Walked in to the restaurant on a Sunday night and was not even greeted. When the host returned he pushed us aside and still didn't greet us or ask if we needed a table. A second "greeter" came by and the two chatted and continued to ignore us. We left and had a great meal at the Majestic just down the street. I suggest management visit the Majestic to see how its done! I won't be going back to Hank's. There are dozen's of restaurants to choose from in the area......
(1)
Daniel L.
Great restaurant!!! Clean atmosphere, light and bright feel to the ambiance, especially with their new look. Came here after a horrible meal at another restaurant, where we didn't even stay for entrees. This was the perfect pick me up afterwards. Recommend their lobster roll. A generous portion of lobster on superbly toasted sourdough bread. Ask for the seasoned fries! Highly recommend.
(4)
Christine L.
I have never been to the one in DuPont circle. But I deff like this place much better due to its location and service. My friend told me the one in DuPont is always packed. I came here on Saturday night for drinks, sitting at the bar area. There were some people but not too crowded. Very relaxed environment. Would visit again.
(4)
C Z.
This place was so good!!!! I had the lobster roll...it had huge chunks of lobster, it was just like eating a whole lobster except I didn't have to fuss with the shell! Hubby had the fried oysters...now I don't like oysters, but I could definitely eat these! We both agree the food here is amazing!! It was about a 45 min wait, but well worth it. Oh yeah, and they have a pretty good beer selections, too!
(5)
Meghan G.
I love this place...normally...which is why I give it a 3...but I came in today and was waiting for two other people. They wouldn't seat me until my whole party came...only two more people. The bar was full so I ended up standing awkwardly between the bar/kitchen/dining area. No one else in the restaurant gave me a second glance or asked if I needed anything or after standing awkwardly while tables filled the host didn't even offer me to sit at a table to wait. This isn't a heinous act but for a typically friendly and welcoming place they made me feel unwanted. If it wasn't my birthday and I really wanted to eat here I probably would've left by now. And...don't managers usually mingle and talk to patrons? I would think a manager would've noticed me standing and would've accommodated. But, who am I to ask much from a restaurant! In this case, nobody! :) : /
(3)
Kelly R.
I was treated like a queen here. I went in twice on vacation and my service, food, and hospitality were top-notch. The calamari/shrimp appetizer was delicious - as were my crab cakes. My morning brunch meal was the french toast with a mimosa - fresh OJ, yes please. I can't imagine a better experience here. The chef even dropped off some duck confit roasted potatoes for us to try. It's a place I'll remember and a place I'd eagerly return to, as well. Loved sitting at the bar, talking with locals and staff!
(5)
Kiev R.
Let me start off by saying that the oysters are fresh and downright delicious and a great buy at $1 each during happy hour. Outside of that... I wasn't too impressed. The restaurants opens at 5:30 PM for evening service and we arrived around 5:15 and promptly realized that the long line snaking down the sidewalk was actually for folks waiting to get in. So we got in line wondering why people were lining up so dang on early for happy hour. Once we got inside, it all made sense. First off, the restaurant is super tiny and basically had great difficulty accommodating parties larger than say, 4 people. With a group of 8 people, we were in a bit of a predicament. Add to the fact that it's happy hour where folks straggle in as they get off work and where (because of space issues) you cannot get a table for more people than are actually present and yeah... it was interesting to say the least. Secondly, happy hour only last for 1 hour (that's not a typo; an entire 60 minutes) and is only available on the oysters; no drink specials; no side dishes; nothing else. Lastly, the oysters took FOREVER to come to the table! Literally, we placed an order for 3 dozen oysters which took 30 minutes to arrive. As soon as those hit the table, we placed a 2nd order for another 3 dozen which also took 30 minutes to arrive. With happy hour only lasting an hour, do you see how this could be a problem? I love the oysters here (they were delicious) but won't be going out of my way anytime soon to make it back to Hank's.
(2)
Bri N.
The bartenders there last night were super nice and I loved the oysters (and I got one of my friend's shrimp that was delicious also). I'm in town for business and it's hard for me not to go back again tonight.....I just might! Delicious and great service, not a normal combination in Austin where I live....
(5)
Wayne H.
Hank's Oyster Bar is a must visit every time i visit my sisters in Alexandria. It is located in historical Old Town Alexandria, which today mostly consists of little shops, antique stores, and restaurants. They don't take reservations but you can call them 30 minutes before arrival and they will put your name on the list. My favorite thing to start with is their saki oyster shooters. The oysters change from time to time, so I usually just go with the ones they recommend that night. For my entree I always get the same thing, the garlic steamed mussels w/ white wine & tomatoes. These are absolutely one of the best, if not best, mussels I have ever eaten. They are also different from many other mussel recipes because of the tomato base. I also really like their salad of avocado and romaine hearts w/ buttermilk cilantro dressing. Very tasty, and I have never seen this served at any other restaurants before. The only negative: One of my sisters is not a big seafood lover so she once ordered the rib-eye steak. She was very skeptical to order it because she insisted that no way a seafood place could make a good steak. I asked the waiter how the steak was and told him about my sister's caution. He said it was very good and it had to be, because it's the only meat item on their menu so they have to ensure that it is good. My sister was right. The steak was quite dry, chewy, and came drowning in sauce (yuck). So it's safe to say "yes don't order steak at a seafood place". However, if it's seafood you are after definitely make a stop at Hank's Oyster Bar!
(5)
Heather G.
Hank's has been on my "To Try" list for a while so I was happy when a friend wanted to meet me in Old Towne for HH. My Old Towne experience has never been pleasant due to parking restraints, however Hank's Oyster Bar has me covered by providing a parking lot behind the restaurant. The space inside is very small hence you will probably always have a wait to be seated. They do not take reservations and during happy hour, you can expect to wait at least 20 minutes for a table of two...but it is soooo worth it! I am so easy to please, so I was tickled pink over the goldfish crackers for starters. Goldfish crackers take me back to kindergarten when my teacher would give them to us for snacks before nap time. Goldfish+ Naps = Heaven. I digress, back to Hank's... The oysters during happy hour are $1 each and I guess that is a good price for the DC area. However, they were amazing! I am not just saying this because I love oysters. They really were good. And I am not just saying this because I was super hungry at this point. They really WERE good! I wish I could remember what types I had, but I ordered a sample of each that were on the menu for that day. And get this, they change the menu daily so I am sure when you go the oysters that I salivated over might not be on the menu. Nonetheless, on Wednesdays they have an oven-roasted chicken special that my friend ordered. She stated it was equally amazing, and even though I have a hard time believing that an oyster bar can make amazing chicken, I just wanted to put that note in just in case you don't eat oysters.
(4)
Andres A.
Hanks oyster bar was great for happy hour but their menu didn't impress me. The ambiance was great but I was surprised to see that the only special during happy hour was food, where are the drink specials???? It seems like what they lose on happy hour with oysters is recovered with the drinks. I would go back but I would limit myself to one beer and the oysters. I also think that they should add a different food item other than oysters to their happy hour menu, not everyone likes oysters.
(3)
Malcolm J.
Service was pretty good, prompt, friendly enough. All of the staff was nice, saying hello & goodbye. Had the Bluefish ($26): good piece of fish, meaty savory and not fishy at all, sort of a moist less steak-textured tuna. Perfectly grilled. Served very simple with a few pieces of fennel, pink grapefruit (unusual, but pleasant and refreshing). A little light on the sides for a $26 dish but there was plenty of fish (2 pieces) & I guess that's what I was really ordering in the first place, not sides. Be prepared for a little crowded and noisy, the 2tops are really close together.
(3)
Tom H.
I was in the area for a conference. A friend knew I was a foodie and seafood lover so told me to check it out. A buddy of mine and I saddled up to the bar on a Saturday night rather than waiting 45 for a table. I had a handful of oysters, as one must do here. Coming from Boston oysters are a staple appetizer. There was a good variety and all were meaty and delicious. We got some thick and hearty shrimp cocktail as well. Finished it off with a solid lobster roll and fries with an Old Bay seasoning. All good stuff. Decent beer selection; nice attentive bartender. No Boston, but definitely a good experience for an out of tower looking for a low key night. Would certainly suggest it .
(4)
Colby G.
Good, low-key spot for a Saturday night. We skipped the oysters this time and went with the regular burger, which was very good. Excellent selection of micros on tap, and Tom the bartender was the man (as I was told he would be). The kitchen shutdown at 11 so don't plan on any late night food orders. Also, don't be the a-hole that goes in at 10:56 to order food.
(4)
Angela B.
The Washington State oysters and steamed shrimp are delicious! Sharing a hamburger and onion rings is a great way to end the meal. A must in Old Town Alexandria!! You will have to wait but it's worth it so get a beer and chill out.
(5)
Zia L.
This review is NOT based on the oysters. I have wanted to try this place for a long time because I'm from New England and love seafood. I thought the lobster bisque tasted like tomato soup. Couldn't really tell there was lobster in it. The lobster roll was good, but I don't think it was worth $25. All in all I thought it was just so so and was not worth the price. I would rather go to other places in the DC metro area.
(2)
Marie G.
Having traveled all day - I was so glad to come across Hanks! The restaurant is small but the food selection is quite impressive! I settled with the lobster roll and old bay fries. Skipped dessert but was happy to see a few dark chocolate chunks in a glass dish when my bill arrived! Ill do a little more exploring of the menu on my next trip!
(5)
Cynthia L.
Came here with my boyfriend tonight and had a fantastic after work dinner. Overall experience = 5 stars! Let's just start with the food. The Middle Neck Clams with Chorizo in wine and butter sauce we started off with was delicious! We were so happy the small plate came with crunchy slices of bread to sop up the sauce with. It was so good that we asked the waiter to keep the dish after we had eaten everything on the plate so we could dip other things in the sauce! We ordered the Lobster Roll with Old Bay fries as well as the Fried Oyster Dinner with slaw and subbed out the fries for Mac & cheese. The lobster roll itself was buttery from the New England style bun, with a good, filling portion of sweet lobster meat (chunky) and each bite ended with a crunch from the celery. It was plain delish. The fries I didn't really care for, but was happy to have on the side for dipping in the remainder of the clam sauce. The fried oysters were very tender (almost melt in your mouth) with a lightly battered layer of fried breading served with tartar sauce - couldn't get any better. Mac & cheese was also very good! Service was good all around - friendly, prompt & helpful. The restaurant itself has an open and warm concept, and although small, well kept and clean (bathrooms included). Only regret was not being able to try one of their many alcoholic beverages as I am getting over a cold. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Sarina P.
Oh Hank's, why do I even try the fried oysters anywhere else? HOB uses their raw bar-grade West Coast oysters for their fried version and you can certainly taste the difference. No anonymous flabby bivalves here--this is the real deal. Add in their addictive mac and cheese and roasted cauliflower and you'll have a meal that you will crave for the foreseeable future. They have a little parking lot in the back, but street parking isn't that bad if you go south on each of the side streets on that block. It's true that the interior is tiny!
(5)
Unhappy C.
Tried to dine here Sunday evening, but the staff was more interested in cleaning the back portion of the restaurant than seating our party of 5. They put 5 adults at a 4 top; when we asked to move one seat to the end, we were told it was a fire hazard. Understandable, even though we were the only party in the restaurant. When we asked to move to a larger table, we were told they were cleaning that portion of the restaurant. Business must be great if it is more important to clean for an early close than serve customers. Funny - I thought they were in the food service / restaurant business.
(1)
Dana L.
2.25 For the smallest oysters on the East Coast, 2.50 for the smallest "jumbo" shrimp, EACH!!! Fish and Chips was mostly bread, no meat. Atmosphere not as advertised, and everything is overpriced. Who are these yuppy urbanites giving this place a positive review?!!! Avoid, better places nearby. Terrible with a capital T!!!
(1)
Sara J.
This honestly may deserve a 5. The only reason I am giving me Hanks a 4 is because the service was a little slow at first waiting for a waiter. Once our waiter came to our table he
(4)
Sharon P.
Really good meal! Food was well-portioned, fresh, and flavorful. Service was the only part of the dining experience that I felt could be improved.
(4)
Melissa F.
Delicious oyster selection. Today they were sold out of the Naked Cowboy (NY). The favorite was the Little Skookum (WA)
(5)
George N.
Only had the oysters. 3 types available the night we went (blue point, alpine, and one other...) - ONLY serves oysters during reverse happy hour (10:30-midnight), friday + All types of oysters were good (especially for only $1) The blue point was a bit "meatier" and larger than the others, but not as sweet. + No wait at this time (This part of King St is pretty dead this late at night as most of the late night action is closer to the water apparently)
(4)
art f.
Small Old Town townhouse location. Decent salads. My fried oysters were superb - cooked just right, not overly breaded, not overly fried. Worth the visit right there. My companions both had fish tacos that got good reviews. The oysters came with respectable fries and cole slaw. We ordered 3 sides: cold beets, macaroni and cheese, and spinach. All were very good; a little too much food. Good wine and beer selections. A limited but well-focused menu. I'm going back.
(5)
Sherry L.
The wait is so ridiculous on a Saturday night (1.5 hours @ 8PM - AND they underestimated the time so we ended up standing around for another .5 hours). I gave them the benefit of the doubt though, because I had been there before on an off-day and my party was seated very quickly. Tip: if you don't want to deal with the nonsense, I'd suggest getting there early, going on a random weekday, or both. Thankfully, the food is 110% worth the wait. My sister and I were both too full for po' boys, otherwise I would have insisted that we both order po' boys to split + a few raw oysters to sample. I have tried the lobster po' boy and the raw oysters before, and both are fantastic choices. My two cents (from my first visit): The lobster filling is perfectly seasoned. Not too creamy, not too dry, and they definitely do not skimp on the lobster! I love that the roll is super buttered up. :9 NOM. For the price, the quality and quantity of the large plate are spot on. The oysters are super fresh albeit a little pricey - I feel like I've definitely had my share of half-shell oysters at other seafood restaurants in the NOVA area that were of equal caliber but much cheaper. This time around, we ordered the mussels in tomato&white wine sauce, the mac&cheese, and the broccoli w/ chili flakes. The mussels are fantastic! We got a side of bread with our meal, and sopping up the soup with the bread was just....DROOOOOOL. I think Hank's mussels have got to be my new favorite! The sides weren't bad either. I'm not a huge fan of mac&cheese so I won't comment, but I thought the broccoli was well-cooked and the chili flakes were a nice touch! Finally, the small bowl of goldfish before the meal and the dark chocolate blocks after the meal are little gestures that I can certainly appreciate.
(5)
Karen V.
It's good - don't get me wrong, but for the price I have had way better. The wait staff (and some of the guests) can be snotty too... will probably look for somewhere else in the area before coming back.
(3)
Alexandra H.
We only go here for their Happy Hour $1 Oysters, but it's always amazing. The oysters are so fresh and I really love that they serve goldfish crackers to start and dark chocolate to end. They have a nice wine list too!
(4)
Julie U.
Waited for them to open at 5:30 pm. When we asked for a table for 3 and 2 of the 3 people were there, even though there was no one waiting for a table and the restaurant was half empty, they wouldn't seat us. The hostess was snotty about it and pointed out that they normally were more crowded at this time. Who cares how full they normally are, it was poor customer service and I will never eat there and will tell my friends not to go.
(1)
Phatcharat P.
Came here for brunch with the fam. The oysters and mussels were delicious. Bloody Mary was good for the price ($7). I had the crab egg benedict which was good but not great. I will definitely try the salmon benedict next time.
(4)
M C.
Awesome food - food is fresh and tasty. Place is small but worth any wait.
(5)
Judson W.
Seafood and eat it! I've been to Hank's at both the DC location and the Old Town Alexandria location, which I slightly preferred. They're both fairly small places, but I didn't feel as cramped as I did at the one in Dupont Circle. First off - I have to mention the Mac & Cheesy. Why? Because it has to be the BEST mac & cheese I've ever tasted. I don't know what the people at Hank's do to make it so unbelievable, but I'm in heaven every time I take a bite. You can order it as a side or order it separately in a much bigger portion. I usually end up doing both! The oysters are of course the main reason people come here and they do not disappoint. However, I was a little confused when I found out they didn't have normal size crackers. They only offer tiny "oyster crackers" which means I wasn't able to prepare my raw oysters the way I like - cracker, oyster, cocktail sauce, raw horseradish. I wanted so desperately to order the lobster roll and fries but just couldn't stoop to paying freaking $23 bucks for it (I know I'm cheap). So I ended up splitting the lamb with my hubby and it was actually pretty delicious. I recall the beer tap prices to be pretty pricey ($6-$9), but they also offer a variety of bottled beer for lower prices. Old Town is a great location for Hank's, right next to a variety of bars for before/after dinner drinks. All in all, if you're craving some good seafood, you can't go wrong with Hank's!
(4)
Tracey B.
This place is the bomb. Great service. Food is phenomenal. Arrived at 6:50 on a Friday night and sat at two seats at the bar since there was a little wait for a table. Our server/bartender John was great. We ordered ceviche, mussels and fried oysters and all were fantastically fresh and delicious.
(5)
Sonja C.
Dinner for two on a Friday night at Hanks: terrific experience! They even had Left Hand Milk Stout on tap. Ordered the pumpkin soup and muscles to start. Creamy, sweet and hot soup was just the flavor of fall I was looking for. Hubby tucked into a BIG bowl of muscles resting in the most amazing broth! Worth every drop as we mopped up as much as we could with the bread. For dinner we split the barramundi - expertly seasoned and prepared and enjoyed the squash and parsnip side. The onion rings were average. The panna cotta was also just ok-maybe more sauce... Service was friendly and efficient. Great evening and worth the price.
(4)
Chris C.
4 star food. 2 star service. Waiter was clueless and perfunctory. Bus boy gave me someone else's entree. Overall service was poor but thankfully the food was good.
(3)
Jim I.
Nice selection of East and west coast oysters. $1 east coast happy hour was spot on. Tar bay deal of the day. Staff n customers friendly.
(5)
Joe B.
Excellent food! Very friendly & inviting. Good for families. We (Family of 4, only 3 ate 5 y/o fell asleep) had: Seafood Ceviche 12 Oysters on half shell (Mixed) Peal & Eat Shrimp Middle necked Clams in white wine sauce. Lobster bisque Fried Oyster Po'Boy Mac & Cheese Would go back in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Dave P.
Food was good. The price is too high for what we had. Service a little slow but the waiter was ver nice.
(1)
Jackie N.
We came here on a Friday night, but made reservations. We got there a few minutes late and they had already crossed us off the list, so we had to wait a little bit. We got a drink at the bar, which is in the middle of the room. A little awkward just because there was no where to stand without being in the way of the servers and staff. The restaurant is cute and quaint, like the usual Old Town restaurant type. The BF and I were starving, so we started with the lobster bisque and a dozen oysters. They had 6 varieties that day, so we decided to get 2 of each. The soup was delicious, not as thick or salty as other lobster bisques I have had. We then tackled the oysters. The West Coast ones were larger and has more of an ocean-y taste, while the East Coast, predominantly Virginia ones, were smaller with less of a salt water taste. I don't remember our favorite kind, but it started with an "H"! Sorry...should have written them down. I believe they were from Washington State and had the best overall texture and bite. We ordered 6 more of those. For our meal, I got the soft shell crab special, which came with a watercress salad and asian-soy like sauce. The soft shell crab was cooked well, but the sauce did not do it for me. I had to ask for tartar sauce. The BF got the order of steamed mussels, which were pretty yummy and had alot of flavor. For dessert, we got the Key Lime tart, which was just alright. All in all, the oysters were the best thing we had. I am sure we will come back JUST for them.
(3)
Debby L.
