Our parents, Ted & Pearl Kipnis have been coming to Joe’s Stone Crab since 1948. And for those 65 years, they have been coming to Joe’s once a week for almost the whole time. Our parents have been bringing us to Joe’s since we were little children and now we are in our 60’s and 70’s and we continue to bring our children as well. They have been here with their children, their grandchildren and their great grandchildren. Their dear friend and owner, Jo Ann and her family have been the perfect hosts for many celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) and the staff including Dennis, Eddie, Bones and Janine always welcomes them like family. Their most recent visit today (April 1, 2013) was to celebrate my father’s 92nd birthday. Joe’s is a family tradition.

Our first dining experience at Joe’s was in 1971 when my father was at a convention in Bal Harbour. I was just released from the Army, and we used the occasion for a vacation. We loved the stone crabs so much, we went back 4 nights in a row. My mother finally said “isn’t there another restaurant in Miami Beach?” We went somewhere else one night and then went back to Joe’s the last 3 nights of our vacation. Go back whenever in Florida. In 1971, the entrance was at south of building, across from an old dog track.

As a family coming from abroad we always look foward to eating at Joe’s Stone Crab, but this time it was especially important because it was our father’s BIG 70th Birthday. Joe’s is the best restaurant in the world and my father’s favorite, we had great food, great service but most important we had great memories to be treasured for ever. Calderon Family/El Salvador, C.A.

My wife and I made our first visit to South Beach and Joe’s this weekend for her 40th birthday. I rarely walk away from a restaurant and say WOW. The food was great and the service was even better. We can’t wait to return. Thank you for the hospitality!

Homage to Jackie Gleason’s Joe the Bartender… One evening, I arrived with my wife and our two young daughters. We were early at Joe’s for a family occasion. Our oldest was three years old and our newest daughter was in a carrying basket which we set upon the uncrowded bar near the remodeled West entrance section. As the crowd after us built around the bar, the bartender mentioned a Florida State law that minor children could not be on or at the bar. We politely argued, but to no avail. Before stepping back, my wife retrieved a baby bottle from our bag at the end and slid it all the way down the bar. Having made some sort of point, we stepped back, receiving applause from our fellow guests. And we went on to a fantastic dinner!

My dear friend the late Charles Lawson introduced me to Joe’s in 1989. There was a big crowd awaiting seating, however, as we entered I could hear the maitre d’ calling out “Mr. Lawson, table for two.” I mentioned it was good we had reservations, Charles replied, with his New England boarding school accent, “Mark, I am a regular here and a Joe’s maitre d’ can recognize regulars by the tip of our noses.” At that moment, I knew I had to move to Miami and return to Joe’s!