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Johnny's Half Shell Reviews List
Johnny's Half Shell
Opened in 1999, and chosen by Gourmet Magazine in 2000 as one of "America's Best Restaurants," Johnny's Half Shell relocated to its present Capitol Hill location in September 2006. Renditions of Chesapeake and Gulf Coast Seafood remained the kitchen's focus, and the restaurant's new home maintained its homespun conviviality. Said Washingtonian Magazine, "The capitol dome shines in the background, a reminder of the new, more serious-minded neighbors who come here. But Johnny's still feels like home." In September 2007, New York Times dubbed the new venue a "Capital Gain" for Washington, DC.
See more Johnny's Half Shell details
223 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Rating Breakdown 223 reviews
5 stars
(33)
4 stars
(100)
3 stars
(53)
2 stars
(30)
1 star
(7)
Food
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(53)
- special occasion(46)
- good for groups(39)
- neighborhood gem(38)
- great for lunch(32)
- great for outdoor dining(30)
Johnny's Half Shell Reviews List
Review 1 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Too Expensive for What you get
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Johnny's Half Shell has good food and a nice atmosphere. It is in a neighborhood where there are few good restaurant choices. Therefore, even though the food is good, the prices are way too high."
Dined on 5/16/2013
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Review 2 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent Mid-Atlantic Seafood
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Enjoyed dinner outside with 3 adults and 4 children. We sampled oysters, soft-shelled crabs, crabcakes and bouillbasse. Good tasting moderate portions. Soft shells were too salty. Otherwise, food was good. Service was attentive, if not warm. Bar scene was active. A good experience in D.C."
Dined on 5/16/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly
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Review 3 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Evening
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was superb. We both took waiter recommendations (soft shell crab and catfish w/risotto), and were both extremely pleased with our meals. Great portion size, strong drinks, and an overall great experience. Definitely recommend it! We split an app, got two cocktails each, two entrees, and split a dessert. W/ tip it ran us about $150, definitely worth it for the experience!"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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Review 4 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great find!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Booked based on Washingtonian Mag. Made reservation for Sat via Open Table! All worked out perfect! The Crab cakes for a non Baltimore restaurant were excellent! They had a live jazz band on Saturday night that was absolutely perfect! Go if you can!"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 5 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent Food and Music
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My wife and I are currently visiting Washington DC. The other evening we had dinner at Johnny's Half Shell. We sat outside on their covered table area. The rain was coming down. We shared a bottle of wine, listened to the jazz band had an absolutely wonderful dinner. The seafood was uniquely prepared and done very well. I would highly recommend this restaurant. A very nice relaxing place to share a dinner with someone close."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great specials
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Thanks for a nice lunch. We had a lovely time, the service was good and the special, shrimp étouffée was delightful. The rice was super hard though as if it had been either 1 reheated or 2 improperly cooked. For a $25 lunch entree I'd expect them to know how to make rice."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for lunch, special occasion
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Review 7 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Limited menu. Very much a Capitol Hill establishment.not really my scene, but my lunch partner wanted to meet there."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 8 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Johnny's Half Shell
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This restaurant was inexplicably listed in the Washingtonian Magazine 100 best.As a professional chef based in RIchmond ,VA, I have come to expect a certain level of service and attention to detail when dining out, and Johnny's Half Shell failed in both categories. Waitstaff and management were not knowledgeable about ingredients in dishes, plating was most unattractive on dishes that looked like Hot Shoppes castoffs and, for prices, quality of food was subpar. Examples : waiter advised me to avoid ice creams because "they contain gluten in the base" (preposterous!), overcooked shad roe had underlying lettuces that looked suspiciously like Dole salad mix and andouille in catfish entree had Cajun bite but rubbery texture of hot dogs."
