Okay so I was kind of pouting because this wasn't my usual "favorite fish stop". But my friend had 2 free meals and my mind is open so why not. Here we go: I'll be back. I really liked it! You get a lot of food for your money and it was very good. Simple as that. I'm glad I went and now maybe I won't be considered as that "Food snob" - she will only go there for fish blah blah blah kind of girl. ;) read more

See all

The food is excellent, great fish and awesome hush puppies. The prices are good and the staff is friendly! Highly recommended.

Have eaten there for years but a recent visit was disappointing, the fish pieces were about half the size as before and a little overcooked. Sad to see it go down read more

Wonderful food and great people! The prices are great and affordable! We drive from East End just to eat here. Our grandkids love it as well! read more

It is usually hit or miss but this time it was a home runs Fish perfectly cook slaw was excellent chowchow was good More than I could eat The best part was the lady that waited on me She was fantastic in all ways Nicest people you will ever meet Great meal read more

Love it here! Great lunch specials. Always get the 5pc fish. This is my Mom's fave catfish place right now. Great deal for great food and service! read more

The Hook - Southern Near Me - Jacksonville, Arkansas

See all

I tried the 3 meat combo. 2 pieces each of...Catfish,Shrimp & Chicken all hot & fried perfectly. Cole slaw, fries complete the dish. Hush puppies are incredibly good. For a Sunday lunch the ambience is set by old southern gospel....perfect!! read more

The Hook - 3 meat combo...to try them all - Southern Near Me - Jacksonville, Arkansas

Best catfish around. But, they do have a problem with getting to go orders right. I like my fish cooked soft, and and tell that to the person taking the order, but the last three times I got home, the fish, to me, were cooked hard. They need to be more attentative when taking orders. They seem preoccupied, and not paying attention. read more

Still just as good as it was years ago..... maybe even better. May I say to the man who complained about the dark area being a 'bad tasting' area....what you are seeing and tasting is the skin. Take off the thin, layer of dark skin, and it's all good. read more

Love this place!! We always make time to go to the hook when in the area. Consistently great food and great service!'

We love this restaurant. The fish is crispy flavorful and tender. The slaw is tangy and crisp. The portions are good. We try to eat there as often as we can. read more

This is a very poor example of Arkansas catfish! Last night's meal of tasteless catfish and soggy fries was the worst food I've had in a long time. The only redeeming quality was the friendly waitress. She was a jewel! read more

Lunch @ The Hook today...very disappointing. Fish was undercooked and the quality of their catfish has gone downhill. Too bad, it used to be one our favorite places for catfish...so I guess we will be making the long drive to Dondie's in Des Arc more often! read more

Nugget sized pieces..don't believe the pics..don't waste your money..dropped closed to $60 and had to buy another plate for takehome since it was so small read more

I have ate at The HOOK 3 times in the last 6 weeks. This is not a 5 star restaurant with white table cloth service. This is a down home, very clean, home style place. Service is very friendly and most excellent. The staff wears jeans and t shirts and stay on the go. Tables get cleared quick and food comes out hot and fresh. The catfish is just like anyone else catfish. Most pieces taste great, but every once in a while you get that "muddy" taste. Sadly that is the way catfish is....anywhere. But these folks have the breading and cooking down. The have a breading that does have corn meal in it, but not 100% corn meal. It has a good mix of flour and spiced just right. Not overly salty nor bounding in pepper like so many others. The Cole Slaw is OK.... I like it...my son hates it ... and my daughter loves it... so go figure. Now the Hush Puppies.... home made and cooked just right. Done and crispy on the outside and a bit under cooked in the middle. Cooked fast in hot enough grease so they stay moist and not over greasy. Always get a dozen to take home for later at only a $1.29. One thing that does confuse me is how they decide what a "plate" is. They sell a plate by the piece. Not by the weight and only have fillets. Took some trying to figuire out what "size" plate I wanted. But if you start with a 5 piece you can't go wrong. For me it was a bit much, but nothing like a piece of fish with my Hush Puppies the next day for lunch. The 7 piece is piled and runs about 10 bucks. Pieces are fair and you get a lot of food for the money. They have a few lunch specials which are about a buck off the regular prices. Drinks are about $1.29 which is a bargain compared to many places today. Tho I have never tried it, they do have a brisk take out business. The owner is always on site making sure the food and service are up to par. This place has been cleaned up and given a fresh look in the past few years as it was sold to a few people and now taken back over by the original owner. read more

