Was in Vegas last weekend and I had the pleasure of going to Joe’s. I have not been to the original in Miami, but I was very impressed with this place. Nice décor, service was excellent, good stemware (important to me). I went for stone crabs, 16 Oz bone-in filet, key lime pie, you get the idea. Wine list had the chain steakhouse feel to it, but we found a few Spanish values. Thought I would throw the recommendation out there in case anyone is making a Vegas run soon.

Never have been to the one in Vegas, but have been to the one here in Miami a few times. It is what it is. The best stone crabs you will have. You will also have to wait as no reservations are taken and it is pretty crowded most all the time during season. Even so, if you have never been and are in the area, it should be experienced.

I don't think the one in Vegas is related to the Original Joes Stone Crabs in Miami ?? Doesn't that one serve just Stone Crab ?

The Vegas one is more of a Steakhouse and I believe owned by the same company that owns Mon Ami in the Paris Casino.

The server explained that they were affiliated with the original Joes and they get the stone crabs flown in daily from the same place as Joes. But you are right, the Vegas location is much more focused on steak, with the crabs more of an add on or appetizer. They must have some license/franchise deal with the original because there were pictures everywhere of the Joes in Miami.

It's been a long time since i ate at the Joe's in Miami, but I think I recall (I'm getting older) that the claws were served warm. Is my memory correct?

At the Vegas and Chicago locations, the wait staff indicated I must have been mistaken. You can only get them cold at these spots.

It's been quite a while for me too, preferred, but iirc, you had the choice of cold or hot.

Thanks Board-O! I also remember we ordered an "all you can eat option" and stuffed ourselves!

Joes in Miami is over priced and under quality. The one in Vegas is a spin-off of the miami restaurant (yes, the one in Miami serves all kinds of food. They are known for their fried chicken and key lime pie also, meh...) If you must be in the status group that just wants to say they have been there, than so be it. And no, stone crab claws are not served warm nor do they have all you can eat (and I have never heard of an all you can eat option in the 20 plus years I have been in S. Florida. With the cost of the claws, you would have to mortgage the house for an all you can eat. I could easily put down $500 worth of jumbo claws).

As far as being the best, NOPE. Go over to the west coast of Florida where they are caught. You can buy them right off the dock as soon as they come out of the pot. The boats bring them in, they are cooked immediately and you buy them. That is the best there is. Otherwise, find a good fish monger or restaurant that buys direct and they are just as good as Joes at a fraction of the price.

I've been to Joe's in Miami many times over the last several years. It's one of my favourite restaurants. My first visit was on the recommendation of one of my customers. But I also believe that "when (you're) in Rome, do as the Romans". It's a landmark eatery in Miami.

I must confess, though, it is the only stone crab joint I've ever been to in Miami, but I can't imagine there being one any better (aside from inky's advice to drive to the Fla west coast). You have to go at least once.

Last time I was there, I met Yoshi from the tv show Miami Ink. If there was anyone who needs an all you can eat buffet, it's him. He must weigh 120 lbs.

Inky, I won't contend that Joe's are the best as that is an opinion and I certainly haven't had everyones.

However, they are not only caught on the west coast of Florida. We catch them right here in Biscayne Bay and all through the keys.

Of course the key to high quality stone claws is what happens on the boat, as they are cooked right then and there. (Which is why they are not served warm at the restaurant, but chilled. They were cooked some time ago)

Joe's claims theirs are the best because they, for the most part, own or control, the whole vertical process starting with the boat, according to them.

Is the restaurant overpriced and filled to a great deal with people wanting to be seen, yeah probably. Are they the best claws? Who's to know. But I certainly wouldn't call them under/low quality.

Even given all that, if you are a visitor to Miami, it's an experience worth having in my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Hoopty:
Inky, I won't contend that Joe's are the best as that is an opinion and I certainly haven't had everyones.

However, they are not only caught on the west coast of Florida. We catch them right here in Biscayne Bay and all through the keys.

Of course the key to high quality stone claws is what happens on the boat, as they are cooked right then and there. (Which is why they are not served warm at the restaurant, but chilled. They were cooked some time ago)

Joe's claims theirs are the best because they, for the most part, own or control, the whole vertical process starting with the boat, according to them.

