I went with a somewhat large group of people. We were quickly seated and our waitress was very helpful telling us about the offerings. The food was a bit slow coming back but when it did, it was a smooth process and everyone received what they ordered. The amount of food for the price was great and everyone agreed theirs tasted great. Most had salads that were huge and those home fried potato chips are so good! I had the brisket appetizer and a side of Caribbean fried rice. Both were good, though I'll try something else when I return. One of my friends had the grilled fish which I tasted and I highly recommend that. We were seated at the umbrella party table and that was so much fun!! We even asked for a photo to be taken and our waitress was happy to do that. read more

Enjoy the variety of their menu and can find food we want. The sizes of the items from salads to meals are very good(take home) and prepared well. Our server, Alex was friendly, provided suggestions and specials, she was attentive and hustled. The prices are as to be expected but, having leftovers to take home, you get bang for the buck. Plenty of beverage selection to go with indoor/outdoor sitting. Limited parking. read more

See all

This place has plenty of local drinks to choose from while offering a good range of surf or turf options. Megan our server was kind and knowledgeable on food and drink options and was quick to keep our cups full, the food was tasty filling and fresh! Be sure to stop by Jacks when you're in town for a great place to eat and to feel the local vibe. read more

See all

The food was amazing, I especially loved the shrimp, how ever if you do order off the "kids menu" and if ur over 12 there is a 3 dollar additional fee, AND THERE IS A 3% serve charge like what?!?' The service is great though, and the ambiance it's nice but it is a little pricey and cold inside but I digress. read more

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill - Seafood Near Me - Kure Beach, North Carolina

Kiddo had grilled cheese and fruit, cleaned her plate. Husband and I split tuna wrap and grouper wrap. Tuna wrap was a great flavor and refreshing beach dinner. Grouper wrap was a good portion of fish, nicely balanced mild flavor. For sides we got seasonal veggies (fresh green beans, cooked just right) and Caribbean rice (a little spicy, which we liked). Restaurant was busy but wait for food wasn't too long. Kind staff. read more

The shrimp on the broiled platter are very good though the flounder was lacking flavor. The French Fries are very food. The sweet tea is very sweet. The service is a bit slow but good. read more

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill - Broiled - Seafood Near Me - Kure Beach, North Carolina

See all

Yummy food. Husband had shrimp po boy, I had ceviche, both good but we ended up stealing pieces of our daughter's chicken tenders, so moist and tasty! Everything was great! A new kid friendly favorite. The homade chips with the ceviche were also yummy! read more

I tried the sampler platter. There were an abundance of food. I'd say one is enough for 2 people. I would also recommend getting the shrimp grilled and the flounder fried! AND the waitress was awesome! read more

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill - Seafood Near Me - Kure Beach, North Carolina

See all

We came here for dinner and when we left it was packed so it is very clearly popular. Everything we had was great! We were a fairly large group and they were super accommodating and we loved it. The jerk chicken was very well seasoned and the bread with the basil oil was delicious! read more

See all

Food was excellent but service was slow and mis-timed. There were 4 of us and each one of us got are food at different times.

We had great service at the restaurant. The team was great and food came out fast. Portions are HUGE! We used leftovers the next day for dinner at home. I will say after eating at multiple other restaurants, the taste is lacking here compared to others. We also liked that other restaurants offered free parking with their code vs us having to pay for parking in the lot. As much as we loved the service staff and team, we will not visit again. read more

Came here for a motorcycle lunch and ferry ride from SC to NC. Parking was a little tight but there was a kite festival going on at the beach down the street. We sat inside since we just got out of the saddle after a 2 hour ride here. The atmosphere was, of course, beachy. Since we were a block from the water. Our server was quick, very pleasant and efficient. I had the fried oyster po boy with chips which was stuffed full and very good. Kim had the shrimp po boy and a cup of chowder which she enjoyed. If you come down to enjoy the beautiful beaches in the area, this is a great stop to eat. read more

