4. Restaurants

Captain Pell’s Fairfax Crabhouse

10195 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA, 22030
  • (703) 560-0060
  • Store is closed

Captain Pell’s Fairfax Crabhouse Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Fairfax for healthy meals suggestion.

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  • Diana K.

    WARNING: watching "The Deadliest Catch" on the Discovery Channel after drinking all day at the Nats game may very well leave you absolutely desperate for a fresh crab dinner at 9pm on a Saturday night. Fortunately, Captain Pell can help you out. Finding myself in this odd predicament with two good friends in Arlington last Saturday, we called the nearby Quarterdeck. No crabs yet. Ugh. Remembering a trip to Captain Pell's with my family last summer, I hesitantly suggested we make the drive out to Fairfax. We called our man Pell, and he had crabs, so off we went. Captain Pell's Crab House has all you need when the craving for a good crab picking hits. Big tables covered in brown paper, with Old Bay and vinegar ready, watchful servers, and delicious, steaming hot crabs. They sell a few different sizes of crabs by the dozen, you pick male or female. We went for the all you can eat for $30 a person, and they weren't puny - there was a good amount of tasty backfin meat in just about every one I had. Actually, when I came with the fam last year, they were definitely out of the Jumbo and I think the Large as well. The fries and hush puppies are solid, and supposedly the fried oysters were great as well. Unfortunately they carry Pepsi products instead of Coke, but my Orange Slice did me just fine. Also, they charge for pretty much everything (ie. every soda refill and each tiny plastic cup of butter), but you won't care that much because you're there for the crab. Once the old school plastic tray of so-hot-they'll-burn-your-fingertips (seriously, I told you they were hot!) crabs came out, my friends and I were completely silent for at least a full 15 minutes. About the time there was one crab left for each of us, our waitress checked in and promptly brought us a full tray right away. The casual, lively environment is perfect for old friends, and once we had taken the edge off our cravings, we enjoyed a great leisurely meal until we were absolutely, disgustingly stuffed. We were the last table to leave, but we didn't feel rushed at all. Signage says no separate checks, but they had no qualms about splitting our single bill onto two cards. WARNING: after a great dinner at Captain Pell's, you will almost certainly be far too full to do anything but sit on the couch. You will also smell strongly of crab, so that's probably your best bet anyway.

    (4)

  • Gregory C.

    Unfortunately I discovered Captain Pell's a little late during my five plus years in the DC area. This is a wonderful hole in the wall, albeit a large whole in the wall, in the middle of Fairfax. It has a great dingy bingo hall feel, but an awesome juke box with great selections that complement the crab eating frenzy. This is a place where you can literally devour the crabs without regard for being supper neat. That's because this place can take the mess. They even offer female crabs, subject to availability. While the males may be bigger, I prefer the better tasting females.

    (4)

  • vinnie t.

    not bad for some all you can eat crabs. not much sides come with it though. I've order their big size crabs but I wasn't to pleased on the size of them considering the price you have to pay for them. the place itself feels like you're eating in a highschool cafeteria. if you're not a fan of the smell of obay seasoning don't come here bc it's quite strong. also you will be fighting the flies while you eat. happy swatting!

    (2)

  • Albert B.

    Let me just put out there right away that if you're expecting anything even vaguely resembling fine dining - or, for that matter, anything even vaguely resembling the formality and austerity of a particularly well-coordinated family dinner at home - you're not going to enjoy Captain Pell's. This is a crab shack and proudly that, which means that your food is served in a pile on the table, your drinks are served in plastic cups, your table is illuminated by warehouse-style fluorescent lights, and if you ask to see the wine list you will almost assuredly receive good-natured chuckling in reply. That's not to say that the staff of Captain Pell's don't approach their job with professionalism and dedication to service, or to suggest in any way that the place is a dive. Far from it. Rather, Captain Pell's is a marvelous example of a humble, unpretentious restaurant setting out merely to be excellent at what it does and nothing more, and succeeding admirably. Now to the specifics: the wait staff are friendly, warm, and familiar; the beers and soft drinks are cold and served promptly; the juke box selection is broad and pleasant; there are televisions placed throughout the space that are nearly invariably tuned to various sporting events; the side dishes (steamed shrimp, hush puppies, french fries, etc.) are solidly prepared and tasty; as with all incarnations of crab, things are a bit pricy. Really the only knock on Pell's, assuming one is open to the entire crab shack experience in the first place, is one that is characteristic of virtually any place that serves crabs away from the actual fish markets themselves (and this is true even of crab shacks on and around the actual Chesapeake Bay as well, and increasingly so due to the erosion of crab populations): it can be a bit of a crap-shoot, in terms of the size, quality, and quantity of crabs available on any given night. Sometimes you'll get a heaping helping of jumbo crabs, heavy with meat and delicious mustard (the name for the yellow fatty stuff inside the crab); sometimes you'll get a depressingly small pile of scrawny, hollow, watery little waterbugs. That's not the restaurant's fault, but an ecological reality these days. Still, here's your average Captain Pell's experience: cold beer, hot crabs, lots of laughs, and absolutely no expectation of stuffy formality. Even when the crabs aren't so good, it's still a fun time. And unlike eating crabs at home, you won't have to clean up the mess.

    (4)

  • Jerry G.

    Not good. Dirty and dingy. A dumpster outside the entrance greets the diner with the small of rotting crab. Not very enticing. The restaurant is dingy (even by crab house standards) and appears dirty. The crabs (I was there in the middle of crab season) were soggy and not very tasty. French fries were decent; onion rings soggy and greasy but the beer was cold.! Over priced.. I've dined in many a crab house on both the shores of Maryland and this cannot compare.. If you're desperate for crabs then maybe but, if not, save your money.

    (1)

  • Lisa L.

    When it comes to experiencing the best Maryland blue crabs in Northern VA, I am a Quarterdeck devotee to the fullest...but having recently moved from Arlington to Centreville, I wanted to find a crab house closer to home that I could go to for a quick steamed-crab-and-cold-beer-fix whenever the mood struck. Captain Pell's, it seems, has everything going for it - except its crabs. It's a dive (no frills, relaxed atmosphere) with plenty of seating, great service, and cold beer (although nothing on tap). Me and my bf ordered a dozen large crabs...which to our surprise, were brought out to our table within 5 minutes of placing our order. Now, if you know anything about Maryland blue crabs, you know that they should be MADE TO ORDER. We were expecting to wait 30 minutes for our crabs to steam, and instead, were provided with slightly cooled crabs that were improperly cooked (mushy) and were certainly not the quality we would expect at $72 a pop. We couldn't even get through the dozen, which was a first for us. I really wanted to like this place, but I know my money and my time can both be spent better elsewhere.

    (2)

  • NoV a.

    It's a crab shack, so order crab! We had their king crab legs, oysters, and fried fish. They were DELICIOUS. I thought the hush puppies were decent. I wasn't a fan of the crab cake because I'm not a huge fan of fried crab cakes, but it was made of REAL crab meat. We had good service. The place was packed. It's the type of crab shack you'd find at the beach. What I liked a lot was that this was a place where your seafood wasn't old and fishy. It's very casual like a crab shack you'd find in a beach town, so don't come here thinking that you'll see white linens. I thought the pricing was very fair for FRESH seafood. I usually eat seafood in DC and this place was a lot cheaper. If you like Red Lobster, then fine, don't come here, but let me tell you, it's the best place in town for seafood. They have the normal brown paper table covering and plastic cups you'd find at Dick's or some beach establishment. It's huge and what was great was that there were dinner parties of 20 people and they didn't bother us. Normally, when a party is so huge, they're obnoxious, but the place was big enough and loud enough that it drowned out any annoying people or screaming children. They accept Visa and Mastercard, but not AMEX. The all you can eat crab is 36/person and it comes w/ corn on the cob. The king crab dinner entree was 29 and it included cole slaw and fries. Half a dozen of oysters were 8 bucks. They had a pick two entree for 21 bucks and a pick three entree for 27 (you pick from a selection of seafood - crab cake, fried fish, fried oysters, etc.). A small order of hush puppies were 4 bucks, and there were plenty to go around. I'd say this is the perfect place to get your hands dirty, stuff your face with crab, and drink beer!

    (5)

  • Alan J.

    Captain Pell's was our first stop after landing in the VA area from Los Angeles. Two pounds of crab, fried catfish, fried oysters, and hush puppies. Very friendly staff and excellent service. We couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the area. :-)

    (4)

  • Brenda S.

    I first discovered Cap'n Pell when I first moved here from Rehoboth in 1980. Yes, I have been eating Blue Claw crabs regularly at this place for 28 years! They started as a tiny little shack on Lee Highway, and people would stand in line outside, summer and winter waiting for a table. Now they have a large building in Fairfax, with plazma TVs everywhere, and they are still always packed. Great place to go and watch the football games or the golf tournaments. It is a true family operation, and even those who are not family have been working there for so many years that they seem like part of the family. What do these people do to hold onto their staff for this long, serving and cleaning up smelly crabs? They are just genuine, good hearted people, they have a simple menu, and the biggest and best crabs that you can find all year long.

    (5)

  • jenilee p.

    the blue crab phenomenon. where have you been all my life?! i've only gone to a crab house about three times before, and truth be told, three is not nearly enough. if i lived closer, i may become a weekly patron of captain pells, a large crab house on the side of the highway, with a parking lot full of tow trucks, vans, and fancy cars. some things, i.e. crabs, bring everyone to the table. great service. friendly. southern hospitality, and the sound of staff joking with the customers permeate the restaurant. a juke box, about mid restaurant, belts out the occasional bit of chet atkins, and a whole slew of regulars sit expertly picking at their crabs. overall, this is a comfortable, get messy atmosphere. one dozen steamed shrimp - huge. nicely steamed, arrived hot at the table, and impressively were not overcooked. they were also doused in a little bit of crab seasoning (not old bay... but an in house variety i suspect). these were great. nice cocktail sauce too. a dozen large male crabs for three people. additional calamari, clams, and a crab cake for an additional diner. oh, and some great hush puppies, cole slaw, and french fries. needless to say, i had no complaints as i sat cracking open crabs with a knife (better to use a knife than a mallet, easier to get at the meat) and sprinkling all my edibles with the crab seasoning strategically placed on the table. napkins were soiled, hush puppies dipped in cocktail sauce, crab mustard licked off of our fingers, and a few stains were left on my bigger half's shirt. a trophy of sorts. like i say, i was right at home, and happy as a clam...er... crab. hats off to captain pell's!

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Great place for crabs and a good selection of beer; what more could you ask?

    (4)

  • Mochi K.

    This Place reminds me of a high school auditorium, it pretty much a huge hall. All the tables and chairs are miss matching and it's a true all you can eat crab place with brown paper table cloths. FYI. just get the all you can eat crabs. That's all that is good there. If crab is not in season, then they may noy have all you can eat...so call ahead and save yourself a trip. There are no refills and the cups are small so beware. but the water is free (before it wasn't!) CRABS: static.flickr.com/45/143… eating Crabs: static.flickr.com/44/143…

    (3)

  • Louie C.

    7/26/09 I was surprised to see a nearly-full parking lot when a co-worker and I arrived at 9 p.m. after flying in from L.A. on a routine business trip. Even before I was within 20 yards of the entrance, I recognized the distinct scent of seafood; the smell that makes you sniff and scrunch your nose. The only consolation to the pungent "fishiness" was the fact that this was an authentic crab restaurant; complete with wooden mallets and double-layered brown paper sheets atop rickety wooden tables. Upon entering Captain Pell's Fairfax Crab House, I was delighted to make out that this was a happening place! The main dining room resembled what you'd imagine a German beer hall to be; the openness and lack of partitions was appealing. Coupled with the low ceiling and warm lighting, I felt like I had been invited to an informal party as opposed to being in a restaurant. The oversized two-page laminated menu had so many shellfish options to choose from including shrimp and king crab legs. My choice was easy, as I came here with the purpose of smashing crabs with a mallet. How many crabs? As many as I desired to smash and could manage to eat: all-you-can-eat crabs for $35.00. Between 9 and 10 p.m., my friend and I shared three full trays each loaded with a generous heaping of at least 15 to 20 boiled crabs. They were significantly smaller than Dungeness crabs; their shells (heads) were about the size of an average male adult's fist. They also came heavily seasoned with a spice blend reminiscent of Old Bay seasoning. We were given the choice of male or female crabs, and went with the server's recommendation of the former due to his feedback that male crab meat is supposedly easier to extract. I perhaps had too much fun going to town on the crabs, and paid for it with pieces of shells and juices exploding onto my face and all over my clothes. Although rather tedious to extract, the crab meat was sweet, delicate, and perfectly complemented with drawn butter or vinegar. The seasoning on the shell also permeated through the meat, allowing for each flaky bite to be nearly perfect. All the work of cracking the shells was made worthwhile with the occasional large, moist nugget I was able to extract. Since it was "all-you-can-eat," it was more economical to go through the large quantity of crabs without picking the tiny particles of crab meat from the smaller legs. Beer was pricey, at $3.95 a domestic bottle, with nothing available on tap. That was disappointing because a pitcher of cold beer to share would have been an ideal pairing to the food and setting. While reviewing the bill, I noticed that we were unexpectedly charged for the drawn butter; a commonly complimentary condiment at most seafood restaurants. Although they close at 10 p.m., we weren't rushed to finish our crab even though it was ten past the hour. In fact, four employees sat next to us and enjoyed several crabs for themselves after what must have been an exhausting shift. The all-you-can-eat crab for $35.00 is a great deal, but not appropriate for a first date: during dinner you'd soon realize that you're so intent on smashing crabs like a Neanderthal, that carrying a conversation is out of the question. Transforming into a caveman isn't such a great first-impression. I recommend Captain Pell's Fairfax Crab House if you're looking for a low-key, casual, but exciting restaurant in the area, especially if you enjoy shellfish and definitely if you yearn for crab; LOTS if it! Four stars.

    (4)

  • Kirsten B.

    Captain Pell's is (like many of the places I've reviewed) a Northern Virginia institution. My grandmother went to the place when it was really a shack, near the now non-existent RCA dog, about 25 years ago. They've since moved into bigger and better digs. Despite the honorable Captain's passing, the restaurant has done well and remains a high quality joint. Call ahead to make sure they have jumbo - or at least large - crabs. Reserve them if necessary. If you like eating in a cavernous space that's down home in a very bare sort of way, go for it. They have some original video games by the entrance, which is a trip. I prefer to take the crabs and eat them at home, with my own sides, however, and Captain Pell's has a takeout desk too. ...Crabs are meant to be eaten in early spring or late summer (all "r" months, plus May) outside - with good cold beer. (Captain Pell's doesn't have a good outdoor eating area.) My husband is from Maryland, and I've tried some crab places there, but nothing has beaten Captain Pell's so far, in terms of the comparative sizes of the crabs, the boil mix, the smaller incidence of waterlogged boiled crabs, and the overall flavor. Crabs are expensive in general, but nothing beats knowing you're going to get a bunch of big, fresh, sweet, and (Old Bay) spicy crabs. ...Just like Virginian's have been enjoying for eons. Yummy!

    (5)

  • KK B.

    food and place itself is 3star worth, but i give 4 because it's fun here. i've been there 3-4 times so far, and i have a blast everytime i go eat there. there's no decoration, just a huge open space, parking lot smells like fish, bathroom's yuck, but there's just something about this place in summer afternoon family outing. gotta go there in clothes that you don't care, and 'let's smack some crabs today' kinda attitude. order biggest female ones if possible and try onion rings or calamari on side. their spicy seasoning can be a little too much sometimes, but it's usually pretty good. gotta use tools correctly in order to get as much meat as possible, but do not mind smacking it hard and getting messy. i took my family whenever they visit from korea, just for a casual sunday lunch or dinner, escpecially kids love this place. crab smell under your finger nail would remain 58 hrs or so. use lemon juice or green tea bag to wash your hands to avoid.

    (4)

  • Nghia T.

    This place is what it is, a place to go eat crabs, drink beers, and have a good time with your friends, if you're looking to have a nice fancy dinner, then you're barking up the wrong tree. Shame this place doesn't have outdoor seating.

    (4)

  • Vicky N.

    Captain Pell's in Fairfax is a very casual dining establishment. Upon walking in, you are greeted by old arcade machines and local advertisements plastered over their walls. I arrived in a party of 4 and was immediately seated on a Friday night. Well-known for their all-you-can-eat blue crabs, their menu items offer a variety of seafood that come steamed or fried. They also offer "pick combos" which allow you to try 2-3 different entrees with a side of french fries and coleslaw. Our server was very attentive and friendly. She offered recommendations and was quite accommodating to our requests. Per her recommendation, I ordered the Neptune's Platter ($35) which consisted of 3 snow crab clusters, fried onion rings, corn on the cob, and coleslaw. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of food that I received! Their snow crab legs were extremely large and meaty. I also tried their fried clams, which were breaded in a crisp layer containing the juicy shellfish. Yum! Everyone at my table was very satisfied (and stuffed) following our meal. While you are expected to spend at least $20 per person, I do believe that their portions make it worthwhile.

    (4)

  • Jackie N.

    I have driven past Captain Pell's for so many years now and when my cousin who has moved out of the DMV area was visiting and had a hankering for blue crabs, we opted to try this place. Now, when you walk in, it will be a bit jarring and its just a large room with tables covered in paper and people running around delivering fresh crabs and seafood to hungry customers. Many reviews note there is a lack of ambience, but I disagree. It is what I expect a crab house to be - simple, direct, and as clean as it could reasonably be. Both times I have been, there was no wait, so I have been incredibly lucky. They have various seafood options, fried scallops, boiled claims, snow crab legs, soft shell crab sandwiches, but if you are coming here, you should be the blue crabs. You order by the dozen, but we also asked for 1.5 dozen, which they accommodated. They have all the sizes but in my opinion, large is the best option. We went this past Sunday and got a dozen large males for I believe, $72. We also got a size of fried oysters, which I love. The crabs are on point, service is quick and efficient, and water and sodas come out in large plastic cups so you don't have to worry about going thirsty during all that crab-busting and eating. These crabs are as good and even better than some I have had in MD, so there! VA crab houses can hang too! Bye Felicia!

    (4)

  • Christine U.

    The decor in this place cracks me up.. This place is also beyond awesome. Once you get past the divey atmosphere. You are in for a real treat. The menu is simple here, and so is the food they serve. This is a great place to come to dine and watch a sports games with your friends. The food here in inexpensive and the products they serve is always fresh and tasty.

    (3)

  • Rebecca M.