Dined on 5/04/2013
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Review 9 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
big disappointment
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Uninspired menu, mediocre execution, small, corporate-franchise-style portions, indifferent service, generic room. My first time to Johnny's in the decade since Johhny's moved from Dupont Circle, and what a let down."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2006
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Review 10 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Good, not Great
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We requested a quiet table and were well seated in the back where we could hear the live music but not have to shout over it. Food was good, not great; portions modest and wine list very good. good service."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2010
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Review 11 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Perfectly pleasant, not noteworthy
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I ate with a party of friends, all of us first timers at Johnny's. We started with oysters, both raw and broiled..The broiled were OK, but the raw oysters were much better -- very fresh and tasty. For entrees, most of us hd crab cakes. They were great, and I am very picky about crab cakes. One of us had the salmon and said it was very good, as someone who is fussy about salmon. So the entrees get an A. For dessert we had the German chocolate cake, the salted caramel ice cream, and rosemary scented apple pie. All were very good, the latter being a novel twist on a classic. The service was odd; our waiter kept speaking to me as if I were visiting from out of town, although I gave him no reason for doing so. The decor was dated."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2007
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Review 12 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Skip it.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Appears to be a place in decline."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2007
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Review 13 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great food and location.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great food and location. Will definitely come back."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 14 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Spend your money elsewhere
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This place is cashing in on its terrific location by the Capitol and Union Station. I was stunned at how bad the food and service were, especially for the price point. It's a good-looking facility, but don't be fooled."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2007
Special Features: scenic view, hot spot
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Review 15 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food quality was fine, but
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food quality was fine, but it seemed very formulaic and corporate. Nothing special. Probably best for tourists based on location."
Dined on 04/22/2013
2008
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Review 16 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food was 3 out of 5. We had
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was 3 out of 5. We had the charbroiled oysters which were very tasty--probably the best part of the meal. Ordered the fritto misto and crabcakes. Fritto misto was ok (it is fried so how can it go wrong), and the crabcakes were disappointing. Although the flavor was good, however, for $30+, I expected lump meat but they were not. The coleslaw was more on the vinegar side--tasty but I prefer the mayo based."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2008
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 17 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Dined at Johnny's Half Shell
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Dined at Johnny's Half Shell for lunch Wednesday, April 17th and honestly it was not a great experience. The server and hostess were very nice and treated us well, but the kitchen took a VERY long time to prepare our food. I orderd the tots as an appetizer and the king crab salad for my meal. The salad was disappointing because it was the size of a side salad with some king crab added. For over $20, it wasn't exactly a great portion size. And, again, it took a very long time to prepare the food."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2009
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Review 18 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Great ambiance and location
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great ambiance and location next to the Capitol. I thought the food was decent, but I certainly wouldn't advise someone to go here based on the food alone. Overall the experience was worth it, but don't expect a knockout food experience."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2008
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Review 19 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Waste of $$$
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I ordered the crab cakes. The fries that came with the order were cold and old looking, as if they were fried in old grease. The cole slaw was warm. I requested a new order of fries, and the new fries were just warm. I left disappointed and out of $50."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2010
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Review 20 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was excellent, service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food was excellent, service was slow & couldn't get our drink orders correct."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 21 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The best part about this restaurant
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The best part about this restaurant was the ambiance. My husband and I went around 6:30pm in the evening during the second week of April, and it was beautiful. It was not too loud, and the view of the Capital and the cherry blossoms was very nice. Definitely great for outdoor dining, but would save this for a special occasion due to the price range of the menu. Would also only recommend this for those that are truly looking for just seafood."
Dined on 04/08/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, special occasion
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Review 22 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Went for Crabcakes, okay but
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went for Crabcakes, okay but not great. For the money, I expected better."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2011
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Review 23 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service very slow and unattentive.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Service very slow and unattentive. Had to go find waitpersion twice."
Dined on 04/08/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 24 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Probably the best fried crabcakes
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Amazing crabcakes, good service, and a great patio."
