee. We very much enjoyed every aspect of it, including the atmosphere, the service, and especially the quality of food. You can count on us returning in the future.
(4)Shawn L.
This is a great place to eat. Regardless if you want fish or a burger you can't go wrong going here. The food is always good.
(4)Kyle C.
This place is a perennial favorite among Memphians, for good reason. It is obviously a "local" restaurant, but it is easily more than that. Memphis is not exactly what you would call close to the ocean, which would otherwise provide you with fresh seafood. However, this place always hits a homerun with all of the seafood options that they serve on a daily basis. The oysters at the Half Shell are always amazing. If you are in the mood for fish, order one of the many numerous different options that they provide. You can never go wrong with any choice that you select. There are also offerings of traditional pub fare or bar food, for those who don't want to venture too far off of the beaten track. One of the other things that makes this place great is the always friendly and courteous staff, who will treat you like they have known you for years. Although I have not had it in years, due in part to the "little ones" that have joined my family in recent years, The brunch at the Half Shell is also amazing. And, I am still told by those who are able to frequent this establishment for Sunday brunch, that this is still the case. Great food. Great staff. Great seafood selections. Great bar. Great people watching. Plus, it's a local joint, to boot. Four very solid stars.
(4)Brittney H.
We are BIG Half Shell lovers... My fiancé eats here a lot for lunch! My favorites: bisque, seafood nachos, and coconut shrimp!
(5)Maria H.
Only complaint: At first our visit was not so good, we were seated in an area that wasn't being waited. We were ignored for twenty mins until Matthew got someone's attention. HOWEVER, once we got a waitress and got our food, all was forgiven. The food is absolutely excellent! We had the fried grits and shrimp to start and shared the Salmon voodoo. 10/10!
(4)Reginald W.
The food was great. The restaurant was very crowded though. We had to wait 15 min for a table (probably reasonable for no reservation on a Saturday night) and it was in a bad location by the door to the kitchen. My wife had the oysters and a shrimp poboy and loved it . I had the oyster sliders and a fat boy. The oyster sliders are amazing. Its a fried oyster , bacon and coleslaw as a sliders. Brilliant! I was totally surprised to find good seafood in a land locked state like Tennessee.
(4)Matthew H.
They did it again I had been wanting the crab legs so it was a tough week and I wanted to treat ME!! Man this surf and turf dish with the steak med rare and king crab legs won't disappoint, even the veges were flavorful, good, and tasted like real food!!!
(5)Andrea V.
One of my go to places in Memphis. The patio salad is delicious. Usually get it with blackened shrimp. Large portion makes a good meal.
(5)Mary D.
Visiting from out of town wanted sums seafood and heard this place was the best was not disappointed great gumbo, oysters and salad but the best was the king crab generous portion and sweet and delicious I would recommend it highly. Go go go if you can !!!
(4)Matt D.
This is a fine example of a menu that tricked me into buying away from Yelp reviews...shame on me. I saw "big and plump Louisiana" oysters, so I ordered half a dozen. I've never had Louisiana oysters, and I don't think I'll seek them out from a raw bar offering again. They didn't have much personality...no brine, no salt, no distinct flavors. For my entrée, I decided to get back on plan. I decided to double down on oysters, and ordered another half dozen Rockefeller and a cup of the crab bisque. Both were good, and I liked that the Rockefeller was heavier on the house spinach than cheese. The bisque was solid, but a little heavy. Overall, the service was excellent, food came out quickly, and they have Yuengling. I liked the warm and inviting interior as well. 3.5 stars
(3)Ashley H.
I have a hard time not getting the Fat Boy poboy every time I'm here. I'm originally from the gulf coast and seafood at The Half Shell is about as good as it gets in Memphis.
(4)LJ R.
