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FOOD A 100-Year Legacy The Secret to Joe's Stone Crab's Success Words by Vanessa Pascale Everyone knows about Joe's Stone Crab. The Miami staple has served everyone from Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, and Tom Brady to regulars like Gloria Estefan. The highly acclaimed restaurant is known far and wide for their mouthwatering stone crabs. Recently, our April/May cover star, Harry Connick Jr., told me that when he's in the Magic City he heads to Joe's. Ask any true foodie for a list of their favorite restaurants in Miami and you'll find Joe's at the top of it. So, what makes this restaurant so appealing? We went to Joe's in search of the secret to their long-lived success. Established in 1913 by Joe and Jennie Weiss, you might be surprised to find out that Joe's did not begin serving their world-famous stone crabs until 1921. Back then, they charged 75 cents for four or five crabs, 25 cents for potatoes, and 25 cents for cole slaw, recalls Joe's son Jesse on the restaurant's website. I arrive at the restaurant and am escorted over to Stephen Sawitz —the great-grandson of Joe and Jennie— who kicks off our Joe's experience with an exclusive tour. We begin in the lively kitchen, which is divided into designated areas: food prep, dessert station (they are known for their delicious key lime pies), shipping area… As we navigate through the space, Stephen explains what each station does. Over 400 employees contribute to the culinary magic that unfolds here daily. Then, we arrive at the stone crabs section, where buckets upon buckets of stone crabs are carefully appraised and prepared to perfection by diligent chefs. Off to the side is the Chef's Table for guests seeking a truly special dining experience. On the opposite end of the restaurant is Joe's Take Away, a gourmet market that caters to guests craving Joe's exceptional fare in a more relaxed setting. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Joe's Take Away serves the restaurant's specialties: stone crabs, hash browns, cole slaw, lobster rolls, fried chicken, and more. And they have an excellent wine bar. Also on this side