Just Hooked and Off the Hook Restaurants
Just Hooked in Fenwick Island and Off the Hook in Bethany Beach are 2 relatively new restaurants that are serving food the way it should be. Their tagline is “Fresh, Local, Honest” and they live up to it. All of the products come from local vendors and is as fresh as it gets, which really shows through in the food. The dishes are not overdone with to many sauces and other things going on. They let the featured ingredient do the talking and compliment it with simple sauces and sides.
Off the Hook is located in Bethany Beach off of Rt. 26 and was the first restaurant opened of the 2. Off the Hook is a smaller, more intimate atmosphere that fills up quickly. Parlaying off that success the owners opened Just Hooked just across the Maryland and Delaware line in Fenwick Island. Just Hooked is a larger venue that has a full bar, though both locations serve beer, wine and liquor.
The menu changes from time to time and they always offer featured dinners and appetizers. My recommendations for appetizers are the buttermilk oysters (which are the best fried oysters that I have ever had) and the sweet corn and jalapeno bisque, both of which are simple but loaded with flavor. For dinner I always have a hard time getting past the seared scallops which are cooked perfectly every time and paired with a butternut squash puree and bacon mustard greens … heaven on a plate! I have also had the shrimp and grits and a variety of their fresh catch offerings, all of which are spot on every time. Deserts are made in house and the fench toast bread pudding is as good as it sounds.
The service and atmosphere is as good as the food. The staff has been with them for some time with little turnover, which leads to folks that are friendly, attentive and knowledgable about the menu. The dining rooms are softly lit, tables are spaced well and local art adorns the walls with light music playing in the background.
As you can see I am a fan and I am one that takes my food very seriously. Be sure to check either Just Hooked or Off the Hook out when your in town, you won’t be dissapointed. I would reccomend calling for reservations as both restaurants are quite popular.
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