We came here just for one thing their Monte Cristo. Really that's all you need. Well technically there's other items that you could try here but we just came here to try one item because we were going to other restaurants around Memphis just to sample some of their food. The Half Shell happen to be the first restaurant on our list so we had to save some room for the rest. This was my first ever Monte Cristo. I've heard of them but never tried it before until now. Very delicious. Who doesn't like a good ham and cheese sandwhich... and it's fried and dusted with powder sugar too :0 It was served hot , filled with lots juicy meat, and oozing with cheese when I took the fork to it. It was served with huge extra onion rings extra crispy on the inside, soft and moist on the inside. The waitress was very friendly. Best part was the hostess was a little kid, make sure they pay you with really good candy. The kid actually did a really good job. It was a good environment. I heard they have some good seafood. It gets busy here. Parking lot was filled and we ended up parking on the street, no problem though.
(4)Tom G.
Went Friday night for a birthday dinner, 9 of us. Much better than my last visit. Service was attentive, even on a Friday night with the place packed. We split several items: Fried Shrimp, perfect, soup & salad, always great Lobster bisque, crab cakes. Well worth the visit and the $.
(4)Scott F.
Always a great meal at Half Shell.
(4)Tom E.
It was a Saturday night, and I just made a complete fool of myself- for better or for worse. I just got done with a spectacular elite event, but I was supposed to head to work to take care of something I was supposed to do Friday (oops). When I got the invite to come to the Half Shell, work was immediately put on the back burner. Now, there is a Half Shell about a mile from where I live, and I soon thereafter found out that was NOT the location to go to (another oops!). So I used my trusty Yelp app, and it got me in the right direction. One of my good friends Charlie B. (a native of MEM), had told me about this place from years ago, and how his mother loved it. I was excited to try it! This place is right near the train tracks, and had an interesting parking situation (ok, I didn't survey it all), I just weaved in and out of moving cars and pedestrians, and parked along the street. At the end of the night, my car was there and still in one piece, so I guess it was a legit spot? As I walked around, I noticed it had a nice crowd, and it was pretty big too- it could hold a lot of people- the bar was straight ahead, with eating areas on the left, and right. We sat at a 6 top, right inside the door on the left. It was like our own little alcove. That was cool! I wanted to work on a hangover, so I kept ordering vodka red bulls. They were out of the regular, so I got the sugar free ones. That was all good though, I told the server (forgot her name) it was probably for the best. The menu was vast and had a lot to offer, but since I had already been drinking, I got (don't laugh too hard, this is my go to food when I drink) the chicken caesar salad. After I saw those oysters come out though, I should have ordered dozens and start filling up every pocket. They looked so damn big and yummmmm. As we all sat and enjoyed our food and shared highly inappropriate dinner topics (I need to work on that), it was a great time. The salad was the perfect size, and came in clutch. Pretty decent! As it came to an end, it was check time. The checks were split, and tip was already added, but I added a few extra bones to it. We stayed for a few and talked some more. She then came to pick up the checks, which was kind of awkward... At this point, it was time to move on, then we tried to move to the bar, and then it was slammed full and no one to be found to help us out with that situation, so it was time to move on! I would love to come back and check out them oysters, amongst other things. Looks like a pretty solid place- glad I got to try it! One tip though, make sure you know the train schedule, as entering/exiting when a train rolls through will def test your patience!
(4)Arpana W.
From the Oysters rockefeller to the Voodoo chicken, this place has it all (and a GREAT Sunday brunch, to boot!) If you haven't tried the Half Shell, it's time to make it happen. You will be pleasantly surprised be the variety of quality food you have to choose from. I can't rave enough about the Oysters Rockefeller (and I would in no way call myself an oyster fan - but this place changed my mind on that with a quickness). Parmesan cheese and spinach bubble over top of these VERY large oysters, and give off an enticing aroma as you wait for them to cool down just a touch before diving in. Take my word for it, just "Voodoo" anything (Tilapia, steak, chicken) - you'll be glad you did. Half Shell = The best seafood in Memphis, as far as I'm concerned.
(4)April S.
