The dining scene in Jersey City’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood just got a big piece back as Hooked JC is once again welcoming diners inside following a long pause.
Hooked JC, at 467 Communipaw Avenue, opened just about five years ago inside a historic building that dates to 1848. Owners Natalie Miniard and Tory Aunspach transformed the interior space into a BYOB restaurant that sports an oceanside seafood shack vibe.
Like many restaurants, Hooked JC took a break from indoor dining service amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant had pivoted to a more delivery-based “ghost kitchen” model and changed their offerings a bit, but that all changed last week when they re-opened the front of their space alongside a reveal of their “OG” menu.
Speaking of the menu, Hooked JC’s big attraction is their various types of fresh seafood in po boy, platter, or salad format. The restaurant boasts three fresh catch options daily plus regular fixtures like shrimp, scallops, chicken, crab cakes, fried oysters, and veggies.
All the sauces at Hooked JC are made in-house and other mains at the restaurant include peel and eat shrimp, lobster roll, or crab mac & cheese. Sides like fried pickle chips, polenta poppers, and honey jalapenos hushpuppies round of the menu.
Hooked JC is now open for indoor dining Wednesday through Friday plus Mondays starting at 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., while their weekend hours run from noon to 10 p.m.
