seafood was excellent. staff was very friendly. service was good. Restaurant was a little old and rundown. Needs a little refreshing.
Mandi W.
This place was so yummy! I enjoyed every single second of this place. The food was delicious, the waiter was great, and I wish I lived closer. I got crab legs, and then my daughter decided that she wanted the crab legs so I switched my meal with her... I normally wouldn't do that, but I really liked her food and she didn't care for it. She got the kids meal shrimp pasta and I loved it! My only problem is it's too far away from where I live, LOL. Delicious food! And not too terribly pricy, either. I almost forgot, I got the clam chowder and it is to die for! My entire family shared one little cup, and I wish I would've gotten the ball. Lol!
Christian C.
I'll start by saying perhaps my expectations were too high. The place was nice, kinda what you'd expect at a beach location. The service was adequate but not enthusiastic. Now on to the food. The order of snow crab legs were well prepared, though I suspect they were previously frozen. They were severed with boiled parsley potatoes and butter. The Ultimate combo was an ultimate disappointment. This consisted of a salmon filet, crab cake, and grilled shrimp. The salmon was well prepared and quite tasty. The shrimp were beyond tiny. Think salad sized. Being this close to the gulf I expected larger fresh gulf shrimp. They were nicely grilled but so tiny. The crab cake was a joke. About 3" in diameter and maybe a 1/4 inch thick. Very pasty in consistency and over seasoned. Couldn't even tell if there was crab in it. The vegetables were undercooked. Key lime pie for dessert was disappointing as well. Very dense and way too sour. The prices certainly don't match the quality.
Rachel G.
New to the Tampa area so we are trying new restaurants and chains Shells being one. After being sat by the host in a booth we waited over 20 minutes to even be greeted by a server. While being passed by multiple servers and what looked to be the manager of the restaurant and still not being greeted we moved to the bar which was quicker but still a delayed greet. The bartender was busy attending tables as well as the bar so we were patient. After ordering the food we waited another 30 minutes for two dozen raw oysters which were the worst ever which ultimately determined the first and last time we will be there.
jcg410
Absolutely delicious food. My husband had cioppino and I had salmon Felix. Generous portion. Incredibly good. Service also good and fast. Relatively inexpensive too.
Cheryl M.
Went there for dinner on a Tuesday evening around 6:45. Plenty of empty tables. Host told us it would be a 15 minute wait. Asked if we could sit in the bar area and they took our name off the list. Sat in the bar area for 15 minutes with waiters and waitresses passing by several times, never even stopping to welcome us or offer us water. After 15 minutes of no service/attention, we left and will not be returning.
Jeffrey R.
One great meal. One ok meal. Not sure which of the locations was which. Would go back but not for a fancy meal.
Leana Moss
Service was good, food was hit and miss. My fried platter was overcooked. Honestly when the butter potatoes are the best part of the seafood plate, there is an issue. However, my co-worker's meal was very good.
sallys225
Service was wonderful!! Chowder and peel shrimp amazing!! Definitely worth the drive!! Will come again. Shrimp was hit with butter n seafood cocktail. Soup had wonderful flavors- secret recipe I’m sure. Landed here by accident coming again
Jessica C
Quite happy with raw oysters, blackened sea bass, all dishes were delicious. Slightly on the salty side.
We love Shells. Best seafood anywhere. From their Crab cake dinner to Jambalaya, Shells cannot ve beat for service, food and ambiance. I really Love their grouper sandwiches ?
Ebony Bell
I'm just disgusted. I order from Shell's often, so I can't believe the experience I just had with them. Every single item I ordered was horrible. I was just bragging about how good their buffalo chicken strips were to my sister, and the joke's on me. I ordered the buffalo chicken strips like always, fries, and an add-on piece of fish. Sigh. I got regular fried strips that were literally taking an oil bath. The tortilla chips underneath were soaked in grease and inedible. The fries were soggy, and that ridiculous $6 sliver of fish was cold and rubbery. I called the restaurant, and BRAD answered the phone. I asked to speak to a manager, and he advised that any complaints or refunds had to be requested thru Door Dash, refusing to put the manager on the phone. No problem. I just won't eat here again. A little customer service goes a long way, BRAD.I just received a call from the manager who found my phone number. Although I had already gotten a refund from Door Dash, she still called me to extend her apologies for the unfortunate order. She was extremely professional and understanding, and I value that. Thank you so much for reaching out to me! THAT, folks, is customer service.
RnCinAZ
My wife found this place on Trip Advisor. She was looking for the best seafood in Tampa and we found it at Shells. My wife eats shrimp when we travel on many occasions and Shells is among the best. She had a Lobster bisque cup and Shrimp pasta. Both were really great. I ordered Clam Chowder. I have had clam chowder at Pikes Seafood Market in Seattle, and Shells chowder is every bit as good! For my entree I had Fried Scallops with Mandarin slaw. The scallops were small and very fresh. Cooked perfectly. Even though they were small, there were wonderful morsels of flakey scallop meat. being fried they could have been greasy, but they were not. Maybe they were flash fried. Even the tea was full flavored and fresh brewed. If you are in Tampa looking for very fine and fresh seafood, Shells is your place. We have nothing like this in Arizona.
Bobbi Overmeyer Kiemen
had an awesome dinner with friends. raw oysters, clam chowder, skewered shrimp, iopinno, white sangri.. ALL FANTASTIC, as was the service!
Meg Bowers
We had dinner here and it was very good. Oysters were outstanding and decent priced. I had the grilled shrimp skewers and they were delicious. I paid an upcharge for broccoli which I didn't understand. Hubby had a pasta dish it was good as well. One disappointment was they didn't have any Michelob ultra. They don't serve it. In fact they didn't have any taps at all. Not a bad place though.
seafood was excellent. staff was very friendly. service was good. Restaurant was a little old and rundown. Needs a little refreshing.
