Hooked Seafood Boil & Bar — Restaurant in Kennewick

Yesterday we went to the restaurant for our first time. This was a late Friday afternoon date for us old folks. When we arrived there was a 45 minute wait which was very acceptable with the Covid pandemic limiting seating at 25%. The front staff was fantastic keeping their cool. Every one kept a smile. After about 20 minutes I went and asked if their was a chair that my husband could sit on as he is a Agent Orange Vietnam Vet and standing was wearing him out. (You definitely need seating in your waiting area) The staff responded and went to get a chair and had him sitting within a few minutes! This was good as our 45 minute wait was a bit longer.

When we were seated our waitress was Johnny on the spot. Your crew was right on! We ordered on the fry side of the menu: fried okra for an appetizer, clam chowders, my husband had fried oysters & fried cod and I had fried oysters & crab cake. This is where you have a problem! The definition of chowder is”a rich soup typically contains fish, clams or corn with potatoes and onions.” This chowder tasted like it was put through a blender with no seasonings. Our oysters were fried either to hot or too long. They were still edible just not as we have eaten them through out the country. His cod was good, but…then there was the crab cake. Since there was no silverware on the table I imagined I was expected to eat it with my fingers. One problem it was so wet it was impossible to pick up. I don’t know corporate’s recipe but I would assume there was to be some texture or body to the cake. Not having salt or pepper on our tables made us seniors not comfortable asking for things we were use to. Heck I even had to ask for a fork…if not for the problem in the kitchen, we would have given a five...

We went by for Valentine's day and didn't want to wait over an hour. We tried again Friday evening and the wait was 20 minutes. The hostess was very hospitable. The waiter was obviously rushed. The restaurant was loud and packed. We ordered and entertained ourselves for 20 minutes waiting. I couldn't ask for better company so we enjoyed the time. We ordered entrees rather than building a meal as they call it. The combos were expensive. "Hooked Seafood..." is expensive, no doubt about it.

I do not know what comparable food in other cities cost. I therefore don't judge. I am reluctant to pay $50 or more to sit down anywhere unless the food, service and atmosphere is worth the expense. "Hooked Sea Food..." is new and unique. It is loud and not decorated to set a mood or entertain as some restaurants are. The food is the attraction.

We enjoyed the onion rings, steamed clams, shrimp cocktail and clam chowder. The paper table cloth amused us as we passed the time waiting for our meal.

The meal service was, "drop and forget" as it is called in the industry. We did not see our waiter again until he dropped the check when he thought it was appropriate or convenient for him. We couldn't find him if we tried. Our water glasses were empty and we began to pass the time again waiting for him to pick up the check and our credit card That I as about a ten minute wait.

Is service going to improve? I can not say. Is it a quiet cozy restaurant? No. The food is the attraction. The atmosphere is ignored by those people there for generous portions of what they order. Will we return? Yes in hopes service improves and to enjoy each other's company in a booth isolated from the pandemonium surrounding us nibbling on some sea creature...

Came in for my daughter’s bday last night. This being our second time here. The first time was fine, minus them forgetting my kids meal. Tonight however was not. We got sat right away as we made a reservation. We were sat without silverware, ordered apps and drinks. When we received the apps, we had asked two people passing by for plates and silverware. Which we never ended up receiving. We didn’t get our sodas until after the entrees arrived. Mind you, this was after asking 3 different people for assistance. There was plenty of servers on the floor but nobody cared to help. We had ordered the same meal as the first time we were here and I’m positive we didn’t get all we should have. We had a lot of leftovers the last time, and this time none. We were asked if we wanted a side of sauce, but no mention of it being an additional charge. Where was management?? Why weren’t they out making sure that the customers were being taken care of properly this is absolutely unacceptable. The amount of money you pay to go here, you would expect a higher level of service. Then when the checks came we were hit with an automatic 18% service charge. I’m from the restaurant industry, and will pay 20-30% every time I go out, tonight I wouldn’t have. Probably will not be returning.

Just to add onto this, the water that was brought out (took 10-15mins to get) and tasted disgusting. Someone needs to do a better job at...