Johnny’s Half Shell

This place is awesome! It has a great atmosphere and delicious oysters! Great place for drinks at the bar as lso

So after watching Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, I decided to go to Johnny’s Half Shell to see if we saw any politicos raising money. We didn’t, but I did eat some great Oysters, a Lobster, and had great drinks. We took a party of five. We all started with a couple dozen of the charbroiled oysters. They were delicious. I had the special grilled lobster with a asparagus risotto. Others at our table had the rock fish, the special étouffée, and they were all wonderful. Good beer and wine. Great service and views (from the outside).

This place does not do well with large groups. Old system does not allow for individual checks and they cannot seat large parties beyond 10.
Food was ok. Oysters were fresh and soup of the day good. Too many other great places to eat in DC.

If you like your fish covered in cream sauces this might be your place. Otherwise find some place else. Overlooked rockfish, cream sauce, and vegetables covered in butter. Yum!

We started our evening at Johnny’s Half Shell in the bar for a friend’s birthday where we took advantage of the happy hour specials on drinks and appetizers. The prices are reasonable, bar tenders great, and appetizers very tasty. After about an hour and a half, we decided to try the table service as part of Restaurant Week. This was when things went awry.
For dinner, the two options were catfish and chicken, both of which were served deep-​fried. We were quite surprised at these two options, but decided to try them anyway, given that Johnny’s is a Capitol Hill legend. For appetizers, we had shrimp and grits, gumbo, and shrimp cocktail, all of which were very well prepared with great taste.
However, when the entrees arrived, our suspicions were proven correct. The catfish was greasy and tasteless while the fried chicken had a nice light batter, but was completely unseasoned. The «red beans and rice» consisted of a bed of steamed rice with a gluttonous blob of red beans on top. Again, this had no flavor whatsoever and appeared to have been spooned straight out of a can and microwaved. My fiancée’s side of red beans and rice never even showed up. We weren’t dismayed because mine was awful, but the waiter never even showed back up after the runner dropped off the food to ensure that we had everything. Furthermore, the waiter was rude and generally unhelpful.
This leads us to dessert, which was also sub-​par and tasteless. We wouldn’t recommend the bread pudding, chocolate angel food cake, or lemon pie, which represent all of the options for Restaurant Week.
Based on our experience, we will gladly return for drinks and appetizers during happy hour, but the dining experience was truly cringe-​worthy. The happy hour, appetizers, and bar service saved Johnny’s Half Shell from a one-​star review.

I was at Johnny’s for a private work HH and thought it was solid for what we needed — private space, booze, proximity to Capitol Hill, and good food.
We were in half of the small little private room to the left of the front door, which was a good private space, but since it had been a long day we were really wanting chairs, but the room was too small for there to be much more than standing room only. Drats. Oh well.
Food wise — we had the raw bar with shrimp and oysters, shrimp & grits, creole chicken étouffée, beef medallion with blue cheese and a brisket crostini with horseradish. I think my faves were the shrimp & grits and the chicken. Both were «OMG» good and I’m pretty sure I devoured a platter by myself.
I also really liked our bartender. He was on top of things and was really nice. When settling the bill at the end of the night, I didn’t realize tip was already included, so he caught me on the way out the door to make the correction. Part of me really wanted to leave the extra tip just because he was honest, but it was kind of a lot so I adjusted.
Anyway, all in all it was a solid experience and if I was nearby — I’d probably go back just to get those shrimp & grits again.

