Captain's Galley Seafood Shack (CLOSED)

NOTE: Captains' Galley has since closed. A Krispy Kreme currently stands in its location.


Located at 3706 High Point Road (and with additional locations in Concord and China Grove), Captain’s Galley Seafood Shack offers broiled and fried fish and seafood dishes, steaks, salads, sandwiches, and more. There is a full-service bar, outdoor seating, and daily specials.

Captain’s Galley doesn’t merely remind you that the house specialty is seafood inasmuch as it bludgeons you over the head with this fact. The blue-and-white checked tablecloths are adorned with anchors, the windows resemble large portholes, and nautical paraphernalia graces the wall. This lack of subtly extends to the food as well. The Fisherman’s Platter – a fried seafood combo – came with almost everything dumped unappealingly on a plate.

Fortunately, for the most part, the food didn’t taste as bad as it looked. I had a craving for popcorn shrimp and these hit the spot. The complimentary hush puppies were crisp and tasty. The fried fish (white pollock) was a little bland, but it thankfully wasn’t dried out. On the other hand, the deviled crab was unremarkable, and the overly chewy clam strips were among the worst I’ve ever had.

After “nautical,” the word that best sums up Captain’s Galley is “big.” The restaurant is a large space with ample seating and different seating areas to accommodate one’s wishes (outside, back booth, seat at the bar, etc.). The menu is impressively large, too. As is expected for an establishment of this type, you can find several kinds of seafood (shrimp, crab, clams, oysters, and scallops) and fish (tilapia, pollock, catfish, and flounder) prepared several different ways (boiled or fried with different seasonings). There is also a decent assortment of land fare, including steaks, salads, chicken, sandwiches, and pasta. This is a place that truly tries to offer something for everyone.

To round out the picture, servers were friendly and attentive and prices were reasonable. My combo platter ran $12.95, a good value for the amount of food. Opting for crab legs will cost you more, but you can eat well here for $10 or less.

Captain’s Galley’s maritime kitsch isn’t without its charm, and there is enough on the menu to merit another look, but the food is too inconsistent to make it a sure (or is that shore?) bet.

6.5/10