    If I'm paying over $50 per person at a place where my feet stick to the floor and the walls are covered with advertisements, I better be wowed by the food. Short answer: I wasn't. First, the good: We went around noon on a Saturday and were seated immediately without a wait. There were plenty of open tables. There were still Jumbo crabs available, and they are quite large. The onion rings were tasty, and the hush puppies were good too. The bad: Service was surly and rushed even with an empty-ish restaurant. There were no bibs at all and no place to clean up besides the bathroom downstairs. Overall, I was embarrassed at having suggested the place to an out-of-town visitor. I do not think I will be returning. Comparing the experience to other local joints like Quarterdeck, the ambiance at Captain Pell's is non-existent and the service surly.

    (3)

  • Stefan S.

    Food is good, steamed crabs are tasty and steamed shrimp are delicious. However, the prices are ridiculous and steep. Steamed crabs are expensive, I get that, and the all you can eat is a decent deal, even though it has gone up in recent years. Captain Pell's is the only game in town for steamed crabs eat in, so hence the costly amount. If you truly cannot leave the area for steamed crabs, give this place a try, but if you have means to travel an hour or so east, drive into Maryland and give those places a shot.

    (2)

  • Angelo R.

    Came here for lunch 2 weeks ago with my mom. It was Saturday around 1 and the place was dead. I'm guessing this place is a landmark here in VA but this place needs some updating. I'm a big advocate of hole in the wall and laid back seafood restaurants but this place felt beat up and dirty compared to the mom and pop joints I've been to in the Keys. I ordered 2 dozen oysters. There were on the small side and wasn't the best tasting but they were freshly shucked. We both had the crab soup and it was delicious...creamy and little bit of spice. Service was decent but not the friendliest. Server automatically brings wooden mallets and paper towels when sat down since they're know for all you can eat crabs. I'm willing to give it another shot next time & try other entrees but I rather stick to my favorite seafood stop, DC Marina.

    (3)

  • Amber L.

    For starters it's a Saturday and we only had a 10min wait. Food came out fast and hot! The crabs are big and juicy (old bay available at every table). Service was great. Parking lot is spacey. *This is a very casual place, so don't wear your dressy attire*

    (4)

  • Melissa D.

    Until 11/20/14 all you can eat crabs are half priced. So for $25.99, I sat and ate crabs for 4 hours. AMAZING- we had 6 people at our table, we ordered a jumbo basket of hush puppies which I'd never had before which were soooo delish, we each ordered the all you can eat crabs......and boy did we. Everyone at the table was very pleased about the size of the crabs- true mediums that were absolutely delicious. This was my second visit in 2 years but the great food, great service, and great family feel will definitely pull me back soon. Not sure what you think but when I eat crabs I like Coors Light- I think we spent more money on beer than the actual meal! Sarah was our server- she was running the whole room, I don't know how she managed to keep a smile on her face but she did and she was wonderful. She must have had 50+ people to serve and my table never felt abandoned or rushed or even moody for a long wait because Sarah ran her butt off and did a wonderful job catering to the entire floor. Very impressed with every aspect of this trip!

    (5)

  • Salvi R.

    This place was phenomenal! I had my company dinner here and the food, drinks, service and atmosphere were wonderful. We all had a great time. I definitely will be coming back. The hush puppies were amazing!

    (5)

  • Jane H.

    My boyfriend and I came here to treat my parents to all-you-can-eat crab. First impression was that the place is actually really big inside. Minimal decorations, plain tables and chairs, random markings around the walls to place enlarged business cards and ads. We were seated immediately, but waited about 10 minutes for the server to come around. AYCE crabs were $39 per person, and we ordered a few beers and the jumbo order of hush puppies. The hush puppies were very good! More than enough for 4 people to share, and definitely helped cut back the saltiness of the crab. The crabs were all male and medium-sized. The last batch we got were overcooked so the meat was mushy, but it was still good. Seasoning was well done, but there was a bottle of their seasoning if you wanted more. My mom found the crabs to be a bit salty. Service was probably the worst thing here. I think they had only 3 servers on the entire floor. We waited forever for someone to come around with more beer; we had to ask several times to two different people. We asked for a box at the end of our meal for the hush puppies, and that took the longest to come out. The server kept saying that he was on it, but it looked like he forgot every time he turned around. My dad even called out to him and made a box in the air with his fingers (you know that thing Asian dads do for checks) and it still took extra long to arrive at our table. The only thing that did not take long to arrive at our table was the tray of unlimited crabs, which is I guess what matters most x) It was a good time, getting messy and filling up with all the crab we could eat. Definitely come prepared with clothes you don't mind getting dirty, and tie your hair up.

    (4)

  • June F.

    Best Crab Fest. I ever had it is super excellent. Warm lump sum crabmeat excellent fried oyster jumbo steam shrimp!!! It is totally awesome plus excellent company

    (5)

  • Matt M.

    We hadn't been to Capt'n P's for a long time, since before they moved from Merrifield, so we decided to try it early one recent Friday evening. I thought the food was expensive for the quality we got. While the food was decent, I don't plan to go back. Oh, and they have TV's running on every wall - I really hate that. My own homemade crabcakes are better, my coleslaw is much better, and my fries are better. Their hushpuppies are real good.

    (2)

  • Ania A.

    We have been coming here for years since the merrifield days. This place isn't for everyone. If your looking for a 5 star dining experience you will not get it here. Here you will find good seafood. The service is always hit or miss but the food keeps us coming back. So here is my tip. Don't come in your best outfit, with stilettos and your designer bag! Be ready to eat with your hands and wear appropriate clothing! (Although it is fun to people watch those that come in dressed up with a fresh manicure)

    (5)

  • Natasha P.

    Went here on Saturday and had a dozen of male medium crabs. They were delicious and very meaty. I never get any larger than medium because they have so much meat and we order hush puppies, corn and occasionally French fries. Great experience as usual.

    (4)

  • Mark S.

    Terrible. Just terrible. So on July 4th, my wife and I originally wanted to get crabs for a party/gathering we were going to.. we tried to drive into DC to go to the Maine Ave seafood market. However all of the routes were closed/blocked!! It was because it was July 4th and they blocked off all the roads for the tourist/parades/fireworks. We ended up going to Captain Pell's. They charged me about $130 for half a bushel of medium female crabs.. the price was absurd, but we were desperate so I bought half a bushel. When I was handed the bushel of crabs in a cardboard box, the box looked small (it might have been because I'm used to buying bushels from Maine Ave). Here is my observation about the crabs once we all started eating them: -The box of crabs was very light.. which means NO MEAT -The crabs were all tiny and had barely any meat -These looked more like small crabs than medium crabs.. whenever I got medium crabs from Maine Ave they were much larger and heavy I was extremely disappointed with the crabs from Pell's.. especially being $130 for half a bushel!!! What irritated me more was my cousin and her boyfriend were coming home from Ocean City a few days later and stopped by Maine Ave and got a whole bushel of medium female crabs for about $80! I paid $130 for half a bushel of tiny crabs.. very disappointed. No wonder why no one was eating at their restaurant when I stopped by. It was my first time there and my last time there.

    (1)

  • Tara M.

    Went there on a Tuesday afternoon, the parking lot was packed but once we got inside there were plenty of tables available. We waited about 5 min before the host sat us. Once we were seated, the goodness began...we started out with the crab balls as an appetizer. Simply AH-MAZING!! They were deep fried crab balls that looked like hush puppies. However, these bad boys were packed with fresh tasting, hand picked crab meat, fried golden brown and served with a delicious cocktail sauce. For an entree, I had the steamer bucket and hubby had fried shrimp, oysters and fixings. Both were really good. The steamer bucket came with one and a half meaty clusters, about 8 jumbo shrimp and a dozen clams. They were perfectly streamed. Fried entree was also perfect. Plenty of oysters and about half a dozen shrimp. The waiter took a long time to bring the check and cash us out. Other than that it was a really good dining experience and I will definitely go back. The decor could use a major update but after all it's a crab house so I didn't expect it to be fancy.

    (5)

  • Grayson B.

    UNDENIABLY, THE SINGLE BEST place to get HARDSHELL CRABS!!!! I've been going to this place since its old location, where plastic sheeting covered the windows and there were just a couple of booths and a couple of tables. I've eaten crabs in about every establishment within a 200 mile radius and these guys are just great! I've noticed there is an inverse relationship in the quality/tastiness of crabs and the poshness if the restaurant, i.e., the nicer the restaurant, the worse the crabs are!! I don't know why that is, but I swear it's true!! The *only* complaint is that sometimes they are (way) too salty, but hey, can't win them all. Their seasoning is WAYYYYYYY better than Old Bay. They need to sell it!!! I have gone mia for a couple years and they always remember me, but act like it was just yesterday!

    (5)

  • Hannah H.

    I remember always passing by Captain Pell's when driving up and down Lee Highway - I was always curious about it, but never had the opportunity to go. Captain Pell's Fairfax Crab House was originally opened by William Pell and his brother in Merrifield back in '77, but moved to Fairfax in '99. I really liked the story as William Pell was introduced to catching and preparing MD blue crabs while attending summer camp, which led to being a captain of his own boat in the '60s and selling crabs along roadside from his truck in the '70s. The restaurant menu offers appetizers (hush puppies, steamed shrimp, crab balls, Blue Point oysters, Little Neck clams, fried oysters, fried clam strips, calamari, fried sea scallops,and mozzarella sticks), crabs (AYCE option or crabs by the dozen of either male or female crabs), king crab legs, snow crab legs, entrees, sandwiches, baskets, sides (french fries, onion rings, etc.), and beer and wine. We came here and were seated right away - I loved how the parking lot was full and there seemed to be a lot of locals coming in to get their crab feast in. The restaurant itself is cute - kind of like an old-school version of a seafood restaurant with posters of local businesses, a TV in the corner playing current sports, and awesome classic rock playing on the speakers. Our server was Uncle Eddie (Mister Ed), and he was very friendly, efficient, and checked up on us throughout our meal. My husband and I chose the AYCE (of course!) - no sides come with this option (no hush puppies, no fries, no fried shrimp/clams/oysters, etc.) - just strictly male crabs, crabs, and more crabs, seasoned in Old Bay. I, at first, was slightly disappointed, because I was used to the Ocean City eateries that included all of these extra items, but I actually appreciated it as you can solely focus on the crabs (that's the whole point!). I am so glad that they didn't include any of the extras as you would just be extremely full and wouldn't enjoy a copious amount of crabs - I thought that was actually quite honest of them! When the tray of crabs came out, I was actually AMAZED at how large these crabs were (and plentiful on the tray; no copping out of the amount whatsoever - always a large pile!) - they were steaming HOT, filled with juicy sweet meat, and dipping it in the Old Bay/Apple Cider Vinegar (no regular vinegar here) mixture was delicious! I loved how the staff gauged on when we were ready for the next round, as they cleared quickly and brought another tray soon right afterwards - I LOVED that, as we didn't sit around, waiting, slowly getting full - they really let you gorge out! Ed also knew when we were slowing down (after 6 trays), and asked us if we wanted more. We both really enjoyed our meal here and I was sooo pleasantly surprised that a crab house like this exists in VA! The AYCE option is $50 per person, but if you calculate the large size of the crabs with its abundance of meat, the quality, the service, and saving on gas, I thought it was a pretty good deal! As a side note, I loved going downstairs to their bathroom - loved the murals on the walls and the seagull soundtrack that was playing - it literally sounded like you were at the ocean! :D I am so glad that I was finally able to check this place out and I will be back again! :D +AYCE crabs (no sides) +ask for Uncle Ed :D

    (5)

  • Amanda G.

    I love that there is a place to go to get crabs and authentic seafood, but I'm really sad that they raised their prices. We went with a large group and our totals were almost $500...because they don't split checks. That drives me crazy and knocks them down one star...sorry guys. Also, charging 50 cents for butter is just...ridiculous. When we went a few weeks ago, it wasn't busy at all but our server was very hard to flag down. I got the dozen mediums and my friend got the all you can eat...they are both $50, and his were way bigger than mine. I was not happy about that. The reason for the other star loss, is the decor. They need to get rid of all the advertisements and dress the place up a bit...it makes you want to leave a lot sooner. Also, they really need to have a full bar.

    (2)

  • Jenya H.

    Fun place for seafood. I feel comfortable to eat with my hand and make loud noise. I like to go there in Summer to make sure I get the fresh blue crab.

    (4)

  • Nathaniel R.

    Wow came for the special all u can eat crabs,crab legs and shrimp and it was fantastic every thing was so good and the service was out standing way to go Captain Pell's

    (5)

  • Quoc L.

    Not many crab houses in NoVa, but this is by far the best one. Just be prepared, it's not fine dining, it's where you get your hands dirty and throw down some crabs. My kind of place, worth the money, will definitely come back. And the oysters are cheap, $13 a dozen, and the Hush puppies are the best I've ever had. Oh and $3 PBR cans.

    (4)

  • Mae L.

    Where can I start?!? Did someone say unlimited blue crabs? I LOVE blue crabs and this place is hands down the best place to eat seafood! A little bit expensive but heck why not! Would definitely come back here for some more blue crabs!

    (5)

  • judi H.

    I came from California to eat here. I was visiting friends in Ashburn, Virginia and wanted to taste the famous Maryland Blue Crabs to see how they compare with the wonderful dungeness crab we have. I really didn't want to drive all the way to Maryland and did a google search to see what my alternatives were and I found this place. OMG! What a find. I ordered the $50 all you can eat crab buffet and ate so much I thought my stomach was going to explode! It is highly addictive. Love the seasonings. Yes this place has 0 ambience, pipes in music from the 80', is a bit drafty and the food presentation is bare bones. I found the waiters to be friendly and helpful waiters - they showed me how to properly cut a crab. Also had the hush puppies, corn on the cob and the lemonade (with free refills). I still prefer California crab (because they are larger so you don't have to work as hard to get the crab meat) but next time I am in Virginia, I will be making a bee line to Pells.

    (5)

  • Mitch H.

    How does anyone give this 2 1/2 stars. This place is everything a crab house should be

    (5)

  • Melissa G.

    Family run business and it's a great place for crabs! A little expensive but any time you get crab legs you expect to pay. Well worth it though.

    (4)

  • James J.

    Divey place, rad place for tasty shrimp and other seafood. Crab cakes are not their specialty but the crabs and any raw seafood is done well. Fried oysters are fantastic, and French fries are a tasty side for any entree. Hush puppies also a great starter. Fun, divey atmosphere with your classic Chesapeake shore attitude. Fun place that gets PACKED on holidays and during the summer.

    (4)

  • C R.

    Apparently there was a 1/2 off all you can eat crabs that I was unaware of when I was there. Thanks for letting us know..... Anyway, it was a bit pricier than I thought it was worth. Oh well. It's a place to try for nice ocassions (which this time was), but will not be frequent, unless there are more worthwhile specials.

    (4)

  • Colleen B.

    The best hush puppies I've ever had! The fish and chips were pretty good too. The tartar and cocktail sauces were all amazing. I didn't go for the tray of crab because it's just too messy and I hate to work for my food, however they looked absolutely delicious and the entire restaurant smelled of old bay seasoning! A great experience!

    (5)

  • Nette P.

    Whyyyy not...all you can eat crabs all different sizes for the same price or cheaper that you would pay for a dozen anywhere else...I love this place!

    (5)

  • R N.

    I hosted a BBQ/crab feast for Memorial Day and could not find any crab houses that carried local MD crabs since they were not quite in season, yet. All of my "usual" MD spots were carrying what everyone else was - gulf coast crabs. I decided to look for a place closer to my home instead of driving to Annapolis and came across Captain Pell's on yelp. I was a little leery after reading the mixed reviews but they took my order about a week before my event and I had no problems when I picked them up. The crabs were the right size; sweet and delicious; the employees were friendly; and the price was more reasonable for a bushel ($295) than any of the other places I had called (some were $130/dozen for large males). Also - other establishments couldn't guarantee that they would even be able fulfill my order because it was Memorial Day. Not my kind of place to dine in but would absolutely carry out, again.

    (4)

  • Christal W.

    So I went here for the first time last Sunday with my guy; his brother and wife met us there. I got the all you can eat crabs and my guy got the special they were running for all you can eat crab legs. We called and asked if they had all you can eat crab legs and the hostess that answered the phone emphatically said no. So imagine our surprise when our server let us know about the special. It worked out great for us, because we were going to come here regardless, however for someone else who maybe just wanted an all you can eat crab leg spot, that wasn't good for business. digress. Our guests were running a little behind so we dived in and it was amazing. Well seasoned, hearty for seafood, and just a great space to dig in and just go at it. My guy's brother and wife arrived and he told us that he had called in his order of jumbo crabs...two dozen. Now mind you, we were just thinking that when they came out, they'd be a little bit bigger than the all you can eats.......WRONG. These things were humungous, no ginormous, no, super duper crazy huge!!!!! They even made one young lady's eyes pop and mouth drop. EVERYONE was staring at these crabs as she laid them down on the table. Now make no mistake, they are pricy; way more ore than I am willing to ever pay for crabs, but when I tell you they are worth every dollar, THEY ARE. They were so big and juicy and flavorful. There was no way any of us was expecting them to be that big, especially him because if he had, I'm sure they would've ordered just a half dozen..maybe a dozen; but certainly not two. And I'm sure that there was even more than two doz there. Fortunately for me, I got to eat some there and take some home without incurring that cost..LOL. As far as ambiance goes, this place isn't the Ritz. You come here with your sleeves rolled up and NOT your Sunday's best to get down on some delicious seafood. You will have a roll of paper towels at your disposal and your table cloth is made out of brown paper, but you didn't come here for an all you can eat rodizio. My one hang up about this place is the restroom. Please oh please do something about the cleanliness of your facilities. I am particularly picky about using public restrooms to begin with, so I don't use them often, however we were there for five hours and it just couldn't be avoided and I was not happy that I had to use the restroom here. Other than that, it is an excellent place for all you can eat crabs, they run some great specials, and we already have determined that we'll make this a double date spot for the foreseeable future.

    (4)

  • B. N.

    Decent place but a bit overpriced. They recently added "SUPER SIZED" crabs to the menu which dethroned the "JUMBO". As far as I am aware, crabs have not morphed or mutated in size to warrant the new designation, so it's just another gimmick to raise their price to $130 from $105 a dozen. We ordered a dozen of these and they were so disappointing and haven't again since. Service is also decent. Overall, the food is good but you'll be leaving asking yourself whether it was worth it.

    (3)

  • Air R.

    The third year for the super bowl here!! Never disappointed !! $60 all you can eat in the menu and $1 beers! What a great deal!! Cheers

    (5)

  • Kevin F.

    I'm updating my last post (July 4th) since the quality was back intact last night (8/30)! We had the crab feast and it was great. We were glad to see that the crabs were better than our experience on July 4th. Capt Pells continues to be our "go to" place for crabs in NoVa and even in the DC metro area. We've been going since the early 90s when they were in the little white shack on Lee Hwy. Awesome place and it is nice to catch a game on one of the many TVs.

    (5)

  • Steve O.

