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Hooks Waterfront Bar and Grill

3.1 (153 reviews)
ModerateBars, American
Closed • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Hooks Waterfront Bar and Grill Photos

Business Info

HOOKS WATERFRONT BAR AND GRILL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Hooks Waterfront Bar and Grill

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Fresh Fried Fish Sandwich
Devann C.

This is a nice little place on the water in Ruskin. I decided to come here during lunch on a weekday. There's plenty of seating outside and very limited seating inside. I ordered the fresh fish sandwich. The sandwich was very fresh and hot but it could've used some more seasoning. My server was very nice and made good drinks lol. Overall, I had a good experience and I do plan on returning to try more items on the menu.

Hooks Famous Fish and Chips
Shannon R.

Not bad, not great. I will say that it's very cool of them to take the fish you caught (cleaned and filleted already) and cook it for you. We got ours fried and it was good. Tasted kind of plain but that could 100% be because most of our fish were grunts. But the fries were lacking salt so I'm not sure if they just don't season aggressively or if it was a one off and it was the fish. Our waitress was great though. And the view is great with it being right in the water.

Irene E.

Casual, on the water, one server during our visit on a weekday lunch - good service. Most fried food - I don't go to bars ... and they don't have crab cake that day . We ordered the big plate of fried seafood - calamari shrimp - they're good. I've chips and tails (?) ... more fried food - they taste good but I always feel unsettling afterward. Oh well, the view is great They don't have deck hand - park on your own. The water level is low, (global warming?) so makes it in and out of boat a bit more difficult. Women's bathroom - you need to pull the door knob really hard to open it.

Gator bites
Terri N.

What a charming spot Hooks is! Hooks is everything you want from a waterfront shack style seafood joint, alongside the lovely chill of a neighborhood restaurant. This California girl loved this quiet dose of tasty Southern hospitality. Sitting outside on their patio on a lovely warm day looking out on the still water flowing by, the yummy smells of the nearby kitchen teasing what was to come - my goodness, I was happy. It just wouldn't have been a Southern seafood feast without kicking it with some gator bites! Generously served, and oh so tender and flavorful, with nice spice and a tasty dunking sauce. Online pics of the fish & chips ensured it would be my order, and it was yummy! The fries were yummy and had a very satisfying texture, though better while warm. The fish was huge and tasty, with the same batter/coating as the gator. It could have been a little juicier but still very satisfying, with an addictive homemade tartar sauce for dipping! To wrap things up we all shared a slice of key lime pie, and its tartness hit the spot - great way to end a meal of fried delights. A meal by the water, with fun tunes playing overhead, enjoying the afternoon with family on a gorgeous day - Hooks and their kind crew treated us to a lovely afternoon meal. I would happily return!

Grouper sandwich
Sue N.

On the Saturday before DD (Darling Daughter) would be returning to California, we took her for a late lunch at Hooks. This was the first time here for us all. The restaurant is our style, kind of a dive, nothing fancy, but on the water which is a plus. Seating is primarily outdoors, with a very small amount indoors if you prefer, but we chose outdoors in a porch type area so DD and I wouldn't melt away from the sun. Fans kept us cool and we really enjoyed it. We started by sharing an order of Gator bites. As far as I know they don't live in California so thought this would be something great for DD to try, since hubby and I had already tried them. The batter was thick and tasty and although fried, they were not greasy at all. The gator was a little chewy with a very mild flavor. We devoured them. DD and I both ordered the fish and chips (they use Basa, a type of Asian local catfish) and it came with tartar sauce and a spoonful of coleslaw (could be a larger serving). It had the same batter as the gator bites, which is good, but not like the fish I can get home in New England. But I enjoyed it, despite I didn't think the fries were that great. Hubby had the grouper sandwich, blackened. For $20 he got a very small piece of fish on his bun, with fries and lettuce, tomato and onion. I know he was a bit disappointed, definitely not worth the cost, but he said it tasted good. I gave him some of my fish! We ended by sharing a piece of key lime pie. It was small, but just enough for the three of us to have a few bites and it cleansed our palate perfectly. Nothing special for drinks, diet cokes all around. Our server was excellent. No complaints there at all. Very attentive, didn't have to ask for drink refills, and so so nice. Never felt rushed. I think we will return here and try something different. All in all it was a wonderful way to spend our Saturday afternoon.

