Joe's Stone Crab, a long-standing anchor of the Miami culinary scene, is slashing prices on its menu items, including their renowned stone crabs. While inflationary pressure has seen many establishments hike up their costs, Joe's is making headlines for their commitment to their founding motto—an ethos rooted in inclusivity and accessibility. "When I was a kid growing up at Joe's, Mom would always say, 'Everyone should be able to come to Joe's and enjoy a meal, no matter who they are or where they come from.' She undoubtedly learned that from my grandfather, Jesse. And Jesse certainly learned that from my great-grandfather Joe, the guy who started Joe's," COO Stephen Sawitz echoed in a statement from a post on Instagram, as NBC Miami reported.
Established in 1913, Joe's has not only cultivated a reputation for its seafood but also for its place in Miami's cultural heritage serving a diverse clientele—from celebrities to locals, this dining institution has hosted a vast array of diners over the decades, and despite current economic hardships, it's dialing back the cost on "a bunch" of menu items, highlighted by the fried half chicken now available for only $7.95, down from $8.95; this particular dish had previously been lauded as Miami's Best Fried Chicken by New Times in 2023, a noteworthy fact pointed out in the coverage by the Miami New Times.
The precise date when the new pricing will take effect wasn't specified in the Instagram release, leaving some ambiguity around when customers will begin to see the reductions across the full range of discounted items—aside from the fried chicken, the online menu hasn't been fully updated to display the revised costs, as noted by NBC Miami. Regardless, the announcement has garnered a spirited response from the restaurant's patrons, with comments on the Instagram post emphasising their appreciation for Joe's customer-centric approach, epitomizing a sentiment that "Joe's is for the people!" as per Miami New Times.
As Steve Sawitz told Miami New Times: "We're bringing down the price of stone crabs. We're bringing down the price of a bunch of other menu items...even our 'Fried Half Chicken' is down to just $7.95. Because no matter how chaotic things seem, there will always be one thing of which you can be certain: 'Everyone can come to Joe's and enjoy a meal, no matter who you are or where you're from.' It's just the right thing to do."