I went here on a Friday for lunch with a group of former co-​workers. Be sure to call ahead and reserve a table because this place can get crowded pretty quickly. We waited at the bar for nearly 30 minutes to get seated, and the lunch menu was a bit limited on selections. I was deciding between some items and finally settled on the crabcake. Next time I return, I will order a Dark and Stormy — because they have ginger beer at the bar, along with the catfish and risotto, because I passed a fellow diner who had nearly devoured her plate. Beware that the arugula salad arrives with slices of cheese so large you could sandwich one between a slice of bread loaf that comes in a basket for the table. I also was curious about the gumbo, shrimp bisque, and hot wings I saw listed there. This place is sweet to meet for a drink and in good view of the Senate building. In the evenings and late afternoon, their sign glows green, advertising their oysters and outdoor bar and dining area. The afternoon that I went, the patio was tented in for a private event. This place is nice for parties, it has real ambiance and personality.

Disclaimer: I came here a lot for drinks and appetizers, rarely for a sit-​down meal.
Drinks are on the expensive side. Happy hour does not at all make me happy. But it’s convenient for a lot of folks, including me, so I’m not complaining.

All this place needs is more business. I made 8 o’clock reservations thinking because it’s Friday in the city, reservations were a must… NOT! Who would have thought on a very nice December night you could get parking literally across the street from a Seafood restaurant on North Capitol Street (the good part I might add) lol, and have your choice of tables? That of course made me raise my left eyebrow in skepticism. So we’re thinking, service is going to suck. NOPE, cool older European gentleman who was as pleasant and attentive as he could be. Then we figured the drinks were going to suck. NOPE, strong and tasty and reasonably priced. Then we figured the food MUST suck. NOPE. The shrimp and grits appetizer may have been the best grits ever. My Ribeye was way past solid and the scallops were so good we almost ordered another helping. This restaurant is somewhat secluded, in an area that probably gets a decent lunch crowd since it’s attached to an office building. After using deductive reasoning, that has to be the excuse for the nonexistent evening crowd.
With a little advertising, this place could definitely rival many of the popular food spots Downtown. For now, if you want to eat really good food in private, on a Friday night, in Downtown DC. This is your spot! Lol

The oyster stew had huge, juicy oysters and paired great with the bread. Great service and very attentive wait staff. Good place for a business lunch!

Great Lobster tails and Grilled Oysters. Nice setting for happy hour along with friendly staff members.

Service and food were both excellent. We started off with Manhattan clam chowder that tasted like very good vegetable soup. We also had the trotter tots which was my favorite part of the meal. It melted in your mouth and had a perfect tangy side of onions and pickles (and i normally do not like pickles but it was a perfect combination of flavors).
I had the soft shell crab and my boyfriend had the special, shrimp etouffe. They were both so flavorful and maybe a bit too salty for some peoples’ taste. However, I enjoyed every bite especially because the complimentary bread was a perfect compliment. Yes, it is a pricy place but you know that coming in beforehand. They have an outdoor seating area/​patio as well.

Looked fine dining, went in street clothes. I loved the grilled lobster! The ginger ale tasted «dirty». Wait staff was ok (I’m on the service industry), not a lot of smiling (I’m also from Hawaii). Probably won’t go back with the experience that I had and the Unilocal reviews. 4 stars for the food, 3 stars for overall service

Jonny Half Shelf which is not too far from the US Capital and you might see a congress man or two in the place. But back to the food.
The food is pretty good but pricey for their portion size. I remember spending 40 dollars in the place and I was still hungry. Jonny Half is overprice and seems worn on the ends.
Better off going to Oceanaire or Mccormick & Schmick’s.

Food was so good, obviously on the expensive side but you kind of know what you’re getting into before you go.
We got the oysters and shrimp cocktail to start, both of which tasted so fresh. This was actually my first time ever eating oysters (weird, I know), and the oysters here were perfectly seasoned and delicious.
I wasn’t too hungry so I got a salad, which was delicious, though nothing amazing.
For dessert we got the angel food cake and the lemon cake. Seriously, that lemon thing with the blackberry syrup could end wars. I would go back just for that. It was so fresh and amazing without having too overwhelming of a lemon flavor and it wasn’t too sweet.
Our server and the entire staff were also so attentive and helped us make decisions on what to order. Our server was always there when we needed him, refilling our water and wine glasses.