    Captain Pell's is great for those that want a lot of seafood with no frills. This place is a favorite of my family where we come on ocassional birthdays. The crabs are fresh, the beer is cold... what more could you ask for?

    (4)

  • PJ S.

    They are consistently good with both crabs and customer service, especially from Tony. I've been going here for the last 15 years and I always leave happy.

    (5)

  • Chris K.

    Down and dirty all you can eat crabs the way it should be! Crack them yourself and pile the discarded shells right there on the table. Unlimited flavorful, sweet, and meaty male crabs for the entire family from young to old. Wait staff was attentive. Bathroom on dining floor for those with disability. Otherwise, bathroom down in the basement. Also had a couple of old school arcade games to keep the children occupied.

    (5)

  • Kelly T.

    The atmosphere was extremely casual and the service was good (not spectacular) and the food was great. My 11 year old loved his crab legs, my fried fish was good, and the hush puppies were fantastic. This was a good splurge for us. A great place to bring a group of people. My son said he wanted to have his birthday dinner there so we are considering taking a group of 12-13 year old boys there at the end of May (be warned).

    (4)

  • Talgat T.

    I came from Georgetown to eat here. It was very delicious. The tartar was amazing! Service is good! I enjoyed the visit and will return!

    (5)

  • Dana S.

    I came here for the half off all you can eat crabs special. Some were really good and fresh-nice and yellow when you cracked them open. Then some, if not the majority, were really nasty like they fished them out of the Anacostia River! The inside were black and diseased ridden, no I am not being dramatic. I got a stomach ache after leaving here. The service was excellent tho **smiling**

    (1)

  • Jessica K.

    When I'm back in the DC area, this is my go-to crab place! Service is good. Apple cider vinegar is a must and so are the hush puppies. They don't provide you with any hand wet-towels, they should invest in some. And they charge you 50 cents for butter.

    (4)

  • Cory L.

    **IN RESPONSE TO CAPTAIN PELLS RESPONSE** "The crab size does vary with every catch, and there's definitely a reason the AYCE is our most popular option. That said, our servers could have done a better job of communicating the different sizes and options to you, so we're truly sorry if you didn't get what you were expecting." Well that's the problem, no matter how the catch varies, a medium crab is a medium crab. That's how the business operates. The size of a medium crab does not fluctuate. If it does and that is why I received smaller crabs, shouldn't I have paid less? Also I don't understand why you are apologizing if you are putting it back on my expectations as possibly being misguided. Your servers didn't have to communicate the different size options, its stated on your menu and that is what your paying customers are referencing. __________________________________________________­________________ I agree with one of the reviewers below; I ordered dozen medium, my friend ordered all you can eat, and their crabs were the same size if not bigger. I was pissed. I paid more and got much less. Also, my crabs came out pretty damn quick. I want them steamed when I place the order. I know the difference between fresh out the pot and having been out for a few. As for the price...its pretty darn expensive. Yes, I understand the transportation and logistics etc., but hey, if youre going to charge premium, your product and service better be up to par. The servers there arent that great, they give off the impression that their very busy. I get that, but the customer is the customer. If im not giving you attitude, you shouldn't be giving it to me. Its called, work, not easy.

    (2)

  • John R.

    Ordered a dozen of the medium sized crabs. Absolutely horrible!!! The crabs were soooooooo salty (not Old Bay or whatever crab seasoning that they use, but SALTY) that they were inedible. I tried eating them but couldn't even get through the first one. Other person at my table tried one and couldn't get past the first bite. I even had someone at a nearby table, who had just eaten crabs, to taste them. They were astonished by how salty they were. When the server came to the table, I told him that the crabs were so salty that they were inedible. I suggested that he taste them to confirm what I was talking about. He refused and said "I don't need to taste them, I know what they taste like". He then responded "Can I get you something else?" At that point, we should have gotten up and left the restaurant but against our better judgment, we stayed. I ordered what the other person at the table was having ... a platter with snow crab legs, shrimp and steamed clams. I can't even comment on the quality of the platter because my mouth and lips were still burning from the salty crabs that I couldn't even taste the food (even after I went to the restroom and repeatedly rinsed my mouth out with water). Terrible place!!!

    (2)

  • Roger S.

    I'm literally dropping my review to one star because I just noticed the lame non-response comment of the management. That amounts to a giant "sorry, but we don't care about improving our quality or service." Thanks for taking the time to completely dismiss my complaint, as well as the complaints of others apparently.

    (1)

  • David K.

    STUNNINGLY high reviews. We came in over Labor Day weekend and the place was reasonably crowded. It may have been a bad day for Captain Pell's, but our experience was sub-par. We had a dozen large, ALL of them were dry. I'm not sure if they had been overcooked or had been sitting for a while, but they just weren't that tasty. The meat was not particularly sweet either. On a scale of 1-10 the crabs were a 2. Overall, very disappointed for almost 80 bucks a pop! The bill came to 140 dollars (including tip) after 3 beers, a tiny house wine, and an appetizer of fried oysters (oysters were decent.) Totally unsatisfactory. Service was fair. I'm not a fan of the over-sized business card decor of the place, I found it tacky. It may be a cliche, but EVERY crab house I've been to in Maryland is better. I can't recommend Captain Pell's, and I would certainly not return.

    (2)

  • Eric N.

    30 years of living in Fairfax County and I never knew this place was here. Food was very good. Even the fried food was fresh, tender, and tasty... you could actually differentiate was food was fried by the taste. They had no trouble seating a table of 7 on a Saturday night despite the many other people that were there -- only a 5 minute wait. Only criticisms were service and cost. The waiter forgot to put in one of our entree orders, an appetizer, and refills of drinks were hard to get. I'll save up and go again though. :)

    (4)

  • Lions R.

    This place is a factory, only concerned about doing a volume business. crabs are NOT cooked to order and they slap you with 18% gratuity for a party of six.

    (2)

  • Makini Y.

    Went here with 12 of my female friends for crab night out but instead of All you can eat for $50 I opted for 1lb of crab legs and 1/2 lb pound of peel & eat shrimp and corn on the cob and it still came out to be $50 with a 20% tip. But it was worth it I left full & happy. Heads up folks wear your eatin' pants and shirt/bib to spill butter on!

    (4)

  • Elina Y.

    All you can eat crab buffet! Captain Pell's is not exclusively just a buffet restaurant though. You can order entrees as well if you're not up for the never-ending rotation of seasoned crabs. Considering it's in the heart of Fairfax, if my picky mom likes coming here, it's definitely worth a try. Also, customer service from the servers & manager has been great my last few visits. Haven't had a bad experience yet.

    (4)

  • Julie H.

    Fairfax Virginia may not be the typical place to find fresh seafood. Well, get over that and get to Captain Pell's! Seafood as plentiful and fresh as Captain Pell's is hard to find. Large fresh shrimp and crabs await you here. Simple and good is how you'll find it here. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed - no need to wear your Sunday best here! It's all about enjoying the best seafood in the NoVA area! Crabs are delicious and the sides are a treat. My favorites are the hush puppies which leave you wanting more. The service is good and our server was attentive and friendly. The food arrives in good time and it is well-seasoned. Enjoy every bite.

    (4)

  • Gwendolyn P.

    Even though the service here was dicey and the ambiance is non-existent - there is no other rating to give this other than a five. The food is just amazing and the portions the largest I have ever had in my life. I had the steamer platter which was king crab legs, clams, shrimp and french fries and my friend had the pick three platter. We were there for two plus hours just trying to make room in our stomaches for more food! I would drive the two and a half hours just to go to this place again - - - just make sure that you are really really hungry when you go.

    (5)

  • SunFlower M.

    This was my first time here... Heard great things about it... The only thing they were right about was the Good crabs!! Bad customer service though but I still left a tip... It made me feel so uneasy. I wanted to leave but didn't drive an HOUR for nothing, so I stayed... My boyfriend order the fish dinner but only ate the fries! The fried fish was not good at all... Slimy and just didn't taste fresh nor Tasteful. You guy's seem to get a lot of business...Maybe you should hire energetic, friendly servers...Bad customer service makes u not want to come back.

    (2)

  • Meghan L.

    Came here with my bff tonight to eat a bunch of crabs and get the true crab house experience as we were visiting from NJ. Mixed reviews here on Yelp, so I was a little unsure but this was the closest thing to a crab house around us so we chose to go here. It's a very divey, no frills restaurant but I didn't mind. Service is very spotty and I understand what other Yelpers were talking about. Took about 15 minutes before someone came over and took our order. Once he took our order, however, he was very on top of refilling drinks and our big trays of crab. So I was a happy camper! The crabs were very tasty and fresh. We also ordered a pound of peel n' eat shrimp and a basket of fries. Everything was so good. You can't beat all you can eat crabs for 40 bucks people. Overall a great experience, minus the service in the beginning. I would definitely recommend this crab joint!

    (4)

  • Freddy R.

    I went to this place 40 mins after Somebody posted some racial comment... I couldn't disagree more. As I enjoy my delicious clams, I count at least 10 African American Families, some white folks, and the couple across from me is oriental... So, scratch the other comment... Love the food, fresh and quick service. I feel bad for the servers BC they look very busy. But, it is V-day... Great place, I will come back in April for my bday... By the way... I am hispanic...

    (5)

  • Marcia D.

    My daughter and I decided to take a trip down 395 to Fairfax to visit Captain Pell's. The place was packed even during the ice storm. The seafood was delicious. We enjoyed the all you can eat blue crabs, shrimp and crab legs.

    (5)

  • Samantha A.

    This place is definitely a dive with its local advertisement decor, disposable paper table cloths and worn down flooring. For me, that is part of the appeal. At Captain Pell's, there is no shame in getting a little messy while you feast on some tasty crab. This place is exactly what a crab house should be. We come here primarily for the snow crab legs, and they are absolutely delicious. The hush puppies are also yummy, as are the fried clam strips. The oysters we got last time were tasty but fairly sandy, which is really the only negative thing I can say about this place. The host and wait staff are all lively and friendly, and make you feel right at home. We love Uncle Eddie! This is definitely our go to place for fantastic seafood in the area.

    (5)

  • Ninja E.

    I went here over the weekend with a large group of friends. The place was understaffed. It took us a while to be greeted by our server. Most of us got the $39 all you can eat special. I tried the $39 platter and ordered some crabs on the side. It took a while for my order to come out, few items were missing and we had to hunt down the waitress to remind her. Our table was dirty, there were dirty napkins on the floor. The restroom was downstair and it was filthy. The food didn't impress me. The fried oyster were too oily. There were no lump crab meat in the crab cake. The shrimps, crab legs, and steamed crabs were just okay. Nothing really impressed me. For the amount that we paid, I expected a lot more. Maybe because none of these were in season? I don't know, i probably will not be returning.

    (2)

  • Justin H.

    Place was ok, medium crabs were slightly warm when they came out and I wouldn't call them medium. I will not be returning to this crab house. I will take my business to quarterdeck in the future. On a side note all the fired things were good.

    (2)

  • Michael S.

    Pells is the quintessential crab joint. They do an excellent job steaming blue crab. GOOD LUCK eating anything else. This is a crab joint. Stick w the steamed blue crabs . Their prices are higher, than any other crab shack around Washington DC, these guys nickel and dime you ..they will charge for butter? So if you dont mind paying the highest price for crabs in DC area Pells is for you ;)

    (3)

  • Peter B.

    Ok, if you're expecting a 5 star dining experience where you are catered to your every need and expect the decor to be extravagant, then dont go here. However, if you are looking for all you can eat Maryland blue crab all year round, then this is the place for you. Wear jeans, sneakers, and a casual shirt and be prepared to get down and dirty with the crabs. Like some Yelpers have said, it's pretty much a big ol room with big tables to get your eat on. Nothing fancy, just the bare bones. I mean really, all you need is a table and some chairs and for someone to bring out the crabs before they run out. What more can you expect from a crab house? Go here and get your fair share of Maryland blue crab. You know you want to.

    (4)

  • Deborah H.

    I grew up eating the tiny blue crabs you can get from the grocery store for 6$/dozen. To me, Maryland blues are the tastiest, and worth the extra work over the bland dungenesses that people over in California are into. Imagine my utmost joy when I realized you can get (almost) dungeness-sized Marylands. Oh. My. God. I'm in absolute heaven when I'm swigging Coronas, dipping the succulent chunks of crab into my vinegar + old bay concoction, and criticizing the oh-so-unpolished crab-cracking ways of others. A dozen larges will run you 70$, but they're worth their weight in meat and effort. They offer an all-you-can-eat extravaganza for 30$, but I'm not sure what sizes you get. They have some kick-ass crab cakes, but I wasn't a big fan of the king crab legs. Oh, drawn butter is an extra 50 cents a person, and I don't think it's necessary. Ooh, and they have jumbos sometimes. And female crabs (with eggs! It's a Chinese thing), but only on rare occasions. This place is kinda dirty and kinda bleh and kinda pricey (relatively), but it ain't got too much competition. The bathroom is yucky, the menu is limited (to crab-related stuff only, obviously. No drinks other than tap water, beer, and sodas. But they have decent fries), you leave smelling ridiculously bad, and they ain't got no bibs! But when you got a craving and you're nowhere near Baltimore, this joint does the trick. Plenty of parking and seating.

    (4)

  • Jeff W.

    After finally trying the AYCE crab deal, I'm willing to up my rating but still think it's overrated. Granted it's the only AYCE crab deal around, and at $35 it's a steal, but the crabs aren't that great tasting and many are old and cold and gross. But, there are still some hot ones thrown in there. I'd be curious to order some by the dozen some day, even though the prices seem inflated compared to what I've paid in Baltimore.

    (3)

  • Jen T.

    I grew up in the area, drive past this place daily, and never once stepped foot. The parking lot is packed on weekends and almost daily on weeknights during the summer. What's the hype? Finally, I was dragged here by a friend. I was extremely interested to see what was beyond the parking lot and large Captain Pell's sign. Slightly disappointed to see the interior, a little run down and old tables and chairs that are wobbly until you place a few paper towels under a leg. It is, however, a crab house, so what can you really expect? We ordered a batch of crabs, large male crabs, a little pricey but its northern VA and off season. They are priced by size and amount. Also had a side of hush puppies. The crabs were great and fresh, and good size. ! Well worth the pick, especially since it was crab off season. I'd come here again if I needed to fulfill a quick craving, but I think enjoy eating crabs at home and buying them at the fisherman's wharf in DC. Would go again if someone offered, but not a place I'd stumble into on the reg.

    (3)

  • Kim N.

    Went again tonight. The crabs were oh so delicious. But the corn. OH MY GOD!!! Imagine those herbal essences commercials. They were that good. Super sweet, fresh, doused in butter. I think the ones we got were fresh off the steamer! Our server was awesome and attentive without crossing the line of pushy. She refilled our drinks, got us crab refills, gave us corn. Captain Pell's, you rock!

    (5)

  • christian b.

    This place is exactly what it is: a crab shack. You go there for crabs and beer. I love crabs, I love a cold beer, this is right in my wheelhouse. Now, a few knocks on the place: First, you pay for every drink, and when I say every drink, I mean every drink. Every re-fill of soda. That's a bit lame, no? Second, you pay for every little cup of butter. Am I willing to pay for every little cup of butter? Sure. I'd rather not, but sure. Third, they keep things like Jumbo crabs on the menu, but probably 75% of the time, they don't have any jumbos at all. If they did have 'em, they were probably all killed by the first four tables of patrons at about 5pm. Beyond that, there are plenty of reasons to love this place: the service is good, the vibe is totally unpretentious, they have a pretty decent beer selection, and you get a nice pile of hot crabs to tear into. What more do you want? There are no other places like Pell's in the area (that I know of), and sometimes Pell's is exactly what you want.

    (4)

  • Radford T.

    This joint is like Crabs 'R Us. Love it. Get your hands dirty with all-you-can-eat buckets of delicious crabs. The atmosphere is very down-to-earth and comfortable. Great place to take visiting friends! And don't forget to wash that crab down with a few pitchers of beer.

    (4)

  • Patrick N.

    My favorite crab house in Northern Va!!! Service can get slow on a busy night but really how much service do you need at a crab house? Order a dozen blue crabs and just sit for hours picking away at them. As long as the drinks get refilled your a happy customer. I love the old bay seasoning and always get the hush puppies as a side. If you're not a fan of picking crabs they have other menu options but you're probably in the wrong place.

    (4)

  • Danielle F.

    Last night my hubby and I ate at Captain Pell's. I'm not sure if we were treated poorly because the hostess and waitress didn't want to work on a day when everyone else had the day off or because of the way were dressed the waitress assumed she wouldn't get tipped. We did look like bumbs mainly because we spent 10 - 11 hours in a car driving up from GA. We were stopping to get food on the way home. The hostess seated us, throwing the menus on the table and abruptly walking away. Our waitress took her time coming to get our drink orders and the only thing she said to us the entire time we were there was "What would you like to drink?" At that time we ordered our food too, so we didn't have to wait any longer. When our food came she put the food down and slid some napkins on the table and walked away quickly. When we asked for the check, it took another 10 min or so. I just didn't feel welcome. I did like the neighborhoody, "I've been around for years" feel of the place. It's very cool. It's definitely a great hang out, especially for a game. I'm sure it's only because it's summer time, but the smell of the crabby trash hits you on the way in. You probably won't have that same issue in the cooler months. As for the food, it was mediocre at best. I will preface this with I didn't have the crabs, which they are known for. I had the scallops and oysters. I can't describe it, but they didn't taste well at all. I also thought they were a bit overpriced. That would be one reason we didn't get the crabs. It is $36 all you can eat per person. My husband and I decided, we could buy crabs and old bay for 4 people at $72 and still have some left over. Although we didn't get the crabs, we ended up spending close to $100 with tip. Even though our waitress sucked, we tipped her 20%. So in conclusion, I will probably never go to this restaurant again. We spent close to $100 for a sucky experience and okay food.

    (2)

  • Olivia M.

    Yumyumyum I love blue crabs. Got the all-you-can-eat meal and it was awesome. Typical crab house but large place so you may not have to wait a lot.

    (4)

  • emmy y.

    I didnt even know this place exist until 1 month ago and i have been living in this area for almost 9 years. Great place for crabs. There is def nothing special about this place except a crab house in the middle of fairfax, which is pretty convenience. Just like any typical crab house, dont expect it to be fancy at all.

    (4)

  • Michele D.

    Heaven in Fairfax. A friend and I checked this place out yesterday and thought it was a great alternative to driving all the way to Baltimore and other far away places. We arrived around 4:40pm and got a table right away. We ordered a coupl'a beers and a dozen large crabs for the both of us. I found the crabs there were not as meaty as the ones I got at Cantlers, but for the sake of convenience, it was not a problem. Ironically enough, the last crab I ate at Cap Pells was the meatiest one! It's your basic brown paper covered tables, vinegar and Old Bay on deck, and exceptional service. Our server was fantastic, not to mention cute, too! We left around 7pm and couldn't help but notice the line of people waiting to get in and that the parking lot was packed full of cars. They have their own parking lot, so if it's full, I wonder where patrons would be forced to park? We paid 60 for the dozen, and I enjoyed every penny.

