Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline McCusker.
Hi Jacqueline, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am Jackie McCusker, the proud owner of our restaurant group for over 30 years. The story of Mama’s on the Half Shell began more than two decades ago with a dream my late husband, Scunny McCusker, and I shared—to create a true Baltimore seafood restaurant that honored the heritage and flavors we felt were slowly disappearing from the city. We spent years collecting oyster plates, antiques, and memories that inspired us, traveling back and forth across the Eastern and Western Shores of Maryland to gather ideas and reconnect with the essence of local seafood culture.
After nearly five years of dreaming, planning, and piecing together our vision, Mama’s on the Half Shell officially opened its doors in 2003. At the time, there weren’t many raw bars in the area, and we believed Baltimore was ready for something both nostalgic and fresh. We even helped introduce the now-famous Orange Crush to Baltimore—it felt like the perfect pairing with our seafood and our love for Baltimore.
Our goal was always to create a place that felt like a home away from home—a destination where people could come for a true taste of Maryland seafood, celebrate milestones, or unwind after a day on the water. It means so much to our family to be a local staple, welcoming both longtime patrons and first-time visitors. We’re proud to be a family-owned and operated business, and I’m especially honored that my son, Finn McCusker, has joined me in continuing this legacy.
In 2024, we were thrilled to open our second Mama’s on the Half Shell location in Owings Mills—bringing a bit of the city’s heart to the county. It’s been an incredible journey filled with dedication, love, and community, and we’re deeply grateful for the support we’ve received over the years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our industry does not offer a smooth road on its map. Everyday we are presented challenges and obstacles. We anticipate them, however, we are always surprised that just when we thought we had seen it all a surprise awaits us.
I have met many struggles along the way. I lost my husband and business partner in 2012. I faced the road that we once conquered together, alone. It was my biggest challenge and it showed me a lot about the person I am and also about the people that surrounded my life.
The other struggle that we faced was the pandemic. Never in a million years, never. We don’t even discuss the “P” word in our day anymore. We wear the scar, but we refuse to go there in our minds. I think partly because we spent everyday for many years trying to recover the loss of something that we fought so passionately for in a previous life. So we did our best and we survived when the whole world told us that we would not.
As you know, we’re big fans of Mama’s On The Half Shell. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
In 2003, we opened Mama’s on the Half Shell. Our opening day was the realization of five years of dreaming, discussing and collecting. It is our hope that when you are with us you feel you are welcomed into our home with open arms. There really is no average age at Mama’s on the Half Shell, making it a true destination for great food and celebration.
As native “Baltimoreans,” we felt Baltimore was in need of a thoughtful, classic seafood restaurant. Because of our love for the restaurant business, one of our favorite pastimes is to dine out. What we found was we missed the classics; the ones that we could count on as kids. Iconic restaurants like Connolly’s & Hausner’s, the ones we would visit with friends from out of town who say “take us to a real Baltimore seafood house.” We missed that emotional attachment and wanted to bring it back. That’s why we created Mama’s on the Half Shell.
Our menu is the most important part of our restaurant, but we also want our guests to come in and feel comfortable for any occasion. Be it a business meeting, Sunday football, a birthday, anniversary or just some time out. It’s a great place to visit after a day on the water and it’s also remembered by some as the place where they got engaged. Our restaurant is a place that you could “bring it or bring it down.”
For a good start to a classic Baltimore meal at Mama’s, order a fried crab cake with mustard and our famous Orange Crush. Have a seat at the raw bar and just drift back into your best Baltimore memory, hon! Or…create a new one.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I could better answer this question if it was who doesn’t deserve credit.
There are so many people that deserve credit. I give the credit to each and every employee that sees us through our day. My business is open 365 days of the year, 7 days a week and almost every hour of everyday. It doesn’t stop even if your tired, out of town, sick, mourning a loss, celebrating a personal time….nothing stops it. So my employees get the most credit. I always count the folks that are no longer with us and moved on. They are a brick in our foundation that I will be forever grateful.
I credit our guests that cross the threshold of our buildings everyday. Some we see frequently and some for the first time, that will always be what makes me proud. You know, “you build it and they will come” is a used phrase but for me, it carries such weight.
I credit my industry friends. I have such a mutual respect for the work they do and the effort they use to keep their boat floating through these waters. They are such special people. They are people that joined a profession because they liked taking care of folks and making them feel good. It’s hospitality that put us all together and that is special.
Last but not least, I give credit to my family. My children grew up having to adapt to a lot of disturbance in their lives. They couldn’t see it, but they certainly deserve the biggest credit. My son was brave enough to join our team over a year a go and I am grateful to watch him grow and see how naturally he has adapted to this business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mamasonthehalfshell.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamasonthehalfshell/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamasonthehalfshell
