We have been in the area TWENTY YEARS and only stopped at this place recently! (This review is for the cafe at Dock Outfitters, by the way.) What a cute little luncheonette! We stopped by this cafe for breakfast after church on Sunday, and it did not disappoint. First thing you should know - the cafe is located upstairs from the bait and tackle shop. On the first level, there is a little counter with about four seats that you can use to eat (as well as picnic tables outside), but upstairs they have a little seating area with spectacular views of the bay. There are only about nine tables, so the place is not very big. We waited a few minutes for a table to be cleared off, which we didn't mind. They serve breakfast all day and the menu is quite solid, especially for being a little roadside eatery that's attached to a dock. It was also pleasantly surprising to see that they had specials for the day, too! The food was hot, tasty, and reasonably priced. All of the staff were super friendly, too! Not to mention...we were able to enjoy brunch overlooking the gorgeous Barnegat Bay. What more can you ask for? We'll definitely be returning here for more! read more

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Great staff of accommodating people who go out of their way to please. The menu is remarkable! How can such a compact venue provide such a variety of delicious breakfast and lunch options? Spectacular views indoors for a leisurely meal and refreshing outdoor seating for a quick stop. No matter which option you choose, they never disappoint. Offerings include standard and unique meals. Surprisingly affordable. Quaint and friendly. A hidden gem on the Jersey Shore. read more

SEASIDE HEIGHTS: The Dock Outfitters is a not quite so hidden gem that features a bait and tackle shop, boat & waverunner rentals, and the Waterside Cafe. Their building sits prominently on Route 35 South. Open all year round, the cafe offers breakfast and lunch and leashed and friendly dogs are allowed at the downstairs counter, the 2nd floor dining room with a stunning view of the Barnegat Bay (with manager's discretion), and the outdoor picnic tables. The menu has classic American favorites like omelets, french toast, burgers, sandwiches, and so much more! The staff is so friendly and Kayla gave Brie so much attention. Also check out the shop for any fishing needs. Thanks to our follower, Lori F., for sharing this spot on her Seaside Heights and Seaside Park Boardwalk Facebook page. Cafe Schedule: In Season Hours - 7AM - 6PM; 7 Days a Week! Winter Hours (12/31-5/1) Monday-Friday 7AM-2PM read more

The Dock Outfitters - Boating Near Me - Seaside Heights, New Jersey

We had an awesome experience renting a pontoon boat from Dock Outfitters. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and patient. You can tell they genuinely want you to have a great day on the water. They took the time to walk us through everything, answered all our questions, and made sure we felt comfortable and confident before heading out. The boat itself was in fantastic condition. Clean, well-maintained, and clearly cared for. It ran perfectly all day, which made the whole experience relaxing instead of stressful. There's nothing better than knowing you're on a safe, reliable boat so you can just enjoy being out on the bay. One of the biggest surprises was how convenient everything was. Having the café right there is such a great touch. We grabbed coffee and breakfast before heading out and came back to food and drinks waiting for us. It made the whole day feel easy and seamless. If you're looking for a pontoon rental at the Jersey Shore, this is the place. Great people, great boats, and a really fun, laid-back vibe. We'll definitely be back. read more

I had an extremely disappointing experience at this place. They charge $20 cash just to use a ramp that is in horrible condition - covered in slippery algae and clearly not maintained. It's unsafe and absolutely not worth the price. I went there only to launch my jet ski for a quick test because I had just purchased it. I was on the water for no more than 20 minutes. After pulling it out, I politely asked if I could rinse it off with some fresh water since I had no access to a hose at my apartment and the ski had just been in saltwater. At first, one of the workers said yes, but then the older man in charge came over and rudely refused, even after I explained my situation. Honestly, after charging me $20 for 10 minutes on an unkept ramp, the least they could do is allow a quick rinse. The attitude was beyond rude, almost discriminatory. I left shocked at how inhumane and unprofessional this place is. Water should not be denied to anyone, especially after paying a ridiculous fee for such poor service. Save your money and go anywhere else. This place does not deserve your business. read more

You can't beat the view! Absolutely stunning! Friendly staff. Great food. Great service! Plenty of parking. Great place to stop by in your way to the beach. Cute decor & souvenir shop! The fruit bowl was a huge variety of cold fresh fruit. The omelettes were big, fresh, and delicious! read more

Everything...great staff. Great prices. Excellent experience ..cant wait to go back to jet ski.