I went on an oyster spree with my friends who live in Arlington, VA. This was the second place we ate at, and I think it was my favorite. FRIED OYSTER PO BOY SANDWICH The po boy was juicy and very fresh. I ate 1/3 of the sandwich because we were splitting it. I thought my portion was just perfect because we like to try a lot of other stuff. HOP ISLAND BBQ OYSTERS So delicious. I thought this was the best dish of the night.
(5)
Kathryn R.
Good service, oysters were okay, not the best. I suppose that's to be expected since all of them were shipped in from other places. I would go back, but not for oysters.
(3)
Jenny S.
I love coming to Old Town, everything is so cute and quaint. The place is actually pretty small, but it reminded me of the best tiny seafood restaurants in Boston, where they can only hold a few tables and chairs. The boyfriend and I have been wanting to try out this place for a while and finally went here for brunch and it did not disappoint at all. I got the shrimp po-boy, which was overflowing with fried succulent goodness of shrimp. The boyfriend got the crab cakes egg benedicts with perfectly poached eggs. I like my eggs extra running, but the boy does not, so this made him very happy, plus they did not skimp on any of the crab lump meat. We both wished we had more room in our stomach to try other dishes, but we both left completely happy. I don't find any great seafood places in the DMV area, but Hank's Oyster Bar is hands down delicious and I can't wait to come back to try everything else on the menu. Service was great and the prices are fair.
(5)
Kayla F.
Tiny interior...any parties over 4 will be seated at separate tables This place has delicious oysters...I could have eaten a whole dozen by myself. Peel and eat shrimp was also good. I tried the infamous lobster roll and while the lobster was incredibly fresh the sauce they prepared it in was lacking flavor. I almost feel like the lobster by itself would have more flavor than the sauce they put on it. I asked for a side of clarified butter but that didn't help either. The roll was still very good though...lots of meat but just lacking in flavor. Also tried a little bit of the fried clams...I might have liked them more than the lobster roll. They were absolutely delicious. This place is a must try! (I didn't come here for happy hour but saw that they have oysters for something like $1.25 each during happy hour....If I lived in the area I would be here on the reg for happy hour)
(4)
Scott B.
Hank's has long been one of my favorite neighborhood spots but I think management is pushing staff too hard to turn over tables to pay for new expansion. Dinner for six of us on Saturday night was bit of a disaster. Kitchen is solid and will continue to drive the hordes there but wait staff needs help. Orders forgotten, staff continually bumping into table and the pressure to turn the table was too much. Could not get a water glass refilled but as soon as you are finished your plate, they are there to whisk it away before the rest of the party has finished eating. Slow down people, retrain new staff on basic etiquette and don't ruin what you have worked so hard to attain. Scott
(3)
Linda G.
Great food and atmosphere. They have a wide variety of oysters and they are delicious. The oysters shooters, lobster roll, and mac and cheese are also amazing.
(5)
Valarie G.
Enjoyed my dinner here, great oysters. Not impressed with the guests at the table next to us..cranky old people who constantly interrupted our normal-level conversation (just between my husband and I) telling us to "hush up". Maybe the old people need to go home or there should be more than a few inches between the tables? Also not impressed w/the soggy french fries
(3)
Ben S.
I enjoyed this place. I'm not even huge on oysters, but the sides were great. We haven't actually gone back, but that is more because it isn't our type of food then because of anything bad about it.
(4)
Jim D.
What's up with the no reservation policy at Hank's?! This very popular seafood eatery needs one! Waits on the weekend can be absurd, but luckily you can call ahead about 30 minutes or so and put your name on the wait list - a small consolation. The oysters are very excellent. I didn't care much for their mignonette sauce (but then again, I typically never do), but these juicy little mollusk held their own quite nicely. The bisque had good flavor, albeit heavy on the tomato and a tad too thin. My friend ordered the fish special which was tasty but a rather small portion. I ordered the lobster roll which was also on the smaller side and a touch too oily, but nonetheless still good with a fair amount of chunk lobster meat. Service was extremely efficient and came with a warm smile. Drinks were kept full. Nice touches with the goldfish and after dinner dark chocolates.
(3)
Alexandra W.
On my way down to DC from Philadelphia, my boyfriend texted me "Do you want to get oysters tonight?" I don't know why he even asked, because the answer is always yes. Their oysters are pretty reasonably priced at $2 per. I've never seen them for less than $2.50 anywhere else. They do have a $1 special, but it starts at 10:30, which I think is a little late. Maybe I'm just spoiled by Oyster House. The entrees is where it gets a little sketchy. The soft shell crab was $26. What was on my plate? 2 soft shells and about 7 leaves of lettuce. If you're going to charge me (well, my boyfriend, actually) that much, I want carrots on my salad! I want a starch! I want sides! No way those 2 little guys cost anywhere near $26. Otherwise, the food was good. ...but I did get walked in on in the bathroom, and I'm pretty sure it was by one of the servers. Luckily, it was the kind of walk-in that no one actually sees each other.
(3)
Alan N.
If you like oysters than this bar is the place to go, they have a chalk board with what they have in stock. The place is tiny so it gets packed really fast, a reservation would be a great idea. I was fortunate that when I went a table opened just as I walked in. I really didn't eat anything here other than the oysters so I can't say much about their other menu items. They have an oyster sampler platter that lets you try about 3 of every kind and is totally worth the price. I never really realized the difference in taste of oysters until I was here and I was able to try all the different types they had. All in all if you like oysters and your in Old Town Alexandria then this is the spot you want to go to. They have a happy hour oyster option that starts around 11 or midnight.
(4)
Betsy H.
My husband and I just left Hank's in Old Town on New Year's Eve and when we arrived at exactly 11 pm, were dismayed to learn the kitchen was closing and no exceptions would be made, even for oysters and other bar food items. What? Despite the apologies from the bartender and the offer for a drink on the house, I find this attitude of Hank's to be very off putting. I have worked in many restaurants over the years - the Old Ebbitt in DC and on Nantucket - and I can't imagine turning away customers on a holiday night when it would be just as easy to offer a bar menu and keep them happy. On holidays, people are out late and this is the way it goes in the restaurant industry, Hank's management, so you should plan accordingly. It was disappointing and I won't be back. Future customers, be sure to know when when the Hank's kitchen closes (and most nights, it's super early there, believe me) because they won't accommodate you.
(1)
Corie A.
LOVE their ware river Oysters on the half shell!! This is the place my boyfriend and I go to share 2 dozen raw oysters. I have also had a few items off their menu that have failed to disappoint (fish tacos, seafood ceviche with lime and jalapeno, and braised short ribs). The place is pricey so it's def the kind of place you go to in celebration of something or to just grab a dozen delicious oysters in the VA ware river sauce! Yum!
(5)
Julie J.
My wonderful boyfriend took me out to Hank's on Saturday night for a seafood date night. What a treat! The restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria in a quaint little area with lots of similarly expensive little restaurants and kitschy shops. However, Hank's is not just an overpriced restaurant serving overly extravagant, but tiny meals. It's actually quite reasonably priced and the food is excellent. They don't take reservations, which is sort of a problem on a Saturday night, so make sure to call 20 minutes before your arrival to be placed on the waiting list for a table! Upon our arrival, I wasn't particularly impressed by the small, crowded restaurant with cafeteria style tables and chairs, but my beau and I sat down and ordered a drink nonetheless - Two Princes Reisling for me and a Sierra Nevada for him. Thoroughly enjoying our libations and happy to finally have a table, we decided to share a few treats from Hank's "small plates" menu. First, we split the lobster bisque and the popcorn shrimp and calamari. The bisque was divine, but definitely very heavy - the first thing I tasted was butter, not that I'm complaining! The popcorn shrimp and calamari was similarly palate pleasing and perfectly prepared, with a slightly spicy dipping sauce which woke up the lightly fried crustaceans. Next, we split a plate of mussels and roasted garlic broccoli. In my opinion, there is almost nothing that compares to roasted vegetables, but the mussels, cooked to perfection in a white wine sauce, were good too. We didn't have desert, but I'm sure it would have been similarly scrumptious. The long wait times and the overly-cramped atmosphere could be deterrants to giving Hank's a shot, but the food more than made up for any discomfort we initially felt! I definitely recommend this place, but suggest a week-night stop to avoid the weekend rush.
(4)
Ashley C.
Great service! We walked in on a Thursday night after 7 and were seated in about 10 minutes. Missed happy hour, but from Tuesday to Thursday they offer $1 oysters from 5:30-6:30. All of the food was super fresh and amazing! I recommend trying the mac and cheese for sure! Menu changes daily! I will return to try the specials!
(5)
Hien N.
I came here for happy hour $1 oysters. They were small but for a $1, they were worth it. Good service and delicious oysters! However, the place itself is very small and cramped!
(4)
Holly B.
We have been coming back to Hank's a few times a year for at least four years now. While the space is tight, the staff is wonderful, the food is wonderful and we always have a great experience. They always have a special of the day, and I have never had one of their seasonal items that wasn't wonderful. The basics of the menu are pretty static, so I always know I can get fresh oysters (duh) from various regions, their lobster roll is mighty yummy and even their salads are great.
(4)
Roger M.
I'm feeling badly that this is the third well-liked restaurant that I've given a down-at-the-mouth review to in the last ten days, but I seem to be caught in some sort of weird downward spiral with restaurants lately. I usually like Hank's, and think their Sunday evening fried chicken is the city's best, but this visit didn't go as well. My partner ordered the vegetable platter, which he liked (brussels sprouts, spinach, beets, greens, and tomato salad, all of which he said were perfectly done. I, unfortunately, went with seafood options, which were not so good. My shrimp cocktail was mushy and limp (a sure sign it had been frozen), and my order of ceviche was 90% calamari and had very little flavor besides peppers (in my book, good ceviche has a nice mix of shrimp, scallops, fresh fish, and calamari, and strong flavors of lime and citrus). The shrimp cocktail was so sub-standard that I asked to have it take back, but the charge ($2.50 / shrimp) still showed up on the bill anyway -- a poor way to handle a customer complaint. My beer (a Tank 7 Saison from Kansas City, MO) was EXCELLENT though. I'm afraid this is the last time I'll eat at Hank's -- charging us for the mushy shrimp was just not right. Other than that faux-pas, the service was good, and we like the restaurant most of the time we've eaten there. I don't think I'll be back, though.
(3)
Holly P.
Prices check Atmosphere check Food check More than oysters - I'm not a huge oyster fan and I will be going back here! We had shrimp appetizer, clam dinner and lobster roll dinner - I'm still salivating!!! Only waited 15 min's on a warm Saturday night in early spring! Surprising seeing as how it's a fairly small establishment. So small and yet so BIG!
(5)
PC W.
I love oysters on the half shell but my experience has been rather limited. I had been meaning to hit up Hank's in Old Town to sample different types of oysters. Once I saw that they had a $1 oyster happy hour from 5:30-6:30, Sunday-Thursday; I made it a priority. The oysters did not disappoint and I polished off a dozen. They had 3 types of oysters to choose from this evening - Dragon Creek, Olympic Miyagi and a 3rd name I can't remember. The Dragon Creek was the plumpest of the group and mild in flavor. It's great if you're in the mood for a substantial oyster or a refreshingly cool oyster that isn't briny. The Olympic Miyagi was my favorite - I call it the dinky dark oyster. It's petite but the slightly briny after taste is really enjoyable. The Penn Cove was my least favorite - something with the bold flavor did not agree with my taste buds. I am still an oyster novice and Hank's will be my training ground. Come here for the oysters only. I had the lobster bisque which was too salty and the cognac taste was overpowering. I had a few bites of the mussels in a tomato broth and it was very acidic. ***Updated 3/9/08*** We returned for the $1 oyster happy hour in hopes that we would have a try at another three types of oysters and indeed we did. On today's menu was New Point Comforts, Hood Canals and Blue Points. The Hood Canal oyster is very thin and salty and I'm not a fan. The New Point Comforts were plump, firm and bland in flavor. The Blue Points were my favorite this time - medium in size, silky in texture, ever-so-slightly briny and a mild finish. I also had a side of the mac and cheesy which was yummy - made with smoked gouda and white cheddar.
(4)
B. T.
Good but not great. Lobster roll and oysters were just fine.
(3)
King C.
To start off they give you a free appetizer which is a bowl of "goldfish" crackers. That's pretty awesome. Now that that's out of the way, i went to Hank's for their Happy Hour which is Tues-Thurs from 5:30-6:30 PM, which is within the first hour of when they actually open. It's $1 Oysters and you have three choices to choose from. One was Virginian and the other two I don't remember. But I do remember that they're East Coast Oysters. Beers are about $5 and they have a variety to choose from. The Rouge American Ale bottle was twice as large as other beers. The Oysters were pretty decent size. All of the pictures that people have uploaded pretty much describe the Oyster dishes. Their lobster bisque is pretty good too. We didn't really get anything else while we were there since we went mainly for the Happy Hour. Another thing you'd have to try is the Oyster Shooters. They're very interesting. They don't taste good but it's interesting. Definitely bang for your buck in terms of Happy Hour that involves seafood. Our group kind of overboard when we got 9 dozens of Oysters... I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Karin J.
Was a bit disappointed with our dinner here after all the rave reviews. I think our chief complaint were the portions on the main dishes. We ordered the marinated sablefish with soy balsamic glaze and the NC shrimp and polenta dish. Both were good, but the sablefish came out on a bed of meager greens and that was it....you pay $24 for a small slice of fish! The shrimp was OK, after you removed all the shrimp heads, you were left with five small shrimp bodies over a bed of polenta (which was tasty), but again, when you pay $27 for a dish, you expect something a bit more. We were sadly disappointed with this presentation....and left the restaurant still hungry and kind of disappointed with the whole experience. Maybe they have better dishes, but we were not impressed our first trip here.
(2)
Henry C.
I love this place, and not just because it's named Hank. This hidden gem of Old Town serves some of the best oysters and seafood around. The restaurant is small and is the size of a small townhouse, but there's enough seating inside unless you come at peak hours. But, be ready to eat with your elbows close to you because the tables are pretty close to each other. You can also easily hear the conversation of anyone seated near you, even if they are whispering. The food is amazingly fresh. The lobster roll is a must try as are the mussels. They have a rotating variety of oysters. Though, keep in mind Hank's is not open on Mondays and on other days the hours are very odd. So, check before heading over there.
(4)
Kimberly H.
This place rocks! I am not in to oysters - but let me tell you what I AM in to that this place delivers on - - Fantastic ambiance. Small and cozy with exposed brick. What can I say? It enhances the food experience for me. - Scallops - very yummy here! - Service - quick and attentive - Oysters - while I am not into them, my husband is and said they are very good - especially the oyster po boy It is pricey - so if you have wine, etc. expect to drop some bucks. It is tiny, so it fills up quick and a wait is not unusual.
(4)
Candace C.
I have good memories of the DC location, so when an out of town friend came for a visit and requested oysters, this was the perfect place to go. We literally came in for a "snack" and ended up with fried chicken for the anti-seafood diner, a plate of fried oysters, a heaping bowl of mussels, some onion rings, and mac & cheese. I didn't even bother with the chicken--the oysters and mussels were so melt in your mouth good. The oysters were sheer perfection--perfectly cooked with minimal breading. The mussels were great too--loved the sauce and only wished we had some nice italian bread to soak it up rather than a bowl of goldfish. Bottom line, we loved our meal and I looked like a star with my visiting friend. Booya!
(5)
Kim N.
Came here for happy hour/dinner with my cousin. We were both craving the lobster roll and immediately thought of Hank's. We arrived just before 6 pm and ordered a dozen oysters on the half shell (dragon creek, malpeques, and one other I can't remember, but it was from Washington). The oysters were fantastic. Great flavor, no brine, awesome mignonette sauce! We got our lobster rolls, I subbed the fries with roasted cauliflower, my cousin subbed her fries with the bok choy (which were awesome, great garlic flavor, but still had its crunch). I also got the mac & cheese, which was just as delish as I remembered. We split the key lime pie, which was tart, but the crumbly gracker cracker crust was delicious. It tasted homemade and was a perfect end to our meal. I only wish that the lobster roll was bigger ...
(5)
Lexi K.
Of course Hanks is awesome even though the wait is brutal at times. HOWEVER, there was one thing that made the wait bearable...LINDSAY, is an awesome hostess. As a business owner myself, I know and appreciate the importance of a hostess! She was not only very pleasant but also offered to leave her busy job up front to get us some goldfish since we must have looked starving. :). Yes the oysters are always incredible but the service at the front-KEY. Good job hanks.
(5)
John C.
Ok. I would rate this 3 stars and that's being nice. I mean the 3 stars is for the food and great servers. But DAYM the fucking restaurant bar or whatever you want to call it, is so fucking cramp. Like the fucking tables are like a foot away from each other like no joke u can take an oyster from the tables next you if they are not looking. This place deserve 2 FUCKING stars.
(3)
Miss K.
Mediocre. Nothing special. Small place, small menu. Probably won't go back just because nothing wowed me. Service was also mediocre. Clyde's actually has better oysters.
(3)
Ada W.
The oysters were incredibly fresh and delicious. The waiter was fantastic and took the time to describe the different types of oysters and their characteristics. Love starting the meal with Goldfish crackers and dark chocolate at the end. The only con is the meals are on the small side, but so very tasty!
(4)
Logan S.
The oysters are the best. I normally don't like calamari but they made me like it. I suggest getting everything and share it amongst your family.
(5)
Erin O.
This is exactly what I needed at the time. The place is small, the staff attentive and aloof at the same time. I'm not sure how that works, but they kind of disappear but get you everything you need when you need it. A little like oyster ninjas. I had half a dozen raw, sweet Pacific oysters to start. They were briny, clean, and very flavorful. The mignonette sauce was perfect and just touch went a long way to the appreciation of each oyster. To appease my California spirit, I had an avocado salad (really, I'm not THAT Californian) which was creamy, but light, and made me feel much less guilty about the next dish I ordered: The Fried Oysters. Man. I have no idea what kind of oysters these were, but they were amazing, especially for fried oysters. They weren't the gigantic, chalky, these can't be served raw, so we'll fry 'em oysters I've had so many times at other places in that format. They were small, sweet, and fried just enough. Not to mention, for the price, there were a ton of them. I felt miserable about it, but I had to leave one on the plate because I was just too full, and I knew I had to walk another mile after the meal. If I'm back in the area, I will definitely make a point of eating here again when I'm jonesin' for shellfish.
(4)
Liam D.
Been meaning to hit up Hank's in DC for years but just never got around to it. Girlfriend knew that and took me for an early evening bite at Hank's Alexandria as part of our Valentine's day getaway to Old Town. I've heard how great Hank's is before, and I always thought, "c'mon, could it be THAT much better than Clyde's?" The answer: undoubtedly so. I had some of the most amazing oysters I've ever eaten, including discovering Old Salts from Virginia, the briniest, most awesome oyster I've eaten. Tried six types in total, but they were my favorite (and that's over Kusshi and Kumamotos!) Also had some fried oysters and sides including some amazing grilled brussel sprouts and bok choy in chili sauce - faaaaantastic. Wash it all down with a couple beers and you've got yourself one hell of a meal. They've got oyster happy hours with $1 oysters, and that's going to be the death of me. I'll have to carve out about $100/month for Hank's Happy Hour Oysters now that I know what I've been missing. And it's a good thing I don't live anywhere near 17th street, or that number would be a lot higher. Lastly, they also supposedly have a pretty kickass brunch... that's next on my list.
(5)
Michael F.
Great spot in Old Town! Service was superb! Tom, the bartender, greeted everyone who sat at his bar and was very helpful when asking questions about the menu. I had the ceviche, grilled crab cake, and onion rings. All great choices. I highly recommend you make this a stop even if its just for a few drinks!
