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✔️Breakfast ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
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Informal counter serve specializing in steamed, seasoned crab & shrimp & corn on the cob to go.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 202 Back River Neck Rd #3927, Essex, MD 21221
Phone: (410) 682-6100
Website: https://m.facebook.com/Lady-Frances-Crabhouse-189504901088845
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Lady Frances Crabhouse | Essex MD – Facebook
We will Be Open Today 11:00 to 5:00 Limited Crabs Closed Sunday We might Be Open Sat Nov 1 if we have Crabs Call Early Today to Reserve Before They Are Gone!
Lady Frances Crabhouse – Essex – MapQuest
Get more information for Lady Frances Crabhouse in Essex, MD. See reviews, map, get the address, and find directions.
Lady Frances Crabhouse: The Ultimate Destination for Fresh …
Discover Lady Frances Crabhouse, a hidden gem in Essex, MD, serving irresistibly meaty crabs at reasonable prices. Enjoy a delectable seafood experience …
Reviews
Michael Thompson
UPDATE: Do Not Buy Crabs-Your attempted use of reverse psychology is not working. People reading this review are not falling for your lies. People do not want their crabs looking like it has fungus on it nor has your business increased from this truthful and honest review. Stop lying to the public. If what you said is indeed true tell your customers that their crabs are no good if they do not have black fungus on them which I’m sure most of them don’t. I’ve been buying crabs from you for years and have not seen this before on my crabs. I challenge you and anyone looking at this review to find five pictures showing a dozen of crabs or more that did not come from you that look like the crabs that you sold to me.
Since you did not want to replace the messed up crabs you sold to me I contacted my bank and they refunded my money. You are out of a dozen of crabs which I have since thrown away, your business account has been debited the $125.00 I paid for the crabs and you lost a loyal customer. You lost all of the way around due to poor customer service and Vince’s attitude. You told me to just eat the crabs because you did not want to deal with it… now you can just eat the financial loss.
Original Review:
I and my family have been a loyal customers since the late 1990’s spending thousands of dollars each year since then. I thought that having been a loyal customer for so many years that I would be treated with respect if I ever had an issue or complaint. But to my surprise, when I had an issue with my order, Lady Frances’s employees disrespected and hung up on me. I am fairly confident that upper management does not condone this type of behavior, but you never know so I am awaiting their reply to this review. But let me tell you what happened and show you a photo of the crabs sold to me because this could happen to you!
On June 5, 2025 I drove 81 miles to purchase a dozen of crabs from Lady Frances’s and these crabs did not look safe to eat (see attached picture). The next day around 3:35 PM, I called and spoke to Vince, the store manager to calmly and professionally discuss with him that the crabs had a lot of black stuff on the shell that came off when wiped. I did not initially see the black on the shell because seasoning was added after the crabs were cooked to hide the black stuff on the shell. Black dots on the shell are normal, but not the large black stain that we’re able to be rubbed off with my hands was present on the shells of my crabs. When I told Vince about this he told me to talk to my brother who had purchased crabs just two days prior claiming that he had no problem with his crabs. This suggestion made by Vince proves that my family are regular and loyal customers. I had purchased crabs the previous week and they were fine. But the problem is that these other purchases were from a different batch and is totally separate from the crabs referenced in this review and cannot be considered. Vince even went as far as to insult me by saying that “I was losing it”. I was also told by another employee that the black stuff on the shell means that the crabs are heavy and anyone that knows anything about crabs knows that this is not accurate. Again the black stains on the crab shells could be rubbed off and after doing some research these crabs had a fungus and just like mold on any nonporous surface it could be rubbed off. I paid $125 for a dozen of crabs and all I wanted to do was return the dozen of crabs, get a new dozen, get a store credit or a refund. Any one of these options would have been fine, but Vince was adamant in his decision NOT to make it right.
As a social media marketing and SEO expert I intend to make sure that this review travels far and wide and that it goes to the top of Google and Bing so that other loyal customers will know how I was mistreated and that the same could happen to them. I’ve always been happy with the service at Lady Frances, but Vince is a liability to the reputation of such a long standing establishment and may need to be given training in customer service.
