Having started in the United States, Joe's Crab Shack has now gone global. In the Dubai Mall, you'll find one of the branches, where steaming platters of seafood delight diners every day. The space itself is, as one might expect, very nautical themed. A giant shark model looms above, while surfboards, fishing posters and tackle adorn the walls.
There's a great selection of snacks to get things started, including Joe's classic sampler (crab and shrimp dip, crispy calamari and the like), cheese lobster and fries, garlicky mussels and the fan-favourite crab nachos. For a good hit of cabs, there are various pasta dishes to try, each adorned with a different combo of seafood and toppings. The 'oceans's trio' combines salmon, lobster and shrimp with a lobster sauce, penne pasta and plenty of cheese, while the crab alfredo does what it says on the tin. The best way to enjoy the food at Joe's, however, is one of the platters. The East Coast platter, for example, features crab cake, beef bacon-wrapped shrimp, fish and chips, crispy calamari and coleslaw. The 'reel big catch', however, is the ultimate showstopper and only for the hungriest of shoppers. It includes jumbo shrimp, crispy fish fillets, hand-battered chicken tenders, butterflied shrimp stuffed with crab, cream cheese and jalapenos, fries, onion rings and coleslaw (see, we told you it was big).
For those who would prefer to 'stay on shore', there are steaks, chicken sandwiches and beef burgers, while those who want a bit of both can go for the surf and turf. A more authentic cajun dish, however, is the steam pot. These pots are packed with seafood, corn, potato and plenty of spices, then steamed to seal in all the flavour. Finally, choose from a sauce selection with varying degrees of spice, ranging from 'steamed' to 'spicy boil'.