I typically read reviews before visiting new places and am a bit surprised about this location's rating. I contacted a few locations but decided this would be the better business for watercraft fun. I had a better vibe when contacting this location. The staff was great. We had great instruction before riding. All of our questions were answered, and it's great that they keep a staff member on the water just in case you have any questions or a special situation needs immediate assistance. Their watercraft appears to be very new or in great condition. I would highly recommend! read more

After coming down here my whole life, i finally stopped in for breakfast today, food was good! Waitress was VERY VERY nice and attentive! And the view is so nice, def recommend! Stop in and have breakfast in your way to the beach read more

The Dock Outfitters - Bay view - Boating Near Me - Seaside Heights, New Jersey

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delicious consistently great food, great prices, great service and an awesome view. Veronica and the servers are wonderful... great personalities and always smiling read more

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Beautiful bay views! Upstairs dining area is quaint. We go for breakfast frequently, great friendly service and the French toast is yummy!

Simple place, great views, excellent service and super delicious food. Flounder sandwich was the best!

This was going to be my first time on a ski jet ever but we were encountered with the worst customer service. My father asked for "2 ski jets" as his English is not his first language. This guy said he did not understand and needed someone that spoke English in order for us to get jet skis. I came and I told him My father and I clearly both spoke English. As we were signing the paperwork he kept sarcastically talking to us in Spanish, I asked if he could please talk to us in English. He got upset and said we were being racist to him. He then proceeded to ask us to leave his property. read more

The Dock Outfitters - Guy - Boating Near Me - Seaside Heights, New Jersey

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This is the ONLY place to go to rent JetSkis/wave-runners. Steve, (the owner), is an awesome guy who treats you as if you've known him forever, which immediately makes you feel excited and ready to ride! The guys who give you the instructions/help you on your water-craft/guide you to the location you'll be spending an awesome 30+min at/& most of all, look out for our safety- are awesome! (Sorry guys, I know you told me your names, but I forgot ‍ feel free to comment & lmk & I'll include it ). Everything about Docks is awesome, and they have a place where you can eat while you wait for your turn, too! The food is really good, (my husband and I shared onion rings & cheese fries, but they have a lot of other options). - you can also chill on a dock that's really long, (I'm not great with distances; so I don't want to over or under-shoot it, but I saw people fishing off of it, & others just chillin & enjoying the views of the ocean, boats, etc). 100% go here if you want to rent water-crafts in the seaside area - my husband & I have a place in Lavallette, and it wasn't even a 10min drive/approx a 15 min bike ride. read more

my boyfriend came from England for a week and this spot was definitely a great choice for jet skiing. I'm sure the poor reviews were left by people who often have trouble following simple instructions, as the "guy with the tattoos" was so nice and welcoming. The crew in general were funny and very skilled in their job. We got a double for 30 minutes and waited a bit because of lighting, definitely go earlier than you want to ride (at least 2 hours) because the wait was long even on a random Wednesday, as they only have a certain number of skis. The area you could use the jet ski was 8 football fields big. Overall, my boyfriend loved it and so did I, thanks to these guys he has a memorable day out of his stay in NJ! Would definitely come back. read more

The Dock Outfitters - the dock area where they send you out - Boating Near Me - Seaside Heights, New Jersey

So happy to find this place for breakfast. Great water view, food and service! Totally recommend this place. Came back on the same day for lunch. Delicious. read more

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Went this morning 9:15 am ( Sunday ) first time ever after living here 2 years ! Walked in Girl said 10 minute we waited out. Side an Hour later they called us (2 ppl ) we walk up the steps to a very pretty round room only about 8 tables we were seated waited another 30 minutes to even get offered coffee ! Finally girl comes over tells us the cook had quit last week her aunt was cooking okay could have told me that 1 1/2 ago we would have went somewhere else ! Good game almost 2 hours of us first arriving ! Aunt did an awesome job food was hot fresh and delicious! But not happy with the sneaky 10 minute lying wait story ! It might be another 2 years till I go back ! read more

The Dock Outfitters - Our Breakfast @ 11 am - Boating Near Me - Seaside Heights, New Jersey

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The owner/waitress of the cafe is an unreal rude woman. She was so rude to the 4 people in front of us waiting that they left,then when she was telling other customers she didn't care that they left,we did too. I called not knowing at the time that she was the owner and she proceeded to call me a liar and was even more rude ! When I told her she is a horrible owner/waitress and she would never get our business she once again told me.....she didn't care ! I told her I live local and would tell all my neighbors how rude she is,and before I hung up she again proudly said "I don't care" ! If they gave food away for free..... I would never go back there read more