    (4)

  • J K.

    1st time visit, with a party of 5 adults + 1 baby. Enough parking space. Good service. We had $36/person all you can eat crabs. Crabs were pretty good in size, taste and amount of meat. Although I think it was a bit pricy, I got no regrets. Had a great time and food. I'll recommend it to anyone and am planning to visit again.

    (4)

  • Rose N.

    The specialty here is the Maryland crab, although you can get decent snow crab legs. Cans of cheap beer, over boiled corn on the cob, what else would you order from here anyway? Pell's is a one-hit wonder, excellent for rolling up the sleeves and pigging out.

    (4)

  • Zach S.

    Only been there once and it was for takeout but i have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The people who complain that the place is slightly dirty and smells like crabs obviously didn't' grow up near the bay because this is what crab shacks are like. Anyway, prices were higher than the Maine Street Warf but the location evens that out. $30 for a dozen regular male or females. Got an order of onion rings which were slammin and also got the hush puppies that were good but not mind blowing. If I ever went back I would definitely get some of their oysters on the half shell because they looked delicious.

    (4)

  • Yelper O.

    This place gets business because there isn't another crab house in the Fairfax area. I got a dozen medium crabs once and half of them were dry and barely had any meat, the waiter brought me another set without any question fornunately. It's not bad, but if you are willing, just drive to the DC seafood market and pick up some steamed crab to have it at home. You get more than what you would pay at Pell's but you do have to clean up after yourself, which could be a pain. I like it, I still go here.

    (3)

  • Samantha J.

    Captain Pell's is high quality seafood at a great price. Go here for the crab and expect a crab shack. This is a no frills restaurant complete with plastic cups and kraft paper table clothes. Eating with your hands and making a mess is par for the course. My husband really loved this place. He especially liked the coleslaw and fresh blue crabs. He said if he went back he would avoid the fried options and stick to raw oysters and a half dozen medium, fresh caught blue crab. Everything was great, including the southern service. We'll go back for take away or dine in.

    (4)

  • Zac D.

    Excellent crab house! I have been 3 times and we're impressed with the friendly staff and awesome crabs. We usually do 1 dozen regular crabs and a pound of snow crab legs. The last time we went we thought the snow crabs were the best we've ever had, anywhere! Very meaty, fresh, just awesome. It works out great because she's not crazy about eating blue crabs, but she loves snow crab, so there is something for both of us! I would give 5 stars if they sold pitchers of beer, or at least had beer on tap.

    (4)

  • glori b.

    Went today to Pells coming home from Fairfax area.The greeter was really friendly and quick.Not knowing what to expect I asked if I could stroller my baby to the table.Not a problem, a good start.They VERY quickly brought beer and drinks to the table and explained the menu .Everything is wonderful and I was pleased by the food but dont expect a fancy decor.Paper on the tables, crab hammers, old bay and vinegar and dingy tables and chairs and tile on the floor.I have dined in world class places and dives.A dive look maybe weathered furniture and decor but clean cozy and comfortable.the quality of the food is outstanding.I saw people getting huge trays of crabs and looking deliriously happy cracking them.I would like to try them but was pressed for time today.Let me state I have a 2 yr old and he adored this place.Jukebox, five video games for teenagers and remininscent adults.For kids coloring the paper on the table in this day of restraint and color in the lines is a refreshing jailbreak and rebel yell !Also how fun is it to beat things with a wooden mallet or two?Awesome.Just so the kids can have fun and relax at the table is worth the price but the seafood itself is prime. Now again, the meal.We ordered hush puppies 3.00, steamed shrimp 7.95,chicken basket w fries 8.95,2 sodas in paper cups 3.00,2 budlite bottle 3.45,one fried seafood combo 19.95 with coleslaw, fries,scallops and shrimp, one fried trio 24.95 with scallops, softshell crab and oysters.I was very pleased with the portions but perhaps some things al carte could be included on some of the items such as all you can eat crabs only side is corn.At 3.oo for basket of hushpuppies,maybe throw a hushpuppy on each dinner for good measure make the dinner even more wellrounded .The portions were massive.The cocktail and tartar were made in house and the cocktail was money baby!The fries were surprisingly really tasty and they were alot of them fried to preferction and came with ketchup in paper cups.The colesale was crunchy and oldschool without all the modern twists they make in some Dc restaraunts just good old coleslaw , crunchy , not too sweet and simple ingredients.The shrimp was battered deeply and fried perfectly,The softshell crab was the best thing On my plate and I savored every crunchy but soft bite.The food was really tasty and the ambience was fine for a family with picky children .I would rate the seafood as the best I have had in Virginia and thats saying alot.I saw someone eating steamed oysters as I left and felt regretful I had not tried them as that one of my loves in life.I will be back for the crabs and oysters.My server was a male,very attentive, and handled my order with expertise ,confidence and a smile.They thanked us and invited us back as we left.It reminds me of Hymans Seaffod Of Charleston batter as there was a hint of cinnamon sweet taste to the fried batter so it gave me memories of growing up with fresh seafood.All around good fun and food without pretense and pomp and circumstance, just butter, old bay and determination to finish!I think the value is good compared to tiny portions and high prices in the entire area.If you know of a good seafood place with fresh seafood holler at me so I can try it out!

    (4)

  • Anita L.

    Don't like it. It's expensive. The crabs are not cooked to order and the quality is very inconsistent. I only go here when Quarterdeck is not open and I'm craving crabs.

    (2)

  • Kinikia L.

    I love this place. My family took me here before and I go there often with my husband and young children. I took my husband and kids here again for his birthday dinner. And friends came over, it's almost a tradition to get a bunch of people over there every year or more. It's a family owned and run place and I've seen the same people there every time I go there. I only get the all you can eat crab buffet it's a crab place what else are you supposed to get. I'm sad that they stopped the draft beers they used to have, you can just buy a pitcher of beer before, would have been cheaper, but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do to scale back these days. The food is always fresh, other people get oysters, snow crabs, I've gotten the kids meals for mine before. It's always delicious, feels like you're right by the sea-all that seafood, you're actually just on a highway in Fairfax, VA. I always keep going here. When you go there, I love how everyone turns into a crab fiend and nobody cares. Bring a bib and some wet naps. I am so glad they have blue crabs instead of dungenoness.

    (4)

  • Joy G.

    They have the biggest King Crabs! Hush puppies, cole slaw, and onion rings are delish! we got the alaskan king crab legs, and the all you can eat crabs and reccomend either depending on if you can eat ALL -U-CaN-EAT!! The king crab legs are huge and are big enough to be full after half of it, and it comes with 2 sides and the hush pups & onion rings are fab! We had to take away those sides because the crab was just so much to eat! But my friend was able to down 2 refills of the all you can eat little crabs! The atomosphere is also nice, and sportsy, lots of TVs, and usually you have all tge space to stretch out and unbuckle your belts...also, its very clean and the waiter was very attentive!

    (5)

  • Kris G.

    being from MD, i love crabs. i love the newspaper on the table, the smell of old bay, the pounding and picking with mallets and tiny forks, and especially the satisfaction you feel after all of your hard work produces hunks of sweet and tender crabmeat, to be promptly dunked in melted butter and savored. but despite many a craving for these choice crustaceans, a trek out to the chesapeake bay is not always possible. it is during those times, that captain pell's was my savior. the fact that captain pell's looks like a shack on the side of the highway, might deter some people from checking it out. but do not judge this book by its cover! the crabs are delicious and sizable. the steamed shrimp is great, but i've never tried the oysters. i have this rule - do not consume oysters unless you can actually see a body of water from your table. i'm told the king crab legs are good too, but i mainly stick with the MD blues. and hush puppies and a bucket of beer are requisites. definitely a good place to go for yummy food in a chill atmosphere. if you've never had the pleasure of cracking your own crabs, you should check it out! but word to the wise; wipe your hands before touching your eyes. old bay to the cornea ain't a good time.

    (4)

  • Justin B.

    After hearing all the buzz, I went along with the in-laws to this place. All I can say is "Blegh". They ordered the largest crabs on the menu and they came luke-warm and had about a quarter cup of Old Bay on each crab. I ordered the scallops and a crabcake. Scallops were skate wings, crabcake was 50% filler. Even the fries sucked . . . come on! And we paid for the butter by the (very) small cup. No, thanks. Even when I'm plastered and get the urge to smash alien-faced crustaceans for the purpose of sucking out their sweet, sweet innards (this happens pretty often . . .), I go elsewhere in the DC-area. Crabs are okay, but just "okay". Anything else is terrible. You would be better off at your local seafood place.

    (2)

  • Amlan S.

    This place is awesome. Great food and well priced. You can have as much crab as you want for $30 / person. They also give a corn on the cob with it. They are spicy, hot and gooood. Great place for big groups. Fun for a date as long as your partner is not a tight ass. The waiting staff are very friendly and helpful. I would strongly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Monica J.

    Captain Pell's is one of my favorites in the area. It's a no frills kinda place with paper table cloths and random local business advertisements on the walls. You'll feel comfortable there. The food is tasty and the staff is friendly. The delicious crab will keep you coming back!

    (4)

  • Stephanie N.

    Definitely NO FRILLS dining. All the reviews are spot on - although they forgot to mention the patrons :) Lemme tell you - although most of us are small, we asians can certainly pack away some seafood! lol

    (4)

  • Iced V.

    I take my fiance and family friends from out of town here. They're always wowed by the quality of food. Oyster is best served here than any other locations in Virginia and Maryland, unless you shuck it fresh of course. The decor might scare some off but hey it's a seafood house. Service is excellent.

    (5)

  • james h.

    love the review which points out as a con the spiky alaskan king crab legs resulting in hurt fingers. it's called a mallet, genius. anyway, this place is as close to what you'd expect from an eastern shore type crab shack. not gonna do better in the fairfax area. best way to go is just get the all you can eat crabs for a little over 30 bucks. the crabs might vary in size so screw it, just eat the claw meat and toss the crab. it's all you can eat, after all. one star deducted because the beer is served in cans and bottles. get a bloody tap, captain pell's.

    (4)

  • Calvin L.

    We went back Labor Day weekend and was great! Figured out the auto-tip only apply to bigger groups. (see my previous comment.) And we went again yesterday, which they are having 50% off for all you can eat crab fest. We had a awesome time and my 6 and 7 year old ate a dozen on their own. Not sure if they made a mistake but we were only charged for 3 AYCE so I assume kids are half price? Will be back before the special ends, =)

    (4)

  • Irene F.

    Came here for Mother's Day and got the AYCE - the first tray of crabs were medium sized. Before we were done, they brought out the next piping hot tray and this time the crabs were large. The 3rd tray of crabs were even bigger! We go here now instead of Costas Inn. BTW- you need to be able to eat MORE than 12 medium sized crabs per person to make AYCE worthwhile!

    (4)

  • Rich B.

    After going to Riva and Annapolis these past 10 years for crabs, I finally decided to keep it local and go here to Captain Pell's. The place itself is a typical dive place. I mean you're not going here for the ambiance but to mow down some crabs and beers. We ordered a dozen jumbos, which were $96 and one of the platters that had a good mix of stuff. The crabs were definitely jumbos as we could only get through 6 of them and there were a handful of us. I can see what one reviewer said about them being salty. They are more salty than what I'm used to getting up in MD but I didn't think they were salty enough to dislike. The service I though was great. Our guy was extremely friendly and very attentive. Didn't have to track him down for refills and when we ordered extra stuff. I'm giving Pell's 3 stars because of what I'm used to out in Riva and Annapolis. If you're in the northern VA area, this is a close alternative vs. driving all the way out there. It is quite expensive for what you get but hey, they're crabs, you have to expect to be paying a premium. I'll be coming back here for sure. Beats driving an hour just to eat some crabs....

    (3)

  • Nick A.

    Terrible place to eat! This place is a rip off! Over priced on crab .jumbo large size crab is priced at $100per dozen . And the crabs are terrible! They are also including 18%service tip. I don't mind paying tips but all waiters have done was take order, bring crabs, drinks and that was all! Two trips to a table don't deserve 18% tip on $195.00 tab. Waiters are dirty! I didn't see any of them wash hands while I was sitting there for an hour. Not recommend at all! Do not eat at this place! You will feel bad!

    (1)

  • Eric G.

    I have been coming here for several years and Captain Pells never disappoints. I usually do all you can eat males which are caught locally. You can do all you can eat in the off season but expect the crabs to come from down south. Make sure you try steamed shrimp, corn of the cob, or hush puppies! if you have drinks with dinner expect to pay around $100 per person(tip included).

    (4)

  • Gwenni W.

    I recently visited Captain Pell's on Saturday, June 20th. I was highly disappointed with the quality of the crab feat crabs from Capt. Pell's. Most of the crabs that were brought to the table were mushy and salty. Also, the crabs were really small compared to other crab houses in the area. I was so angry because it was my birthday and the crabs were so bad. Unfortunately, I have no intentions on visiting this crab house again.

    (1)

  • G M.

    I don't eat crabs so I can't help you with that but I had their fried fish and fries and it was fine. No I have no idea what kind of fish btw... The atmosphere is right if you're looking for a crab house, it was fun, my friends love the crabs so we were happy. Sorry I can't help more with crabs or seafood in general but if you have to go there because you were invited by a friend etc fish, fries and chicken tenders are not bad.

    (4)

  • Roger T.

    Can you say "Hepatitis"? I was part of an 8 person group during the visit that came out to a $420+ bill. I didn't order the crabs but crab cakes at $20 the plate (ok...nothing to write home about), and we were billed for "12 male crabs" and between 10-11 blue moon beers. Anyway, when the group was finished, the waiter Mr. Toni came over and simply scooped all crap carcases with his bare hands onto the tray and walked off. These were crab carcases that people had been sucking on, full of spit...For a $420+ bill the restaurant CAN afford waiters to wear rubber gloves. So....this same clean up process was repeated on all other tables. Restroom don't have paper tows only air blow driers. Problem is that there are men that don't wash there hands, so one has to grad dirty door handles. Forget it...Never going back.

    (1)

  • Johanna S.

    Went to Captain Pell's Fairfax Crabhouse for Father's Day. I heard a lot of good things, so why not, let's give it a try! Alright, the parking was like such a battle. We went 7pm on Father's Day so ...it was PACKED. The wait time was 25 mins but the actual wait time was 5 mins. So, not bad at all :) We got seated and didn't really get helped. The service here wasn't good at all last night. Maybe because they were so busy? But, with the amount of staff they had on the floor - it seemed kinda of ridiculous why their service wasn't up par. The crabs are a bit overprice. We got the "all-you-can-eat" for 50 dollars per person. The crab size is medium so... next time, I won't be getting the "all-you-can-eat-option" because it was more work getting the crabs open ...only to find out there was like little meat :( (overall, my family loves crabs so... people at like 20+ each) Sides - Corn on the cob - 2 dollars. YUMMY. I love corn. I may be biased. I love corn and it is really hard to get corn on the cob... wrong... :) Coleslaw - comes in the smallest cup. Serving is def for one person. The taste is pretty good. Fries - it is not the BEST fries but you know, I always get it as a side when I am eating crabs :) Anyways, I would try this place if you haven't.

    (3)

  • Mike G.

    We have been going to Captain Pell`s for many years.The food is great and we have always had great service.We usually end up with Robin or Billy as our servers and both are excellent and attentive even when they are super busy.If you are looking for someone to serve you crabs with white gloves this is not the place for you.If you are looking for great crabs and seafood with a real "crab house" feel,head on in there and have a fantastic time

    (5)

  • Mike R.

    My wife and I decided to go here on Memorial Day we got there and were greeted by a pleasant hostess and seated after only a couple min wait. We normally get the all you can eat crabs but they were a little on the small side tonight ( probably because of the holiday) so We ordered a dozen Extra Large crabs instead. We also got hush puppies, and fried oysters. The crabs were AMAZING they were big and full of meat and seasoned perfect. The oysters were plump and fried very nice. The hush puppies are very good as well. The only downfall is the decor, but it's a Crabhouse and as long as the food and service are this good and there's a tv with sports on I can get past the decor. Anyone looking for crabs in the area I would recommend going by here

    (5)

  • Robert L.

    Came from Atlanta for a family reunion. First thing I wanted was Maryland steamed crabs. The crabs were a good size and service was great. The crabs had inconsistent seasoning but were very good (some had a lot of seasoning and some had non at all). Would definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Carol S.

    Best fresh crabs in town, and the best prices. I've been going to them for over 20 years. Same staff, family owned. Big screen tv's to watch sports. Always great friendly service. They are open all year long. I am spending my mothers day there w/ family.

    (5)

  • Jade N.

    If you like crabs and don't mind gettin down and dirty for them, this is the place for you. They have a fantastic selection of Maryland Bay crabs as well as Snow crab and King crab. Unfortunately the menu is mostly seafood, so if you are not a seafood fan, this place isnt for you. The restaurant is super casual and can get really busy during dinner hours. The service is ok my only complaint is that they never bring the food all out at once, AND, every time Ive been, my main dish has come out before the apps have. The price is on par with what I would expect to pay for crabs in the area, and unlike some places (like Joes crab shack) the snow crab and king crab arent freezer burned! One of the better crab places in the area....will definitely be back. Not the most ideal place for a romantic date for a first impression, but hey casual beer and crabs would win me over any day!

    (4)

  • Xtine C.

    Finally fulfilled my snow crab leg craving! This place is near by our place and I loved how the crabs were actually fresh and meaty! There was meat up to the tip of the legs! We also ordered some fried seafood (scallops, shrimp, fish, etc) and it was divine and oh so buttery. Everyone around us was ordering the all you can eat crab meal but I'm not a fan of blue crab so we avoided that. It's relatively clean and big facility and I will definitely be back again.

    (4)

  • Lyn L.

    I love their crabs! I have always done takeout but this visit was for a friends birthday! Our party of 8 got there at noon, opening time. The birthday girl wanted all you can eat crabs for $42 so he besties did the same! I beat my own record and nearly scarfed down just over 2 dozen crabs. With just 3 finger cuts, I went home satisfied! The other 4 guests ordered various platters that looked yummy. Service was awesome, our served worked hard to earn the mandatory 18% gratuity! Definitely my fav place to eat crabs!

    (5)

  • Smalice N.