Dined on 04/08/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 25 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I hate to say it, but this
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I hate to say it, but this restaurant felt a bit overly large and tired. I hosted a dinner for 6 and, though we liked the setting, several found the food was just OK, not stellar. King crab was skinny, overcooked and dry. Several dishes were small and not particularly to our taste. Wine re-order during dinner was never delivered . Not a bad experience, but not a great one either."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2009
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Review 26 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We were tipped to Johnny's
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were tipped to Johnny's Half Shell by the Washington diner's guide. It was a good tip. The food was excellent. The crabcakes (broiled) were just right as was the salmon. Our waiter was personable and knew the menu well. The wine selection was not large but very well-chosen. Playing in the background, at a low volume, was a nice combination of blues (B.B. King) and soul (Aretha Franklin). We would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to enjoy excellent food in a low-key environment."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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Review 27 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Almost great
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"It was a classic Washington seafood dinner with fresh and well prepared seafood, but nothing special. We all had seafood and found everything to be just ordinarily good. It was a lot of money for what we got. No complaints, just not really as impressed as I used to be"
Dined on 04/03/2013
2003
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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Review 28 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Go for the crab cakes!
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I'd go there for the best crab cakes ever - broiled with big chunks of juicy crab - served with delicate and tasty French fries and fresh cole slaw. And the unusual and very delicious Rosemary infused apple pie. Everything else on the menu sounded and tasted tired."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, great for lunch
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Review 29 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Failed to meet expectations
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"JOhnny's Half-shell seems overpriced for what you get. We dined there with some friends on a Saturday night. Ordered drinks at the bar; bar staff took 20 mins to make the drinks (both of which were on the cocktail menu). We were seated before they were done. Wait staff seemed uninterested in serving us: didn't leave the wine and cocktail list (we had to ask for it twice). Though it seemed like it was once a nice place, it's certainly not worth visiting for the price paid."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2011
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Review 30 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Probably the worst service
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Probably the worst service I have ever experienced at a restaurant of this class."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2005
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Review 31 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was good, but much
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was good, but much more expensive than other great seafood restaurants in DC."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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Review 32 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Resting on their laurels
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Nothing memorable. Entrees were bland. No imagination. Stay away from the deserts."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2007
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Review 33 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Not So Special
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The restaurant looked great and the service was excellent. The oysters were fresh and the drinks were fine. We thought we were in for a fine dining experience. However, our entrees were not so good. My daughter could not eat her food. My husband finished for her being that he was still hungry after his own meal. All of us were. The quality of the ingredients was low. I think the place was probably great in the past, but it seems like they are cutting corners. Johnny's has so much potential to be better, but as it is, it was nowhere worth the money and I certainly would not recommend it."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2012
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Review 34 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I wanted to like Johnny's
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I wanted to like Johnny's but the food just was ok. The bouillibase had a broth that overwhelmed everything else. The fried oysters weren't crisp. The grilled squid and the crabcakes were very good.
But the very good just didn't make up for the whole experience."
But the very good just didn't make up for the whole experience."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2002
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Review 35 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
March 2013 Dinner review
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Everything was barely average. Food was over seasoned and salted, presentation was lacking and accompaniments were odd choices. High price for the service and offering. Wont go back....ever."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2011
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Review 36 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Making reservation on open
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Making reservation on open table was very easy and I was pleasantly surprised that the reservation was there when we walked in."
Dined on 03/12/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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Review 37 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I've been to Johnny's many
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I've been to Johnny's many times for both lunch and dinner and the food is consisently good to excellent. The bar scene is nice but can oftend be loud to the point of being a distraction. This time was typical. Food was excellent to outstanding--my fish was perfectly prepared. Noise was tolerable. I would return again."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 38 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Wife had he pris fixe dinner,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Wife had he pris fixe dinner, catfish, gumbo, and fantatic chocolate angel food cake, enough for 2. I had the grilled redfish with roasted carrots and spinich. I started with the shrimp and grits. It was a very good meal. Gumbo was especially spicy, we really liked it. Portions were generous and the half bottle of wine just right for dinner before a show. Another nice feature is the validated parking."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies
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Review 39 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Very disappointing. The crabcakes
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Very disappointing. The crabcakes were bland and lacked the seasoning one would expect from a restaurant of its caliber. Waitress was inattentive and service was generally slow."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2006
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Review 40 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good spot to have a business
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good spot to have a business lunch -- classy enough, reasonable selection, good service without being too pushy."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2011
Special Features: great for lunch
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Review 41 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was only fair but
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food was only fair but the staff was excellent"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2006
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Review 42 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Wine list and some very
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great Wine list and some very nice wines.
