Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cuckoo's Nest

    3.1 (364 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Cuckoo's Nest Takeout or Delivery

    Cuckoo's Nest Photos

    CUCKOO'S NEST ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Cuckoo's Nest

    Recommended Reviews - Cuckoo's Nest

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Patio seating area
    Johnny F.

    I have been here so many times I can't believe I haven't left a review. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is exactly what you would expect at a Mexican food restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service has always been excellent and attentive and the food is excellent. I go there every time we are in the area.

    16 Oz Cajun Prime Rib
    Dawn L.

    We were here the other afternoon. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is fun food is great very cozy bar[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] we started with Tyler very nice. Finished with Cameron very personable and very aware of his surroundings. Knowledgable of all of the products he sells!!

    16 Oz Cajun Prime Rib
    Sandra G.

    Very good food , drinks and service . [[HIGHLIGHT]]All around great place .[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Live music for a really good atmosphere .[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Monica B.

    We decided to have lunch this time and it was nice to be able to walk in and find a table during the weekend. The hostess was very nice and welcoming. I wanted to sit on the patio because it was a sunny day. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience was very nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We opted for tacos and margaritas. The margaritas and beer were very good. My husband devour his tacos. I opted for chorizo for some reason completely forgetting that they were spicy. The waitress was very nice. I would probably go with something else other than chorizo next time ,definitely returning.

    Matthew S.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, great experience with a fantastic ambience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] If ever in the area, I would definitely come back. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience was outstanding. It is built into what looks like an old Mexican barn structure with tons of decorations. Very unique and eclectic. We absolutely loved it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The prices were average for this type of food. No complaints there. The margaritas were amazing, I would definitely get more The service was outstanding, and the people were very friendly. Everything was very quick and the wait staff was very attentive. The food was just a little above average. Certain items were outstanding, but others failed to impress. The enchiladas were very good, but the tamale was strange. The chips were great, but the rice was undercooked. Overall average food. I will definitely be back, I loved it

    Baja lobster tostadas
    Frank M.

    Sorry to say it's been awhile since we visited. Spontaneous decision last evening for a drop in - far beyond expectations. Red sangria with really fresh fruit slices complemented the crispy chips and delicate salsa dip delectably. As always, I selected the chef's special offering : Baja lobster tostadas - perfect ! [[HIGHLIGHT]]All four of us commented on the preserved charm and ambience of the environment.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] What a great night out - STILL a treat and local treasure. Thank you Joseph - and team. Frank Maletz

    Alicia N.

    Had a wonderful experience at Cuckoo's Nest this week.it was my first time and I really enjoyed it. When walking in it Restaurant appears small but it's not. It's full of rooms decorated all differently! All so colorful! Decor is pretty cool too with a lovely patio area! Service was excellent! Food was very good. Tried some Canción Tequila Margs and they were delish! Can't get over an Apple Spice Marg . So good! It's definitely a cute place in Old Saybrook!

    Menu when you enter

    See all

    Review Insights

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sandra G.
    15
    67
    177

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robert V.
    200
    98
    6

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rl J.
    0
    31
    13

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim S.
    63
    70
    0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Thank you for your review. We look forward to serving you again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Always great; week days for lunch ,try everything brunch on Sunday s worth a try sauces soups and guacamole fresh and tangy

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Thank you for your review! We look forward to serving you again soon.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    After a terrible experience several months ago, I decided to return and they were excellent. I will put this restaurant back in my rotation

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D Y.
    0
    2
    0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Food and service out of bounds! Philip was the best waiter and bartender there. We'll be back!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 1
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    The food here is not great. Not real authentic food and my rice wasn't even cooked all the way.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Cuckoo N.

