Phillips Crab House Reviews

My family and I went there for dinner buffet and breakfast buffet while our stay at ocean City. Dinner was okay the crabs are delicious and the mussels but that's it there is no variety, service was really good at our dinner experience. But breakfast was all bad, service was terrible I had to almost go in the kitchen to get a waitress to offer some drinks after waiting for 15 minutes, the place wasn't busy and there was sufficient staff members, and the food was plain and untasteful, will not go back

Good food, great service. A little pricey but the staff make up for it.

This place is an overpriced tourist trap! I am very suspicious of the 1000+ five star reviews...most likely paid reviews which companies can purchase online at about $15 per review. We thought this place was terrible and the portions were very small. You have to park quite a distance away in a parking lot that is across the street. Then walk half-way around the building to the third door you come to and this is where the entrance is, but no signs directing you where to enter.

Once my wife and myself finally got inside, a short blonde haired lady who I later found out her name was Bethany took us to a table right by the kitchen and sat us there. She said there were only two tables available and the other was right by her hostess podium. This was in the section that had a sign calling it the "Upper Deck" as the other sections were closed.

My back was against a wall and the kitchen was on the other side. We could hear all kinds of kitchen noise plus the wait-staff constantly walking past us.....this was very distracting. There was a waiter at the table right next to us, a tall man with a shaved head and he had a bunch of dishes in a large plastic bin and he kept rattling the dishes, constantly rearranging them & making all kinds of racket. He wasn't putting dishes in the bin, just rattling the ones that were already in there.

I looked around and saw there were plenty of empty tables at the other end of the "Upper Deck" section, away from the kitchen. I asked our waiter, Pat, if we could move to the other side. He said he would have to check and I saw him go over and talk with Bethany. There was a long discussion between the two of them and I didn't think it would be this involved to move customers from one table to another, but apparently it was.

He came back and said we could move and we went to a quiet table at the other side of the "Upper Deck". As we sat down, I counted a total of five tables that were empty and clean in this area so don't know why they didn't sit us here in the first place and why Bethany had told us there were only two tables available.

About five minutes later a group of four elderly people walked in and were immediately taken to a table next to us by Bethany. I wondered why did Bethany take these people directly to this quiet area of the restaurant first and took us to the table right by the kitchen.

I ordered the $30 scallops that came with Imperial crab and some type of corn dish. When the scallops arrived, I was stunned to see only six scallops. The Imperial crab was a very small ball of crabmeat, about 1" in diameter that was sitting on top of a very small corn fritter type dish that was about the size of a six ounce cup. At $5 per scallop this was a scam for overpriced for scallops.

We finished and left and we walked right by Bethany who was at the hostess podium by herself. There was no one else around and as we walked past her and out the door, she never said thank-you for coming or anything like that. As the door closed behind us, I turned around and saw two other girls talking with her and Bethany was looking at right at us, laughing at us and obviously making fun of us.

Those two girls must have rushed right over to Bethany right after we walked out the door as they were not there 10 seconds earlier when we passed by her. They had been waiting for us to leave and then made a bee-line for Bethany as soon as we were out the door. I walked to the window and looked in and Bethany was looking right at me and I knew they were talking about us.

We will never return to this overpriced tourist trap with employees that make fun of their customers. Bethany needs to remember that it is customers (tourists included) that are paying her salary. I will be calling the manager and inform him of our terrible experience here.

Excellent food. Expensive, so go for the all you can eat buffet. Yes, they can't get in blue fin crabs, but the rest of the food more than makes up for it. The service was top notch too.

Their seafood and prime rib was great. Quick to get in. If you were going in for other items you might be disappointed. It is $40 per adult.

I've heard it said that Phillips has changed, not the same as back in the day. I guess when they first opened etc...but I Loved it when our Family did a group dinner in Father's Day June 2018
4-Stars due to wait time, and the desert options weren't blowing me away, but the Seafood is good enough for an Alaskan Snow Crab Lover, thats for sure. Planning to go back before the seasons ends, and arrive when the doors open.

Every time I come to ocean city eating here is a must. I love the large buffet and great selection of seafood.

Cannot believe they shut down the good one and kept open the location that needs half an upgrade. Great food but location and building sucks

Food was good, as was the service. Stick with the seafood. A little pricey, perhaps.

