Off Tha Hook Seafood and Grill

When a craving hits for true Southern seafood prepared with care, Off Tha Hook Seafood and Grill in Abbeville, South Carolina is the destination locals keep all to themselves. Tucked into 301 S Main St, this welcoming spot has built a devoted following with a 4.7-star rating fueled by over 400 reviews — and you can taste why in every golden-fried fillet. The kitchen focuses on freshness that feels homemade, from bone-in catfish fried to crisp perfection in impeccably clean oil to cod fillets so light and flaky they practically melt on the fork. Whether you prefer grilled fish and shrimp or a piled-high fried platter, the chefs treat each ingredient with respect, letting the catch’s natural sweetness shine. The atmosphere strikes that ideal balance — casual enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough for a Saturday evening outing, with a team known for attentive service and plates that arrive as soon as they’re ready.

Off Tha Hook Seafood and Grill proves that the best meals often come from a small kitchen with a big heart. The menu leans into classic seafood traditions while leaving room for cravings like crab cakes and shrimp prepared exactly how you like them. Generous portions, reasonable pricing between $10 and $20 per person, and a friendly staff that treats every guest like a neighbor keep regulars coming back multiple times a week. The covered outdoor seating offers a cool Lowcountry breeze during warmer months, while inside booths stay lively with the hum of families, couples, and solo diners who discovered this gem. From the first sip of sweet tea to the last bite of coleslaw — a side that reviewers frequently call a scene-stealer — a meal here feels less like eating out and more like pulling up a chair at a friend’s table.

Seafood Menu & Signature Dishes

The menu at Off Tha Hook Seafood and Grill centers on what the Carolina coast does best — impeccably fresh seafood cooked to order. Catfish is the undisputed star, offered bone-in and fried until the cornmeal crust shatters audibly under a fork while the interior stays steaming and moist. Cod fillets provide a milder, flaky alternative that pairs beautifully with house-made tartar sauce and a squeeze of lemon. For a heartier appetite, the catfish dinner comes loaded with multiple pieces and your choice of classic Southern sides. Shrimp appear in several guises — grilled with a whisper of smoke, fried into crunchy popcorn bites, or tucked alongside a crab cake that balances sweet lump meat with just enough binder to hold its shape. The grilled fish and shrimp combo satisfies diners who want protein-packed flavor without the fryer, while fried fish, crab cake, and shrimp platters deliver the full indulgence. Each plate arrives individually as it’s finished, ensuring nothing sits under a heat lamp, and the kitchen’s attention to detail extends to house-made hushpuppies that are crisp outside, pillowy inside, and dangerously easy to eat by the handful.

Sides Worth Saving Room For

Sides at Off Tha Hook do more than fill the plate — they rival the mains. Coleslaw earns particular praise for its bright, creamy crunch that cuts through fried food richness. Other Southern staples likely include buttery corn on the cob, collard greens simmered with a hint of smoke, mac and cheese baked to a golden crust, and thick-cut fries seasoned generously. Many regulars order an extra side of coleslaw to take home, a testament to just how good that simple shredded cabbage can be when made from scratch.

Takeout, Delivery & Dine-In Service

Off Tha Hook Seafood and Grill accommodates every dining preference with takeout, delivery, and dine-in options. Phone-in orders are ready fast without sacrificing quality — fried seafood stays shatteringly crisp inside vented containers designed for travel. Delivery brings the restaurant’s full menu right to doorsteps around Abbeville and nearby communities, perfect for nights when you want a seafood feast without leaving the house. Dine-in guests enjoy the full hospitality experience: servers who learn regulars’ orders by heart, refills before the glass hits bottom, and the satisfaction of eating fried fish seconds after it leaves the fryer. The dining room and outdoor seating area suit both quick solo lunches and relaxed family dinners, with a laid-back energy that makes it a go-to for everything from post-game meals to date nights. The kitchen stays flexible, too — whether you’re grabbing a two-piece fish lunch on a Wednesday afternoon or settling in for a full Friday catfish dinner, the pace always feels right.

Why Customers Keep Coming Back

Four hundred-plus reviews averaging 4.7 stars don’t happen by accident. Patrons consistently highlight three things: outstanding fresh food, attentive customer service, and a vibe that makes you feel genuinely welcome. The oil tastes clean and fresh every visit — a detail fried-seafood lovers notice immediately because it means no off flavors, just pure, crispy goodness. Staff members stay on top of drinks, know the menu inside out, and plate each order as it’s ready rather than letting it sit. One recent review called it “the best homemade seafood in South Carolina,” with someone else adding that the coleslaw almost stole the show. Returning customers talk about driving miles out of their way just to eat here, bringing out-of-town guests to prove that small-town South Carolina seafood can hold its own against anything on the coast. The restaurant’s consistency across weeks, months, and years — same friendly faces, same golden fry, same great taste — builds the kind of trust that turns first-timers into weekly regulars.

Location, Hours & What to Know Before You Go

Off Tha Hook Seafood and Grill sits at 301 S Main St in Abbeville, South Carolina, along a stretch that’s easy to find and offers plenty of parking. The restaurant operates a schedule geared toward lunch and dinner demand, with evening hours that let you plan a seafood dinner most nights of the week. Wednesday offers lunch service from 11 AM to 4 PM — ideal for a midday catfish fix when you’re running errands downtown. Thursday extends until 8 PM for those who want an earlier dinner or a post-work meal. Friday and Saturday nights run from 5 PM to 9 PM, prime time for families, date nights, and groups of friends gathering over platters of fried favorites. The restaurant closes Sunday through Tuesday, giving the kitchen team time to source the freshest catch and reset for another week of outstanding service. Checking their official website — offthahookseafood.com — before heading over is wise, as holiday hours and special events may adjust the standard schedule.

Proudly Serving Abbeville & the South Carolina Upstate

Abbeville is a town steeped in history, known for its charming square and Southern hospitality, and Off Tha Hook Seafood and Grill fits right into that tradition. The restaurant draws locals from across Abbeville County and visitors exploring the South Carolina Upstate, serving everyone from farmers finishing a long day to tourists discovering the area’s hidden food gems. Its location on Main Street makes it a natural stop when you’re exploring town — whether you’ve spent the morning at the Abbeville Opera House or browsing the antique shops downtown. The kitchen’s commitment to made-from-scratch cooking echoes the town’s own pride in craftsmanship and community. While Abbeville may not sit directly on the coast, the seafood here captures all the fresh, clean flavors you’d expect from a waterfront shack, thanks to careful sourcing and a culinary team that treats fish with the reverence it deserves. For travelers passing through on their way to the mountains or the beach, Off Tha Hook offers a reason to pull off the highway and discover a taste of South Carolina that goes beyond fast-food chains — a genuine, delicious, and memorable meal in the heart of the Upstate.