Kubel's — Restaurant in Barnegat Light

I rarely write reviews, but I want to be honest about the very negative experience we had at Kubel’s on vacation this year (August 2025). We had been to Kubel’s in previous years and always found the hostess to be very brusque and unwelcoming, but looked past it and enjoyed our meals and takeout orders. However this year we had an experience that has made us decide not to ever go back. We were a large group, 10 people, and were given an estimate of 45 minutes for a table. It’s summer and it was beautiful, so that is totally understandable. We had 4 kids in our group though, so we weren’t able to wait. I went back to the hostess, and my daughter (8 years old) was very excited and was jumping on the front porch by the hostess stand. I immediately put my hand gently on her shoulder and asked her to stop jumping, which she did. The hostess was so rude to her though, and just said in a mean voice Don’t do that!” My daughter was shocked and embarrassed. I kept my hand on ger, and asked the hostess if they might have two tables sooner, one for 6 people and one for 4 people. We thought dividing up the big group might help. She looked at me and said “I already told you - we don’t have a table for 10.” I said I understood, but that’s why I was asking if we could sit at two tables instead. She said “No. the problem with that is then you have two servers,” and I said that was no problem. We were here and wanted to eat even if we were at separate tables with separate servers, that was fine with us. The other hostess said “She’s trying to tell you, we don’t HAVE anything available for 10.” I said I understood, and that’s why I was asking about two smaller tables. The first woman said “Well how can I tell you what the wait would be if you don’t tell me how many people are in each group? You haven’t told me anything!” I said actually I did, we wanted tables for 4 and for 6… and at this point my husband stepped in with our other daughter and suggested we go somewhere else. Which we did. It was so strange and rude - we wanted to give them our business of 10 people, and it felt like they didn’t want us there. Our daughter was holding back tears after being scolded by a stranger for being excited and finally cried once we stepped away. We went around the corner to Daymark instead, which was FANTASTIC! Sorry to say we will NOT be going back to Kubel’s, but I hope they see this review so they realize that they lost our business and need to treat customers and children...

We came here with very high expectations because Anthony Bourdain is our idol. He had New England Clam Chowder and fried Clams here. We ordered the New England Clam Chowder and it was delicious and it is the best New England Clam Chowder We have ever had so far. The pastrami sandwich and the lobster roll were not impressive at all. The lobster bisque was as plain as water. Take a look the photos of the cup of chowder and the bisque. What restaurant would do this kind of sloppy job? We know this is not a fine dining restaurant but We don’t think anyone would do this at home either. The one dozen half shell clams came with one oyster fork and no lemon and a bowl of clam chowder came with one spoon. When I called the waitress to ask for another oyster fork she told me that the oyster fork is just for separate the clam meat from the shell and two of us have regular forks on the table. Sounds like I am stupid and don’t even know what the oyster fork is for. But she did bring another oyster fork and another spoon. She couldn’t see our empty ice water glasses so I had to ask for adding ice water. There was a guy who led us to our table at the beginning. Since we didn’t see our waitress so we stop him for adding water. also asked lemon for the calm and two plates. He told me that he is not our waiter very loud. Then he grabbed my water glass on top which is not acceptable with health concern. Wow! I was speechless at the moment. Now I know what I should say to him. “ oh, I am so sorry. Are you a customer of the restaurant too? I am sorry that I am asking you for the lemon, water and plates. Please have a seat and let me get you water and plates. “ BTW, the French Fries were super good. I am sorry Anthony Bourdain that I disapproved the restaurant even their New England Clam Chowder and French Fries are very delicious. I am sure that I can find same quality food in another service friendly restaurant. The three stars is only for the clam chowder...

Let's start with the good..... the service was great. Our server was engaging and attentive, very pleasant.

This place has a great location and an awesome view of the bay and sunsets. We have been to this restaurant 3 times, and for the last time.

Let's talk about the not so good.... It's a very busy place. You need a reservation during the season. The food is bland and flavorless, and the plate presentation is awful. This place is confused as to what kind of venue they want to be. Are they German, seafood, Cajun, pub, Korean BBQ....? I have no idea, but the menu is all over the map.

I guess if you're in the mood for a German pub that also has some overpriced seafood and have a hankering for Korean BBQ, this could be the place for you.

The prices are just stupid. $40 bucks for crab cakes.... come on. Maybe these are not Barnegat bay blue claws and are imported from Korea? Do they have blue claw crab in Korea? $34 bucks for flounder and $38 for swordfish? Sumptin isn't right. The flounder is in season in NJ and right in the bay, no!? The crab bisque was , well, I can't even describe it, but it's not winning and prize at Chowder Fest, that's for sure.

Skip the drive all the way to Barnegat light. This place is just not worth the...