j's crab shack

grease free. we arrived on a sunday afternoon to find the parking lot pretty full and several parties entering the restaurant. i first stopped by the retail display case, but nothing stood out as being either fresher or cheaper than the retail seafood markets that i frequent. my wife and i each ordered the fried belly clams basket which came with fries and a small container of coleslaw. the quantity of belly clams and fries was more than ample and as close to grease free as one could wish. i noticed the majority of the nearby tables had ordered chowder and the fried flounder plate whichlookedvery inviting. if and when i get another craving for fried food, i will likely return

mehhh. went to this place because some co-workers dragged me a long. not sure what some other reviewers were talking about when they were all pumped about portion size - i ordered the fried sea scallop platter and it left much to be desired. it should have been called shredded and fried sea scallop platter because there wasnt a single scallop in tact in the entire plate, just a bunch of tiny pieces - for the sweet deal of $16. the cole slawlookedcompletely inedible - literallylookedslimy. there were a ton of fries, but unseasoned and blah. place isnt terrible but its certainly nothing special - just over the founders bridge in east hartford there is a seafood shack called "mickey's" which is definitely better.

this place is about as close to being a high quality authentic connecticut seafood stop as hartford is to being a luxurious oceanside retreat.