Great food, great prices, friendly staff. But if you get it to go, you will be waiting a long time. So long, you will be considering canceling your order. Don't recommend going there for your lunch break. read more

Glad we stopped here after so many years of passing it by. Wife & I shared the 6 Piece Meat Combo (4 Catfish Filets & 2 Chicken Strips). Meal also came with Hushpuppies and Fries. The fish was fresh and hot as was the chicken. Everything was great and I'm glad we found a good Catfish place to eat at from now on. We will be back very soon! The service was also spot on!! read more

The locals probably think this is a great fish house; they need to travel more and find out what a good fish house is like. We saw the sign passing through Jacksonville and decided to try it. The oil needed changed for the fries and they were not cooked at the right temperature. You have to heat the oil first then put the fries in. That is why they are soggy and come out looking like they are dirty. The baked potatoes are not fresh, the slaw is not fresh, and the fish is most certainly not fresh. A good fish house makes their own tarter sauce. You will be served Kraft tarter sauce from a packet. They also don't serve beans with the meal, however, that wouldn't have made the meal any more appealing because it would have been dumped from a can. The hush puppies are over cooked in the fryer, and by the look of the fries they are cooked in the same oil. Someone with food allergies should not eat here due to cross contamination. I can't recall the last time I was served cheap tea in a restaurant. It tasted like an off brand from the dollar tree. It is that bad. This is a great place to eat if you like being served a case of diarrhea for the price of catfish. read more

It's been a few years since my last visit. My normal place went out of biz. We were seated quickly. Service was good a few min after ordering or fish arrived. It was very hot and freshly cooked. Prices seemed fair. 7 strip of fish,slaw, fries and hush puppy's for around $15.00. Everything arrived hot even the slaw was a bit warm. The hush puppies were on the small side and a little greasy.u Even thou everything was warm it cooled fast. I'll go back but not for a while. P.s still looking for a new place to get fish. read more

Great catfish at a great price. First time eating there, will definitely come back as repeat customer.

We have eaten at the Hook twice in the past two weeks and loved every bite! Everything was hot and absolutely perfect. We recently ordered to go, but that didn't work out so well. Happy that they are open, even with restrictions. Good food! Visit and support our local catfish hole. read more

It doesn't look like much but they sure can serve up some great food. I loved that the catfish came with pickled tomatoes and raw onions something I had not tried before but loved instantly. The staff was very friendly. read more

Our first and last time to eat here The food came out fast and hot the hush puppies were good but a little sweet. I ordered the bowl of mouth watering pinto beans. Well sorry but they didn't leave me wanting more what tasted like a can of bush chili beans to me. My husband ordered combo fish and shrimp which both seemed like Sysco "frozen bests" very very bland taste even the French fries no seasons. The Cole slaw was good. The two stars are for our Waitress she was friendly and prompt. read more

The Hook - a picture of two cartoon characters - Southern Near Me - Jacksonville, Arkansas

Best fish in the country service is great even after David passed away his staff of excellence continues to go the extra mile if you haven't been you've missed it. read more

I've tried this place at least 4 times, thinking it will get better. And I mean I go years between visits thinking they HAVE to get a better cook at some point. WRONG EVERY time I've been here the fish is so over cooked there's no "fish" left in the burnt crust. It's obliterated. Don't waste your time or money you will regret it. I'm shocked ANYBODY goes here. Some people must not know there's much better catfish in numerous places in central Arkansas. The fish is better at Captain Dee's seriously. read more

They keep changing the quality of fish.... Great fish large customer base.... Why do they keep going to a cheaper fish?????? This was a pre battered fillet....Off color from the good catfish.... Please go back to the good fish.... Your losing customers.... You don't think anyone will notice? Come on .... Get smart !!! But the good catfish.... I won't be back until you do.... They are now serving the better fish!!! read more

Good service and good food at The Hook! I'm not that big in catfish, but their burgers are really good! I also love the dozen hush puppies for $1.99! read more

Took my mother in law here for her birthday (her favorite, my first) what an AMAZING choice in deed!!! I ordered the 6pc combo with fish and shrimp, my husband had the 9pc with chicken and shrimp, all of it was OFF THE FREAKING HOOK. We now live in California, but will definitely come back the next time we visit the in laws. read more

After driving from South Carolina back to Little Rock, all we wanted was something good, hot and fresh...we should have went to Sharks.

