McLoone’s Pier House

A five-​star ocean view, with three-​star food and service. I don’t like being up-​sold on drinks when I expect to get the happy hour price and instead the price is double. It was corrected by our server, but this left a bad taste in my mouth. Food is pretty good, and probably better than average for the Jersey shore. Views are spectacular — right on the ocean. Burger was juicy and flavorful. Appreciate the option of a gluten free bun. Crab tower salad also was tasty and nicely done, with avocado & mango.
I’d go again.

The Story: Came here for their « Unilocaly Hour» during my stay at the Ocean Place in Long Branch NJ.
Food: My boyfriend and I ordered the muscles, chicken wings and fried mushrooms.
I personally didn’t care much for the mushroom, it was rather bland for me and the dipping sauce didn’t make a difference.
The chicken wings were juicy but wasn’t that spicy.
I enjoyed the muscles but then again I like anything seafood. For the discounted price it was worth every penny.
Price: Special pricing for Unilocaly hour. 2 glasses of house wine, 1 mixed drink and 3 full size apps cost me around $ 40. Not a bad deal.
Décor: Lovely place. You can be seated by the windows which gives you a direct view of the ocean. I can see this place booked all the time during the summer.
Service: Our waitress was on point. I don’t drink too much and need about 5 glasses of water to every drink I have lol. She kept filling up my drink which is nice! And she also changed the channel for us because the boyfriend wanted to watch hockey!
Parking & Finding the Place: 2 min walk from the Ocean Place. You can’t miss it!
Additional Thoughts: Would love to dine here during the summer time. Will definitely come back!

I stopped in with fellow Unilocalers Jeff B. and Barbara R. to fill the time between check-​in and the main event for Unilocal’s «July In January’ Winter Staycation At Ocean Place» event, and it proved to be a good choice. The staff quickly seated us near some other Unilocal parties, and got us set up with drinks and menus.
I went with the Triple Decker Club with Sweet Potato Fries and was absolutely happy with my meal. It was enormous, and most people know I have a big mouth, but even I was challenged to take normal bites. There was just enough mayo, the toast was crisp, and everything was flavorful. The fries were crispy on the outside and creamy inside, something that a lot of restaurants don’t always get right. Barbara and Jeff said they enjoyed their meals, though I think the Crab Tower appetizer really captured their attention.
Service was good, but they nearly tripped themselves up by not clearly pointing out that well drinks were the only ones included in the happy hour when our server asked which liquor we wanted. It would have been nicer if they then clarified. In the end they fixed it for us and we were grateful.

5 stars for atmosphere, 4 stars for the food and the service. This was the first stop on the Elite Staycation happy hour train!
This restaurant is huge. It features floor-​to-​ceiling glass windows, like a lot of other establishments around this beach– duh. Everything we tried here was pretty good and we received friendly, quick service. You have the option to sit at the bar, or the high-​top dining tables, and look out at the water.
One small head-​scratcher: when I asked our server what whiskeys they had at the bar besides Maker’s Mark, she told me she didn’t know. As if that’s not strange enough, she went to ask the bartender, but never gave me a response… Maker’s it is!
I tried the Louisville Lemonade from their cocktail menu. Maker’s Mark, lemonade, cinnamon stick served in a mason jar. It was really delicious and respectably strong, but you know… more whiskey is always better, so I would have liked more whiskey. This wasn’t bad at all, though.
There were several slightly cheaper appetizers being offered during the happy hour. From that list, I kept it simple and asked to try the bruschetta. It was served on a very crisp crostini with a balsamic reduction and had only five small pieces of bread. I could have spent those $ 7 on the wings– dammit!- and I think that was where I ultimately went wrong. Generally speaking you can’t really screw up a bruschetta unless you’re dead… it was decent.
I also tried the crab cake from McLoone’s regular menu ($ 15.95) and was pleasantly surprised. I think there should have been two of these on the plate, but you live and you learn. The crab cake was served with an asian cole slaw– you could really taste the sesame oil in the dressing. Absolutely delicious, especially getting a big bite of crab on a nice bed of that cabbage– yum! The crab cake was a tad dry, but overall this was a great way to start the party weekend.

Decent food, a little pricey for quality of food and service, awesome view sums up McLoone’s in a nut shell.
We were seated outside with a table of 8 reserved on open table. The wait staff was nice and courteous, but slow. The lunch menu was on a large one piece of thick paper. The were salads, sandwiches, appetizers, burgers, seafood dishes, pasta, soup, kids menu, etc. There was also drink menu, but no one ordered alcoholic beverages.
Salads were good, veggie burger was good. Nacho app with guac was scarfed up by the kids. Food portion was average.
I ordered a lobster sandwich. It had a decent amount of lobster meat. Light on seasoning and mayo. I wish it was on a roll than coissant.
Overall the table enjoyed the food. A little pricey for food quality, but I’d come here again to enjoy a meal with the nice view of the beach.

Took a friend there to celebrate her birthday. Was SHOCKED their prices doubled since we wee there last. Food is still good service is good., Structured for the New Yorker’s, tourist in price.
Goodbye Pier House. Last time I will be there as a local resident.