    Cuckoo N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 10

    Cuckoo's Nest Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cuckoo's Nest

    You might also consider

    Mr Crab Cajun Seafood

    Mr Crab Cajun Seafood

    4.2
    (50 reviews)
    19.9 mi

    Worst crab boil I have ever had in my life! As someone who has a grasp on culinary affectation AND…read moreknows Lowcountry cuisine on account of my upbringing... No. Being located in Connecticut versus New Orleans, Georgia, Florida or Maryland does not give you a hall pass to sell over-priced seafood that is not up to edible standards/fresh. No crab seasoning dusting AT ALL. Crab was freezer burned with grit on the shell. I got the special sauce + the hottest level. Red water. So diluted and devoid of flavor. The "boil" was literally the consistency of water. That's not a boil. They likely have pots of unseasoned water that they ladle in the bag post steaming. So bland, zero love and not at all authentic. Also-- small russet potatoes were not cleaned prior to being cooked whole and are rigid/raw in the center. Over-cooked shrimp. Boil base has ZERO flavor and likely just MSG + coloring. Disrespectful. Wrong potatoes, wrong process, wrong chef, wrong seasonings, aged crab, wrong everything. My meal was 'to go'. If dined in?! Absolutely not. Nope. I would have left it on the table! Trust me-- I'm calling my bank and if they want to FaceTime the food in the trash... fine by me. I can't eat this. There is dirt in the sauce and all of the elements because they did not clean the crab, shrimp + potatoes. There were two rotten potatoes in my bag and freezer burned snow crab clusters... disgusting. Hit "The Boil" in NYC, "Juicy Crab" in MD-- even "Hook & Reel" in Orange, CT. That's where you get real Cajun flavor profiles and actual spice! This restaurant has zero business serving seafood boils. Really, really subpar.

    I recently celebrated a big birthday dinner with a group of 14 friends and family at this…read morerestaurant which has been special to us for over 13 years. Even though the name (Kawa) and menu have changed a bit over time, the heart of this place has never changed--and that's what keeps us coming back. One thing that truly stands out is that this is a family‑owned restaurant, and you can feel the care, pride, and love they put into their food and service. It adds a level of warmth and authenticity that you just don't get everywhere. Our group ordered a wide range of dishes, and not a single plate was left with food on it. Several guests tried the special fried rice, while one had the chicken fried rice. Everyone loved their meals so much that I even ordered an extra fried rice to take home. We also enjoyed a great selection of sushi, including a few rolls we had never tried before. Their sushi roll prices are the best in the area, yet the quality remains consistently excellent. The sashimi we ordered was fresh, beautifully presented, and did not disappoint. One guest ordered the noodles with shrimp and said it was the best they'd ever had. To top it off, the restaurant has a surprisingly wide variety of Asian beers at very reasonable prices. The beers we tried were a big hit with the group and paired perfectly with the food. The service was another highlight of the night. Our waiter was wonderful--attentive, friendly, patient, and on top of everything our large party needed. Managing a group of 14 isn't easy, but he handled it flawlessly and made us feel well cared for. My fiancé asked him a lot of questions on some of dishes and he was very knowledgeable. After more than a decade of visiting, this birthday dinner reminded me exactly why this place has remained one of our family favorites. Delicious food, great prices, warm service, and the heart of a family‑owned business that truly values what they do. Highly recommend for both special occasions and everyday meals. There is plenty of parking for a big party and lots of space inside. They were packed and it was 5 days before Christmas.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Fried rice
    Fried rice
    Fried Catfish Basket

    See all

    Fried Catfish Basket
    Big Daddy's

    Big Daddy's

    4.0
    (684 reviews)
    67.8 mi
    $$$

    This is the place to go to. The food is amazing, I got the Lucifer Wings and almost ended up eating…read morethe plate. Delicious. The staff is very welcoming and the ambiance is very up and jumpy. The music is played very loud, so if you don't like that then...RIP. My friend and I then got the Gumbo and Louisiana Shrimp and Grits, I couldn't get enough. It's delicious! Parking is a little tight but worth to go try it out!

    Parking sucks but once you find some, a good time is had by all. We caught a band that we truly…read moreenjoy and then learned that the harmonica player is from a band that we truly love ! That's right, King Kobra is rocking, but the player that we always seeup at Cooper Bluff & Sunset Tappan Beach is from Blue Roots. These folks are amazing, highly recommended. Really nice people, super friendly bartender that we remembered from our last visit. We thought that the Pig Out would be a really great choice to split, seeing that it has a little bit of everything. It was a real disappointment. Nothing like a stacked BBQ plate of meats that we have experienced, more like a little bit of scraps from each type of meat, the chicken being full of inedible fat, all drenched in sauce so that you could not tell the brisket from the chicken (maybe that was deliberate ?) Our waitress was lovely, but I asked her to tell the chef that I do not care for overcooked food...2 of the 4 ribs were incinerated to a burnt disastrously char, no meat and hidden under the other 2 fabulously prepared ribs. Such a shame, never again...will stick with something simple. Lee & I both had the Sazerac, very good and so fairly priced It's a great place, hard to find live music and good folks, drink all rolled up into one place, but Big Daddy's checks most of the boxes.

