James Hook & Co — Restaurant in Boston

The most unfathomable experience. Hook and company was my family go-to spot for live lobster for well over 50 years. I will never return and will spread the word about how they treat customers and cut every possible corner. Last evening, while sitting on the back patio eating dinner at Hook, a man suddenly appeared on the other side of the fence and turned on a leaf blower, which he then placed on the ground. He walked through the fence and told us and the other tables it was time to leave, the place was closed. He walked up to another table and picked up their tray and walked away with it. it did not matter to him if anyone was still out there finishing their meal. I asked if that leaf blower was really his way of telling us it was time to leave and he said yes! So I walked into where the offices are and there was a man sitting at one desk and a woman at another and I said “excuse me, is it really your policy to have someone start a leaf blower out on the patio and tell us it is time to leave? Even if we’re eating?“ And unbelievably, both of them said yes! And then they continue to have “an I don’t really care about you little customer” attitude. No warning that the place was closing and needed to be cleared out at such and such time when we ordered our $250 worth of lobster rolls. No server came around and said hey by the way, we know you’re still eating, but it’s time for us to go home so you must leave now.

As for the food, the owners are incredibly cheap. The mayonnaise style lobster roll is literally just watery mayonnaise and lobster meat. No seasoning whatsoever and nothing like celery or anything in the mix. Not even a garnish of a lettuce leaf. Average quality lobster meat. There are dozens and dozens of better places to find a lobster roll in the city of Boston. Do not waste your time at Hook- they do not care about customers, or I suspect event lobster. Only the $$$ they can make running a third-rate tourist trap. How the mighty...

Overall, James Hook is a true Boston experience. It's open-air, which makes it seasonal - you won't be sitting outside in January - but as of last week, mid-November, it was pleasant, as long as you wear something warm. It is a wood-type, large shed-type structure in appropriate grey with red highlights and a few open wooden steps leading up to it. It is counter-service, with a helpful, friendly staff and a great seafood choice. The lobster roll is very good - even with the smaller size, you get a decent portion of filling - and the corn and shrimp chowder is delicious. I had the chowder because it was the most likely to be gluten-free. The food is expensive, but i know that costs are high, and the location is a realtor's dream. The ambiance is historic and bustling Boston downtown waterfront, wedged between Atlantic Avenue and the inlet. On a weekday, the businesspeople are mixed in with tourists on the bridge and along the waterfront, and you watch the two with interest. Two worlds, meeting. Just three improvements could be made. One is parking, which exists around the back of the space but is not well publicized. The lot is small but adequate and free! Don't pay $25 at a nearby underground lot. You don't need to. The other thing is that there are no built-in bathrooms, just two porta-potties at the back in the parking lot. As a woman, I am not a fan of this means of relief, but, yes, they are kept clean, and, unlike my friend, I used them. The other is wheelchair accessibility. It seemed to my casual glance that there is no means for a wheel chair to get easily to the restaurant/counter, other than lifting it. However, the main seating area is ground-level and accessible. An overall good experience! Great Boston...

On a recent trip to Boston, we stopped by an iconic seafood and fresh lobster restaurant called James Hook + Co. You might know it 😜 because it’s won many awards for Best Lobster Roll, as well as Traveler’s Choice, among many other national awards.

“Since 1925, James Hook & Co., founded by Grandfather James Hook and his sons, has been a pioneering force in the lobster industry."

Restaurants that are THAT steeped in history always are on my radar, so lunch at James Hook + Co. was a must! Here are our top three suggestions on what you should order when you’re there:

🐚 Double Stuffed Scallop: I’ve lived in New England for almost 14 years and in that time, have become obsessed with any sort of stuffed shellfish. This seafood stuffed scallop is BEYOND - I can’t even begin to explain to you how delicious it was. A bright balance of acid from the lemon and the sweet scallop meat, paired with the delicious seasoned crumbs on top makes it an appetizer I want to have over and over again!

🌽 Shrimp & Corn Chowder: The ideal way to warm up on a New England spring day that promises to be warm but really just delivers cloudy weather and chilly temps mind day, ha! This chowder was packed with flavor!

🦞 Lobster Roll: The star of the show, this lobster roll was top-notch! The sweet lobster meat was stuffed into a grilled bun, and the lobster salad itself was perfectly tossed in mayonnaise and secret signature seasonings, which elevated it to the next level. It was also served very cold, and that contrast with the bread was lovely!

Five stars ⭐️ to James Hook + Co. for delivering not only outstanding food, but great service and ambiance! I can’t wait to take my family there this summer...