(4)
E M.
Visited here several times when I was in Virginia. Great oysters great people, great food in general. Oyster fest in April is a blast, definitely worth it if you enjoy oysters, beer and fun. Good late night deal, if they're open. Ventured down on a couple evenings only to find they weren't open for late night oyster shooters... womp womp.
(4)
Ervin A.
Fried fish snadwhich is my favorite here at Hanks.
(4)
annie w.
So apparently I've been eating crap oysters and didn't know it. Went for some oysters and a drink. Sat at the bar and ate 6 of the blue? creek oysters and 6 of the pacific something-or-other oysters. I really can't remember the names, because I was in freaking heaven. Wow. The pacific were so meaty and juicy and flavorful. Just wow. I am by no means an oyster expert, but I really thought I had had some great oysters in the past. Not so. Hubband got a lobster roll, thinking it would be a cheap eat (I guess he confused the price of that with something else). Definitely not a cheap eat, but freaking tasty! I have had my share of lobstah rolls in NH and Maine, but this was one of the best I've ever had. It was full of freshly cooked chunks- and mean CHUNKS- of lobster meat. No ridiculous fillers like a ton of onion or celery. Moderate amount of good quality mayo. Decent bun. It was actually worth the 20 or so bucks it cost. The place is small, and not really handicap accessible (steep stairs, narrow dining area). The bartender was fine. Not great, but not horrible. I thought he could have been a bit friendlier, but oh well. We had planned on just dropping in to get an appetizer and a drink, but ended up spending like $60. Not what we had planned, but worth it. I plan to go back for happy hour when the oysters are cheaper, and I can be a pig for less $$$.
(4)
John G.
Great oysters and great food. We went to Hank's for the first time this week and we will definitely be back. Staff was friendly. The only knock on this place is that it is a tight fit, but it was worth it.
(5)
Amy P.
Hank's Oyster Bar was an overall great dinner. While waiting for my table I enjoyed the Elevator cocktail. It was great - although most of the drinks on their bar menu looked amazing, not to mention a decent wine selection. The oysters were awesome with about 7 different types from VA to WA to try. Everything on the menu sounded delish. I ordered the avocado romaine hearts salad and asparagus soup. Loved both! The buttermilk cilantro salad dressing was unique and very tasty. Despite less than stellar dessert reviews - I did order the chocolate mousse. I must agree - it was nothing special. But, I'm never unhappy with chocolate. Only a few small gripes: The restaurant layout. The bar is located in the center of a long/thin room - making a logistical mess during the expected wait for a table. The food was amazing but they could have laid off the salt. My first cocktail choice was turned down due to a missing ingredient. Also tried to order a second round of a certain oyster which was also out. The menu does change daily so I understand the limited supply at a 9:00pm dinner, nevertheless irritating. Minus the few gripes - a great experience. I will definitely return.
(4)
Nicole D.
My fiance and I went to Hank's on a night we were looking for someplace "different". I'm so glad we decided to try this place, and we are already looking forward to our next visit. Started with a reasonably priced bottle of white-wine, and goldfish (score!). Ordered lobster bisque (delicious! big hunks of lobster!), and an order of ceviche (generous portion!). Ended up ordering another bisque and a round of 12 oysters (2 from each geographical area). Added a few more oysters onto that, then enjoyed the complimentary dark chocolate dessert. Adam was our server, and he was upbeat and professional. A+ evening!
(5)
Richard F.
Well, as I said in my previous review, I would go back to Hanks if in town and when I was; I did! Hank's was great and of course the oysters were the treat we all expected. Even my wife, who is not a raw oyster fan, enjoyed the fresh and delicious bivalves that they served us. We had a nice assortment and because we sat down early, the prices were very reasonable. We also enjoyed some nice seafood main dishes and overall Hank's was as good as I remember it. This is not gourmet fine dining. And the best thing they serve, IMO, is the oysters. I will repeat what I said last time. If I am back in the area again, I will go back to Hank's.
(4)
Jano K.
If you like a good raw bar, this place was very cool, modern. Several oyster varieties from different locations available. Happy hour pricing made sampling feel reasonable. Cocktail specials were unique and refreshing on a hot summer day. Four stars for apps and cocktails.
(4)
Terri C.
First time here. The oysters on the half shell were superb. Sunday, so I tried the fried chicken special( yes chicken) . Very good again. A little pricey but, good food . I'll definitely come back. Half price oysters after 10 and during happy hour.
(4)
Socheat S.
It was mid week Wednesday after work and on a whim I end up at Hanks for happy hour! First time, and the definitely not a disappointment! Tom, our bartender was great. As soon as we sat at the bar there were menus and drink orders were made. Thats what I call service! Food came out at an awesome speed! We had a round of Happy hour oysters. It was fresh, perfectly shucked with all the dressings! Followed with fried pop shrimp & fried calamari, we figure we would balance our palette with a fresh shrimp avacado, & corn salad. Gotta have balance right?! We decided to put some of the fried calamari and shrimp on top and it hit the spot perfectly! I could have probably ordered a few more items! The menu was short to the point and easy to read. Would definitely go again...maybe fried oysters?! Eating deliciousness makes me happy!
(5)
Joanne D.
Oysters are sweet, service us fast and efficient... A great place to unwind, have a drink and enjoy great seafood.
(4)
Gretchen P.
What a great spot! I can't believe it's taken me this long to get to try Hank's Oyster Bar and their famously fresh oysters. I popped in here for lunch yesterday with mi madre, and we had a great experience. They just started serving lunch on a regular basis in April, I believe, so the place wasn't super-packed, but that meant we got good service and the best/most awkward seat in the house -- right in front of the giant street-facing window! Haha, awesome for people watching, or for being watched by people -- whatever your fancy. We started with some oysters, naturally, asking for one of each of the six featured oysters on the blackboard. I am by no means an oyster aficianado, but I really enjoyed getting to try such a variety and easily identified my favorites. They were so fresh! The presentation is great, with oysters on the halfshell (oyster power!) on a bed of crushed ice, served with lemon wedges, some kind of lemony-onion sauce, cocktail sauce, and horseradish, so you can mix and match to your heart's delight! There is also sea salt, tabasco, and vinegar on the tables. For my entree, I got the fish and chips, which came with Old Bay seasoned fries and delicious soft fried fish. I actually thought the presentation of this was very cute, with the fish cut up into almost like classy fish sticks. It also came with cole slaw and a side of tartar sauce. I didn't super-love the fries (I'm a fry snob though), but the fish itself was fantastic and it was a yummy choice. My mom didn't get enough oysters to start with, so she opted for the fried oyster dinner as her entree. (It's actually served as a "small plate" on the lunch menu, but our waiter offered to turn it into a dinner entree by pairing it with fries and cole slaw. Her fried oysters were ENORMOUS -- definitely not what you typically think of when you think fried oysters. They were super soft and had a nice flavor, also served with tartar sauce. The prices are Hank's are not cheap, but, then again, neither are oysters ($2.25 each off the raw bar), and I thought the meal was well worth the price. The service is great for such a casual place, with complimentary goldfish to start your meal and some bittersweet chocolate to end it. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Emily L.
When circumstances conspire to dump you in Old Town Alexandria around lunchtime, thank your lucky stars. Hipsters and traffic notwithstanding, it's a lovely area and the restaurants in the area are each more charming than the last. In fact, deciding could provoke some anxiety, unless you happen to love seafood as much as we do! The interior is cheery and modern, with clean lines and unobtrusive lighting. Once seated, we ordered from their impressive beer list and got an adorable ramekin of goldfish crackers to munch on while we perused the menu. My husband has a strict policy of ordering lobster rolls whenever possible, so his decision was much quicker. I wanted to try everything, so I was grateful for the shrimp / calamari dish that at least allowed me to kill two delicious birds with one entree! In fact, they were both perfect -- tiny nuggets in impossibly light, crispy batter, served alongside a mustardy aioli that I wanted to inhale all at once. The lobster roll was also excellent (I tried a bite, but lobster is not really my thing) and the french fries were perfectly crispy, hot and plentiful. My side of braised greens was just what it should be: warm, smoky and providing a much-needed contrast to all the fried food on the table! As we started to wind down, we came to the only unpleasant part of the experience: the staff. We were there at an off-peak time, mid-afternoon, but the service was very patchy: our initial server didn't return after our food was on the table, and the plethora of runners who came to fill water and take dishes were downright oppressive. Every five minutes we were shooing another one away, and in particular we could not get them to understand that we were taking our time with the food but did not want to throw out what we hadn't eaten yet. It was ridiculous. Finally we gave up and let them have the dishes. I honestly think that if I returned I would ask the server up front to please let them know not to disturb us. Considering the quality of the food and atmosphere, however, I am happy to forget the service problems, especially since they ended our meal with a tiny dish of dark chocolate chunks. Restaurants just don't understand how much a small gesture like that means to customers, or they would all do it: as it stands, many of them try to charge you for every napkin and piece of ice, when it costs them practically nothing to elevate the experience past the level of a few mistakes. Well done, Hank's, and I hope we'll meet again soon!
(4)
Shany Y.
Oh yes! Hanks RULES! I'm from California, so we don't get oysters this meaty over there. I've been trying a bunch of oysters here on the East Coast and Hank's definitely didn't disappoint. I had 20 oysters personally, and tried each of the three different kinds on happy hour. Happy hour is a great deal, but it was a little hard for us to choose a good spot to sit ( there are three different happy hour spots and they are all first come first serve). We ended up sitting in the lounge area downstairs. Great vibes, but the tables could have been a little higher. Definitely would come back.
(5)
Amy C.
I went here for happy hour with a friend. Wait was pretty long, which was expected, but we luckily got two seats at the bar right by the door. Service was a bit slow for us at the bar. I still say it's worth going. The oysters of the day were delicious - we both got one of each + a bottle of wine. Definitely not a bargain, but a good splurge after a long work day.
(4)
Megan S.
Oh. Em. Gee. So friggin good! I came here for the first time with my husband and aunt who was visiting from LA. After a day playing tourist in DC, we wanted something hearty and tasty, and Hanks seemed like a good choice! From the window in the outside, the interior looks like it's only a few tables big, but the dining room extends to a whole other area! We dined with our grouchy and tired one year old. They gave us goldfish to keep him entertained til his dinner arrived, which was a lifesaver! We tried the fried oysters, steamed mussels, fried clams, and the oyster poboy. We all shared the lemon grilled asparagus which was delicious, too! The fried oysters and clams were seriously out-of-this-world amazing. I still reminisce about them with my aunt every time we talk on the phone. Hanks was a little pricey, but I'd done here again. Actually, every day if I could afford it. I imagine this place gets busy on Saturdays, so I'd definitely make a reservation. We dined here on a Sunday evening and had no problem being seated right away. I'm sure we got lucky!
(5)
James D.
This place is great. The staff is knowledgable and friendly. They know what oysters to recommend and what's fresh. I ordered the oysters on the half shell and I will get them again when I come in. The bar itself is very modern with a retro twist. Great atmosphere and clean bathrooms. They expanded and have a sit down side but the bar is where it's at.
(5)
Kevin A.
Consistently good service, consistently good food. From the welcome serving of fish crackers to the thank you serving of complimentary dark chocolate, this place impresses. I'm sure their fish and oysters taste good--but I can't get enough of their high-value "veg plate" for $20 you get 5 sides. I had the Brussel sprouts, spinach, mac 'n cheese, beets, and cole slaw and I gotta tell you it was a lot of food! As a vegetarian it's rare to feel stuffed after a meal, and this place knocks it out of the park. After enjoying the veg plate I didn't have any more room in my belly! My dining partner also enjoyed a very fresh salad -- it looked good and he had nothing but compliments to say. Like so many other reviewers on this site-- Hank's is good -- go enjoy!
(4)
Jihad B.
Came here for lunch one day (in goddam June) because my friend was unarguably in the mood for oysters. I had a dozen oysters, two from each location they had for the day wherein two of the six were West Coast. The West Coast oysters were by far better than the East Coast oysters. They were from somewhere in Washington but I'm not sure which ports. Since oysters don't fill you up I also sprang for an Oyster Po' Boy. It was vaguely reminiscent of my time in New Orleans were I pretty much consumed nothing but Po' Boys and Hurricanes. The food here is good but I will certainly have to return when oysters are in season. An expensive lunch but that is to be expected.
(4)
Susan L.
It's more expensive than yelp says. wish there were more oysters, or maybe bigger oysters...my friend and I felt a little cheated. delicious nonetheless! the rest of the food - lobster bisque, mushrooms...is small portioned and full of oil/fat/salt for the prices. staff and atmosphere - refreshing and one of a kind :)
(3)
Jeff C.
Hank's Oyster Bar is a little bit of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Yes, I am making a reference to that classic Clint Eastwood western, because like the movie, this place is filled with highs and lows for this oyster-slinging anti-hero. So let's get right into this foodie gun battle, or as Tuco would say, "When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." The Good: The excellence of Hank's oysters cannot be denied, for they are the oysters by which all other oysters in Alexandria should be judged. Sweet, salty, and tasting of the ocean, these beauties are magic and whether you select yours from the Pacific or Atlantic side, you will not be disappointed...Oyster perfection and just what this oyster beast craved. Trust me on this one, Yelpers, I may not be able to outdraw Clint Eastwood, but when it come to these oceanic treasures, I'm a shucking master. The Bad: Oh, it is one of my all-time pet peeves and always results in the loss of a star the moment I witness it...That's right, Buckaroos, I'm talking children sitting at the bar. Sure, it was during the day, and mom and junior were at the other end of the bar, but I don't think I ever saw Clint belly up to the bar next to one of the Rugrats. I can never figure this one out, for the bar is simply no place for your child, people. Again, there is a place for child dining and drinking: It's called the restaurant's dining room, or if you prefer, the classic alternative that is ChuckECheese. The Ugly: Ok, as much as I hate finding children at the bar--something which really detracted from my Hank's Succulent oysters, sauteed spinach (yum), and frosty beverage--I'm also annoyed by their weird hours. Hank's closes its doors from 3-5 PM. That is the start of some prime happy hour enjoyment and a tragic loss as far as I am concerned. I asked the bartender about this policy, and she offered up the much expected excuse of cleaning the bar, prepping for the dinner rush, and just getting things ready. Now, although I disagree with this policy and feel that Hank's is being a bit elitist by somehow saying that my happy hour dollars aren't good enough for them, I realize that they can run this oyster spot anyway they want. Remember, Seinfeld's Soup Nazi had a quality product that allowed fans to overlook his quirky policies (No Soup for You). No, what I really found ugly was the fact that my bartender, by all accounts a pretty skilled drink-slinger, decided to add, "This is the way all places in Old Town do it.: I was stunned. I have lived in Old Town for over 20 years and can tell you that the majority of restaurants keep their doors open all day long. It is one thing to stand by your policy, quite another to pitch a false narrative.. Shame! However, even with a three star The Good, the Bad, and Ugly rating, Hank's offers up some of the best oysters in town. In fact, if I had gone in later in the day, I most likely wouldn't have noticed these negatives and gone with a five star rating, for just like end of our epic western, there is treasure at the end.
(3)
Bill C.
You will not be disappointed. Great oysters, as one would expect. Great servers. Good young vibe. Decent entrees with attention to detail. Only place where they lost a star is for dessert. They have a very limited dessert menu and the chocolate mousse was not all that good. The key lime pie was excellent.
(4)
K C.
This was a great place to grab lunch while visiting Old Town. We went pretty early for lunch so it was still the brunch menu. It is definitely pricey but the food is spectacular. Started with the oysters because why wouldn't we?! Since it was only 2 of us we decided to get 8 oysters. The sever recommended that we try 2 of each that they offer, which we thought was a great idea. It was a great variety of small to large oysters. All fresh & delicious. For my lunch option I went with the fried fish sandwich. I wanted to try the lobster roll but I just couldn't bring myself to spend $25 on a sandwich for lunch (oh, but how I wanted to). I, however, had no ordering regret. Hands down the best fried fish sandwich I've ever had and possibly be best tartar sauce. It was flaky & delicious. Delicious coleslaw too, it was on the dry side which I prefer. My boyfriend got the mussels, which I didn't try but I was told they were very good. So to sum things up: although pricey, taste makes it worth it. I now have a new standard for fried fish, which will probably ruin a lot of home favorites for me.
(5)
Courtney K.
Bottom Line: A charming place in Old Town Alexandria to eat seafood. I went here for an early dinner on Saturday night and the raw bar was packed. Luckily, there was plenty of seating in the dining room. At Mexican restaurants they bring tortilla chips to the table, here they bring goldfish crackers. Although a processed snack food might give the wrong impression to some guests, I appreciated the humor in this. Hank's had some great craft beers on tap so we started there before moving on to Po Boys and Burgers. Our food was nicely presented and tasty. Most items on the menu come ala carte with really means your wallet will take a bigger hit if you want a side. We did a side of Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes which were well seasoned and tasty. Our server here was great. He was fun and attentive. You could tell that he enjoyed his job and knew the menu like it was no one's business. What I didn't love about Hank's was the seating. Our table for two was wobbly which is always a bummer. Then, despite the dining room being almost completely empty, another couple was sat right beside us. Awkward. Why do restaurants do that?!? Anyway, my date and I suspended whispering sweet nothings to each other and enjoyed the entertainment offered by the adjacent first, Match.com date.
(4)
Mary Kate M.
2.25 stars and rounding down. It is one of those experiences that you get hyped up about. It's like when you're a kid, and you're so excited to go see Santa. You get to tell him everything you want for Christmas, you are going to convince him on why you were such a great kid and deserve that $100 gift that mom and dad said you weren't old enough for -- but you want it and you deserve it! Once you see Santa, you realize that Santa is wearing a fake beard, he doesn't have the same jolly look as the Santa you saw last year who had the slightly happy persona than this Santa. Then it dawns on you that this isn't Santa at all, but in fact your dad's friend who he plays baseball with during the summer. I thought he looked familiar!? ------- True story on how I found out Santa isn't who I thought he was when I was a kid. Disappointed.... what a bitch tonight. My hopes and dreams of eating at Hank's Oyster Bar shattered by dull food, an overcrowded wall to wall seating, and a server who served up a pretty snide attitude after I got my measly looking crab cakes with baked mac and cheese and spaghetti squash. I be damned if I am going to pay $30 for this. PLEASE SEE THE PHOTO AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THIS REVIEW. My dining partner Mrs. Adrienne M. and I looked at the plate of food that sat before me, then looked at each other, then looked at the food again. Were they serious or was I on candid camera? First and foremost before I ordered the crab cake, I was reassured by the server that it was amazing. I told him that I was weary of trying crab cakes outside of Old Ebbitt Grill since I think they have the best in the city and they do not have fillers. More meat and less fillers is what I expected to have especially after the server told me he used to work at Old Ebbitt and went on the express how this one was so much better. False information if I've ever seen or heard such! The food itself looked terribly pathetic. Loped on there with not much portion. The crab cakes themselves were EXTREMELY small. They couldn't have been any thicker than a sausage patty from McDonald's. I hate to compare the two, but that is the only thing that comes to mind in comparison at the moment. The size is also comparable in length. Adrienne took once glance and she said, "There are a lot of fillers in there with very little meat." One bight justified her conclusion. The sides were anything better. Instead of getting coleslaw and fries as my sides, I decided to take the $2 up-charge and get two sides from their side menu. The spaghetti squash tasted old. I make really good spaghetti squash at home -- usually with honey or cinnamon similar to what they had on their menu, and it was far from tasting worth a second bite let alone a second glance. Baked mac and cheese had a similar story except with it -- it had no flavor. It was extremely bland and was crewy... not in the good way. I decided to send it back altogether and Adrienne and I decided to split a caesar salad and each get a bowl of their lobster bisque soup. Lobster has large chunks of lobster in it. This is a plus and thank you for being hefty on that portion size. Downside to the bisque, it had a weird taste to me. It was not like regular bisque that in my opinion is a little bit lighter. Runny ketchup consistency. Adrienne disagreed and thought the bisque should have been richer. Both of us decided it was underwhelming regardless, and not the most solid purchase that could have been made. $10 for lobster and ketchup.... Caesar salad comes with anchovies. IF you're not into that, ask for them to not be put on there. Our server asked us before hand which I did appreciate. Not a fan of the fish.... Adrienne said the salad was 'watery', and I think it lacked flavor. The shaved cheese didn't compliment the romaine lettuce well. Adding pepper didn't helps it case either. What we did enjoy -- yes, there was something we enjoyed here -- were the oysters. We started with 12. Two of each that they had on their menu with 6 different kinds all ranging from east to west coast of North America. Our mutual favorite was the Battle Creek oysters from Virginia. They had the right flavor and consistency. Not too grinny with a slight salty taste. Since I returned my main course, we settled on just ordering another round of 12 oysters, but this time getting solely the Battle Creek oysters instead of the variety we had the first time. We didn't have drinks. Service was good. We were well taken care of, but the server did seem to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder that took away from the dialogue between us and him. Hank's does have solid oysters. They live up to their namesake in that regards. Everything else -- well, Hank's is for the birds if you ask my opinion. I might come back for the $1 oyster happy hour, but you won't catch me rolling in here for main dinner courses again.