    The quintessential crab shack. Eating crabs takes some work so it's not my go to choice but visiting from out of town my host said it was a must have. My first experience cracking crabs with a wooden mallet and knife. When you walk in the door the smell of seafood and vinegar kind of smacks you in the face. After 10 minutes, you don't even notice the smell. But hey! Whattya expect! You're eating crabs!!! Once you make your way passed the miscellaneous games/mini arcade, it opens up to a spacious dining room with lots of tables. We went around 5pm on a weekday and there was plenty of seats available. My group of four ordered a dozen jumbo, a dozen clams, the captains platter, and hush puppies. Oh my lanta, the hush puppies were amazing!!! So crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The jumbo crabs came out piping hot and rubbed down in old bay and or a dry rub. The lump A was large and glorious. It was plenty of food as the portions are bountiful. (I was so full I couldn't even finish my beer!!!) I don't have any other crab shacks to compare Captain Pell's to but I'm pretty sure this place is legit. If I'm ever back in the area I would love to dine here again!

    (5)

  • Kelly C.

    There's one reason I give this place 5 stars: BLUE CRABS YEAR ROUND. This is not a fancy crab house. It's got no ambiance, advertisements for wall art, there's paper on the tables, etc., but most normal blue crab eaters can expect this from a typical crab house. This place is GREAT for crabs. The other food (non seafood) is mediocre, my husband gets the Alaskan crab leg platter..it's a sizable portion and they are big and delicious. I tell you what though, you better believe I get all you can eat blue crabs for $39 and sit here for two hours enjoying sizeable, delicious crabs. I never leave disappointed. The staff is also great!

    (5)

  • Amirah L.

    We came here for the second time on a random week night and had a good time. We ate Waugh to many crabs and the guys were really friendly and told us all about crab fishing! Lastly, the hushpuppies were amazing. Hot and fresh!

    (5)

  • Diane O.

    I've lived in Fairfax for over 30 years and used to go to the original Captain Pell's. We recently brought my mother to the "new" one to do something different for her 90th birthday. I was embarrassed because she immediately felt disgusted by the layers and layers of dirt and grime in the entrance to the restaurant. There really is no excuse for that kind of filth and it has clearly built up over a lot of time. It just shows the laziness and complacency of the owners and managers there because it's not hard to sweep and mop -- besides the fact that it's completely unsanitary. They've got a loyal clientele because people love fresh crab and the experience of sitting with family and friends to feast. The least they could do -- especially given the premium that they charge -- is to clean their filthy restaurant. The crabs were good but ridiculously overpriced. They put nothing into making this a decent place (and I'm not looking for anything fancy -- just a decent and clean crab house). They have tacky ads covering the walls, they roll out paper and use the cheapest plastic-ware you can find. Our bill for 6 adults and 3 kids was over $600 dollars and that only included a few beers for the adults. My mother was appalled. If you want to eat crabs in Fairfax, it's the only place to go. Someone really needs to give them some competition or we need to go downtown and get our own crabs for a fraction of the price. They really need to step up and treat their loyal customers right. Pathetic.

    (1)

  • Stacie B.

    My fiance and I went here last week for AYCE crabs. This was my first time experiencing the 'crab picking' phenomenon. First off, the restaurant is a sh/t hole at first glance but sometimes those places are hidden gems with the taste of the food. Restaurant isn't dirty per say, but its certainly kind of a dive restaurant. Staff was really, really friendly. I actually had no qualms with the restaurant whatsoever, just not a super fancy seafood restaurant or anything. Food: yep, hush puppies were delish. I can say I tried a few crabs, but its just not my thing. They tasted great, but the whole picking crabs just isn't my thing. Fiance loved them. No complaints on food, staff or restaurant. Only 3 stars because experience was good, but not over the top or anything spectacular where we KNOW we must go back. I use my 5 stars sparingly; this place is like a B, B+.

    (3)

  • Demetry P.

    You cannot get fresher and tastier seafood in the Metro DC area. This is a family owned local establishment that utilizes its vast resources to bring Only the best to the table. The service is great and the atmosphere is even better. Great spot to watch a game. Brothers Billy and Danny Pell along with their Uncle Ricky are always available and eager to please.

    (5)

  • Jodi C.

    Crabs! Diet Coke! Butter! Amazing service! What can go wrong? Nothing! Captian Pell's added another winning meal to my tummy!

    (5)

  • Frank V.

    Only been to this place once but it was a good experience and plan to go back. The host is a wise guy and pretty funny. Ordered a dozen large crabs, cole slaw, and corn on the cob. Crabs arrived quickly, looked great, were good eating and packed with meat and flavor. All crabs were the same size too, unlike some places where they sneak smaller crabs at the bottom hoping you wont notice. Only complaint is the crabs should have been hotter and the air conditioning was blasting, making the dining room a bit too cold even for me who enjoys the cold more than most people I know. Overall, I enjoyed the visit and will return.

    (4)

  • Robyn C.

    Captain Pell's has been around for a long while and you can tell. The decor is a bit dated and is in desperate need of a remodel. Most of the chairs are mismatched, torn, and do not really fit the height of the tables. However, I do like all the advertisements of different establishments on the wall to stimulate your eyes. Captain Pell's is known for their whole male and female crabs. I never go for their whole crabs; I go for their King Crab Legs. I can't speak about their whole crabs, but I can say their King Crab Legs are real tasty.

    (4)

  • William V.

    Had the family from out of town come in for a week of good old Northern Virginia and it was CRABS on the menu. I like to do updates here and there for places - it shows consistency in business operations and quality. We has a big table with 10 folks, several kids and hungry fish eaters in dah house! Anyway, just as before the service was GREAT. We went on a weekend and YES it was busy but the wait was not bad at all. It's a pretty big JOINT and the people moved right through. Like before everything is mismatched and the chairs are well, just chairs some high, some small but all in all they met their purpose in life to hold me up for chowin'. The wait staff were there about every 10 mins or so and he ALWAYS was checking the table out when he strolled by - I like that. You can have your formal dining experiences I LOVE THIS PLACE! The only down side is they don't have Galaga in the game room (lol) Come for the crabs, come for the shrimp, come for the service either way you "crack" it you will enjoy your visit. Hell, after writing this I'm going tomorrow night (WED) will be slow and more crabs for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee­eeeeeeeeeee... Peace

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    I drove all the way to Captain Prell's from Charles County, MD on Sunday, December 14, 2014 for their grand holiday party with all you can eat crabs, shrimp and crab legs for $39.00 per person. I arrived at 1:30pm and was shocked to see soooo many people already there. I sat downstairs and had to wait about twenty minutes or so until the waitress came over to ask if I was ordering the special. She was waiting on tables by herself. Once the seafood came, the crabs were light and mushy, the shrimp were ice cold and the crab legs were luke warm. I ordered a soda because the only alcoholic beverages they had was beer and small bottles of wine.......to make a very long story as I short as I possibly can, I don't think the Captain and his crew were prepared for the overwhelming huge crowd that they received. The waitress tried to serve everyone but, it was impossible for her to deliver hot food to all of the tables that she had to serve. I ended up just eating a few of the crab legs and hush puppies that took forever to come and was parched from waiting for refills of my soda. I felt like I wasted my money, time and gas even though this was a heck of a special. I did not ask to see a manager because it was so crowded, I felt like I would be wasting my time. I give places and people the benefit of the doubt when a situation arises that are beyond their control and that's exactly what happened. I did ask why the shrimp were cold instead of steamed and the waitress said that it was entirely too many people for them to warm them up. The guy behind the counter was nice enough to use the microwave to take the chill off of them, but it wasn't the same as having hot steamed seafood. I felt sick after trying to make myself eat the cold shrimp just so I wouldn't waste them. I wanted to cancel the special and just order from the menu but, I felt that it would have taken entirely too long. Besides, the purpose of going, was to enjoy the seafood experience at a really good price. I write this review to see if anyone else experienced the same thing and because I was disgusted with seeing our waitress give another table the crab legs that we did not eat. This was the breaking point that sent me straight out of there!

    (1)

  • Kham C.

    Been here several times. Nothing wrong with the customer service. Waiters/Waitress are pretty busy so they are straight to the point - "What do you need?" They kept fresh crabs coming so that's all it matters, right?

    (5)

  • Brandi K.

    This place is awesome! Great staff, speedy service, excellent food. You can't go wrong here if you're a seafood lover - especially in the crab department. All-you-can-eat crabs is the go-to. The crab cakes are awesome too (this is a great compliment from me, I'm so particular about my crabby patties)! Just don't expect much in the decor department - it's nonexistent. Just papered tables & local business ads. Who cares? I'm not trying to dress up & go out to play with crab guts, are you?!

    (5)

  • Leah Y.

    A true crab shack. No complaints. The crabs are a tiny bit more pricey than at the Wharf in DC but to be in Fairfax, there's no complaints. I can never eat more than a dozen crabs so I don't get all you can eat but all in all, it's simple, no muss, no fuss and to the point.

    (4)

  • Lorrie Z.

    It's great to have a place for good crabs in NoVa, but you pay for it! $50 all you can eat, but you have to pay extra for everything else - hush puppies, corn, even butter :(. If you aren't in love with picking crabs, go for another option liked steamed or fried shrimp, both yum and sized right.

    (3)

  • M C.

    This is what I call a "down home" crab house. You wont get the facy table or staff here at this place. The decor is simple, with advertisments and TV's all around the place. The table have the huge papertowels that whe all the crab, shrimp and crab leggs, melted butter, spilled Ketchup can be the least of your worries. The staff/service is quick and they allway check on how your doing to see if you want to order more...(and you will).. I allways get the mixed dinner entree of crab leggs (by the pound), steamed shrimp (by the pound), calimari (fried), chicken strips with fries and cole slaw.....followed by the bottomless "arnold palmers" (the best I have had).. grab you a t-shirt and some girl scout cookies and bring your friends, staff and family as you will walk away full with smiles on your face...As for price, not cheap, but not expensive...What I shared that I get will set you back for about $50..

    (4)

  • Chris U.

    Great quality crabs! Worth the time and money! They have all you can eat blue crab freshly delivered each day. For $50 you can have a good time. They don't seem to cut you short either.

    (5)

  • Dominique F.

    DELICIOUS CRABS! and mussels were good too, and the corn. Oh man, now I want some. Service was very good and fast! If you're planning to come here, don't wear anything fancy and be ready to smell like seafood and get dirty and maybe use a bandaid or two after smacking those crabs open :D

    (4)

  • Lisa N.

    Captain Pell's is one of the better crab houses that I've been to. It took several minutes to be greeted by the hostess, but after being seated in this large hole-in-the-wall and casual restaurant, we were happy and ready to go. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. RAW CLAMS: we ordered these b/c I've never had them before; not as good and much smaller than oysters but worth a try FRIED OYSTERS: large flash-fried oysters with a Popeye's-like batter; these were my favorite appetizer and it also came with a side of cocktail sauce FRIED SCALLOPS: came with 8-10 large scallops and a side of cocktail sauce JUMBO MALE CRABS: @ $108/dozen, these are large, but not worth the extra jump from large to jumbo in my opinion. There was a good amount of meat, but it wasn't as fresh as I had hoped SNOW CRAB: $18/lb- delicious! Juicy, plentiful, easy to break... my favorite part of the meal. KING CRAB: $29/lb- juicy as well, a little difficult to open (+) plenty of parking, snow crab, service

    (4)

  • Catherine G.

    Is it really worth the price? I'm still not sure. We went with the all you can eat option for Maryland Blue Crab but I wasn't excited about how the crabs didn't come out nice and hot. Seemed like they were back there for a while in the kitchen and not so fresh. Luckily the crabs didn't have the old smell or we would have been outta there! Decor? Well, lets just say M.W. is totally right and the advertisements around the place make it look worse than anything else. Had they even attempted to mix it up with some real decor it would have looked better. My husband said, "What did you expect?" All i know is it sure wasn't what I got. Service is very laid back...and almost none existent... Servers seem to openly chat and have fun in front of customers. For $40 a person, I'm thinking its just as sensible to order a half bushel from the guy that sells it out of his trailer on Route 50. At least you know his stuff will be fresh.

    (2)

  • Van T.

    This place is a no-frills, unassuming, brown paper tabletop crab shack that serves up all you can eat blue crabs for $40. Service is always good - it's a crab shack not a Michelin starred restaurant so if you need something just make sure you actively ask. Prices are comparable to the Wharf in DC and other places; we usually get our half/full bushels here since it's closer and more convenient. Crabs are always hot and well seasoned. Crab size is always good - medium to medium-large, never small. Apple cider vinegar and their seasoning is provided on every table, but butter is $0.50. When we feel like getting extras, hush puppies are delicious and fried oysters are nice and meaty. For those with kids or not in the mood for seafood, chicken tenders and fries are actually very good (their honey mustard is delicious)! There's also always plenty of space inside (making it great for group crab feast outings) - we've even used the bottom level for a birthday celebration. There are plenty of TVs so that every seat has a view, so it's always been a great place for us to post up on a Sunday, crack some crabs and watch football!

    (5)

  • Jean S.

    We went a few weeks ago....used to be one of our favorite spots......but the price jumped from $30 to $50 for AYCE crabs and they were just terrible!!!! Very light and watery. Not sure I will be back this summer!!

    (3)

  • Melody D.

    I don't know how it is during crab season but I would avoid this place completely during February. This was my first visit and very likely my last. I ordered 6 large male crabs, 1/2 pound of shrimp, hush puppies and coleslaw. The crabs were tough and very overcooked. They were large and had a lot of meat but the meat was very lacking in flavor. It would barely come out of the shell as it was overcooked and tough. When I would finally get the meat out of the shell, the meat would crumble apart, into dry, tiny pieces. The shrimp was also dry and overcooked. It was very lightly seasoned and not very tasty. I have had MUCH better coleslaw. The only thing that was good is the hush puppies. I didn't finish either my crabs or my shrimp because it just wasn't good. Another person in my party also ordered 6 crabs and ate only 3. This meal set me back about $90 and would have been a major disappointment even if it had only cost $30.

    (1)

  • Cristy J.

    Delicious crabs & great service! This was the first time I ever had an all-you-can-eat crab feast but the SO has had many and he thought this place was great. We did get the half-price feast (avail through Nov 20) so it was certainly a bargain. The waitress was great (forgot her name oops), the crabs were hot and we didn't have to wait at all. Absolutely nothing to complain about..sure, the decor isn't fancy but I have no idea why that would make anyone give this sort of place a negative review. If you really want fancy decor, go to some place that isn't trying to give you a good deal on your food. Plus, if you were in a fancy place wouldn't you have to worry too much about getting crab & spice all over yourself? Then where would the fun be. :)

    (5)

  • Dan C.

    Walking into this place was surreal for me. As soon as you step in you're transported to a room which one would assume be in building with beach/water vicinity. That might not sound all that appealing to some, but I found it delightful. If you have a hankering for some seafood, Captain Pell's is your place. I personally find it amusing that Red Lobster is down the road - which I find bland as hell. The prices here are moderate and the food is pretty good. I ordered some sampler platter thing, and I think it gave me a good taste of most of their items. The crab cakes are insane both in size and taste. It wouldn't surprise me if the crabs ate crack and then were made in to crab cakes. This place gets my seal of approval.

    (4)

  • Diane L.

    I came here one night with a friend because I was craving a no-frills seafood place. Some of our mutual friends backed out because they didn't like what they saw on the website but I insisted on going. I do not regret my decision at all! This place is the best place to go to when you want to roll-up your sleeves for tasty seafood without having to go to DC to the harbor! The steamed crabs were great! And the raw oysters were great and tasty! The service was very good as well! If you don't mind sitting at a table with your scraps of eaten seafood sprawled on the table along with your food then this is the place to be! It doesn't have all the silly frills that chain seafood restaurants have. You get exactly what you order.. SEAFOOD! But you must try their onion rings too! I will definitely come back!

    (4)

  • David L.

    I normally go down to DC fish market and get my crabs there. But I had a craving last week and didn't want to drive far for crabs. Now, I used to eat at Captain Pell when it was in a small white building on Old Lee Highway. Back then, it was a small, cozy place and great price. Their current location is definitely much bigger. The price is reasonable, $45 for all you can eat. They bring out a tray with a dozen crabs each time. I did manage to eat 3 trays that night. The second tray has Jumbo crabs but all has little meats. The other two trays were fine. They ran out of raw oysters that night so I only had crabs. Overall, a great place to go for your crabs hunger if you live nearby and don't want to go down to DC.

    (4)

  • Danya S.

    This place has absolute horrible service, the waiter never came to our table.... And keep in mind, THEY WERE NOT BUSY! I've never felt the need to write a bad review of a place, but this place deserves it. We had an average size group with a bill 500+, and it was a horrible experience. Crabs and steamed shrimp were Cold. Marinara sauce came can out frozen. All In all, not worth it.

    (1)

  • Ashley C.

    Don't be fooled by Captain Pell's exterior, and tacky interior. Yes, as other reviews say-the walls are filled with advertisements that I don't really care to see. What I do love about the interior is that there are TVs all around. Great spot for game days. My boyfriend and I love to go on game days and sit there for hours, and pick crabs while we watch the games. I never look at the menu here. I always get the all you can eat crab feast, hush puppies, and a dozen raw oyesters. Always yummy! Crabs can be hit or miss, but for the most part they are always hot and steamy, and always have me coming back. The service here is the best! I love that I always see the same waiters, and it's nice that they always remember us. We have one guy who is almost always our waiter, and he always jokes with us and says "see you guys next week!" (We literally go almost every week in the summer.) Another note on the service, my boyfriend and I work late everynight. The resturant is only opened til 10pm. One night we were celebrating my boyfriends promotion at work, and crabs is his and my favorite, so that seemed like the only proper way to celebrate. We got there at about 9:15 p.m. with only about 45 minutes to eat our all you can eat feast. Since the resturant closed, the owner gave us two dozen crabs to take home! Most all you can eat crab houses do not let you take crabs to go. I thought this was a really nice gesture!

    (4)

  • Maly D.

    Love this crab house! I've been going here since I was a preteen lol. Service is always great and so are the crabs! Do yourself a favor and do the all you can eat crab and also try the apple cider vinegar with their seasoning!

    (5)

  • Mac O.

    Great blue crab here, but holy hell is this place nast-ay. I kind of wanted a barrier between me and the sagging, crustified seat. Full body condom à la "Naked Gun" anyone? Despite the funk, all-you-can eat crab is always much appreciated in any dining establishment. So I fully appreciate that it's offered at Captain Pell's, and that the crab is excellent quality and cooked nicely. Although $39 is a bit steeper than elsewhere. However, when you ask a diner if they'd like drawn butter with their crab (who doesn't?), you might mention that you *charge* fifty cents for it. *Per* little container. No. I take that back. Don't mention it. Just eliminate that cheapskate practice altogether. Service is excellent, though, and the hush puppies are some of the best around. If Stanley Steemer were only allowed to get its hands on this place...

    (3)

  • Chris F.