Is the restaurant overpriced and filled to a great deal with people wanting to be seen, yeah probably. Are they the best claws? Who's to know. But I certainly wouldn't call them under/low quality.

Even given all that, if you are a visitor to Miami, it's an experience worth having in my opinion.

Commercial stone crab fisheries on Biscayne Bay ??? Most come from the Gulf. I used to have a place in Tavernier on Key Largo, and yes you would see the occasional stone crab, but they are not commercially fished in the actual keys. The boats may leave from the Keys but they are caught in the Gulf. And yes, most DO come from the West Coast.

Joes may be a landmark, but its more a status place for "stars/high rollers". I never said they were low/under quality, all I said was that they are not the best. I have been there and it is NOT THE BEST STONE CRABS YOU WILL EVER EAT, especially considering the cost. And what is the experience ????? If you had to go out and to say you ate there, then so be it. If you were visiting the South Fla area, I would never recommend Joes as a MUST place to eat.

And a side note, whether at Joes or anywhere else, stone crab claws are served chilled. It is part of the process, along with the proper cooking method, to get the meat to release from the shell.

Yeah, they are caught right here in Biscayne Bay. And in the keys.

Joe's may or may not be the best you will ever eat, but they are of high quality. Are they expensive? Oh yeah. Will it be the best dining experience you have ever had? Almost certainly not.

It's expensive, crowded, loud, and you can't make a reservation. But it's a landmark. The crabs are excellent. I would certainly recommend it to anyone visiting.

But of course, everyone's opinion is different.

I've never been to Joes in Miami, even though I've lived in South Florida for most of my life.

I prefer to have stone crab at home, rather than at a restaurant. I can make (or buy) the mustard sauce, get a nice bottle of Sav Blanc or champagne, and go to town at home for a fraction of the cost of eating stone crab in a restaurant.

With the ever increasing price of stone crab, it is becoming a "special event" item, rather than an everyday type of meal. I usually get a hankering for stone crab in October, when the season starts, and then don't bother to have them again until the end of the season.

Still, I suppose that someday I'll go to Joes, just so I can say I've been there. I have heard that the fried chicken is to die for.

Also, there used to be a couple of "all-you-can-eat" places in Boca Raton, but I don't think they are there anymore. I belong to a private club that has them on a buffet on Sunday nights, so that is all you can eat. They aren't the jumbos or colossals, though.

I think one of those places in the Boca area is called "Mo's," or something like that. We went there many years ago - once.

I think you are right, Board-O, "Mo's" sounds familiar. Off of Glades Ave., if memory serves.

By the way, it's been ages since I've seen you. Planning any trips down this way?

Just got some jumbo claws from a connection my dad has in Everglades City...and I'm gonna pull a Rothko and go to town in the comfort of my home this weekend.

I've been to Joe's twice - both were business dinners back in my days working in Miami. I didn't care what the cost was, cause well, I wasn't paying. Granted, I see no reason to spend that kind of my own money when I can find them more reasonably myself. Joe's does seem to pretty much corner the market on "colossals" though, but as long as they are of good size, its ok with me.

quote:

Originally posted by Rothko:
I think you are right, Board-O, "Mo's" sounds familiar. Off of Glades Ave., if memory serves.

By the way, it's been ages since I've seen you. Planning any trips down this way?

Yessir! We'll be there April 21-27, stranger. Any date from the 21st through the 26th will work for us. Regards to Mrs. Rothko.

quote:

Originally posted by Rothko:
I think you are right, Board-O, "Mo's" sounds familiar. Off of Glades Ave., if memory serves.

I think you are recalling Monty's Stone Crabs which closed a few years back and was replaced by a Seasons 52.

Oooops! You're right. Monty's it was. Do I get partial credit for getting the first two letters right?

Partial credit given. Let's try to get together at Bistro Provence when you're down. My address is on MLV's offline e-mail if you kept it. If you didn't, just let me know and I'll give it to you.

Sure- send me an email at chemocurtis@hotmail.com

Board-O, let me check the calendar and get back in touch with you. It would be great to see you all again.