Wifey has wanted to come here for years and on our first night on the island this year we made it happen. After looking over the menu I was expecting this to be an inside, sit down restaurant, but it's completely open air seating, you order at the counter, and then wait to be called...everything is made fresh. Just so you know the seating is limited, only ten tables, and most people seemed to get meals to go. We lucked out and a table opened up as we got there so we stayed. I ordered a cup of the New England Clam Chowder and the Broiled Viking Village Scallops (all the meals came with 1/2 a corn on the cob and smashed potatoes). Wifey ordered the Broiled Shrimp meal, daughter had the Grilled Shrimp meal, and my son and daughter's boyfriend both ordered the Grilled Atlantic Salmon meals. We all really liked our meals. My clam chowder was a little salty, but had lots of clam and was great. The corn and smashed potatoes were also very tasty. If you like garlic, order the scallops...they didn't scrimp. We all walked away very full, very happy, and very much willing to return. read more

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As an LBI regular and former server, I hate leaving negative reviews. I know restaurants have off days, mistakes happen, and I've spent enough time in the industry to give people grace. Unfortunately, this experience pushed me past my limit. My boyfriend and I were excited to try this place after seeing all the great reviews. We stopped by around 3:45 p.m. after seeing online they were open until 8. We didn't realize the kitchen actually closes at 4 and reopens at 5. Fine - our mistake. We were already there, so we ordered a fish taco and a tuna sandwich for what turned into a $50+ lunch. They brought me one fish taco (which already felt a little steep for the price), but I took a bite and actually said, "Wow, this is really good. I'm glad we tried somewhere new." The next bite? A used Zyn nicotine pouch burst open in my mouth. Nothing quite spices up a fish taco like an unexpected blast of mint-flavored nicotine and the realization that someone working in the kitchen apparently spit their pouch into your lunch. I wish I were making this up. I immediately went to the counter. The young woman helping us was kind, apologetic, and got the manager. That's where things went completely off the rails. Instead of immediately apologizing and refunding the meal, I was met with questions: "How do you know it's a Zyn?" "Nobody smokes here." For the record...Zyn isn't smoking. That's kind of the whole point. What followed was a half-hearted "sorry," more skepticism than concern, and only after I specifically requested it, a $20 refund on a $50+ meal. No offer to refund the entire contaminated meal. No urgency. No genuine concern that someone had just eaten another person's used nicotine pouch. Mistakes happen. Contamination is horrifying, but how a business responds is what people remember. If the manager had immediately apologized, refunded the meal, and handled it with genuine concern, I probably wouldn't be writing this. Instead, I left feeling disgusted, dismissed, and genuinely wondering what else is happening in that kitchen. If your food comes with a complimentary Zyn, I'd at least expect it to be listed on the specials board. Eat here at your own risk. I certainly won't be again. read more

Very disappointed in our takeout order. We ordered the scampi trio which had sand in it, (that was not one of the trio's) seafood combo where they put the sides in the same container and they were soggy and salads which the mixed greens were old. The portions were extremely small. We spent $88 and we had to throw it out. Will never go again. read more

This spot was ok for basic fried seafood. They also offer steamed lobster and little neck clams which were pretty good. There is no table service or alcoholic drinks. You can byob otherwise they offer soft drinks. The food though was generally underwhelming, I wouldn't go back. read more

Viking Fresh Off the Hook - a sign on a building - Seafood Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

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Freshest fish there is- right where commercial fisherman dock! Fast service, accommodating mongers, great local selection. Really, it doesn't get any better. read more

