Soft shell crabs are a rare appearance at Red's. 3 year old crabs are not.

The wife and I were racking our brains for a quick spot to grab dinner with our kids on the way down the shore a recent Friday night… Spike’s? Too crowded. Patio Bar? More fun sans children. Hmm, how about Red’s?

Tucked away around the outer edge of the inlet away from the crowds, plus counter service (read eat and split at your own pace in case the fit hits the shan) Red’s Lobster Pot seemed to be a good choice with a 3 year old awaking from a car nap and a restless 2 year old that refuses to nap. Throw in outdoor seating on a rare sunny day in this beast of a June we’ve had, and B.Y.O.B., and the choice was easily made.

We hadn’t been to Red’s in a while and had to actually Google the location, which also brought up a useful Tommy Eats review. You’d be hard pressed to find a better overview of Red’s than his, and it appears absolutely nothing has changed there since his Sept. 2006 post.

There’s a small indoor restaurant of about 12 tables that, even on a quiet pre-4th of July weekend had a wait time, as the friendly hostess pointed out. Word to the wise, they don’t take tables bigger than four inside, and you should probably think about going somewhere else with a bigger party.

Biggest differentiator is probably the pasta-leaning menu inside, fried fish and fries heavy menu outside, tough it looks like Red can mix it up. There’s was a delicious looking blackened Mako bites over salad that we regretted not ordering, and an Asian Squid Salad on the menu. Both indoor and outdoor have their own separate collection of specials.

We were already sold on the dockside counter, which is one of those shore places that on one hand looks like it could use an update (and maybe a good power-washing) but really, what would they change? The reddish-orange hue of the picnic and built in tables? Nah, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

I steam, you steam, we all steam for steamed clams. YUM.

We ordered a pot of steamers ($13), fish ‘n chips for the kids to split ($20), fried scallops for the lady ($26 or so), which were juicy and just sort of briny enough and very fresh. Everything was top notch. I was full on going in for the lobster roll after reading Tommy’s review in the car, but my mind was quickly changed by the appearance of soft shell crabs with cajun seasoning on the speicals. The cashier/order taker assured me these are rarely available, sealing the deal (despite the $29 price tag). They were among the best I’ve ever had, and a true early summer treat as I believe our season for them is short.

Soft shell crab primer: Epicurious says ’soft-shell crabs are really blue crabs that have recently molted and are in the process of growing their new shells. This allows the crustacean to be eaten whole, shell and all.’ Had I thought about all the molting would I have ordered differently? Probably not.

Belly full of Sam Smiths IPA and fried goodness, we hung back for a few minutes and checked out the fishing boats, listened to the band rocking some cover tunes across the water at the Patio Bar, and annoyed other diners by letting our kids run amok around the lower seating area. Recalling the $86 bill, and looking at the menu, I’m thinking the next stop there will be for the much cheaper lunch, but it was well worth it!

Red’s Lobster Pot is located at 57 Inlet Drive : Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. For more information call 732.295.6622

All's well that ends well. The fishing boats coming in for the evening is a fun treat for the kids.