There are places you try once, and places you make part of your life. JB Hook’s is the latter.
It’s our go-to for happy hour. It’s where we sip martinis with blue cheese olives and pretend we don’t still have a million things to do. It’s where I get crunchy fish fingers and steak bites — and not once have I regretted it.
The view? Ridiculous. Like it was designed by someone trying to win a lakefront beauty contest. We almost always sit outside if there’s room. And if you time it right with a cocktail in hand, that sunset feels like therapy.
Let’s talk favorites:
- Crunchy Fish Fingers: Don’t judge the name — just eat them. Perfectly fried, salty in the right way, and always hot.
- Steak Bites: Bite-sized bliss. Tender, flavorful, and somehow exactly the right size for soaking up martinis.
- The Martinis: Always chilled, always strong, and made the way I like them — with blue cheese olives, thank you very much.
The service? Always excellent. Friendly, fast, and unfussy in the best way. It’s not one of those places where you feel rushed or forgotten. They seem to know when to check in and when to leave you alone with your drink and your view.
Bonus points: the live music. It’s always easygoing — nothing overpowering, just good vibes that pair well with a second round and letting the to-do list wait till tomorrow.
JB Hook’s isn’t trendy. It’s reliable. It’s comfortable. It’s ours. And when life is hectic (which it always is lately), a familiar view and a dirty martini go a long way.
Would I recommend it?
Every single time. Especially if you’re tired, slightly fried, and in need of something that tastes like a break.
- #DinnerOnTheDeck
- #LakeOfTheOzarksEats
- #HappyHourSpots
- #FishFingersAndMartinis
- #JBHooksReview
- #RebuiltFromTheLakeUp
Leave a comment