Was in the area fishing, and decided to try this place because it was one of few opened on a Saturday in the month of May 23 The reviews are mixed, so I went in a bit worried. They have a big menu, but I figured I would go with the sure bet w/ the fried platter combo. The first strike here is they accept credit cards but will NOT accept American Express cards. Given the affluent neighborhood, this move by them is to save a few Pennies over customer needs because Amex merchant fees typically run 1 percent higher than Visa/Mastercard The second strike came when my food came out. Everything was refried (see photos), and my scallops were probably refried at least a few times. This leads me to believe my stuff was leftovers and probably refrigerated, because even though it was refried, my main order took a very long time to come out. The scallops were as expected, refried (the darker item in the photo), extremely crunchy because it was refried and leftover, greasy and actually was quite gamey also. The taste of the scallop was completely lost in this crunch mess. Next up was the shrimp, super small portion and this include the tail they left on. Strangely, they include a ton of ketchup packs and tartar sauce with your order (imagine the waste with everyone's order), but no cocktail sauce for the shrimp. Fries were ok, but crunchy as heck because it was refried in older oil? The fish? Again refried, so super crunch, tender in the middle? I guess on their best day, but not on my day. The theme from all the reviews and my experience is this place is always trying to cut costs, at the expense of the customer experience, yet charge the high prices. The ambience, signage and menu reflects a higher level experience they just cannot deliver on. I hate to leave one star reviews, but I have regrets choosing this place as much lunch spot over others while in the area. You decide if it is worth it for you to throw the dice here, and leave your Amex card at home. read more

Viking Fresh Off the Hook - Refried. Scallops refried many times. A crunchy mess. - Seafood Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

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Did not have a good dining experience another time but being it's right next to Viking village where fish is caught everyday, thought I would give it another chance. Had the flounder francais - no other way to describe it - it was awful. Instead of an egg batter on the flounder basically had a fried egg attached to it. Couldn't eat it. A waste of $30.95. read more

Really good food. The fries are especially delicious. I had the fried sampler basket (fish, shrimp, scallops). Everything was well prepared and tasted fresh. read more

Spent ~$190 for a family dinner (4 adults, 3 kids). The Jumbo Steamed Shrimp entree came with 7 shrimp and a tiny ear of corn for $24.95. There was a Shrimp Cocktail menu item with 6 Shrimp for $9.99 -- I went back to the window and politely told them I don't mean to be cynical but would like to know why I would get the platter vs the cocktail. The counter person got the manager/I believe owner who seemed annoyed I was questioning this but said she would grill a few more shrimp for me even though this is the standard portion size. I told them it wasn't necessary & I didn't want special treatment but was disappointed this would be an entree The manager brought 3 additional shrimp to our table and then asked if I owned a restaurant. I said no and asked why she was asking...she then asked how I would possibly know about pricing....she then went on the give a lengthy lecture about how she has the right to run her business how she wants..talking about keeping costs down to keep the doors open. This completely ruined the mood / dinner vibe. She's right about running her business how she'd like.....but we won't be returning. We've come several times a summer for several years...from other reviews this seems like a newer owner. The entree wasn't/isn't nearly enough food as a dinner for me (pic attached) and feeling harassed while trying to eat permanently ruined the vibe. Feedback -- most seafood places sell shrimp by weight...1/2 lb of shrimp for X....being upfront with customers would have prevented this. read more

Viking Fresh Off the Hook - shrimp, corn and lemon - Seafood Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

WOW!! REASONABLE SEAFOOD..in a tourist area who knew??? great selections, excellent pricing, informal dining outside or takeout, decent portions on fountain drinks. our group ordered from all the major seafood groups and not a "clinker" among the selections, we loved the food!!! shrimp cocktail had the largest amount i've seen for a single order, french fries are freshly made (you don't see that these days). suggest you get there at opening, since by the time we finished, there was a long line. window service was polite, friendly and efficient, so don't forget to TIP. read more

Went tonight to watch the live music, and was pleasantly surprised by great food! It's BYOB, bring any drinks you want. Food is served takeout style. Staff is friendly, service quick, atmosphere is perfect, and the live music was the best! read more

Viking Fresh Off the Hook - I loved the live music! - Seafood Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

We come to off the hook multiple times a week whenever we're in BL. This time, we ordered our usual tacos, and were super disappointed when the mahi and scallops were now fried. They were not nearly as fresh as they typically were and really not as good. read more

it was o.k.... greasy, flavorless shrimp, scallops, clams, crab cake in the seafood combo, ironically the fish as thin as it was had the most flavor. If you are in the area, it's a good place to try for lunch, the prices are lower - I paid the dinner price and it was not worth the final bill of $27.00+ it was definitely a lunch plate. Portions and flavor. read more

