The ActiveRain Convention Station: Joe's Crab Shack

If you need a great place to eat seafood, Joe's Crab Shack is right behind the San Diego Convention Center, south side.

I go here at least once a month because the food never disappoints, the atmosphere is alive, and it also has great views of the Convention Center, Hilton Bayside, and the big Dole ships at the dock across the way.

Joe's Crab Shack is a national chain of 120 restaurants in 28 states, with many of them being on the waterfront. It was founded in Houston in 1994, and there are four of them here in San Diego:

1. 7610 Hazard Center Drive, in Hazard Center, which is right across the I-5 freeway from San Diego's premier shopping destination, Fashion Valley Mall.
2. 525 E. Harbor Drive—This is the one behind the Convention Center. It used to be the site of the San Diego Rowing Club.
3. 4325 Ocean Boulevard in Ocean Beach—A great location on the Beach.
4. 314 Harbor Drive in Oceanside—This is about 30 miles north of the Convention Center.

All locations are open 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

I've never had a bad meal or drink at any of the locations, so I'll leave it up to you to choose your own meal. I can highly recommend the margaritas, of course, especially the margaritas.

I'll have more close-by restaurant locations between now and Thursday, so stay tuned. If you'd like recommendations for a specific area away from the Convention Center, let me know via a comment.

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