Highlights
- Great beer selection
oChef » Submarine Crab – San Diego
Submarine Crab - San Diego
Photo from Submarine Crab
Submarine Crab at a glance
San Diego Kearny Mesa
- 🦞 Seafood Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 37 of the guests
#416 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#6 Seafood Restaurant out of 10 in San Diego
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
374
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh seafood
- Lively ambiance
- Helpful service
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- Order issues
- Quality variation
The restaurant Submarine Crab offers a delightful seafood experience in San Diego’s vibrant Kearny Mesa neighborhood. You’ll find a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for enjoying fresh catches.
Beyond the delicious food, you can also explore a great beer selection, making it an ideal spot for both dinner and happy hour. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a late-night meal, this spot has you covered with its diverse offerings and inviting ambiance.
Overview: Introducting Submarine Crab
Submarine Crab offers a lively atmosphere, often praised for its cleanliness and suitability for group outings, making for an enjoyable, hands-on dining experience. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the overall positive vibe that complements the meal.
While the fresh seafood and flavorful sauces are frequently highlighted, some experiences have been tempered by concerns regarding waiting time and occasional issues with management. It seems the restaurant delivers a generally good experience, but with a few areas that could see improvement.
Good
7.2
out of 10
374
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
97
negative
19
neutral
258
positive
Submarine Crab achieves a respectable overall score of 7.2, indicating a generally good dining experience. Customer satisfaction sits at 69%, suggesting a mixed but leaning positive sentiment among patrons.
This assessment is drawn from 374 customer comments, with 258 positive remarks outweighing 97 negative ones. Delving into specifics, the Ambience (7.8) and Food (7.4) both score well, with food being a major draw, mentioned in nearly all reviews.
Service (7.0) also rates as good, though it garners a high volume of comments, both positive and negative. The Value (5.5) score, however, is more average, reflecting some mixed opinions on pricing.
What people like
- Fresh, flavorful seafood
- Fun, clean atmosphere
- Attentive, helpful staff
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Occasional order issues
- Inconsistent food quality
With a recommendation score of 7.5, Submarine Crab is certainly worth considering if you’re in the mood for a seafood boil. The vibrant setting and quality of the main dishes often leave a positive impression, especially for those seeking a fun group meal.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service or value. If you prioritize fresh, flavorful seafood in a lively environment and can overlook minor hiccups, this spot could be a solid choice for your next outing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Submarine Crab
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.4 and a customer satisfaction of 71.4%, it's clear many diners are happy. Out of 255 total opinions, 182 were positive, praising the fresh seafood, flavorful Cajun sauce, and wide variety of menu options like the delicious crab and shrimp combos.
However, 57 opinions did point out some areas for improvement. Some found the shrimp mushy, the food overly salty, or portions to be on the smaller side. There were also mentions of unfresh crab and issues with sides like undercooked potatoes, suggesting consistency can sometimes be a challenge.
Food
255
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
57
negative
16
neutral
182
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh seafood
- Flavorful sauces
- Wide menu variety
What people don't like
- Mushy shrimp
- Salty food
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodI truly enjoyed the food, service, and overall experience. The torpedo sauce was amazing, and I devoured my food. The lemonade was also good.
- seafoodWe ordered the Combo 1, which included 1 pound each of snow crab legs and crawfish (we opted for fresh crawfish for a small extra charge) tossed in their classic Cajun sauce. The seafood was incredibly fresh, noticeably superior to other seafood boil restaurants we've tried—no strange aftertaste or overpowering flavors. It was delightful to find that the combo included potatoes, corn, and sausage at no additional cost, something often charged extra elsewhere.
- oystersCrawfish, oysters, scallops, garlic noodles were all good.
- seafood boilone of the only restraunts open during the covid mess in this area with seafood boil
- shrimpThe food was exceptional, even better than Crab Hut. It arrived fresh, hot, and perfectly cooked, especially the shrimp. I appreciated that the food wasn't overcooked or sitting in sauce, which can make it rubbery.
