The Half Shell

I am still dreaming about the crab cake BLT that I ordered two days in a row at The Half Shell. Wonderful spot for weekend lunch during our family vacation at SSI. Service is fast and friendly. Flavors are right on. Large selection of side dishes including fresh veggies, which is SO appreciated! Nice kids menu too: my daughter loved her shrimp and side of veggies. The Half Shell is on our MUST EAT HERE rotation for all future trips to the island. And it should be on yours too.

We went here for Father’s Day and so glad we did, the food was amazing and let’s not mention their service. Everyone was beyond friendly and professional, they rocked for sure. Their Crab Bisque was delicious, along with the their Cajun Oysters. Hubby ordered a steak (the flat steak I believe it was) with fried oysters was perfect and the rest oder the catch of the day, everyone was just beyond amazed and satisfied. Even the kiddos, and whoa their sweet potatoes were yummy– they were perfect. Thank you guys for an amazing experience

Funky, fun joint that doesn’t forget that food is important. Bonus, stumbled into a happy hour half-​off for draft late one afternoon.
Needed to get an oyster fix in the company of non-​oyster eaters, but also needed to feed them well. Hmmm. Half-​Shell stepped up. A Bloody Mary oyster shooter (vodka, fresh squeezed lemon, oyster, bloody mary mix, old bay rim, lemon wedge) did the trick for me, a little dear at $ 7 but high quality and well made. Onward.
Next a deep fried green/​sugar pea app that was really quite snappy and fresh. Entrees up, a fish sandwich doesn’t sound sexy but blackened mahi mahi with lettuce, tomato & dill tartar sauce on brioche roll ($ 13) done right is tough to beat. This was done right, plus a side of light, light crispy onion rings. Good stuff.
Fish special for the night was corvina (a sea bass) with a choice of preps. One grilled and one blackened to start, and from there a side salad which featured some absurdly ripe tomatoes and the chili slaw that is a sleeper. Paired with the blackened prep the slaw’s sweet Asian sesame tilt works really well. Honestly think it should be a required side. Fish itself was firm, meaty, and dense; not overcooked or oversauced.
Do have to note that if you are seated in the bar area booths, it could get loud. If so, consider that you could be eating much inferior food somewhere else on this busy, busy island.

My wife and I live in Chattanooga, and her parents watched our two year old for the night while on vacation. So we weren’t looking for a place to let us down on our date night.
The Half Shell was by far the best meal we’ve had on the Island. Great drinks, salads, the steak and pork chop are incredible! Definitely recommend to any new or veteran SSI visitor.

Really good! Friendly staff and fresh seafood. The atmosphere and décor was interesting to look at. We would have definitely gone back on our trip if we’d discovered it sooner.

Had a great lunch! Try the crab soup and the Mahi sandwich blackened. I would go back often if I lived here.

Just ate here and everything was great!!! Had the blue crab cakes and my husband had the red snapper. And the food was great.

My husband and I came here on a visit to St. Simons because it had stellar reviews, and the food did not disappoint if you like down-​home style cooking. We had the broiled lemon garlic oysters, a spinach salad, and the crab cake BLT with the green beans and shiitakes on the side. The oysters were perfection, well-​prepared and vibrantly flavored. The spinach salad was great, but the poppy seed vinaigrette was quite tasty. The crab cake was on the oily side, and the soft cake combined with the squishy roll made for an overall unpalatable texture, but the green bean side was fantastic!
Maybe it was because we came at 6:00 on a week night, but the tiny back room clustered with tables was packed full of children. If you’re like me and you don’t want to eat your dinner in the Romper Room, ask to sit at their lovely bar or at least in the more spacious front room. Being lead through the front room to the back was like walking through first class on your way to coach.

Food was ok. Server seemed to be confused. It’s a small place so it was a bit crowded as well.

It’s been a while since every single thing we ordered at a restaurant was remarkable. The Half Shell knocked it out of the park. Oysters on the half shell were fresh and tasty. Chilled tuna tacos with chili slaw on fried wontons were incredible. My partner’s flat iron steak and broccoli were cooked perfectly. Best meal we’ve had on SSI in some time.

Considering location, this is one of best places to eat near the pier.
The service has been the best we’ve experienced in the area. Our server accommodated several special requests.

We stopped by here for oyster appetizers & drinks before supper and what a great experience it was! From the moment they made room for our table of 5, to the great service, to the delectable oyster appetizers and the freshly made cocktails on special, I will definitely be back for more on my next visit!

Connor continues to impress! We’ve been here dozens of times, lunch & supper. This is our #1 go-​to-​place when considering a place to dine, socialize and enjoy an adult beverage! Island Mules for me/​ice cold Bud light for Randy + James River Oysters anytime!
Great for tourists, excellent for locals!
Try one of the daily specials, you will never be disappointed.

Came here for a late night dinner and me and my partner throughly enjoyed everything. Our waitress Jordyn was amazing and the food was better than we expected. Even with a few drinks, we didn’t spend a lot of money. I would definitely recommend the bacon wrapped green beans. Once you have them, you’re going to be craving more. I will be back again and hopefully it’s when Jordyn is working!

Food was really good. I got the oysters to start which were great and not gritty at all. Then I had the red snapper tacos which was definitely different and unique but really good. Everyone with us like it as well.

Super good food and great for a quick dine in experience… Not to mention they have a great beer selection. I highly recommend stopping in and grabbing a bite!

The Bloody Mary was delicious! It comes with a nice big Georgia shrimp and a pickled Okra.
The Char Broiled oysters were delicious! Butter, Cheese, and bacon!
Loved the Crab BLT too!
Enjoy! We did!

First thing to know — if you don’t get the butter cake for dessert, you may as well not have come here. Everyone in my group (6) got it, or shared it, and said it was easily one of the best desserts they have ever had. We were there on business from Washington, DC, where all the steakhouses at home have butter cake on the menu. I was happy to see that a small town had this amazing little piece of heaven as well!
The food was also good! I was surprised that the bacon on my bacon cheeseburger was crumbled instead of in full strips. Their French fries were a very unique cut, another nice surprise. All other co-​workers enjoyed their food as well.
Butter cake — don’t forget it!!!

Personally, the experience of enjoying freshly caught seafood at a neighborhood joint is hard to beat. Indeed, this what I got at The Half Shell and what else can I possibly ask for?
As a matter of fact, I had to do no asking. Their family recipe white brownie was beyond any expectations and I was told that it’s a must by the waitress. Not only was it the best brownie I’ve ever tasted, but one of the best desserts I’ve had in my life. Delicate, soft texture, moist, lightly sweetened and delicious!
The main course wasn’t too shabby either. As their catch of the day happened to be flounder, I decided to get it Cajun style and it was once phenomenal. Bursting with mouthwatering flavors and slightly spicy. To be frank, I couldn’t find a bad thing on their menu and would dare you to find something you don’t like. Local oysters, warming oyster stew, crispy sweet potatoes, Asian style Cole slaw, every element of this meal was a winner and gets a very well deserved five stars!

This place is really nice. Loved the shell framed mirrors in the bathroom and the staff pretty friendly.
We ordered the fried oysters, calamari, crab crusted flounder and Mahi mahi with sweet potato fries, chilli coleslaw and sauteed vegetables.
I loved my flounder it was seriously good and loved the coleslaw. I wasnt too impressed by the calamari but everything else was really good.
The dessert– They only have one dessert the Butter toffee cake and boy is it good. Get it wit vanilla icecream. It starts with a soft crunch like a macaroon, then the second layers just melts into your mouth and you are left with brownie like chewy toffee. so so good. I wanna go back just to eat this!