I went in with high hopes. What a beautiful spot right on the bay! Boy was I disappointed. My buddy and I rented a 16 foot boat. We were initially greeted by a man inside who asked if we're "dumber than girls" due to our overlooking of a section of the waiver. Comments like this in 2021 are unacceptable. But I digress. We left the store and approached the dock master outside to get our boat. When he heard we had never driven a boat before he exclaimed "you've got to be kidding me..." Despite the apology that followed 10 minutes later, the lack of compassion was upsetting. Now the interesting part. About an hour into our four hour rental, the boats motor stalled out and wouldn't start again. After appx fifty attempts to restart the engine we called the main building for help. The man who answered the phone was screaming at us. Clearly angry. After a bit of wait, our lovely friend from earlier, the dock master came out to "help" us. We finally got the engine started again without his help. He gave us a 45 second stare, and drove away without even a word. Sexist, rude, and rent out boats that don't function. I do NOT recommend this place. Stay away. read more

Let me tell you something about this place. Easily the best rental place I have ever been to. The hospitality was amazing. My man Phil who got us on the jet skis and took us around was amazing just a solid dude all around. If you ever go here ask to talk to Phil. 20/10 recommend read more

Do not go here. Two separate instances of a poorly run business. 5 people walk in to order food seconds after kitchen closed. Turned away. Sure. Maybe they were closed but what looks like a mom and pop shop with 5 or 6 people ready to come in and spend money on food and are being told they have to wait an hour to ride jetskis youd think theyd accomadate and take more of our money. Instead they referred us out to order food from the competition. Cooperated and waited for an hour to ride jet skis to be verbally assaulted by jetski coordinator/sar swimmer who definitely knows hes the man and lets everyone know. Insults patrons about looking pissed off and decides to threaten instead of warn about behavior not accepted. Having been in the military and deployed for 4 years I understand the importance of saftey and even will look past being a trogladite about being safe. But being openly annoyed about having to be at work and wanting to go home right before having your arm pulled and angry that you have to supervise another 375 dollars of business for your boss isnt considered accomodating or good customer service. This isn't the military. Sat through verbal assault because, well, we wanted to ride jetskis and 5 of us already waited almost 90 minutes to do so. Desk girl turned away another 7 people because they didnt have enough skis before the day was over. Turns out when the owner came over they had plenty of skis and originally when we all were willing to pay for an hour at 135 per hour could have gone sooner. Entire staff openly complaining about how long their day was and how much they wanted to go home. Vague instructions given as first person is pushed off into the water and, maybe it was his fault that he didnt listen, takes off when we were supposed to wait. Could be on him. But all 5 of us after waiting two hours hungry and listening to the entire staff talk about how much they didnt want to be there, got pulled off the skis. The owner took after after the one person as the sar swimmer decides to yell at us "Now youre all f*****d. He just ruined it for all of you." They did refund our money though. So that was nice. I think its time for some competition. Only a monopoly that gets complacent would be able to survive in a market like this. I would be pissed as the owner too if 11 rides at 75 bucks a pop was just lost. Advice to owner: Fire staff. Find people happy to be serving people and helping a small business make money who are passionate about jetskiing or even just small business. Your desk girl has never even ridden a jetski. read more

Very friendly staff who help you at the beginning but the guys who took us out on the water were way too pushy. I'll be back for sure especially because they are open until 6:00pm on sundays, but the younger dudes on the water need some manners read more

We rented a pontoon the other day and it was the BEST. Everyone was super helpful, especially Dean. If you are in the area and need a boat for the day, Dock's is the place to go! read more

We've been renting here for years and we have always had a positive experience. The owner Tom is always pleasant and quick to say hello. We also love Dean on the dock who is knowledgeable (and has great taste in music). Recently, we had a small issue with our reservation and Tom was able to resolve the situation and we were on our way. Theyre the best!! read more

Note: this review comes without fully utilizing the all of services. Located on the bayside of Seaside Heights, nestled just off the bridge, this spot is super convenient and has a lovely view, without any of the MTV types. Today was our Third Annual Crab Trek to the The Dock, and it couldn't have been a better day. I'm told the Dock itself has been rebuilt since Sandy - it's solid and large enough to hold about 100 people, I'd imagine. Best part - it's totally free to crab and fish off the dock; it's comforting, especially with a couple of kids in tow, to have the bait shop and restaurant right there (read bathroom). Folks - the employees as well as those who use the dock - are friendly in that New Jersey "I've got someplace else to go, so make this quick" kind of a way (that's a compliment - I appreciate the "howdies" and "how they bitin'?" chitchat and friendly faces, but I'm glad that we can all get back to our own business in short order, too). Bait and breakfast seem to be fundamentally at odds (I've always wondered if there are separate freezers for fish food and human food), but locals, and former locals (like me) know you cannot go wrong at a place like this. Food is gloriously basic, and affordable. Service is quick, everything is decent; Bon Jovi tunes play in the background. The establishment also runs a boat/pontoon/jet ski rental service that looks inviting, but we haven't tried it. They do a good business -- we arrived at 9 today just as two of the pontoons were headed out for a tour. Jet skis zipped around the bay (I'm not sure how this affects the sea creatures, but it's nice to have activities, too). We had a lot of crabs today; unfortunately all but 3 were (WAY) too small. But they'll grow up soon enough, I imagine. read more

