Off The Hook
Ranch Dressing, Tartar Sauce, Awesome Sauce, Sweet Potato Fries, Cajun Fries
Coleslaw
Fish Tacos – Fried Line-Caught Cod Tacos, Fresh Slaw, Pico de Gallo, Housemade Spicy Thai Sauce, Sweet Potato Fries
Catfish Filet Fish and Chips – Spiced Cornmeal Fried Catfish, Cajun Fries
Onion Rings – Whiskey and Beer Batter
Key Lime Pie – Graham Cracker Crust, Whipped Cream
Raised Catholic on the Great Lakes it was for Lent every year that Fish-frys overtook Friday night, the local Churches offering up whatever random White Fish they could find after depleting the Walleye, but here 20+ years later it was a billboard about Ash Wednesday that inspired a second visit to Off the Hook for anything but the boring options of childhood.
Originally visited in early 2017 and largely unchanged in the thirteen intervening months, the street sign on Buffalo listed as only Fish N’ Chips with nearby KoMex Fusion as well as Babystacks still doing bang-up business despite their mediocrity, it was with an order placed online that Off The Hook was entered at 11:45am with the kitchen running behind by just a few minutes, two lunch specials plus a Side and Dessert tallying just over thirty dollars for enough Food to easily feed three people.
Recently adding some Vegan and Gluten-Free choices to a laminated menu plus daily specials featured on a blackboard it was with Styrofoam clamshells and cardboard boats wrapped in plastic plus paper bags that several pounds were carried upstairs to the office and unpacked, two Hushpuppies that were supposed to be included with the Catfish missing but everything else exactly as described on the menu and nicely presented despite being packed and driven almost fifteen minutes.
Hand-breading and frying a wide variety of items to order, line-caught Cod from the previous visit this time served as smaller nuggets on Tortilla Shells with Spicy Sauce, those looking for a filling Lunch for under $10 would do well to check this out with Regular or Sweet Potato Fries, the former additionally offered in a spicy version alongside the 8oz Catfish Fillet dusted in Cornmeal that comes across with all the expected flavor while remaining light and virtually oilless.
Finding Off The Hook’s Coleslaw more enjoyable than most in part due to the thicker cuts of Cabbage and a light sweetness it was likely a result of the lengthy drive and steam inside the bag that Onion Rings were unfortunately found to be flaccid despite fairly good flavor, the $6 price for twelve a bit steep when compared to everything else while the Key Lime Pie once again showed well without adding a bunch of food coloring like so many others, the creamy texture and bright Citrus nicely balanced on the Graham Cracker Crust with just a stripe of Whipped Cream.
THREE AND A HALF STARS: Definitely better for dine-in than take-out, but superior to similar local spots either way, Off The Hook remains a worthwhile stop for those looking for good fried Fish and French Fries while the menu offers enough variety that everyone can probably find something they’ll enjoy.
RECOMMENDED: Catfish Filet Fish and Chips, Key Lime Pie.
AVOID: Onion Rings were limp and pricey for the portion.
TIP: Lunch Specials are a good bargain while Yelp!, Restaurant.com and Groupon all currently offer discounts.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.offthehooklv.com/
