Everyone who’s anyone in Miami knows about the iconic Joe’s Stone Crab {11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.673.0365}. Mainly famous for its juicy, fresher-than-fresh stone crab claws, fancy butlers, dazzling dining room, prime South of Fifth location, and in-the-know takeout window, “Joe’s,” as the locals call it, is a staple here in the Magic City. Confirming its fame, this Friday, October 13, the standout seafood spot will open for its 104th—yes, you read that right—stone crab season. And even though its still four days away, Miami locals are already counting down the days.
Having first opened in the same location in 1913, Joe’s Stone Crab wasn’t always a stone crab place. In fact, owner Joe Weiss originally opened it as a casual lunch counter named “Joe’s” and didn’t even start serving his famous claws until nearly a decade later. In 1921, a Harvard University ichthyologist, or someone who specializes in the science of fish, came to Weiss with a bag full of stone crabs and asked him to find a way for people to eat them; something completely unheard of at the time. Skeptical, Joe started experimenting with the claws anyway, and even came up with his classic Joe’s Famous Mustard Sauce (get the recipe here!). After that, there was no going back. Joe’s served the very first stone crabs later that year, and has become a haven for stone crab-loving celebrities, superstars, big businessmen, politicians, world leaders, and presidents ever since.
This Friday, we here in Miami get to honor Joe’s legendary history by once again kicking-off a season that the restaurant practically created. If you want to experience it, get there early. Joe’s doesn’t take reservations, and once it opens, there will surely be a line out the door. Given its annual popularity, the owners expect to serve around 1,500 pounds of stone crabs on opening night, along with time-honored side dishes and desserts like Joe’s hashed brown potatoes, creamed spinach, and of course, the key lime pie. As any veteran stone crab-lover will tell you, it’s both a meal and an experience you won’t want to miss.
The restaurant will reopen for dinner this Friday, October 13, at 5 p.m. Lunch will reopen in the main restaurant on Tuesday, October 17, at 11:30 a.m. Joe’s Takeaway will reopen Friday, October 13, at 5 p.m., with the first breakfast being served on October 14, at 7:30 a.m. The bar will open this Friday, October 13, at 4 p.m. Limited free parking is available across the street and Joe’s offers its own valet.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor