This place has really gone downhill in the last few years - if our visit in June '13 is any indication. The "single stuffed lobster tail" was nearly inedible. How can something be tough and mealy at the same time? Â The "pan seared salmon with pesto over risotto" was overcooked and tasteless - and oh, by the way, missing the risotto. Â Service by our perky and pleasant server was spotty. Â Several requests we made (for drink refills, etc) had to be repeated. We will not be coming back.
Review Source:We have been to the captains inn the restaurant and have found that the service is horrible. We walked out because we waited for 20 minutes without service. The servers were standing around talking and not paying attention to their tables. We like the tiki bar but we don't recommend eating inside unless you want to be there for 3 hours and get ignored. We won't be back. Too bad for chasing aways some of the locals.
Review Source:I was looking forward to a nice seafood dinner with my wife. I decided on the Captain's Inn, because they have the best seafood in Forked River. However, we ended up walking out tonight.
We were sat at a table, and did not receive any service. We were passed by three servers, and never even asked if we wanted a drink or if we were being helped. In addition, several servers were standing around a buffet table just talking to each other. Apparently too busy to help a customer. After 20 minutes, the hostess noticed us sitting there and sent a server to help us. It was too late by then, and we simply left.
I was completely prepared to spend $100 for dinner, but there seems to be a trend that unless you're silver haired and dressed for Sunday mass, you are treated like a 3rd class customer. We have been here several times over the past few months, and this is not the first time we felt this way. I must advise that if you are under 40, and don't look like you crap money, stay away from the Captain's Inn.
This review pertains only to the main resteraunt, and not to the Tiki Bar. Â My wife and I frequented the Tiki Bar 3-4 times a week during the summer, and received only exceptional service. Hopeful that holds true into this summer season.
I wish I could give this restaurant negative stars!  We went on 2/16/13 at the recommendation of the place we were staying.  The proprietors gave us a card saying we would receive a 10% discount offered to guests of their establishment.  It was withing walking distance and looked like a nice place, so when we returned from our show we parked and walked over. You enter in the bar and walk through to get to the hostess which we thought odd as this was more of an upscale place. We were seated immediately but waited 15 minutes before our server came to our table to take our drink order.  It was later and the restaurant wasn't busy so not a good first impression.  We ordered drinks off their specialty drink menu, but the server came back saying there was no mint for the mojito, so my fiance ordered something else. Drinks were brought quickly - both glasses were  full to the top with ice with very little flavor and watery.  After waiting several more minutes expecting the server had gone to get our bread basket, we had to flag her down and ask for it.  I don't know how long it was until our server came back to take our order, but we had demolished the bread basket. Our food came out in good time, however - I ordered pasta in alfredo sauce with grilled veggies and my fiance ordered lobster tail stuffed with crabmeat.  My dish was luke warm and inedible.  Once again our server was missing so we had to flag down another person to find her.  She took the dish back.  While waiting, my fiance wrestled with his lobster which was rubbery and way overcooked, but he was so hungry he just ate it.  In the meantime my dish came back, fresh out of the microwave! The veggies were discolored and slimy, the angel hair pasta was mush-inedible.  This time we waved down the hostess to express our displeasure.  She offered another dish, which by that time was far too late, but we did take up the offer for dessert.  She also removed my entree from our bill.  Our server came back and we ordered a piece of cake to go.  The bill was brought quickly (big surprise) and they had the gall to charge us for dessert, which they had offered as an appeasment to my mess of a dish, but failed to deduct the 10%. Any other time we would have just let it go, it's only 10%, but after this fiasco there was no way we weren't getting our discount and once again had to track down our server to have the bill adjusted. It was bad enough the food and service were lacking, but while we were there, a live band was playing in the bar which made it very difficult to enjoy our meal and talk.  The servers congregated around the hostess stand talking (except ours who just kept disappearing), the hostess stood there eating - it was like social hour.  Understanding it was late for dinner (around 10 by the time we were finished) one server was filling sugar, salt etc, and reached right between us across the table while we were eating to switch ours out.  Sorry but the professional thing would have been to wait until we were done, or at least walk to the other side of the table so she didn't have to rudely reach in front of us and over our food.  Adding insult to injury, the entire time we were there, a table of 4 middle aged gentlemen had TWO servers fawning over them, going to their table at least 6 or 7 times whereas we had to track our server down for bread!  The service was less than desirable, the drinks watery and over-priced and the food was terrible.  I would never go there again nor recommend it.
