A little bit of history
Awful Arthur’s was founded in 1975 by Arthur W. Webb Jr. The original restaurant, in Exmore, Va., on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, served subs and pizza. In 1983, Webb moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and created the first Awful Arthur’s Seafood Company.
The seafood concept proved to be popular with locals and tourists alike, and in 1991, Webb began opening more Awful Arthur’s restaurants back in Virginia. There are now four Awful Arthur’s locations operating in Virginia — in Richmond (two restaurants), Roanoke and Salem.
The restaurant celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2015. The St. Michaels location is the first to open in Maryland.
Family & tradition
Arthur W. Webb Jr. comes from three generations of watermen: W.H. “Ole Pap” Webb (great-grandfather), W.T. “Willie” Webb (grandfather) and Arthur W. “Duck” Webb Sr. (father).
In 1901, Ole Pap started his oyster company, W.H. Webb Oyster Co, located on Webb’s Island, on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. He sold shell and shucked oysters to clients up north by horse and buggy and train.
W.T. and Arthur Sr. would follow in his footsteps and keep the tradition alive. Today, Arthur Jr. continues his passion of over 40 years: serving the freshest seafood available and making diners feel like family.