Had this food for the first time tonight (we got the catfish meal and an extra side of okra). Literally everything tasted amazing!!! I would recommend this place to anyone! We don't even like coleslaw and this coleslaw was amazing and the hush puppies are the best! read more

First, the good... Service was great. The staff were friendly and professional. The Hush Puppies were good. A little on the sweet side, but light and not too dense like most you see. The prices were good. The fries were okay, but lacked seasoning (salt). The pickled green tomatoes were good. Now, the bad... The catfish was terrible. Small, thin pieces (scraps?) cooked to oblivion. They were more like catfish flavored crackers. Easily the worst I've ever had. The slaw was bland. You'll get better catfish (and slaw) at the chicken joint across town. It'll cost more, but it will be edible. read more

This was our first visit to The Hook. I love fried catfish and have been trying to find a local go-to place. I had the Fish Basket (3 pieces of fish, fries, and two hushpuppies, $6.99). For an additional $0.60 I substituted fried Okra for my fries. My son had the Small Catch ( 5 pieces of fish, fries, hushpuppies, and slaw, $9.99). He also ordered a side of fried Okra ($1.69). Our whole lunch came to $25.25. Well worth every penny. I have definitely found my catfish place. This is some of the best fried catfish I have had anywhere. The hushpuppies were very tasty and every bit as good in quality as the fish. The okra tasted great, was crisp, and not a bit greasy or soggy - and the batter was stuck to it (you know what I'm talking about ;-). I was very pleased. The whole staff was friendly and contributed to the small town, inviting, atmosphere. Our drink glasses never ran empty, and we were checked on often enough. It was easy to feel very comfortable here. The couple at the table next to us left their cell phone on the table when they left. The waitress chased them down at the register to make sure they got it back. Sounds like a small deal, but that really expresses to me how they do pay attention to their customers and care about us. On the back of their menu, they say their goal is to serve the "Best Catfish possible." I say they do that. The batter is perfect, crisp, there enough to give it crunch but too much so that the good taste of the fish comes through deliciously. It all tasted fresh, was not overcooked, and not cooked in old oil - fresh taste all the way. My stomach is full - and I am already looking forward to going back :-) read more

The Hook - I had the Fish Basket and for $0.60 substituted fried okra for the fries. - Southern Near Me - Jacksonville, Arkansas

I was literally sick for two days after eating here. The catfish was severely over cooked and thin. First and last time. Horrible experience. read more

Just as good as I remembered. I hadn't been to the Hook since the 1980s when some friends in Little Rock took us there. The place has grown, but the quality of the catfish and the friendly service have remained consistent. Thanks for a wonderful experience, AGAIN. read more

I have visited this establishment for many years going back to the time when I was on active duty in USAF stationed at LRAFB. We ate there last night, and I must say even though the food was ok and the service was great, I am very disappointed. It appears with all the pictures, decorations, and military paraphernalia they have in the restaurant, one would think that they appreciate the military. However, not extending a military discount I feel is very unappreciative. Don't get me wrong, it's not the discount that bothers me, it's the lack of military appreciation. After all, I would wonder if they would still be in business if it had not been for LRAFB. Just my thoughts. read more