(2)
Whitney S.
Hank's is my favorite Old Town restaurant! The service and food are consistently amazing. I love to visit their cozy bar for a cocktail and oysters. Their bartender Tom is the greatest.
(5)
Hilary W.
Hanks was awesome! Stuck in the rain we were looking for a place to seek shelter. So glad we stopped here, the food was great! We started with the corn and crab tamale. Delicious. I would not change a thing about it! Then we had the peel and eat shrimp. Nothing special, exactly what you expect. Ended with the lobster roll- a must have! So tender and the bun was awesome. Really good!
I had scheduled a dinner with my friend and decided to arrive 10 minutes before he arrived. I asked for a table for 2 and the front desk guy (who has more interested in talking business with another person) refused to give it to me. He told me He had a table but would not give it to me until my friend arrive. I would have to wait for my friend at the bar. There was available tables for 2 but I could not seat down. Really?! What service is that? I go out for dinners almost every night and it was the first time a host told me I had to wait until the second party to arrive. Seriously?! What is wrong with you? I waited for my friend and we went next door restaurant.
(1)
Steven U.
This was our last stop being going back to Los Angeles :(. First off, this place is very charming inside. Different than anything we have in Los Angeles. I ordered oyster po boy with old bey fries, lobster bisque, and oysters on a half shell. I've had a few po boys in my life due to my trip to New Orleans, this is right up there. Lobster bisque was good but nothing special. The oysters were delicious. Server was very knowledgeable on expected taste from where the oysters were sourced. I highly recommend anyone to swing by for some oysters.
(5)
Bryan M.
Sorry I have high expectations, but I don't appreciate the poor attitude and service here. I complained and received a laugh from the staff. Smirk by the 'host' and dumb look from the person who's only job seemed to be holding the phone. Clean up the bar settings if people are waiting. Don't take another new order without cleaning up and old order. Poor. Even if the food was good, never gonna come back. Managements responsibility to train staff on how to serve and act. Hope the owner is reading.
(1)
Pegah Y.
My bf and I had a date night at Hank's Oyster Bar in Alexandria about a week ago and had a pleasant experience. I'd previously visited the Dupont location and it was my bf's first experience with the oyster chain. We didn't have reservations but didn't have trouble getting a table for 2 at 5:45pm on a Saturday night. It did get rather crowded after 6pm. We ordered 10 oysters on the half shell and enjoyed each one. Our oysters were from various parts of the country (including Washington, the New England area, and Virginia). The specific oysters we got, according to the receipt they printed out for us, were: Kusshi (British Columbia), Goose Point (Washington), Tottel Inlet (Washington), Battle Creek (Virginia), and Pungoteague (Virginia). We also ordered drinks - I opted for a white wine (the sauvignon blanc from Sonoma, CA), while my bf ordered a strong cocktail - the "Shiver me Timbers," which came with Maker's Mark, maple, salt and bacon. We had never had bacon in a drink before and it was AWESOME. For my main dish, I ordered an oyster po' boy with cole slaw and it was delicious and filling. My bf ordered the lobster roll with old bay fries and also enjoyed his meal. As with my other Hank's experience, though the food was tasty and we had a good experience, it wasn't out-of-this-world. Still, I think it's a great oyster restaurant in the DC area and both experiences I've had there have been solid. Note that parking is scarce in the Old Town Alexandria area generally - we got extremely lucky and found street parking at 5:30pm on a Saturday night.
(4)
Kari S.
Make sure to order the shrimp cocktail, its the best I have found in DC! The bartender is also very friendly, but his name escapes my memory.
(5)
Meghan M.
Wow, just wow. What a great place. Get your @$$ over there now---and preferably around 5-7 on Monday-Friday. Let me tell you, I've never had a more interesting evening at a bar ALONE than I did last night (last night = early May 2014, #lateryelp). Tom and Mariam (bartenders) make this a great, casual, and comfortable place to enjoy an evening. As soon as I sat down, Tom introduced himself, complete with a handshake, and he remembered the names of ALL of his customers ALL night long. He sets the tone for a great atmosphere of conversation and friendliness. Thanks to his tone-setting, I had great conversations with numerous fellow patrons. It was a great night, with great food, and a great sense of community---and that my friends is pretty priceless. The community and atmosphere is enough alone to warrant 5 stars, but then they go and impress me with many more things: 1. Food, 2. Cocktails, 3. Oyster specials, 4. Freshness, and 5. Service. Everything was great here. The oysters were fresh, and during Happy Hour (Mon-Fri, 5-7) they are a whopping $1. Can't beat that! As a non-oyster fan, Tom was happy to guide me in what to pick, and they were quite good. He also did what a phenomenal server does and made sure all his patrons got in one last order before Happy Hour was over. For my entree, I had the lobster roll which was quite large and quite awesome. For drinks, I had the bourbon drink "The bitter end of Don Draper," and it was delicious. Their cocktails are pretty damn spendy, but they are unique, use 'hard for the regular Joe to find' ingredients, and they're delicious---so worth it in my opinion. As you can tell, I walked away completely enamored by this place. The dining room seemed a little less wonderful, and with folks like Tom and Mariam manning the bar, I would happily eat on stools for all my meals here.
(5)
Kristy W.
It's called Hank's Oyster Bar. So when I tell you that the staff is extraordinarily knowledgeable about oysters, you shouldn't be surprised. Five hundred and fifty-one one people have written about every possible food item and service situation, so I don't think I need to bore you with that. What I will tell you is that Hank's is a great place to test out your oyster wings. I wasn't aware before I ate at Hank's the really different types of oysters and how different they taste based on location, type, etc. The bartender asked us what flavors we like and then brought out oysters to meet those needs. Having a bunch of varieties made it so that we could taste them one after another and really get to tell the intricacies of the different types. Knowing what locations and types were our favorite can then really inform oysters that we purchase at other bars in the future.
(4)
Julia N.
Hank's Oysters has really good oysters. Surprised? I didn't think so. Oysters: 5 stars Other food: 3 stars The oyster selection and freshness here were great! My group tasted a variety of oysters, which ranged significantly in terms of brininess and sweetness. If you're new to raw oysters, try a couple out before ordering multiple of any one kind. I am more of a sweet oyster person, especially with a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of vinegar. My table also ordered the seafood Cobb salad, which was pretty disappointing. It looked really nice (see my photo), but there were only about 6 pieces each of shrimp and calamari, and the dish overall didn't have much flavor. The fish and chips were also, unfortunately, unimpressive. The fish looked like it came out of the freezer aisle (all one size/shape), but I did, strangely, enjoy the chewy breading. The fries were good and mysteriously disappeared when I looked away from my plate... Others said that their lobster po' boys were good, but I didn't get to try it, so don't take my word on it. My verdict: certainly check Hank's out if you have a hankering for oysters. Otherwise, there are probably other places that focus a bit more on non-oyster seafood offerings.
(4)
Alan L.
Needed a seafood fix and Hank's was our pick after checking out our options on Yelp. Great service and really good seafood - we might actually be coming back here again this week! Started out with six oyster shooters and large shrimp. Those went down so quickly we put in another order. For our main meals we ordered the oyster po' boy, a lobster po' boy, and our daughter had the mussels cooked in a garlic wine sauce. All very good! For side orders we also had the buttermilk breaded onion rings and the Mac and Cheesy - which is the ultimate, if you like your mac 'n cheese a little more on the cheesy side. Onion rings came out slightly salted and without any kind of dipping sauce. I'm completely okay with that if they are good - and they passed the test. They have a great selection of wines and beers here. The bar side was very busy, but we were able to get seating on the restaurant side around 5:45 pm without a problem. Service here was great - our server was very helpful and the food came out very fast. If you are in town visiting and you are looking for some seafood, Hank's is your place!
(5)
Toulaphone C.
I was very satisfied with my first visit to Hank's last night. Our group was looking forward to the happy hour oysters and we were not disappointed. Dining for dinner opens at 5:30 pm and the happy hour ends at 6:30 pm. The waitress gave us Goldfish to snack on before our food arrived. We were given a sampler of a dozen oysters that ranged from Maryland and the James River. I highly recommend the James River oysters because they were large in size and juicy. Each oyster is $1.25. For my large plate, I ordered the Oyster Po' Boy with Cole Slaw. The Po' Boy was very deep fried so go to Hank's with a hungry stomach because you will need the appetite for this bad boy. The cole slaw was probably one of the best cole slaws I've had. I also tried a bit of the lobster roll and it was filled with lots of meat and was just divine.
(5)
Corey D.
Terrible service and tiny portions. We asked to have separate checks before we ordered and the waiter said "we'll see about that." When we got our bill he put it on one bill. He said he didn't have time to figure out who ordered what and split the check. It wasn't convenient for him. When we gave him our credit cards the manager returned to the table and rudely said, "the credit cards need to be signed." The food tasted good but the small portions definitely weren't worth the price. Wouldn't go there again.
(1)
Becky J.
We felt like oysters so decided to try Hank's Oyster Bar for brunch. The place was hopping. Oysters were $2.25 a piece and they had three types from WA and three types from VA. All were tasty. Service was good. The place is quite loud. Hubby's fried oysters were yummy. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Blake D.
Hanks was such a great find. Absolutely wonderful food and the service was top notch. Wonderful hidden gem
I'm so sad I deleted the pictures I took of this place from my phone! We loved it so much we came back here again with our friends. They even give cute goldfish snacks while you're waiting for the food. Can't ever go wrong with that. The only negative thing I have to say was that the hostess said we'd be seated in about twenty minutes. It ended up being closer to forty five. Still worth the wait. Their lobster roll was bigger than I had anticipated which is always a plus. And their crab cakes were delicious too! If anything, you can order from the bar. Yay yay.
(4)
Marc M.
Overall quality. I bit pricey, but quality is there. Many directions to fish here. Could do oysters, all kinds and if during their two happy hour periods, just $1.25 each. If staying on menu, grilled seafood is very fresh. Wine selection is good as well. Had a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, don't see that often and pairs great with the fish.
(4)
Maria H.
Did not expect the Alexandria location to be as large as it is. It made it easier to get a table without a reservation on a week night. And they were still crowded. Had the oysters. Of course. Then soft shell crabs. And the trout. I appreciated that I didn't have a choice to get filled up on bread, sometimes I need help with that choice. Lol. The goldfish crackers were both amusing and just enough. The crabs were delicately seasoned and allowed to be the center of the dish. Quite tasty! The trout was also good, Dessert - key lime pie. It was ok. I was more interested in the crabs!!!
(4)
Dani K.
Small and expensive, service the worst. Hey management hire some professionals. Stop trying to save money by hiring high school kids and actually invest in your business.
(1)
Randy M.
Words cannot describe my love for this place... we've been here way too many times to count since it opened a half dozen or so years ago. I have never ever had a bad meal... some better than others of course, because nothing is perfect, but I simply cannot bring myself to give Hank's 4 stars. They are a solid 4.7 stars imho. We know when we go to Hank's, we will always have at the very least a good meal. Lobster Roll is always perfect, and my wife is a huge fan of the oysters and gets them every time. I've had most things on the menu at one time or another, and they're all good. The place is small though, so plan accordingly... especially if you plan to dine Friday or Saturday nights. You may be waiting a long time. I wish they opened for dinner at 5 rather than 5:30.... the bar opens so you can go in and chill until dinner, but I like to eat early. Hardly reason to take off more than 1/10 of a point. I can't recommend this place enough.
(5)
L S.
I found this place to be overpriced and underwhelming. I ordered the Oyster Po Boy. It was tasty, but I expected more for $20 and had a really upset stomach afterwards. My mom ordered the fried oyster dinner and said that her oysters were barely warm. She ate a few and didn't finish them. The tastiest part of the dinner was the chocolate that came with the check.
(2)
Adrienne M.
2 generous stars "Oysters will make ya fast gal," is exactly what my Grandma used to say to discourage me from eating oysters. If she was still alive, I would call her and tell her how I'm no more...or less "fast" than I was before I downed 12 raw oysters tonight. Oh Hank, I've been eyeing you for sometime now. Approximately 150+ days of wonder and intrigue...I find myself wondering how and why you have four stars...but as I understand it, you have a $1 oyster HH. Now I get it. Long narrow hallways, walls cladded with chalk paint featuring specials, beer and types of oysters, this place was bustling with hungry customers. And I was excited. Excited to finally see what all the rave was about. Our waiter, friendly and efficient, perpetuated the hype, described all the menu items with such ingenuity, all Mary-K M. and I could do was sit and listen in awe and wonder (somebody should give him a raise). He told us that the crab cake that Mary ordered was the ABSOLUTE BEST IN THIS AREA, the oysters were the freshest and everything on the menu was awesome, so there wouldn't be a problem with anything we ordered (I, the skeptic, know a good salesperson when I see one). I smiled and nodded. Mary ordered the crab cake "platter" with mac and cheese and spaghetti squash. Together, we ordered 24 oysters (2 of each of their six on the menu that ranged from west to east coast, and 12 oysters that were mutually enjoyed, the Battle Creek from VA), lobster bisque, and a Caesar salad. If that seemed like enough food to satisfy us, you're wrong. We began with the variety raw oysters of course, which were pretty great and followed up with another round because it seemed reasonable after Mary was brought her skimpy-looking crab cake platter to the table. To be clear, I had no parts of tasting the crab cakes, but from across the table, I could tell that they had more fillers than any of the women who play on any of the Real Housewives shows, and Mary confirmed as much. The mac looked like it was just thrown on the plate as an after thought, having no cheesy pull to it. In the middle of our assessment, Mary looked to our dining neighbor and asked, "Does this look like it's worth $31?" The kind lady says, "Wow, is that the crab cake platter? No, it doesn't. It's so small." And I think the words "it looks a little weird" came out of her mouth. That was more than enough confirmation to send it back to the kitchen (which I personally do not make a habit). The waiter came back to check on us and seemed fairly disappointed Mary didn't find it appetizing. There was a lot of disappointment going around this night. I suggested we should just stick to the basics, and ordered the lobster bisque and salad, to which the waiter's noticeable plummeting affect became even more unnerving. Tisk-tisk. Lobster Bisque: Anyone who knows a good bisque will tell you that (1) it's supposed to be rich (it's made with heavy cram for goodness sakes), (2) because it's made with cream, it's on the fairer side in terms of coloring, and (3) the lobster and onions GENERALLY place it in the mildly sweet/savory category. Deep breath (see pictures). I honestly felt that Hank's disgraced this bisque as it was tomatoey, overly salted, tart and not as rich as a bisque should be. I could barely taste the chunks of lobster, which were drowned by the overwhelming tomato base (this was also the reddest lobster bisque I'd ever seen and tasted). I also found it a few dollars cheaper than I expected ($10) which is a great price, but so much quality was lacking that I would prefer to pay more money for lobster bisque done at least adequately. Caesar Salad: The waiter asked if we wanted anchovies, to which we said no. This was an indication, to me, that the dressing was made fresh, and would have that anchovy potency that I love so much. The salad arrived and I could tell that it wouldn't cut it. First, I couldn't see any dressing on the salad. Secondly, even the shaved cheese couldn't mask the fact that the dressing was watered down. Lastly, hopefully, Hank's isn't house making the measly croutons they sprinkled on the plate. There may have been four tiny specks of them (which had no flavor). It's a shame to find out Hank's is cutting costs by watering down salad dressing and making tiny, flavorless croutons, on top of highly filtered crab cakes. I arrived at Hank's with high expectations, only to leave disgruntled and irritated with the lack of passion the cooks have for their food. My only hope this that this review is a wake up call, so that tomorrow's customers will not have to endure such negligence. If I EVER venture back to this establishment, it will be during HH for the $1 oysters, an unlikely instance where I will find my bill at $90 as this meal.
(2)
Katherine C.
My dude and I came here last night for date night. We arrived a little before 7 on a Saturday night and we waited about 5 minutes for a table, which wasn't bad at all. Our waiter seemed a bit frazzled because it was so busy, but he was attentive and we didn't feel left out. We ordered six oysters (two each of three kinds) and asked our waiter to just pick 3 of his favorites. I think we got one West Coast, one from Maryland, and one from Virginia. I think my favorite was the Virginia variety but the West Coast was the largest and most ocean-y, which I liked. Our waiter did a great job! Decided what to have for dinner was challenging! Everything sounded amazing, but I settled on the crab cake dinner and my dude ordered the branzino special. The crab cake was great, not much filler and pretty flavorful. It came with cole slaw (nothing special but still alright), tartar sauce (yum), and skinny fries. I stole a bite of the branzino, which was awesome. The skin was really crispy and delcious. My date couldn't drink that night, but we were super interested in the cocktail menu, which had tons of whiskey cocktails (our faves). We'll definitely be back
(5)
Anny J.
I don't eat shellfish but my friend really wanted to eat seafood and I was so hungry I could gnaw my arm. Besides, I was confident that I would be able to find something to eat. Ok. Though small, the restaurant is charming in it's simplicity. It's a great place to take a person for a first date if the aim is to impress but you don't want to appear as if you're trying too hard. It's a little noisy and crowded but that's to be expected in a small space. The food was delicious! The smoked mozzarella was creamy and the accompanying vegetables were perfectly seasoned. I had the Mahi Mahi entree which was heavenly and my friend enjoyed his lobster roll. The deductions: I give a half star deduction because the wait staff was not as attentive as I would have liked: we waited quite a bit before someone came to take our orders. The other half star deduction was for the price. Although I do not mind paying a premium for quality food, it was a little disappointing that the entree did not come with any starchy side or veggie. Literally it was a piece of fish with a few pearl onions and sauce for $27. Takeaway: absolutely delicious. Despite the price if I am ever in the area I would revisit.
(4)
Anthony T.
Hank's is a great restaurant with a few locations across the DC region. The Alexandria location is nestled in the heart of Old Town, and it doesn't disappoint with its host of seafood options from raw oysters to fish specials and burgers/sandwiches. I've been to Hank's twice now and I've tried the burgers and fries as well as some of different fish specials and the duck. All the food has been great and up to par. The burgers were definitely memorable as was the mahi mahi. The duck and flounder were pretty good, but I think they were actually overshadowed by the side dishes we ordered - the brussels sprouts and the mushrooms were delicious! Overall, a great dinner spot for a date or with friends. Will definitely have to come back for happy hour one day!
