The Crab Shop

So sad and surprised. It used to be good but now?? Worst service I know of… rude and anger. Crab cakes had little crab, it must have been 80% potatoes… should be called «potato cakes»

We are so lucky to have this local seafood store. The fish is always fresh and great quality. I had an incident where my purchased goods bag was left on the counter and someone took it by mistake– I think. The owner replaced all the items — over $ 100 product for free out of his own pocket. Which I thought was incredible.
Try the fish cakes — all are very tasty. Fish and chips are okay– the batter is a little thick– but I’m a Yorkshire lass and probably scrutinizing too much.

If you like seafood and are not looking for anything fancy, this is the place to go. They have a great crab sandwich and really good fish and chips. The fish tacos are really good as well. Everything is cooked right when you order. They also have the freshest sea food in town.

Stopped in here because I heard they had the best fish and chips in Vancouver. They were right. Although it was a bit pricey for the portions, each bite was delicious. I loved the seasoned batter around the fish. We ordered the cod because it’s classic. Pieces were meaty and thick even though he said he only does 4oz servings. Fries were perfect too. Nice and crispy.
Be warned, they do not accept MasterCard. Visa, cash etc… OK

My Husband and I were visiting in Vancouver and went to the Crab Shack–
I had the 3 piece Fish and chips and it was so good– I must say I will go there again when I come back to Vancouver – I cannot wait – Being a Maritimer I ate lots of fish in my Lifetime but it was so crispy and the fries were cooked just perfect – My Husband laughed at me because I took a Picture of my dish full and then of it Empty – I wanted more –Thanks –It was awesome – I would recommend this place to everyone– Thanks again – Looking forward to next summer–
Carolyn and Rick Hunt – Edmonton –Alberta

Let me preface this by saying I grew up eating crabs off my Grandfather’s, Uncle’s and Dad’s boats. They would have a big pot of water steaming when they set the traps out and from the trap to the pot we would be having a feast of kings.
The Crab Shop is having a special on crabs right now, $ 30 for 3 medium crabs. We bought 4. Thinking because it’s called «The Crab Shop» they would know a thing or 2 about crabs, we had them cook the crabs instead of buying them live.
First of all, their mediums are SMALL! If we caught those on the boat, any one of my family members would have thrown them back and let them grow some more.
And even worse, they seem to cook their crabs in fresh/​tap water. It should be in salt water, and they should be steamed, not boiled. It loses its natural flavour if it’s boiled in tap water. Alternatively, you can add salt to the tap water so it retains flavour.
Anyway, if I were to buy crabs from this place again, I wouldn’t buy the «medium» as you feel guilty eating it, and I wouldn’t get them to cook it without asking how they’re going to do it.
And yes, I know the size was probably legal but it doesn’t make it right!

Fantastic place to stop for some fish and chips. I got the 3-​piece salmon fish and chips for $ 15. I usually tear the batter off and leave it in a pile when I get fish & chips, but their batter here is really well seasoned so I actually ate it, enjoyed it, and didn’t feel queasy after!
Sharing a 3 piece salmon fish and chips was just enough for two hungry adults.
You can eat in, but the local tip is to get your fish and chips to go and then walk back across the road and west one block to get to Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers. They’re happy to have to bring your own food in while you enjoy their beer.

Went in for a second date with a fish…
or actually it was crab this time, and no, I didn’t get crabby or crabs so anyway (he, he eheh!)
After accepting yet again I’m in a smelly fish monger place, I got over it and allowed to take me back to summers on vancouver island when we watched the local fisherman and guests bring in their kill and scrape the backs of salmon with these wood and bottlecap pieces that I made for them and beating off the seagulls whilst saving the heads for the beautiful eagles after the fact… oh the good ol days… yet I digress…
Ordered fries (good, not salty, but can’t help feeling the lack of taste and complete lack of feeling full)
Crab sanwich — actually a crabby patty ahaha! just like Spongebob… OMG! I died laughing inside after realizing they actually exist. A patty made of crab, veggies and bread (oddly felt a potatoe in my mouth) and cooked again mostly hot all the way through, with lettuce and tomatoe (not much, sadly) and over-​kill of sauce —tartar, some other sauce.
This time I found:
one bottle white vinegar
asked for lemon — found it on a table with two people hogging it
hot sauce — good but salty as hell 680mg for one tsp? or tbsp? cant recall
STILL NO BLACK PEPPER. what the heck?
I recommend eating this not as a patty — I think you get more crab that way, but since I ‘m not a strict sea eater, I prefer it being a little hidden in sauces sometimes.

