Absolute MUST try!!! We went for our anniversary and it was SO good! I'm still craving more Clam Chowder! A little expensive but Perfect for celebrating bigger events! read more

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TOO HOT ...... bugs flying around . The food was great ! However it was over crowded and HOT I had to take my desserts to go ! Turn on the AIR CONDITIONER PLEASE read more

Stopped in with fish tacos in mind. Ordered those with the New England clam chowder. Chowder was solid, but the tacos were some of the best fish tacos I've had! The fish was fresh, hot, and crispy while the slaw was cool and perfectly crunchy. Staff was great, very welcoming and attentive. I was very impressed with the Seafood Shack on my first visit and I'll be sure to come back in future trips to MC. read more

Jack's Surf & Turf - Seafood & Steak - Fish Tacos with House Salad - Seafood Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

crab cake was great. fish and chips - perfectly cooked. the rice pudding was a nice finish read more

I love Jack's Seafood Shack I always have the shrimp tacos and oysters Delicious !!! My husband always gets Lobster Mac and cheese thumbs up!!! Very reasonably priced always can get a seat and best of all BYOB!!!!!!!! Everyone else I go with have fried oysters , fried clams etc I'm happy to be there and eat healthy all in all everything is delicious !!!!! Amy L South Orange NJ read more

Note: We were approached by the manager/owner after the meal, and we let him know exactly what problems we had with the food. We did not ask for a discount, but he did offer us a complimentary dessert and took our suggestions in stride. He was very amicable and suggested we come back for Sunday brunch, which we will in the coming weeks. This review will be updated when we get the chance to visit again. This place is BYOB, which is a plus. We ordered the crab cake as an appetizer, which was absolutely delicious. There was a significant amount of crab in it, and it was very well seasoned. The seafood boil, however, left much to be desired. I switched out the clams and mussels for extra shrimp, so those will not be included in this review. The lobster, which was supposed to be the highlight of the meal, was overcooked and tasteless. The shrimp, which were pre-shelled, were not cooked in old bay seasoning, but a little was just carelessly sprinkled on as an afterthought. The "sausage" consisted of three sad slivers of kielbasa, which were also rubbery. The vegetables included were corn (which was well-cooked but just as tasteless as the rest of the meal) and half of a single red potato. Considering that this was the most expensive meal on the menu, my expectations were higher. That being said, the potato chips were really tasty, as was the unsweetened iced tea and lemonade. I see potential here, but I was overall disappointed with my meal. read more

Jack's Surf & Turf - Seafood & Steak - This was how the meal came, I did not eat any of the food before taking the photo. Please note the sad shrimp underneath the lobster. - Seafood Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

We've been to Jack's Seafood a few times and can never remember the name. It's located all the way at the farthest end of the main downtown Montclair so if you park in the regular parking areas, it's a bit of a walk. The restaurant is very nautical with booths and tables. There's a to-go area that's a bit separate from the regular dining. We've been here 3 times and have always ordered the exact same thing: 2 lbs of snow crab and fries with old bay. BYOB a bottle of white and we're in! It's quite hard to mess up boiled crab and I'm happy to report that Jacks has not messed it up yet! Also the fries are great. The people around us look like they're enjoying the rest of their food. Will definitely be back, it's a fun spot! read more

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Excellent service, great food and such a clean restaurant! The most attentive staff (towards the customer, the facility and the food) we have had in awhile. Nishant was awesome. Portions were great and the food was delicious. read more

We came back for my birthday, and I'm just sad I don't have more birthdays if this will be my birthday dinner! Everything is so delicious, there will be no left overs if we order Jack's. We are so pleased with every thing we have ordered, especially the Angry Seafood. Can't wait to keep exploring the menu! read more

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Went for takeout today, first time in the place. Location is good with ample parking, but I was unsure about the "free" parking at the museum across the way, since the sign said permit parking only, so we parked in the street in front of the adjacent apartment building. Saw the dumpster that was out on the sidewalk. I know someone wrote a negative review about that dumpster, but it was nowhere near the entrance, so it didn't bother me. Upon entering we were surprised that the seating area was bigger than we thought it would be. Not huge, but substantial enough, and we appreciated the decor, especially loved the pallet ceiling. Place was clean and the temperature was just right. A young and friendly fellow named "K" took our order. Since it was our first time, we opted for their signature offering...lobster roll. We both ordered the lobster roll platter, mine with chips, my wife with a salad. Included was the homemade cole slaw. Everything was excellent! Very satisfying and very filling, certainly an ample portion. At first the coleslaw looked like a measly portion, but believe me, it's just the right amount because that lobster roll will fill you up, along with the tasty homemade chips. I only gave it 4 stars because it was our first visit, and we only tried one menu option, but we will be back again for sure to check out some of the other food. If all you want is lobster roll though, this place won't let you down. read more

Lobster bomb is the bomb. Their bisque is unreal... so rich and delicious! Pies and wedge salad are excellent.

