It's been several months since I've been here and although I really don't ever want to go here again... I might just to find out if that one waiter was as big a jerk as he appeared. I could write about the "fresh" oysters on the half shell I ordered, that were covered in mud. They didn't even rinse the outside of the shells, they were just dirty, dirty, dirty. Every bite I took was muddled with pieces of shell and dirt, I thought I was going to break a tooth... the half shelled oysters were piled up on a plate, so the dirty exteriors were all over what should have been the clean, edible oyster. I didn't even finish eating them, and I love raw oysters... For my entree I ordered a piece of fish, instead of asking how I would like to have it cooked, the waiter asked, short and abruptly, "What temperature?" I was a little confused for a minute.. I thought it was nice the waiter actually knew there was temperature involved, but the average consumer probably can't tell you what temperate they want their tuna. I'll take mine med rare...... The food when arrived, wasn't bad, I don't remember much about it being awesome either or I'd be wanting to go back. My biggest issue here was the oysters and waiter.. I wish I had pointed it out to management at that time... but we were with another couple and kinda in a hurry to get to a charity event. The waiter seemed rude the entire time we were there... like he just really didn't want to be there. Our table was so full of dirty dishes, getting a drink was difficult, just getting the little turds attention was a task. Normally I find men waiters much better then women as far as their attitudes, (sorry girls, but you know it can get catty) but this guy was apparently not feeling it...
(1)
Tony M.
I like the restaurant interior design, but found the food quality and service just too plain. I had the red beans and rice, but wouldn't recommend the dish to anyone. I also had a tossed salad, which I expected to come out cold and crisp. Needless to say, it wasn't served cold and it wasn't crispy. The business needs to rework it's menu, improve quality, and bring down their their prices by about 20%. I'll give them the thumbs down, but I'll try them again in 2012.
(2)
Brian L.
Average. Nothing too bad, nothing really great. Not in a hurry to return. First of all they do not support our American freedoms that so many heros have fought and died to protect. No firearms allowed on property. Gumbo: the bowl is an excellent snack except for the occasional shrimp peel. Just prepare to order two or three bowls of it if you like it. Voodoo pompano is special today. I almost got a paper cut on the fish it was so thin. The waiter explained that they are weighed and thickness depends on the cut. Stuffed potato: very good at about 100 degrees. Would be better about 200 degrees. Real bacon and good cheese. Eggrolls: just ok. Not much flavor. The plus side: waiter extremely attentive. Drinks are constantly full. Quick and excellent service. Clean dining room and bathroom. They have a live band twice a week. Not a bad place, but this experience although pleasant was just average.
(3)
Clinton S.
I used to come to The Half Shell very often, but no so much recently. The current visit was to celebrate Father's Day and I was very excited. Unfortunately, it's not what I remember it to be. I got a dozen oysters on the half-shell, which were ok (yes, I realize it's June and it doesn't end in "R" so what should I expect), but still they were marginal at best. The worst part was that they want $16.95 for a dozen oysters - you gotta be kidding me! The other thing I got was an oyster po-boy, and honestly that was pretty good. The bread is so fresh, soft, and tasty. The oysters were ok, I've had better - kind of disappointing to be honest. Lastly, the service was attentive and not in your face, so I would call it good. Will I go back - probably not any time soon, but then that's not necessarily due to the quality of the meal I got today.....more the fact that I just won't get back for awhile.
(2)
Bobby Y.
I would eat here all the time if I lived in Memphis. Best example of a mussels dish - their Asian-style mussel bowl is top-tier, best in class. The mussels are truly large and aren't the typical shrunken orange type... they are edge-to-edge, plump Mediterranean mussels and the accompanying coconut-milk-based broth is delicately spiced. I loved it. Also tried their house special char-grilled oysters, which were delicious, and then finished off with a dozen raw oysters, which were as expected - the shucking was a *little* messy with some shell-bits which can be hazardous to your teeth so just be aware. 100% going back for more mussels the next time we're in Memphis.
(5)
Ruthe C.
I've been looking for a brunch spot close to home and this is my top pick thus far! There are just a few issues per my preferences. The mimosa comes with one in a glass and the remainder of a mimosa bottle. I asked for orange juice to mix and got a shot on ice. This may have just been due to our somewhat flighty waitress. I'm not sure if she was her standard self or just very distracted, but it was evident. Service issues aside, I really like the place. Per a quick Yelp review, I tried the lobster bisque. It was lovely and made a nice little appetizer. It was very rich so I had less than half a cup to save myself for the entree. I ordered the Pain Perdu. It was wonderful although incredibly filling! I'm a sucker for a French Toast! This is close to what I had in New Orleans. Well, as close as I'll get in Memphis, I assume. My friend had the Half Shell Omelet and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll be back to try more!
(4)
Shannon M.
Excellent Louisiana style menu. Red beans and rice were flavorful, topped with cheese and scallions. Blackened chicken with Italian spinach was wonderful. Kids meals were average.
(4)
Adam H.
