Joe's Stone Crab Most Popular Florida Restaurant

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Joe's Stone Crab, the iconic, South Beach eatery that serves up one of the Sunshine State's most beloved seafood dishes by the boatload, has been named the most popular restaurant in all of Florida. The more than 100-year-old institution was selected jointly by People Food and Zagat.

"Crowds head to this famous seafood place for its killer seafood stone crabs, as well as its famed key lime pie and fried chicken," the editors wrote.

People teamed up with the "dining experts" at Zagat, a consumer group that rates eating places, to create a list of the most popular restaurants in the U.S. The magazine said the choices range from "local staples to renowned destinations."

To determine the list of restaurant winners, People Food editors considered Zagat's on-the-ground expert reviews, as well as its diner ratings and Google scores. The editors said they paid special attention to spots sourcing local ingredients and serving "iconic or regionally inspired food."

Read the whole People-Zagat survey here.

According to Joe's, stone crabs differ from blue crabs in that only oversized claws can be taken under Florida law and the claws must be at least 2 3/4 inches long. The rest of the crab is returned to the water where it can generate its claws three to four times, making stone crabs a renewable seafood.

"This highly nutritious meat is considered a delicacy and, at Joe’s, is usually boiled and served chilled in the shell with mustard sauce. The meat resembles lobster in appearance and flavor," Joe's says on its website. "

If you plan to visit Joe's you should know a couple of things:

• Stone crab claw season runs from Oct. 15 to May 15. This year Joe's will reopen for lunch starting on Oct. 17 at 11:30 a.m. and dinner starting on Oct. 13 at 5 p.m.
• Valet parking is only $5 at lunch and $7 at dinner. This is much cheaper than most of the parking you will find around South Beach aside from meters and even then it might be close.
• Joe's doesn't accept reservations so arrive early. The restaurant gets slammed most nights after 7 p.m. Weekends are even worse.
• Every group has a landlubber who is often disappointed when visiting restaurants known for great seafood. Joe's offers a fried chicken dish that has been served to visiting presidents and won't disappoint. The best part is that the chicken is only $6.95. The hash brown potatoes are also one of the restaurant's signature dishes.
• There's also a takeout option if waiting isn't your thing.

Joe's Stone Crabs is located at 11 Washington Ave in South Beach. Call 305-673-0365 for more information.

Patch New Jersey editor Tom Davis contributed to this report.

Stephen Sawitz, co-owner of Joe's Stone Crab restaurant, stands next to a photograph of his great-grandfather Joe Weiss, the founder of Joe's, at the restaurant in Miami Beach, Fla. Joe's Stone Crab has been family-owned from the start when it opened in 1913 as a mom-and-pop fish house. Today, it’s a must-stop spot where wearing a bib over fine-dining attire is the norm. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)