Montclair is full of hidden gems including this place! Being a seafood lover myself i had to go for the lobster mac n cheese as well as the grilled cheese with lobster chunks yummmm read more

Jack's Surf & Turf - Seafood & Steak - Lobster mac n cheese - Seafood Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Everything was very very tasty. Service and price was fair. Would like to try a few. Other dishes next time in.

Normally, my wife and I tend to avoid sea food restaurants that lack an ocean view. The salt air adds to the enjoyment and makes the meal an event, not just calories. However, rules are made to be broken and Jack's Seafood Shack is one of the places that reminds us that quality sea food can happen anywhere if the chef has talent. We have made a couple of visits and Jack's food has been consistently fresh, well prepared and filled with flavor. Lobster should be prepared simply (IMHO) and here they agree with that philosophy. I love the Connecticut lobster roll - warm with butter on a toasted roll. You can get it with restaurant-made chips (Mmmmmm) or a small salad (also very good). We have had it both ways and can't decide which is best. We started with their Lobster Bisque and came away less that impressed. The broth is thick and flavorful but they shave cold lobster bits into the center of the plate and this cools everything down. That's a little disappointing in my opinion. However, their French fries (not made in-house from fresh potatoes) are surprisingly excellent. I had to ask our server if they were made from fresh potatoes in the back. She checked and said no, but said the (very excellent) chips are. My wife loves their Maine Root Beer. I tried their in-house iced tea and then switched to Cola - I brew my own ice tea at home so it's really hard for a restaurant to match my brew - not knocking their but mine is better! Decent portion sizes, well prepared lobster, good fries and salad and very efficient and friendly staff. A wonderful local find. Give them a shot. read more

Jack's Surf & Turf - Seafood & Steak - Seafood ambiance. - Seafood Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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This is a fun place. The decor does well with the lobster shack theme with various lobster decorations and other things that you might find on some docks in Maine. It's effective without being cheesy. The food delivered across the board. It's pretty hard to find whole belly clams anywhere outside of places like Maine or Cape Cod, so I was excited to find them on the menu here. They are done really well here; not overly breaded and nice and crispy. The crab cake was pretty excellent as well. The texture of the crab cake almost disintegrate in your mouth into crabby goodness, which indicates minimal fillers used here. The brioche bun is the perfect choice as the soft, fluffy, lightly sweet bun pairs just right. The lobster roll was delicious. Not overly mayonnaisey and the bun is toasted to a buttery golden brown perfection. My biggest complaint about the lobster roll is the portion to price... it's basically $20 for 4 ounces of lobster salad. At that price, I'd expect it on a regular roll or a larger bun. Overall this place satisfied the New England seafood craving, and I'll give some extra bonus points for the presence of the whole belly clams. read more

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We have been coming to Jack's for years. My wife loves lobster and they prepare it perfectly. The owner Greg waited on us so we asked him why the name change from Jack's Seafood Shack to Jack's Surf and Turf. He said that they take pride in their non seafood entree's and hoped the name change would encourage customers to try them. So I ordered their burger and it was excellent. It was just as good if not better than the gourmet burger places in Montclair. Next visit my wife will still probably order the lobster (no restaurant does it better) but I will order something other than their seafood offerings. Also appreciate the fact that the owner, Greg was working the floor and interacting with the customers. read more

Great food - just wish the staff wore their masks when I went in to pick up my food. Food was good it is just frustrating to see signs saying wear a mask and then finding the staff doing the pickup desk have masks around their chins. read more

My second visit this week Outstanding food & service I will be a REGULAR Customer. Love the availability of parking, a big PLUS for someone dining in Montclair. read more

Jack's Surf & Turf - Seafood & Steak - Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Amazing! Delicious lobster roll and lobster mac and cheese. The lobster was fresh and the bread was well toasted and not soggy. My husband loved how creamy the mac and cheese was and the amount of lobster in it. I knocked one start because I felt the it the roll was a little pricey for the size. I would definitely return here and recommend this place! I would like to try the lobster bisque next time! read more

Jack's Surf & Turf - Seafood & Steak - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

Casual place with quality seafood. Came here at 3ish on a Saturday. Jack's was pretty empty yet the service was still slow. That's really my only complaint. Other than that, the food was phenomenal. We got oysters and the crab cake for apps. The oysters were delicious but the crab cake was to die for. For dinner, we got 3 entrees for just the two of us because we couldn't pick just 2. We chose the lobster roll (hot and buttered), the lobster grilled cheese and the fish tacos with grouper. The lobster roll was very, very good but on the small side. I know lobster rolls aren't usually very large but this one seemed a bit smaller than average. The lobster grilled cheese was excellent. And the grouper tacos were good too. All in all, I loved the food. I would definitely come back. I'm dying to try the lobster bomb. read more