Review Source:I held my Christmas party there for my employees, it was a last minute situation, due too an misunderstanding with the original place it was to be held, they turned a really bad situation into a positive one, we were well taken care of service was excellent, food was deli sh, the endless apps. Great place i cant wait to try it out in the summer.
Review Source:A little backround on the town of Forked River: Â it has one of the largest concentration of marina facilities near the Barnegat Inlet. Â Inside the Forked River are 14 marinas of varying sizes and there are at least a half-dozen fuel docks. Â Suffice it to say there is a lot of beautiful waterfront property in this town. Â
The Captain's Inn sits on some very scenic waterfront land.
We attended a Bridal Shower here, though my parents have eaten in the restaurant section and my sister, who lives in Forked River, have dined here many times.
The restaurant is large and nautical themed. Â Warm, wood paneling doesn't feel dark and dreary when balanced with beautiful waterfront views through tons of windows. Â The main restaurant sits just across the street from their Tiki-Bar where you can pull up, dock your boat and hop out for a cold beer and some bar food.
 (btw:  the Tiki Bar has been fully repaired since Hurricane Sandy)
The Bridal Shower/Party Room was really lovely. Â Every seat had an exquisite view of the water. Â There were floor to ceiling windows, beautiful views and the food was very good. Â
They started the guests out with cold appetizers served buffet style: Â cheeses, fresh fruit and a monstrously large and delicious platter of smoked salmon with capers/onions/etc. Â They also had bruscetta that was presented in a serving bowl that was surrounded with toasted baguettes, so that you could scoop some of that wonderful tomato goodness onto your bread. Â I hate when you go to an event and have to eat soggy bruscetta. Â And the bruscetta was excellent. Â
 The main food was served buffet/chafing dish style.  You typical fare:  penne with vodka, chicken marsala, scallops/shrimp, pepper steak.  All adequate.
 Additionally, there were three salad choices:  Caesar (ice cold romaine with the best Caesar dressing I ever had, the guest were all raving)  Field greens with fresh blackberries/raspberries/almonds---excellent, and an asian salad (I didn't try this).  I thought this was a really nice option to have such a variety of salads. Â
 Finally, the cake, which was provided by the Captain's Inn was fabulous!
 Having scanned through some of the reviews, I kept seeing Yelpers complain about the service in the restaurant.  I can only attest to the service at this private party:  It was stellar.  There was never a dirty plate, an unfilled water glass or a request that went unfullfilled.  Perfect.
 I would not hesitate to book a private party here.
We'd been here for a buffet a few years back and at the time, it was a-ok which means, not the best but not the worst to us. I was glad to hear they were still open since the Hurricane wreaked the Tiki Bar which will need to be rebuilt. I'm not sure about inside and I was told there wasn't any flooding in the building but there seemed to be weak spots and holes in the floor under the carpet and you bounce on the carpet. Scary.
This was a Christmas get together for the family and we were supposed to meet at 1:00pm. Since some of use where coming from an hour away, getting there on time was tricky with traffic and one of the party was late so we sat around and ordered appetizers. This time around, we got the 12 Oysters and also the sliced and breaded squid. The squid was great and everyone enjoyed them but the Oysters, I'd have liked two things to happen to them (and I love oysters). One was to cut them with the cup side down so the juices stay in the cup. The second was to take a moment to slice them off the shell so I can just put some sauce on them and just slurp. Most of them had the cup side off and I had to dig them all out. Not a major deal but it bothered me when I'm not getting them for free and I'm in a Seafood house that should know better. None the less, they tasted fine and I almost ordered another platter.
