Went August on a Sunday night- busy but not packed as we went early. They lost money as they didn't come around once to ask if we wanted more sides, more alcohol etc. We had to flag the wait staff down EVERY time to ask for drinks, more drinks, sides, bring crabs etc. Several times we asked for a drink, hand wipes etc and it never came and we asked again. Food was fine but was surprised at the lack of service. Maybe they have been around so long they just think people will keep coming but with all of the great seafood/crab places in MD/DC/VA/Annap/Balti, the 9 people at our table won't likely ever come back.

I have been eating crabs in the DC/Baltimore/Eastern shore region for decades. The Bethesda crab house used to be very good. My recent experiences have been overpriced reheated crabs. A well-prepared crab will have crab meat exposed every time you pull a claw. At $55-$90 per dozen, you expect crabs cooked to order. But you don't get them that way here.

It is funny though, you can friends of the owners somehow enjoying crabs of much higher quality than served to you. How can that be? Do they pick and choose who to serve fresh crabs to? Why not serve the same quality to everybody? Hard to explain.

Don't waste your money at this place.

Bethesda crab house has a great atmosphere for what it is- a crab shack. The service can be extremely slow but the crabs are always great and it beats driving down near the chesapeake bay. They don't serve fries and their sides are quite pricey for such small portions- but if you are a local and want a good crab place thats nearby, this is definitely worth a trip.

We had pre-reserved eighteen super size crabs, and after we sat down, they offered to serve us half of them. The first batch of crabs arrived quickly and they were rather dry, and we suspect they were leftovers from the day before. We then had to wait almost forty five minutes for the second half to arrive, although we went very early and the restaurant was almost empty. Those crabs were indeed excellent. As to service, what service? You have to hunt down your server if you want something. The prices are expensive and they charge you extra for each serving of side corn or the miniature cup of cole slaw, which are the sides for the crabs. The bathrooms are filthy and make you wish you ate elsewhere. Overall, we will probaby go back but only because we love crabs and there is no other alternative available in the area. Tip: verify with your waiter that the crabs you will be served have only just been steamed, and are not leftovers.

Crabs, cole slaw, steamed shrimp and very cold beer. All perfectly executed and the shell bucket was emptied without having to ask. Says it all. Additionally there were two celebrities eating there the day we visited.