Viking Fresh Off the Hook

First time we’ve been to Off the Hook in quite a while. Since this is the very beginning of the tourist season, we found it not too crazy like it gets in July/​August. The service was great, again it was just us at the moment of ordering. We both ordered the Fried Seafood Combo. ($ 23.95) The flounder was approximately 6″ x 3″ breaded in Italian seasoning. We also got two shrimp that I am going to say were the star of the combo. Nice big and juicy! We also got 3 breaded scallops, one honestly was the size of a man’s thumb nail, the other two weren’t much bigger. They were nice and fresh tasting though. The mini crab cake, not impressed. It might just be our taste as we live only 16 miles from Northeast in Maryland. Hard to compared with those crab cakes. The fries were decent. Finally, the clam strips… WAIT!!! What clam strips? We both were shorted one of the things we really love. We didn’t discover this until we got back to our rental and the storms were still kicking up. At this point we decided to take the loss. Either way, we’ve decided to take a break again from Off the Hook. The last time we did was due to horrendous customer service. This time the girls were awesome, the food and the food we were shorted, not so much.

Everything is great here, besides the fact that this well known lobster roll joint doesn’t serve lobster rolls for dinner. They have all the materials for the lobster roll however since it’s not on the dinner menu they refuse to make it for dinner. The employees all talk badly about each other. Seems like a bad atmosphere behind the counter. Boss doesn’t respect her employees …

We hit this spot on a Friday night at the very start of the season. We have a family of six, so lots of items were ordered. As I was paying for our order and could see back into the kitchen, I could tell they were slammed.
We had to wait quite some time for our food. To their credit, when my wife asked if any food was ready, we received the two items — fried mozz sticks and chicken fingers.
When all the food arrived, it was fine, but nothing special. My wife had crab cakes over salad and I had seared tuna. I paid $ 8 for an Asian Cole slaw that was mainly cabbage with a small bit of toasted almonds and teriyaki sauce — must have been a $ 7.50 profit on that one.
The other two dishes were pasta with marinara sauce — sauce was quite good.
All in all, between the wait, the food being solid but nothing special, and not being the cheapest food going I’d say this was a 2.5 out of 5 star experience.

Huge fan of scallops so I tried the blackened scallop taco and was not let down! Very good! I’ll check this place out again for sure!

Tasty fish and chips. It’s the ultimate summer food. Service was great. The wait was about 45 minutes because it was Labor Day and they were packed but it was worth it. They have tables with umbrellas to sit at and eat in the shade. The iced tea was refreshing. Frankie Valley playing in the background added to the vibe.

Things have definitely change. We have been going there religiously ever summer for years. This years encounter was the worst to date. The Fish Tacos were more a shredded lettuce taco with a piece of bland fish. Very very disappointing!

On LBI for a week in July. Love seafood. This take out place has 6 – 7 picnic tables with umbrellas (keeps away the opportunistic seagulls). There are bathrooms available beyond the tables. You order your food, pay and wait to be called. It was a Saturday night at 7pm so I would say our wait was not excessive.
The variety of seafood offerings are plentiful and you can bring beer or wine if you are eating or you can get beverages from their refrigerator. I got the cold seafood platter consisting of 6 shrimp, 6 craw fingers and 6 slices of seared tuna. This is served in a 6−7″ round plastic container with the trio place on top of a few pieces of lettuce with cocktail sauce in single serving cups, seaweed and a small amount of pickled ginger slices and wasabi. The seafood portions were small for the price ($ 22.95). The clam chowder was undistinguished. Since I lived in Boston for 40 years I have had goood chowder and seafood for a lifetime.
My companion had the fried seafood combo ($ 23.95) which was described as so-​so. Unfortunately she wasn’t easily able to identify the scallops from the very small crab cake. The flounder was acceptable and the clam strips were mostly fried breading. Think I would try another casual take away before returning… so maybe you are off the hook now too.

This used to be our go to place for seafood on the northern part of LBI but it’s going downhill. 2 years ago I got sick from their fried clams. Last year, I had shrimp with pasta in a pesto cream sauce and it was swimming in the sauce. This year I decided to give the clams a second chance and they were listed as an appetizer on the menu. When we called they said they didn’t have clams. I got the Asian slaw with grilled shrimp and the takeout container was less than ¹⁄₃ filled with just plain cabbage, a slice of pineapple and a tiny container of ramen noodles and nuts. All for $ 8.50! Won’t be going here again.

LOVE THIS PLACE! Discovered them last year and it’s the only place we visit more than once during our week. Everything we’ve ever ordered has been outstanding. The crab stuffed flounder melted in my mouth. The «risotto of the day» was asparagus something and it was very tasty– what an unexpected treat for a side! We were so thrilled to be able to compliment the chef when he came around the picnic tables to talk to us. Even my kids enjoyed the fish and chips. Lovely to be able to take an after dinner walk around the working fishing dock. Wednesday nights they have a live musician– simple, unpretentious and all about the quality of the food! My only complaint is their ordering and paying can make for a confused situation. Check your receipts carefully!