It’s a fish shop that happens to have a counter and a couple of tables you can sit at and sells quick takeaway or dine-​in items. Staff are busy and probably underpaid, so that may account for the grumpiness other people are complaining about. Try tipping them next time you are in and they may remember you next time.
The food is good, however. I work nearby, so I go for an occasional Friday fish and chips takeaway lunch. Having a good local «chippy» is an important resource.
I also get fish here to cook at home. They are also selling crab traps right now. If you haven’t guessed, they catch a lot of the fish they sell.

When you walk in, you realize this place is not a regular dine in restaurant. It is a combination between a fish market and a subway. The seating arrangement could definitely be more organized and comfortable, but you are not coming here for the food.
Most of us ordered the crab sandwich and a fish taco for lunch. Even though the food was on the pricy end for the portion size, it was delicious. The crab was as fresh as it could get and the taco was alright.
Definitely we be back again, for take out.

The fish and chips are super good! I also loved there fish tacos, they are small but are some tasty you definitely need 2 as one is not enough.

This place really pissed me off. We went in for a dinner of fish and chips after seeing an ad in the North Shore News proclaiming «Vancouver’s Best Fish and Chips!» This was a Saturday evening. We arrived at 5:58, already knowing what we wanted to order. There was a couple eating at one of the outside tables and no line up inside at the counter. We went up and asked for an order of salmon and chips, and calamari. The woman behind the counter said, «We stop taking orders for cooked food at 6:00.» It wasn’t 6:00 yet. We asked if we could just order take-​out rather than eating in, thinking they just might not want to stay open the time it would take for us to eat. She refused, and gave the impression that she couldn’t care less whether we wanted to spend $ 25 there or not. «Maybe next time,» the woman added as we turned, disgusted, to walk out the door. To that I say: Not bloody likely.
First of all, what kind of place advertises their fish and chips and then STOPS SERVING THEM at 6:00 pm on a sunny summer Saturday night?!? And then even more irritating, they declare by fiat that 5:58 is really 6:00. There was another couple eating outside. They couldn’t close up shop any earlier than that couple took to finish their meal. We could’ve had our take-​out and been out the door long before then. So rude and obnoxious! We will probably never be back.

I’ve been here a few times. The first time I didn’t have my debit with me and they didn’t take MasterCard. Since I called in for the food it was already made. My bill was almost $ 30 and I was only able to pay $ 10 cash. They were nice enough to let me have the food and I paid them back later.
I liked their cod and chips. My favorite is their shrimp. They are decent size, lightly breaded and good seasoning. I also like their calamari. They make it similar to their shrimp.
I havent bought their fresh seafood yet. Seems pricey.
Their staff seems to be quick for the times I’ve been there but not the friendliest.
If you are in the area I suggest trying it out!

Having read the other reviewers, had to put in my two cents worth… I’ve been a loyal customer for several years, as it is on my route around hungry time. I agree that the service staff is unpredictable and disappointing often, and occasionally on weekends I can get a horror of a cod and chips order due to a fill in cook, but most of the time the halibut or cod and chips is the best around, accompanied by homemade chips and if they have coleslaw that day, yummy too. I always do a takeout and head for the park in Deep Cove to enjoy it. They also sell very good quality seafood to take home and cook, including fresh crab (from the tank or shelled for you already).

Holy expensive Batman. $ 10 for a microscopic piece of halibut. Very very yummy but NOT worth 10 bucks.
What a rip off.