(4)
Lucille M.
Could easily have 5 stars. These guys need to make a decision: either keep the dining room or stop serving food earlier. When you shove people who want a table at the bar, you upset both sides. The diners clearly don't want to sit at the bar, and more than that, I don't want four upset diners sitting next to me (two of them underage for the bar, anyway), spending the whole evening talking about how they wish they had a table. Other than that, the food's great!
(3)
Kendra W.
My new favorite place :-) I never got my waiters name but it really doesn't matter- the guy was good! Very friendly, checked on me frequent enough to know that he cared but not so much that I couldn't eat in peace. I came in the door knowing what I wanted so it wasn't long before my fried oysters were placed in front of me and my, my, my, were they delicious. The breading on the oysters was not overdone and did not interfere with the flavor of the oysters themselves. I really, really enjoyed them. To drink I had the dark & stormy which was good but the oysters were the real star of this visit. I will absolutely be back but I can't guarantee a review of anything other than the oysters. They're all I want!!
(5)
Linda P.
Oysters were fresh, but on the pricey side. Garlic tomato steam mussels were tasty. You can taste the wine and garlic. Good deal! Old bay French fries were actually crispy the whole time. Happy they didn't get oil soggy!! Servers were nice folks and prompt. You get Goldfish crackers to snack on as you wait for your food.
(4)
Jackie O.
I'm allergic to shellfish so I usually steer clear of places like Hanks but since I live around the corner and my boyfriend frequents the bar at Hanks I thought it was time to give it a try. While I can't speak to their signature oysters, I will say the cocktails were great, the grilled mahi mahi, kale salad & asparagus were all delicious. Small space, kind of noisy & way more children there than I expected to see.
(4)
Loren P.
Avoid the tourists by the water & come here. Everything is FRESH. Love the cocktails, crab cake is good (not the best I've ever had, but good) & fried clams were great! Hanky panky was awesome! So good.
(4)
Sherri T.
First and foremost, I love this little area of Old Town Alexandria. It is engulfed with plenty of restaurants and bars, which means there are a variety of choices to choose from. If you're coming to Hank's, expect a wait time and a small crowded dining area. The service was mediocre, but perhaps it was in fact Friday and they were busy. For starters, they had a special going on for oysters with a huge variation of oysters to choose from so we ordered 2 of each kind to try them all ($3.25 per oysters). The earthy ones were my favorite because they didn't taste too fishy but I was quite awed by how fresh their oysters are, so it's a must try if you're visiting the area. In note to the food here; For appetizers, I ordered fried calamari and let's just say I had better. For entree, I ordered their lamb chops cooked medium and they came out perfect. They had a limited bar selection for drinks to choose from and parking is a bit of a hassle (mostly street parking). Despite the lack of drinks to choose from and parking, I would certainly come back for their oysters...
(4)
Angie K.
Today my boyfriend and I decided to check out this oyster bar, and we were very very pleased! The environment was very clean and welcoming. Our server, Tim, was friendly and took the time to educate us on the different oysters they serve. As soon as you're seated they provide you with a small bowl of goldfish as a snack. We ordered the sampler of oysters that Tim suggested and ended up loving the Eld inlet and Totten inlet oysters. My boyfriend also ordered the hank's burger which he said tasted mediocre, and I had the smoked salmon benedict which was pretty satisfying ~ Our server made sure to check up on us regularly and they serve dark chocolate upon handing you the check. Overall, I am definitely looking forward to coming back soon!!!!
(5)
Jen F.
Love Hank's Oyster Bar! I personally don't eat raw oysters, but my husband does and says Hank's offers the best in the area. I do love the fried oysters here, so I can attest to those being super delicious. I normally get the lobster roll with either the fries or the mac and cheese. The lobster roll has a heaping serving of lobster, and the roll itself is the right kind - split top buttery deliciousness! The mussels here are also great, as are the po boys and the ceviche.
(5)
Beverly H.
Love this area in old town VA, and again, in search of crab cakes but persuaded to go with another option by my server. (Excellent knowledgeable service btw). Eclectic beer list which made me want to try a few. The N.C shrimp with truffled cheese grits took me back to a lazy Sunday morning in Charleston. The rich flavors (seasoned with the perfect amount of garlic) came together impeccably. Served with ample shrimp, this visit would earn five stars, but they were a little stingy with the grits. Especially compared to the lobster roll (the most ordered item on the menu according to our server) which was generous, rich and divine easily ranks with any off the cost of Main. My husband ordered it with fries.and I will be back for the lobster roll, and maybe oysters, with a big appetite. Price was slightly high but not ridiculous for the quality.
(4)
Corinne C.
Best oysters in Old Town! Great cocktail menu (make sure you are off the next day). Bartender was friendly. Modern trendy boutique type of bar/restaurant. Local clientele for the most part.
(5)
I O.
The oysters was very fresh as well as the mussels. Service was lacking a bit even though the restaurant was not as busy. For the price and location the service needs to step up their game. You will get fresh food here, no doubt. I'll be back.
(4)
Jason B.
Walked right in and got the last table with 4 of us. I had the ribeye (don't get steak at a seafood restaurant), girlfriend and sister got the rockfish, very good. Mom had the crab cakes, she said they were good. We also sampled 3 types of oysters. One of them was amazing. Sorry I can't tell you which ones. I can never tell the difference. We had the chocolate mousse and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Mousse was fantastic. Shortcake left a little to be desired and did see many strawberries. I would definitely recommend this place. Friendly service, good food.
(4)
Rachel G.
Came in here for brunch on a Sunday afternoon. Didn't try the oysters because I'm not a fan. However, everyone was happy with their food! Service was good and fast, food was good. I got a salad...Can't remember what it was called, but it had calamari, shrimp, and a bunch of vegetables. Really delicious salad and filled me right up!
(4)
Arnie C.
In town for a vacation and we wanted some good fresh seafood. Hank's was our pick according to all the previous yelp reviews and we are glad we did. We had the oysters on the half shell which were fresh and delicious. I ordered the Oyster po boy and the wife had the Lobster roll both were spot on.
(5)
Eden M.
Delicious oysters, both on the half shell and fried. I'm picky about cole slaw and tartar sauce. Both were delicious. Service was good. On the negative side, it's very noisy. There's nothing to absorb it. Also, being from the Carolinas, I'm not used to having to pay such high prices for good oysters. It was good food though.
(4)
Curly W.
I've been on a bit of a streak of treating myself to oysters and other offerings at Hank's at least once a week in recent months - great for the soul, albeit tough on the wallet! Oysters are excellent - and they have a few varieties available at half price ($1.25) during oyster happy hour (M-F, 5:00-7:00 pm and after 10:00 pm all nights) - the Golden Chesapeakes two nights ago were particularly good. Mussels & steamed clams almost always available, as well. They do a very nice job w/ fried oysters, too -- I just suggest getting the "small plate" of those; you get just as many oysters as you do w/ the full dinner platter, and the fries/coleslaw isn't worth the extra $7 Atmosphere is pretty casual, service is friendly & sincere, parking a little bit of a challenge in that part of Old Town. It may seem pricey for a casual place, but well worth it in my book. Menu changes daily, but usually most of what's on their online menu (which is updated less often) is on pretty consistently - just a few things change - so check it out in advance. I've been to the Dupont Circle location just a few times - bar is a bit smaller and more cramped there, but outside dining there is nice (it's not on a super-busy street), and overall also really good.
(5)
Danny H.
Always a great time at Hank's. Superb fresh oysters and even delectable fried oysters for the not-so-brave. The HH menu is simply the best-bang-for-buck money you will get in the area. The place does get very busy so arrive early or plan to get a drink and wait. I highly recommend the oyster shooters here. Simply love them, it's a great play on spice, savory, and a hint of alcohol but all well-within reason. Just a tickling to let you know it's there.
(4)
Randy M.
Came in for late lunch on a Monday,it was pretty empty and sat at the bar. Bar manager was helpful in choosing drinks and had a few oysters from both coasts, I am still partial to west coast but both were great. Ordered the salmon ruben and I had a braised short rib sandwich. Both were great along with the duck fat fries. Nice friendly place with good food. Need to come back for happy hour.
(4)
Frank H.
Following an attempt to walk around Old Town on a Friday night, only to be rained on a few minutes into the trek, a group of friends and I ran to Hank's Oyster Bar for shelter and some late night bites. We got in around 10:30pm to a decently populated bar, but lucky enough for us, there was still a high table available. We ordered two rounds of raw oysters on the half shell, two dozen at a time, and were greatly satisfied. They were fresh, served with ample amounts of oyster crackers, lemon, cocktail sauce with fresh horseradish, and a nice mignonette. Great service all around, and extremely accommodating. One of my friends was still a little tipsy from dinner and not only knocked over her glass of water, but also made several passes at our waiter...He was a good sport about it luckily, however, I'll never let her live that stunt down, :P.
(4)
Debbie L.
I love seafood so I'm a big fan of Hank's Oyster Bar (and their $1 oysters during HH!!!!) Just a heads up -- the lobster roll has CELERY mixed into it. A little distracting (and crunchy) in my opinion (but still very yummy). I love that they start your meal with goldfish and end it with many generous pieces of dark chocolate.
(4)
Jennifer N.
Cute little restaurant located in Old Town Alexandria that serves super fresh seafood! The menu was a tadddd bit on the pricey side for the main entrees. My siblings and I came mainly for the oysters though..which were $2.25 each. We ordered a dozen oysters (2 of each type they offered). I don't remember exactly what oysters they were, but I know half were from the west coast and the rest were from the east! :P I loveddd how fresh these oysters were and that you could definitely taste the difference in each kind. We also ordered the ceviche, which included large pieces of squish, fish, and shrimp. The portion was huge! It didn't look like much initially, but once we started eating..I felt like it took forever to finish. And not because it didn't taste delicious, but because there was just so many pieces of yummy seafood. The description said it had jalapenos in it, but honestly I didn't taste any heat, which was as littleee disappointing. We ordered two sides - mac and cheese & onion rings. Both were really good. Mac and cheese had a ton of flavor and was extra creamy. Clean, cute restaurant with friendly staff and great oysters! I'll be back!
(4)
Albert Y.
Pricey oysters, but fresh. And the staff are quite knowledgeable. I just wish they would advertise ahead what types of oyster they will be serving that night, so when they finally bring in belons I can arrange a loan with the bank before I come in...
(4)
Mark P.
Came here for the oysters. The happy hour special of $1 apiece made me, well, happy! The ambience is great too. It's a good place to entertain and be entertained. This is definitely one of many happening spots to be found in Alexandria, VA. Parking is hard to find but possible.
(5)
Hee Jin B.
Absolutely amazing. Hank's has some delicious oysters and seafood. Went for lunch with my girlfriend and we were not disappointed. It seems quite small from the front/entrance. When I went, they were doing construction in the front. It was busy but not too crowded for lunchtime on the weekend. The waiter was friendly and polite. We ordered 12 raw oysters, 2 of each of the daily kinds. I had an oyster po boy while my gf had a lobster roll. The raw oysters were amazing. They were fresh, plump, juicy. Our favorites were the ones from WA. My oyster po boy was to die for. The fried oysters were excellent; lightly fried, crispy and still juicy. The tartar sauce was not too overpowering and had good flavor for the sandwich. The bread was warm, soft, and buttered. Fresh greens on it. It was so good, I ordered an order of fried oysters to go! My gf's lobster roll was quite good as well. But we both agreed that it was overshadowed by the deliciousness of the oyster po boy. I cannot wait to go back to Hanks and although I'll be exploring the menu, I highly recommend the oyster po boy!
(5)
Liza A.
When you first walk in, it seems like the bar area is it, but much to my surprise around the corner behind the wall is a cozy space for more diners. I haven't tried their oysters, I know silly me! But I did have their Pear & Arugula Salad w/ Shaved Fennel, Red Onions, Bleu Cheese, & Apple Cider Bacon Vinaigrette! Absolutely fantastic! And I ate it with their Smoked Salmon Reuben w/ Coleslaw, Pepper Jack Cheese & Cayenne Remoulade on Marble Rye sandwich. Wow! It was very delish! I went back twice and ordered the same thing!
(4)
Ashlyn S.
The oysters did not disappoint! Stopped in here late one night while in town. I ordered the crab cake and my friend had the lobster roll, which were both great. Service was excellent. I will for sure be back the next time I'm in Alexandria.
(4)
Ragnar A.
So cool. The oyster happy hour is a great start. The local brews on draft were awesome with the oysters. Scallops with the Brussel sprouts and potatoes were the perfect combo. Service was great. Atmosphere was great. Check it out.
(5)
Trey W.
This is a "go to" spot for Oysters, craft beer and great sides. The food is wonderful and they always have specials. The bar servers are always the same two guys and they are very friendly and helpful with recommendations. A strong recommend when in the area.
(4)
Kit O.
I'm so sorry to give a bad review, but I just don't get this place, bland greasy and unappetizing. I couldn't find a redeeming factor it in the overpriced drinks wasn't much to ask about the waiter barely find a time to come back to see if we were pleased . Oh well you win some you lose some
(2)
Joe G.
4.5 stars. I waited a long time to try this place and it was worth it. Opened at 5:30 on Friday evening, walked in just before 6 and bar was packed. They have decent happy hour but was unable to sit at bar. I was annoyed because small kids sitting at bar with parents. I didn't bring my kids so I could go enjoy the bar; it's just courtesy that's all I'm saying. Sat in dining area at a very cozy table. Order the oysters 6 at a time and try different types. The menu changes daily so I tried the seafood mix grill, very light meal, $28 and it was awesome! The octopus was cooked just right. Wife ordered ceviche as an appetizer, not the typical ceviche were used to but it was good and plentiful. She also had the fried clams, $20+$2 charge to change side to Brussel sprouts. The Brussels were tasty. They also have wide selection of cocktails. I tried the key lime pie and it was better than expected. Try the National beer, comes in a can and it's own beer cozy. Nice people all around, service was great and I would love to come back. Found out about the PX too but that's in a different review. I would have given a 5 star but like I said the bar thing annoyed me. Total was $120 +$30 tip. Happy eating!
(4)
Dino P.
Have been here several times. We generally like it. Great place for dinner. Not as great for lunch. Dinner menu has some great options, lunch a little more limited. I had a burger last time. A little too charred on the outside. Onion rings were fantastic though.
(3)
Don P.
Nicest staff in Old Town. Great oysters and craft beer. I got an ale called Schlafly, it is excellent. Happy Hour oysters are $1.25 each and you can get as few as you want. My favorite place to relax in the DC area
(5)
Sloane A.
The oyster's are as good as I have had: hence the name. It is pricey and I could easily spend over $50 on myself between half a dozen oysters, drinks, and an entree but that's easy at most restaurants in this city. I've been a few time and never been disappointed. The lobster roll was great as well as everyone at my table enjoyed their entree during brunch. My favorite part is that they give you a little bowl of goldfish when you sit down. It's small touches like that, that make restaurant memorable in a city like DC.
(4)
Tiffany F.
Oysters were really good so they get 2 stars for that. Lobster roll for 25 dollars was way over priced and anti-climatic. There were only a few pieces of lobster and the roll was cold. Also, not sure what the criteria is for getting after dinner chocolate, both tables to the left and right got them, but we did not. It's a great way for restaurants to single you out and feel like you don't belong. I will not come back and would not recommend it.
(2)
Yujin M.
I've re-discovered Hank's Oyster Bar! Did you know that they now have a lunch menu? I'm not sure how long this has been going on, but apparently word hasn't gotten out. We were probably one of three or four parties inside the dining hall throughout our entire lunch. This was a large departure from my previous visits, which were limited to the late-night madness of the oyster happy our. The list of oyster names (locations?) meant very little to me. If you're not particular about your oysters, trust the server to mix and match a plate for you. After partaking in a few half-shells for the table, I had an oyster po' boy that was so overflowing with fat, succulent fried oysters that you could barely see the buttered bun holding it all together. They also gladly substituted my cole slaw for fries. The more health-conscious of our group got the grilled tuna sandwich, which also looked really good! At $16 for the po' boy and $2.25 a pop for the half-shells, this place sadly will not likely make it into my regular rotation. It's a great place to keep in your back pocket though, either for that special occasion lunch, or when you're on the corporate credit card!
(4)
Tiffany R.
Heard a lot about Hanks and wanted to try it for birthday dinner. The place is very narrow with no standing or waiting area. The server spilled beer across the back of us to start and didn't say anything. He also couldn't make a suggestion for which type of oysters to get... At an oyster bar! Scallops were good but plates are small and they do not come with a side. I would say overpriced for what you get.
(2)
Harry G.
Good Place! Fast, friendly service.
(4)
Hung T.
Having been here 3 times already and getting oysters every time, I can definitely say the oysters here are on point. Its just the prices here are pretty crazy for a casual seafood spot. But that's DC for ya. Oyster po boy was really good especially the buttery toasted bread. Onion rings were huge. Haven't had anything else here besides that but everything on the menu looked good except for the fact that its $4-$5 more than what I'd pay for. Will probably be back but maybe during happy hour instead.
(4)
Aric B.
If you're traveling to DC and need a place to hang out, eat and have a cocktail, this is the place. Oysters were fantastic, ceviche was good (but way too much for one person), and the lobster roll was not only outstanding but plentiful. Locals and bartenders were nice and willing to speak to a stranger of their fine city.
(5)
Tara C.
Bartender Tom was great! oysters were relish!(we had the PEI). Bar area was small but nice place overall.
(4)
Emily L.
Very cute date place. The Tuesday fish taco special was amazing. So fresh and tasty with big chunks of white fish. Also had the ipswich clam appetizer. The clams were a little smaller than ones I've had elsewhere, but still solid. I did not like the seafood ceviche. I did get to enjoy the happy hour oysters and those were very good local oysters. The bartenders were very friendly.
(4)
Larry L.
Oyster happy hour at the bar. 'Nuff said
(5)
Elaine H.
Hank's is my neighborhood seafood restaurant. I always sit at the bar, order a dozen oysters, a glass of wine or a cocktail, people watch and chat with some of the locals and tourists. This is a king st hot spot and I highly recommend getting here at 5PM to get a seat at the bar. The oyster HH is grand and affordable. The ladies and gents behind the bar are lovely, and always give great food and cocktail recommendations. I'm working my way through the Ice Bar and Small Plate options before I tackle the Large Plates or the Meat & Two daily specials. At the moment I'm stuck on the ceviche, sake shooters, lobster bisque, duck fat potatoes and the Cesar salad with anchovies--"I wish I knew how to quit you!"
(5)
Patty P.
Stopped here for lunch. Had a dozen of oysters and the shrimp po' boy. Everything was delicious. The Shrimp Po' Boy was very good especially the bread which is lightly buttered. The dipping sauce was perfect for the Old Bay fries and the sandwich. I would visit here again.
(5)
Christina N.
It was ok. The food could have been better considering the price. Service was great. Restaurant was super cute and nautical.
(3)
Stephanie A.
This is THE spot - for real. $1 Oysters during happy hour are where it's at. I come here usually every other week just for that. I have tried lots of their other dishes too - never had anything bad. Steak dish was just ok though - I remember being disappointed in that (cooked well and everything, I just think the concept didn't work very well together). They seem to do much better with their seafood, which is expected. I recommend the fish tacos, lobster roll, burger and it is good to try some of the specials they have on the menu. They are usually very tasty! Mixed drinks are just ok though- flavors seem muted and I am always interested in the naming and ingredients, but the flavors end up not living up to what I expect. I suppose whoever makes the drink menu could take a chance and add more flavor - I want something memorable! Atmosphere is nice and the bartenders are great! This place is very small so I do see how it might not be great for groups of 5+
(5)
Danny D.