We were a party of 10 and the serving was fast when everyone got there. Most of us ordered the Seafood combo which comes with one stuff clam (weee, don't over serve those, they must cost too much), two ocean scallops, three small shrimp that tasted frozen first and a piece of baked flounder and basted in butter.
I thought our waitress had just started because I was asking questions about the food and she didn't know the answers but would come back later and tell me. When I asked how long she had worked there (figured a few weeks), I was told three years. We also asked for Wifi and if it was available for the younger people in our group that brought Tabs and was told the Wifi was off limits.
We had the food served and that was the last we saw of our waitress. We finish our meal, and waited for someone to come by for dessert or coffee. After about ten minutes of waiting, the waitress offers desserts which some of us had, we finished and paid for the meal and left.
Captains isn't the worst or the best in Ocean County but being at the end of the road and on the bay offers a nice view and perhaps we'll go back but it's not first on our list next time. One interesting suggestion was Triple B's in Lakehurst since they opened the deli next door and you can get Fresh Seafood also but you can't get there by boat of course which makes Captains a little special in season.
Attended an afternoon party of about 35 people. Food was above average for such an event with a nice menu selection. Clam chowder was ok, but not hot. Rack of lamb was excellent, with a rack of 5 nice size ribs. Veggies were roasted red potatoes and a medley of shaved carrots and string beans, which I observed no one at the table cared for.
This restaurant needs updating. There are no shades on the windows. Since it was an afternoon affair the sun was beating on our backs. They should remedy this as it was uncomfortable.
Came by boat to the Tiki bar which sits right on the river. Â Food was ok, think deep fried with fries for an extra $.99 Â We had the Oyster App $12 and 12 oysters, which were good. Â We also had the little neck steamers, a little larger than we expected but they were also good. Â M had the fish tacos, 2 small tacos with a piece of fried fish, lots of lettuce. Â They were good but could use rice or something extra. Â A had a burger, looked good but a bit dry, A recommends getting it cooked medium. Â $2.50 sam summer ales in dixie cups made the meal.
Review Source:If you have a boat, you've been here. Â The tiki bar is really fun and they book awesome bands. Beware of the inside though, it's old people city. If that's what you're looking for-middle aged to elderly- than it's fine of course, but it's not a cool place to hang if you're in your twenties. Â Outside in the Summer is the only time and place to go if you're looking for a fun night out.
Review Source:Terrible experience THREE times. We tried but we finally realized it's not gotten better over the years. Fish & Chips for $22???? Was served as an over cooked mass of brown stuff. No malt vinegar, no tartar sauce and the fries tasted to be very OLD. My husband had rack of lamb, OMG...I can't even describe the "gamey" taste. We each took one bite and told them we didn't want our food. We paid for drinks and left. Server was a sweet kid but they paid no attention to the customers. I can live with that, but the food, at those prices, I cannot. Don't go here or to the newly taken over Southwinds Grill. Two good restaurants gone terribly baaaadddd!
Review Source:First time back here in several years. We rode with our group and ate lunch at the Tiki Bar. Food was very good and service was excellent. They had a solo guitarist playing. Their seafood is fresh and reasonably priced. Service is very good. Very relaxing to sit back and watch the boats go by. They also have a crew available if you dock your boat there to eat. Interesting are the palm trees which are real and planted into the ground. On a warm summer day, you can feel as though you're in the tropics.
Review Source:Captains Inn, Â Lacey NJ
This place was recommended to me from several locals while I lived down in that area. Â Knowing that they offered some of my favorites, Â I figured tonight was a good time to head on over. Â The parking lot was a bit confusing but after finding a spot I ventured in. Â It turns out that the parking is not the only thing confusing. Â When I walked in there was a bar with no guidance to where the hostess desk might be. Â Let alone if there even was one. Â I took a few steps in and noticed what I hoped was the hostess station. Â After a several minutes of what could only be considered utter confusion, I was seated. Â
The server appeared a few minutes later, suggested  a few items, took the drink order and dropped off a basket of bread sticks and crackers.  Oh, brother.  Â
Maybe 5 minutes later the drinks arrive...... water and coke..... I placed my order and patiently waited for the plates to arrive. Â
My first course was a dozen oysters in the half shell. Â They were very good, though slightly small, and fresh. Â Off to a surprisingly good start.
