Phillips Crab House Reviews

Not real impressed food was good but very over priced for me. Not unless prices are up because of covid-19.

It wasn't great as before but everything was fresh.Ten minute wait wasn't too bad.Basically for$40 it's all you can eat

The waitress Rachel was amazing, and on top of everything. Always getting us refills and clearing the table.

All you can eat buffet is more beneficial than going to the restaurant. There's food for everyone's taste (seafood, make your own pasta station, meats etc...

So delicious, after reading the bad reviews , I could miss this great place. I liked everything, beginning with service and continuing with great seafood buffet. I wish to have such place in NYC.

The buffet was amazing, so much delicious seafood and pasta dishes to your taste. Crab legs, prime rib, crabs, oysters, crab cakes, an entire dessert bar, and more!

Went during early bird at 3:30pm. It was pricey but clean restaurant with well prepared food with options other than seafood. I will definitely return.

Food was so so, mentioned to waitress about unopened mussels and she huh.

The food was terrific, and our waiter was great! Thank you all so much for a beautiful dinner! I ordered the Broiled Seafood Platter, and my mom got the New York Strip; both were amazing. We had a great time!

It has gotten so expensive. The food is all incredible though.

Worth the money. Eat too much. Pretty good variety. I ate all my favorites first.

Last time I went was summer of 2019 and I absolutely loved it! They had a great selection and our waiter was very nice! The wait to get seated was never very long, this is a great place to go for seafood! 10/10 recommend!

I'm giving them a 3-star because of the price ( tourist zone ), and I think they change the crab cake.

Wait time was only 20 minutes and that was in the time H2oI was in town... place has good portions and well priced... they have 2 parking lots (complementary) & plenty of street parking... everything we had was good so no complaints ... reasonably priced also!

Great service ...THE food that we ordered was overpriced and not very good to be honest with you ...will not eat there again...

Something got me thinking of Phillips today, and it is a rainy day here so I'm on line and thinking: I should really write a review, as Phillips Crab House in Ocean City, Maryland is my favorite restaurant in the world. I should add, though, that I have not been there in many years, but STILL. Nothing could ever top it on my list.

When I was a kid--and this is dating myself but we are talking about back in the 1960's and 1970's!--my family went to Ocean City every summer for about a two-week vacation. I loved everything about it, especially the ocean, of course, but right up there at the tippy top of everything that was magical and wonderful and that I LOVED about Ocean City was Phillip's.

We stayed at a little motel, now gone, that was right near Phillips. You could smell the Maryland Crab spice in the air. I knew I was in OC when I smelled that. There was always a long line to get into Phillips but it was always worth it. I loved the Tiffany-style lamps and the beautiful brick--the decor was special. The service was great. I don't know if they still do this, but the servers used to write their names on the paper table clothes. Just everything about Philips was somehow special and wonderful to me as a kid, *especially* THE FOOD, omg.

My favorite thing was the Maryland Crab Imperial, which I first tasted when my mom ordered stuffed flounder. It came stuffed with the crab imperial, which back then, they used to put thinly slivered almonds on top of (I don't think they do this anymore, as last time I was there, which was quite a while ago, they covered it in melted cheese, which to me is WRONG, but anyway, I digress...). My Mom gave me a taste of this and it was, hands down, the most delectable thing I have ever eaten. From then on, I always ordered the crab imperial at Phillips, but everything there is delicious. The seafood is amazing, all of it.

From the service, to the unique and wonderful architecture and decor of the restaurant, to of course the food, Phillips Crabhouse is special. When we went, when I was a child, it was still owned by the Phillips family. I don't think it is anymore, and the last time I went, I think it wasn't, but it was still very good. I highly recommend Phillips Crabhouse in Ocean City to everyone who goes there. You haven't really experienced Ocean City until you do.

Don't waiste your time or money.. not the same.. had the ultimate feast and it was terrible. None of the seafood had flavor. Steamed and Thrown in a bucket. Worst meal I have had In a long time. My husband has the seafood platter fried and he said he would have enjoyed long john silver much more than that.... DONT GO!

Waited a long time for everything from a seat, to service, to food. Food came out cold and incorrect then we waited 13 minutes for the server to come back and 40 minutes for the food to be corrected. Nothing was done by management for compensation. Not even an apology from the server!!!

