From a succulent fresh lobster tail to a mouth-watering red snapper filet, everyone loves some type of seafood. The residents of Houston, Texas are lucky; restaurants specializing in seafood are plentiful. Many locals consider Pappadeux and Joe's Crab Shack to be the best. Although they both serve wonderful, fresh seafood, the differences in the menu, the service and the overall service set them apart from one another.
Pappadeux offers elegant, elaborate dishes with a lengthy, detailed description of the entrée, including a wine description complimentary to your dish. While the food described on the menu of Joe's Crab Shack is the sort that tastes best when accompanied by an ice-cold beer, and an overflowing plate of French fries. For example, my favorite meal at Pappadeux consists of a flaky filet of halibut, dusted in orange, lemon and lime zest, served over mashed potatoes, and garnished with three asparagus spears. Once this concoction touches the tongue, it simply melts. On the other hand, Joe's Crab Shack has been made famous for it's barbequed crabs. The cook slowly begins cooking the small sea creatures in a large barbeque pit. Once the crabs have been seared to perfection, the cook tosses them onto a huge tray, and then they are ready for presentation. The server then serves these much-anticipated crabs with a hammer, a bib, and a roll of paper towels. After pounding on the shell for five minutes, the lucky diner discovers a piece of crabmeat, which, like the citrus-crusted halibut, melts in your mouth.
Distinguishing each restaurant further is the service; although it is impeccable at both Pappadeux and Joe's Crab Shack, the manner in which one is served varies greatly. While both restaurants offer excellent service the two can't quite be compared. When dining at Pappadeux, the server greets each diner with the traditional "ma'am- and "sir- and treats her or him with the utmost respect and dignity.