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Good overstuffed lobster-and-mayo-slaw roll on a properly toasted and buttered hot-dog roll, with freshly fried thick chips. If the roll's big-city price point for tasty but modest-looking leg/joint meat with slaw, instead of minimalist tail/claw in the New England style without slaw, seems daunting, the sampler's juicy and breaded flounder, shrimp, and scallops topping seasoned fries is a still-indulgent bargain. Both entrees come with a side of more-vinegary cole slaw. The current setup of ordering from a single-point cashier outside, besides being safer during this pandemic, also solves the past awkwardness of ordering at one indoor counter and then lining up to pay at another. Go for it. read more

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Always enjoy my lobster tacos! They are the best! Great food, great staff ! Always a great experience.

A great place to sit outside with the kids (2 & 4 legged ) have a couple of adult beverages and listen to some live music the owners are always there and if you do have an issue they take care of it immediately, we love to come here, the staff is always friendly and helpful read more

We went there last week as I was craving scallops... let me just say... they weren't "off the hook" nor were they from viking village at their doorstep. ​They tasted fishy not fresh, they were bay scallops. Found out most the locals and local fishermen won't eat there and they don't buy the local fish!! I paid $30 for fried scallops to sit outside at a picnic table. Money aside, how do you serve seafood and not buy it locally... ? I'd never go back and neither would my partner. We both barely could eat our food. read more

Have been going to Off the Hook for many years, and my go-to order has always been the fried flounder sandwich. Typically in past years, the sandwich had 2 nice sized flounder fillets that were bigger than the roll. This year I was looking forward to the same sandwich. Unfortunately the fish fillets were tiny, and lost in the roll, and it cost $14.95. I was very disappointed and probably won't be going back. read more

Enjoyed the lunch platter of nicely grilled scallops fresh from Viking Village (next door) and a cold lobster salad lobster roll. Staff was young and friendly, food was ready quickly and sat at an outside table on a sunny day. Cute spot to bring the dog (saw a few!), and kids, too. Will be going back with friends this summer. read more

We've been coming for years......so nostalgia weighs in for me. Come at peak time in the summer and you will wait 45 minuets. But relax, bring wine or beer, take a walk. As your time approaches try to get a table, or drive to the nearby lighthouse and eat there. We are generally fish and chips, clam strips and chicken strips. Fries are good, slaw is vinegar-y. On LBI's extreme north end.....this is the good stuff. read more

If you're going to put something on a sandwich (ex. Chipotle Mayo) please be consistent and list it on the menu. I don't think that's too much to ask read more

Viking Fresh Off the Hook - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

We went in for takeout during COVID and got the Lobster Mac and cheese. The lobster was fresh but you don't get very much lobster - more so expect Mac and cheese with some chunks of lobster on top. The Mac and cheese consistency was also a little watery. read more

Viking Fresh Off the Hook - Lobster Mac and Cheese - Seafood Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Very cute small spot. The clam chowder was very yummy but the fried flounder was completely dried and cold when we picked it up.

Good seafood takeout on Long Beach Island. Always look forward to taco Tuesday. Favorite are the spicy scallop tacos

We had take out for six adults that included crab cakes, linguini with sea scallops in a vodka sauce, fried shrimp and calamari. It was tasty but like all take out meals from better restaurants it loses something in takeout. I recommend Viking Fresh. read more

Had a most delicious Mahi sandwich, served with coleslaw and freshly fried potato chips. My Mom had the fried flounder sandwich. Seafood was the freshest ever! Also took home lobster bisque soup. Amazing! Will definitely be back. read more

Update: food is definitely going down hill here. Prices sure aren't going down to match though. I'm bummed - this used to be one of our favorite places to get take out. -------- I've never had a bad meal here. Some of my favorites are the Cesar salad with grilled shrimp, albacore tuna salad, and scallops over Asian slaw. We usually bring it back home as there are only a few picnic tables outside and no view. Be warned it's pretty pricey. read more

Fresh seafood and fries were awesome! We got the mixed bucket. Scallops and shrimp were my favorite.

