J J Banko's Seafood

4.5 stars.

From outside the place looks like a motorcycle lover's paradise and the bar itself is really smoky and crowded and has a tough-ish crowd, or so it seemed to my neurotic mother. When you walk into the actual restaurant there isn't really a place to "wait" for a table and it's a little overwhelming. But the 4.5 star rating is really focused on the quality, quantity, and overall freshness and taste of the food.

We had the $2 dozen steamed clam special which was incredibly fresh although slightly overcooked. Let's be real though, the melted butter you drench them in will coverup the slightly overdone texture. I ended up ordering the crabcakes for my entree since my mom had been RAVING about them. As I was milling over the menu though - kid you not - 3 others guests dining at other tables were shouting to me telling me to try them and that they were absolutely amazing.

So I did.

And I can honestly say - hands-down - that they were the absolute *best* crabcakes I have ever had. Not only were they enormous (I ate half of one and was full), but it was filled with juicy lump crabmeat and barely any filler (which I think was a little of dijon mustard, a pinch of mayo, and spices). These blew all other crabcakes I've eaten out of the water. No matter what beach I've been to or what fancy seafood place, Bankos in good ole' Nanticoke has the best crabcakes you will ever eat in your entire life. Promise.

I also had some coleslaw and fries - coleslaw in all of it's mushy deliciousness and the fresh-cut fries that reminded me of the kind you'd get on OCMD's boardwalk with Old Bay seasoning on the side.

Just to note what I didn't like:

Our server was overwhelmed, had a slight attitude when we asked for silverware, and when she brought my fries out some of them accidentally fell off the plate and onto her serving tray. She "fixed" this situation by picking them up with her bare fingers and putting them back on my plate. Umm... gross. Go home.
I really wish that part hadn't happened.

Looking at the reviews on Yelp, it's hard to believe I just are at the same place. I had the shrimp basket (12.99) and it was pretty good. The fresh cut fries were great. My son had the crab (18.99) and it was awesome.

My wife had the Maine lobster special. I think they should have split the lobster (18.99), but it wasn't over/under cooked. Unfortunately, that is an accomplishment in NEPA. Add in a calamari app and the total was only $63 (I find that an incredible bargain).

As far as the calamari (8 or 9 dollars) goes; pass on it. It really made me think we were in for a crappy night. It was only rings and the sauce is literally a cold, dipping container of Hunt's tomato sauce. It was definitely the low part of the evening. It was literally state fair-level.

That said, I was clearly much happier with my visit to Banko's than most other Yelpers.

One helpful hit, park in the dirt lot. One of the drunken pricks in the bar hit and ran our car. Didn't see it until the next night. If you have any information on who hit my black TSX, let me know.

Additional information - I went back twice since I made the first post.  The second visit was fine.  Good food, mediocre service.  The third visit was a disaster.  My son ordered a sandwich which comes with a "choice of two sides."  What they don't tell you is your choice is fries and cole slaw.  Then food came and my wife and I both had fries that were room temperature.  They had to have been put on the plate before my shrimp and my wife's fish were even started.  My wife's fish was beyond over-cooked.

My wife said that I should say something about the fries.  I decided I would complain if the waitress came back before I was done.  Big surprise, she didn't come back until I was long done.  

I'd give this place 4 stars twice and 1 star once, so that averages to three stars.  The only problem is, how do you know which restaurant you're gonna get on which day.  I think for me, it's time to take a break from Banko's.

Recently remodeled.  Nice layout, more seating.  Very popular with the locals.  Get there by 4 PM on Tuesdays or Thursdays.  Noted for rock shrimp, scallops, $22 crab cakes platter, pictured.  Hardly any filling.  Just enough to hold the cakes together.  I took one of the crab cakes home and made two hefty sandwiches out of it.  Friendly service.  Smoking allowed in the bar area, which is closed off from dinning room.