Shakin Crab - Manassas

I absolutely adore this place! Originally from the coast of North Carolina, I've lived in Louisiana and Gulf Coast Texas, so I really know my seafood. I have to say, this restaurant comes the closest to the seafood I’ve enjoyed in Louisiana and Texas, especially up here in the north. The Cajun-style shrimp and crusted fish are fantastic!

We had a great time at Shakin Crab this weekend. The service was good, and finding the restaurant was easy. The atmosphere had a nice rustic charm to it. The food was tasty, with unique delivery and presentation. We ordered 1 pound of mussels and 1 pound of shrimp (without heads), which was just the right amount to leave room for dessert. The cheesecake was mediocre, but the lime cake was definitely much better.

I love cajun seafood. But this place was too salty. Other cajun restaurants usually use diced or sliced garlic but here it seems like they use powder. I was able to see some powders in the seasoning that are not mixed with seafoods. There wasn't just much flavor. Shrimp seemed fresh but other types of seafoods were honestly disappointing.

Excellent food, served fresh and hot, and excellent service from Carlos. We ordered fried catfish with sweet potato fries and Special #1. The special has 1/2 lb each of snow crab, shrimp and kielbasa style sausage. We chose the Shakin Sauce, medium heat and it was so delicious! Setiously, that sauce is so good! We will definitely be back.

As a former employee, I wasn't surprised by the quality and pleasure we experienced during our meal. Lunchtime is a quieter time at the restaurant, so I highly recommend stopping by for a personal dining experience then. The staff was friendly, albeit a bit shy, and seemed open to hearing new recommendations or updates, though I can assure you that the quality and taste remain consistent. There’s nothing holding you back from choosing them for your next meal. While dinner can get busy, the food is exceptional and well worth it. The restaurant is clean, the staff is welcoming, and prices are reasonable. If you're on the hunt for seafood, don't miss out on this hidden gem!