Half Shell gets major points for serving a full menu at hours when other restaurants in the area are no longer open. Monday through Saturday you can order anything you desire until 2am. On Sundays the kitchen closes at 1am. This how I ended up at the Half Shell in the first place. Where else am I going to get hot wings in east Memphis at 1130 on Sunday night? This was my first visit to Half Shell and I have to say I was pretty impressed with the variety of items on the menu. Oysters, salads, sandwiches, and entrees galore. Something for everyone... even late. I already had my mouth set for hot wings (go figure) so that's what I ordered. For $8.25 you get 12 wings, half flats and half drummies, served with celery and home-made dressing. The wing pieces were disappointingly small. The flavor was good and the heat was mild. I prefer wing sauce that is a bit hotter. The blue cheese dressing was really great, and for me, it actually made the mediocre wings a bit more enjoyable. I would visit Half Shell again but I would order some thing other than wings. A salad with home-made blue cheese dressing, perhaps.
(3)Kelley F.
Shrimp and grits are the best! Oyster poboys were pretty delicious too! Friendliest staff around.
(5)Andy S.
The Half Shell is a restaurant focused on seafood in Memphis. The prices ranges from under $10 to almost $40, depending on whether you order a po boy sandwich or a steak and lobster. I started with a whiskey diet coke. It was strong and less than $5. I started with 6 peel and eat shrimp. It's one of my favorite foods. Only the shells remain. I believe it was $7.95 Then I had a soup and salad for $8.95. The salad was loaded with bacon and cheese, and I chose blue cheese dressing. I love a salad that is so loaded with toppings that I don't have to use a lot of dressing. For my soup, I had their delicious crab bisque. It had crab on top. It was full of crab, creamy, and delicious. Everyone enjoyed their food. No one had any complaints. Some of the things they ordered included tilapia, voodoo tuna, and jumbo fried shrimp po boy. I'm sure I'll be back. Next time, I think I'll try the tilapia royale which came with spinach cakes.
(4)Dean D.
The Half Shell is one of my favorite places to visit for bar food. This location seems to always serve up pretty consistent food and how many bars in Memphis offer pretty darn good oysters! On this particular day I just happened to be in the area and decided to stop by for - wait for it - oysters! They were excellent; plump and juicy on the larger side, nicely chilled followed by the fish tacos made with tilapia. Recommendations: The oysters are always good, especially their Oyster Rockefeller. The peel and eat shrimp are also very good and the price is good as well. They make very good Po Boy's and I'd have to recommend either the Oyster Po Boy or their Soft Shell Crab Po Boy. Overall, good food at a great price and nice "locals" bar atmosphere.
(4)Sofia M P.
This place is cozy, the food is very tasty, everything was served in time, prices are fare, service very friendly. I am definitely coming back to try the rest of the items in the menu. Kids menu is very good too, kids enjoyed their cheeseburger, not soul food, but it was one od those nights for them... hey as long as they are eating everything and are happy I'm happy too. I had crab bisque, stuffed shrimp, and my husband had a cup of gumbo and the coconut shrimp and everything was delish. For desert my kiddo tried the turtle cheesecake and it was very good too.
(4)Mark S.
My last dinner in Memphis was here. It should've been my last meal on Earth. Crab cakes the size of hockey pucks that were fresh, delicious, and with the perfect sauce. Steak and King Crab legs for a main course, that comes with choice of potato and hot roll already buttered. I had never eaten King Crab legs before, but they were tremendously good. Even for those with a shellfish allergy, these babies were good. To top it off, I had a slice of key lime pie and a cup of coffee. I certainly treated myself by racking up a pretty good tab on just food, but it was well worth it. This meal was so good I lit up a cigarette and asked the waitress if it was good for her too (kidding). But really, after I finished this dinner I just sat back sipped my coffee and listened to the other people's conversations. Worth every dollar spent.
(5)Freddie T.
This may be good for Memphis, but compared to Houston or Louisiana, it's pretty average. Fish is cooked well, gumbo is too thick, service leaves something to be desired.
(3)Hang T.