I have been a Half Shell fan for many years! I can't begin to recall all of the visits to the location in East Memphis. Danny and his team there have always done a phenomenal job of giving Memphis a place to enjoy fresh seafood. When this location on Winchester opened about almost a decade ago we where ecstatic! A brand new Half Shell close to home! We enjoyed many, many meals here with friends and family over the years. The Voodoo menu has been one we really enjoy. I can eat their "fried shrimp" every day for every meal and I don't think I would ever get tired of them. Gumbo, Mussels, King Crab Bisque, and you cannot beat the "Half Shell Combo". Fried Shrimp, Crab Cakes, and Blackened Catfish! Don't forget the Oysters! Man! Now to present day review... My wife and I accidentally got a free date night on Valentine's Day. The Kids were gone and it was already 7:30 so we had to think fast. Half Shell! We haven't been in a while (previous two visits our service was TERRIBLE, food still good though), so we thought we can try again. We arrive to find a pretty decent wait, which was expected... As we waited, I began to see why service has faded here... The cliental, at least on this night, are terrible, horrible, uneducated, trash! I witnessed so many travesties of human nature that it was difficult to contain myself. There was one guy in what looked like a full NASCAR racing suit full of logos from head to toe. WTF? Who wears that? I asked him if he was being paid for his outfit... this drew sharp criticism from the wifey that got really pissed at me about that one... I guess its good he didn't understand me anyway based on the blank look I got from him. Everyone else seemed to have the same ignorant overly self important without reason chip on their shoulder air about them. Attitudes were obvious and I felt completely out of place. This review would be 10,000 words if I kept going about this... So, if this is how this place has become, you can count on it closing... The servers will leave to find better jobs because of poor tips and terrible customers, crappier servers will replace them, giving even crappier service which will lead to the comps getting higher and higher because management will stop giving a shit. The owners will start thinking about bailing when the lease is up because of the mess the place has become and turnover and profit loss out of control. Just wait... All in all, I am sad... I want this place to be here for me... forever... I am willing to try one more time in hopes of seeing something different. Good Luck Half Shell. The food on the Valentines visit was still awesome! Thanks for that!
(4)
Frank C.
I was in the mood today for a bloody Mary and an omelette, and so I stopped by. The bloody Mary was mostly ice, and small. Very overpriced for $4.50. I had the Half Shell omelette, which was tasty but only warm and not hot. The grits were cold. The silverware had to be sent back because it was not clean. On the plus side, our server was courteous and did a good job taking care of us.
(3)
Sonya V.
My - the memories this place brought back to me this evening! I would guess that since this location was opened I have had about 125 meals here, but is has been at least a couple of years since my last visit. The atmosphere (for me) was like slipping an a favorite outfit. Nothing has changed at all. The staff is always slightly above average to excellent. After so many visits I think I have eaten almost everything on the menu - which is like a book. Normally I abhor those thick digests built to meet everyone's culinary desire. But The Shell pulls it off. Never have I had a bad meal; though some are better than others. What I do appreciate is that I can order from an appetizer menu and have different tastes without getting filled up. This visit I skipped the oysters (ours on the coast are better), the red beans (ditto) and the Gumbo (which is actually pretty damned good). Instead I had the shrimp rolls (yum, crunchy and moist at the same time) and the coconut mussels - served with warm french bread. They were a knockout. When I lived "Up North" in Memphis their Monte Cristo was my indulgent food. It has about the same food value and calories as 2 dozen Dunkin' Donuts but is it YUM!!! There is a full bar and I was impressed they had my Tito's vodka. I withhold a star because the "regulars" can be a bit annoying, it is in a strip center on the edge of a seedy area and it seems to border between family place/bar/restaurant-attempting to be gourmet. But the formula has worked for about 40 years, so who am I to judge?
(4)
Capri W.
I love love love the chargrilled oysters!! Nothing beats the ones in New Orleans, but this is the next best thing. 3 stars because they don't sell french bread.
(3)
Ron B.
Do you like salmon, catfish, shrimp grilled/blacken to perfection? You will enjoy Half Shell! Lobster bisque is awesome! All of the "Voodoo" dishes are good. Also, the menu changes so nothing gets stale over the course of the year. The price is reasonable considering the cost of seafood. No "Fake Fish" is served. My only drawback is if you go after 11PM, prepare for the drunkards to arrive. Eat earlier in the evening if at all possible. The servers were friendly, but I have been there when there were slammed. My rating is for the food.
(5)
Sarah D.
My review went out on the wrong address. This review was meant for Half Shell on Mendenhall. We went there at least five times and at first we really enjoyed it. After that we were always seated by the service bar which we didn't mind too much. At least we thought the food at would be good. One, two, three times we were so disappointed in the food that I could not believe it. We ordered King Crab bisque and my friend ordered seafood gumbo. The bowl was not full and it was cold. I asked my friend if their seafood gumbo was hot and he replied; actually it is not even warm. Our salads were not good either. What was wrong? Was there someone new cooking? We just looked at each other. I just couldn't leave there without mentioning it to our waitress. We were ready to pay our bill, and the manager came over and asked us what was wrong. This was not what we wanted; but I felt that I had to be honest. He looked at us like You have got to be kidding. We have so much business that we just have to at Good. It was embarassing to have to inform him of the situation. He comped the bill but that was not we had in mind. He said "I know you are good customers because I see you on here all the time". We went back a couple of weeks later and after ordering our food, we say there and watched all the people drinking around the bar. We ordered a glass of wine each. It was mid afternoon and there was a flare from the sun coming through the front window because the blinds were open. The glare hot right into my eyes. However, I did not say anything to anyone. Soon a bartender went over and closed the blind, because someone else complained about it. Right away a man set down at the table and opened the blinds were up again; letting the glare come through the window. I looked over st the bartender and he was looking at me. I said someone opened the blind again. The bartender was talking to the manager, and he said I was told him about it and he said to leave it alone. It was more important for the man at the
(1)
Corey E.
I visited Half Shell restaurant today for lunch. I must say that this place is a seafood lovers dream. Everything from oysters, shrimp, crawfish, are on this menu. The selection is abundant. The appetizers are great as well. Shrimp eggrolls, Red beans and rice, gumbo, and oysters to name a few. I had the Voodoo catfish amazing. The shrimp stuffing layered underneath and the catfish was cooked to perfection. It was seasoned just right, not greasy, with a touch of lemon. The broccoli was just ok. It didn't taste fresh and I ended up not eating all of it. I attached a picture to show my entree. All in all, I would recommend this restaurant .
(4)
Shawn L.
This is a good place to eat. I usually get the hamburger when I go. This is a nice place to have lunch.
(4)
David K.
We have been a fan of The Half Shell for years. Very consistent with both their food and service. The Shrimp and Lobster Bruschetta is a great appetizer! Love the extensive menu and the more seasonal "specials" section. The Half Shell is my go to spot when guests are in town because there seems to be something on the menu for everyone. Sunday Brunch is great and typically you do not have to wait!