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So I'm from "the" Jersey Shore. Ah yes, the land of Snooki, fist pumping, and guidos/guidettes. For years, I made fun of "bennies" (the northern Jersey Shore's version of shoebies, for you Philly peeps). But after 11 years of living in the Philly area, I realized that I AM a bennie! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH! So when I'm home, I try to visit as many local, hole-in-the-wall, non-touristy places as I can. You know, to try and get some more of that saltwater running through my veins. Luckily, my sister and her boyfriend are locals and they introduced me to this interesting little spot to grab a bite to eat- The Dock Outfitters. Why is it interesting? Because this is a bait shop/cafe. Weird huh? BUT the food is cheap, gets out fast, tastes pretty good, and you have this ridiculous view of the water that you'd pay 4x more for elsewhere. Aside from the food, they offer a wide variety of fishing supplies and they also have some watersports (jetskis) rentals. I'd definitely check it out as a place to stop and get some food before spending the day out on the water. read more

I am writing this review about the facility and management. First of all. When you drive up to the shorefront complex, you can see the pier jutting out into the bay. I would say it is easily twice the length of a similar rental faculty in Wildwood, further down the shore, but in this case, the pier is free. The people on the pier were very family oriented. There were a considerable amount of families and "fisher-people" ranging from babies in strollers to a few senior citizens. There were quite a few crabs being pulled up as well as a nice assortment of "snapper" bluefish. This is both expected and appreciated for very late in July. The bait shop inside was very well stocked and if you are a fisherman of any skill, you can easily see that this place has what you would need. Lots of fishing rods, reels and other assorted fisherman's "eye candy" everywhere. The real reason I was here was to try and rent a jet ski and take my son out for a nice half hour ride. I hadn't used one of these things in a long time and my son, a child with special needs, had never done something like this. We were told that I would have to sign a waver and leave my drivers license for ID. The price we were given was $80 which was reasonable. There would be no hidden costs, fees, etc. The lady in the shack fitted us both with life jackets (vests? I don't know the proper term.) We were eager to get started. Our instructions were to wait a few minutes near the separate dock for jet skis and we would be provided with a tutorial from our guide. The gentleman who took care of us was ready about two minutes later. He gave me a grand tour of the basic controls. I didn't realize this, but for jet skis, you need to have a decent speed in order to turn correctly. (Who knew?) We were told to keep away from certain areas by 50 yards and to not follow other boats or jet skis. I was asked if I had any other questions and they were all answered with professionalism and courtesy. The next step was for is to follow our guide out and he would give us the ground rules and the make up of the bay. As we were riding out, my son got very nervous as we were rocking and pitching a little. Some water gently touched our feet which frightened him. I could see that this would not be a good idea right now and I shook my head to motuon to our guide that we would not be able to do this at this time. We came back to the dock where another employee held onto the craft and politely allowed us to climb on top of the dock. I thanked them both and was told to go back to the shack to see the lady in there. We needed to return the life jackets and pick up my ID. Without question, she offered to refund my money. I explained that it was very nice of her, but I would rather have a gift certificate as I would be back to fish before the end of the summer. As this was being done, another gentleman, I presume the owner, came over to me and was glad to see that at least my son tried it. He was kind and encouraging. Sometimes you learn best from a tried failure than am easy success. How many theme parks would offer a credit if a child can't handle the attractions? Not too many. True fishermen understand and help each other. Based on how I was treated by the folks at Dock Outfitters I will be a customer for life. read more

McKenzie was an excellent waitress! Very attentive and friendly! Breakfast was delicious. Quite a selection on their menu. Looking forward to our next visit., read more

Nice jet skis, but a bit of a rip off. What they don't tell you is you have a warden babysitter with you, you can't get ANYWHERE NEAR your friends and you're CONFINED to a TINY restricted ride area. read more

