A few Sundays ago, my beloved wife Patti decided to skip her church and had the bright idea for the two of us to run off to Old Sacramento to hand out. Patti and I go to two different churches. Yes, we are a 'mixed marriage.' She is a Baptist and I go to the Church of Christ. I had already gotten home from worship. At least one of us is not a heathen. Don't tell her I said that, please.

Once in Old Sac we had the fun of first finding a parking space. That in itself is an adventure, I promise. Old Sac is mostly a tourist trap for people who are visiting or even live in the Sacramento area.

Consisting mostly of modern businesses set up in renovated building of the mid to late 19th century, it is a beautiful place to see examples of architecture and building systems of a hundred or so years ago, but not a place to buy anything. If you are a tourist heading to Sacramento, look around in Old Sac, but buy your trinkets in some of the local malls. You will save money.

After a little while, I was getting tired. This was only about two weeks after my surgery in December and I was still tuckered out easily. We decided to go to this restaurant a friend had told me about.

Joe's Crab Shack sits right on the river in Old Sacramento with a view of the Tower Bridge, a Sacramento Landmark; but forget about all that. Joe's is one of the best places I have found to eat in Sacramento in almost 20 years of living in this area.

I am first and foremost from the South. We know about food, and yes that includes barbeque, gumbo, or fried chicken. Trust me, we also know fish and seafood depending on the part of the south you are from. I am lucky enough to have lived all over the place.

Joe's Crab Shack puts on one heck of a feed. I ordered the fried shrimp and let me tell you, I had a meal. I was not sure I was going to beat 'em. Patti was starting to get worried about her Calamari. It won; she couldn't finish it, but I rose to the occasion and proudly made my way through the entire meal.

The price was excellent. We went on a Sunday during lunch, but the service was quick, the staff nice, and they all had a smile on for us. Did I mention entertaining? Well, it was. Right in the middle of everything, all the service staff steps out on the floor and does a good old 'two step' and shows us all why they deserve a good tip from now on.

Yes siree, bob. Joe's Crab Shack is the place for me when it comes to seafood in the Sacramento Area from now on. If you are in the area, drop by. I don't know if they require a reservation during the week, but it wouldn't hurt to give them a call.

Joe's Crab Shack, 1210 Front St., Sacramento, CA, USA; (916) 553-4249