(4)
Dana L.
We had the chargrilled oysters. They were pretty good. I wished they had a bit more of the smoky flavor from the grill, but the butter, garlic, & Parmesan they were floating in was about a "sopping," artery hardening goodness all it's own. I had the oyster sliders. I must say I was a little apprehensive how one little oyster on a bun was gonna be enough "meat" because I really don't like too much bread and usually end up pulling the extra off. But those little magic morsels were pretty near perfect. I could have stood for the buns to maybe be a little toasty, but that's the only complaint you get from me. The fried oyster on a slider bun with a Cajun aioli, a slice of some Roma tomato, a little slaw, and some bacon made for some really tasty treats. The flavors really worked well together. The tomato was fresh, not mealy; the slaw crunchy, not soggy; and the bacon was crispy. Slap it on a slider bun with crispy on the outside perfectly cooked oyster and it was manna. I'll definitely be back.
The Half Shell's Oyster Bienville & Rockefeller half & half were delicious. The shrimp & lobster bruschetta was not great, not much flavor. However my husband loved it. The Reuben was delicious, the steak fries hard & mealy. Gumbo was tasty, however I'm not a connoseur.
(4)
Scott C.
Overall great experience. My server Stephanie was attentive and friendly. Grilled oysters were excellent. Had the combo platter with the Italian spinach for a side. Mildly disappointed with the crab cakes which was only reason i gave a 4 rating. Everything else was superb and I will be going there again soon.
(4)
Phillip M.
Love this place. One of three places I always try to go on Memphis. The crab bisque is sooooo good. The red beans and rice are fantastic as well. Every time we have gone I've gotten the BEST Bloody Mary I've had. Fits in perfectly with the spicy food I order.
(5)
Dr. Sarah Missy S.
Stopped by to eat at the Half Shell for lunch, had the Monte Cristo sandwich was ok had broccoli as a side, perfectly cooked but had no seasoning could not cut with the butter knife that was served (ask for steak knife) excellent service. Gave them one star because of the no carry sign in front. I only saw the sign when leaving would not have ate there if I saw it going in. Will not go back and support gun-rights activist business.
(1)
Todd M.
Always a fan of the Half Shell. One of the few places in Memphis to really get good seafood with a Cajun flavor. Good Abita beer always. Try the oysters any way - they are all great, as are the po-boys. Don't get seduced by the free Crawfish on week nights, there is never enough, even if you come early. Not a place for groups, although the try and do have a room to seat about 20.
(3)
Karen G.
Awesome! Don't waist ur money on Pearls Oyster house ...Half shell is 1000 times better!
(5)
Jake R.
Pretty decent seafood. Good seasoning and the okay pricing. However, this place will loose you on the service. This is my second and probably last trip. The original location in east Memphis is great, never a problem there. But this location has terrible service for example, the waiter took out appetizer and then instead of putting it he went two steps and watched the basketball game on TV right in front of us for a few minutes. So the same good food, but crappy service.
(3)
Richard F.
We went with some friends in the evening to have a beer and some appetizers. The selections are very good especially for seafood lovers like us. We ordered a combination of oysters, shrimp and crawfish so we could share. Everything was outstanding. The service was very good as well. We can't wait to go back and try it for lunch. We even bought some gift certificates for Christmas presents.
(4)
Brett P.
Was seated for lunch and after ten minutes and as we were literally bracing to stand up to leave a scraggle waitress was up to take our order. You all have met 'her' before; the one who appears bothered to have to wait on you like she's doing g you a favor, never checks on you and drops the check on your tar and walks away. Well if you want to see 'her' again she works at Half Shell. Oh and the seafood nachos were literally disgusting, smelled like low tide and my wife was sick later that day. Never again!
(1)
Shaina G.
The Half Shell is definitely a seafood lovers dream! They have it all! Plus they cook it well and price it reasonably. I love that they have live music and drink specials. We had a nice date night here at the Half Shell and will be back again for sure.
(4)
Amanda M.
We barely ate anything and will not be going back. The service was good but the food was questionable. The tilapia on the fish tacos smelled off, way too fishy to be fresh. The crab cakes were something I could buy in the freezer section at Costco. Everything was way over-seasoned. And don't even think about ordering the Italian spinach. It was soggy and overcooked. No thank you.
(1)
Dean D.
This review is for Jonathan J:). I love this place, the food is consistently good; a great menu and they always have excellent specials. I love their oysters and the Oyster Rockefeller is just outstanding here. I've had Oyster Rockefeller at many different restaurants including a number of great new Orleans places and I'd have to place them in the top ten. I also had a dozen peel and eat shrimp to go with my Oysters and at least two Single Malt Scotches as an appetizer. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good when I left.
(4)
David A.
The shrimp tacos were ok. You could tell the gumbo was at least from the day before. The waitress was good so I would give them an extra half star if I could. Very noisy as well.
(2)
Gary P.
I enjoyed this place! This is a big place but doesn't look like it. Staff are friendly and efficient. I've eaten here twice now and had a good experience both times. The po'boy sandwiches are very good as is the red beans and rice. Lunch is served quickly and staff is attentive. This looks like a good place to bring the wife when we don't want to cook. Give this place a try, I think you will like it.
(4)
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)
Phillip I.
GREAT FOOD! Service, not so much. This review is based on multiple visits so this was not an isolated incidence. If I want a legit oyster po-boy, this is where I go. The food here is fresh and the environment is excellent. The service, at best was sub-par. Waiters forgot our order. Waiters working a table of 20, yet also picking up my table of 4 is a recipe for disaster. Called the manager about the service to but wasn't much helpful. Proceed with caution. Don't get me wrong, awesome food.
(3)
Becky G.