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I've been meaning to try Jack's for a while now. I think they're a solid 3.5 stars from my experience but we did do take out bc of Covid so I don't doubt that dining in under normal circumstances would be better. We got the Lobster roll platters Connecticut style and half a dozen raw oysters. The chips were awesome! Some of the best home made chips I've had. The lobster rolls were good too but def needed some more butter sauce., but the portion was huge. Def worth the price--you get so much lobster! They oysters were good--I just wish they were served over crushed ice in like a plastic container or something to keep them cold for take out read more

Food was yummy! Great prices for what you get. Wish there were actual end-skewers for the corn on the cob. The Lobster bisque was a little too salty. I will definitely be back to try other menu items. read more

Nice location, free parking in museum parking lot across the street. The food was soooo good and fresh. Service from Nishant was great and he was courteous. The staff was very accommodating to my requests. I've been twice so far and will come back. Definitely recommend this place to my friends if they are looking for a great seafood restaurant in North Jersey. read more

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Delicious seafood that gives you generous portions of lobster and seafood. One of the best clam chowders I have had in the area. Prices on par with other seafood restaurants in the area. BYOB read more

This place is adorable. The seafood is delicious. There are not many seafood places with quality around here. Only red lobster, if you consider that quality . So I appreciate this spot being around! read more

We tried this amazing hidden Jem today and it did not disappoint. Montclair is a bit difficult for parking but we got lucky to get a spot across the street as their parking area was closed for an event. I had the lobster roll sandwich Connecticut style which is warm and lightly buttered. I felt like I was back in New Hampshire. The lobster was perfectly cooked and plentiful. The coleslaw was delicious and fresh and not dripping in Mayo ! Wow. What a great surprise as we will definitely be back. My husband had the sliders of crab salad lobster salad and shrimp. Also did not disappoint ! Oh and I almost forgot we started with the fried clam app! Wow. Fresh and delicious. Great place you need to visit read more

The best place I have discovered (as a LI transplant) in North NJ to find fresh seafood ...esp steamer clams which are a staple on Long Island. Excellent for lobster related anything. Their bisque is also out of this world. If you are a true seafood lover...this is the place. read more

Oh my god... the lobster bisque?! I would marry it if I could. Everything I've had from Jacks is good (king crab legs, calamari, po boys), but the lobster bisque soup?! AMAZING. Highly recommend!! read more

Jack's Surf & Turf - Seafood & Steak - Lobster Bisque - Seafood Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

I'm very close to a 5 star review, and will probably upgrade after a second visit. YUM! My lobster tails were probably the best I've ever had. The hubs loved his lobster-jammed lobster roll, although he suspects that they forgot the mayo and celery completely, and we both really enjoyed the surprisingly light, fluffy, delicately flavored lobster fritters. As for sides, my corn was delicious, and the homemade chips were just fine. Our waitress, Sam, was a delight. She was knowledgeable, efficient, and really sweet. The menu is larger than it is online, which is always a plus. I'm looking forward to trying the garlic shrimp appetizer and the "lazy lobster" - a preshelled 2lb lobster! We were relieved that we made a reservation - the place was packed! They handle crowds well - I think they're used to them. The decor is a bit nicer than a "shack" connotes, but it was really cramped. I would steer clear of the high-top tables next time, as they had backless stools that were a bit uncomfortable. That's a minor point though. Prices were more than reasonable. read more

We came here after googling seafood restaurants nearby and seeing the good reviews. There is outdoor and indoor seating available- we chose to seat indoors. The service was quick, friendly and the waitress immediately took our drink orders. After looking through the menus, my friend and I decided to get the "Angry Lobster" which was a meal that came with about 2 lb of lobster, clams and mussels in a tomato sauce with jalapeños. While waiting for that meal to come out, we decided to get a few raw oysters since I have never had them. They were fresh but I definitely now know that I was never missing out on them lol. Anyways, our lobster meal was also fresh; my only issue was that the sauce that the food was cooked in was lackluster- no spice or actual kick just too "plain" and no "angry". Overall, the meal was still good and reasonably priced. I'd come here again and try out the lobster rolls as they looked good. read more

Jack's Surf & Turf - Seafood & Steak - Raw Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

