Joe’s Stone Crab - Miami Beach, FL
Posted by Ben | Under Restaurants - Fun Times Tuesday Sep 2, 2008
If ever there is a list of legendary Florida establishments, Joe’s Stone Crab would be at the very top. Years ago, my sister and I joined my parents at the Miami Merchandise Mart and after the event we decided that seafood was our choice for a late lunch… and Joe’s is the only place for seafood in our estimation!
We arrived mid afternoon on a Saturday and were quickly seated (something that never happens during high season) — it was old Florida and a visual flashback to the days when Miami Beach was host to Jackie Gleason, Gloria Swanson and every other Hollywood A-list that loved a tan.
Since we were four at the table, everyone ordered something different and everyone tasted everything, a buffet of sorts. Chilled lobster salad, jumbo shrimp cocktail, colossal stone crab. The ‘colossal’ order included the biggest claws that I have ever seen. The meat was plentiful, sweet and succulent. Joe’s homemade remoulade sauce is the perfect complement to any crustacean. To this day, I have never had better.
No trip to Joe’s would be complete without an authentic piece of Florida’s official dessert, Key Lime Pie. No green food coloring or bottled lime juice in this pie. It was tart, sweet and concluded an outstanding repast. Note, the flan was delicate, filling and perfectly glazed.
As the waiter dropped off our bill, we learned several things… don’t leave home without your American Express card. Also, be sure you are aware of exactly what ‘market price’ means when ordering anything with jumbo and colossal in the description!
Joe’s Remoulade Sauce
|
1 tbsp |
Joe’s Creamy Mustard Sauce |
|
1/2 cup |
Mayonnaise |
|
2 tbsp |
Ketchup |
|
2 tbsp |
Minced celery |
|
1 tbsp |
Minced parsley |
|
2 tsp |
Lemon juice |
|
1/2 tsp |
Cajun seasoning |
|
1 minced |
Green onion |
Mix all ingredients together. Use a dip for shrimp Cocktail or with Joe’s Stone Crabs.
NOTE:
This restaurant is only open seasonally. So, call ahead to insure it is open.
Joe’s will ship stone crab and key lime pie directly to your front door. Check out their online store.
A less-expensive way to eat here is at the new Joe’s Takeaway store directly next to the main restaurant…it’s still expensive.
Locally (in Palm Beach County) you can get great stone crab really cheap from the man at the Yankee Peddler on U.S. 1 in North Palm Beach. Season starts in Oct., and they say they’re sweeter after a storm — just like Fla. lobster, but waiting for a hurricane to eat “stones” or “bugs” is nuts.
So how do we add our restaurant recomendations? Two you can’t miss are One Bistro in Norwood Mass (the best seafood chowder I’ve ever tasted) when you go to a Patriots game and then French Market Grill in Augusta ( a heavenly Stuffed Trout) when you drop in for the Masters