Crab House Times Square Fact-Check: Hidden Charges, Rules, and All-You-Can-Eat Limits
By Sarah Jenkins
The sticker price posted online rarely matches the checkout tally. Crab House pricing per person sits in the $85, $95 range for adults, varying slightly between weekday lunches and weekend dinner rushes. Children under ten generally dine at a discounted rate, while toddlers eat free. However, reading the menu footnote reveals mandatory financial additions that surprise unprepared diners.
Mandatory gratuity charges of 18% to 20% are automatically added to the check, regardless of party size. In standard American restaurant practice, automatic service charges are typically reserved for large parties of six or eight. Here, even solo diners and couples find the service fee pre-calculated onto the final bill. When factoring in New York City's 8.875% sales tax, a two-person dinner without alcohol quickly crosses $250.
Securing a table also carries upfront financial exposure. Peak-hour bookings require guests to navigate reservation deposit requirements, generally locking in a credit card hold of $20 per guest. If your party cancels inside the 24-hour window or arrives short-staffed, that deposit disappears into cancellation penalty fees.
Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.
