Welcome to PJ Buckets -Ocean City NJ
PJ Buckets in Ocean City, NJ, is a charming seafood haven located at the corner of 8th and Ocean Ave. This cozy joint is renowned for its delectable seafood boils, offering generous portions at unbeatable prices. Guests rave about the flavorful dishes, particularly the New Jersey and Maryland-style boils, packed with fresh, meaty crabs and shrimp. Friendly and attentive service enhances the experience, with the owner often engaging with patrons, adding a personal touch. The inviting atmosphere and exceptional food make PJ Buckets a must-visit destination for seafood lovers, ensuring a memorable dining experience for families and friends alike.
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Corner of 8th &, 621 E 8th St, Ocean Ave, Ocean City, NJ 08226, United States Hotline: +1 609-701-7562
Welcome to the charming seaside haven of PJ Buckets situated in the vibrant heart of Ocean City, NJ. Located at the corner of 8th and E 8th St, just a stone's throw from the ocean, this quaint seafood joint has quickly risen to fame for its delectable offerings and warm, welcoming atmosphere.
As you step inside, the rustic decor instantly sets the mood for a laid-back dining experience. The owner, PJ, is renowned not just for his culinary skills but also for his genuine hospitality. Many customers rave about his hands-on approach—often interacting with patrons to ensure they are well taken care of. Looking to satisfy your seafood cravings? You won't want to miss their famous seafood boils. Diners have described them as plentiful, flavorful, and a true representation of both New Jersey and Maryland styles. The portions are unbelievably generous; as one guest fondly recounted, they shared a single New Jersey boil and found it more than enough for two!
The menu is meticulously crafted, featuring the freshest ingredients that tantalize the taste buds. If you're fortunate, you might get a chance to try the suggested mac n’ cheese that has even won over the smallest diners. Many reviews highlight the inviting warmth of the food, with each dish arriving steaming hot and bursting with flavor.
What truly sets PJ Buckets apart is the attention given to customer experience. Patrons have shared delightful stories, such as the owner assisting with how to crack crabs or tying on bibs for messy seafood diners. This personal touch creates a dining atmosphere where guests feel right at home, making it a memorable outing for families or groups alike. One guest's husband even jokingly commented on wanting to "swim in his king crab and butter," a testament to the indulgence that comes with every dish.
Affordability is another highlight that draws seafood lovers to PJ Buckets. With dishes that pack incredible value without compromising on quality, discerning diners have found it an easy choice worth their time and money. This culinary gem is undoubtedly a must-try for anyone visiting Ocean City, especially for seafood enthusiasts eager to dive into a unique and delightful dining experience.
In conclusion, PJ Buckets in Ocean City, NJ is more than just a seafood restaurant; it is a destination where flavors, comfort, and community converge. With plenty of satisfied customers singing its praises, and a menu that celebrates the best of ocean fare, PJ Buckets is poised to be a lasting favorite for years to come.
Great tasting food at a fantastic price. Worth searching out. Food was plentiful and full of flavor. Must try the seafood boils.
From start to finish, the staff was excellent. I called in earlier to make a reservation for a larger party and they were very accommodating. The staff checked up on us, made great recommendations, and even the owners came out to say thank you. The food is delicious and it’s a great dinner to have with a group.
This was an amazing experience for our family. We sat down not sure what to expect and this man came out and told us there would be a quiz at the end. He explained everything thoroughly and we were so glad. If you want amazing seafood, go here! The price reflects its amazing quality of service and food! We all loved this place( there’s 6 of us). I think my husband wanted to swim in his king crab and butter lol Thank you PJ Buckets and we will be back !
Small seafood joint. Rustic. Delicious seafood boils at a reasonable price. Wife and I shared a single New Jersey boil and couldn’t finish it. Owner/chef came around and talked to guests. Wonderful
The food was absolutely amazing we both got the Maryland style with snow crabs. I had the regular one and my girlfriend had the one with veggies. She didn’t want the clams or mussels so they gave her more scallops and shrimp. I paid only 34.99 each and honestly was shocked on how much food actually came in the meal! It came with corn bread but it wasn’t the best to be honest came cold and kinda felt like maybe at least could have been warmed up. It was definitely a 5 star kinda vibe. I’ll definitely be coming back to try more of their delicious dishes!
Was amazing, and we are definitely coming here again. Owner PJ was very friendly as well as his employees. I was a little skeptical prior to going, due to them not cleaning the blue crabs, but we went anyway. We ordered a make your own boil/Louisiana boil. The crabs paired well with the seasoning of the boil. Crabs were very big and meaty compared to other places I've been.
With only a short walk from the hotel we were staying at, P.J. Buckets was the cutest, coolest and cleanest seafood place we have been to. We walked in and the owner greeted us right away, told us we had the ability to sit anywhere. He was extremely informative about all the options and even made some delicious suggestions like the mac n’ cheese. BTW our 10-month-old daughter loved! From there we ordered and the cornbread these boils came with were moist and flavorful. Unlike any kind of cornbread there is out there. We ordered the NJ Boil and the MD Boil (one in olive oil and butter, the other old bay). You could tell the food was fresh from the smell and the time it came out it was steaming hot. Throughout the dinner, the owner even took the time to tie our bibs on and show us how to eat crawl fish. We felt terrible for taking so long, as they close at 8 p.m. but were still eating at 8:15 p.m. He was completely understanding as we explained we didn’t arrive to dinner until 7 p.m. because our daughter just woke up from a nap. He kept telling us take our time, don’t feel rushed and even provided us with a free chocolate cake. Not only was the service wonderful, but the food was out of this world. Everything was so flavorful, affordable and fresh. Raving about this place and can’t recommend it enough. We’ll definitely be coming back!
Amazing food, casual place, super awesome owner. My friend and I shared a seafood boil and a lobster roll. So fresh and delicious! highly recommend.