Awful Arthur's Seafood Co Information

If you're in the mood for fresh seafood and a cozy, welcoming vibe, Awful Arthur's Seafood Co in Salem, VA, is a must-visit. Tucked away on 131 E Main St, this casual spot has become a local favorite, offering a laid-back atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy some of the best seafood in town. Whether you’re a longtime local or just passing through, the restaurant gives you the kind of experience where the food steals the show, but the friendly service makes you feel like part of the family.

The menu here is a seafood lover's dream. From the moment you sit down, the aroma of freshly cooked seafood fills the air, making your mouth water in anticipation. One of the standout dishes is their famous crab cakes, which are perfectly seasoned and filled with tender, flavorful crab meat. If you're into oysters, you’re in for a treat-whether you prefer them raw or grilled, they’re always fresh and come with a delicious array of dipping sauces. The chowder, rich and creamy, is another fan favorite that perfectly complements the lighter, crisp dishes on the menu.

It’s not just the food that brings people back to Awful Arthur's Seafood Co-the vibe of the place is equally charming. The interior is a relaxed, nautical-themed space with wooden tables and coastal decor, setting the perfect mood for a seafood meal. Whether you sit at the bar, grab a table with friends, or enjoy a meal on the outdoor patio, you’ll feel at home.

Service here stands out as well. The waitstaff are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, offering excellent recommendations if you're unsure what to order. They make the whole dining experience feel personal and easygoing, which makes it all the more enjoyable. You’ll never feel rushed; they allow you to savor every bite and enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace.

What’s also worth mentioning is the drink selection. With a variety of local beers and a solid selection of wines, you’re sure to find the perfect pairing for your meal. Whether you’re having a casual dinner or celebrating a special occasion, the drinks elevate the experience, complementing the seafood beautifully.

The prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you receive. It's the kind of place where you feel like you're getting good value for your money, and yet the food tastes like it's worth more. Whether you’re here for a quick bite or a long, relaxed dinner, Awful Arthur's Seafood Co hits all the right notes. It’s a place where the locals go, and for good reason-when you find a spot this good, you want to keep it a secret, but it’s just too good not to share.

Most Popular Dishes

12 Blue Point Oysters $24.99

Dozen Connecticut blue point oysters on the half shell. Served either raw or steamed with your choice of drawn butter or cocktail sauce, horseradish and saltine crackers. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

12 Seasonal Clams $22.99

Dozen Virginia middleneck clams served either raw or steamed. Served with your choice of drawn butter or cocktail sauce. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

6 Bayside Oysters $8.99

Half dozen Chesapeake Bay oysters on the half shell. Served either raw or steamed with your choice of drawn butter or cocktail sauce, horseradish and saltine crackers. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

6 Blue Point Oysters $12.99

Half dozen Connecticut blue point oysters on the half shell. Served either raw or steamed with your choice of drawn butter or cocktail sauce, horseradish and saltine crackers. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

24 Bayside Oysters (Bucket) $33.99

Two dozen Chesapeake Bay oysters on the half shell. Served either raw or steamed with your choice of drawn butter or cocktail sauce, horseradish and saltine crackers. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

Peel & Eat Shrimp - Half Pound $9.99

Half pound of steamed peel & eat shrimp sprinkled with Old Bay. Served with your choice of drawn butter or cocktail sauce.

Snow Crab Legs - Full Pound $39.99

Pound of Alaskan snow crab legs steamed to perfection. Served with drawn butter.

12 Bayside Oysters $17.99

Dozen Chesapeake Bay oysters on the half shell. Served either raw or steamed with your choice of drawn butter or cocktail sauce, horseradish and saltine crackers. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

Full Menu

Business Info

What People's Say About Place

The service was great. The crab legs were kinda small for the price. Overall I had a great experience. My waiter was a young gentleman who was very helpful and attentive.

Awesome uber-casual place, with literally the best Oysters Rockefeller I’ve had. Also very welcoming with kind thoughtful bar service (Brittney). Old Fashioned being legit is always a plus!

There’s parking available out back, as well as street parking out front. The restaurant has two entrances: the back entrance leads to the bar, which has pool tables and a classic small-town dive bar feel, while the front entrance takes you into the dining area, which is more family friendly. We accidentally walked in through the bar and had to make our way to the front. The restaurant itself is long and narrow, making it a great spot to watch sports. It’s casual, lively, and a bit loud, but still kid-friendly up front, with a dedicated kids’ menu and crayons available. We didn’t have reservations, but since we were in the area for an event, we decided to walk in. Despite it being a busy Saturday night, we were seated within 10 minutes. The service was solid. Our server was friendly, attentive, and kept our drinks refilled. As for the food, I really enjoyed my tuna poke bowl. It was delicious and definitely something I’d return for. Next time, I’d love to explore more of the menu. I’m giving this place 4 stars mainly because of the atmosphere. Walking through the bar side gave me the ick, it smelled like cigarettes, which wasn’t the best first impression.

Looked up on the Internet for a seafood restaurant as we drove through Salem Virginia. This place came up! Four ladies walked in almost turned around a little bit intimidated by the pool tables. ( We came in the back door!)We had a delicious lunch, a great waitress, and good fellowship! I would highly recommend this place. We all ate fish and chips!!! It was delish!

Ate there for lunch. Fish and chips on lunch special for $10.00 dollars. I think thats a pretty good deal. Plenty of seating and place was clean. Only complaint is it's located in downtown Salem, so parking can be a little tight.

This is my first time coming to Awful Arthur’s in Salem, my waitress her name was Jaycee she was super sweet & provided great service from the time me & my mom sat down until we left. I ordered the pepper jack crab soup, oyster Rockefeller, & snow crab legs, I must say everything tasted so good! I had to order some to go afterwards lol, my mother ordered shrimp scampi it was good to her the only downside was it a little too acidic I think they used a little too much lemon juice but nonetheless I brought it up to Jaycee’s attention and she was willing to either have a new one made or we could simply order something else, so my mom decided to go with the fire cracker shrimp, she really enjoyed those. I just want to thank Jaycee for the great service and making our first experience pleasant I will definitely be coming back.

I’ve only ever written one other review in my life but felt the need to write one about our experience at Awful Arthur’s. To start, we were greeted by a very positive hosting staff who quoted us a wait time that ended up being substantially shorter than originally expected (always a plus)! Then we were seated at the bar where John was our server. Where do I even start with John? He was immediately attentive, extremely timely with everything we asked for, and very knowledgeable of the menu. I ordered two dozen raw oysters and he said “I have something better for you” and set me up with a platter with more than two dozen for a better price. The entire time he was serving us he was also cooking, getting drinks, and building platters for other orders. All around, a talent that is very hard to come by these days and one that should not go unrecognized. Not to mention the food was excellent! Shoutout to John and Awful Arther’s! Will be back & 10/10 recommend!!!

We’ve been here a few times now and every time the food and service have been amazing! We will certainly eat here again and again and highly recommend this place. The only place I’ve found on the western side of Virginia that has reasonably priced oysters and sell them raw on ice. Yummmm!!!

Awful Arthur's Seafood Co