- torpedo saucebest torpedo sauce (all sauces combined) in my opinion
- flavorThe noodles have that perfect chewy, bouncy texture and the broth is packed with deep, rich flavor. Honestly, it’s even better than the famous Mai Phuong in OC; the flavor and noodle quality here are on another level. We experienced fresh seafood, consistent quality, and comforting flavors every time.
- flavorscrawfish and flavors I have ever had
- garlic noodlesCrawfish, oysters, scallops, garlic noodles were all good.
- seafood boilsMy experience at Submarine Crab has been consistently awesome. I've visited multiple times with different friend groups, and the consensus is always the same: it's one of the stronger seafood boils in the area. The menu options are dangerously delicious.
Frequently criticized
- shrimpMy experience at this restaurant was a sorry excuse for a seafood place, let alone a Southern one. I ordered a mild gumbo, which arrived with uninspired sausage and four butterflied, tasteless shrimp. It tasted like slimy okra soup.
- crabThe crab also wasn't fresh tasting
- cornthe corn was old and dry and wrinkle with a bad taste
- foodHorrible food
- potatoesThe core of the potatoes were still frozen!
- sausageThe food was just okay, nothing special. There was only 1 piece of corn, maybe 2 potatoes, and 5 pieces of sausage. The Crab Hut is busier but definitely better!
- BPAnot healthy to expose people to possible BPA
- Crab HutCrab hut is better
- Snow crab combosauce was overpowered by garlic!
- boiled eggsboiled Eggs have been runny
If you're craving a flavorful seafood boil with plenty of options, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some experiences mention inconsistent quality or smaller portions, so set your expectations accordingly.
Service (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid score of 7, indicating a good experience for many. With 45 positive remarks out of 66 total, guests frequently praise the attentive `server` and `staff` for their `fast service` and excellent `customer service`. Many found the team to be incredibly kind, helpful, and quick, often going above and beyond to ensure an enjoyable dining experience.
However, it's not always smooth sailing, as reflected in the 68.2% customer satisfaction, which is a mixed bag. About 20 negative comments point to issues like frustrating `waiting time` and `order` mix-ups. Some guests also encountered problems with `management` and less-than-stellar `customer service`, feeling rushed or dealing with staff who seemed clueless.
Service
66
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
20
negative
1
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Quick, helpful service
- Excellent customer interaction
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Messed up orders
- Poor management issues
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was great. I've tried a few of their combos, and they were all great, offering tons of flavor and fast service. You definitely get what you pay for here.
- staffThe staff is very helpful and nice
- serverWe had an amazing server who was so kind and helpful
- customer servicegave us very very very excellent customer service
- DoorDashI Used door dash my food was super hot and fresh
- JoseHe probably the nicest human being I’ve ever met.
- Submarine staffSubmarine staff, for being amazing
- dining experienceSubmarine Crab truly knows how to create an enjoyable seafood boil experience. They provided high-quality food gloves, plastic bibs, wet wipes, a scrap bowl for shells, and all the necessary tools—scissors, crab crackers, and picks—to make the dining experience effortless and clean. We also indulged in the fried soft shell crab served with crunchy fries.
- fast serviceThe Coconut snail (oc len xao dua) is particularly outstanding here. They consistently maintain their food quality and provide fast service.
- fast staffFast friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- orderthe order didn’t go in the back
- waiting timeWe ordered the Snow crab combo with classic Cajun sauce, but the sauce was overpowered by garlic. Adding to the frustration, we placed our order in advance and still waited an extra 45 minutes. Upon checking the order and voicing our complaints after leaving, we were only offered a $2 refund for the potatoes.
- customer serviceHorrible management & customer service!
- managementIt’s my family, husband, and kids. Terrible management. Terrible sign.
- ServiceService could have been better and faster
- deliveryI spent $70 for a delivery, which included a $10 tip. Unfortunately, the order was very disappointing.
- online orderdon't expect your order to be at the home given ut usually takes longer
- phonecan't get them on the phone
- rush me outHowever, my order is always messed up. The boiled eggs have been runny the last two times I went, and they constantly try to rush me out with runny boiled eggs.