This place is up to par with Red Lobster to me, and I actually like Red Lobster, but I have higher standards for independent restaurants. Lobster bisques - Good, thick, and hearty Any of those voodoo dishes - too much, overbearing, and one-dimensional Their signature voodoo stuffing is good initially, but if you keep eating it over and over again, it gets really tiring and boring for your taste buds. It was just too much voodoo for me. The service was fine. No complaints there. This place is very dark and not very fun at lunch time. It's more of a dinner place I guess.
(3)Jeffery S.
Tried this place on a whim and found it to be a great find. Not sure how to describe the neighborhood that Half Shell is in. It's just down the street from Gus' Chicken. It doesn't appear to be all that bad but there is a security guard walking around the parking lot so customers will feel safe. Hell, it made me feel less safe, that was one scruffy looking security guard. Inside of the place is a nice dim looking honky tonk kinda place. This looks like Memphis. Took a minute or two to get seated but evenually I got a table. Menu had a variety of burgers, salads, seafood and cajun style stuff. I ordered the Red Beans and Rice and a Patio Salad. Both arrived pretty quickly and there was ample portions. Red Beans and rice had diced onion, cheese and diced sausage in it. It was pretty rich and filling, I could ony eat half of it. If I had a criticism, they probably were a bit too generous with the onion. The Patio Salad was a mix of leafy greens, blue cheese, cranberries, walnuts, artichokes and viniagretted dressing. So much food I could only eat half of each. Half shell also makes a dynamite crab stuffed shrimp. Monster onion rings too. One place for a good meal when in Memphis.
(4)Andrea G.
You can't go wrong with anything in the menu; everything is so good and the place is lovely
(5)Ashley C.
We were on a long drive from Virginia to Oklahoma. We got into Memphis crazy late starving. Our hotel pointed us to this little gem. ZOH MY GOODNESS! We contemplated changing our wedding caterer for our wedding (that weekend) to this place! The food knocked our socks off! We both got different types of po'boys that melted in our mouths. We literally cleaned our plates. I had red beans and rice on the side, and almost regretted the awesome po'boy because they were that yummy. We had awesome service and the sweetest waitress bought our dessert as a congratulations for our soon to be marriage. The only negative was when we ordered a dozen oysters. Granted we came at the end of the night, so we got the last 6 in the barrel. They weren't cleaned well and the yummy briny-ness had been washed away. That being said, we will make a specific trip to Memphis to eat here again.
(4)Christophe M.
I made a mistake ordering something that was not deep fried because it ended up raw on my plate. Total disappointment, I simply do not understand why they have such raving reviews, maybe because people having this bad of an experience don't bother writing a review. Wont be coming back e-ever.
(2)Brad G.
Eggs Benedict.... Any eggs Benedict!!!!Enough said. How do they cook the eggs? So good you may catch a grizzlies player here!
(5)Mary Kate M.
I love the Half Shell. I have come here a lot with my mom and it was really 'our spot' when she visited me in Memphis. Primarily when coming here I would by default get the shrimp and grits. It has a Creole kick to it that made it have some extra awesome flavor. If I didn't get that, I liked the Voodoo Chicken. Once again, great flavor and great food. Drinks here well made and not overpriced. Would you believe me that they make a pretty good margarita? Fact. I like the ambiance of the restaurant. Wood, dim lighting, and intimate. My only complaint is the trains. The restaurant is right beside the tracks and you can hear everything. It is something that goes with the territory due to the location. That's okay. It is not a deal breaker.
(4)Chris J.
Today is my first time eating at the Half Shell and I must say that it will definitely not be my last. Being from New Orleans, I am often cautious about eating at restaurants that claim to have authentic creole/Cajun cuisine. I must say that after eating a "fatboy"(shrimp, oysters, crawfish Po boy), I felt like I had been beamed up from a Star Trek Spaceship back to New Orleans! The food here is awesome! I highly recommend this place!
(5)Chandra L.