Love this place, don't know the name of the guy bartending at 6 PM on Memorial Day, the one without the beard. Worst, I mean the worst Martini ever. First one way too much Vermouth. Second one no Vermouth and too much olive jouce. That coupled with his attitude, not happening! Otherwise Hanks rocks!
(4)
Russell G.
The selection of oysters here is fantastic. I opted for the sampler with 6 different kinds. The specialty drinks are fun looking here but I felt my Don Draper was a little weak. The other thing I really like about this place is your ability to make up your own meals. After the oysters, I felt like crab cakes and spinach. Nothing more, nothing less. No problem, I ordered off the small plates and sides menu. Done. This place is certainly worth checking out. Get reservations ahead of time. This venue is small and fills up fast at dinner time.
(4)
Candice B.
Went here on a Friday night around 8:00 and there was a 45 min wait so we put our name on the list and decided to walk around looking for a place to get a drink. Ended up at the wine and cheese place down the street, but when we were finished came back and they no longer had a wait. We were seated right away and placed our orders. Local beers on tap, I can never remember which ones I like and which ones I don't like, but that is my own fault. We had eaten a meat and cheese plate down the street so decided to get oysters and apps. My husband and I shared a crab cake and boiled shrimp. Both were very tasty. My only faults are that I would prefer easy peel shrimp, I ended up with a piece of shell in my mouth a couple of times, because the peel didn't all come off at once. The crab cake was really good too, it did come with a bunch of sauce though, not really sure what that was about I guess some people like that . Our friend really liked her oysters. It 'tis the season.
(4)
Elaine S.
Narrow entrance, so it's awkward waiting around inside, especially when bar stools are a few feet from the wall. So if you do have to wait, your standing almost directly behind someone who's sitting at the bar. waiter seemed uncomfortable with our questions about the menu, and did not meet too many of our needs... Lobster bisque tasted like tomatoe soup... I couldn't get green beans with my meal even though they came with another... I could go on... I was shocked about my negative experience because I was excited to go there. I love Old Town, and most restaraunts there, but it was a first and last visit for my friend and I at Hanks.
(1)
Christian A.
The infused vodkas are very good for making Blood Mary's with. The food is a flavorful but a bit over priced. Decent service. Nothing of major note either way. The dark chocolate after the meal was a nice touch. I wouldn't come back but I wouldn't avoid the place.
(3)
Caitlin S.
Great raw oyster bar, they change up the oyster menu, and often have a good combination of northern meaty oysters and southern briny oysters, all delicious! They're pear and arugula salad is great as well and they have good beers on tap, but could use more beer and drink options. Only reason review is not 5/5 is because of the more expensive prices and not enough brews. Also the bar seating is great, fantastic services, would definitely recommend
(4)
Ed H.
Simple review, worth the price. Got oysters, ceviche, and lobster roll. It was easily worth the money! Need to go back.
(5)
Jamie W.
I think it's over priced for what it is. 4 sea scallops for $27 and that's all I am getting and then each additional side was $6. It all was very tasty and cooked well but priced high. They have a happy hour for their oysters which is awesome and you can get some good deals on that
(3)
Sherri K.
Great HH prices on oysters! I love this place and am so happy that it is in my hood. Nothing like the HH places I am used to in Denver, but this is as good as it gets for me right now, and that makes me happy. It is cozy, but super social - happening bar area. Great food options. Right in the middle of the mix. I am excited to find a go-to place for oysters, and a new go-to place to meet fun people. The parking is difficult, but the service is pleasant. Well worth the effort.
(4)
Chris S.
Great oysters at good prices ($2.50 each). Very good salad: the avocado and heart of romaine with a spicy cilantro dressing was marvelous. The scallops were terrific on a bed of cauliflower fondue. Good list of wines by the glass. Okay service considering how packed the place was and the tables being rather too close together. The server brought me the wrong wine with my scallops. I pointed out that Albariño doesn't have bubble. He realized he brought Prosecco instead. I was nearly done with my entree before the Albariño arrived because he stopped to take an order at the next table , a party of five, first. Very very noisy. I recommend it but it's certainly not the place for a peaceful meal.
(3)
Mia N.
This place is good, but most of the main entrees were fried foods it seemed. You have to order starters, otherwise just entrees will not fill you up. The only bad thing about this place are the prices. When you add up everything, it gets pretty expensive. Husband ordered 6 fresh oysters, which he said were very good and fresh. Better than the ones from the D.C. wharf, but not as good as ones he's eaten in NYC. My lobster bisque was excellent with huge pieces of lobster. The entrees were mostly fried options and they were overpriced...The fish and chips' price of $13 is not bad, but the fries are so thin and not filling enough. The batter was very light and fish very good. Tasted even better dunking it into malt vinegar. The shrimp po boy was overpriced at $19 and seemed small with the measly fries. It should have been $12 to $13 since shrimp is cheap. Our son had chicken fingers. He didn't like them and so my husband ate them. The price was around $75, not counting tip. It would be better if the prices were lower, then we would go again. The place was small and crowded. Two people could go and get 2 orders of fish and chips for $13 each and water and it wouldn't be bad, but the food is not filling enough. They should offer free bread at least.
(3)
mike j.
Had a great family gathering for lunch. The lobster roll, trout special, and fish and chips proved to be very tasty. Good service and a nice bar area if you want to do more Oysters and happy hour. Good service. Only complaint is the trout special was $18, which is fine, but should come with a side for a $18 lunch item (one star off)
(4)
Colleen G.
Went here tonight for my sisters birthday. The food was delicious as always however the host was most unwelcoming. When my husband and I arrived we were looking around for my sister (who had been waiting there for 10 min already) he seemed rather annoyed and could hardly even sit up off his elbow to take care of us. Just not a great first impression.
(3)
Dominique R.
I struggled between giving this 3 or a 4 and I'm going with 3. I didn't really like the food, but the rum punch was good. It is also a little annoying that you can't order food until 5:30pm (unless its from the raw bar). Why open at 5pm if you aren't going to allow people to order food until 5:30? If you wait until 5:30 to get there you will NOT get a seat at the bar. I got there at 5 until 5 and there was a line outside. So if you plan on being at the bar, get there early!
(3)
Andrew O.
Big fan of Hanks in all its locations. Food and service are both solid. Good selection of oysters. Great happy hour and late night. Great bar. The food is nothing unusual but it is tasty and quality stuff. Casual atmosphere. Bartenders know their stuff.
(5)
Kelli H.
This was my first time at this restaurant and being an oyster lover I had to try to out. I enjoy all sorts of oysters and I eat them without dressing them up. I haven't been able to find a restaurant that has as good of oysters as Shaws Crabhouse in Chicago and Schaumburg until now. I tried the 3 oysters they had for $1 each today and they were amazing. Each oyster had their own specific taste. I have to say they get very fresh oysters here and a nice variety. They had a list of 6 which is pretty good. I will definitely be back because this is the first time since moving away from Chicago I can say I have had amazing oysters.
(5)
Ashley V.
One of my favorite Old Town spots. The sake oyster shooters were amazing. The oysters we ordered as appetizers were as good as it gets. Everyone in our party thoroughly enjoyed their meal.
(5)
Rob B.
Great place! I've been to this one and the location in DC and both are top notch. Seating is very tight at both locations but well worth it.
(4)
Megan Ashley G.
QUALIFIER: I AM ALLERGIC TO SHELLFISH. THIS REVIEW SHOULD BE SKIPPED IF YOU DON'T SHARE THIS CHARACTERISTIC. **I am still leaving a review because there may be others in my boat. It really stinks being allergic to shellfish because you still want to go out and socialize with friends... I think it's important that places who specialize in shellfish have a few viable options for those who can't partake. And this place definitely has great alternatives. Myself and a group of 5 others visited this restaurant on President's Day after touring Mt. Vernon. We got in just in time for their Happy Hour Oyster special. Obviously I didn't partake in this but I did have a burger (sans bun) and a salad. The food was great. The wine was great. All my cohorts ordered Oysters and the dining experience was relatively quiet (due to the fact that they were happily shoveling oysters into their faces). One caveat: If you can't eat Oysters or you don't go during Oyster Happy Hour, it will be an expensive trip. A glass of wine was $10 or $12 and with food and salad, my individual bill came to around $40 or $50. It's not terribly expensive but it may be smarter to "pre-game" at home and keep it to one glass of wine with dinner. The staff was friendly and accommodating. As per usual in Old Town, parking can be a challenge and the restaurant was small and compact. I know that some people would consider a 3-star rating poor, but when you consider that an establishment "meets expectations" it is really quite accurate.
(3)
Hana P.
My husband surprised me with a brunch here this past weekend and I love this little spot! As an appetizer, we ordered oysters from a couple different regions, but I think my favorite were from the Pacific Northwest. They seemed a little sweeter and I appreciate that our server took the time to explain the oysters to us (PS - I'm not an oyster connoisseur, but I hope to be when I grow up LOL). We also had shrimp cocktail and I really liked how they made their cocktail sauce - the horseradish was separate and you had to mix it yourself, but it was so delish! For my entree, I ordered a lobster roll and I was a bit disappointed. I'm so used to ordering the Connecticut-style lobster roll from the Lobster Truck in DC and was really looking forward to that. Instead, I received the Maine-style lobster roll with the diced lobster meat and mayo. It didn't taste bad and really it was my fault for not asking ahead of time how the lobster roll was prepared. I just don't prefer that type of lobster roll, but it was nothing that some Old Bay seasoning couldn't cure! Speaking of Old Bay, the Old Bay fries were great! My husband ordered the shrimp po boy and demolished it, so I take it that it was pretty amazeballs. I do wish they had a better dessert offering (because I'm a glutton and still wanted something sweet to eat after all of that food we devoured), but I guess it was a good thing for my waistline that I wasn't interested in their dessert menu. All in all, I love this place and I'm looking forward to coming back soon!
(4)
HJ B.
Just discovered this place during last trip to Old Town. Fun time lounging at the oyster bar and sampling oysters with a fine glass of vino. Great oyster selections, especially the one that's only available at Hanks. Lobster soup was tasty as well. The "Lobster Roll" order next to me looked fantastic & there were "yummy sounds" heard with each taste. Excellent servers, attentive without being intrusive or pushy. Friendly locals. Laid-back, casual atmosphere. Will definitely be back next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Marshall R.
Read a good review of this dining establishment and my wife and decided to try the place. It is quite busy but we had no problems getting seated. I tried the lobster poor boy, and my wife a had a salad with shrimp. We both enjoyed our meals immensely. The wait staff was good considering how busy the place was. Well worth stopping in for a meal.
(4)
Taylor G.
Thank you, Hank's, for sending me into the new year on a high note, food-wise. They were open for brunch New Year's Day so we were like YAY because we needed hangover food and a hair of the dog. Duuddddeeee. Everything was so yummy. And the service was prompt and friendly. Bloody mary's with some nice vodka choices (we got it with pickled vodka, bomb!) and they were actually spicy for once in a restaurant which I loved. I love oysters and I work in an oyster bar myself so I was happy to see that they had a shucking station and the server knew about the oysters they had that day. Also they were just great oysters, fresh and served with mignonette and horse radish. I got this crazy trout/potato hash with poached eggs. It was great and I could tell they use quality foodstuffs. They gave us chocolate at the end. Like? What? Just free chocolate? I felt renewed, like those shots I took in bed had never happened. A good time was had by all. I'll be back!
(5)
Bob L.
Went to dinner here, was tore between a couple places in the area. This is a very trendy place and does a swift business. Food was good but not exceptional like I thought it would be. Service was good, also a bit squeezed in the dining area. Noise level was on the louder side but acceptable. If in the area I would likely try something else. I was expecting to get offered bread or something with our pre-dinner salads and never got asked about anything. The looks of the place exceeds the service.
(3)
Nic P.
Having come here a couple of times whenever I've visited before I was so looking forward to coming back. I follow them on Facebook and see all the things they're serving up and all the specials they have that it has me craving it until I make it back. Unfortunately, this trip was a bust. I was sadly disappointed in the service and the taste of my food that I don't know that I'll go back. It was a really humid evening and the place is so tiny that it gets crowded easily. We had to wait outside which made me unhappy, but whatever. We didn't wait too terribly long, at least not over what they said we would. We were ushered in past tons of people blocking the way between the front of the place and back. Annoying. Then we sat elbow to elbow with the people we were between. It's pretty close when your conversation is disrupted by something your neighbor said because they're so close. Noise level was higher than I like when I'm trying to enjoy dinner. At any rate, settled in and asked for a couple of drinks. The waiter must have been slammed because we had a little wait for that. Not cool when you've just come in from humidity and heat you could cut with a knife. Oh well. Finally got our drinks and decided to order oysters for an appetizer. After listening to the choices we decided on both West and East coast, a mixture. What we got was all West coast, which didn't include some of my faves. Disappointment. We told the waiter, but he just said he thought we wanted East Coast, no offer to change it at all. And, the oysters weren't that great. Some were, most weren't my style. Oh well. The greatest disappointment of the evening was my dinner. I ordered the pan roasted mahi mahi with lobster cream sauce and shitake mushrooms. I asked for no lobster cream sauce to make it a more healthy alternative. I feel like someone should have told me I was going to eat the driest piece of fish I'd ever had in my life if I left that off. It was inedible. For a side I ordered the oven roasted brussels sprouts. They were so bland I couldn't finish them. Don't order, save yourself. Just no flavor. For dessert I had the special strawberry/rhubarb pie. I had strangely never had rhubarb pie before and I think I know why now. The pie with the strawberry was delicious and it sounded like a great combo, what with the sweet and tart together, but it just caused me to really have sour reaction. I feel like this meal was a fail all around. I'm sad, because I've had good experiences before. Oh well.
(2)
Sara R.
Had been dying to try this place for happy hour...and was not disappointed. Actually I was not late for the first time in my life - was totally there at 5pm to get the most of this happy hour! Sit at the bar for amazing service, delicious oysters, and an overall happiness. I'm actually minorly grossed out by oysters, but i kind of like playing with my food and make it my mission to camouflage them with horseradish and cocktail sauce. So much fun! Also you'll get a chocolate surprise at the end of your meal...cannot beat wine, oysters, and chocolate!!!
(5)
Traci R.
Hank's has a special place in my heart because we got seated in like 2mins when there was a bar full of people seemingly waiting. Idk how it happened, but it did and I'm grateful. Service: Our server was very knowledgeable about the oysters, and very friendly in general. To be very honest, he was somewhat slow but after avoiding an hour-long wait, I wasn't too concerned. Food: We ordered 8 oysters, 2 from 4 different regions (at the suggestion of our server) and they were all so good! They tasted very fresh and they came with vinegar which went well with them. I've never had my oysters w/ vinegar before. My mom got the steak with sauteed bok choy and fried onion rings. She loved every single bite. I tried her steak and it was so good. The bok choy is awesome, as I ordered it also. I ordered the lobster po' boy with old bay fries. It was good. The lobster po' boy was fine but I feel like there could've been more to it. Some seasoning or a condiment. Idk. It's kinda 'meh'. But it's certainly not a bad choice. Other than that, the decor is simple and clean. Very casual place. Seems to get super packed on weekend nights so prepare for a wait.
(4)
Perry W.
Excellent choice for dinner. The scallop entree was great. We also had the popcorn shrimp/calamari appetizer. The dipping sauce was delicious. The key lime pie tasted fresh and was the best I've had in a while. My only complaints were the time it took to get our drinks and food. The personnel that greeted us when we entered the restaurant also seemed disinterested in helping us.
(4)
Ben T.
First date night in our new home of Alexandria! Started the night off on the wait list. No worries as we expected that on a Saturday. We went next door to have some drinks until our table was ready. Their system involves texting you when you table is ready which I am a huge fan of but apparently their system was down so we never got a text. We walked in after our time was up and were promptly seated anyways. We started with oysters (duh). We sampled a few from WA as this was where our road trip started :) They were fantastic. I had the Cesar salad with anchovies and lobster bisque. I really enjoyed them both and they were a perfect light choice for a hot summer evening. They serve a sample of bittersweet chocolate with the check and perfectly satisfied our post meal sweet-tooth. Our waitress gave us some great other restaurants to try in our new hometown. First night in Alexandria success! PS great dirty martinis go really well with oysters!
(4)
Ted B.
Love Hank's...but I'm worried Can't say enough good things about Hank's - favorite restaurant in Old Town. But the crab cakes are trending downward! I confess to being a crab cake snob. Hank's won me over years ago with the best crab cakes around (taste & flavor). However, execution has slipped over the past few months - a couple months ago I was slightly disappointed, but chalked it up to an off night. Last night I was put off by the size - both crab cakes reminded me off silver dollar pancakes. If supply is an issue, I'd rather see it off the menu or at a higher price - as long as the quality stays high. You've got a great menu and a crab cake recipe to die for...please don't lose your touch.
(4)
Hannah H.
While my husband and I were in the Old Town area, we decided to come here for a weekend brunch. I was really excited as this place had been on my list of 'To Eat' for a while! We were the first in line and it seemed as if the restaurant itself had been recently remodeled? It looked very swanky and nice, and not at all how I had imagined it to be! Our server was Jeremy, and he was okay. We started off with a sampler of the 6 different raw oysters they had for the day: the Totten Inlet (Washington), the Hammersley (Washington), the Hood Canal (Washington), the Point Judith (Rhode Island), the Blue Points (Connecticut), and the New Point Comfort (Virginia); it came with cocktail sauce, fresh horseradish, and clarified butter. They were very very FRESH and I REALLY enjoyed them! We also ordered Fried Oysters, Popcorn Shrimp & Calamari, Old Bay French Fries, and Mac and Cheesy. The fried oysters were HUGE, and both that and the popcorn shrimp and the calamari had the same batter - I expected it to be more crunchy, but it was underseasoned; I think the objective was to taste the seafood rather than the batter. I wasn't a fan of their tartar sauce as well. The Old Bay fries were fine, and I did like the Mac and Cheesy, as it was nice and creamy with breadcrumbs on top. I was a little disappointed that they didn't have their famous brussel sprouts for brunch. I would definitely come back here for the raw oysters, but probably not order off of their main menu. +fresh raw oysters +hit-or-miss service
(3)
Donald L.
Really enjoyed Hank's at happy hour. I stopped in for a happy hour one evening while staying in Alexandria on business. It is a convivial, charming place that is up a few steps from the sidewalk in old town. The bartender recommended 3 types of oysters on happy hour that were so good that I indulged in a second dozen. The beers were craft and local there was nary a large brewer of domestic to be found. If you find yourself in Alexandria, stop in for a beer and some oysters. It is a little slice of heaven.
(5)
Jenny P.
Oyster fans, this bar is for you! At $2.75 per, you can sample a variety. My friend and I stopped by for light refreshments on Saturday afternoon and had 3 per person. Instead of other oyster bars that have an a la carte menu, our server brought out two of each type based on her expertise (or maybe oyster-of-the-day sort of thing). All fresh and even sweet. Also, she brought out complementary dark chocolates to go with our beers when we were done with the oysters, which was very gracious!
(5)
Jared G.
