Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar

The gratuity charge was outrageous for just two people.. but da food was good overall.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

My husband and I went early on Valentine’s Day, and it wasn’t very crowded. We decided to try the all-you-can-eat option, which included appetizers, crab legs, add-ons for the seafood boil, sides, and fried fish selections.
Overall, the food was good, and the calamari was definitely my favorite. I had read the fine print ahead of time, but we noticed a nearby couple who were not aware of the 18% service fee or the $15-per-pound waste fee, so it’s important to review those details before going.
We enjoyed the experience, but next time we’ll probably stick to ordering from the regular menu.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

The food was amazing and Ava V provided awesome service 🫶🏿

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Seth at the bar was phenomenal as a bartender and server. He was a great representation of the company and embodied customer service. Seth made our vacation even better of an experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The waitor was awesome.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had an amazing time my server was named Ashtin and provided good service with good food. Fully recommend the experience of the AYCE.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Snow Crab Legs, Hush Puppies

I'm writing this after reading another review of Hook & Reel that painted an absolutely dismal picture, and I have to say—my experience couldn't have been more different.
My party visited on a Friday evening for the all-you-can-eat option, and yes, we paid around $60 per person. But unlike the other reviewer, we found it to be excellent value for what we received.
Our server introduced herself immediately, explained the 90-minute format clearly, and checked on us regularly throughout the meal. Drinks arrived within five minutes of ordering, and refills came before we even had to ask. The timing felt well-managed, not rushed.
The food came out in waves every 10-12 minutes, which actually felt right—enough time to enjoy what was in front of us without feeling stuffed or overwhelmed. We ordered multiple rounds of crab legs, shrimp, crawfish, and sides, and everything arrived hot and well-seasoned.
Claw crackers, bibs, and wet wipes were on the table when we sat down. When we needed extras, they were brought over promptly.
Yes, there was an 18% gratuity added automatically, but it was clearly noted on the menu and explained by our server at the start. For large parties or all-you-can-eat formats, this is standard at many restaurants, and I had no issue with it given the attentive service we received. Having worked in a restaurant all through college, I know that it is hard work and for any of you out there who think it is okay to go out to eat and not tip - shame on you!
Was it perfect? No restaurant is. But the staff was friendly, the food was fresh and plentiful, and we left full and satisfied. I've already recommended it to friends and plan to return.
I can't speak to what happened during the other person's visit—maybe they came during an understaffed shift or caught the kitchen on a bad night. But my experience was the opposite: organized, enjoyable, and worth every dollar.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Wings, Catfish Basket 3 Count, Large Catch

If Google allowed less than one star, I would use it. This was a negative five-star experience.

Our visit to Hook & Reel was an exercise in paying premium prices to be ignored. We paid over $60 per person for an all-you-can-eat meal and were told we had 90 minutes. What we were not told was that most of that time would be spent waiting for service, food, or utensils.

It took over 25 minutes just to get a drink after being seated. Our table ran out of drinks three separate times. We almost never saw our waitress.

Between orders, food took 15 to 20 minutes to arrive, which completely undermines the entire concept of a timed all-you-can-eat service. I had to get up from my seat and hunt down staff who were not even our waitress three different times just to receive basic service.

Claw crackers, bibs, and hand wipes were not provided until roughly 15 minutes after the first plates arrived. For a seafood boil restaurant, that is not a minor oversight. That is incompetence.

I worked in food service for years. I am patient. I am understanding. I tip well even when service is mediocre. This was not mediocre. This was neglectful. To add insult to injury, an 18 percent gratuity was added without explanation. I only discovered it when reading the receipt, after having effectively served myself all night.

I have zero intention of returning. I am not interested in paying expensive restaurant prices to be treated like an inconvenience. There is no scenario where “all you can eat” should result in leaving hungry, annoyed, and wondering why I bothered at all.
If this is the standard here, it is unacceptable.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

The greeter told me there was an 18% gratuity surcharge, so my husband and I turned around and left. Furthermore, she tried to whisper it, while reaching for the menus. I couldn't hear her, so I said I'm sorry I can't hear you. I guess she thought she was going to slide that one by.

Me and a couple friends went Saturday night 30 minutes in two of us was sick like bad went to the doctor food poisoning the crazy thing is the waiter didn't even care when he seen i was sick I felt he thought we was trying not to pay so yes of course we paid and now I've call all the right people to go in and check them out

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The food was great, the portions were small, the service was slow on getting your next portion of your order. The waitress was very nice and polite. The atmosphere was dull and needed some mild music.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Amazing waitress Jaida!!!!! Amazing atmosphere-beautiful, bright, clean, energetic, warm and friendly vibes. Generous portions with the all-you-can-eat....but....NO FLAVOR!!!!!!! Zero. Clams and mussels not cleaned as well as they could have been. Bit down on hard shell fragments 3 times. Beware dental work!!!!! Jaida was great!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

For about 52 dollars the buffet was not great.Came in with my mom our first cluster of crabs were cold the manager tried to help and get us a fresh one but that off put us.our waitress was ok didn’t check up on us to much I’d give this place a 4/10 don’t think I’ll be back.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 4

this is a bad place to go to everyone already writing bad views about it they just gave me food posining and everything and i throwed up they don’t even cook they food for long only like 5 mins and they done

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Weird atmosphere in this location.. front desk girl seemed really rigid, repeated back to us our group information like three times. Seth was our server.. he never came back to refill drinks until meal was over. We got a boil, and said we wanted to order additional potatoes. He put in ONE extra potato 😂 I didnt even know you could do that given that the potato option comes with three additional, it made us laugh because what? Why would that even occur to you? Lol. The kids food was bland, just disappointing compared to the jacksonville location.
Also, gratuity is 18% for groups of 6+ even if theyre children.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 2