Food has become formulaic (Sp)"
Dined on 01/25/2013
2004
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Review 43 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Very very disappointing experience.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Very very disappointing experience. Took my girlfriend here for Valentine's Day and we were put in a part of the restaurant under bright light in a cafeteria like atmosphere with no decor. They didn't put a flower on the tables. The service was terrible and food was bland. Disappointing because I had been to the old Johnny's Half Shell on P St and DC and it was fantastic. Unfortunately this really wrecked our night. Living in DC for 12 years, the worst restaurant experience I've had."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
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Review 44 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Had made a reservation to
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had made a reservation to go for lunch on valentines day because both my boyfriend & I work at night. Because of the location, it is a popular spot for Capitol Hill lunch diners, & was very busy. I was diassappionted when they seated us in the middle of a very crowded section, at a table that felt like it has been forced into the floor plan. It was impossible not to be caught up in the conversations at the tables around us because they were so close.
The food was very good. & bi would definitely return simply for that reason.
The service left something to be desired as at no point was I ever sure who our server even was."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 45 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Did I Just Dine at Red Lobster?
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Really this is a pretty ordinary restaurant charging extraordinary amounts for its food. The food is okay. The crab imperial at $30 was tasteless and watery. The oyster stew is pretty good, as are the fried oysters. There is a jazz band on Saturday nights but you can't hear it in many parts of the restaurant. Our waiter was unfamiliar with the wine list, offering the excuse that it had recently been changed. Miss the old DuPont Circle location!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2003
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Review 46 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Our service was terrible -
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our service was terrible - forgotten requests, took forever, could not answer questions about the food. We saw him often standing around looking confused. We were sat at a poorly placed corner table with a lot of through traffic. The food was good but for what we paid I expected a much better experience."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
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Review 47 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We've eaten twice at Johnny's
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We've eaten twice at Johnny's Half Shell on our way to Arena Stage performances. Service has been excellent and efficient. Food was delicious. Love the ambience and really enjoyed the jazz the first time we ate at the restaurant."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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Review 48 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Johnny's Half Shell is a good find
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was delicious, from appetizers to entree to dessert. We were pleasantly surprised. The service was professional and attentive. The noise level, which is unusual for D.C., was surprisingly moderate and we could actually hear ourselves talk. The music was appropriate for the ambiance of the place! We had a great experience. Drinks were also good and a little strong."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 49 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Johnny's has always been a
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Johnny's has always been a favorite! The restaurant is so consistently good with excellent menu choices and a serving staff that is helpful but not intrusive. This made an enjoyable evening's conversation with a longtime friend, that much better."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 50 for Johnny's Half Shell
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
An positively enchanting dining
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"An positively enchanting dining experience. Most "half shells" we ordered were divine!
The decent entourage speaks of decency of the place itself.
The crisp clear overall neatness of the place, added more to the dining pleasure
Friendly reception though one may wait a small while,even arriving at proper time.
If you are that -very hungry "triple-decker and family sizer fries with everything on it"-kind of guy then this is not your place!"
The decent entourage speaks of decency of the place itself.
The crisp clear overall neatness of the place, added more to the dining pleasure
Friendly reception though one may wait a small while,even arriving at proper time.
If you are that -very hungry "triple-decker and family sizer fries with everything on it"-kind of guy then this is not your place!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, romantic, special occasion
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