    Captain pell's is kind of a dive when you first walk in, but the place and the parking lot did not stink of putrescent garbage the way the exterior of some seafood joints do. The first thing I noticed were the vintage video games near the door. Then the interior, it reminded me of a hospital or high school cafeteria. There are ads all over the walls and some of the ocean themed decorations on the walls are falling apart. The tables and chairs remind me of something from a card game or maybe bingo at the fire hall, they were table clothed with large pieces of brown paper. The atmosphere definitely leaves something to be desired and as I walked in I was a bit disappointed. But I decided that the reviews of their food might be right. Boy was I glad I gave it a chance, I ordered a pound and a half of king crab and it was hot, juicy and cooked just right. The crab came with potato salad and French fries, both were mediocre but really, you don't go to a crab house for the sides. The really do crab right and I would absolutely go back for crabs and beer with my buddies or my coworkers. If you are taking a woman on a date may want to skip this place unless your date is into no frills dives with great crabs. The menu has only shellfish on it with the exception of chicken finger which are also fried in the same oil as the fish so don't bring anyone here that can't eat fin or shell fish because they can only eat sides. The waitress was very polite and friendly, she screwed up my order with my wife's but quickly fixed it when we pointed out the mistake. Also it was my birthday so the waitress gave me a snickers ice cream bar free of charge. My wife and I were happy with this place and left a 20% tip. I've lived in northern Va most of my life and have driven down this stretch of lee highway hundreds of times but I never noticed captain pell's. The building is not very inviting but give them a chance, you will not be disappointed in the crab here.

    (4)

  • KeithnDonna D.

    Crazy busy Friday night...first time here. Not cheap...but portions are large and food is good! Fried oysters were large, juicy and a huge serving. Snow crab legs were perfect. Fried shrimp were a little overcooked...little too much seasoning but large portion. Service was okay...took a few times to get server's attention...but good enough to come back. Thumbs up!

    (4)

  • Jamie B.

    Fun place and great crab! We were looking for a crab place that wasn't pretentious and found it. Beers, brown paper tablecloths, and good waiters with delicious crab. Not super cheap, but reasonable for crab imo

    (5)

  • Darwin H.

    Food was good. Had oysters on half shell and they were delicious. Had the crab cake and steamed shrimp, shrimp were good not much seasoning and the crab cake was fair. Did not taste like it was fresh made, tasted like it was from a box/package. Service was great and atmosphere was great if you like "hole in the walls" like me.

    (3)

  • kem p.

    just ok

    (2)

  • Jey J.

    The food here is delicious (crabs and non crabs.) I think my downfall is the way that the restaurant looks on the outside. I drove by this place a million times and always thought it was a dingy hole in the wall. My very picky of a eater friend who also likes to go to fancy places more than usual told me that she wanted to go to a nice crab house and I said okay. When we pulled up, i didn't believe that she chose this place because of what i assumed based on the outside. Boy did it prove me wrong. Staff was very attentive and friendly. Food was delicious.

    (4)

  • Shannon A.

    Beyond bad. 39.00 per person for all you can eat crabs and 4.00 dollar bud bottles. I'll pay that price, but the crabs better not be old and smell like ammonia. These did. Never again! 39 dollars for rotten crabs is inexcusable. The hush puppies were good. DO NOT EAT HERE!!!

    (1)

  • Susie S.

    I LOVE crab! I loved this place, because the seasoning is so unique, and the atmosphere is just so so so cool (you feel like you're just at a shack right by the ocean), and the servers are very friendly. I ate more crabs than I possibly could, along with a bottle of Corona, and oh boy was life good. I personally prefer dungeoness crab. But I really couldn't complain. This place is just so good, and so fun. I'm taking away one star because I thought some of the crabs didn't have much meat in them...

    (4)

  • Serenity M.

    The perfect dive. The staff is friendly and efficient. The crabs are always cooked perfectly.

    (5)

  • Instructor S.

    I've been here twice and have had both five-star experiences. Both times I came with a large group and we had excellent service and food.

    (5)

  • Jess Y.

    Review is based on to-go orders. Crabs were piping hot. Potato salad was money. Hush puppies were good.

    (3)

  • Tierra H.

    This was boyfriend's pick. I hated it. The waitress acted like she didn't want to seat us at first. We got seated, finally. Ordered king crab legs. No. No. No. How do you NOT use Old Bay?!? Go out of business. Now! And no on tap beers? Cease to exist, dammit! Ugh! And the hush puppies . . . I've had better at Long John Silver's.

    (2)

  • JodyBob M.

    Being a Marylander I am very picky about steamed crabs.I was a bit hesitant to order from Captain Pells but I am glad that I did. These were the best steamed crabs ever!!!!

    (5)

  • Scout O.

    Great place for fresh blue crab seasoned well. The waitstaff is attentive. It definitely beats going down to the eastern shore for crabs for those looking for a quick fix. The ambiance is typical of what you'd get at a crab house- namely brown paper table coverings and plenty of napkins so you can dig down to your elbows in your crab feast. Really missed the draft beers here though- everything is bottled. Even so, I'm definitely telling my friends and family about this place and I'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Carolyn B.

    I will start by saying we haven't had much of the menu. Frankly, we come to Captain Pell's for the steamed crabs. At about $39 per person, the all you can eat steamed crab special is a good deal. Size-wise, I would say that the crabs served in the AYCE are mediums. Taste-wise, I would say they are jump up and smack your momma good. Hot, perfectly spiced and served quickly, they really are what you want when you want steamed crabs. I recommend getting there by 5:30 on the weekends if you don't want to wait in line. Our recent visit put us there just at 5:30 and we were seated immediately. We had drinks and the first order of crabs on the table in less than 5 minutes from the time we walked in the door which I think just might be a record. Our waiter was attentive; just as we were nearing the end of the current tray of crabs he was there asking if we would like another. That sir, we do. Also a big fan of the hush puppies and the sweet tea. If pressed to find something objectionable about the place, I would say that if we were butter eaters (we aren't) we might not be happy about having to pay for the butter which I think is fifty cents per tiny container. Luckily, we are all about vinegar with our crabs and that is provided gratis on the table. Captain Pells is not a fancy sit down seafood dinner kind of a place. It is a come as you are, sit down and pig out palace. Staff is superb and the food rocks. I also would like to nominate Land Shark as the official beer of the crab feast. Steamed crabs and Land Shark, a decidedly decadent duo.

    (4)

  • Michael F.

    I went with the all you can eat option and the crabs were pretty decent. The first round of crabs were perfect. They were hot and well seasoned with old bay. If the rest of the crabs that came out were as good as the first round, this would be a four star review. The second round was not as nicely seasoned and the crabs themselves seemed to have more of the gunk in them and not as much of the good meat. The flavor seemed less clean and fresh. By the third round, much of the crab came out cold and could not at all compare to the first round. We also had ears of corn that were pretty standard, which is to say that they were good but how does one not serve good ears of corn. The restaurant itself is very old, it looks like the floors haven't been replaced in 30 years as they have worn through in some places, the vibe is very divey and there are advertisements all over the walls. Not to say that this is a detraction to the place, if anything it makes it feel like an authentic crab house. As Captain Pell's is an authentic crab house, do not come here looking for anything but crab. Outside the crab, everything else on the menu appeared to be an afterthought and a member of our dining party confirmed that as she ordered the chicken strips and reported them as being lackluster.

    (2)

  • Beryl N.

    Hole in the wall type place. We missed the restaurant the first time driving by this place and had to turn around. Completely casual (t-shirt and flip flops) atmosphere and dinning experience. The decor reminds me a lot like places I've been to in North and South Carolina boardwalk beach areas. Service was fine and our waiter tried to be funny on multiple occasions so we appreciate his efforts. I had the pick two combo entree with steamed shrimps and soft-shell crab. It came with fries and cole slaw. Shrimps were a good size but disappointed that I only had one small soft-shell crab. The food was good but not amazing by any means. Two of my friends decided to share the medium size blue crabs by a dozen. $54 bucks for a dozen crabs is pretty darn expensive and the medium size had just enough meat in it. I don't want to know how small the Regular size crabs are.

    (3)

  • Devin M.

    All you can eat blue crabs outside of Maryland! $39 for all you can eat crabs. Place is not fancy at all and you sink into all the seats but who cares when you slinging crab shells everywhere.

    (3)

  • Michelle N.

    When the mood strikes to pick crabs and I'm too lazy to cook them myself or drive out to the coast, Captain Pell's is the place to go. The restaurant itself is large and often busy, and the crabs are packed. You can order them in various sizes, male or female, and they're all perfectly seasoned. What I love best is I can't eat a dozen myself, so you can order them individually. Between my cousin and I (we are addicts) we generally split a half dozen. They also have quite a menu if you don't like picking crabs. I can't speak for the other menu items, but the crabs you order come out within minutes of ordering and are nice and hot! The service is great and the staff is friendly. I believe it is a family-owned restaurant and they support fellow local businesses. The atmosphere is very dive-y and I love it. Be sure not to dress in any nice clothes or come after a fresh manicure - things do get messy, as they should!

    (5)

  • Amanda R.

    I cannot say enough good things about Captain Pell's. The portions are enormous and the food never disappoints! While I am not a crab fan, I love their steamed shrimp. If you're looking for a fancy night out, this is not the place. The tables are covered in butcher paper. Televisions are placed throughout the restaurant. My husband loves coming here during college football season because he can keep an eye on several different games. The service is friendly and quick. The restaurant is a bit noisy so it isn't a place for deep meaningful conversation. It is, however, a great place to relax, enjoy some great seafood, and people watch.

    (4)

  • Rachael K.

    Nice employees, witty jokes but the food was a little over-priced for what I received. A plate of fried shrimp, french fries and cole slaw for $20. The crabs looked great but again $42 for the smallest serving, (even in the off season) was too much. Enjoyed the atmosphere but will probably be going somewhere else for fresh seafood.

    (3)

  • Clarence J.

    [I have to caveat that my friends all very much like Captain Pell's. They're also all crab fans, which might be key to the major difference in perception.] This is a dive seafood place (which I mean in a good way!) with okay prices, especially if you're a crab fan and get their "Feast." I'm not a crab fan -- I know, it's sacrilege around here -- so was focused on everything else. It's made up of two open halls: one is gigantic with numerous tables, a long bar, and several tvs along the walls; while the other is a little smaller and somewhat more 'restaurant-like' than banquet hall-like. The furnishings are beaten down and a little uncomfortable, but people seem to go for the crab and the atmosphere more than the comfort as they drop through weak chair cushions... My difficulty with Captain Pell's really comes with the food. Lacking an interest in crab, I unfortunately was not a fan of the rest of their food. While my friends hungrily wolfed down trays of crabs with praise and gusto, I struggled through a weak appetizer, a poorly fried entrée -- awful batter and strangely tasting shrimp -- and even weaker sides. I looked around the room and only saw two other diners (out of about 40 on a weeknight evening) eating anything other than the crab feast, probably evidence that I simply took the wrong direction here. (At the "...Crab House" -- go figure.) But I was still displeased. My friends have declared that we'll keep going back - I had to put least two stars instead of one because they're clearly fans - and I'll stubbornly continue to try other things than crab-cracking. Wish me luck.

    (2)

  • Randy M.

    Blue crab are pricey, but its a great treat to splurge on the best crab on earth. Captain Pell's is a no frills crab shack. You are coming here to chow on blue crabs, mangle a finger or two, and leave reeking of seafood. They have a bunch of options for the folk not picking blue crabs, but lets be honest, you came for the blue crabs. If you have no intention of eating blue crabs, you ought to head somewhere else or be ready to watch and be splashed as others dig through crab. The service is what you can expect from a crab shack furthering the no frills experience. Plan your trip here so you dont have to wait for a table, or get your crabs to go. I just got a bushel for fathers day and they were excellent. (Bring a garbage bag/tarp to protect your car)

    (4)

  • Tim M.

    Tonight I went to captain Pells and loved it. The informal nature of the place is amazing and the crabs were great. It was amazing to see the diversity of people in the place and how many people knew members of the staff. I will definitely go back and recommend this to everyone I know.

    (5)

  • Jim S.

    I don't eat seafood at all but my girlfriend and sister do. They love this place. The service is excellent and their non-sea food options are amazing. The service and staff are always perfect. I enjoy very much visiting Capt. Pell's.

    (5)

  • Akira O.

    I paid my annual visit to the DC area to devourer beloved blue crabs. I live in NYC and am no expert of blue crabs but I enjoyed it a lot. The crabs were fresh and meaty, and the service was efficient. We waited for about 40 minutes for a table but it was worth it. It satisfied my blue crab craving for the season.

    (4)

  • Ryan Z.

    Ok, hmm... I'm torn on how to review this place. I used to live around the corner and still have memories of feasting on their all you can eat crab. I have to say that the prices are rather high and I'm turned off by all the advertisements draping the walls. I don't want to feel like I'm eating a meal in a bucket of bad commercials. Especially not when you're spending $60 per person and eating with plastic utensils and cups. The crab itself is very good. I'd recommend splitting a dozen jumbo male crabs as there is plenty of meat and it won't take you three hours and six bandages on your fingers to finish the meal. The sides are decent, but that's not what you're going there for. Try dipping the crab in the vinegar and then just barely brush it with the dry rub mixture. It's a killer combination. The waiter (owner's father, maybe?) was super friendly. I am just torn on the value proposition of spending $250 for four people to eat in what looks like a bingo hall from the 70's.

    (3)

  • Reshawna L.

    One of my best friends introduced me to this great seafood restaurant. It's by far the best in Fairfax. Move over Red Lobster. This place is authentic. We had blue crabs, hushpuppies and shrimp. One word for the shrimps "HUGE" I was thinking that they would be small. It's a down home kind of place. Come as you are. You don't go to Captain Pell's for the marble floors or great seats. You go for the great tasting seafood and lots of space. I was thinking that we would have to wait in line because there was no parking but to my surprise. They had plenty of seats. I have passed this place for almost 10 years. Now I won't pass it without going at least once a month :)

    (5)

  • Juliet K.

    all you can eat crabs for $42. not too shabby. just have to be able to at least eat 12 or its not worth the money. size of crabs will depend on the season but they were tasty. try to avoid lots of old bay if you are trying to eat for the long haul or else your lips will prune before your stomach fills. the service was great when we went. she was on top of bringing us new drinks, and kept asking if we were ready for another tray. the decor is lacking, and the chairs are not very comfortable. but at least they have TVs sprinkled around so if you want to watch games and pig out, you can!

    (3)

  • Hk N.

    Crabs were delightfully yummy and so was the friendly service! Hush puppies and clam strips were the best I've had!

    (5)

  • Darren T.

    Came home for some real Chesapeake seafood. As usual this place did not disappoint! Cold beer, crabs, and hushpuppies. Life just doesn't get any better!

    (4)

  • Edward L.

    It's a standard crabhouse. Nothing fancy. Tables covered in brown paper. They give you mallets and little knives to dig out the crab meat. There are a few TV's around the walls. We went there Saturday for brother's bday dinner and to watch the Final Four games. Most people got the dozen crabs or all-you-can-eat crabs. I got the softshell sandwich with fries and cole slaw. The softshell crab was too battered and fried for my liking but not bad. The crabs were delish. The seasoning they use (similar to Old Bay) was excellent. I found myself licking the seasoning off the shell and even pouring more onto the meat. $35 for all-u-can eat. Dozen regular-size females were $30. $40 for large females, I think. The males were a little more but I forgot how much they were. Service was just okay cuz our server had alot of tables, but he made sure to check on us whenever he could.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    Crab cakes were awful. An acquaintance did not even eat her $20 calamari dish which was super tiny. Chicken fingers were $16. Crabs were over-priced. Waitress was nice but forgot stuff. Hush puppies were OK. One of the worst places we've been to.

    (1)

  • christina c.

    Sucked. Dirty and bad service should've went to Joe's! Our waiter was high or sick. In two hours he only came back to the table once. When you pay 3 bucks for a soda you need refills.

    (1)

  • Tony P.

    At the prompting of MicheleD and Thuy, I organized a luncheon UYE to eat MD blue crabs since the season has recently started. I didn't want to make a long trek out to eastern shore MD, so I chose Captain Pell's. I know this restaurant from growing up in the area. It used to be a tiny little shack over by the junction of Old Lee Hwy and Nutley. They moved to this facility back in the late 90's which was formerly an italian dinner and theatre establishment. The facility is well-kept and roomy. The scattering of flat screen TV's showing sports event gives it a modern sporty side-theme. The service was expedient if a bit in-attentive. I had reserved 3 dozen large 'jimmies' male crabs. We had 10 people show up and half the group opted for the AYCE blue crabs. Knowing the efforts involved in eating crabs, I also ordered additional sides of steamed shrimp and fries. Thuy had ordered hush puppies for the group. The blue crabs were very good. They were covered with Old Bay but not overwhelmed with it. The 5 of us had our fill after working through the 3 dozens crabs with 2 leftover. I thought the steamed shrimp was a bit overcooked but still good. The fries and hush puppies were also decent. I gave everyone a quick lesson in the proper techniques in extracting the crab meats and we managed to clear the 3 dozen in about 2hrs. Sure you can get blue crabs cheaper if you want to make the journey out to MD eastern shore or Baltimore/Annapolis. But for convenience and availability, Captain Pell's is still one of the best choices in the area.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    Great service and great meal of unlimited crabs...just what I was looking for- paper on the tables, piles of crabs, butter and cocktail sause. Big screen TVs for football! Was a great experience and want to go back again! Definetely my idea of a crab shack!

    (5)

  • Heather T.

    I really wish I could give Pells more stars. However, after my experience last night I just simply cannot. This is one of few "dive" seafood places in the area (thats a reasonable drive im saying)... First off, yesterday being Memorial day they were pretty busy. In that case, on a holiday dont you think you would have more waiters/waitresses working? Instead there were just 4... and this place is pretty big. Our hostess wasnt very friendly, she seemed annoyed when we walked in the door. Our waitress was VERY rude. Based on other reviews im glad im not the only one that was annoyed at how long a drink refill took. It took 15 minutes to get my first drink (good thing they upgraded to bigger plastic cups because in the past they were half the size....and isnt it fair to say that seafood is super salty so having a drink is important!?) Dont even let me get to how long it took to get our check. about 15 minutes. 1 pound of snow crab legs was 14 dollars...this is 3 claws basically...and they will break off part of the legs i guess to make sure its an even pound. I think it is overpriced for the portions...a drink REFILL is 3 dollars...seriously? I am better off buying a box of crablegs from Sams club for $50...they are the same size. The old bay is on the table but I would prefer if they asked if you wanted the old bay cooked on the crabs or seperate ( since i understand some people are probably allergic). I was disappointed they were out of fried clam strips (as i was specifically in the mood for those!) The fries we got with our fried oysters entree were soggy and room temp. I left fairly disappointed as in the past it seemed like a much better experience. I know its a crab shack but I dont think they clean the floors very often and some of the chairs are falling apart. Am I being too nit picky? I would suggest maybe having the drinks be serve yourself (no they wouldnt lose much money by doing that and they would have many more happy customers) I dont think I will be back anytime soon, I feel ripped off and the service is far from friendly.