I went to half shell last night at 12:24. The kitchen closes on Sunday at 1:00am but when we walked in the waiter went right ahead and seated us. No problem. No fuss. I ordered a tequila sunrise( too strong not mixed well), grilled Louisiana oysters, and the seafood nachos. My friend had the fat boy poboy, red beans and rice, and king crab bisque. OMG!!!! the food was wonderful. Just excellent. If the Oysters were a little cheaper I definitely would have gotten more. But 10.95 is not that bad. Our total bill was 59.00. But the food was off the chain. Definitely will go back. Definitely recommend it.
(5)Lydia F.
I was given about two dozen oysters and had no idea how to shuck them... I called the half shell and Scott so graciously shucked every single oyster for me. We also talked about recipes and how I could possibly cook the oysters. The halfshell has an amazing staff and they sincerely care about anyone who walks in their door!
(5)Deen W.
My husband has been to The Half Shell many times, but I, a lifelong Memphian, had never been! I am so glad that he came up with the idea to have lunch here yesterday. The menu is awesome. There were several items that caught my eye (coconut mussels, voodoo shrimp, fish tacos, steak sandwich, etc. etc.). It would be fun to get a big table here with a group of friends and just try a bunch of stuff. On this venture, I opted for a bowl of gumbo (kinda on a gumbo kick right now!) and my husband was sweet enough to order the other item I was considering - the crab cake po'boy. (I'm a sucker for anything with remoulade!) The gumbo, while not my favorite in town (Dejavu & Stone Soup take 1st and 2nd, respectively), was very good. I would order it again, but as a cup instead of my main entree. The crab cake po'boy was equally nice. The atmosphere reminded me of Mortimer's....dark, a little tacky, with lots of animal pictures on the wall. Definitely not a knock, but let's face it - - it's no Houston's or Ruth's Chris. (And not like they're even trying to be, I know.) The service was fine and we left happy. With a menu like theirs, I would absolutely be down with going back and trying something else.
(3)Amos R.
Voodoo catfish on bed of shrimp stuffing, sub-in Italian spinach for broccoli. My go-to meal and it never, never misses!
(5)Amber C.
I went here with a group of friends last weekend, and the experience was, while not the worst, certainly not the best. I won't be back. To start, our waitress was both rude and too quick...I thought she was going to refuse me service when I didn't know what kind of beer I wanted as soon as I sat down! Once she brought us our drinks, she disappeared for a good 10 minutes. When she returned, it wasn't much better. She couldn't answer my question about the voodoo stuffing, which seems to be one of their big sellers, and seemed irritated that I had asked it (this was not a hard questions either - "does it have peppers in it?"). I ordered the jumbo crab stuffed shrimp, which was awful. The shrimp was really fishy tasting, in the "I may get food poisoning way" and the hollandaise sauce was so bad I scraped it all off. The rice pilaf under the shrimp tasted burnt, and the loaded baked potato I received was hard, flavorless, and had what tasted like plastic cheese baked onto it. Not that the food was very good, but before I was even finished the waitress took my plate and put it in a bus tub. Really? She didn't ask or anything, and when I got my check, I saw that I was overcharged for my meal - she was very huffy about fixing it. We all paid, and stayed maybe another 20 minutes and talked; they were not busy, but she walked by and glared at us several times, and wouldn't even look at the water glass I had put on the edge of the table to be filled. Just awful service, terrible food, and not the cleanest of places. My beer was the best part of the whole experience, and even it was overpriced.
(1)Don S.
Arrive early for lunch, one of my favorite Sunday brunch spots. Great for oysters and eggs benedict with an emphasis on their seafood but good burgers and decent steaks. Bar can be quite noisy at times.
(4)Jim L.
