We all went to Half Shell Oyster House in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on our way down to Dauphin Island, Alabama for vacation. This is our review on it. We do not get paid to review restaurants (but we are open to it). They have ten restaurants all over Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama.

Parking

There was plenty of parking as it was in a shopping center.

Location

The location was very easy to find. It’s pretty much off the main strip through Hattiesburg. The address is 6555 US-98 #1.

First Impressions

I was disappointed when we drove into a shopping center. To me, restaurants just shouldn’t be in a shopping center. Does anyone else feel this way? It’s just strange.

The inside of the restaurant was very New Orleansy. Paintings of jazz folk on the walks. There was a nice size bar and quite a few tables.

Selection of Food

There was a nice selection of food, but we came here for the oysters and weren’t disappointed.

Typical Wait Time

The wait time was normal. It wasn’t too long or too quick.

Staff? Friendly, efficient, courteous, and knowledgeable water and waitresses?

The hostess wasn’t friendly at all. She was collecting a paycheck. Our waitress as friendly but rushed. She seemed like she had 25 tables and was the only one working. She didn’t have 25 tables. But we understand life happens and you feel stressed or whatever, but still. Slow down and focus on each customer to make sure they have everything they need! The waitress did have good manners.

Seating Arrangements

The dining room was an L shape and we were placed in the back in the “kid” section. I mean this was ok, we DID have a very cute little guy with us. We were right beside the kitchen which was a little distracting.

Quantity and Quality of Food

The quantity of food was acceptable except for the amount of horseradish and crackers. We had to ask for this twice. What’s the deal? You’re an Oyster House!!!! Put the stuff on the table!!!!!!!! This was disappointing.

Beverage Selection? Wine List? Bar?

There were two pages for alcohol selections. I just drank water. No drink for me today!

Children’s Menu?

There was no kids menu. David did not get a different glass than the three pound glasses we had. I personally hate those types of glasses. They are too clunky. David’s drink was empty and we had to ask for a refill. She came twice to our table and didn’t notice it.

Our Food

You can look at their menu here.

We ordered  a half dozen of charbroiled oysters, half a dozen of raw oysters, crab claws Orleans, oyster sampler, and David had fried shrimp with sweet potato creme brulee. The oyster sampler included six oysters orleans, oysters rockerfellar, bienville oysters, charbroiled oysters. Valerie and Jay’s favorite was the rockerfellar. My favorite was the orleans. Really I loved the raw the best, but the orleans was my favorite from the sampler.

David ate all but two bites of his shrimp. Jay and I split the sweet potato brulee.

Valerie’s opinion: the service was good but needs to be more kid friendly. Not family oriented. The art is beautiful. The crab claws are great.

Jay’s opinion: They were stingy with cocktail and horseradish and crackers and we ran out of cocktail and horseradish. I’ve had better charbroiled oysters. The made in house dessert bread pudding was really dry and not made well. It was falling apart and not in a good way. It was not kid friendly.

I do have to say that David  did try an oyster. He spit it out, but he did try it.

Dessert Menu? Made in-house?

We ordered bread pudding, and bananas foster cheesecake. The bread pudding is made from scratch. Cheesecake is brought in but the bananas foster sauce (with no bananas in it) is made in house. After the cheesecake was gone, I was still eating the bananas foster sauce. I tasted the alcohol in the fosters sauce and the bread pudding sauce. Jay could taste the alcohol in the bread pudding sauce only. Valerie couldn’t taste it. The cheesecake would have been so much better if the bananas foster sauce had actual slices of banana in it. I mean COME ON! It’s BANANAS foster!!!!!

We forgot to take a picture of the desserts because we were so excited for it. I can’t believe we didn’t take a picture. The bread pudding was served in a martini glass. The bananas foster sauce was the best initial flavor I’ve had except for when I started eating it without the cheesecake then I could really taste the……brandy? Rum? Whatever alcohol was in it.

Reservations Available? Required?

Reservations are not required but they are available.

Takeaway Available?

They do have takeaway! The restaurant actually has two spots for takeaway which is great. They are right out front, like firetruck right out front.

Prices?

The appetizers ranged from $9-$19. We didn’t look at anything else because we wanted oysters. Our total ticket was $115 after tip.

Acoustics? Music?

The music that was being played was jazz, very appropriately.

Attractive decor? Well-kept and updated?

The decor was in the New Orleans style, with paintings of jazz folks everywhere. It was cool.

Sanitation

Everything was clean as far as we could tell.

Bathroom Cleanliness?

The restrooms were clean enough for a restroom. It wasn’t spotless and there was nothing that stood out either positive or negative.

Type of payments (credit cards, checks) accepted?

Everything was accepted here.

Atmosphere? Romantic setting? Family setting? Singles hangout?

The atmosphere is good for a date with a significant other. It’s not kid friendly at all.
I would eat here again just for the raw oysters and the cheesecake with banana-less bananas foster.