My oh my....what a waste of money. The decor is nice with all the wood and its clean. The waitress was pleasant. We placed our order which included these items: 1 dozen raw oysters. 3/4 of them were tiny little nuggets despite the menu boasting how they have been offering jumbo oysters from the gulf for 30 years. I am from south of New Orleans. But you could live anywhere and know that dirty muddy shells with pieces in the washed...yes washed raw oysters that werent even cut from the shell isnt right. You DO NOT was the oyster meat. Thankfully the waitress brought me a new order to replace the tiny ones but all the other issues remained. Perhaps the owner and chef need a few lessons to live up to such a name like Half Shell. Cheese and salsa dip...it was ok, nothing special. Salsa is spicy! King Crab Bisque...wasnt bad, good amount of crab meat. Chicken wings...dry and flavorless. Rueben sandwich...not horrible but Ive had SO much better. Try Jason's Deli! None of the food came out hot except the center of the rueben. Definately will not go back. What a waste of nearly $60.
(2)
Chris M.
I guess growing up on the water I should know by now that it is just to hard to find "great" seafood in a landlocked state. The oysters were pretty good, but they have us a lot of really small ones with only one or two bugs one. We tried the oysters three ways, half shell, rockafeller, bienville... All were just ok. My wife really like the crab bisque so that was a plus... Atmosphere was loud, decor pretty bad and restrooms needed a hazmat... Wouldn't go back
(3)
Joelle P.
try the grilled oysters! they are divine
(5)
Laura P.
The seafood is always good. I will say that the service was good until I asked for a refill of diet coke. My refill came in a to go cup and that says to me, "please hurry up and leave." I was with friends I had not seen in years and we were talking and catching up. After we talked a while we all realized that dessert would be fun. We placed our order and I asked for another refill. This time I got my refill in an actual glass. I will say that this neighborhood is a bit sketchy. On my way to the restaurant I saw 3 Memphis Police cars flying through the intersection at Hacks Cross and Winchester. Then while at dinner I saw a security truck patrol the parking lot. On my way to my car the security truck was in the other side of the parking lot. Meanwhile, while backing out of my parking spot two men were attempting to park next to me. These men were very nosy and watching my every move. I will say that security needs to watch patrons leaving the restaurant. This area of town has become scary. I will not return by myself.
(4)
Mark P.
It seems with the menu choices this place has potential. The service was slow. I was never offered a refill on my drink. The house special, Voodoo Catfish was fair, but it was served on chewy shrimp dressing. I will give it another try if I get a chance.
(3)
Alison M.
We got take out and were very pleased with our order. We tried crab cakes and the super tasty voodoo shrimp, blackened catfish and fabulous bread. The order came up relatively quickly, and was priced well for the quality of food. The atmosphere seemed ok, but the food was definitely the draw.
(4)
Mike J.
We went to Half Shell bit late, 11:30 PM. Service was slow, waiter was very busy. At least the kitchen was still open. We were both in the mood for something light. No San Pellegrino or other sparkling mineral water so I settled for Soda Water. Poopsie had a Rum and Sprite, unknown rum. Poopsie had the Salad Combo with a Lobster bisque and a Caesar salad. She reported it as good. I had a cup of gumbo which was pretty good and a lettuce wedge salad. Other than the lettuce wedge, there was not much in it, except two slices of cold bacon bacon on top, and lots of dressing. I guess these were the bacon crumbles in their pre-crumbled state. Not much blue cheese. The atmosphere was a bit loud with a selection of metal on the speakers. I gave them an extra star since we were probably somewhat tired and cranky and rated them downward because of it.
(3)
Karen R.
I like Half Shell... it's good. I always have a nice meal here. But it lacks something. No idea what... Food is always satisfying and tasty but so far, nothing that I can't live without or can't have or find anywhere else. But it's good, it's a nice place to have a quick and easy meal and service is always better than average. It's less then a five min drive from home so maybe I take it for granted a little more than I should. I would give it an extra 1/2 a star but for some reason, YELP doesn't believe in half star system :)
(3)
David T.
The Winchester Road sibling to the long-established original Half Shell on Mendenhall, The Half Shell East is a brighter, cleaner update on a restaurant that I already liked. Like the original Half Shell, the East location offers a large variety of fresh fish and other seafood (it's shipped in daily), better-than-average cajun and creole dishes, and more standard pub fare. I always feel as if I get my money's worth (and feel quite full) when I order seafood at the Half Shell. The "regular" menu items are all great (salmon, amberjack, and others), but the real treat is that the restaurant updates its "specials" menu every week. The specials often are shaped around a holiday or season; they're never boring and are usually very tasty. An extensive brunch menu is offered on both Saturdays and Sundays (try the Benedict Shrimp and Grits!). Like the original, The Half Shell East stays open late. And unlike the original location, this Half Shell boasts the benefits of being in a completely new building space--lacking at this point are the darkness and slight crowdedness of the Mendenhall store (that's either a good or a bad thing, I guess, depending on the atmosphere you're looking for). Also unlike the original, this Half Shell features live music on weekends (again either a good or bad thing, depending on your mood). The Half Shell East is, like the original, a great seafood option for those of us who lack the cheddar to eat at Jarrett's or The Blue Fish on a regular basis. Highly recommended.
(5)
Kika K.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants. About a year ago I became really sick after eating at this location. I thought it was a fluke, but it's happened several more times. Needless to say, I don't eat there anymore.
(2)
Kristi C.
We were seriously disappointed. Food was served lukewarm..like it sat under the heating lamp too long. Waitress was rude and never checked back after the meal was delivered except to bring the check. Would bypass...too many other choices.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Krista W.
