PRICE:
Frommer's Highly Recommended

Unless you grease the palms of one of the stone-faced maître d's with some stone-cold cash, you'll be waiting for those famous claws for up to 2 hours -- if not more. As much a Miami landmark as the beaches themselves, Joe's is a microcosm of the city, attracting everyone from T-shirted locals to a bejeweled Ivana Trump. Whatever you wear, however, will be eclipsed by a kitschy, unglamorous plastic bib that your waiter will tie on you unless you say otherwise. Open only during stone-crab season (Oct-May), Joe's reels in the crowds with the freshest (though some disagree and consider Joe's stash subpar to less assuming area restaurants), meatiest stone crabs and their essential accouterments: creamed spinach and excellent sweet-potato fries. The claws come in medium, large, and jumbo. Some say size doesn't matter; others swear by the jumbo (and more expensive) ones. Whatever you choose, pair them with a savory mustard sauce (a perfect mix of mayo and mustard) or hot butter. Not feeling crabby? The fried chicken and liver and onions on the regular menu are actually considered by many as far superior -- they're definitely far cheaper -- to the crabs. Oh yes, and save room for dessert. The Key lime pie here is the best in town. If you don't feel like waiting, try Joe's Takeaway, which is next door to the restaurant -- it's a lot quicker and just as tasty.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's South Florida including Miami and Keys, 6th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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