    (2)

  • Derek H.

    Old school crab shack. Thought pricing was extremely high. The service was poor. No adult supervision, too much b.s going on with their staff...

    (1)

  • Chris C.

    Sadly I can't comment on the food here this time because I never got past the phone call to the place! I am allergic to Maryland seafood and most places in MD get their crabs from other places around the country as well and often they are willing to accommodate my allergy. Upon calling Cantler's and explaining my allergy and asking if they had crabs from anywhere else, the girl said "No, we get them from MD" so I asked to speak to a manager. She spoke to someone who's answer was "They are all mixed in, no way to tell." Sadly Rick who helped me out last time was on vacation. That pretty much made up my mind. No need to drive to Fairfax. Oh...and this was for my birthday dinner. Less. Than. Helpful.

    (1)

  • Susan H.

    No doubt the specialty here is crabs. Look around the dining room and what you will see is people attacking huge piles of crabs. However, there are other menu options. I like crabs but sometimes I just don't want to have to fight with my food. Thus, when we went to Captain Pell's, I ordered the soft shell crabs and my husband had the fried scallops. You get 2 soft shell crabs with the order---and they were quite good. My husband enjoyed his scallops. Both came with French fries and coleslaw. This place isn't in the least bit fancy. The utensils are plastic, the napkins paper and every table is covered with brown paper---typical of a crab house. Despite it being somewhat busy when we arrived, service was still prompt---so prompt that I had started to read the history of the place that's on the menu and the server was there before I had a chance to finish reading! Also, the food was at our table quickly, too. As other yelpers pointed out, the ambiance is zero---but that's ok. The walls are decorated with advertisements for local business. Any empty wall space has a sign offering the empty spot for rent! The basically unpaved parking lot can get quite cramped if you arrive at a busy time. There are no marked spots which can make parking kind of tricky. Still, it's a good place to go if you want crabs but have others in your party that would like to have something else.

    (4)

  • John L.

    OK so this is not the place to take your Korean mother. Well, my mom anyway (she does not like eating with plastic utensils), but if you are in the mood for AYCE crabs, it's a solid place to go. My wife get's the females and right now they have some eggs in them. The fried oysters are fantastic..the fries are OK. Don't expect ambiance like Pappadeauxs (in Austin, TX) and you'll be OK.

    (3)

  • Renada N.

    I have passed this place hundreds of times and when i finally went i was kicking myself for not going sooner. We went strictly for the crabs. I like how you just go in sit down and "crush". As a Virginia girl born and bred i know good blue crab. The crabs taste fresh but then again i went the usual "crab season", i will def be trying it when i usually crave crab the most. Fall.

    (4)

  • Katrina L.

    With regards to our take out order, I found that the hush puppies were great. The fried clams were over breaded and not particularly memorable. They unfortunately were out of female crabs, I'd suggest calling ahead to make sure they have what you want. We ordered half a bushel of crabs to-go, and they were ready very quickly and packed neatly. The crabs tasted great and quite a few of them were nice and fat. With regards to service, I was impressed particularly with the speed of our order and level of patience the staff had with my indecisive self.

    (4)

  • Bob F.

    Service was attentive but the food was mediocre.Fried calamari,oysters and softshell crab were all fried to death and coated in a salty breading that did nothing to add to the flavor.Should have had the steamed crabs.

    (2)

  • Cathy Y.

    Great service and pretty good seafood. The crab balls were outstanding

    (4)

  • Miss E.

    Not bad, not bad. This is a chintzy little crab place next door to Red Lobster on Lee Highway. Their menu is mostly crabs, so don't be disappointed to find out they have very few side dishes or other entrees. You can do the all-you-can-eat whole crabs or buy them by the dozen, or you can buy king crab legs or snow crab legs by the pound. My BFs whole crabs came out immediately, which means they weren't very hot. Plus, my king crab legs were overdone. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, but he got a little slow towards the end of the meal. I guess once you've eaten at Canter's Inn in Annapolis, it's hard to find anything that compares. At least Pell's is little cheaper. To sum up: I've had better, but if you're looking for a crab fix in Fairfax, Pell's will get you where you need to go! Note: they only serve beer in cans.

    (3)

  • Peter K.

    A landmark of the Fairfax, VA area. I remember Capt. Pell's when they were in their original shack off of Rt.29 and Nutley before they moved into this renovated Chinese restaurant (Shanghai I believe it was called). Well, remember when you could get a bushel of cabs for about $50 10 to 15 years ago? Well, those days are gone! A dozen large males will cost you $80 and a dozen jumbos (if they ever have them) will run you $110!!! If you do have money to burn on very little food, eat the crabs, DO NOT order any side (Way over priced). $3 for a single corn on the cob!?! $3 of 1.oz cup of coleslaw!?!?! COME ON!?!

    (2)

  • marc a.

    There are plenty of good crab houses to choose from in a 60 mile radius around DC. And as a crab lover, I've tried a lot of them since I moved back to the DC area in 2008. In terms of the best single crab meal I've had since I arrived, Captain Pell's is IT! I don't think I've sat down to a bigger, sweeter, plumper half dozen crabs without a bad one in the bunch at any other place, but that is exactly what I had today at this place. OK, so the decor is a sort of mechanic's shop chic, the service is unexciting, and if you don't like crabs or fried seafood you're sort of out of luck. Those things knock it down a star. But as far as the crabs go, this place was six stars. Can't wait to try again to see if I can make it a dozen without a bad one, as that would easily be a record.

    (4)

  • Jen M.

    When it comes to eating my beloved Blue Crabs, my preference is to go down to Maine Ave and buy a dozen crabs to eat at home (much cheaper and a great experience on a nice sunny morning.) But of course in cases when I can't get there from the 'burbs or don't feel like cracking crabs and spilling Old Bay all over my dining room, Captain Pell's is the place. This is a great restaurant for a group or family outing. Everything seemed to be overpriced except for the All You Can Eat crab special. Which works out for me since I can put away crabs like nobody's business. Mallet and other crab picking instruments are offered, but no thank you, those are for the WEAK! Other than the fantastic AYCE experience: The sides (hush puppies, cole slaw, and french fries) are ok. The atmosphere is, well, a large-scale down and dirty place to sit and pick your crabs over brown paper covered tables. They're open all year round Service is so-so depending on how busy they are (it can get quite busy in there) Please don't bother with anything but the crabs. As you can see from the other Yelp reviews, you'll just be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Brenda D.

    The seafood here is fresh and delish! They have the biggest crabs I have ever seen. I would recommend getting the crabs and crab legs. If you get the seafood platters, it's mostly fried stuff and will fill you up fast. This place is really popular on weekends and parking and waiting can be a bit of a pain, but it's worth it in the end!

    (4)

  • Jessica J.

    Pretty much any crabhouse is going to get a decent rating from me just for being a crabhouse (I'm a Maryland girl and I love my blue crabs!), but I have a few issues with this one that led to the mediocre rating. 1) No draft beers and hence, no pitchers. May not seem like a big deal, but enjoying a nice pitcher is part of the crab-eating social experience! 2) No outdoor seating. Just throwing some picnic tables outside would make a big difference. Although they have crabs here all year, it's really a summertime thing, and it's so much nicer eating them outside. 3) They dont have Old Bay, they have some random brand of seasoning. 4) The all-you-can-eat crab feast only comes with crabs and, if available, corn on the cob. Obviously, the crabs are the main feature, but I like it when crabhouses also throw in some other stuff like fries or crab soup or chicken, just so you have a little something else to nibble on to complete the meal. I realize these are all just little issues, but they combine to make the experience just kind of off. The quality of the crabs varies; we've had some good ones, and also some that were small and not very meaty. There are just so few crabhouses around here though that we still end up here fairly often, and it's not bad, just not as great as it could be. I prefer Quarterdeck in Arlington, but that's further away from us, and otherwise, I'm not aware of any other crabhouses in NoVa--there really just isn't much to choose from.

    (3)

  • Ashley W.

    Crabs are great and I love eating here. We go every year for my birthday. Fried soft shell crab and oysters are ok too but I always get. Crabs.

    (4)

  • Johnson H.

    I went here for the first time and it was BUSY!! only a couple of parking spaces available when I got there. I guess people were there for the same reason my friends and I were there for. All you can eat crabs for $36. I'm not saying it was the cheapest or most expensive just stating that that's their price. They were all male blue crabs that was served to us. Out of the 12 crabs I had one I that was getting not no fresh. So that's not too bad. I would go back to this dive if I was craving to have blue crabs.

    (3)

  • Alan N.

    Captain Pell's is a crapshoot when it comes to dinning here, sometimes the crabs are perfect and huge and other times it seems like your eating bottom of the barrel crab. When this place is busy, the service can start to lack and it'll take some time to get your drinks refilled. On the good days this place is where everyone should go but I would still prefer going to the Wharf and picking up a bushel of crab from there for a crab bake at the house with friends.

    (3)

  • Stephanie R.

    So I made my first trek to Captain Pell's tonight. As I'm from Chicago, the crab shack is a fairly new experience to me, but hey, I love crab and I figured since I've relocated, its time to learn how to pick apart a blue crab. So first, the AYCE special ($36) is a pretty good deal. I ate 10 crabs (and I'm a fairly little person so this seemed like a lot to me) and picked them all apart with my fingers and my little mallet. I liked that there was Old Bay on the table (sooo delicious). The service was quick and prompt so that's awesome. My only complaint was that there was nothing accompanying the crabs. While the crabs filled me up, I would have loved some fries or something else without having to pay extra...but that's a small complaint. Decor--typical crab house, lots of TVs with sports on which was great. I'd definitely go back.

    (4)

  • G.W. P.

    When you consider all that goes into making a successful crab house--things such as convenient location; parking; fast, friendly service; and (of course) the product and its preparation--you have to salute this business for making it look easy. Captain Pell's has such a large customer base because it pays attention to details.

    (5)

  • ron l.

    My son and I visited Capt. Pells in the middle of June and we returned on July 10 for more crabs...Our previous visit we ordered the ayce but this time we split a dozen large crabs....he also had the steamed shrimp and I ordered fried shrimp and fries... The crabs were tasty, meaty, and arrived hot....after eating a few of his steamed shrimp, my son complained that his were over cooked, making it hard to take the shells off. The waitress replaced his remaining shrimp with new ones and the replacements were cooked the same way.. No excuse for this as steamed shrimp are very easy to cook and even the nice sized ones he had shouldn't take long to cook. Someone needs to have a talk with the cooks...also shrimp over steamed are chewy and almost tough when biting into them, which they should not be... My fried shrimp were slightly overcooked and this was a disappointment to me...I have a sneaking feeling that most of their fried items are overcooked as a rule. ON my next visit I plan on ordering the fried oysters. If these are overcooked I plan on obtaining the name of the manager or even owner and sending him/her a nice but critical letter on the food preparation.... A little monitoring by the manager or better still spot checking on orders seems to be in order...One reason I believe this problem persists is that most people don't recognize overcooked shrimp, but as we all know when removing the shells from them, there should be no problem with this process.....

    (3)

  • Dan G.

    Typical crab shack type place with NOVA prices. Food is good but outrageously priced for what you get. Crabs are normally double the cost of other nearby crab places although there really are not many so they know they gotcha! Make the trip out to blue ridge seafood or to arlingto at quarter deck as pricing is much better and food is better. You pay for convenience and that about all!

    (2)

  • Skippy A.

    I have to laugh at the reviewers that say that Pell's is "sketchy" or "dingy" - not that I don't respect your opinions, but if you had seen where Pell's used to be located you would've never stopped, let alone entered the Shack. Their originial location was a small building that had [maybe] 10 tables and was probably smaller than most of your living rooms - it was cramped. I love the new location - although there can be a wait at times - it is nothing like the old place - you are almost guaranteed a seat on a Friday night - not so at the former Shack. With that noted - Captain Pell's rocks! It is exactly what a crab shack should be - ice cold beer, hot crabs [AYCE! YAY!], brown paper covered tables with mismatched chairs, old bay....just awesome. Our kids grew up learning to pick their own crabs at Pell's and one of the reasons we love them is because of the family atmosphere. At first the kids would start out with one or two crabs of their own and a few sides [awesome fries and hushpuppies] and have since graduated to their own AYCE - around the age of 8-9. If they want to eat they pick their own. Mom and Dad are busy! :) Yes, they do charge for additional soda and butter - but our kids are only having one soda and then water while Mom and Dad are drinking the ice cold [coldest beer in town, I swear] cans of Bud - so we don't feel the pinch of multiple sodas. As for charging for butter - what is up with folks dipping blue crabs in butter? Butter isn't cheap, so I don't blame them for charging the additional .50 cents, but butter doesn't belong on blue crab anyway - and the vinegar is free. [Just my opinion] So again - no worries for us. Onto the crabs - I cannot tell you how many times we have eaten at Pell's - too numerous to count over 15 years - but every.single.time - be it eat in or take out - our crabs have been good size, meaty and hot. Never once have we been disappointed. That says a lot considering how often we have been. If you order Jumbos, that is what you get - order AYCE? They are still good size and male [which we prefer] but they have always been meaty. And they are seasoned just right - not too much old bay, but keep the napkins handy - crab picking is serious biz.. Service is always great. Somehow we seem to almost always have the same server time and again [he is related to the owner] and he has watched our kids grow and has seen us go gray. He is attentive, quick and has a wonderful demeanor that shows that he really loves his job. We were happy to see they dragged the juke box with them from the old location - we spend quite a few dineros everytime we go because the selection is so great and varied, something for everyone. The video games are a nice touch for when the kids get antsy and Mom and Dad are still pickin'. One star off only because I do have to agree with other posters that mentioned the bathrooms - Clean enough, but there is a lingering smell inside. Then again - thinking back to the old Pell's Shack it was quite a feat to squeeze into the ladies room [closet ?] after a few Buds back in the day. Ahh, I was younger and more limber then. If you love Chesapeake blue crabs as we do and live in NOVA - there is only one place to go - and that is Capt. Pells. PS - and if anyone has a complaint with the price? Pick up a newspaper and read about the scarcity of our beloved blue crabs - the demand has outweighed the supply for quite a few years her in the Chesapeake region, thus forcing basic economics. But? If you love 'em the AYCE is the way to go.

    (4)

  • Philip L.

    This place has been around forever and hasn't changed much at all (besides moving to this bigger location). It does what it does very well and unless you want to drive hours for the possibility of better crabs, this is the spot. Positives: the seafood is delicious and tastes fresh, when corn is in season it's a wonderful addition. It's a messy crabhouse with great food, say no more. Negatives: if you wait too long the butter will solidify in your cup. sometimes you can injure your fingers and then it's an uphil battle.

    (4)

  • Kareem S.

    I ordered a dozen of large crabs on a Sunday. The crabs were heavy and meaty, but they tasted as if they were cooked a day or two before and reheated. That was a slight disappointment. Corn was Ok, but I've had better. The price of $84 a dozen of large was a bit above other places. Over all an average experience.

    (3)

  • Brian V.

    Let's just say it came down to $100 including tips for only two people. The crabs were dry and had little meat inside them. The service was horrible! We had to keep on asking the waiter to refill drinks and they never came to check if anything was alright. I would recommend buying a bushel of crabs at the DC fisher market ($170) to feed a party of 8 people instead. Definitely learned my lesson by coming here....never again!

    (1)

  • Eric V.

    3.5 stars. I love crabs. I LOVE crabs. I LOVE CRABS! My favorite meal in the entire world is Chesapeake Blue Crabs steamed with Old Bay Seasoning. There are some close seconds but we are not here for that. Crabs. Their crabs are good. I went for the all you can eat for $36. I ate 18 crabs. A good bargain based on price and they were full so I, in turn, was full. They don't use true Old Bay but it's still pretty good. Their crabs are what I call "wet steamed". I don't know what causes it but it has to do with the way they are steamed. Maybe it's the heat of the steam, the length of time they are in the steam, the ingredients of the steam... I don't know. For example: When I steam at home with equal parts beer, vinegar, water, I don't get the "wetness" that these crabs have. It's not bad, just different and it leaves a coating on parts of the shell and the insides are really moist, almost too moist. Pop the shell and water pours out. Squeeze the side of the body and water pours out. Again, they weren't bad. I ate 18 of them and loved it, but compared to home steamed or places like Cantler's... I prefer Cantler's. There's just not as much water in Cantler's or home steamed crabs. Anyway, the place has a very lunch room cafeteria style feel. Tall 20 foot ceilings. Tons of four top tables covered with brown paper. Large local advertising signs all over the walls. Big TV's tuned to sports. My waitress was very sweet and attentive but I did notice some semi-"guidos" behind the bar talking and texting on their phones and eating food from the kitchen in plain view of the full house of patrons. Kinda tacky, but this place is simple and a bare bones crab and beer house so I tried to ignore their desire to not be there. It doesn't help the atmosphere when the employees obviously want to get off work. Would I go back? Of course! It's close, clean, and good. And to all of you complaining that it takes too much work and effort to pick a blue crab... YOU'RE NOT DOING IT RIGHT. Put your mallets down, pick up your crab knife and watch this kid. He has it right! youtube.com/watch?v=kUW6…

    (3)

  • Lenny G.

    Jumbos were great, service is always friendly and the staff seems to be the same. Meaning they take care of their own. Never disappoints, will even reserve crabs til u get there! Great for a weekend party!

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    Had to drive to Dulles for some business and was in the mood for some crab legs. Found Captain Pell's on google maps search. Got 2 lbs of Snow Crab legs ala cart; didn't want any sides. Bring on the crab! Man these were the best snow crab legs I can remember having in a while. They were huge for snow crab and were cooked perfect. Decided to order a side of hush puppies after spying a couple with a basket near by. Hush puppies were average, but I came here for crab and the Snow Crab was excellent! There is nothing fancy about the interior, but the staff is friendly and did I mention the crab :) Highly recommend. I've got to try the blue crab next time!

    (5)

  • Trevor J.

    I had never been to this place before, but had noticed that their parking lot is usually full. After eating there this afternoon, I can't understand why. Ridiculously overpriced fare in a super-casual environment. To be fair, they do have free refills on their 3-dollar sodas, and if you haven't played Galaga, Pac-man, Donkey Kong and a slew of other mid-80's video games in a while, you can do so in the lobby. Never again.

    (2)

  • Ryan S.