AWESOME to the 10th power! Food, the buffet, was plentiful, a bountiful feast! Everything was delicious! Clams on the half shell, crab soup, N.E. clam chowda (lol), snow crab legs, corn in milk & butter, rib eye roast, bbq ribs, Maryland crabs and more more more! Service was great, no real wait for drinks, NEVER felt rushed to finish, nor pushed out the door. Highly recommend, a don't miss at least once while in O.C. Maryland!

Even though the server was amazing and the place was very clean this is a 2 star restaurant at best. We made reservations a week in advance but when we got there the hostess said they did not honor them.... The crabs were overcooked although abundant. Except for the crabs and some small peel n'eat shrimp everything was deep fried and breaded. I would not go back, not ever.

It was mostly okay, I feel it could be laid out a little better though.

We took our friend visiting us in DE. For a first restaurant experience it gets just 3 and a half stars. The ocean like feel of Ocean City, MD is not emphasized eating out here. The salad buffet bar is flimsy and seafood while plentiful was warm , not piping. Same for the vegetables. The crab imperial, however, was excellent!

Good seafood buffet, they had soft-shell crab my favorite

All you can eat buffet. Very good a little pricey at $ 40.00 a person. Would still recommend it.

I like the buffet, but it was honestly just okay. It's kind of fun.

This restaurant use to be the best place in Ocean City when I was younger. Now the food is not as great, the service is mediocre at best. It's a shame that it's not as good!

Overcrowded

Overpriced

Cafeteria

Ok food...not worth almost $40 per person...had better...dont know why people flock here, and the selection of food was not that extensive and pretty bland unless table salt is all you know in flavoring food than this is your place...go for it. Our server was great and only reason for the one star. There are better places. Please dont contribute to Americas obesity problem.

Some of the best seafood out there. Buffet is amazing. Always a go to when we are in OC

I have been to better places very over price the food suck! !!!!

First time eating Maryland crabs... they were DELICIOUS. It was $75 for a dozen medium crabs... quite pricy but worth the experience. Would come again.

If you find someone who doesn't like this place- they came on a bad night. Another possibility, they didn't go to the buffet. The food here is awesome, the service was awesome. I come here at least twice a year when we come to the shore. As I read over some of the bad reviews it makes me wonder if some of these people are coming during off-season? I can't understand a bad review for Phillips. Is there a line, yes. Because everyone loves it. Is the layout of the dining area bad? Yes. This is a very old restaurant that has been in existence for the past 100 years. Phillips is still the best place anyone can come and get Seafood in Maryland. If it's not broke why fix it?

Whenever you plan on vacationing in ocean city MD, this restaurant should ALWAYS be visited at least once. Before covid - they had an amazing all you can eat buffet, which I would recommend to any seafood lover. But unfortunately we had to be in the regular dine in area. Still had an excellent time. Food is superb. The service staff is fantastic. Always a great time. Just to warn you though the prices are a little but higher, but worth it for the quality. You simply must check this place out!

Phillips is an institution. Expensive, but always worth it.

Crab cakes were great! Nice variety of buffet foods. Will definitely visit again.

Great Early Bird Buffet $36. Best buffet I've been to in a while.

They put a limit on how long you're able eat the all you can eat buffet to start with. And then they are extremely, expensive,. But the food it's pretty good.

The service was horrible! We went to the restaurant today and were told the buffet is open but we have to go to another door which we did and find out the buffet doesn't open for another 30 minutes. Their staff clearly has no idea what is going on in their own restaurant. We went back to the restaurant and asked to be seated for lunch. The hostess was rude, gave us rude looks when we informed her buffet was closed. She finally gave us a seat in the back. We sat for 10 minutes, but no one came to get our order or give us water. I finally called one of the waiters and asked where our waiter is and was told that they are looking for her. They don't know where she is so I asked to be seated at a table where there is a waiter, he said wait and left, no apologies! We waited for a couple of minutes and left. We are never going back!

My family makes a yearly tradition of going to this place.

Everything was delicious, didn't care for the soft shell crab sandwich.

History and tradition. Those are the two words that immediately come to mind when sitting down at a Phillip s restaurant or ordering takeout. The history that runs through the very bones of the crab house is eminent in each bite of their food. And the tradition is classic and timeless for all returning tourists and beachgoers. But who s to say that history and tradition is always been spot on? The food was tasty, and much better then other years that I ve dined there, but I still think that the food could be just a bit better. The wait was appropriate in relation to business and the amount of food ordered, and the staff have always been kind and helpful, and that tradition lives on to this day. Overall, Phillip s vibe was better than the actual food, but the crab house was still a winner in our book.