This was my first time to Johnny’s. The food was great but very expensive. I had the grilled squid for appetizer. it was grilled well, tender and not tough. I had a the bouillabaisse entrée which the menu said had shellfish, fish and a mini crab
cake. The fish was about the size of a golf ball. Very small. For 31 entrée I expected this to be a better portion.
Over all decent meal but priced for a special occasion.

This is a fantastic happy hour spot conveniently located near the Hill and Union Station. The bartenders are friendly and provide excellent service, even when it gets crowded. There is plenty of space along the bar and there is a large outdoor patio. The Holiday cocktail was delicious and very strong. Don’t be surprised to bump into politicians, talking heads, and other inner circle politicos at this spot.

We recently got married and our wedding was on Capitol Hill. We wanted to keep rehearsal dinner costs in check and provide a convenient location for our families and other out of towners that didn’t require shuffling everyone downtown in cabs. Johnny’s Half Shell fit the bill.
Through work, I’ve been to a number of group events at Johnny’s — fundraisers, board dinners, etc. I knew they could handle our group size and I also knew their staff very well. Its only a few blocks from my office so I’m there quite regularly!
In advance of our dinner, we met in person with their events staff and also received guidance from the bartender on the wine list. All very helpful and accommodating.
Our rehearsal dinner was elegantly simple and perfect. We were in the Capitol Room — with a view of the Capitol. We had shrimp and grits to start, then a choice of seafood or steak for dinner and pecan pie for dessert (pleased the Texans in the family). The staff was very accommodating to dietary restrictions or requests from dinner guests.
At the end of the night, the staff gave us all hugs — it was a very happy occasion and I’m so appreciative of their personal and thoughtful attention.

I’ve been to Johnny’s Half Shell many times for either receptions or lunches/​dinners, and I never really like it. Basically, the only people who would pay for this are people on expense account or tourists.
I most recently went for lunch, and it was very «meh.» The general vibe I get from this place it is that it’s past its prime. The booth we sat in was very uncomfortable, and just the general feeling is old and dingy. The waitress was not really presentable, considering you’re paying for $ 35 entrees.
The bread they offer is boring and inspired. I just stuck with something simple: a salad with grilled chicken. But really, at $ 15, the salad at the Chopt in Union Station was much better. The bouillabaisse that my friends ordered was fine, but these prices are out of whack from what you get.
In general, this place is not horrible, but there are much better seafood joints in DC. Definitely don’t recommend Johnny’s Half Shell.

Came here for Restaurant Week since I love seafood. My job had an event here and they had the most amazing crab cake so this time I decided to avoid ordering this time around and try other dishes.
3.5 STARS
Décor
You would think that the décor would be much better coming into this establishment based on the way the waiters were dressed, but honestly, they could have very well just had some khaki’s and a Hawaiian shirt.
Drinks
I tried their Key Lime Pie drink with vodka and some syrup. I think it was too sweet. My friend had a drink with gin etc. and it was really strong.
Appetizers
–Charbroiled oysters — Really good and of course I loved the cheese. Reminds me of my trip to NOLA back in November.
–BBQ Shrimp Grits — Great combo and good overall. The shrimp could have had more seasoning
Main Courses
–Skirt Steak w/​brussel sprouts — Really good and tasty. My friend got it med, but I would have much preferred medium rare.
–Rockfish w/​brussel sprouts — I felt it was a little overcooked, but I loved the crispy edges around it.
Desserts
–Banana Pie — It looked like a key lime pie but was in fact banana, but you could barely taste the flavor. Not sure if it was me, so I had my friend try it and he felt the same.
–Chocolate Angel food cake — It was ok not spectacular by any means.
Overall, the appetizer and main courses were good, but the desserts were uneventful and could have been much better. I really wish I could have had a happy ending to this meal since it started off so well, but Johnny needs help with his sweet tooth.