I am a seafood lover. I live in NYC & have eaten @ this Monclair several times in the past months, sometimes coming to NJ just to eat here. It's an amazing restaurant! The food is fresh & delicious. The staff is great.... The waiters & busboys are wonderful. The hostesses will do their best to accommodate your seating requests, no matter how busy they are. I have no problem waiting for the table I want.... I have never had to wait for more than a few minutes, without having a reservation, to sit where I wanted to sit. I'd like to acknowledge Aashish & Nishant, the waiters that have taken care of us during our multiple visits. They both were beyond caring yet not intrusive at all! Nice, sweet & professional. We had a tiny hiccup on our 3rd visit but Nishant was on top of it....and resolved the matter with his usual smile on his face & without us even having to say anything. What matters when dining out: the food, the service, the atmosphere: you got the triple whammy with this place..... I am looking forward to my next visit. I have eaten several of the dishes on the menu: they were all fantastic & the waiters can guide you through the menu in a professional & knowledgeable way. To be continued... read more

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Love this place. I'm so hooked on the liberated roll. I've had both and both are amazing read more

Jack's Surf & Turf - Seafood & Steak - Connecticut Roll - Seafood Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

My husband brought me here on a lunch date. The place looks super cool and trendy and the service was awesome. We were greeted by a very friendly host who let us choose where we wanted to sit. Our server was Alin, she provided outstanding service and had a smile the entire time which is always a plus. The food was delicious. I had a lobster roll Canadian style. The lobster was fresh, soft, juicy and had great flavor. I would def recommendation this spot for a brunch date and it's super Kid friendly. Bring the kids on a cold or rainy day for an adventure. They get to pick their own lobster!!! Super fun when you run out of ideas to keep them busy. read more

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Had take out from here for my birthday! My in-laws bought me a lobster boil. Loved it, everything was cooked well and there was a ton of food. The sausage wasn't really cooked to my liking but this didn't distract from how great it was. Everyone else either got a lobster roll or a crab cake sandwich, which they all loved too. Keep it coming! YUM! read more

We ate lunch here today. We started with the Old Bay shrimp which were perfectly cooked. My husband and I split the blackened fish sandwich and New York clam chowder and our aunt had the lobster roll platter. She love the lobster and the homemade potato chips were a stand out. The fish on the sandwich was tender and nicely seasoned and came with excellent bread, coleslaw and a salad. The clam chowder was ok but perked up nicely with the addition of some hot sauce. We'll definitely be back. read more

This place is WAY overpriced for what you get in terms of food quality and atmosphere. I had a basic fish and chips. The fish was not at all crispy as it should be on the outside. It was as if it came out of a microwave. The fish itself did not have much of a flavor but was ok. I substituted onion rings for the fries as most places do crummy fries. The onion rings were also soft and had a weird aftertaste. I ate about 2. This was $26! You could nearly go to a higher end restaurant for that price and get a good dinner...and next time i will. My girl had the scallops and i tried one and again with the strange aftertaste...not sure what is goin on but i wont be back. The prices should be about 1/2 of what they are. Service was very good, but the food....not so much. I spent 100 dollars there when u add up the sides etc. Just way overpriced for a seafood shack that is not that great. read more

No need to go to the the Cape, the Jersey Shore, or even New York spots. We found this place right in Montclair, NJ! We ordered calamari and clam strips for appetizers, and lobster rolls as our lunch entree. COVID update - there are benches with cute tablecoutside. You can order ahead and then eat outside. read more

Great food and excellent service. Thank you Nishant for taking such good care of us. I had the house salad with lobster and it was perfect!

We had a great dining experience here! The food was delicious, the servers were very nice- highly recommend!

And then five minutes after I wrote this review I got a message back saying that I should Google what a Steamer is, first off that's rude haha but.....regardless, if I ordered Steamers in restaurant and Steamers on Uber Eats...Shouldn't they be the same product? Doesn't matter I guess. Just won't spend my money there anymore. Oh hell no. Came here for the first time with my sister in law about a month ago and the food and service were great. I want to say she got some sort of sandwich and I got the Fried Clam Strips and the steamers. Everything was great. Then...I ordered from them on Uber Eats. I ordered the steamers which is what I got at the restaurant the first time that I had gone there. I guess because I wasn't in restaurant and couldn't complain...they gave me these DISGUSTING gelatinous clams that had something growing out of ALL OF THEM. I was shocked when I opened the container. Completely inedible. So of course I complained to Uber Eats and they couldn't refund my money. But the problem wasn't Uber Eats. The problem is that Jack's Seafood Shack had these nasty clams sitting around and decided to serve them to me since I was not there to complain to get something different. They wouldn't serve that to anyone there because that would NOT FLY. So basically...if you go TO Jack's you may have a decent meal, but they will sell you the garbage scraps if you order to go. Either way, that's the last time they take my money for something I can't eat. Email: diningwithpyt@gmail.com IG: diningwithpyt read more

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