- separate them ourselveswe had to separate ourselves
Overall, you can expect a generally positive service experience, especially with the attentive staff. However, be prepared for potential hiccups like longer waits or order issues, which seem to be a recurring theme for some. If you're patient and understanding, the good service often outweighs the occasional frustrations.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
The ambiance here truly shines, earning a solid 7.8 score and a fantastic 80% customer satisfaction. Many guests, based on 16 positive remarks, rave about the fun atmosphere and amazing vibes, making it perfect for group outings and birthday celebrations. The cleanliness, even in the bathrooms, consistently receives high praise, contributing to a wonderful experience.
However, a few minor points, noted in 3 comments, suggest some areas for improvement. Guests occasionally found the exterior sign a bit tiny, and limited parking can sometimes be a slight inconvenience. While these don't detract from the overall positive feel, they are worth noting for future visits.
Ambience
20
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fun atmosphere
- Spotless cleanliness
- Great for groups
What people don't like
- Tiny exterior sign
- Limited parking
Often praised
- atmosphereNot only was the food impeccable, but the portions were generous. The service was friendly, and the atmosphere made the messy, hands-on dining experience even more enjoyable.
- placeThe place is always clean
- CleanClean and attentive staffs
- bathroomsThe bathrooms were extremely clean.
- birthday celebrationWe were here for a birthday celebration and everything was outstanding!
- cleanlinessthe cleanliness was too teir!
- experienceI truly enjoyed the experience
- fun atmospheredefinitely a fun atmosphere
- group outingsGreat for group outings
- timeHad a Great Time
Frequently criticized
- landfillIs this all getting thrown to the landfill?
- parkinglimited parking
- signIt was the tiniest sign
If youre looking for a lively spot with great energy and spotless surroundings, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of the potentially limited parking and keep an eye out for the sign, but expect a truly enjoyable atmosphere once youre inside.
Value (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.5 indicating an average experience and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 45.5%. However, many diners rave about the bang for your buck, especially highlighting fantastic happy hour deals and incredible $1 oysters. Folks often feel their meal was worth a trip, finding the prices quite reasonable for the generous portions and quality seafood.
On the flip side, a significant number of comments, 17 compared to 15 positive remarks out of 33 total, point to concerns about the cost. Some found items pricey or felt they were hit with an extra charge for things like sauce. There are also mentions of an expensive item missing from orders or feeling price gouged, suggesting that the bill can sometimes be higher than expected.
Value
33
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
17
negative
1
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Excellent oyster value
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Can be pricey
- Unexpected extra charges
- Order inaccuracies
Often praised
- pricesThe beef with rice dish was decent, featuring quality meat and tasty sauce, though not particularly extraordinary. For the portion sizes and exceptional quality provided, the prices here are unmatched by most seafood places in San Diego. Submarine Crab has certainly set a new bar for seafood boil restaurants, and we can't wait to return!
- valuegreat value compared to many other local places
- pricePrice about exactly the same as other boils, maybe a few bucks cheaper
- $1 oystersFor $1, no better value.
- bang for your buckMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, offering the best bang for your buck in my opinion. Each of the boils consistently comes with the fixings, ensuring you're not being price gouged.
- billleft paying less than $50 for everything.
- cheaper than boiling crabit’s cheaper than boiling crab
- happy hour dealsgood happy hour deals on drinks
- mealthis meal was worth every penny
- worth a tripMy wife and I ordered the combo #5, which provided a boat load of seafood. The meal was fantastic and very flavorful, making it totally worth a trip.
Frequently criticized
- priceI spent $70 for a delivery, which included a $10 tip. Unfortunately, the order was very disappointing.
- $45for $45
- PriceyPricey, but the crab and seafood taste very fresh
- Red Lobstersame price I could’ve gotten same 1lb or snow crab at red lobster for 10 dollars less
- billhe tried to charge us over $220!!!
- expensive itemI recently placed a $110 order through Postmates. Unfortunately, the most expensive item we ordered, the crab, was not included in the delivery. This was incredibly inconvenient as I couldn't reach the restaurant by phone.
- extra chargethey charged me an extra $38.00
- extra sauceI highly recommend it. Just be aware that the extra sauce costs $6. Overall, it was a 10/10 experience.