Very disappointed. The family and I all seen advertising for the early bird crab legs special, which was my fault, I assumed that meant the all you can eat buffet. We go in main door. See no signs, we were never told the price for dinner, again my fault for not checking, I assumed since it was the early bird special we were good. I figured my bill would be about 100 with drinks and taxes. Was shocked when I was handed a $170.00 bill!! Talked to a "manager" who was very rude, arrogant and condescending, told me I should have planned my vacation better and been more prepared. I mentioned the advertising, I mentioned no one told us the price, I mentioned no signs up. The "manager" then told me there are tvs outside with the price, I did notice them on the way out, barely readable with the suns glare. Never in all my years in the industry have I ever come across a person (25 years in this business my eye) so pleased with my predicament, seemed ready for this conversation, I have a feeling this misinformation happens often with visiting tourists...Food was ok, service was good, plates and silverware filthy. Not worth the price

Alot of hype about this place when we got to ocean city from the locals honestly for the price wasnt impressed feel like i paid way to much for what it is

Phillips was good, a couple of items got emptied fast but one waitress by the kids area jumped on it fast, and when the kitchen didn't respond fast enough, she got the manager to have each area refreshed equally. So to whoever you are, thank you for being exceptional, and thanks from the kids waiting for chicken tenders. Also the young woman working at the pasta station did a great job, really nice, thank you!

The setting was nice and staff very knowledgeable of the menu choices. We were stuck on embers as our #1 seafood buffet in Maryland until we gave Phillip's a shot. Lots of good seafood choices, and their land buffet items were good as well. This will be our go to for seafood buffet in ocean city Maryland until we discover better

The food range was really lovely. They had a mixture of raw and cooked foods to choose from. The king crab was delicious but a bit salty but the butter helped with this. Overall, the experience was good. My only complaint was the proximity in which the tables were arranged, there was little space to move around without bumping into other customers. However, if you do decide to visit here, there is likely to have a wait period before you get seated but it was worth the wait. The food was delicious and the employees were helpful. Would definitely recommend.

The seafood Alfredo sauce was simply disgusting. I feel nauseated half an hour later. The wait staff was polite and efficient.

Amazing.... early bird special... 33.00 pp all you can eat banging seafood.

buffet buffet with all you can eat crab legs , awesome staff great fresh seafood ,desserts a go to place if you are hungry for seafood

The buffet items were warm and cold by the time you walked to your seat.

We always come here and love it when its the early bird special

Went for breakfast buffet. While the made to order omelettes were excellent, the breakfast standards such as sausage, bacon, pancakes were not. Bakery items limited. Juice was not included. Party of 3 including tip came to $60.

I love this place its more than just seafood!
Very busy get there early!

This place was just ok for me. The food was very good but overpriced. I tried giving them a break since it was opening weekend.

This buffet is perfect for sea food fan. The food was really good. The crab cake was amazing. Although their is a wait to go in between 15-30 minutes. Must go to if your visiting ocean city. We had a great time there

Prime rib was cold, no peeled shrimp for shrimp cocktail.

My boyfriend and I ate here for the first time and we loved it. The Buffet is the best way to get your money's worth. The seafood was great, along with the desserts!

Phillips doesn't seem to be what I remember. (Haven't been to one in a few years). Had dinner on the sit-down side in OC rather than the buffet. The crab imperial was just a pile of baked crab meat with Cheez Whiz or something like that poured over the top. No choices on what you get with it, you're stuck with over seasoned potato wedges and asparagus. The lobster bisque was super and my daughter loved her clams and fried shrimp. The other child had a hamburger and french fries. One adult+2 kids total bill=$110 including one margarita. Should have went elsewhere.

Food tasted good but here I am up at 415 in the morning throwing up and cramping. Definitely food poison. Stay away from here

A delight. I would definitely go back. Food for all tastes! Amazing crab legs.

Line before going in,I went on a Monday afternoon and it was pack but it's one place to go to if you love crab legs..

Disappointed with limited menu and no buffet like other Phillip's restaurants we have been to. Also wanted lobster tail.

The buffet here is very good. The foods are well prepared and are fresh. The crab imperial and crab legs are wonderful. The carving station has three meats and there are many side dishes to compliment your choice. In addition the pasta to order can please any taste you have in mind. The deserts were OK, but frankly I was satisfied without desert.

Excellent selection. Oysters and tuna were great. Blue crabs not so much. All in all a great seafood buffet

Starting to fall off a little bit and if your a person who doesn't like crabs I wouldn't recomend going here.

Had buffet with my friends for dinner, price is 39.99$/person. Food is great. Philips mudslide is my favorite drink.