It's been several months since I've been here and although I really don't ever want to go here again... I might just to find out if that one waiter was as big a jerk as he appeared. I could write about the "fresh" oysters on the half shell I ordered, that were covered in mud. They didn't even rinse the outside of the shells, they were just dirty, dirty, dirty. Every bite I took was muddled with pieces of shell and dirt, I thought I was going to break a tooth... the half shelled oysters were piled up on a plate, so the dirty exteriors were all over what should have been the clean, edible oyster. I didn't even finish eating them, and I love raw oysters... For my entree I ordered a piece of fish, instead of asking how I would like to have it cooked, the waiter asked, short and abruptly, "What temperature?" I was a little confused for a minute.. I thought it was nice the waiter actually knew there was temperature involved, but the average consumer probably can't tell you what temperate they want their tuna. I'll take mine med rare...... The food when arrived, wasn't bad, I don't remember much about it being awesome either or I'd be wanting to go back. My biggest issue here was the oysters and waiter.. I wish I had pointed it out to management at that time... but we were with another couple and kinda in a hurry to get to a charity event. The waiter seemed rude the entire time we were there... like he just really didn't want to be there. Our table was so full of dirty dishes, getting a drink was difficult, just getting the little turds attention was a task. Normally I find men waiters much better then women as far as their attitudes, (sorry girls, but you know it can get catty) but this guy was apparently not feeling it...
(1)Tony M.
I like the restaurant interior design, but found the food quality and service just too plain. I had the red beans and rice, but wouldn't recommend the dish to anyone. I also had a tossed salad, which I expected to come out cold and crisp. Needless to say, it wasn't served cold and it wasn't crispy. The business needs to rework it's menu, improve quality, and bring down their their prices by about 20%. I'll give them the thumbs down, but I'll try them again in 2012.
(2)Brian L.
Average. Nothing too bad, nothing really great. Not in a hurry to return. First of all they do not support our American freedoms that so many heros have fought and died to protect. No firearms allowed on property. Gumbo: the bowl is an excellent snack except for the occasional shrimp peel. Just prepare to order two or three bowls of it if you like it. Voodoo pompano is special today. I almost got a paper cut on the fish it was so thin. The waiter explained that they are weighed and thickness depends on the cut. Stuffed potato: very good at about 100 degrees. Would be better about 200 degrees. Real bacon and good cheese. Eggrolls: just ok. Not much flavor. The plus side: waiter extremely attentive. Drinks are constantly full. Quick and excellent service. Clean dining room and bathroom. They have a live band twice a week. Not a bad place, but this experience although pleasant was just average.
(3)Clinton S.
I used to come to The Half Shell very often, but no so much recently. The current visit was to celebrate Father's Day and I was very excited. Unfortunately, it's not what I remember it to be. I got a dozen oysters on the half-shell, which were ok (yes, I realize it's June and it doesn't end in "R" so what should I expect), but still they were marginal at best. The worst part was that they want $16.95 for a dozen oysters - you gotta be kidding me! The other thing I got was an oyster po-boy, and honestly that was pretty good. The bread is so fresh, soft, and tasty. The oysters were ok, I've had better - kind of disappointing to be honest. Lastly, the service was attentive and not in your face, so I would call it good. Will I go back - probably not any time soon, but then that's not necessarily due to the quality of the meal I got today.....more the fact that I just won't get back for awhile.
(2)Bobby Y.
I would eat here all the time if I lived in Memphis. Best example of a mussels dish - their Asian-style mussel bowl is top-tier, best in class. The mussels are truly large and aren't the typical shrunken orange type... they are edge-to-edge, plump Mediterranean mussels and the accompanying coconut-milk-based broth is delicately spiced. I loved it. Also tried their house special char-grilled oysters, which were delicious, and then finished off with a dozen raw oysters, which were as expected - the shucking was a *little* messy with some shell-bits which can be hazardous to your teeth so just be aware. 100% going back for more mussels the next time we're in Memphis.
(5)Ruthe C.
I've been looking for a brunch spot close to home and this is my top pick thus far! There are just a few issues per my preferences. The mimosa comes with one in a glass and the remainder of a mimosa bottle. I asked for orange juice to mix and got a shot on ice. This may have just been due to our somewhat flighty waitress. I'm not sure if she was her standard self or just very distracted, but it was evident. Service issues aside, I really like the place. Per a quick Yelp review, I tried the lobster bisque. It was lovely and made a nice little appetizer. It was very rich so I had less than half a cup to save myself for the entree. I ordered the Pain Perdu. It was wonderful although incredibly filling! I'm a sucker for a French Toast! This is close to what I had in New Orleans. Well, as close as I'll get in Memphis, I assume. My friend had the Half Shell Omelet and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll be back to try more!
(4)Shannon M.
Excellent Louisiana style menu. Red beans and rice were flavorful, topped with cheese and scallions. Blackened chicken with Italian spinach was wonderful. Kids meals were average.
(4)Adam H.
I have been a Half Shell fan for many years! I can't begin to recall all of the visits to the location in East Memphis. Danny and his team there have always done a phenomenal job of giving Memphis a place to enjoy fresh seafood. When this location on Winchester opened about almost a decade ago we where ecstatic! A brand new Half Shell close to home! We enjoyed many, many meals here with friends and family over the years. The Voodoo menu has been one we really enjoy. I can eat their "fried shrimp" every day for every meal and I don't think I would ever get tired of them. Gumbo, Mussels, King Crab Bisque, and you cannot beat the "Half Shell Combo". Fried Shrimp, Crab Cakes, and Blackened Catfish! Don't forget the Oysters! Man! Now to present day review... My wife and I accidentally got a free date night on Valentine's Day. The Kids were gone and it was already 7:30 so we had to think fast. Half Shell! We haven't been in a while (previous two visits our service was TERRIBLE, food still good though), so we thought we can try again. We arrive to find a pretty decent wait, which was expected... As we waited, I began to see why service has faded here... The cliental, at least on this night, are terrible, horrible, uneducated, trash! I witnessed so many travesties of human nature that it was difficult to contain myself. There was one guy in what looked like a full NASCAR racing suit full of logos from head to toe. WTF? Who wears that? I asked him if he was being paid for his outfit... this drew sharp criticism from the wifey that got really pissed at me about that one... I guess its good he didn't understand me anyway based on the blank look I got from him. Everyone else seemed to have the same ignorant overly self important without reason chip on their shoulder air about them. Attitudes were obvious and I felt completely out of place. This review would be 10,000 words if I kept going about this... So, if this is how this place has become, you can count on it closing... The servers will leave to find better jobs because of poor tips and terrible customers, crappier servers will replace them, giving even crappier service which will lead to the comps getting higher and higher because management will stop giving a shit. The owners will start thinking about bailing when the lease is up because of the mess the place has become and turnover and profit loss out of control. Just wait... All in all, I am sad... I want this place to be here for me... forever... I am willing to try one more time in hopes of seeing something different. Good Luck Half Shell. The food on the Valentines visit was still awesome! Thanks for that!