In town for work, saw some good reviews, figured I'd give it a shot. It was fine, nothing to write home about (almost literally, spoke to my wife on the phone, didn't even bring up eating here). The place looks nice, a bit small. The people working there were all good. The place is just overpriced for what it is, and after all the talk of how great of a lobster roll they have, it was just OK. The "sauce" didn't have much taste. There were some larger chunks of lobster, but it was obviously filled out by a LOT of small threads of lobster which weren't very good. The bread was fine, didn't blow me out of the water. Same with the fries. They were there, nothing great. For $25 for a lobster roll, I expect a bit more. I left feeling "a-ok" about the experience, so, 3 stars. I am not really unhappy about going, but won't be going again.
(3)
Ferdinand T.
Most expensive happy hour ever. $1 oyster nice I ordered 4 Spritz. (Half a shot of aperol, sparking dry wine, soda water, ice and an orange wedge) bartender charged me $18 dollars for each. She charged a shot of aperol and a glass of sparkling wine. Really??? So if I had ordered a Long Island iced tea, she would have charged me for each liquor in it? (tequila, gin, rum, vodka, 3-sec) Not the best service but I do not expect that during happy hour. Bar is extremely uncomfortable, since the wall and the bar are 3-ft apart. The lighting was extremely bright. Good luck
(1)
Brian M.
Great little gem in Old Town! The place is small which creates this very cozy and intimate atmosphere. Perfect spot for a casual meal or date. We stopped here on our way to a Nationals game (perfect to jump off the metro at King Street). Ended up ordering a 14 oysters (they had 7 different types) with Fries and Mac & Cheesy. Oysters were amazing, fresh and came out quickly! We devoured them in no time which was a good thing we ordered a few other menu items. The Mac & Cheesy is out of this world bad for your health but great tasting. This was one of our better meals that we have had! I highly recommend this place if you are in Old Town.
(4)
Philip A.
I have been to both hanks seafood spots. The food is good, not great. It is pretty pricey for what you get. I just think that for seafood in this area that you can do way better, cheaper. 25 dollars for a lobster roll that was ok. Lukes in Georgetown 15 dollar lobster roll is 10x better.. Fresher and better executed. I am not saying this place isn't worth going to, but it's far from the best
(3)
Ashley A.
Great atmosphere, great food, great cocktails! Seafood is exceptionally fresh. The signature cocktails should not be missed. They have casual seafood classics and sophisticated seafood staples of the northeast and do them both exceptionally well. Great spot to meet friends or family. I love the little goldfish crackers and chocolate chunks they give as complimentary start and end of meal treats.
(5)
A T.
We took some friends from out of town here for a summer dinner. We got there right at the time most happy hours are in full swing- esp. ones with a bar the size of the one in this place. So, this said, I was a little concerned when I walked in and saw BAR- esp as we had kids in our party. During five or so minute wait for our table (not bad- we did call 15 min ahead of time at the recommendation of the hostess) we asked about any drink specials- none. Oyster specials, but no drink specials. Huh? We were brought to our table in the back- and this this where the charm of the place came in- it was well done. We went to order and did the "oyster special-" not really a special: $1-a-piece oysters. Hmmm. So we got the least expensive item- (the $16 oyster poboy) all of us did- and kids things for the kids. And this was my problem with the place- the sandwich was good, but small- oysters were good- but it all added up. And there was no give on prices at any stage. Our bill was HUGE. I know rents are high in old town Alexandria, but it was silly. You've got to give customers a little room to breathe. Regular happy hour specials on the drinks would have gotten star #4. A larger poboy would have gotten the fifth.
(3)
Shandra H.
The oysters were great at Hanks this past Friday. However, the service was horrible. The hostess was rude and racist. The bartender was slow to take our order for drinks. And our waitress in the main dining room was condescending and attentive. Also their website says happy hours between 5 and 7 which was untrue. The hostess said happy hour is from 530 to 630. We had to wait 30 minutes to order oysters at the dollar and $1.25 price.
(2)
Robert A.
Update: Hank's has some of the best bartenders in Alexandria. They're both friendly and knowledgeable. Although the beer menu isn't massive, it's extremely well thought out and contains the most interesting brews around. It's a must do if you're hanging out in Old Town.
(5)
Kim B.
This place is always great from the food to the drinks to the service. I live nearby and my relatives always request eating here whenever they visit. I recommend anything whether it's seafood or not, especially oysters and shrimp cocktail. If you like seafood or not, this place is great. It can be a little pricey, but worth it. The space for seating is pretty small and they don't take reservations, so you might have to call ahead, plan to go at a time when it might be less busy, or wait a bit at the bar area or nearby.
(5)
Meaghan M.
This place is so great. The menu looks absolutely fantastic and seeing others plates, I do believe this is completely true. I stuck to oysters which were on point ! And Tom, the bartender is so great, very kind and informative about the area. I definitely will revisit next time I'm here and I most certainly recommend
(5)
Tyler W.
Wow. Simply wow. Best oyster bar I have ever been to bar none. You can order your oysters based off region. It was extremely educational. I was shocked at how large of a degree the tastes vary from bay to bay. The oysters were fresh and the service was A+. Will be back.
(5)
Andrew C.
Ate there tonight solo and sat at the bar. Lucked out on the game on the two flat panels, as it was slow at 8:30. Oysters need two things, super fresh, check, expertly opened, not so good as there was shell in 3 out of eight. I had the lobster roll. OK I am spoiled to ones in Maine and Mary's, Pearl's etc in NYC. First it came before I was half way finished with my oysters. Bad form as the bun is warm and the fry's are hot. It was a little dry. Bun, near perfect, lobster, a little bland. I felt rushed in an empty restaurant, but the food overall was good.
(3)
Grant H.
Come for the oysters, stay for the goldfish crackers, chocolate and service. Tom, in the bar is great! He is personable, friendly and specific with food and drink recommendations. Haven't had a bad dish here! Take home a free Hank's coozie when you order a Natty Bo. We are new to the neighborhood, but will be regulars. The lobster roll was a good size (not too big), light with a nice buttery roll. The old bay fries could us a bit more old bay, especially if you are from MD, but they are crispy and good. The pear and arugula salad is delish. Try the local salty oysters with the mignonette. This will be a go-to for us in old town.
(5)
Lori W.
5 minute walk from my new casa here in Old Town. Lucky girl. Best news is that they are expanding, taking the space next door. Thank goodness because 6 bar stools is way too small for this incredible place. Rumor has it...late Fall for the expansion. John is an incredible bartender, makes great cocktails and is instrumental in the unique drink development. Have been here about 10 x since moving to Old Town. Creature of habit...the mussels, hands down, are some of the best anywhere - ask for a thicker broth to dunk the bread. A crisp Albarino is always my go-to, but a Belgian beer would go perfectly too or a Gewurztraminer (yes, I can spell). Simple pleasures...a little ramekin of Pepperidge Farm cheddar goldfish is placed in front of every patron. This past Sunday, I had the mussels, natch, but started with a refreshing salad: Watermelon salad with fennel, red onions, kalamata olives & feta. yummy. Happy place, happy servers. Little ramekin of dark chocolate chunks are given to each patron after the meal too. Nice touch. I do wish they had a tv though - can undertand why they don't - space. Maybe with the expansion?
(4)
Allison S.
This is one busy place! We had to wait for 20 minutes for a table and we did the call ahead option too. I guess we were lucky because a group of five were still waiting after we left... so call ahead and make sure your whole group is there. P.S. I wouldn't suggest this place for big crowds, the place is rather small and most of the tables are two tops, I want to say that are long tables in the back but I feel like I'm mixing another seafood bar up with this one... Overall it's a pretty small place, quite packed so not much room for a clan of medieval dressed Goldfish to snack on while waiting and dark chocolate at the end of the meal :) Nice touch! To start it off we got a sampler of the oysters, it came with six oysters: three different kinds, sorry I can't remember what kinds but all were very good and fresh. And we also got the seafood ceviche, small portion but since we were sharing it was sufficient. Again fresh, a little heat and nice herbs to compliment the freshness of the dish! I know it's sad but I had the steak dinner at an oyster bar, but I will say, "Great Steak!" The ribeye steak came with brown gravy, delicious! It also came with two sides, I chose the spinach and mac and cheese and I was not disappointed! My BFF got the lobster roll, which was suggested by the waitress, she said it's what they are known for. The roll was pretty stuffed which is great, I want to say it was good, but sadly I was obsessed with my steak so, I didn't take too much note about her lobster roll... As far as service the waitress was ok, I had a couple of problems of flagging her down to ask for stuff, which in my opinion, should have been given to me beforehand, such as silverware. But it was in the middle of dinner rush any good waitress could get overwhelmed and miss some details. Overall the meal was great, when back in the Northern VA, I wouldn't be opposed to coming back here.
(4)
Tracy H.
Well.... It's an oyster bar, which means the oysters were awesome. They were very fresh and taste creamy and I love them! Besides the oysters, we also ordered the rib eye cause it was the daily special. It was quite disappointing. Although the rib eye was cooked just as we ordered(medium well), but somehow we didn't feel like it was worth the money($32), it was thin and small and the sauce tasted salty.... We had brussels sprout and onion ring as sides and they were totally out of our expectation(bad). We got a tiny portion rings and just mediocre brussels sprout. I guess cause it's an oyster bar so the rest of the food doesn't matter at all, lol. Maybe come back just for the oysters.
(3)
Jeff D.
the bar is nice with a fresh open feel, lots of marble and white. The bartender was kind and inviting, she made some suggestions that were spot on. The food was good with a nice presentation. The only thing I can fault about the place was the greeter a young gentleman that was rude.
(4)
Brandy C.
Have been here several times since my last review and it is delicious as ever! Came here on a Friday night with a girlfriend with the intention of stuffing ourselves silly. Mission accomplished! The oysters still rocked my socks, absolutely! Mussels, still freakin awesome! We also got the peel n' eat shrimp (tasty), portabello mushrooms with goat cheese (to die for), duck-fat fried potatoes (amazing), and the mac and cheesy (OMG WOW). Top it all off with a couple of their Saison beers and you will be in seafood heaven. LOVE THIS PLACE! P.S. The service was great too, even on a Friday night!
(5)
Jen T.
Where have you been all those times we were in Old Town. So glad we hunted this place since it's not easy to find with lack of signage. Who would imagine once you open their door, there's a long bar area with more dining in the other side. Love love love goldfish crackers and it's a first sign that this place is for me when the server brought us a little dish to munch on. Had the Cobb salad with seafood- woo hoo my favorites on a plate- all sorts of seafood like shrimp, calamari and eggs with some bacon and avocados. BF almost did a little dance when he took a bite of his shrimp po boy. I think we didn't even talk during our meal because we were busy stuffing our face. Oink oink. Best lunch we had in quite a while. Definitely on our fave list!
(5)
Emma M.
Wow! This place is amazing. Food is awesome, service is great and the atmosphere is wonderful. I am a huge oyster shooter fan and there's were great! I also loved everything on there menu, not just the oysters. Flat iron steak and lamb burger were both very tasty. Definitely a great place to go!
(5)
Chris W.
Lots of great new options for happy hour! Dollar Oysters always work with lots of variety. The crab cake dinner with sides was awesome and very tasty. Tons of oyster meal choices including Po Boy and some other fried options! Lots of local DC, VA and MD beers to choose from. Nothing ends a evening like an Oyster shooter.
(4)
Vivian D.
I love oysters and was quite hyped to try out this restaurant. We ordered a few cocktails, two oyster shooters and the popcorn shrimp & calamari to start. $11 for an oyster shooter because we wanted ketel one instead of saki in our oyster shooters (which normally goes for $4 each). That was ridiculous. And it wasn't even that good. The popcorn dish was nothing special--- just your average straight up battered fried squid and shrimp with a side of dipping sauce. I had too much alcohol to actually remember what the dipping sauce was but the dish was very bland in my opinion (even with the help of the sauce). I had to squeeze lemon and add a few touches of seasonings to be able to enjoy it. I ordered the ceviche next for my starter. This was the absolute worst ceviche that I have ever had. It was composed solely of squid and shrimps that appeared cooked because they were hard to chew on. When I expressed my dislike of the ceviche to the manager, she gave me an attitude and then explained to me that the restaurant prepared them differently in that they "poach the seafood and there is very minimal seasoning", then she instructed me to "squeeze the lime on the side to give it more flavors". Ummm...okay. When I think of ceviche, I think of raw seafood marinated in lime juice...not cooked squid and shrimps with a side of lime. It took her awhile but she came to her senses and took the ceviche off our bill. My friend ordered the crab cake dinner for her entree which she enjoyed very much. As for me, I wanted to try their oysters. I asked our server Curtis what oysters they have and he started listing them out for me verbally. The problem with this is that it was very loud in the restaurant and I couldn't hear or focus on anything he said. I asked if the list of oysters were written out somewhere so I can see. He vaguely said it was written out on a chalkboard (but I had no clue where that was). Like the manager, he seemed pretty irritated and agitated the more questions I asked so I just left it at that. I wish he was more accommodating and had written the names for me on a piece of paper because I really wanted to try all of them but I had no idea what they were offering. Also, at other restaurants that I've been to they have the names of the oysters as well as what you should expect them to taste like all written out so I felt like it wasn't something crazy for me to ask. I ended up just telling him that I like my oysters sweet and went with his suggestions. I got the eld inlet and totten inlet oysters from Washington state. I didn't like the eld inlet oysters as much as the totten. It was more briny while the totten inlet was sweeter and had a melon after taste....reminds me of kumamotos! Really glad I got to try those. Overall, this place is good for $1 oysters happy hour but I wouldn't come here to dine dine. The only part of my dinner that I enjoyed was the small window in which I was able to taste the oysters and you can go to any oyster bars for oysters! Food was average and overpriced. They could have made up with good service but alas that was also too much to ask. Both the server and the manager were dismissive of me and my friend. Our server Curtis was hardly at our table unless to take our orders or to bring us our check. Both server and manager never smiled once throughout our entire dining experience. We did not feel welcome and left as soon as we finished our entrees. Forget dessert! Time to skidaddle.
(2)
Dan Y.
Dined at Hank's Oyster Bar last night (2/28/15) and was not disappointed. Everything was excellent...seriously, everything was excellent and, even better, unpretentious. The food, the service, and the ambiance were all excellent. For starters, we (a group of four) had some fresh oysters which included some Blue Point and Salty Wolfe's which were incredibly fresh and delicious! Then we moved into the main course which we ordered the lobster roll, fried oyster po' boy, fried oyster meal, and the night's featured meat, the ribeye. Everyone loved their respective orders. I tried my wife's lobster roll and was in heaven! I ordered the fried oyster po' boy. I've had fried oysters before but I doubt I've ever had better prepared fried oysters than the ones that were served at Hank's. Everything was delicious and fresh tasting. What was so pleasant is that the dishes were kept simple, not over-sauced, or over-seasoned which allowed the main ingredients of the dishes to stand out. This was true with with both the lobster in the lobster roll, the fried oysters in the po' boy, and even the cole slaw that accompanies the po' boy. I didn't try out my friend's ribeye, but he was thoroughly pleased. The main courses were, simply put, excellent. At the end of the meal, we were surprised with a small dish of delicious Colombia-sourced chocolate. After reading the reviews, we couldn't resist ordering the key lime pie. "Wow" is the simplest way to put it. I also have to note that a previous yelper mentioned that they were disappointed by their beer selection. I could not disagree more with that part of the review. They simply have more beers on the menue, both on tap and bottled, than you would ever find in an average restuarant and probably 90% of all restuarants you will dine at. My buddy had the Founder's IPA, my wife had one of the lagers, and I had the seasonal Anderson Valley Winter Solstice. They were all excellent and, if you think about it, very different beers. I also noticed that they had some of Left Hand Milk Stout on Nitro as well! I've only mentioned about a fifth of their selection. You do the math - they have a lot of quality beer. Don't miss out on this place! I know I won't!
(5)
Kathy S.
My son and his girlfriend had oysters here last night and got food poisoning. They told the server they tasted funny but was told they were good oysters. Last week my friend was also here eating oysters and got really sick as well.
(1)
Bill M.
So, the lady flew in, and told me she wanted seafood. A quick browse through Yelp, and we picked Hank's, which was walking distance from my work place. Went in at 6ish on a Friday evening, got seated immediately. The place was hopping. The server was attentive, informative, and not pushy. We had the pear and arugula salad and the toasted mozzarella salad. Both were exquisite. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly sized (we both had half of each). I had the lobster roll, and she had the scallops. The scallops were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The lobster roll was a combination of thick meaty lobster salad, on a fresh warm toasted buttered roll. A perfect balance of sweet and salty. We were too stuffed to eat dessert, but the small bowl of dark chocolate provided at the end was a really nice touch. Highly recommended.
This was a very cool place. It appears to be newly renovated based on how new it looked as well as comments made by a local I was with. The staff was very friendly, super knowledgeable waiter, and great food. I had the scallops which were fantastic and the lobster roll. This is too much for one person to eat alone (I was sharing so don't get both). The oysters were also fantastic as was the beer selection. I will return next time I am in town.
(5)
Kristen V.
Great food and beer. Salty Wolfe oysters on a half shell so yummy! Fried Calamari and shimp good too! Must try!
(5)
Marc W.
Yum yum yum. I remain convinced that crab cakes should be broiled and not fried but it's places like this that make me question my own ideals. Add to that some of the best local oysters I've ever had and my favorite maligned swill of a beer Natty Boh and you get this gem of a place. Pricier than I would like but well in line with the area. If I lived near here I would be in serious trouble. Nice atmosphere accommodating staff. All in all well worth the trip.
(4)
Nunca A.
I can only discuss in detail the actual establishment experience seeing as how when my friends dragged me here for my birthday dinner it was because they are oyster eaters and not myself. The main culprit rather enjoyed the oysters so I must make note of that for oyster lovers who may come across the review. With that said, I can now move forward. I enjoyed my mac and cheese and spinach sides and the fried catfish. The waitress may have had a bad day or was distracted by life but she seemed a bit short in her conversation with the table and almost snappy in her tone. It was loud and only one who enjoys the smell of heavy alcohol (and people filled with that in their breath) while eating can stomach a table near the bar. If you have a small appetite, the sides are a good enough size for an appetizer or small plate but the entree overall is not that big in amount or quantity either. Everything seems to range in the mid-20s for price but to me, not worth the price. The food tastes like it should all average around 8 an entree.
(3)
Carrie A.
Hands down best oysters ever! The bartender Tom will make you feel at home while making you the best cocktail ever!!!
(5)
Kristy S.
Just ok, lobster roll was fine but nothing special ($25). Fries were good and service was good too.
(3)
Daniel K.
First time coming here and I was not disappointed. We were very lucky to get there at the time we arrived as there was one open table for us. It's best to call in for reservation for a place like this. It was mostly packed. Looking at the menu everything look delicious. Note that the menu actually changes everyday. We ordered the muscles which was under the "small" dishes which was actually quite large. I would say it is a good appetizer for two. I myself ordered Lobster Roll dinner which I was kinda disappointed in, it needed more seasoning, and more juice as it was a bit dry for my taste. The desert was delicious, I forgot what it was called again however it was a soft pastry with chocolate in the inside and outside with little whip cream. Waiter was very courteous and attentive. I will definitely try this place out again in the near future.
(4)
Chris P.
Great lunch. Fresh fresh fresh. Oysters lobster and champagne with a window seat overlooking King Street. Can't wait to go back
(4)
Jamie S.
I've eaten here many times. I always get the oysters and they have a nice variety, of Chesapeake and Washington oysters. I'm wired to like the local oysters because I'm from here but I haven't met a west coast oyster I don't like. Crab cakes, shrimp, coleslaw, mac and cheese, lobster bisque, oyster po'boys, mushrooms, lobster rolls are all delicious.
(5)
Jessica S.
