Despite working in Atlantic Highlands in one form or another for 10 years, last night was my first visit to On the Deck. I went with a friend who is a regular. They have both inside and outside bars and seating areas which overlook the bay and marina. I had been to their sister restaurant Off the Hook a few years ago and it was decent enough. Their menus are nearly identical.
The place was absolutely packed with a 30 minute wait for a table. We snagged the last two seats at the bar and grabbed a drink.
When we were called for a table, it ended up being inside but right at the windows with a perfect view (and air conditioning). We shared the lobster stuffed avocado which is one of their house specialties. Both halves of the avocado were loaded with crab meat, and not too much mayo and celery. This could have been a meal in itself. Very refreshing.
For meals, I had a crab cake sandwich and she had fried flounder. Mine was good-- not standout, but at least plenty of crab meat and definitely not frozen.
Like their other restaurant, you are there more for drinks and a view than food, but the food at least was above average. That lobster avocado is the real centerpiece of the menu. The rest of the apps would probably qualify as pub grub, and the sandwiches/entrees are run-of-the-mill for a waterfront restaurant on the bay.
I would return. It was nice to be part of a crowd.
My son played sports over at Croydon Hall so Off The Hook became my hangout between 6-9pm Mon-Friday. This was during football/off season but they put a nicely heated tent over the deck (way before covid) and kept the outside bar open year round. Two things I remember $5.00 Stoli Martini’s and their fried grouper fingers were very good.
Otherwise like you said everything else was ok-good but the bar was definitely the draw. I met a lot of interesting people there, including the head chef at Monmouth University.
That’s pretty much when they got me too!!! No joke though about 6-7 years ago that was their off season martini price.
I would still go back any day of the week because the views are great, the food is decent/good but what @gcaggiano failed to mention is the reasonable prices. It’s a good deal for the location(s).
We went to On the Deck for the first time today. For us, a late lunch. Usually at that hour, restaurants are not very busy. However, at 3 p.m., On the Deck was hoppin’ probably because it’s a Federal holiday (Juneteenth), and lots of folks have the day off.
The weather could not have been more perfect for dining outdoors.
We both started with New England clam chowder followed by fish and chips (an order for each of us). For dessert, we shared Key Lime pie. Mr. R. had an IPA while I had lemonade.
The quality of the food was far above our expectations. The chowder was one of the best we’ve had. Rich flavor with lots of clams and potatoes. The beer-battered coating on the haddock was impressive. Extremely crispy with no hint of oiliness. The Key Lime pie was excellent, the perfect ending to a great meal.
Before going there, I took into consideration what you and @gcaggiano said about the food. For the kind of place it is and the type of menu, which I would describe as pub food, what we had was definitely a cut above.
We sat in the entirely open air section of the deck, first at a table in the sun and then moved to a shady table. As you said, great views, including the Verrazano Bridge in the distance.
Maybe the food has improved. Was there a couple of weeks ago for drinks and had nachos as a snack which were good but not standout. Can’t beat the view at sunset though.
It’s possible they do some things on their menu better than others. We don’t eat nachos — not at home or in a restaurant. But since you do, you are able to judge how good their nachos are compared to other places. Also, there is the question of consistency. For example, if we order fish and chips again, will it be as good? TBD….
I’d like to pretend to be shocked, but this is exactly why friends of mine who have dairy and gluten allergies are rarely willing to eat anything they haven’t prepared for themselves.