(4)Frank C.
I was in the mood today for a bloody Mary and an omelette, and so I stopped by. The bloody Mary was mostly ice, and small. Very overpriced for $4.50. I had the Half Shell omelette, which was tasty but only warm and not hot. The grits were cold. The silverware had to be sent back because it was not clean. On the plus side, our server was courteous and did a good job taking care of us.
(3)Sonya V.
My - the memories this place brought back to me this evening! I would guess that since this location was opened I have had about 125 meals here, but is has been at least a couple of years since my last visit. The atmosphere (for me) was like slipping an a favorite outfit. Nothing has changed at all. The staff is always slightly above average to excellent. After so many visits I think I have eaten almost everything on the menu - which is like a book. Normally I abhor those thick digests built to meet everyone's culinary desire. But The Shell pulls it off. Never have I had a bad meal; though some are better than others. What I do appreciate is that I can order from an appetizer menu and have different tastes without getting filled up. This visit I skipped the oysters (ours on the coast are better), the red beans (ditto) and the Gumbo (which is actually pretty damned good). Instead I had the shrimp rolls (yum, crunchy and moist at the same time) and the coconut mussels - served with warm french bread. They were a knockout. When I lived "Up North" in Memphis their Monte Cristo was my indulgent food. It has about the same food value and calories as 2 dozen Dunkin' Donuts but is it YUM!!! There is a full bar and I was impressed they had my Tito's vodka. I withhold a star because the "regulars" can be a bit annoying, it is in a strip center on the edge of a seedy area and it seems to border between family place/bar/restaurant-attempting to be gourmet. But the formula has worked for about 40 years, so who am I to judge?
(4)Capri W.
I love love love the chargrilled oysters!! Nothing beats the ones in New Orleans, but this is the next best thing. 3 stars because they don't sell french bread.
(3)Ron B.
Do you like salmon, catfish, shrimp grilled/blacken to perfection? You will enjoy Half Shell! Lobster bisque is awesome! All of the "Voodoo" dishes are good. Also, the menu changes so nothing gets stale over the course of the year. The price is reasonable considering the cost of seafood. No "Fake Fish" is served. My only drawback is if you go after 11PM, prepare for the drunkards to arrive. Eat earlier in the evening if at all possible. The servers were friendly, but I have been there when there were slammed. My rating is for the food.
(5)Sarah D.
My review went out on the wrong address. This review was meant for Half Shell on Mendenhall. We went there at least five times and at first we really enjoyed it. After that we were always seated by the service bar which we didn't mind too much. At least we thought the food at would be good. One, two, three times we were so disappointed in the food that I could not believe it. We ordered King Crab bisque and my friend ordered seafood gumbo. The bowl was not full and it was cold. I asked my friend if their seafood gumbo was hot and he replied; actually it is not even warm. Our salads were not good either. What was wrong? Was there someone new cooking? We just looked at each other. I just couldn't leave there without mentioning it to our waitress. We were ready to pay our bill, and the manager came over and asked us what was wrong. This was not what we wanted; but I felt that I had to be honest. He looked at us like You have got to be kidding. We have so much business that we just have to at Good. It was embarassing to have to inform him of the situation. He comped the bill but that was not we had in mind. He said "I know you are good customers because I see you on here all the time". We went back a couple of weeks later and after ordering our food, we say there and watched all the people drinking around the bar. We ordered a glass of wine each. It was mid afternoon and there was a flare from the sun coming through the front window because the blinds were open. The glare hot right into my eyes. However, I did not say anything to anyone. Soon a bartender went over and closed the blind, because someone else complained about it. Right away a man set down at the table and opened the blinds were up again; letting the glare come through the window. I looked over st the bartender and he was looking at me. I said someone opened the blind again. The bartender was talking to the manager, and he said I was told him about it and he said to leave it alone. It was more important for the man at the
(1)Corey E.
I visited Half Shell restaurant today for lunch. I must say that this place is a seafood lovers dream. Everything from oysters, shrimp, crawfish, are on this menu. The selection is abundant. The appetizers are great as well. Shrimp eggrolls, Red beans and rice, gumbo, and oysters to name a few. I had the Voodoo catfish amazing. The shrimp stuffing layered underneath and the catfish was cooked to perfection. It was seasoned just right, not greasy, with a touch of lemon. The broccoli was just ok. It didn't taste fresh and I ended up not eating all of it. I attached a picture to show my entree. All in all, I would recommend this restaurant .
(4)Shawn L.
This is a good place to eat. I usually get the hamburger when I go. This is a nice place to have lunch.
(4)David K.
We have been a fan of The Half Shell for years. Very consistent with both their food and service. The Shrimp and Lobster Bruschetta is a great appetizer! Love the extensive menu and the more seasonal "specials" section. The Half Shell is my go to spot when guests are in town because there seems to be something on the menu for everyone. Sunday Brunch is great and typically you do not have to wait!
(4)Dana L.