I keep going back and forth on three or four stars for this place. I'm going to stick with three just for the sake of a couple of problems. I'm just visiting Memphis, and I've hit Rendezvous, Tops, and Corky's, and, having been disappointed by Pearl's a few days back, was wandering around looking for oysters. I pointed the car down Poplar and wound up seeing this place off to the right. First thought: man, that's a huge menu. But I saw that bit about boiled live crawfish right off the bat, and it's been a while since I've had fresh crawfish (I can't eat those frozen Asian crawfish so many places serve, they just taste rotten to me), so I placed that order right away. I wound up adding a dozen oysters (they only have Gulf oysters, but that's way better than no oysters) and a cup of crawfish bisque. The boiled 'daddies came out first, but they were a bit hot, so I inhaled the bisque. A bit sweet, but really very good. Crawfish were next, and here's where the first problem hit: yeah, most of them were live when they were boiled, but some of them weren't. I learned quickly to give them a squeeze and toss the mushy ones to the side, but that first dead one was nasty. It doesn't take a lot to tell whether a crawfish is dead or alive, and a four or five star place would take pains to toss the dead ones. It's one thing to eat a processed and frozen dead crawfish, quite another to eat one that's been floating in room-temperature water for heaven knows how long. That's food poisoning waiting to happen. If I were to order them again, I'd make a special request to make darned sure they're really alive before they go in the pot. I hit the oysters next. First thing I notice is "Dang them're some big oysters!" The waitress says they've been like that the last couple of weeks, but some of them were as big as Pacific oysters. Lucky they didn't taste like Pacific oysters. But that's the first time I've ever had to cut an oyster in half before eating it. I do like the delicate flavor of a smaller oyster, and luckily I had hitchhikers on two of the big ones that I shucked with my table knife, and those were sweet. The big ones were good, but they have a stronger flavor that'd be wonderful fried. I had hoped to finish everything off with an oyster po-boy, but after eating a dozen of those monsters, there was no way I was going to be able to eat anything else. The oysters revealed problem number two, and that's poor shucking technique. As someone else mentioned, they don't release the oyster from the shell, so forget sucking them right off the shell. First, you have to remove the broken bits of shell, then you have to release the oyster. And on one of my oysters, the shucker managed to run the knife through the top shell, leaving half of it behind. I've never seen that before. Looked like an oyster with a sunroof. The hinge was still intact, too, so I'm not sure where they go in with the knife. Had to finish that one with the table knife too. A napkin gets dirty really fast when you have to handle and clean every oyster on the plate. And of course, a couple of hours later, what do I keep tasting? Rotten crawdad. That's a shame. Good food in general, silly problems that are easy to fix. Hope they're reading these reviews. Really wish I'd had room for that oyster po-boy, though...
(3)Ramy K.
Voodoo shrimp will cast its spell on you.. ..fiery yet delicious. And the King Crab bisque .....royally delicious, mmmm. The shrimp and grits( usually my favor) was cooked to perfection but the sauce was weak and runny ): seeya
(4)Kaylee W.
I have been to the Half Shell multiple times at both the Mendenhall and Southwind locations. It is a great place for dinner with friends or even a date. The atmosphere is always great! On the dinner menu my personal favorite is the Hawaiian Coconut Shrimp. These shrimp aren't the average catch. They are HUGE! I promise you will be full afterwards especially with a side (go for the stuffed potato) and a roll. If you're looking for a new brunch spot Sunday Brunch at the Half Shell is a MUST! I had the Eggs Benedict with breakfast potatoes. I plan on coming back next Sunday for more. Fabulous brunch for a fabulous price! Overall the Half Shell has recently become one of my favorite go to spots. Try it out! I can almost guarantee it will become a favorite of yours too!
(5)Jon M.
Their fried oysters and spicy smokehouse chicken/hamburger sandwiches are my favorite. Everything else is ok. I had their seafood plate once with shrimp, oysters, mussel, and a crab leg. It could use more season to give it a creole taste. The red beans and rice are very good too though.
(4)Helen L.