See all

Service was absolutely awful... we should've known when the "host" or manager (blonde and middle aged), was rude, cold, and short with us because we had a larger party and they couldn't figure out where to put us. "You all can wait over there, it's going to take us time to figure it out" and then pushes past me to bring a high chair to a table, "I need to get through" and rolls her eyes as she goes by. Mind you, it wasn't busy at all... The server wasn't attentive at all and missed multiple requests, plates came out sporadically and far between. The food itself wasn't anything special. Typical fried food, nothing to write home about. I'm surprised this place is still open honestly... read more

See all

Food was prepared well and the service was a little lacking. It was about shift change. I will go back for a second visit. Drinks were served and were top shelf and just right. read more

We were worried this might be a tourist trap type place but it was great! Drinks were cheap which is always a plus. The food was reasonably priced and delicious. The pork belly was an unexpected hit. The calamari on the chili sauce was delicious. We split those along with a fried fish and clam platter and a couple salads. Big portions crispy seafood. The restaurant has that old school feel with wood ceilings. read more

Stopped in for lunch after visiting the aquarium at Fort Fisher. Food was very good. Hubby had po boy and I had the fish and chips. We both did sweet tea. That was some of the best sweet tea this southern girl has had while traveling before (some places don't offer it or just can't make it right lol). Not much else to do around there but would eat there again. read more

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill - Po Boy Get it on a Hoagie Roll - Seafood Near Me - Kure Beach, North Carolina

See all

Food was okay. Service was okay. I am a repeat customer for good restaurants and we only went here once during our stay.

Stopped in for dinner. We were sat right away, and it was comfortable. Our waitress was the best. She was quick, and I appreciated she knew about the food and the drinks. Our dinners were enormous! We had the seafood platter. Delicious, and well prepared. I think it was the best dinner we had at the beach. read more

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill - Seafood platter - Seafood Near Me - Kure Beach, North Carolina

The food was good. The service was good and poor at the same time. The ambience of the restaurant was a great seafood style. Typical of the beach. Please make sure to check your receipt and make sure that the charges are correct. If you have a larger party automatic 20% tip and again, make sure the charges are correct. We had an issue with one group in our party being overcharged for their kids meals and finding it very difficult to get it corrected. Put a big damper on an otherwise good experience. read more

Restaurant temperature was frigid. I was seated under a cold blowing vent. I asked about it and the host replied she was fine because she was working. She then said maybe I should be working too. That is the opposite of hospitality. Room temperature clam chowder was like eating a can of potatoes. I paid for garbage. read more

This restaurant was recommended to us by staff ar our hotel. It has exactly the ambiance you want and expect in a restaurant at the beach. The service was excellent - prompt and friendly. the food came quickly and portion sizes were VERY generous! The shrimp and grits were excellent, the blackened salmon was great, and the calabash flounder and shrimp were just right and delicious. The cheese grits were super rich and creamy, and the key lime pie was yummy, with a homemade crust. It is a very rainy gloomy day and the place was still full of what appeared to be mostly locals, which tells you the place has a good reputation. read more

Food was OK, very loud and waitlist is long. Only benefit is that they were convenient if your downtown Kure Beach.

Great experience . Gina was behind the bar . She was friendly attentive and explained the menu in detail . I had the chicken club w/ pub chips . Chicken was cooked perfectly and there pub chips are to die for . Thank you Gina & the rest of the Jack Mac crew . read more

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill - Chix Club and house pub chips - Seafood Near Me - Kure Beach, North Carolina

Always delicious food--their chicken tenders are always a hit and that Mac and cheese and the drinks! Perfect every time! Shea is the best bartender all around! Go see for yourself. read more

Good food. Good drinks. Good service. Not a bad place to try for your first night at the beach. Drinks are a really good price too! read more

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill - Tuna Teriyaki* - Seafood Near Me - Kure Beach, North Carolina

Found this place during a road trip on Outer Banks. This restaurant is just north of ferry dock which we came across. There is an outside patio that they let dogs in so it really work for us. We were greeted by Shelly immediately who offered a dish of water for our small pup. We ordered the Seafood Dip with pita pieces to share. It was late in afternoon and just needed something to hold us over. I also had a Blackberry Cider. Everything was good. We had good conversation with Shelly because we were there in a very slow period of time. read more