We had the chargrilled oysters. They were pretty good. I wished they had a bit more of the smoky flavor from the grill, but the butter, garlic, & Parmesan they were floating in was about a "sopping," artery hardening goodness all it's own. I had the oyster sliders. I must say I was a little apprehensive how one little oyster on a bun was gonna be enough "meat" because I really don't like too much bread and usually end up pulling the extra off. But those little magic morsels were pretty near perfect. I could have stood for the buns to maybe be a little toasty, but that's the only complaint you get from me. The fried oyster on a slider bun with a Cajun aioli, a slice of some Roma tomato, a little slaw, and some bacon made for some really tasty treats. The flavors really worked well together. The tomato was fresh, not mealy; the slaw crunchy, not soggy; and the bacon was crispy. Slap it on a slider bun with crispy on the outside perfectly cooked oyster and it was manna. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Bradley N.
I'm in town on business and I decided to try something different since I wasn't in the mood for BBQ, so I settled on Half Shell. It took longer than I wanted to be served when I was seated, but after that the service was good. I ordered a few things to get an idea of what they had to offer. I ordered the crab bisque(loaded with crab as it says on the menu) and the oysters bienville to start. The bisque was very good, I not sure about loaded with crab, but the texture was good and had good favor. The oysters were just ok. For my entrée I ordered the voodoo salmon with broccoli. The broccoli was bland, so I sprinkled some of the voodoo seasoning(I'm assuming that's what it was) they keep on they table, but that added nothing. The salmon is blackened with the voodoo seasoning and served on a bed of shrimp stuffing. While the voodoo favor was drowned out by the sauce that is drizzled over the top, the salmon was cooked very well and the stuffing very tasty. To cap off the meal I finished with their homemade key lime pie. Not the best I've ever had but pretty good. Overall the experience was not very memorable, and I can't see myself returning upon future visits. Bisque: B Oysters: C Salmon: B- Stuffing: B+ Broccoli: D Pie: B
(2)Gloria F.
The Half Shell's Oyster Bienville & Rockefeller half & half were delicious. The shrimp & lobster bruschetta was not great, not much flavor. However my husband loved it. The Reuben was delicious, the steak fries hard & mealy. Gumbo was tasty, however I'm not a connoseur.
(4)Scott C.
Overall great experience. My server Stephanie was attentive and friendly. Grilled oysters were excellent. Had the combo platter with the Italian spinach for a side. Mildly disappointed with the crab cakes which was only reason i gave a 4 rating. Everything else was superb and I will be going there again soon.
(4)Phillip M.
Love this place. One of three places I always try to go on Memphis. The crab bisque is sooooo good. The red beans and rice are fantastic as well. Every time we have gone I've gotten the BEST Bloody Mary I've had. Fits in perfectly with the spicy food I order.
(5)Dr. Sarah Missy S.
Stopped by to eat at the Half Shell for lunch, had the Monte Cristo sandwich was ok had broccoli as a side, perfectly cooked but had no seasoning could not cut with the butter knife that was served (ask for steak knife) excellent service. Gave them one star because of the no carry sign in front. I only saw the sign when leaving would not have ate there if I saw it going in. Will not go back and support gun-rights activist business.
(1)Todd M.
Always a fan of the Half Shell. One of the few places in Memphis to really get good seafood with a Cajun flavor. Good Abita beer always. Try the oysters any way - they are all great, as are the po-boys. Don't get seduced by the free Crawfish on week nights, there is never enough, even if you come early. Not a place for groups, although the try and do have a room to seat about 20.
(3)Karen G.
Awesome! Don't waist ur money on Pearls Oyster house ...Half shell is 1000 times better!
(5)Jake R.
Pretty decent seafood. Good seasoning and the okay pricing. However, this place will loose you on the service. This is my second and probably last trip. The original location in east Memphis is great, never a problem there. But this location has terrible service for example, the waiter took out appetizer and then instead of putting it he went two steps and watched the basketball game on TV right in front of us for a few minutes. So the same good food, but crappy service.
(3)Richard F.
We went with some friends in the evening to have a beer and some appetizers. The selections are very good especially for seafood lovers like us. We ordered a combination of oysters, shrimp and crawfish so we could share. Everything was outstanding. The service was very good as well. We can't wait to go back and try it for lunch. We even bought some gift certificates for Christmas presents.
(4)Brett P.
Was seated for lunch and after ten minutes and as we were literally bracing to stand up to leave a scraggle waitress was up to take our order. You all have met 'her' before; the one who appears bothered to have to wait on you like she's doing g you a favor, never checks on you and drops the check on your tar and walks away. Well if you want to see 'her' again she works at Half Shell. Oh and the seafood nachos were literally disgusting, smelled like low tide and my wife was sick later that day. Never again!
(1)Shaina G.
The Half Shell is definitely a seafood lovers dream! They have it all! Plus they cook it well and price it reasonably. I love that they have live music and drink specials. We had a nice date night here at the Half Shell and will be back again for sure.
(4)Amanda M.
We barely ate anything and will not be going back. The service was good but the food was questionable. The tilapia on the fish tacos smelled off, way too fishy to be fresh. The crab cakes were something I could buy in the freezer section at Costco. Everything was way over-seasoned. And don't even think about ordering the Italian spinach. It was soggy and overcooked. No thank you.
(1)Dean D.
This review is for Jonathan J:). I love this place, the food is consistently good; a great menu and they always have excellent specials. I love their oysters and the Oyster Rockefeller is just outstanding here. I've had Oyster Rockefeller at many different restaurants including a number of great new Orleans places and I'd have to place them in the top ten. I also had a dozen peel and eat shrimp to go with my Oysters and at least two Single Malt Scotches as an appetizer. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good when I left.
(4)David A.
The shrimp tacos were ok. You could tell the gumbo was at least from the day before. The waitress was good so I would give them an extra half star if I could. Very noisy as well.
(2)Gary P.
I enjoyed this place! This is a big place but doesn't look like it. Staff are friendly and efficient. I've eaten here twice now and had a good experience both times. The po'boy sandwiches are very good as is the red beans and rice. Lunch is served quickly and staff is attentive. This looks like a good place to bring the wife when we don't want to cook. Give this place a try, I think you will like it.
(4)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)Phillip I.