… moreSince you did not want to replace the messed up crabs you sold to me I contacted my bank and they refunded my money. You are out of a dozen of crabs which I have since thrown away, your business account has been debited the $125.00 I paid for the crabs and you lost a loyal customer. You lost all of the way around due to poor customer service and Vince’s attitude. You told me to just eat the crabs because you did not want to deal with it… now you can just eat the financial loss.
Original Review:
I and my family have been a loyal customers since the late 1990’s spending thousands of dollars each year since then. I thought that having been a loyal customer for so many years that I would be treated with respect if I ever had an issue or complaint. But to my surprise, when I had an issue with my order, Lady Frances’s employees disrespected and hung up on me. I am fairly confident that upper management does not condone this type of behavior, but you never know so I am awaiting their reply to this review. But let me tell you what happened and show you a photo of the crabs sold to me because this could happen to you!
On June 5, 2025 I drove 81 miles to purchase a dozen of crabs from Lady Frances’s and these crabs did not look safe to eat (see attached picture). The next day around 3:35 PM, I called and spoke to Vince, the store manager to calmly and professionally discuss with him that the crabs had a lot of black stuff on the shell that came off when wiped. I did not initially see the black on the shell because seasoning was added after the crabs were cooked to hide the black stuff on the shell. Black dots on the shell are normal, but not the large black stain that we’re able to be rubbed off with my hands was present on the shells of my crabs. When I told Vince about this he told me to talk to my brother who had purchased crabs just two days prior claiming that he had no problem with his crabs. This suggestion made by Vince proves that my family are regular and loyal customers. I had purchased crabs the previous week and they were fine. But the problem is that these other purchases were from a different batch and is totally separate from the crabs referenced in this review and cannot be considered. Vince even went as far as to insult me by saying that “I was losing it”. I was also told by another employee that the black stuff on the shell means that the crabs are heavy and anyone that knows anything about crabs knows that this is not accurate. Again the black stains on the crab shells could be rubbed off and after doing some research these crabs had a fungus and just like mold on any nonporous surface it could be rubbed off. I paid $125 for a dozen of crabs and all I wanted to do was return the dozen of crabs, get a new dozen, get a store credit or a refund. Any one of these options would have been fine, but Vince was adamant in his decision NOT to make it right.
As a social media marketing and SEO expert I intend to make sure that this review travels far and wide and that it goes to the top of Google and Bing so that other loyal customers will know how I was mistreated and that the same could happen to them. I’ve always been happy with the service at Lady Frances, but Vince is a liability to the reputation of such a long standing establishment and may need to be given training in customer service.
Ken Cold Photos
I’ve never had a bad meal and I have and will only buy my crabs at Lady Frances. Great family owned business that helps give back to the community.
… moreSheena Hawkins
Best crabs I had in years! Season well heavy meaty with lots of the yellow sauce inside! I don’t like the butter. The staff is nice. The shrimp is good as well . I live 45 minutes away I don’t care I will take the ride lol. Check them out you will not be disappointed
… moreLisa Beckley
We ordered large and every crab was packed with meat and mustard. They were very tasty too! We also got corn and it was very sweet! 10/10 highly recommend
… moreShakia L Trusty
First time visiting this hidden gem & most certainly won’t be my last. The crabs were hot, heavy & meaty. Very reasonably priced. The guy that took my order & the lady at the register were both super nice & welcoming. Only they need are oysters to complete my life.
… moreMr. Thomas
I drove back home from Virginia/NC and my first stop was Lady Frances for Big Blue Crabs and they did not disappoint. 5 star my first time there I will be back.
… morePatrick Wainwright
The crabs are always heavy and seasoned right! The best crabs I’ve ever had! Staff is very friendly and helpful.
… moreBrandon Muffoletto
Got a 1/2 bushel for a friend’s birthday and they were absolutely fantastic crabs! They were heavy, full of meat, and a lot of flavor. I’ll definitely be using this establishment when I get a taste for crabs moving forward. To top it off, the price was quite reasonable! Thank you.
… moreOlivia T.
Awesome crab place. Really not expensive. Goes well with corn. Don’t forget your paper roll.
… moreTracy howell
The best crab house I’ve been to. Great prices and delicious snow crabs and nice size Female and Male crabs. My new crab spot!
… more