The Crab Trap, Somers Point, New Jersey

“A restaurant is a fantasy – a kind of living fantasy in which diners are the most important members of the cast.”

Warner LeRoy

While visiting New Jersey, we wanted to take Joe’s mom out to dinner which is a tradition we do every time we are back home. We asked her what restaurant she would like to go to and she replied, “The Crab Trap, of course”. We knew she would say that since it has been her favorite restaurant for years and where she always wishes to go so we would take her. After all, mom’s wishes must be satisfied and we were glad to be able to do just that. We invited her neighbor and good friend, Darlene also to go on our lunch date.

Great menu

It was a foggy rainy day so we took our time getting there. It is a one hour drive through the back roads of South Jersey from Paulsboro towards the coast and today was not an easy drive with the weather. When we arrived at the restaurant, it was too foggy to see any views of the Great Egg Harbor Bay.

Mom 

The Crab Trap Restaurant has been here for over fifty years. Jack Wallace was the original owner and opened the restaurant in 1967. He had it built on the site that was once the Somerset Plantation which was owned by Richard Somers, one of the original settlers of Somers Point. When Jack originally opened the restaurant, it was named “The Maenner’s Cafe” which only served sandwiches and tap beer. It was known by the locals for the dirt floors, horseshoe shaped bar, and laid back atmosphere. The restaurant has since changed owners but kept in the family and is now owned by Jack’s son, Kenneth.

Darlene, Mom, and Joe

Mom and her son, Joe

When we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the hostess and given a table not far from the main entrance. The waitress came as soon as we sat down and got our drink order. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and sweet. She brought us a basket full of different kinds of bread to try while waiting for our meal. They were warm and tasty.

Live Lobsters

We placed our order and our food came out shortly after. I ordered the fried shrimp platter and it was excellent. Mom got the crab cakes meal and said it was great as well. We all loved our meals. If you are not a seafood fan, they do serve other food beside seafood and I heard the steak was very good. They served generous portions and we were very satisfied. We had a lovely relaxing meal.

Lovely room with a beautiful fireplace. 

There is a nautical theme throughout the restaurant. One of the rooms had a large open fireplace right in the middle of the room which must be great to sit near on a cold day. They have a large bar that was well attended with anything you could possibly want to drink. Even on a Tuesday afternoon, the restaurant was packed. They have room to seat 400 people and I would say, most of the tables were full while we were there.

The bar

They have live music in the summertime every night and in the off season, they have live music from Wednesday through Saturday. This restaurant has an outside more casual dinning in their restaurant called Crabby Jacks that overlooks the water. That would be nice to come and eat outside when the weather is nice.

This is a great restaurant and has been for over fifty years. If you are looking for an informal place to eat with best, freshest seafood, and great prices, this is the place for you. They have outstanding service and they have a very friendly staff. They will pamper you and make you comfortable. They are open 11 am – 3 pm for lunch, 3 pm -5 pm for twilight dinning, and 3 pm – 10 pm for dinner. They are located at 2 Broadway, Somers Point, New Jersey. There phone number is 609-927-7377. Check them out at: www.thecrabpot.com.

We would highly recommend this restaurant. This is one restaurant that is on our list to visit every time we are in town. Give them a try. You will be glad you did. Till next time. Bye for now.