This place was so yummy! I enjoyed every single second of this place. The food was delicious, the waiter was great, and I wish I lived closer. I got crab legs, and then my daughter decided that she wanted the crab legs so I switched my meal with her... I normally wouldn't do that, but I really liked her food and she didn't care for it. She got the kids meal shrimp pasta and I loved it! My only problem is it's too far away from where I live, LOL. Delicious food! And not too terribly pricy, either. I almost forgot, I got the clam chowder and it is to die for! My entire family shared one little cup, and I wish I would've gotten the ball. Lol!
I'll start by saying perhaps my expectations were too high. The place was nice, kinda what you'd expect at a beach location. The service was adequate but not enthusiastic. Now on to the food. The order of snow crab legs were well prepared, though I suspect they were previously frozen. They were severed with boiled parsley potatoes and butter. The Ultimate combo was an ultimate disappointment. This consisted of a salmon filet, crab cake, and grilled shrimp. The salmon was well prepared and quite tasty. The shrimp were beyond tiny. Think salad sized. Being this close to the gulf I expected larger fresh gulf shrimp. They were nicely grilled but so tiny. The crab cake was a joke. About 3" in diameter and maybe a 1/4 inch thick. Very pasty in consistency and over seasoned. Couldn't even tell if there was crab in it. The vegetables were undercooked. Key lime pie for dessert was disappointing as well. Very dense and way too sour. The prices certainly don't match the quality.
New to the Tampa area so we are trying new restaurants and chains Shells being one. After being sat by the host in a booth we waited over 20 minutes to even be greeted by a server. While being passed by multiple servers and what looked to be the manager of the restaurant and still not being greeted we moved to the bar which was quicker but still a delayed greet. The bartender was busy attending tables as well as the bar so we were patient. After ordering the food we waited another 30 minutes for two dozen raw oysters which were the worst ever which ultimately determined the first and last time we will be there.
Absolutely delicious food. My husband had cioppino and I had salmon Felix. Generous portion. Incredibly good. Service also good and fast. Relatively inexpensive too.
Went there for dinner on a Tuesday evening around 6:45. Plenty of empty tables. Host told us it would be a 15 minute wait. Asked if we could sit in the bar area and they took our name off the list. Sat in the bar area for 15 minutes with waiters and waitresses passing by several times, never even stopping to welcome us or offer us water. After 15 minutes of no service/attention, we left and will not be returning.
One great meal. One ok meal. Not sure which of the locations was which. Would go back but not for a fancy meal.
Service was good, food was hit and miss. My fried platter was overcooked. Honestly when the butter potatoes are the best part of the seafood plate, there is an issue. However, my co-worker's meal was very good.
Service was wonderful!! Chowder and peel shrimp amazing!! Definitely worth the drive!! Will come again. Shrimp was hit with butter n seafood cocktail. Soup had wonderful flavors- secret recipe I’m sure. Landed here by accident coming again
Quite happy with raw oysters, blackened sea bass, all dishes were delicious. Slightly on the salty side.
Restaurantji Recommends
We love Shells. Best seafood anywhere. From their Crab cake dinner to Jambalaya, Shells cannot ve beat for service, food and ambiance. I really Love their grouper sandwiches ?
I'm just disgusted. I order from Shell's often, so I can't believe the experience I just had with them. Every single item I ordered was horrible. I was just bragging about how good their buffalo chicken strips were to my sister, and the joke's on me. I ordered the buffalo chicken strips like always, fries, and an add-on piece of fish. Sigh. I got regular fried strips that were literally taking an oil bath. The tortilla chips underneath were soaked in grease and inedible. The fries were soggy, and that ridiculous $6 sliver of fish was cold and rubbery. I called the restaurant, and BRAD answered the phone. I asked to speak to a manager, and he advised that any complaints or refunds had to be requested thru Door Dash, refusing to put the manager on the phone. No problem. I just won't eat here again. A little customer service goes a long way, BRAD.I just received a call from the manager who found my phone number. Although I had already gotten a refund from Door Dash, she still called me to extend her apologies for the unfortunate order. She was extremely professional and understanding, and I value that. Thank you so much for reaching out to me! THAT, folks, is customer service.
My wife found this place on Trip Advisor. She was looking for the best seafood in Tampa and we found it at Shells. My wife eats shrimp when we travel on many occasions and Shells is among the best. She had a Lobster bisque cup and Shrimp pasta. Both were really great. I ordered Clam Chowder. I have had clam chowder at Pikes Seafood Market in Seattle, and Shells chowder is every bit as good! For my entree I had Fried Scallops with Mandarin slaw. The scallops were small and very fresh. Cooked perfectly. Even though they were small, there were wonderful morsels of flakey scallop meat. being fried they could have been greasy, but they were not. Maybe they were flash fried. Even the tea was full flavored and fresh brewed. If you are in Tampa looking for very fine and fresh seafood, Shells is your place. We have nothing like this in Arizona.
had an awesome dinner with friends. raw oysters, clam chowder, skewered shrimp, iopinno, white sangri.. ALL FANTASTIC, as was the service!
We had dinner here and it was very good. Oysters were outstanding and decent priced. I had the grilled shrimp skewers and they were delicious. I paid an upcharge for broccoli which I didn't understand. Hubby had a pasta dish it was good as well. One disappointment was they didn't have any Michelob ultra. They don't serve it. In fact they didn't have any taps at all. Not a bad place though.