If you’re looking for great drink specials, reasonable food prices and delicious crab legs, it’s time to cruise over to Crabby Jack’s in Deerfield Beach. Tucked in the corner of SE 10 Street and Federal Highway, the lively restaurant is reminiscent of Hooter’s, but is equally enjoyable for an early dinner with the family.
The chicken bites, which come in a wide variety of flavors, were fresh, crispy and flavorful (we had garlic). If you love crab legs, then Thursday nights are perfect for you with 50 percent off all crabs, including a trio of Snow, King and Dungeness –an overflowing plate from the kitchen filled with crab legs.
Crabby Jack’s recently revamped the menu, adding over 40 items, with popular choices like grilled mahi-mahi, blackened grouper Reuben and the clams/oyster platters. The neighborhood hang-out, which brings in a large crowd at night for many drink specials and a live DJ nightly, is also known for its award-winning seafood gumbo. They also recently added “football wings,” which are smaller and grilled instead of fried.
If it’s drink or food specials you’re looking for, consider checking out the 20-year-old restaurant’s 99 cent Icehouse pints weekdays till 7 p.m. and half-price lunches weekdays 11 a.m. to noon.
Most nights, some event is happening, including a bike night every Wednesday — bikers get 20 percent off their check; over 100 bikers show up and listen to a live band. Howard Eisen, general manager, said the restaurant is also bringing back its Thursday night classic car show and its Sunday, two-for-one rib dinners from 5-8 p.m. They were recently involved in the Deerfield Chamber’s inaugural Pub Crawl, as well as hosting a golf tournament to benefit the Boys & Girls Club.
“We pride ourselves in being involved in community events — it’s been hard the last couple of years for restaurants, but we stuck it out with a lot of long-time employees, a lot of local clientele who all become part of our family,” said Eisen, who hosted the tournament in honor of Mark “Chies” Vanzuidam, a long-time employee and regular customer, who went to Deerfield Beach High School and passed away of a heart attack last year. “We donated $5,240 to the club in his name.”
The tournament started four years ago as a fundraiser for a local cop’s family who got shot and has also created a memorial fund at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
The restaurant also opens its patio every Sunday at 1 p.m. for an open jam where customers can bring instruments, sing, etc… and hang out on the porch, which is just another way of being a community center, said Eisen.
“It obviously ultimately helps the business because you get out there, but it’s also about being a part of your community. It’s like a gathering place for locals. People come in through good and challenging times,” Eisen explained about being involved. “After hurricanes (a few years ago), we were mobbed, almost like a community center. You gotta be involved.”
After a storm, the restaurant immediately opens and serves a limited menu and cold drinks. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. daily and closes nightly at 2 a.m., except Saturdays, when it closes at 3 a.m.. Crabby Jack’s is located at 1015 S. Federal Hwy, Deerfield. No reservations required and attire is very casual. Call 954-429-3770 for more information.