    Photos
    Cool vibe
    Cool vibe
    Big Daddy's
    Hurricane!

    See all

    Hurricane!
    Cajun Claws

    Cajun Claws

    4.0
    (257 reviews)
    47.5 mi
    $$

    Solid 3 stars. My…read morefiancé and I stopped in for lunch. We started with the calamari, which was pretty basic. We didn't find anything special about it that would make us want to order it again. Also, no tentacles...just rings. For my entree I chose a boil. For my boil I had scallops, head off shrimp, and black mussels in the cajun claws blend medium spice. It also came with corn and baby potatoes. My boil did not have any spice at all. It was quite mild. I was disappointed in this as I was really looking for that spice. There was no oomph! My fiancé said his lobster spaghetti was flavorless; no taste in the sauce at all. His meal also came with shrimp and scallops. The scallops were not whole, they were split in half. For drinks, he ordered "Bikini" which was supposed to be served in a pouch, which it was not. I had "Tropical." Drinks had decent flavor. Our waitress was attentive. We did agree that we'd return but definitely order something else.

    I am writing to formally report a deeply concerning incident that occurred during my recent visit…read moreto your Cajun Claw establishment in Patchogue, New York. I was dining with my two children, my 11-year-old son and my 4-year-old daughter. During our meal, when our server approached to take drink orders, my four-year-old daughter specifically requested a "blue drink." The server noted this request and subsequently delivered a beverage matching the description. After my daughter had consumed a significant portion of the drink, she commented that it tasted funny. Out of an abundance of caution, I tasted the drink myself and was immediately alarmed to detect the distinct presence of alcohol. I promptly brought this critical issue to the attention of our server, explaining my grave concern that my four-year-old child had been inadvertently served an alcoholic beverage. To my dismay, the server initially dismissed my concerns, asserting that she had personally witnessed the bartender prepare the drink and that it contained no alcohol, further suggesting my daughter could continue consuming it. Given the unmistakable taste of alcohol, I reiterated my certainty and insisted that she re-verify with the bartender, even offering for her to smell the drink herself. It was only after this insistence that she consulted the bartender, who then confirmed that the beverage did indeed contain alcohol. The gravity of this situation rapidly escalated. Due to my daughter's consumption of alcohol and her subsequent physical discomfort, I was compelled to contact emergency services. Both paramedics and law enforcement officers responded to the scene. My daughter was then transported to the hospital, where medical professionals confirmed she was experiencing alcohol intoxication, described as being "tipsy." The incredulity expressed by the attending police officers regarding a four-year-old being in such a state underscored the profound negligence and potential danger of this incident. This experience has left me profoundly shaken and outraged. The fact that a child could be inadvertently served an alcoholic drink in a family restaurant is, in my view, an inexcusable breach of safety protocols and trust. This entire horrifying ordeal was entirely preventable with proper communication, attentiveness, and rigorous adherence to responsible service practices. I am now left with a deep sense of mistrust regarding the safety of beverages served to children, and I urge your establishment to conduct an immediate and thorough review of your procedures to ensure such a catastrophic oversight never occurs again.

    Photos
    Cajun Claws
    Chewy
    Chewy
    Blueberry margarita

    See all

    Blueberry margarita
    Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar

    Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar

    3.9
    (214 reviews)
    30.8 mi
    $$

    This spot is a definite hit. The portion sizes are…read moreperfection, the flavor of the seafood boil as well as the fries were out of this world, and the decor was super cute and perfectly on theme! We also got drinks which I did not take a picture of, it was a frozen mango margarita and a passion fruit sunrise and both were just the right amount of alcohol and flavor. We went around mid day so the restaurant was not busy at all. All services provided were quick and efficient and we were in and out in about an hour and a half. I would definitely recommend this spot for any seafood lovers!