The only thing we liked about it was our friendly waitress. This was our first time there and the food was horrible....so not worth the price for the buffet. Would not recommend this place...save your money.

Look forward to it every visit, absolutely delicious.

Good food. Good service. For $40 a person I expected seafood that isn't found at my local Chinese buffet.

Attended the buffet upstairs. Excellent and friendly service. They kept the food and plates coming with only a few delays for the snow crab legs. The blue crab and shrimp were more heavily seasoned than I like, but the rest of the food was very good. I especially liked their prime rib and coconut cake. Do be aware that it can get crowded and very noisy.

The food was amazing, the servers were second to none

Server was great..cannot remember her name.
But if you are going there for snow crablegs..don't.
Probably the dirtiest soggiest crablegs we have ever had at a buffett.
Also, bathrooms need to be cleaned and updated.

The best OC restaurant that offers seafood and non-seafood entrees. They are able to accommodate gluten free requirements.

Always have to go to Phillip's whenever we visit Ocean City , MD .. best seafood buffet in OC

It made me very sad that the food is no longer good. Crab soup had no flavor and lots of other food was gross very disappointed

Food is great and during the pandemic buffet is closed but portions are not worth the price. Ordered snow crabs and two pieces cost about 33.00 and its advertised as a bucket...which it's not!!! I would say wait till buffet opens back up and really get your money's worth!!!

Buffet is a 3 ring circus..1 TO 2 HOUR WAIT..DOWN THE BLOCK. THEN ANYONE cam and will pass u off..and actually knock your kids out just to get crab legs.. and management allows it..they have awesome food JUST GET IT TO GO..

The food was delicious. My only negatives would be the long lines at each station and the high price! Great atmosphere,very helpful and courteous staff.

Great food! Great ambience! Not long to wait when busy!! Occasionally a subpar employee but that's going to happen everywhere!

Our favorite place to go when we go to OC. Great variety. Awesome crab legs.

Loved my meal at phillips. Had fried shrimp and crab cake and fries and Cole slaw

Get there early and no wait. and delicious away....hmm hmm good.

Crab legs were very small & overcooked. Unable to get the meat out of the shells. The rest of the buffet was mediocre. Also, Our entire table had to share ONE crab crackers which I thought was crazy!! Service was good but sadly, I don't think I will be going back to Phillip's on our future beach trips. Too much money to pay for the amount of crab legs we were able to actually eat. I was so disappointed.

Best seafood buffet in the O.C. area. From snow crab legs to the prime rib...everything was delicious. If you leave here hungry, then you have a problem.

Didn't like the flavor. The green beans were raw. Nothing special for the price.

Great selection of Maryland seafood. Crabs, crab cake and crab dip, oysters. Did I mention blue CRAB pasta?

We went to this restaurant this evening. The prices were quite high. We chose the menu instead of the buffet. We both ordered the sirloin steak. Unfortunately, the steak was really tough. I was unable to eat it. The rest of the meal was fine. The other disappointment was I had to find another place to eat for being hungry when we left. The manager did not charge us for our meals. So I don't want to be to critical.

Disappointed!! I was hoping to find the same quality on their food like the one on Baltimore, but no way was the same!! Everything tasteless and the crab cake was all flour.. never eating there again!! We spend $250 and it s wasn t worth it!!

In Ocean City? Best buffet without question! The BEST! Hands down! Enjoy!

Not sure why this is averaging 3 stars. One of the better seafood buffets I have been to. Service was excellent. Blackened tuna was fantastic and prime rib melted in your mouth. Keep in mind this is an all you can eat buffet so comparing it to a sit down restaurant is unfair.

My husband and I absolutely love Philips Crab House. This is our absolute favorite place to eat whenever we are in the OC. We are going to be in town next weekend for Memorial Day weekend and as soon as we check into our hotel we are heading directly to the Crab House. We literally cut ourselves off from seafood for weeks before heading to the OC because of Phillips. The food is amazing, the staff always friendly and happy to help... and we always have a fantastic time with each visit. Cant wait to see you next week.