Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar — Restaurant in Bayonne

Hook & Reel in Bayonne has some real highlights: • Food came out very hot, which we loved. • Sweet potato waffle fries were excellent—crispy, flavorful, and honestly the star of the meal. • Wings were solid, with a good crunch and seasoning. • The decor is fun and inviting, with a glowing, colorful vibe. • They offer a lunch happy hour (Mon–Fri, 11:30 AM–4 PM) with $5 cocktails, $3 drafts, and $24 pitchers.

But there were a few serious drawbacks:

👎 Our happy hour drink was initially charged full price. We were billed $14 for a Hook Punch at 12:37 PM on a Thursday, even though that clearly fell within happy hour. 👍 To their credit, our server immediately apologized and took care of it with no attitude—very kind and professional.

👎 If you don’t order Korean BBQ, they dramatically cover the grill with a metal and glass lid. It feels punitive, not just hygienic.

👎 You must order Korean BBQ as a full table—$21.99 per person minimum. No exceptions for kids, light eaters, or elderly guests. The lack of flexibility felt cold.

👎 They said they were out of tea when we arrived, which came across as unwillingness to brew more.

👎 Automatic 18% gratuity is added to your bill, and leftovers cost $20 per pound. There is a small sign, but it’s not easy to spot.

👎 Food came out staggered, which made it difficult to eat together as a group.

👎 The drink glass was scratched and cloudy, which didn’t match the otherwise fun vibe.

👍 The server truly was excellent—friendly, respectful, and fast to fix the issue. 👍 The food was fresh, hot, and flavorful. 👍 Happy hour pricing, once corrected, made the drinks a good deal.

Bottom line: The service saved the experience, and the food was tasty. But the inflexible policies, unclear pricing, and small oversights make it hard to recommend for families or mixed groups. Come for hot food and good drinks—just keep an eye on your bill and bring a party ready to play by...

Today marked our first visit to Hook & Reel, chosen specifically for my wife's birthday as she had a craving for seafood.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a very courteous hostess and promptly seated. Our server, Jason, soon greeted us, took the time to walk us through the menu and offerings since it was our first visit. My wife opted for a custom seafood boil from the menu selections, while I selected from the various appetizers along with an assortment of Korean BBQ meats and vegetables. Though they offered seafood for grilling, we had already settled on the seafood boil. As soon as the food arrived, Sarah, who seemed to be the manager, stepped in to assist with the grilling and seasoning of the meats. Demonstrating remarkable skill, possibly her true vocation lies in being a chef. She expertly prepared the food on the table's built-in grill, all the while explaining the cooking process and reasons behind each step. While understanding Sarah or others might not always be available to provide this level of attention during peak times, her demonstration on how to properly grill our selections was very helpful. Now we know what to do for next time.

The highlight of our visit wasn't just the good food, but the outstanding service provided by Sarah and Jason, making Hook & Reel one of our top three restaurants. Their exceptional service truly made my wife's birthday celebration memorable. We are immensely grateful for the experience and eagerly anticipate our next visit.

A special touch was when the staff came out with a slice of cheesecake and singing their version of 'Happy Birthday" to my wife, which is a moment we'll cherish.

Thanks for...

My wife and I have eaten at this location a few time's and never had anything bad to say about the food , service or atmosphere. Until tonight !! We sat at the bar and waited for at least 10 before anyone ask to toke out order. We ordered 2 two voodoo lemonade drinks, one shrimp basket ,one calamari an order of chicken wing. Normally after ordering the server/bartender would give your utensils and napkins not this time. The food arrived no utensils and we weren't offer condiments or water. We had ask for utensils the server who apologized and said she didn't know where her head was. I know where it was she was busy dancing behind the bar. I did get her name she had on a red t shirt and her tongue ring. After we finished our first run of drinks we literally sat there for fifteen minutes and I had to get the attention of the floor manager using a choking sign for him to get the attention of bartender to service a second round. I wanted to continue to stay and watch the rest of OKC @ MIN basketball game. My wife was furious and wanted to leave and She asked for the bill. We were handed a bill for $190.00 all we had was 4 drinks and three appetizers from there happy hour menu. After tell the server twice you gave us the wrong bill we waited another 15mins before we received the correct bill for $55.00. We paid the bill and got the hell...