Our waiter was wonderful. Hubby doesn't like seafood and we saw on an apparently old menu online that they had chicken parm here. But when we got there (it was a 2 min walk from our motel) they said they no longer have chicken parm. Waiter wanted to be helpful, and I guess keep us from going to the Italian place, and said they have marinara sauce and chicken tenders and Parmesan cheese so we went with that. Since they had Heineken 0.0 as well, we stayed. I had the Cajun shrimp Alfredo. It was very good and first time I have ever gotten more shrimp than pasta in a pasta dish! The place was adorable. Decorated like the inside of a boat. The main dining room/bar area was pretty small but they have an outdoor area and an upstairs so plenty of room for the busier summer season. We were here the middle of the week in middle of May so not crowded at all, but you can tell locals like it there. Would definitely come back read more

We went to dinner Monday for Rib night and I must say I wasn't disappointed in the Ribs. You can get a whole rack of ribs + slaw and fries for $20. They were very filling and I only ate half and still had half to bring home for another meal. Our waitress was nice and the restaurant is kid friendly! They have working high chairs read more

See all

Everything here at Jack Mackerels is top notch. We enjoy the atmosphere, location and above the generous and always wonderful food. Try the chips and all the seafood. read more

The service/hostess gave us a time limit to leave by in order to meet their reserved table time. The food took longer to arrive than we could comfortably accommodate given our time limit. The food itself was ok, but not great, while we were eating. Our dinner salads arrived, but contained ingredients I could not eat due to severe allergies. I had been reassured it did not contain those ingredients. I skipped mine. The main course I ordered (chicken piccata) was bland (needed salt and pepper), and it tasted like the chicken might have been undercooked, but it was hard to tell. I realized later as I was vomiting that it must have been. Anyway, I know lots of people eat there and go on about their business without any problems. But I will not go again. read more

Quick service and casual atmosphere. We had some tasty entrees like the shrimp and grits, chicken tenders, seasonal veggies and the seafood penne. The drinks were good, too. The only disappointment was the crab cake sandwich, which wasn't good at all! read more

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill - Shrimp and Mama Nellys Shrimp & Grits - Seafood Near Me - Kure Beach, North Carolina

See all

This spot is so yummy! Not sure why the negative reviews. We had amazing food, service and even arrived close to closing time on a Tuesday! We will definitely be back soon! read more

Staff were friendly and abundant. Had the chicken Alfredo. It was over-priced ($25) and bland. I finished most of it due to pure hunger from a morning at the beach. read more

Great food, great service! This place consistently delivers quality food and friendly, efficient service from staff that you know instantly genuinely care. Wonderful gathering place for food and drinks. The restaurant is clean but dated and dark inside, so we like to sit on the bar side. There is some natural light from the windows, a more upbeat atmosphere on the bar side. read more

Great local place with excellent food and service, specials and a great bar ! Chandos was a great server

Went in right at open for a beer while I was waiting for the ferry. Everyone there was so nice and it was such an enjoyable place to be! Wish I could have spent more time there! read more

We discovered this place last year during our annual trip to Kure Beach. This year was as good as last. I had Jacks platter which has flounder, scallops, shrimp and oysters. I had it broiled and it was so amazing! My friends had some chicken Alfredo which was very good. The beer menu was really good too! We will make this a dinner option every year we are visiting this area. read more

Day at the beach. We are starving and its OPEN on a Tuesday!!! Service was amazing! Food was on point! Wings were freaking amazing Calamari had a good crunch Kids enjoy and cleaned up the pasta bowl Kids chicken fingers were perfect. We ordered the 1.5 lbs of crab to share between husband and myself. Swordfish was good All around a great experience and Chelsie was amazing read more

Jack Mackerel's Island Grill - Seafood Near Me - Kure Beach, North Carolina

The food was good , prices weren't bad and the service was excellent! We've eaten there 2x since we've been here.

The food here is delicious; tastes fresh and cooked to perfection! Our waitress was very and helpful and friendly. They have a nice outside seating area with fans to keep cool. My family and I enjoyed our time here. read more