One of the worst meals I've had in a long time. 6:00 PM and out of salads. Shrimp scampi was a watery mess. Of course watching the staff walk from the freezer with two bags of frozen shrimp would explain the tasteless shrimp. Chicken parm came with no sauce as requested but also no cheese. Can't even give it one star. But can't post without a star. read more

Service was ok, we got our order in about 10 minutes. The food was very mediocre and very expensive. The singular taco cost $15 and they don't even warm up the shell... skip fresh off the hook and save yourself some money making it at home. read more

Great good with fair prices. Take out or eat on site after you get your food. We were back again yesterday and it was another good meal.

I've been coming to LBI since I was a kid and we always make it a point to stop at off the hook. Sometimes we come for lunch and dinner on the same day lol! The food is always great, fresh, and reliable. It's one of the highlights of our trips. Sometimes there can be a little wait, but the staff usually updates the board with an accurate wait time. They're a nice group of kids that are busting their behinds. It's also BYOB, a little adult beverage while waiting for your order never hurt! We will continue to come back year after year. read more

I haven't had food here for a couple of years so I was excited to try their fish tacos on special Thursday night fish taco night. They were out of tuna when we called so I got spicy scallop tacos and my friend got lobster tacos. We also got wine and garlic mussels to split. Nothing was good. The scallops and lobster were both completely overlooked and rubbery. There was barely any meat at all in the tacos and the toppings didn't got flavor wise. The tomato salsa pico side was unflavored and mealy. The mussels were completely inedible - dry & flavorless. I'm so disappointed that this place has gone so severely downhill. I've talked to friends who also have been disappointed this summer. We need a good fish take out place in BL and I would think that this would be ideal and they would know how to cook fish since they get it so fresh. I only hope that they realize and improve the quality and flavor of their food. Until then I feel it was a waste of my money and of a meal since everything was terrible. read more

The food and customer service were beyond excellent! The fish was so fresh, the fries were delicious, and the workers were so kind!! I will definitely be back for more tacos! Consider me ... hooked! read more

Well I think the food here is decent. We've gotten lunch and other stuff here a few times, but the prices just kind of turn me off. Every time we've come in here it's like a minimum of $20 a person for almost anything here. And don't get me wrong the food is pretty good, but not THAT good..... And it's only a take-out place!! We've had various fried seafood and soft shell crab here which has been fresh and pretty tasty. Today the shrimp salad looked really good but at something around $20 a pound we passed and went to the fresh seafood market Cassie's instead to make our own meal at home. read more

Viking Fresh Off the Hook - Seafood Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

This was our second time there and I really just wanted shrimp. These shrimp (even after being driven back to Surf City) we simply the best cooked shrimp I've ever had. Totally perfectly delicious. The homemade coleslaw was amazing. Pasta, salad and fish dishes were all great. Good staple for takeout in LBI. Order ahead!! read more

I was very impressed with their staff when I walked in it is definitely more of a pick-up and go place but they have seating outside if you would like to sit and there is a parking lot and place for bikers ‍ I would recommend the fish and chips on Mondays or the lobster Taco normally they have taco Tuesdays. The staff is very knowledgeable and most of them are college students who are returning home or recent college grads who stay till October after the annual chowder fest which is known in LBI. You have to get chowder if you're here as well! read more

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Poke bowl absolutely slaps... me Zach Amanda Steven Nads Ellie we all love them. My one today is a little dry. Hoping Tesla stock goes up soon. read more

Viking Fresh Off the Hook - Seafood Near Me - Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Tonight the food was not as good as usual. Scallops OK; smashed potatoes absolutely NO flavor; also food was cool temperature. Grilled lump crab cakes were tasteless; enough crab but dry and no flavor!! Would not recommend b/c it was expensive and crowded; too many other places to eat on LBI $55 for crab cakes and scallops; no drinks nor salads. read more

We dined outside, for lunch on a recent weekday. The Manhattan clam chowder was excellent. Crab cake sandwich was good. I was disappointed with the lobster roll. Instead of nice large chunks of lobster, it contained small pieces. Not what I was used to at other seafood restaurants. read more