    Blue crab and king crab always come out hot and delicious. I usually get some fries or hush puppies to offset all the seafood which are hot right out of the fryer. I like that this place is very casual and friendly. You can expect the waiters to take a minute to talk to you or joke amongst each other while they are working. When I'm craving some crab in the D.C. area, this is where I go. The crab is always fresh and never disappoints.

    (5)

  • Roo N.

    This is my joint and its been in my life since 2006...having move to VA from MD. I use to eat little dinky crabs from Jerry's seafood (as we buy them by the bushell for 25-30 bucks)...but then being introduce to this place..I have now been promoted to Large crabs, sometimes Jumbo... God bless crabs! I get full with 3 large crabs, basket of fries, some fried oysters and hush puppies for sure!! I'm always bugging my husband to PLEASE take me here and treat me well... I live for this type of stuff!

    (5)

  • Freddy P.

    This place is the nice and lowbrow joint i was made for. It wasn't what i would call very clean and not a place for the Anaphylaxtic. They do charge for butter, i thought this was strange. As for the speed of service it was very fast. Thats what a limited menu can get you. But the beer is cold and crabs are fresh, and thats what counts

    (3)

  • Stephanie M.

    I ate here for the first time on Sept. 18th. I've driven past the place a million times but was always afraid to try it in fear of getting sick. Then I found out that one of my closest girlfriends and her family swore by the place, so I figured it had to be okay. As some of the other reviews have stated, the service wasn't the best. The woman waiting on us must have thought she was in a competition or something. She pushed us through ordering VERY fast. She was on top of bringing us refills for our drinks, though, and if we needed anything it wasn't hard to get her attention. The crabs were amazing! I'm not sure if I've ever had crabs with that much flavor. A dozen of the regular male crabs was plenty for two adult men and one woman. The other woman in our party got the crab cake sandwich. Those of us eating crab also had one order of raw clams, an order of hush puppies and a dozen steamed shrimp. More than enough food! The price surprised us as well. All that food for under $80. This is one place my boyfriend and I are going back to for sure.

    (4)

  • Colleen F.

    This place was great! Enjoyed the food, service was fast and friendly! I will be back! :)

    (5)

  • Jillian R.

    Nice environment and the crabs and service are great, but all of the sides except the hush puppies are terrible. The place maybe a bit overpiced.

    (4)

  • Randy W.

    I was a bit skeptical of Captain Pell's prior to actually eating here. I had driven past the place dozens of times when I lived in the area but thought it looked sketchy. So when my usual favorite crab location was closed I decided to give Pell's a shot. Now I don't expect a crabshack to be clean by any stretch of the imagination, but Pell's is really filthy. As Vinnie T points out, there are flies a-plenty here. Oh, and the bathrooms have the rich aroma of an overflowing port-a-potty in the Summer. Pell's has an all-you-can-eat deal on the crabs which will not benefit anyone but the biggest of eaters. A dozen large crabs is really more than enough for 2 people. The crabs are good enough but they skimp a little on the Old Bay. If you aren't ordering crabs there's very little worth ordering here.

    (2)

  • Tracy H.

    All you can eat crabs that you crush with a mallet for $36 a person.

    (5)

  • Meghan R.

    If you are in the mood for some blue crabs Captin Pells is the place. About the time Memorial Day hits I am getting a serious craving for a beer and blue crabs. Thank goodness Captin Pells has been there to hit the spot for years. Now this place is not perfect, it needs a facelift, beer on draft, faster waitstaff with an attitude adjustment and to remove the female crabs from the menu (grrr). But that being said I have never had an over cooked mushy batch of crabs (which seems to happen more often then not at other places) and I think they season the crabs well. All in all when your craving some blue crab Captin Pells is the spot!

    (4)

  • Mimi P.

    I was on a raw oyster craze when I visited this place and left here very satisfied with my oyster fix.

    (4)

  • Amy N.

    This place is a pretty standard crab shack. We got a dozen of medium crabs which were lik 45$ a dozen. (something like that) Also, i got an order of cole slaw and half a dozen of raw oysters. The crabs were really good. They were a nice size a lot of meat for being medium sized. The only thing i had no idea about was the sides seem to be for individual sized and not made to share. The cole slaw i ordered came in like a mini plastic container (the same container they used for like butter etc). Our crabs weren't seasoned in old bay but there was old bay at our table for us to use. The only thing that was ehh to me was they actually charged 50 cents per container or butter. And the containers were really small. Other than that, this was a pretty standard crab shack. It was nice seemed very family oriented. The only thing that really sucked was parking. The lot is small and if they are really busy i can imagine being frustrated. But this place is pretty good

    (3)

  • Adam Y.

    crab feast :D hahaha They are very very close to where I live and its a crab place. I've read a few bad reviews about hte place on Yelp but we decided not to do the 3 hour drive to the usual crab place. The crabs were pretty good and the prices were even better. This will note replace the crab place that we usually frequent (crabs came out a little too fast and just didn't taste as good as the usual place) but I will definitely be back next summer!

    (4)

  • Ross M.

    Nothing about this place was good. The service is nonexistent. Crabs are not cooked to order. Meals come out at all different times and some 20 minutes apart. We ordered a dozen large, a dozen medium, king crab, and the flounder. In 5-7 minutes we got the 2 dozen crab. None of our sides or butter came out until 15 minutes after. The same time we finally got our butter the flounder was served. Still no luck on the king crab. Ten minutes later after getting up to see a manager to complain it took another 5 minutes to come out. Drink refills sit up at the bar while 3 staff members stare at the tvs and don't help get the drinks out. Moral of the story, if location is your only concern then maybe, but piss poor service coupled with crappy crab not cooked to order is simply disappointing. Drive to quarterdeck, period.

    (1)

  • Kat R.

    Is a crab shack. the propotions are big and the overall appearance is ok. I would defintely go back. They serve steamed seafood...i recommend eating crabs or the spice shrimp. The sweet ice tea was not good though. The hush puppies are pretty good. Don't wear nice clothes because the chairs are dirty with old bay...

    (3)

  • Darren G.

    Fun place to go with a big group who loves seafood. Snow crab legs, hushpuppies, and cold beer in a casual dining hall. Just don't expect a lot of variety beyond seafood and side dishes.

    (4)

  • Len B.

    Laid back, run down location that specializes in crabs. Somewhat expensive crab options. On my last trip there we had fried scallops, which were a little undercooked. However, the serving size was worth the high cost.

    (2)

  • Yan W.

    So the place is what one would describe as akin to a ... "biker joint." The place is grungy, smoke filled, there's shells and juice from the clams, oysters, and crabs all over the floor. You walk in feeling you already have a beard, at least three tattoos, and might get stabbed at any moment.... I've been going to this place before it moved to its current location when it was a stringed together trailer car. The thick brown (think grocery paper bag) table"cloth" is still the norm, but the service is noticeably better, and i think their signature vinegar sauce is better too! (I think, I was like 2, so my memory could be all messhed up, and yes, we eat crab when we are 2 in our family, the shells make your stomaches grow strong). All that said, the food is pretty good. Although the prices aren't the best around that's probably because we've overfished the MD blue crab. Of course it depends on the season, the weather, the direction of the moon, and if a wolf howled during the night; but most of the time, the MD blue crab here is pretty good. The males of course have better meat, and if you are into the "brains," like me, the females here are cheaper and good too! The steamed clams were also good, but particularly memorable were the oysters.

    (3)

  • Vanessa P.

    It's been a while since I've been to Captain Pells... I don't really have any complaints about the place. It was decently priced (I think this was 5 or 6 years ago though haha), the decorum is (probably still) light and airy with high ceilings, the portions were plentiful and fresh... overall a good seafood restaurant for being so far inland!

    (5)

  • Shawn Y.

    Standard Seafood/Crab joint. Brown paper covered tables. No elegant seating. Decent, friendly service. We go there to get the All you can eat crabs. For 35 bucks, you can't beat that. The crabs are usually hot and fresh, mostly meaty. Sometimes we would get a tray of fresh crabs before we asked. Small plastic cups for soda but free refills. Downside is no draft beers and you pay for cups of butter. I go back when I can although with tax and tip it is pricey. I would recommend this place for anyone in the area.

    (3)

  • Jose G.

    Good food, great service, sit on the left side the waiter on that side is great.

    (5)

  • Melody H.

    All of the bad reviews here for Captain Pell's generally come from people who got fried stuff. Take note. My family likes to keep it simple: 1.5 dozen jumbo male steamed crabs (they are bigger, so you get more meat for less work) and a dozen oysters on the half-shell served with lemon wedges and tabasco. We've never been disappointed. Yes, it's dingy, but it's supposed to be that way. It's not like health code violation gross or anything; it's just supposed to be a frickin' crab shack! Get down and dirty! Use all of your fingers! Don't be shy about it. Who cares if you have an Old Bay mustache and butter dribbling down your chin? No one here will judge you.

    (4)

  • Scott T.

    Service was good, beers were cold, hush puppies were awesome! Crab cakes, shrimp, scallops, all fried! Guess I should have gotten the crabs since it's a crab house! Not sure I would go back.

    (2)

  • Leslie A.

    I went here with my parents for lunch on the Fourth of July for the AYCE crabs. My experience was great! First of all there was no wait, we were able to be seated immediately. Based on another yelp review we ordered some hush puppies, which were pretty tasty but really we were there for the crabs. Although there were a few crabs that weren't that great (crab lovers would immediately recognize a crab cooked after it died, not good BUT with how many people there were I imagine it would be pretty difficult to prevent that from happening), overall the crabs were awesome. Most of them were good sized blue crabs that were seasoned well. And the service was amazing! The service staff were so great! As soon as we would be finishing on our last crab someone would already be bringing in our next hot and freshly steamed batch. The bathrooms downstairs were also cutely decorated; felt like I was at the beach for a moment. Definitely a great crab place to go to if you can't be by the ocean and live in the DC/NoVA area. Can't wait to visit again. :)

    (4)

  • Michelle P.

    When I think of a crab house I picture people pouring over gigantic trays of crabs and carefully extracting all the meat they can. I see them laughing and joking with big pitchers of beer and maybe a black and white screen showing a baseball game in the back. At captain pell's this is not what you see. There are giant HDTVs lining the walls and people drinking bottled beer. Seriously! What kind of crab shack does not have pitchers of beer? I did not eat the crabs all though the one person in our group that did said that they were not very meaty and somewhat cold. I went for the clam strips and got a side order of french fries and cole slaw. I really liked the clam strips. They seriously seemed to be the best part out of anyones meal! The fries were lackluster but i loved the bottle of vinegar on the table. My number one complaint was that they gave you individual little things of ketchup. I'm a big fan of ketchup so i go through that so quickly its kind of frustrating. I tried the hush puppies and even though i had been craving them for months, they were definitely a let down. I really wanted Capt Pell's to be awesome, but i was very disappointed in its lackluster performance.

    (3)

  • Gary S.

    Bring some wet naps! I watched my gross friend Sig eat so many craps, I was concerned about the species becoming endangered. He was covered in crab meat and his chin glistened with butter. He had a wooden hammer in one hand and was eating a crab like some would eat an apple. The smell of old bay smacks you in the face as soon as you open the door. I want to put a sign "Gluttony lives here" (Thats a good thing) This is a place to roll up your sleeves and get to some beer and crabs. Bring your gross hungry friends and enjoy the show. "They had no Crabby Pattys on the menue"

    (4)

  • Michelle S.

    Any place that's serving blue crabs in Feb is going to get a good review form me. Having moved out of the area a few years ago, I jump at the chance to have blue crabs whenever I can. I'd heard of Cap't Pell's before but have never been there. The brown paper on the tables in a wide open space was quite inviting. It signaled for me to roll up my sleeves and get busy shelling crabs. We started with a basket of hushpuppies that arrived piping hot but I didn't understand the cocktail sauce that accompanied them. When we were able to grab our server, we did and got some melted butter for dunking them in. They must've been short on staff the night we went as there were just two guys running their butts off. But the waiter we had was still super nice. The crabs were really, really good. Not the best I've ever had but again for Feb, they were damn good. We did have a couple that we probably could've complained about but I was satisfied just with getting my fix. Next time I'm in the area, I'll definitely be making a stop here again!

    (4)

  • Viviane T.

    Each summer my family and I either buy crabs and steam them at home or else we drive the long four hours to Ocean City MD for their crab house. This year, being busy and not knowing where to go to buy the Maryland Blue Crabs, my boyfriend and I yelp-ed for a crab house in the area not expecting much... Thank goodness for Captain Pell's and all the Yelpers or else we would not had try this place out. I've seen this place many a times while driving around town, but didn't think it would be like the true Maryland crab house, but boy was I wrong. Upon entering, you can smell the seafood aroma like nothing else exists. Once seated, all you can do while waiting for your waiter/waitress is read the advertisements on the walls. We breezed through the menu, and decided on the $35/person all you can eat crabs. Within minutes, a dozen of those fabulous freshly steamed crabs appeared on our table. If you go during corn season, they do pair the crabs with corn on a cob...yummy! The crabs were good, even though it was on the small side, however, our waiter was a little on the slow side. For the most part, it was good, but nothing is going to beat the traditional Ocean City Maryland crab house...this place deserves the 4 stars. Oh yes, it is year around...

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    I've been going to Cap'n Pell's for as long as I can remember. The staff is friendly and the service is remarkably quick considering how full the place is on most nights. My party usually starts off with an array of appetizers including fried oysters, clam strips, steamed shrimp, hushpuppies and onion rings. All are great! Next, it's on to the crabs. Though not cheap, you'll not find better steamed crabs this side of the Chesapeake. I'd ask the server what size he/she recommends that night and go with that as occasionally the large and jumbos are not as heavy as the mediums. They've always been honest with me. As far as decor, don't go here if you're looking for a romantic night out! It's a typical crab house, and does not pretend to be anything else.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth C.

    I ordered a half dozen blue crabs and fries. I was asked if I wanted melted butter for the crab. Of course! So, the food was good and as I slowly and meticulously picked through my crab, the little cup of butter congealed as I was on crab #4.5. The air conditioning is set to icy cold so not surprising. I asked for some fresh butter and it was delivered promptly. As I reviewed the check I noticed there was an up charge of $.50 for the butter. Isn't that kind of like charging for the ketchup for your fries? To add to the insult I was charged an additional up charge for the fresh butter that replaced the congealed stuff. I said something to the waiter and he basically blew me off. Maybe I should have deducted from the bill for several missing claws. For a place that charges a hefty price for blue crabs, up charging for melted butter and then double charging for butter that has totally congealed before I could finish my meal left me feeling that this place only cares about making as much as they can with little regard for customer service. And I didn't even get a wet nap. I won't be going back.

    (3)

  • Kathleen B.

    I should preface my review by saying that I went March 1...not during crab season. The best part of this restaurant was that it's soundtrack was straight out of The Wedding Singer. Second best? The french fries. REALLY good fries!! My friend had the king crab legs which were very tasty; then again anything is tasty when you dunk it in a cup of melted clarified butter. I myself had the steamed shrimp which were very large and a good. Fried scallops were forgettable and had some grit. Hush puppies were very small and bland. Probably some of the worst crab cakes I have ever had...so much filler.

    (2)

  • Gene I.

    Obviously, you can head out to the Eastern Shore to get crabs for much less but for those of us who live in Nova, it's not always that easy or convenient to head out in that direction. I enjoy eating here or calling ahead to pick up!

    (4)

  • C F.

    I was so excited to have found a place that serves all you can eat blue crabs that I didn't have to drive all the way to the beach for and soooo disappointed after my experience here. The place looks like a complete dive with cheap advertisement posters all over the walls and extremely gross looking broken chairs (server said they were left over from previous restaurant) you might want to lay a couple of napkins on them before you sit. The all you can eat crabs were $42 per person which I don't mind paying but to be told that the most expensive item on the menu is the only one that doesn't come with sides was a shocker and then to be offered butter, which I didn't really want, and be charged for it was an irritation along with being charged for refills on soda that I had to wait 30min to even see the server and flag him down and ask for was the just the icing on the cake. The crabs brought out on a tray and half were barely warm and the other ice cold. This place was a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! On top of all that on my way out there was a group of men smoking and drinking their beers from the place (with the establishments permission) in the parking lot which I know to be a HUGE ABC violation and makes me wonder what other violations they may have:/. I REALLY REALLY suggest not going here!

    (1)

  • Judith L.

    When you live in this area, there's really no place else to go for some steamed crabs. I grew up traveling to Maryland to visit family and eat crabs, so when summer rolls around there are bound to be visits to this place. If you're thinking of a nice, formal dinner- look elsewhere, but if you're looking for good food, a cold beer, and a good atmosphere to eat with friends that share your love of crabs- look no further. The inside is big and filled with tables, chairs, and tvs. I go purely for crabs- and you can eat there or call in an order. The quality and size of the crabs really depends on the day and time that you go. I've also called in and picked up orders and taken them home to my family, and I've never had any complaints about what I received. If you're hungry- and your group is capable of eating more than couple dozen, get the all you can eat.

    (4)

  • james b.

    We've been going here for crabs since they were in the Quonset hut down the road. There are better crab houses if you want to drive down to the Bay - but in the DC area, I don't think you can top the Captain's. Just what a crab house should be: noisy, crowded, raucous. We generally order by the dozen, not the all you can eat, but sometimes the all you can eat is a better value; mostly the wait staff has been honest in advising us. The crabs are always done to perfection. Side dishes? Who cares about side dishes? It's a crab house, for pity's sake. Wish they had a better beer selection and some good beer on tap, but that's a quibble. Where else can you find a restaurant that rents out every inch of wall space for advertising?

    (5)

  • Mostafa E.

    Really awesome crab house loved crab,crab cake, & calamari.

    (4)

  • Louise K.

    This place was OK except the service was pretty bad. The server forgot the corn that we ordered and she was pretty much non-existent. 1. Alaskan crab legs were good but painful to eat due to the spikes on the legs. Ma fingers still hurt like hell! 2. Fried Oysters were amazing but after 1 or 2, I was trying to take off breading. So greasy, So good ,however, who needs all that lard in your body. 3. Hushpuppies were ehh. 4. Fish sandwich was gross. 5. Spiced shrimp were meaty and good. 6. Loved the atmosphere, the different age groups, if it wasn't for the shitty service, it would have been perfect setting ta chow down on crabs! Next time, I will try the crabs and take them to go!

    (2)

  • Al K.

    I am not much of a crab-picking fan, too much work for a little bit of meat but wife v 3.0 is a big fan. So after much prompting we decided to check this place out. I had the steamed shrimp and they are Huge and tasty. Steamed with Old Bay with sauce on the side. The crabs were delicious too, I hear. Brown paper on the tables with all the condiments you need. Great service and TVs from every angle. For crabs, shrimp and a good time, this is the place.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :3:00 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Divey
    Noise Level : Loud
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Captain Pell’s Fairfax Crabhouse

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