I saw these reviews the other week and was a bit sad that I had half a day left of work before the airport and unlikely had the time to swing by. To my surprise, the flight was delayed. I think this was the first time I welcomed a flight delay! Through rain or shine, I was going to make my way over there. The place was very laid back with many tables and booths and a middle bar section for those interested. I ordered their signature KING CRAB BISQUE which was thick and soothing. The SOUTHERN STYLE CRABCAKES were smaller but that is to be expected at most places. My main reason for going was to get my hands on the raw bar! I ordered a dozen of the JUST-SHUCKED OYSTERS all for myself and I plowed through those things quite quickly. Their oysters are from the Lousiana Gulf Coast. Most of them were HUGE. They were bigger than any I've ever seen! The service wasn't bad overall. I rushed there as soon as it was open and it packed up really quickly. Must be one of the better ones in town!
(4)Joelle P.
Oysters are divine!
(5)Taylor O.
This place is great. I have had dinner many of times here, and never been disappointed. I usually stick with the New Orleans Style Pasta and always do and will recommend it. What I really want to talk about is brunch. I had brunch for the first time here this past Sunday, and I will be attending next Sunday, next Sunday and probably the Sunday after that. The Nawlins Omelette is simply amazing. My taste buds could not stop cheering and I wanted another one before I left but realized that would not be a great idea for my stomach. So I will settle for it next week. Also, your wallet won't be mad at you either. See you next Sunday, Half Shell.
(5)Dan E.
In Memphis if you have a winning location then you can do no wrong, or so it seems... We love to get caught up in the noisy bustling atmosphere that is this 40 something year old Pub style restaurant in the heart of east Memphis. For many Memphians this place is like "Cheers" with its dominant wrap around Bar just ahead of the entrance, its many regulars and generally solid selection of seafood in a place that is about as far away from any coastline in the U.S. as can be found. In fact if you haven't been there in years- when you walk in you will probably notice the same patrons at the bar stools (with a few hair adjustments) that you probably saw five or twenty-five years ago. Now that's comforting; And so is their menu. Amazing Oysters served three ways, there Voodoo Salmon on a bed of shrimp or crawfish filled stuffing and covered with an equal amazing peppery cream sauce. There steaks are to die for and should be accompanied with their spectacular cheesy garlicky spinach and potatoes. Honestly you can't find better tasting food at one of those fancier places that start with a Ruth or a Folks. My wife's favorite accompaniment to their fare is the dynamite 'double' top shelf Bloody Mary's who's homemade mix is so thick and awesome that it readily stands up to the alcohol- and obviously you only need one! Just be sure that they are in fact crowded 'cause if they aren't then they probably haven't even thawed anything out and it will arrive microwave cold in the centers and- they get rather uppity quickly. Oh, and their red beans and rice are a bust. So what have we learned- go there only when the parking lot is packed because then it is worth the wait, try their steaks and seafood, maybe accompany some great oysters with a top shelf Bloody Mary, kinda wanna stay away from anything that sounds like it came outta a can like their red beans or even their Clubstore purchased corned beef sandwich... and don't be surprised if you get an occasional attitude from the management! Oh, and remember their customer base has been there for what seems like centuries and lend their own happiness and personality to the place! Will definitely go back - crazy good drinks in a loud establishment. Gotta love that !
(3)Wayne R.
The dinner was awesome, as always. This time, we had the desert of the day, Chocolate and Caramel Cheesecake. It was so worth it :)
(5)Tamisha M.
I went for lunch and got the seafood nachos, as usual. It was great and had the bisque. The bisque is just wonderful, even got a bowl to go.
(4)Kahala B.
It was ok. From the moment we walked in, we really did not know what to expect. It was quite dark and gloomy. We asked if it was a smoke free restaurant and was ensyred that it was but they allow people to smoke right outside the front door so they may as well let them smoke in.
(3)Jessica B.
Oysters on the half shell are HUGE! King crab bisque was really good. I love cream based soups, so I give the crab bisque 2 thumbs up!
(4)Gary D.
A good local place with decent variety. Never had anything that wasn't good. Seafood is always prepared perfectly.
(4)Sunny M.
Great atomsphere and excellent food. Kids friendly.
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