My second course was an order of Escargot. Â It was served in a ceramic escargot dish with some sort of butter wannabe and some strange green mush. Â It was very bland. Â Thankfully, I did receive a bread basket when the escargot arrived. Â The rolls helped with the dish, although half of the pleasure of escargot is the leftover butter. Â I always use a dinner roll to soak it up. Â This dish needed about 10 times more garlic....and not the pre-chopped garlic they used. Â
My main entrée was the filet and sea scallops.  The plate looked really nice when it arrived.  The scallops consisted of 2 whole medium scallops and a half dozen or so miscellaneous pieces.  All WAY overcooked and rubbery.  Unfortunate.  The filet was tender, cooked perfectly, and had a very nice sauce with fried onion straws.  A nice cut that I did enjoy...it wasn't Gallagher's or The Stockyard but it was good.  My side dishes were asparagus and "oven roasted" potatoes.  The asparagus was way undercooked and of sub par quality.  In other words, cheap.  The oven roasted potatoes I would bet were cooked the day before and reheated.  I could barely cut through them.  One taste was one too many. Â
My server asked if I wanted some dessert and handed me a dessert menu. Â I saw what looked like a nice slice of NY Cheesecake. Â I asked if it was frozen and thankfully my server knew it was. Â I don't like surprises like that. Â So I declined dessert. Â If one is frozen, they all are. Â
This restaurant had several tables that were occupied but it seemed that there were twice as many employees than there should have been. Â It was, like I had previously stated, utter confusion. Â The entire time I was there it was like that. Â Very unsettling. Â I can't imagine having a relaxed dinner with that many people running around...even if the food was good.....which it wasn't. Â
Neither the server nor any management stopped by to ask how we were enjoying the meal. Â Our server did ask if we needed anything else but it was a fleeting moment. Â
Will I ever go back? Â Never. Â Not even to the "Tiki Bar" across the street. Â It should be named the "Tacky Bar" from what I saw. Â
Captains Inn
304 E Lacey Rd
Forked River, NJ
Great place right off the water, and there are a few spots where you can dock your boat if you come by water. Â It's often packed but doesn't take too long to get a table. Â Palm trees and live music take you to a tropical setting, and even better we found a coconut that we knocked down from one of the trees.
Food consists of standard bar fare and awesome fresh seafood.  Fresh shucked oysters and clams, crab meat cocktail and coconut shrimp... so yummm!  They even have steamer clams!  In New Jersey?  Whaaaa?  I usually have to go to New England or a Legal Seafoods to get  me some fresh steamers!
Love Captains Inn, both the inside restaurant, and outside tiki style bar! The food is excellent, service is good, and if you like to hang outside for bands, the bar is the place to be. We've gone several times, by boat and by car, and each time we've been very happy.
They also have a banquet facility onsite - we've attended several events in the banquet room, and the food & service are both very good.
Sometimes, in beach towns, good food & good service are hard to find, especially both in one place. Captains inn manages to master those very well!
We have been to Captains Inn many times, usually for an early dinner on Sunday and three or four times for Thanksgiving dinner. Â It is a bit old fashioned and the service can be just OK, but the food is consistently good, prices are reasonable, and the view of the marina and river across the street is very nice. Â This is an OK place for the older crowd - like us - but will not appeal to anyone under 40.
Review Source:The Captain's Inn is a great place for standard seafood over pasta dishes in a reasonably nice setting - thankfully absent are fake palm trees, neon beer signs and tank tops - if the typical shore scene is more your style head to the Captain's Inn bar across the street for exactly that.
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