Cannot wait to rent jet skis again!!!! We had a blast with Jiminy Cricket on the water!!! And Danny was nothing short of professional and helpful when we were purchasing our tickets!!! Kids had a blast, adults did too! Will definitely be back next month to do it again!!!! Thank you! read more

Friendly and helpful staff. This was our third year in a row of renting their pontoon boat. They really want you to go out and have fun and we always do fishing and crabbing . This year out fishing and crabbing wasn't that great but all in all a great day out on the bay. See you guys next year for another rental We do visit the dock and tackle shop often read more

Went there to rent some jet skis and called ahead, they told me it was first come first serve and to come early. They were very friendly and looked like a family owned place. They gave a quick tutorial and although the area they have bordered off for us was kind of limited it allowed us to get used to riding and go as fast as we wanted. Great way and place to go for first time experience! Pricing was also the best after some research. read more

My experience here was not at all what i expected. My boyfriend and I were renting a jetskii, as well as riding/driving one for the first time. We were told we had to wait an hour so we sat in the car , it was 90 degrees out. We then got a phone call from the owner ? Not sure , being nasty telling us that we were holding everyone up and that they were waiting for us meanwhile we were just waiting in the car until our allotted time. The lesson was brief before hand, and everyone in our group had seemed to know what they were doing. When they first led us out our instructor was getting angry and threatening to bring us back in early after only being out there for 5 minutes because we were having a hard time getting a hang of it. We were fine once we got out ok the water but got accused of cutting off another rider while the entire time they were riding reckless. I did not expect the instructors to be as verbal and rude as they were considering we were paying a good amount of money to rent. I was not pleased with my experience and i will not be visiting again. read more

Spending the week at the Jersey Shore is on of our family's favorite past times. This year we decided to have a some on the water adventure and rent jet skis from this company that came highly recommended. Best decision we made!! Very professional and friendly staff. Can't wait to do it again next year. read more

The Dock Outfitters - Thank you for an amazing day Dock Outfitters !! - Boating Near Me - Seaside Heights, New Jersey

first thing first , Abram Y. i was a customer there that day the guys that do the ski patrols work there asses off when i went out (rented a ski) the guy explained everything and answered all of the questions ask to them, when the lesson was given a few of the other renters acted like they knew what they where doing ( they didn't) the sar swimmer was in the water a few times helping people the didn't listen to the instructions that where given to them. you cant blame the staff for wanting people to listen to the SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS its for our own benefits and i'm sure i would be tired after 11 hours on the water with people that act like the don't care, (renters) like the guy in your review that took off was he a friend of yours? ... so give them a break ok..... P.S. Abram thank you for your service in the military.. read more

This place is amazing for breakfast! At first I was skeptical of the downstairs but once you get upstairs it's clean and the view is gorgeous! The service was astonishing, the waiters were soft and kind and delivered the food quickly. My group ordered a pork roll, a green omelet, coffee, and a stack of banana pecan pancakes dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar. The green omelet contained spinach, pesto, avocado, and fresh mozzarella, served with a fresh bowl of fruit. Now I am not the one to like mozzarella but this was delish. Overall I would for sure come back! read more

We had a great experience renting Jet Ski's. Was worth every dollar we spent...truly "PRICELESS" the staff were kind and helpful, true meaning of kindness was provided here. The length and area you get to ride in is more than great. We can't wait to do it again, be back soon! read more

We had a great time on the water. The pontoon boat was very nice and the workers were very helpful! We would definitely rent from here again:) read more

Review is specifically for the cafe. Good little joint to take the kiddoes out for breakfast - reasonably priced and great views. Service was friendly. Will be back. read more

Kinda confusing to get to if not from the area even if you have a navi. First visit and first pontoon rental for relaxing n fishing with friends. You don't need a boat license, it's like driving a car. Price was decent, can check actual time, because it might differ from the site. I got $100 off bevause i was also going to bring fishing gear. They gave me a less "luxurious" pontoon, it was still great and not "ghetto". Staff was very polite and explained clearly what i needed even tho customers waiting behind me. They offer fishing equipment for sale and rental. Mini restaurant also there, make sure to eat before you get on a boat or take some food. They got half day which is like 4hours and also full day that starts around 8. They also have a dock which is free to catch fish or crabs if you don't like boats. Check out their site or utube vid, seems outdated but to get an idea. I went couple hours ahead to reserve a pontoon for 5. Just my recommendation if u can wake up early rent the full day because halfday seems short. Oh they also got jetski rentals but have no clue on time n price. I think it's the closest from boardwalk by car. read more