Came to The Crab Shop after hearing good things. Had a cup of clam chowder there, it was way too salty, not as thick as I am used to clam chowders, and there were no veggies or potatoes to be found. Plus only very small clam bits and not many of those either.
I also bought some crab bisque for home, heard it was good and I was so so so disappointed. It looked separated and was very bland, it was so bad I poured it down the drain. I love soups and both At The Crab Shop were really bad. Maybe go for the fish and chips?

Unilocalers, I was duped! But I’m still giving this place 4 stars for a couple of reasons.
First, let me explain my most recent visit. When I ventured for a second time to this off-​the-​path venue and ordered the cod and chips, I fool you not, it wasn’t the same fish I had been raving about before! As my disappointed taste buds processed this new reality my brain raced for an explanation.
Reason 1 (aka: The most likely explanation):
My initiation to this place was based on halibut! Horrors! And yet not. I’m now a firm believer in dolling out a bit more dough for the really good stuff instead of the cod. My thanks to whomever it was who plunked those pieces of halibut into my order instad of cod.
Reason 2:
The zoned-​out hangover girl who served me the first time has (apparently) sought employment elsewhere and was replaced by someone much more amiable!

The fish and chips at the Crab Shop are great! We call it in on our way home from work, and just swing by and pick it up 20 minutes later. The quality of their seafood is also excellent.
Our only complaint with this location is the lack of knowledge and service of the staff. When asked where the seafood comes from or how to best prepare it, they rarely know and do not bother to ask the cooks or anyone else in the back. instead, you just get «I don’t know», blank stares and then silence. They would be smart to print out some recipes and tips, and make them available to their customers.

The Crab Shop is on a small highway in an industrial mall, next to a Subway sandwich shop. If I hadn’t been told to go there I’m not sure I would have tried it. My friend in Vancouver lives about two blocks away in one of the classic stoveless basement apartments also known as mortgage helpers, so he eats here about twice a week.
He recommended splitting a two piece fish and getting two chowders, but I decided we should have the three piece fish and I would just taste his chowder (being a bit of a piggy). The chowder was delicious — not too thick and full of finely diced veggies, hefty amounts of taters, clams and thick bacon. I felt tiny pangs of regret over not getting one, but then the fish arrived fresh and steaming hot on a bed of also-​fresh, non-​greasy fries. The fish had a thin crust of super flavorful batter, and was cooked perfectly. I have never gobbled up fish n chips the way I did at the Crab Shop.
They offer salmon (which we had), halibut and cod. They also have live and cooked crabs and shrimp, smoked and candied salmon, and other ecoutrements like breading.
If you’re driving up the Dollarton highway or are just visiting vancouver and feel like a jaunt to some awesome fried fish, it’s worth a stop or a seabus and bus ride from downtown Vancouver to try some fish n’ chips at the Crab Shop.

The Crab Shop, also known locally as the Crab Shack, has been on Dollarton Highway for forever and a day. They started out in an actual shack on the water near Maplewood Mud Flats, then moved across the street to another shack-​like building in front of the International College, and have now settled in a shiny new, non-​shack-​like location in one of the industrial parks built last year.
So, I’ve been driving past the Crab Shack pretty much my whole life, but never went in until yesterday. I knew of their rep for excellent fish and chips, and so we ordered a two-​piece halibut and chips to share. The fish was big and juicy with a crispy yet satisfyingly greasy batter on it. The chips weren’t the greatest I’ve ever had, but the fish made up for them.
The service was a little slow, as only one person was working the counter and they had to both take orders for fish-​and-​chips and other lunch items, plus fill orders for the fresh seafood in the cases. There wasn’t any music playing, and it was kind of cold too (for the freshness of the seafood, I get that).
I would definitely shop here for fresh seafood, and in the summer, if I’m heading out to one of Deep Cove’s beautiful parks, I’m definitely getting some snacks from here. I’m still not sure why it took me so long.