It is a great place, we visit this place every year. Not the best of the best, but pretty good quality of food. A little bit expensive buffet, but it is worth to try it. You can save couple of bucks with early bird.

Everything taste amazing, table waitress service was a little suspect.

The food is always good, and the staff is very professional. Phillip's has regular sit down menu, and a all you can eat crab buffet.My wife and I are always pleased with the service.

The best seafood buffet in Ocean City , early and it's a discount ,,

When you work hard all your life treat yourself like the King you are your family and friends great dinner

Spoke with Cathy and she was very informative answering all the questions the best she could. We are coming in August for our 10 year vow renewal in August and hoping to use Phillips as the Small Reception /Dinner with our children. Phillips has been a part of my family since I was a little girl in the late 70s early 80s.. Thank you Cathy

Food and service were ok at best and def.not worth the price

Food was pretty good! Grit in oysters on the buffet. Was over priced in my opinion. Crab legs were soft and hard to break.

It was awesome, I hurt myself. Food was fresh, seasoned and plenty of it. Service was right on the spot. Great dinning experience.

While it may be a bit overpriced, the huge selection of quality dishes are sure to please just about anyone on their Ocean City vacation

Everything you can imagine all on one place. Crab legs were good sized and they never ran out. Price is a little high but the choices of food compensate.

It sucked. Over priced. Not like it used to be. I'm done with them.

OMG! This place served the best snow crabs and huge shrimps! By far, a most go to, if you stay at Ocean City.

The food was delicious. The selection of food was huge. We can't wait to visit OC again.

This place was very nice! We didn t have to wait for a seat, which was nice; we came in around 8:00. Customer service was great and the waitress was helpful. I ended up ordering the crab cake sandwich and the seafood pasta. It was a little pricey. The crab cake sandwich was decent. The seafood pasta was creamy, but seemed to have too much cheese. It had a good amount of seafood, though, which was nice (mussels, scallops, and shrimp).

An Ocean City MD Legend! Great Food and Excellent Service! Crab Cakes and Crab Soup are always Excellent!

The staff is where do I start the staff is friendly our waitress bri was supper nice it is $40 per head for decent $40 a head for it was okay $40 a head not for lump crab meat but for real cheap crab meat in the crab cakes mashed potatoes fried Chicken although they did have some seafood a lot of the stuff they had wasn't worth a $40 buffet and they charge for drinks on top of that the bartender downstairs made a very delicious Orange crush the staff very good in general except for the guy who wouldn't make us crab macaroni and cheese even though it is on the menu but the grade of seafood isn't that good I would call that a $25 buffet $30 tops $40 is just a rip-off

We come to OCM twice a year and we visit Phillips at least once every time we come to OCM.... Food is always hot and fresh, they always have something different to try, we have had shark, soft shell crab and much more that we always enjoy!

Took out two platters this week at Phillips Crab House and can't say enough about the delicious fried cod fish, jumbo shrimp and fried clams. The cod was the best fish we ever had and everything was perfectly cooked. Don't miss this fantastic seafood restaurant in Ocean City, MD

A bit pricey, but well prepared and tasty. Corn was fresh.

It was horrible, they charged me and my wife 73$ and that was suppose to be the early bird special. Food was unseason and they gave out 2 portions of crab legs...
At a buffet.REALLY!!!

My husband and I went one night for dinner and was disappointed. The food wasn't good at all. The bread was stale and they overcooked the steak. We went to the restaurant part so maybe the buffet is better.

NOT worth the money not worth the time. Such a long line and very expensive. And theres not a variety of food selection like they said. If anything choose the sit down NOT the buffet

Excellent. Get there at 3pm when the buffet opens. Top notch buffet.

Overall, it was just an average experience, nothing at all fancy for the price.

The waitress was very nice portions were average. food is good.

The service was good. The food was terrible. Of the 4 people there every singles person left hungry. The crab was overly salty with no other seasoning. It was over cooked. The potatoes were not seasoned at all and undercooked. It was over $150 for 4 people and we had to go to McDonald s after since nobody left full or satisfied at all. We will not be returning.

I left feeling like a bloated wood tick but it was worth it!!!! :)

buffet, including snow cran, Dungeness crab, shrimp, steamed clam, raw oyster, different type of dishes and more.

The All you can eat buffet was just ok. The were at least a variety of seafood and non seafood items to choose from. My kids loved the Ice cream sundaes.