- menuThe menu was outdated to ask pricing
- placeplace is more expensive than MN
If you're savvy about happy hour deals or specific promotions like $1 oysters, you might find some real gems here. However, be mindful of potential extra charges and check your bill carefully, as some diners felt the overall experience could be a bit pricey.
How are the prices at Submarine Crab?
You’re looking at roughly $48 per person – reported by 37 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Seafood Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average hovers around $48, it’s interesting to see that many guests actually spend less, with a significant number falling into the $21–$30 range. However, there are also plenty of diners enjoying more premium choices, with some spending well over $100.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 37 reviews.
Comparing the value for money of this restaurant to similar spots in San Diego.
For a Seafood Restaurant in San Diego, we feel the pricing offers a good balance. It seems to cater to a range of budgets, which is always a smart move for diners looking for flexibility.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Submarine Crab
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Exceptional Banh Canh & Seafood Udon
This has been our go-to spot for over 5 years, and it never disappoints! If you’re into banh canh or seafood udon, this place truly nails it. The noodles have that perfect chewy, bouncy texture and the broth is packed with deep, rich flavor.
Honestly, it’s even better than the famous Mai Phuong in OC; the flavor and noodle quality here are on another level. We experienced fresh seafood, consistent quality, and comforting flavors every time. Easily one of the best hidden gems around!
- banh canh10
- seafood udon10
- noodles10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Great Shrimp and Options!
My experience at this restaurant was positive. The shrimp tasted good, and I found it to be cheaper than boiling crab. They also offer more options, which is a definite plus.
- shrimp8
- options7
- cheaper than boiling crab8
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Phenomenal Calamari and Fries!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! We ordered combo #4, and it was plenty for 3 people. The fried calamari appetizer was phenomenal, and the french fries that came with it were some of the best I’ve ever had!
- combo #48
- fried calamari appetizer10
- french fries10
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Expensive Crab Boil, Lacks Seasoning
My birthday experience was okay. The food was decent, but it tasted different from Minnesota Crab Boils and lacked seasoning. While the place is closer to the ocean, it was more expensive than expected.
Overall, it was a good birthday celebration for my husband and me, as we shared dishes and had drinks, totaling $180. 00 plus 18% gratuity.
- food5
- drinks6
- seasoning3
- place3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Amazing Seafood and Impeccable Service!
From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and were seated immediately. Our waitress was incredibly attentive and kind, always ready to refill our drinks before we even finished them. The food was AMAZING!
I thoroughly enjoyed the seafood pho, which was both flavorful and filling. My son loved his seafood udon, and we both found a piece of seafood in every bite. My friends raved about their seafood boil bags, describing them as cooked to perfection.
The atmosphere was great, and the bathrooms were extremely clean. If I could give 10 stars, I absolutely would!
- seafood pho10
- seafood udon9
- seafood9
What Submarine Crab offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Happy hour drinks
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Submarine Crab in San Diego?
At Submarine Crab in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa, you’ll find a casual and trendy seafood restaurant. You can enjoy late-night food, happy hour drinks, and a great beer selection. They offer table service for lunch and dinner, and with high chairs available, it’s a good spot for kids, ensuring a versatile dining experience for any time of day.
What service options and accessibility features does Submarine Crab provide?
Submarine Crab provides various service options like no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in table service. Parking includes paid and free lots, plus free street parking, though finding a spot can be challenging. The restaurant is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring an accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom for all guests.
How does Submarine Crab generally perform?
Submarine Crab holds an overall score of **7.2**, driven by strong **Ambience** (7.8), **Food** (7.4), and **Service** (7.0), though **Value** (5.5) is considered more average by patrons.
What makes the food at Submarine Crab stand out?
Customers frequently praise the **fresh seafood**, particularly the quality of crab and crawfish, and the distinctive, flavorful sauces like the **torpedo sauce**.
Are there any common issues to be aware of when visiting Submarine Crab?
Some patrons have noted occasional **waiting time** issues for orders and concerns regarding **inconsistent food quality** or missing items in delivery.