Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar — Restaurant in Owings Mills

Food: 0.2 (yes there is a period in front of the 2) Service: 1 Atmosphere: 3

This was one of the worst experiences I've had. The entrance is odd with no one there to greet you when you enter. Let's get to the meat of things; the service (AWFUL!!).

The server introduced themselves twice as if they had never stopped over. They said they would bring water 3 times and on the 4th visit finally brought water. I could understand if the place was packed and busy for this level, or lack there of, service. It was not. There were maybe 5 tables in use 3 of which had already been served, 1 was getting ready to leave, and my table.

There were only 2 of us at our table, so it wasn't asking for much. We asked a few questions about portion sizes of the food and if they had any suggestions on what people tend to really like. If there are anything like weekly specials, they failed to mention, didn't explain the lunch menu. When asked if there was a difference between the lunch special and regular menu, the answer was simply "just the price" (later find out that isn't true).

My friend got the crab cake lunch special (so he thought), side of soup. The soup was lackluster at best, and the crab cake was mostly filler. Cherry on top, was charged for the dinner portion (ordered the lunch special which was basically half the price). He had to ask for tartar sauce which should have been on the plate to begin with. If you open a seafood restaurant in the state of MD and are within 30 minutes of downtown Baltimore, you should not be selling filler based crab cakes (shame)...

I got a Po'Boy (catfish) which was not good at all. I understand I'm not getting the bread you would down in NOLA, but this was a basic baguette at best, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and fried breading. There was such little catfish you couldn't even tell it was there. It was 2 pieces of fried breading on top of more bread.

It was our fault for not saying we wanted separate checks, but the server said it wouldn't be a problem being such a small bill. We appreciated that, but then I was charged for the wrong food as was my friend. We specifically stated what was to be charged on which card, they even asked to be sure and still managed to get it wrong. The best part of the meal was when it was over sadly.

The utensils were plastic and wrapped as if I was eating at a fast food joint, the soup was served in a to-go container, the sandwich was served essentially the same way.

As for the positives of the place. It has potential, the decor is fun and the table top games for kids is a great way to help entertain little ones. Parking is easy and right next to the building so it doesn't take much to get there. Aside from the poor food, poor service, and poor overall experience it did at least have those few positives.

I cannot understand how this place has such a high star rating based on this experience. We chose it specifically because it has such good reviews and were clearly utterly disappointed. Unless something DRASTICALLY changes I can't see going back there or even really recommending it to friends or family at this time. This is a real shame, as the potential for this place is so incredibly high. Fingers crossed you get these easy to fix...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Hook and Reel in Owings Mills, and I must say, it was an outstanding experience! From the moment I stepped foot into the restaurant, I was greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming atmosphere.

Alessandra, our server, truly went above and beyond to make our evening memorable. Her friendly and attentive nature instantly made us feel at home. She expertly guided us through the menu, explaining the various seafood options and offering insightful recommendations based on our preferences. Alessandra's knowledge of the menu and her genuine enthusiasm for the dishes truly enhanced our dining experience.

Throughout the evening, Alessandra displayed an exceptional attention to detail. She ensured that our drinks were always refilled, checked on us regularly, and promptly addressed any additional requests we had. Her efficiency and professionalism were truly commendable.

Moreover, Alessandra's warm and friendly demeanor made our dining experience even more enjoyable. She shared engaging conversations with us, making us feel like valued guests. Her infectious positivity and genuine interest in our satisfaction were immensely appreciated.

In terms of the food itself, Hook and Reel certainly did not disappoint. The seafood was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. From the succulent crab legs to the mouthwatering Cajun crawfish, every dish was a delectable delight.

The ambiance at Hook and Reel was also worth mentioning. The restaurant's vibrant and lively atmosphere, coupled with the tasteful decor, created a pleasant and inviting space for an enjoyable meal with friends or family.

All in all, I cannot recommend Hook and Reel in Owings Mills enough, and a significant part of our fantastic experience was thanks to Alessandra. Her friendliness, creativity, and attentiveness truly elevated our dining experience. I will undoubtedly be returning to Hook and Reel, and I hope to have the pleasure of being served by Alessandra once again.

Thank you, Alessandra, for making our evening so memorable and for being the epitome of excellent service. You are a true asset to...

Well last week was the Hook & Reel, this was our first trip here, my wife ordered the crab legs with shrimp boil and I ordered the NZ Mussels boil we had an appetizer and a couple of soda's, well the food was excellent but I did have 2 problems one was I asked for a club soda with little ice and lemon what I got was a full glass of ice and no lemon, the 2nd thing was the bill, I know my meal was no more than $35. my wife's meal totaled over $105. with the tax included was $142. A and the there was a gratuity of $25. added to the bill for a total of $167. so when the server finally came over to pick up the check I handed him $180. cash and he looked at me to ask if I needed change, normally I would have said no but we eat out a lot and usually they only add a gratuity when you have a party of 6 people or more,but not only was a tip included but at the bottom of the bill was a suggested amount to tip if I would have told him to keep the difference it would have totaled nearly 38% of the check I don't mind leaving a tip but don't tell me how much to leave especially when his service was not all that good, we also had to ask first for napkins then the utensils as the table wasn't even dressed when we sat down. This place is now on my list of one and done. I hope whoever reads this you get better service then we did, this message is only my opinion and in no way to sway anyone away use your own judgement and leave a...