    Came back here for my younger daughter's birthday. I ordered mozzarella sticks for the table and…read moregot their Cajun wings and fries which was consistently good as last time. My teenager daughter couldn't finish her seafood boil and gave the rest to my younger daughter... my teenager vomited in the bathroom, when we got home my younger daughter vomited a little and her cheeks were red and blotchy. My teenager was still sick in the morning. We believe it was my teenage daughter's boil that got them sick. I was happy the bartender accommodated my drink request. I asked for a blue Long Island but to tweak it with mango. after looking at the receipt I see the server changed twice for a blue Long Island and a Long Island with mango added. Which sucks because we really liked this place and I don't think we'll be back after this.

    Photos
    Hostess desk
    Hostess desk
    How it Comes .. I'm Like what do I do just open and enjoy!
    How it Comes .. I'm Like what do I do just open and enjoy!
    Rum punch from scratch, I ate the pineapple

    See all

    Rum punch from scratch, I ate the pineapple
    The Nordic

    The Nordic

    4.5
    (584 reviews)
    42.0 mi
    $$$$

    I can't say anything bad about this place. The service -…read moreA+ The atmosphere - A+ The food - A+++++++ You can tell everyone loves working here and they are treated so well. Our waitress Stacy is on her 24th year and we saw Mandy who waited on us the past 2 years prior. My boyfriend beat his record 4 lobsters and 25 bacon wrapped scallops. I opted for 1 lobster and tons of crab legs. And the stuffed mushrooms are delish. But let's not forget we always get a coffee milkshake after dinner and before we hit the dessert bar. We tend to think it settles the stomach. Who knows, but it works in our minds and is SO GOOD! I had a little of everything. I love love love the food here. And I got to see Selma the mini horse. She seemed to remember me. (Let me pretend we're friends). Thank you Nordic for making our annual road trip yet again, the best part of our summer. I love you - you complete me!! Xoxo

    OMG!! You will not be disappointed with this buffet. The food was delicious, hot (where…read moreappropriate) and plentiful! I really enjoyed the peel and eat shrimp, the grilled steak and the scallops. Many in my group loved the endless lobster. The dessert bar was another good stop. My suggestion is that you get there early, when they open Friday evening. We didn't need a reservation and thank goodness, because the line grew shortly after we got in. Again, can't say it enough, go early, you'll be glad you did. This way you can enjoy getting what you like with less foot traffic inside.

    Photos
    The Nordic
    My first plate of crablegs.
    My first plate of crablegs.
    The lobster station.

    See all

    The lobster station.
    The Monster Crab

    The Monster Crab

    4.0
    (167 reviews)
    46.5 mi
    $$

    So good. Place is clean. Great staff and service. Everything was fresh and perfectly cook.read more

    Had a very filling dinner here! I arrived around 7:45pm in the middle of the week with no…read morereservation, and we were seated within 5-10 minutes. You don't have to chose the $60 AYCE option, but I do think you get great value if you do AYCE compared to the packages that aren't. You get a dry erase marker and make your selections on the menu. I was impressed by the wide variety of options from soups like clam chowder to lobster rolls to vegetables to salads to the seafood options. I ended up trying scallops, corn, Dungeness crab, king crab legs, broccoli. I also tried both the house blend and the garlic butter sauces. To be honest, the butter was overpowering in both sauces so next time I would just try the original Cajun sauce. The portion of food you get and the quality is great! Decent amount of lobster in the lobster roll, and good amount of meat in the shellfish. I also love that they had the Knicks vs Cavs game playing. It's also cute that they change the song to a happy birthday song when they're celebrating someone's birthday. It's definitely a more casual ambiance but fun for celebrating birthdays. I also appreciate that they supply plenty of gloves, crackers, as well as bibs. It'll def be a messy eating experience! The only piece of feedback I'd say is we didn't get any refills on our waters during our meal, nor did we get a beverage we ordered, but otherwise our server was very friendly.

    Photos
    Full Bar situation
    Full Bar situation
    The Monster Crab
    Gloves, wipes and bib.

    See all

    Gloves, wipes and bib.

    Cuckoo's Nest - mexican - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...