Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar — Restaurant in Overland Park

I have taken the day to ponder how to go about this review. We chose this restaurant out of the MANY we had to choose from and we made a HUGE mistake. If this review saves you the time and absurd amount of money we spent at this establishment then I will sleep better at night knowing I gave you the tools to be educated on this eating establishment!!! Diner be warned... We were seated, waited a bit of time for a server in an almost empty environment... We place our drink order and read over the menu... And we then placed our order...1 appetizer of calamari, 1 mini boil that included 2 SMALL potatoes and 1/2 an ear of corn and head off shrimp, (approximately 10-12 shrimp) or 1 LB. We also ordered the Friday thru Sun. daily special, that was to include 1 lobster tail 1/2 LB. crab legs, 1/2 LB. Shrimp 3 small potatoes and 1/2 ear of corn... Now when I tell you the disappointment began as the appetizer was served I am probably being kind... it came out with 1 wedge of dried up lemon and 1 small container of what can only be described as "a vessel filled with flavorless tomato paste" This calamari had ZERO flavor profile and we waited and waited for someone to ask for some salt and or pepper to try to enhance this dish and when no one came I actually got up and rummaged through some drawers around the corner and finally found a few packets of salt...(it did NOT help the $13.00 calamari appetizer one bit) Next came our "boils"... YIKES...Let me start with the lobster tail that was simply split down the middle and I can only guess steamed...not even lifted out of the shell or anything and I have eaten shrimp bigger than said "$50.00 lobster tail boil" The 2 SMALL crab leg segments I received were no bigger around then a school child's pencils and that is being generous!!! I will say the 8-10 shrimp I received were in fact larger then the crab legs and each cluster only had 3 to 4 legs...( and YES I do have pictures) ALL of our food was flavorless and we did not see a server again until the bill came. We asked for to go containers (so we could take our meals home to try to add some palatable flavors). We were given our bill that also included a 10% gratuity for a party of 2... So paying for the bill it dawned on me...I was getting the service that this establishment set me up to receive!!! He was getting a 10% tip off the top no matter how BAD our service was... and might I say SHAME ON YOU HOOK & REEL!!! You set your servers up to fail before our drinks were even served to us and, BTW... don't expect drink refills...because again, once you place your order and it is brought to your table you will not see them again until you get the bill. So all in $95.00 spent for food we had to bring home to TRY to make edible ( BIG FAIL) add 10% tip before you even get a menu and boom $100.00 💥 😒 😑 down the drain for an experience that for awhile, at least, is indeed UNFORGETTABLE !!! So if you have a hankering for a crab/lobster boil...keep driving right past the Hook & Reel and "fish" for a better option because...

I loved this place, and I will be back. It was about an hour drive from Kearney Mo. I got there about 5:15 p.m., so there was not a line. We were seated right away. I ordered water and an adult beverage. I order Crab bites, lobster bisque. My friend had clamb chowder. We both got the Mini boils. These are bags with 1/2 corn on the cob, potatos, your choice of crab cluster, shrimp, or black muscles. I chose the snow crabs. I added hardboiled eggs (2). Then they steam the bags with whatever spices you chose. It was just enough food for me. I am not a big eater and often leave food on my plate when I feel full. The mini boil was a perfect amount for me. I left 2 potatos and one of the hard-boiled eggs.

The food choices were EXCELENT! Just know that this IS a seafood retuarant. I am not a fan of Cajun Spice, but the server was great about helping me get what I wanted and still was able to stay within the menu. The crab bites were only so-so. The server told me that they make some by hand only on Sunday, and they are not like store bought ones that are served on other days.

It had a small stage that, at times, would be used for a solo or duet to perform. However, it was not being used when I was there. The VERY large bar was very well stocked with just about anything you could want. The tables were not crowded, and I could walk around any of them without bumping the people seated at them. There was outside dining, but this time of year is NOT the time to be eating outside anyplace. (it was not open) The restroom (men's) was a little cramped. It was clean, and they offered mouthwash. ( I have never seen that before).

The food came out quicker than expected (perfect timing). The temperature of the food when served was perfect. "It was not too hot, and it was not too cold. It was just right." (yes, the 3 little bears), lol.

The decor was just blaw. I think they could have done more decorations, but when I started to eat, I didn't notice anything wrong.

I spend $100.00 for 2 people. They do add a "service fee" of 10% of the bill to the bill total. It is posted at each table. That service fee is shared with all workers, but you can tip the server after that. Watch the tip chart printed and do your math yourself as the computer was not correct for my bill and added tip.

I will be back when I want to drive 2 hours for a good crab meal. I can only hope they will build one...

Hooked and then reeled in.... I thought it could never happen to me. It's was brisk Sunday afternoon the sun was out and a gentle breeze flowed the homestead. While lounging on the couch perusing through the channels of the television I happened to stop on a show. This show in question was about crab fishing , it made me ponder on the shortage of crabs delimma . If there's a shortage would the legs be smaller ? Inquiring minds wanted to know. So after many negotiations with the other half we decided to go to Hook and Reel. Now mind you this isn't my first rodeo at this fine Seafood Shack so I had to bring some un bias customers. So we take the short drive to Overland Park observing the fine driving skills of the Sunday drivers while dodging moon craters in the road till we get to Hook and Reel. As you walk in you are greeted by a statue of a pirate I'm assuming it's Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean but due to copyright infringement he was more of a Jack Blue Bird. Once we entered the building the hostess greeted us and seated in a timely manner. As I admired the decor and ambiance I thought to myself alot of time went into the design of the restaurant and it shows. The music playing through the jukebox was a great sampling of classic country and r and b hits both I really liked. But then it hit me I can control it . As I glanced at the menu our waiter ame by a nice gentleman by the name of A A RON. He was quite pleasant and very efficient. The beer was cold and the drinks phenomenonal but theres more the food showed up !!!!! When the bag was opened the aroma of spices and steam filled the air as smiles were produced all around the table. The flavors were intense the legs were succulent the hard boiled eggs was a tasty addition. As the meal wound down we tried some dessert and it was delicious. As we prepared to leave I had a to play a leaving song on the juke box . I classic some Gangnum Style by Psy to which some of the staff actually knew it . Will I go back .... the question I beg to offer is when I'm...