Lucky Bones Backwater Grille — Restaurant in Lower Township

My recent dining experience at Lucky Bones in Cape May, NJ, was nothing short of extraordinary and has solidified its place as my favorite restaurant at the Shore. From the moment we walked in, the staff's accommodating nature was immediately apparent, setting the stage for a truly exceptional meal. We did a nice dinner for my mother's birthday, but this can be difficult because she is gluten and dairy free, and she absolutely loved it!!

What truly set Lucky Bones apart was their unparalleled ability to handle complex dietary restrictions. Our table included individuals with gluten, dairy, and shellfish allergies, a combination that often presents a challenge for many restaurants. However, the team at Lucky Bones navigated these with impressive expertise and genuine care. They made us feel completely at ease, confident that our meals would be prepared safely and deliciously. They even use orange napkins and plates to clearly identify those with allergies, showing how seriously they take these concerns.

And delicious they were! The food portions were incredibly generous, and the flavors were simply outstanding. As someone who is gluten-free, I was absolutely thrilled with the seafood pasta and the crab cakes – they were both phenomenal, showcasing fresh ingredients and masterful preparation. Everyone else at the table raved about their dishes as well. The prime rib, in particular, was huge and perfectly cooked, a true testament to the kitchen's skill. My brother, who rarely ventures into seafood, even devoured his tuna, declaring it "great" and finishing nearly every bite.

Beyond the fantastic food, the service was impeccable. Our waitress, Brittany, was incredibly kind and helpful, checking in frequently without being intrusive, ensuring all our needs were met. Her attentiveness and genuine desire to make our experience perfect truly enhanced the evening.

It wasn't just Brittany, though. The staff out by the shack were also great and incredibly helpful, and even the staff I casually bumped into inside were super kind and nice. This consistent level of warmth and professionalism from every single team member truly made the visit stand out.

In a world where dining out with dietary restrictions can often be a source of stress, Lucky Bones is a true gem. Add in the amazing service, the wonderfully large food portions, and the fantastic flavors, and you have a recipe for an unforgettable meal. I cannot recommend Lucky Bones highly enough, especially to anyone navigating gluten-free or other allergies. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a truly accommodating and delightful...

Normally I don't give a 3-star when I have visited a restaurant once and know I won't pass this way again. But after thinking about it, the 3-star had to do with the food, not the service or the ambiance. My husband said he'd like a burger today after we've been on a fish/seafood odessey in three states including New Jersey. So I looked it up and we chose Lucky Bones. My husband had the daily smash burger offering. I chose the Summer Salad on the daily special for 7/15. I had the option to order a protein and I decided to add the shrimp salad option. I also ordered the bread service with olive oil for an additional fee. Here's why it was a 3-star experience: My husband's burger was so high (the bun was big) he had to eat it in a deconstructed manner. The meat was overcooked, dry and not good. He didn't order it a specific way, but how do you overcook smashburger patties. He didn't complain but I could tell he wasn't enjoying and he didn't want to have the kitchen start over. He felt the french fries were too greasy. I disagreed with him on the French fries. They are hand cut with the skin still on, and I liked them. Here was the problem with salad...it was described as "spring mix" with avocado, strawberries, fresh mozzarella, and toasted pine nuts. I chose the balsamic dressing on the side. Fortunately our server noticed the kitchen put pure balsamic vinegar in the little cup. She whisked it away and brught the proper dressing. But the salad was ALL arugula greens and nothing else. If I had to pick a lettuce which is my least favorite, it would be arugula. If you are having daily special saying it is spriing mix, wouldn't you think the kitchen would tell the servers that there is a change in one of the the daily special and then when it is ordered, she could have advised me. I'd have changed my order if I had been told it was going to be an arugula salad. The shrimp salad was just meh..,wasn't bad, just so so. I'd have opted not to add this $12.00 addition to my bill. And last but not least, one of the food runners is a young man with nearly shoulder length curly hair. While he had a baseball cap on, it is not in our opinion, a good idea not to have it tied back. And no, we did NOT have hair in our food. We're just saying it was a little off putting. And this place was pretty expensive lunch actually. With tip we paid $76.00. Burger of the day, salad with the additional serving of the shrimp salad, two soft drinks...

Lucky Bones has a solid reputation in Cape May — it’s been a local favorite for years, known for its casual vibe, nautical décor, and dependable crowd of both tourists and townies. It sits just over the bridge from the heart of Cape May proper, a place you'd go for laid-back eats after a day on the water or wandering the Victorian streets.

That said, my recent visit left me more than a little disappointed — especially when it came to the steak.

I ordered the Wagyu steak, which at $50 a plate, should have melted like butter and left me speechless — in a good way. Instead, I got a fatty, tough piece of beef that was somehow both greasy and flavorless. Worse, I ordered it rare and what arrived at the table was... not rare. It was practically raw — and not in that good, sushi-grade way. It seemed like it had skipped the grill entirely. I know the difference between rare and uncooked. This wasn't a matter of taste preference — this was a kitchen miss. And calling it "Wagyu"? Either they don't know what Wagyu is, or they're hoping you don't.

Appetizers were passable — nothing standout, nothing offensive. I also tried one of their thin-crust pizzas, which was actually pretty tasty, crisp, and well-prepared. I just happened to pick one with minimal tomato sauce, which I personally missed. But that’s on me, not them.

All in all, Lucky Bones feels like it’s coasting on its name and location. I wanted to like it, and maybe I just hit it on an off night — but for $50 steak, “off night” shouldn’t be an excuse. If you're just after a casual bite and a drink, it might still do the trick. But if you’re expecting high-end beef or precision in the kitchen, steer the...