Nothing fancy but food was tasty. Definitely not a nice sit down seafood joint but if you want a crabcake it’ll do.

Atmosphere is cute with broken seashells and umbrellas. Very casual. The lobster roll was Ok, it was more of a salad than chunks of lobster. Fish and chips were awesome! The carrot cake was surprisingly incredible! I definitely suggest this place for a quick and easy seafood fix.

Seafood is fresh and delicious. A bit pricey considering its take out with some picnic tables nearby. And if there are more that 6 or 7 groups, get ready for the mad dash to claim a table. And the peering eyes of those waiting for your table as you try to eat your food.

First off, the food is fresh and delicious. Why then the 2 stars? The service and attitude is inexcusable. They have this cockamamy ordering system — you order at one side and then pay at the other. Then you wait for your food. I’ve been here when it’s empty and crowded — in neither scenario does this system make any sense. But, wait, that’s not the reason for the 2 stars.
A friend of mine was visiting me on LBI and we wanted good, casual seafood. It was Fish Taco Night at Off the Hook, so we gave it a go. When we arrived everyone seemed very cranky. We ordered fish tacos, a crab cake (about $ 15) and two salads. We then turned around to wait in the next line to pay. This took about 15 minutes. While we waited, the girl who took our order came out with our salads and crab cake. I asked her if the crab cake was heated. Here’s the exchange:
«No.»
“Well, can you heat it?”
«No. We’re too busy.»
«Well, I don’t want a cold crab cake.»
«You can take it home»
«I want to eat it here. Can’t you heat it?»
«No. We’re too busy. It’s a 45 minute wait for food right now.»
«So while we wait for our fish tacos, can’t you heat the crab cake?»
«No. We’re too busy/​»
«Wait, did you just say that it’s a 45 minute wait to get our food?»
«Yes.»
“Why didn’t you mention that when we placed our order?”
«I would have but you walked away.» (True, but walking away was turning around to get in the paying line.)
«Never mind. You can cancel our order.»
We left and went to 18^th Street Café. It was delicious! Review to follow…

We’ve gotten takeout 3 times during the last week. I’m giving off the hook 5 stars based more on the lack of options in barnegat light. There are a few low brow options… But none of them are off the hook!
The lobster ravioli and lobster mac are both quite tasty. The broiled scallops and smashed potatoes are awesome!

Certainly one of my preferred places to eat on the Island, though it helps that we tend to stay just a few blocks from here so it’s in walking distance. The food’s good, though the portions for the platters are quite small for the price — especially considering you’re there for the seafood, not the potatoes & corn.
On that note — if you love filler in your crab cakes, these are the crab cakes for you. And I’m only halfway being facetious here… I know folks who like that filler :)
That said, have never been disappointed by anything I’ve ordered here in terms of taste. Breaded/​fried, grilled, whatever… it’s all good. Even the fish fingers were surprisingly good — I don’t even like fish fingers.

Still the freshest seafood (save room for a delicious dessert) and energizes enthusiastic people taking orders. If you like to eat outdoors this place is for you. Bring your own wine or beer or whatever and it’s a great place to enjoy a shore dinner.

If a 3.5 was available I’d give that as my score since I can’t I will give it a 4. Fish and chips were very tasty, but in a few block walk home the fries got very mushy. The fish was fresh and the batter was perfect. The flavors were on point for it. The Wednesday chicken pasta special was very good. To me the New England Clam Chowder was not good and the portion not worth it. I was oily and barely enough to call it a small.

a little pricey but good, especially given the limited options.
We ordered the asian slaw salad with crabcake, fried oysters and fish + chips.
Asian Slaw w Crabcake: DELISH! definitely would go back just for this item.
Fish + Chips: good, fish was fresh and flaky and fries were blistery, with potato inside really soft. tartar sauce was premade by someone else and a huge letdown.
Fried Oysters: not good. really big and tasted fishy.
If you have the time, just drive over the bridge to mud city — for the price it’s way better, but if you’re in the area and hungry, this place is definitely a good option.

Simply outstanding! My wife ordered the broiled crab cakes, which were crispy with large chunks of succulent crab meat. I ordered the sautéed scallops with seaweed salad, and I would not change a thing about them!
The staff was friendly and the service was fast. The outdoor atmosphere is very pleasant with a nice breeze.
BYOB is a plus. It was a very comfortable atmosphere to enjoy a bottle of wine with a delicious meal.
To top off it off, the owner came out at the end to ask how our meal was. All-​in-​all, it was a perfect dining experience. We will definitely be back.

My friend and I stopped here for lunch on a Sunday after the antique show in Viking Village. They were very busy but polite and accommodating, and fortunately they had several HS and college kids working that day! There is ample seating outside, and the turnover is frequent. I enjoyed a salmon burger and my friend had the crabcake sandwich.