Not the best pic
Tracey Y.

This place is all about location and being by the water. Super casual - pull up in your boat, wear your bathing suit - it's all good. Menu has a nice variety like what you'd expect from a little water-side hut-style restaurant. The food is good. We had fried shrimp and crab cakes, both good. Fair amount of beverages available. Service was prompt and friendly. This isn't a five start restaurant and they're not trying to be. Come here for the view and relaxing atmosphere. Forgot to take pics of the food, we were hungry. We'll be back - by boat :)

Hooks Restaurant
Jonathan S.

Great little place, sits on the water with a great view. It was quite and quaint with a really nice breeze. The food was not bad, I started off with the cheesesteak which was just okay. I've lived in Philly so it's a hard comparison. The burger on the other hand was delicious and I'm not much of a french fry guy but theirs were great. My Wife had the shrimp po-boy and she really enjoyed that. But most of all the customer service was outstanding, we are both big on that so we will definitely return.

Greg E.

Atmosphere - decent. this is very rustic, informal restaurant that sits on an inlet next to a modest resort swimming pool. We had lunch outside on the wooden patio near the inlet. Certainly nothing special, but we enjoyed the setting Food - I had an iced tea, a cheeseburger and French Fries. The bun was stale and the burger pretty dry. The food came rather quickly and I am assuming that the burger was pre-cooked and warmed up. The fries were pretty good. Service- very good. Our server was attentive and pleasant. Overall - eh. My wife had the nachos appetizer (which was also disappointing) and an iced tea. The bill came to $29.50 before tax and gratuity! WOW! I certainly we not return and would not recommend the restaurant to friends.

Dolphins in the bay@Hooks

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6 months ago

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27 days ago

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1 year ago

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7 months ago

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1 year ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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6 months ago

There's a local dolphin there we love sitting outside, watching the dolphins and the charters come in too see what what they caught

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1 year ago

Food was outstanding we had the burgers and wings . Service was outstanding, we were blessed with a beautiful day and ate outside.

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1 year ago

Ate there once and it was good! Had the Grouper and enjoyed it very much. Will definitely go back again

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

The staff is super friendly and the food is pretty good. The feel and environment is very relaxing and enjoyable!

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3 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

Best lunch place south of Tampa. Great food great people. The burgers and cold beer; better than y any.

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Great service. Good food. It's a local place so usually it's the tourists that complain.

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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7 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Ordered the blackened grouper sandwich. The bun it came on was cold and not toasted at all. Won't be back.

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3 years ago

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Circles Waterfront at Lands End Marina

Circles Waterfront at Lands End Marina

3.8(1.4k reviews)
4.7 mi
•$$

It's been a minute since dining at Circles. We have eaten there in the past and found it good…read morenothing great. However lastnight we decided to stop in last minute. The service was great. The food lastnight was a very nice surprise. It was excellent. The grouper bites were amazing. The star the night. Very light, crispy and fresh. Cesar was very good. Chilean Sea Bass was cooked to perfection as was the Grouper Dinner. Both were ordered with the butter sauce. Sides were very good. Martinis on spot. Sorry no pictures. We will be back soon as locals.

Let me start off with the positives: the ambiance is great right on the water. A lot of care…read moreclearly went into the tropical garden feel and it's well maintained. The people are also very nice even if service is a little slow. Okay, now to the meat of what you're interested in: the food. If the food were 50% cheaper you'd probably be willing to overlook its shortcomings for the ambiance. There's little seasoning to be found on anything so everything is bland. Even the fries are completely lacking in salt. The grouper was breaded nicely and cooked properly but it was almost tasteless. The bacon carried my wife's Crab BLT because everything was so bland for her. The lobster dip appetizer had uncooked Parmesan sprinkled on the bread that was neither bruschetta nor dipping bread so it just didn't work well as an appetizer either. Overall, there's a better restaurant literally next door that's a little cheaper and I can't see coming back after such a disappointing outing.

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Circles Waterfront at Lands End Marina
Circles Waterfront at Lands End Marina
Circles Waterfront at Lands End Marina

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Hooks Waterfront Bar and Grill - bars - Updated May 2026

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