GREAT FOOD! Service, not so much. This review is based on multiple visits so this was not an isolated incidence. If I want a legit oyster po-boy, this is where I go. The food here is fresh and the environment is excellent. The service, at best was sub-par. Waiters forgot our order. Waiters working a table of 20, yet also picking up my table of 4 is a recipe for disaster. Called the manager about the service to but wasn't much helpful. Proceed with caution. Don't get me wrong, awesome food.
(3)Becky G.
My oh my....what a waste of money. The decor is nice with all the wood and its clean. The waitress was pleasant. We placed our order which included these items: 1 dozen raw oysters. 3/4 of them were tiny little nuggets despite the menu boasting how they have been offering jumbo oysters from the gulf for 30 years. I am from south of New Orleans. But you could live anywhere and know that dirty muddy shells with pieces in the washed...yes washed raw oysters that werent even cut from the shell isnt right. You DO NOT was the oyster meat. Thankfully the waitress brought me a new order to replace the tiny ones but all the other issues remained. Perhaps the owner and chef need a few lessons to live up to such a name like Half Shell. Cheese and salsa dip...it was ok, nothing special. Salsa is spicy! King Crab Bisque...wasnt bad, good amount of crab meat. Chicken wings...dry and flavorless. Rueben sandwich...not horrible but Ive had SO much better. Try Jason's Deli! None of the food came out hot except the center of the rueben. Definately will not go back. What a waste of nearly $60.
(2)Chris M.
I guess growing up on the water I should know by now that it is just to hard to find "great" seafood in a landlocked state. The oysters were pretty good, but they have us a lot of really small ones with only one or two bugs one. We tried the oysters three ways, half shell, rockafeller, bienville... All were just ok. My wife really like the crab bisque so that was a plus... Atmosphere was loud, decor pretty bad and restrooms needed a hazmat... Wouldn't go back
(3)Joelle P.
try the grilled oysters! they are divine
(5)Laura P.
The seafood is always good. I will say that the service was good until I asked for a refill of diet coke. My refill came in a to go cup and that says to me, "please hurry up and leave." I was with friends I had not seen in years and we were talking and catching up. After we talked a while we all realized that dessert would be fun. We placed our order and I asked for another refill. This time I got my refill in an actual glass. I will say that this neighborhood is a bit sketchy. On my way to the restaurant I saw 3 Memphis Police cars flying through the intersection at Hacks Cross and Winchester. Then while at dinner I saw a security truck patrol the parking lot. On my way to my car the security truck was in the other side of the parking lot. Meanwhile, while backing out of my parking spot two men were attempting to park next to me. These men were very nosy and watching my every move. I will say that security needs to watch patrons leaving the restaurant. This area of town has become scary. I will not return by myself.
(4)Mark P.
It seems with the menu choices this place has potential. The service was slow. I was never offered a refill on my drink. The house special, Voodoo Catfish was fair, but it was served on chewy shrimp dressing. I will give it another try if I get a chance.
(3)Alison M.
We got take out and were very pleased with our order. We tried crab cakes and the super tasty voodoo shrimp, blackened catfish and fabulous bread. The order came up relatively quickly, and was priced well for the quality of food. The atmosphere seemed ok, but the food was definitely the draw.
(4)Mike J.
We went to Half Shell bit late, 11:30 PM. Service was slow, waiter was very busy. At least the kitchen was still open. We were both in the mood for something light. No San Pellegrino or other sparkling mineral water so I settled for Soda Water. Poopsie had a Rum and Sprite, unknown rum. Poopsie had the Salad Combo with a Lobster bisque and a Caesar salad. She reported it as good. I had a cup of gumbo which was pretty good and a lettuce wedge salad. Other than the lettuce wedge, there was not much in it, except two slices of cold bacon bacon on top, and lots of dressing. I guess these were the bacon crumbles in their pre-crumbled state. Not much blue cheese. The atmosphere was a bit loud with a selection of metal on the speakers. I gave them an extra star since we were probably somewhat tired and cranky and rated them downward because of it.
(3)Karen R.
I like Half Shell... it's good. I always have a nice meal here. But it lacks something. No idea what... Food is always satisfying and tasty but so far, nothing that I can't live without or can't have or find anywhere else. But it's good, it's a nice place to have a quick and easy meal and service is always better than average. It's less then a five min drive from home so maybe I take it for granted a little more than I should. I would give it an extra 1/2 a star but for some reason, YELP doesn't believe in half star system :)
(3)David T.
The Winchester Road sibling to the long-established original Half Shell on Mendenhall, The Half Shell East is a brighter, cleaner update on a restaurant that I already liked. Like the original Half Shell, the East location offers a large variety of fresh fish and other seafood (it's shipped in daily), better-than-average cajun and creole dishes, and more standard pub fare. I always feel as if I get my money's worth (and feel quite full) when I order seafood at the Half Shell. The "regular" menu items are all great (salmon, amberjack, and others), but the real treat is that the restaurant updates its "specials" menu every week. The specials often are shaped around a holiday or season; they're never boring and are usually very tasty. An extensive brunch menu is offered on both Saturdays and Sundays (try the Benedict Shrimp and Grits!). Like the original, The Half Shell East stays open late. And unlike the original location, this Half Shell boasts the benefits of being in a completely new building space--lacking at this point are the darkness and slight crowdedness of the Mendenhall store (that's either a good or a bad thing, I guess, depending on the atmosphere you're looking for). Also unlike the original, this Half Shell features live music on weekends (again either a good or bad thing, depending on your mood). The Half Shell East is, like the original, a great seafood option for those of us who lack the cheddar to eat at Jarrett's or The Blue Fish on a regular basis. Highly recommended.
(5)Kika K.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants. About a year ago I became really sick after eating at this location. I thought it was a fluke, but it's happened several more times. Needless to say, I don't eat there anymore.
(2)Kristi C.
We were seriously disappointed. Food was served lukewarm..like it sat under the heating lamp too long. Waitress was rude and never checked back after the meal was delivered except to bring the check. Would bypass...too many other choices.
(1)