I've heard a lot about "The Hook" Catfish Restaurant in Jacksonville, so I finally got a chance to try it out. We were seated promptly and the waitress was there about the same time we sat down. Waitresses were friendly and attentive. I ordered the Large Catfish Plate which consists fo 5 pieces of catfish filets, fries, cole slaw, 3 hushpuppies, a small bowl of sliced white onions an small bowl of pickled peppers (spicy, but not hot).the_hook_fish The plates were delivered VERY QUICKLY (maybe 5 minutes). The fish portion was generous and everything piping hot. The coleslaw had a good taste and the onion was fresh and crispy...very nice onion taste too. The fries were hot and not soggy. The hushpuppies were well done, had a great consistency, but lacked any "extra" spices in the hushpuppy...some pepper or jalapeno would made these perfect. The fish was well done, very hot and cooked to perfection!! But the reason I only rated the dinner as AVERAGE (3 stars) was because of two things missing from the fish. The fish had little or no spice (including salt) in the batter, so the fish had a bland taste. The other thing is that out of 5 pieces of fish...two of them had a big streak of dark meat the entire length of the filet. The one thing I have learned about catfish is that if you don't trim and clean it properly it will have a "muddy or sewery" taste and for me...that ruins the fish. For the 3 pieces that were devoid of the dark streaks...the taste was excellent but for the spices I mentioned earlier. I really would like to have rated this about 3.5...it's very good. This is a great value meal too at lunch...me and my wife both ate the large catfish plates with drinks for $20. I'd eat there again (I will eat there again), but with just a few minor adjustments...this would be some KILLER CATFISH. read more

The food is OK. Nothing we have to rush back to. The staff is amazing! Everyone was extremely nice and welcoming to my kids and I, which allows me to add another star for the awesome service. read more

Yum. Just ate here with hubby... its just a little mom & pop country place so don't expect fine dining but the food is good! I had the chicken basket & he had the shrimp basket & we were both pleased with our food but it was the pie... omg fried pie! I have never had this deliciousness before and it was a revelation! We had apple with ice cream, best apple pie ever. Go to the crooked hook if for nothing else, go for the pie! And the prices were more than reasonable, for both our meals + pie it ran us $15. Not bad at all! read more

This business is in a strip mall and it's easy to by it. The sign is big and white, and that's 0it. Nothing else sets it aside from the other businesses in that strip male otherwise. It seems to have customers are primarily in the 30s on up. It does have a child's menu though, and the evening we were there, I saw several families being served. The minute my son and I entered we experienced something that should have sent us out of there right then and there. There was a black girl standing with menus in hand just inside the door. We walked over to her and thought she would seat us. WRONG!!!! A few seconds behind us came an elderly black couple all dressed up. The girl literally walked around us and went to the couple smiling brightly, and said, "Thank you for coming. If you will follow me, I'll get you seated right away." Then WALKED AROUND MY SON AND I AGAIN WITH HER GUESTS LIKE WE WEREN'T EVEN THERE! For a minute I couldn't speak, because I couldn't believe what had happened. My son watched this girl walk away then turned to me and said, "Did that really just happen?" We stood there with people all around us looking at us. And the longer I stood there the madder I got. No one else approached us. My son finally said, "Look mom, let's just go somewhere else." But I said, "No!" I grabbed the next server that walked by within ear shot and said, "Excuse me! Would you please seat us? The black girl that was up here took the couple that came in behind us and left us standing." She got us seated and gave us menus. Then disappeared. We waited for some time before she came back and asked if we were ready to order. I said, "It would be nice if you would bring us some water and something to eat with." She looked shocked and said, "OH! I am so sorry ma'am. I'll get those for you right now." After that we ordered and ate. I wish I could say the food was worth all the bull manure we had to go through to get. But it wasn't. My son's chicken strips were almost fried to the consistency of concrete. He slaw though, and a couple of other things. I ordered a catfish dinner. When it arrived, I expected a treat. But it was bland and pretty much mushy inside the breading. The hot sauce I added helped some, but not a great deal. Honestly I had higher expectations considering how this joint is gabbed about. We tip according to service and behavior. The young lady that served us did receive a nice tip because she stepped up. On our way out, I asked to speak to the manager. A lady came up front to us and I told her what had happened. She apologized and offered us a free meal. But we passed. I don't know why she didn't wait on us. I believe it was an act of racism being played out. When I combined that with the food and service, I gave The Hook a two out of ten. We haven't been back since. read more

Worst catfish I've ever had. Almost spit it out but caught myself in front of friends. Fries had been frozen a long time. Tea was barely ok. service was quite friendly. It was cheap. Guess you get what you pay for. read more