Off The Hook Lobster Flights & Seafood Opens in Mystic From the J&R Team

Mystic, Connecticut, is something straight out of a Hallmark movie, with its charming shops, strong sense of community, seasonal tourists, and picturesque waterfront views. And like every Hallmark movie, there's always that hardworking family-owned restaurant that everybody knows and loves. In the real world, that place exists, and it's called Off the Hook.

When walking downtown, it's one of the first things you'll see. Perched on the corner, a nautical navy sign hangs overhead, and the smell of fresh fried fish drifts through the air. The small-town details, coastal aesthetic, and family ties all come together at Off the Hook.

Alison Cole is the proud owner of Off the Hook. She is the great-granddaughter of one of Stonington's first commercial fishermen, so you could say owning a seafood business was always in her future. She grew up in Mystic, raised by a Portuguese family whose life centered on fishing. Her father co-owned J&R Scallops, which later became a wholesale seafood company supplying local restaurants and markets.

When COVID hit, Cole helped turn the business into a storefront called J&R Seafood. While some businesses unfortunately didn't survive the pandemic, J&R flourished. They expanded beyond wholesale seafood to offer local catering and broadened the menu with items such as crab cakes, stuffed clams, and bacon-wrapped scallops. 

Following that success, when Young Buns Doughnuts closed its doors downtown at the end of 2024, locals encouraged Alison to expand. It was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. 

The decision paid off. With J&R thriving nearby, Off the Hook joined the family business and opened in March 2025. Cole turned those fresh ingredients into a fast-casual dining experience in downtown Mystic, right on Main Street.

Off the Hook offers not only a wide menu but probably the freshest fish in town. Their fish comes straight from the family's boats, and their philosophy is simple: always sell out before sacrificing freshness. The menu features the local catch, from fish and chips, fritters, and rolls to po-boys and poke bowls. For non-seafood eaters, options include hot dogs, smash burgers, and more. Because with three kids, Alison knows the importance of catering to everyone. Kids' meals are notably served on an Off the Hook-branded frisbee, just one of the many details that make this restaurant special.

Among Off the Hook's specialties is something unique: the lobster flight.

It's a simple theory: people love anything served in mini portions and multiples. The idea was head chef Joe Willhoit's, and it's been a staple at Off the Hook ever since. Joe, Alison's right-hand man, is the mastermind behind the menu. While Cole manages the other aspects of J&R and Off the Hook, Joe works his magic with the ingredients. 

The lobster flight has three half rolls: hot butter and chives, lemon aioli and parsley, and tempura lobster with spicy mayo and scallions. I could have eaten three of the tempura rolls, but honestly, they're all good. The lemon aioli version gives a classic Maine lobster roll a run for its money.

The menu is thoughtful, and every ingredient is well-tested. To make these rolls, Cole confessed to trying over twelve types of buns. In case you need more convincing, these aren't ordinary lobster rolls.

Another favorite: clam fritters—lightly battered and paired with my choice, blackened fries.

Alison's personal favorite is the fried fish tacos. They're topped with corn, cotija, and avocado. I can personally attest: they're delicious.

Off the Hook offers sushi classes and partners with Mystic's Argia cruise boat to serve oysters on sunset rides. They also sponsor the local baseball team. Community involvement comes naturally—they give to Mystic, and the support returns tenfold.

Cole says the best part of running a business in Mystic is the local support. From opening to keeping busy in the off-season, the community has been behind them.

Whether you're in Mystic for a vacation or just passing through, Off the Hook will make you feel like a local.

Off the Hook 46 W Main St, Mystic, CT 06355

@offthehookmystic