Harris Crab House - Grantsville

Middle Finger Incident Harris Crab House On 24 Oct 2023, I was with my Friend at Harris Crab House (HCH) minding our business waiting to eat a Dozen of Medium Crabs. The Caucasian female in the picture is a person trying to set up my friend by using her phone to take pictures/videos of us for no reason. I took a picture video of the person giving us the Middle Finger. We didn 't even hold a conversation with her at all. This female went to the Manager that evening telling lies about us, then when we showed that manager the picture video we thought the issue ended but it didn 't at all. On 25 Oct 2023, we went back to the same establishment to talk to the General Manager, but just found out this person, Mr. William (Bill) Oertel, is the President and Owner; we stated to him about the incident that happened almost 24 hours prior. I provided him with the photo video of the female giving us the Middle Finger. Mr, Oertel, stated that this was unacceptable his business doesn 't tolerate discrimination. I asked Mr. Oertel to find out what was exactly said the previous evening when we went to HCH. He stated, I 'll get back to you within 24 Hours. We did eat the Dozen Medium Crabs at HCH that evening of 25 Oct 2023 but the vibe of the atmosphere seemed off it just didn 't feel right at all. Mr. Oertel was on the phone outside behind the shed away from HCH after he saw both the picture video of the Caucasian female giving us the Middle Finger he seemed to be a little bit upset that we had evidence to back up our facts on the evening of 25 Oct 2023, he didn 't even ask us how we 're doing or did we need anything at all. Today, 28 Oct 2023, almost 72 hours passed this was the following text conversation that took place early between me Mr. Oertel: Good Morning, I asked you a question on Wednesday with the exact statement that person told the Female Manager the Evening prior on 24 October 2023. (Me) I need a status by this Evening. (Me) Sir. I 'm not sure why you have this tone with me. I don 't appreciate it. I have no schedule that I have to keep with you. I have spoken to several people there that night. They have said that both parties involved had interactions with the other. I don 't need to give you the exact statement of anyone. When customers have disagreements with other customers and we are informed at the time of the incident, we separate them if possible and ask both groups to not return if they can 't conduct themselves with normal behavior. This has only happened a handful of times in our 40 years. This incident was reported only at the end of the event. We couldn 't intervene, but we still requested that both groups not return if they can not conduct themselves reasonably. There was not decision made that was based on anyone 's appearance like you had suggested several times to me. Like I explained to you when we talked face to face, no one at our restaurant cares what people look like. We treat everyone the same. I am sorry for your experience. The employees said that this was a 2 sided event. We have asked both parties involved to not return unless they can exhibit good behavior to other customers. I wish you and your companion well. (Mr. Bill Oertel) My tone wasn 't bad it was not bad all, all I asked was the exact false statement that 's all (Me) What is your issue? (Me) You stated on Wednesday that you were going to let me know what was said within 24 Hours all I was asking was for clarification of the status (Me) First, in summary, there wasn 't any interaction between us the person giving us the Middle Finger. Next, If there was any incident during the time we were there, why didn 't the night Female Manager come to us to discuss what was said at that moment while we were eating Crabs instead of waiting until we were almost at my vehicle to discuss the incident she (Night Manager) saw both the Picture Video as well? Meanwhile, there wasn 't ANY employee who stated /or said that we had an argument/disagreement/or anything towards that person of that nature. Therefore; we weren 't told anything about NOT ever coming back to HCH again because that NEVER happened at all. Nevertheless, this seemed like a Racial overtone from the President/Owner Mr. Bill Oertel because he will not receive the EXTRA funding from the FAKE Private Investigators (PIs) trying to intimidate my friend. Thus, from the statement (text replied) by Mr. Oertel, this is a Racial tone period because he doesn 't want us to come back to HCH anymore due to him being called out for not providing me with the information that I inquired earlier today because it was close to 72 hours from that incident of that person giving us the Middle Finger. Lastly, because we 're BLACK and showed evidence that we didn 't do anything at all that evening of 24 Oct 2023, the President/Owner of the establishment requested that we don 't ever come back there again so we are going to NOT come back there EVER again.

Harris Crab House is still serving up fantastic, fresh steamed crabs! It had been quite a while since we last visited this restaurant, as we’ve moved away from the DC area. We were pleased to find that it remains at the top of its game when it comes to fresh, expertly prepared steamed crabs. Our waitress was attentive and genuinely aimed to provide excellent service, which she certainly did. We also ordered fried onion rings as a side; they arrived hot and crispy without being greasy. Overall, it was a wonderful evening with a lovely view of the water as a backdrop.

I recently experienced some of the worst service and seafood I've had in a long time. The mussels had a foul odor. I wouldn't recommend this place, even if it were free.

I was recommended the special oyster duck pot pie, but I ended up being quite disappointed. It was dry and lacked flavor, making it hard to identify the key ingredients. The crab cake was served at room temperature and was mushy. The soup wasn’t hot either. I have generally enjoyed my experiences at Harris’, but tonight may have been our last visit, especially considering we spent $84 for two people without any alcohol or dessert.

We made the trip down here from Allentown for the Friday Oyster Buffet. Visited Thursday for the locals special, half dozen oysters and a Poor Boy. Coupled that with a few oranges crushes, an apple mule and the best vegetable crab soup I've ever had. Deep rich base, plenty of crab all without that overwhelming punch of old bay (they have their own crab spice, perfect blend and we brought home a container). Back on Friday for the oyster feast and we weren't disappointed steamed, fried, buffalo, bacon cheese, charbroiled, Rockefeller along with cream of crab and vegetable soup and a bunch of other goodness. The hit with us fresh sucked. Sweet, briney and the perfect temperature. We had planned this trip for more than a year, so worth the wait.