Amazing - I could eat the oysters all day. Really need to check out the $1 oyster happy hour. My husband, who doesn't like raw oysters, loved the oyster po boy. He said the fried oysters melted in his mouth. I liked the goldfish (instead of bread) and chocolate (with the check).
(5)
Jessica M.
Hanks was absolutely amazing I have 0 complaints! I had one of the local beers which was light and tasty and I had 10 oysters and the lobster bisque for my meal. The oysters were incredible! I am a new oyster lover and at first I ordered 6 and then got 4 more. There were 6 different kinds of oysters to choose from. My brother had the lamb and the duck fat roasted potatoes were delicious. My mom had the rainbow trout and my dad had the fried oyster dinner. We only waited 10 minutes to be seated and the place was packed. If you are in the VA area this is the place to eat.
(5)
Jing V.
I'd give this place zero, but two for the service. The food was terrible but at least the waitress did what she could to make sure our food came on time and waters were filled. We spent 130 dollars on what seemed to be overfried, greasy, farm raised seafood, that could be compared to microwavable food. We can here because we saw that they had the best raw oysters in town, but they did not taste fresh. I've had much better elsewhere. The restaurant interior is nice. It has warm lighting and has seating perfect for couples or a small group of friends. Unfortunately, the food was not up to par during our viist.
(2)
Lee G.
This place was recommended by family so we wanted to try while we were in DC. Easy to find. Parking was available behind the buiilding. We had an oyster poboy, fried shrimp and calamari and onion rings. The food and the service was great! Would definitely eat here again.
One of our favorite local spots that never disappoints. Never had anything bad, the scallops are probably my favorite. Can be tough at times to get a table, which just goes to show how good it is.
(5)
Sarah S.
FRIED CHICKEN Yeah, this isn't about oysters. Or seafood. I'm visiting the area for work and hadn't been to this Hank's - I had visited the Dupont Circle location and never had to pleasing of an experience. Well, this Hank's was different. All the staff was super friendly and even the customers were - granted, I was sitting at the [tiny] bar. It was fun to mix with regulars and also some other out of towners. A nice little wine list and a good mix of regional and not so regional beer. They also make cocktails. The bartender was super friendly and very welcoming; I felt like a regular after I left. Every night of the week they offer a different special - Sunday night was fried chicken night, and you get two sides with it. I had brussels sprouts with mac and cheese. Both were good and the chicken, which was boneless, was very tasty! I'll surely be back to this Hank's when back in the area.
(4)
Rachel S.
Excellent selection of oysters and all types were very fresh. Server knew a lot about the oysters and helped us choose a good variety. They fried the calamari and popcorn shrimp perfectly--for the second time. The dish is well seasoned and offers good value. Lobster roll was also good, not overly dressed. Nice wine and cocktail selection. The salads were very good--we had the fennel with pear and arugula and kale--a little pricey if you're not used to a $10+ salad. They're not meal size, but 2 salads and splitting the fried calamari was the perfect sized late dinner. This place fills up quick, you'll have better luck being seated with 2 than a large group. Host took my number and I got a text when the table was ready. I'll be back for sure!
(5)
Rebecca A.
Enjoyed a great Sunday Brunch, complete with a spicy Bloody Mary. I tried the special, Smoked Trout hash with poached eggs. It was fantastic! My friend had the Crabcake Benedict, my second choice. It was a hard decision, with so many options on the menu. Goldfish are served when seated and dark chocolate with the check. The feel of the restaurant was very fresh and welcoming.
(4)
Cameron F.
Oysters were great! The food was also pretty good. I would recommend the asparagus, the portabela mushroom and the brussels sprout as you sides. I had the crab cakes and they were pretty standard, nothing outta this world. It's kind of a small cramped area and the wait staffed seemed over whelmed, which was unfortunate for them and us.
(4)
Jessica S.
I love Hank's Oyster Bar, and I bring all my out-of-town visitors here. All of their food is top notch, but their mussels are a must have! That sauce... ooh, I drool just thinking about it. I always ask for more bread so i can sop it all up - it's far too delicious to waste. Their servers are always attentive and friendly, and I love the dark chocolate chunks they serve after your meal. Their menu varies by the season and they have different specials each day. I also like their crabcake with its big chunks of crab. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Old Town. They also have a location in Dupont which has insanely good service even when it's busy.
(5)
Pete J.
Loved the chocolate after dinner. We started with an appetizer of calamari and shrimp. Perfectly cooked calamari and tasty shrimp. We then ordered fish tacos and the fried clams. Clams had brussel sprouts which were tasty and coleslaw which was fair at best. Great beer selection. I would come back.
(4)
Dora E.
We have been to Hank's Oyster Bar previously. I have to say that experience was great. Last time, they were busy, but our waiter was great. The food was great and the arrival of the food was timed perfect. However, last night's service was horrible. It started great since we called in to put our name for a table. When we arrived we were almost seated immediately. The dinning room was not too busy. We're a party of two. Our waitress took our drink and our appetizer order. Our drinks and 1 of 2 apps arrived. She came to check on us, so far so good. She also took our entree order. Keep in mind it is not busy. The wait staff do not run their drink or food orders or bus the table. They have other staff to do it. We never saw our waitress for the next 45 minutes. The tables next to us finished their meals and another groups got seated. Their apps and entrees arrived timely. We were like what is wrong with this picture. She finally comes over and asked if we ever got the second app??? Or entrees??? Furthermore, She tried to blame it on "others". She kept saying "others" told her that we had already received and ate our dinner. She joked about it. She did not even apologize about the situation instead she indicated it was coming right out. We waited for another 15 minutes before the food arrived. Again, she blamed on the "others". We were like who are the others. I understand that we were in a tourist area, but we are locals. Their business will not be hurting because of my review or from me never going back. We have worked in the restaurant and hospitality industry so we know things can happen. I personally did not appreciate how she handled the situation. Pp
(2)
Chanel D.
The fried Ipswich clams were some of the freshest, and lightest that I've ever had. Not chewy, hard strips that resemble crunchy cheetos (you know what I'm talking about!) As a side, I had the grilled portobello mushrooms with goat cheese, which were beautifully prepared. My sister shared the clams with me and ordered a side of the mac and cheese. The portion was disappointingly small, but still delicious. Our friend got the lobster roll and a side of duck fat french fries which were decadently filing and good. There wasn't any room for dessert, but that's just an excuse to come back here again.
(4)
Nicole B.
This place was a great Monday night dinner. Lobster roll was great! Bun was soft toasty and buttery. The oysters impeccable! A true win! Love the atmosphere and the attentive staff. My new oyster hang out.
(4)
Tri T.
They had six options for oysters and we stuck with the local tastes which were all extremely good. I recommend getting 5-6 per person before you dive into your meal. One order of mussels will accommodate a table of four and they were also tasty. The tomato soup was mediocre in my opinion but the sablefish was really good. For what it's worth, sablefish is pretty meaty (I had no clue). To date, this is my favorite place to get oysters. More exploring to do though.
(4)
Katya S.
I went there for Valentine's Day. The place is small but cozy. I would recommend it. Oysters were great.
(3)
Erin M.
My Friday night experience at Hank's Old Town as awful. It doesn't matter that the food was good. (But it was only good- not great.) First, they need a visible policy on their website about not accommodating large groups. It's a small, tight space that can't fit groups more than 6-8. I was with a group of 20. I walked in during lunch to warn them, and ask for help fitting in my large group at dinner. I was flat out told by the door staff that they wouldn't do anything for me. They said to call 30 mins out. So I did. Again on the phone it was made very clear to me that they weren't going to help me. They never even asked my name to start the reservation/table. If it had been remotely possible for me to contact my group of 20 and send everyone to a better, friendlier restaurant, I would have. Unfortunately, that just wasn't possible. I walked in 15 minutes early and again asked them to start the table. They suggested instead that my group just stand in the back of the bar the whole night. (SERIOUSLY??? STAND for dinner??) After a few more minutes I realized they still hadn't ever taken my name, and when my friends would arrive, and ask for my table, they wouldn't find us. So again I went up and talked to them. Each encounter was rude and annoying. Talk about horrible service. After a few minutes I had 20 friends standing in the back of the bar waiting. No one offered to get us drinks, appetizers, etc. We just stood there waiting for a table. It was awful! Now that I've been there I see and understand why they couldn't sit us all together. But they could have done a much better job with the customer service while we waited. I've been to the Dupont Circle location and loved it. (Where my large group was seated and treated nicely without incident.) As for the good- it was good. It wasn't great. Completely average. I expected much better (because the DuPont experience was much better). I won't go back, even though I love oysters and seafood and work a block away. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone either. There are other oyster locations in Old Town with much better customer service. I will add one clause to my experience. The male staff I spoke to were just awful. One woman, that I presume to be the manager for the night, was helpful and kind (but not until I had a friend go up and start talking to her. I had reached the point of volcanic explosions with the rudeness from the male staff.). Had she not been as kind and helpful as she was, I would have gone ballistic. Called: 7 pm Entered: 7:15 Group arrived: 7:30 First group seated: 8:20 Second group: 8:40 Third group (me): 9 My food arrive: 9:30 We left by 10.
(2)
Lianne F.
SUPER delicious and fresh seafood but the prices are kind of crazy for a DC area restaurant. The menu rotates so you are bound to find something that tickles your fancy but the special seared sea scallops was a whopping $29. We just stuck to appetizers and my son had a burger. After the burger, two glasses of wine, a root beer, oysters on the half shell and an appetizer the bill was easily over $100. I have heard the HH prices are better, don't get me wrong, I love it and I don't mind paying for quality but here the portion sizes are TINY for what they charge. Especially when I can get a better lobster roll on a food truck for less $.
(3)
Abram J.
Summary: Overpriced. Ok but not great food. Great service. Pros: Great compact venue in the middle of Old Town. Prompt, knowledgeable, courteous servers (they let me borrow a charger for my iPhone!). Excellent oysters. Cons: Significantly over-priced. Lobster roll is what the server said they are "known for" -- this was bland and cheap. Probably cost them $5-6 in food cost for the cup-scoop of lobster salad, the toasted hot dog roll, and the half-potato-worth of house fries. The price for this dish? $25 -- enough to buy a whole lobster. To be fair, I only got the Lobster Roll dinner and the 6-oyster sampler, but I did so at the advice of the server. There were a few chunks of lobster in the salad, but overall it was bland and nothing to write home about... Surely not something I would want to be my flagship menu item. DEFINITELY nowhere near $25 in food on that plate -- that money could have been much better spent elsewhere. Also, $2.25 per oyster is kind of dumb. These oysters are good, but not any better than the exact same oysters that other reputable raw bars are selling. No reason to spend twice as much here. My bill for the lobster roll meal and the 6 oysters was $43. I would have been comfortable spending maybe $18 on this meal.
(3)
Diana P.
The raw oyster selections were delicious! You can never go wrong here if you're an oyster lover. We also had the lobster roll and crab cake and both were prepared to perfection. This is one of the more popular places in Old Town so the wait can be a while on the weekend (they do not take reservations). I suggest getting your name on the list and then take a stroll to the pier and back. You can also hang at the itty bitty bar... if there's room.
(4)
Yaka H.
Went on a Friday and was delighted to find that HH specials were available! We had to wait a bit for our table, so we sat at the bar to pass the time. The bartender was very friendly and helpful. $1 oysters HH (on select oysters written on the blackboard) until 6:30! Hurray! So, I had to partake in that immediately! This happy gal slurped a yummy dozen, easily. Each order comes with lemons, cocktail sauce, horseradish, and mignonette (which I didn't care too much for, but it's just personal preference). I only wished I lived closer to partake in this HH more frequently. At the table, we started off the a little bite of fried shrimp & calamari and a Caesar salad. The salad was lightly dressed, which was pleasant. The romaine was quite fresh and the adorned crackers added some nice pizzazz to the salad. The fried calamari and shrimp were fried just perfectly. The shrimp and calamari were tender and succulent. This has to be my number one experience for fried shrimp and calamari. It was just that good; I'm not sure if it was just a fluke, but I'll have to be back and see. For entrees, I just ordered the steamed mussels (which is actually an appetizer to share) and SX had the lobster roll. The steamed mussels were steaming in this bath of velvety-rich white wine, tomato, and garlicky goodness. Luckily, our server stopped by and thoughtfully gave me a spoon, an oyster fork, and a basket of bread without me even asking. I was also surprised at the sheer amount of delicious mussels placed in front of me. SX exclaims that his lobster roll was very good. He liked that you can tell that there were distinct large chunks of lobster and that the dressing wasn't overpowering the lobster meat.
(4)
Joseph M.
I spend 200-400 dollars every time I'm in, and that's just me plus one. Either personal friends or work related during happy hour. That amount doesn't include my other guests. Sometimes I'll bring 5-6 additional guests. Needless to say, me and my guests love this place, and we spend a lot of hard earned money here. We love oysters, Hank's others dishes, and what they have on tap. It's a great selection and it's delicious. To make a long story short, we were seated at the small window table with my guests in the front behind the hostess station. Bartender was great, blonde bearded guy. A good friend of mine had just returned from a deployment, and we were celebrating. Invited his wife and newborn out as well. My brother, his wife, and a few other guests joined us. We we were on our 3rd of round oysters, having a wonderful time, when I finally procured a stool from the bar. It was busy. I developed a bad back, and was injured while with the gov't. Needless to say, after an hour of standing I needed a seat. I grabbed one when the place started to clear out after happy hour. Right after, someone named Jon or John, younger fellow, dark hair, that was helping the hostess with incoming guest seating, with a gruff attitude told me rudely that he "needed my seat." Right in front of me and my guests, he took my seat and gave it to another guest. No explanation. I was shocked. Furthermore, he was rude when I asked him later why as a paying customer, I was being the denied the right to sit? Why another guest had a higher priority than me? Nothing, no response. Just a disrespectful attitude. He looked at me like I was garbage. Hank's, I don't bring this up, and I don't use it as an excuse in my life or as a free pass, but I served my country, have a bad back because of it, recommend this place to everyone, pretty easy going, bring a lot of people in here, including vets, we spend money here on a regular basis, and I'm denied a seat for an unspecified reason? I asked the nice hostess if this was an acceptable form of behavior for staff at Hank's, and she mumbled that John can be "possessive." I mean how rude can you be when I'm bringing in customers and telling them how great this place is, only to be embarrassed? I'll take my business elsewhere. I highly doubt I'll receive a response to this review. Obviously, Hank's does well. But I'm just some guy right? Some guy that laid it on the line, and is disrespected and embarrassed...
(1)
Candace J.
We went here while staying in Old Town for the weekend celebrating our anniversary. We walked in around 7:30 and asked for a table for two. We were told it would be a 35 minute wait- not a problem we would wait at the bar. An hour and a half later we were STILL NOT SEATED. We had watched numerous people walk in the door and get seated before us. So finally my husband went to the host and he literally told us he'd forgotten about us. What the hell? So we closed out our bar tab (which, after waiting for 90 minutes already hungry we had ordered two drinks, two beers, and one appetizer and our tab was $80) and were seated. I ordered local MD oysters, hubs ordered Oysters Rockefeller, and we both ordered the scallops entree (with sea beans, mushrooms, and onion fondue). The waiter brought me different oysters without any explanation or heads up and said they were just out of what I ordered. I had no chance to say whether I wanted them. The rockefeller was pretty good, no comments there. However, both of our entrees were extremely salty. We might as well have just eaten the salt shaker instead. All in all, NOT impressed in the slightest. We spent almost $200 there and given the experience and quality we wouldn't have paid even half of that. We absolutely will never return.
(2)
Sweet N.
The food here is always fresh and yummy. The oysters are always fresh and the selection is great! Happy hour is even better. Avoid weekends around dinner time. The last two times I've been, the wait was over an hour. You might want to aim for after 9pm.
(4)
Kathryn K.
I came here for dinner with my husband and a friend during the week, right after happy hour ended. We were told the wait would probably be 45 min, an hour tops which wasn't a problem, there's always plenty of window shopping in the area! We came back 40 minutes later and the hostess told us it wouldn't be much longer so stick around... At the hour mark I checked in with the hostess again and got another "soon!" but the manager overheard and comped us a round of drinks which was much appreciated. We finally got a table after waiting for an hour and a half which I consider pretty unacceptable given the initial range. If they told me an hour and half from the beginning we would have gone somewhere else and come back another night. On to the important part...the food! Yummy. Oysters on the half shell, fried oysters, peel and eat shrimp, tomato salad, lobster bisque all delicious. Fish Tacos were just ok. The drinks (both the comped and the ahem...next round) were strong and tasty. Our waiter was also great and helped us pick out oysters to try. Service was much faster than expected given how long we waited for a table. If my rating were based solely on the food and service at the table I would be hitting a solid 4 stars. The drinks went a long way to help with the wait but really, wait times shouldn't be that far off. Lesson learned, call ahead.
(3)
Michelle B.
I started eating raw oysters within the past year. Hank's is one of the places I go to get them during their weekend happy hour. I don't typically buy drinks or any of their other food items (although the other items are good). I'm not really into the lobster roll that most people love. I like my lobster hot drizzled with butter without bread. Hank's is a great place for oysters.
(4)
Beatriz B.
The oysters are amazing! Also had the fried oysters with Mac and cheesy, which were delicious! It was a little pricey, but we also had a drink with our meal.
(4)
Marie E.
Stopped at Hanks for my first meal after landing in D.C. and checking into my hotel. I love oysters.....and could not wait to have lunch. It was nearing the end of the lunch service so it was not crazy busy ( plus for me). I ordered 2 of each oyster that had that day...Heaven!! I apologize for not remembering the names..but no complaints. I also ordered a glass of sparkling, the old bay fries, and dessert. Take the time to stop....you won't be dissappointed.
(4)
Steve P.
Incredibly fresh and tasty oysters. The lobster roll is the best you'll have in the area. The fish is very fresh and prepared well. It can be pricey but it's worth it.
(4)
H.R. N.
When my dinner companion and I were seated at our table, they started us off with a warm smile and a small bowl of goldfish crackers. Yeah, you heard me right--goldfish crackers. It doesn't quite say auspicious beginning when you see something like that. But a wise man once said, don't judge a restaurant by its cracker. I think. I've heard such good things about this Hank's, though, so I stayed the course. We ordered a dozen of the York oysters, but that's because they didn't have my usual darling--the Blue Point variety. Strange that they wouldn't have my favorite, actually. Still, my York oysters were clean, fresh, tasty. The cocktail sauce and horseradish, unfortunately, were not very flavorful supplements. Don't ask me why. My friend ate oysters for the very first time here. Her reaction was... mixed. (I can't take her anywhere! lol) Something I've never seen before, by the way, is sea salt on the table. A pinch here and a pinch there--nice touch. Next to come out were our shrimp cocktails, which were $3 each, and a small plate of fried shrimp sprinkled with Old Bay. I wasn't wild about the shrimp cocktail. I've had better. But the fried shrimp thingie, the only hot dish we ordered, was not bad at all. Being a rice junkie, I needed a starch to go with the meal, but could only find their Old Bay fries. Small and rather tasteless, they were transformed when I sprinkled a little malt vinegar on them. Thank you, vinegar! How about dessert? We first ordered the peach cobbler. Yuck. I've never tasted bitter peaches before. WTH. But our server was good enough to apologize and replace the order with key lime pie. Redemption via a key lime pie. Who knew? Four stars. Well deserved.
(4)
Meredith R.
I LOVE this place! I have never had a bad dish or experience here (hope I'm not jinxing myself). Yes, you have to wait, but it's worth it and if you do your timing right, you won't have to wait too long. I love the goldfish they put down at your table to start! The oysters are always fantastic and fresh! We usually have the waiter make suggestions because it's hard to choose. I have had several of their dishes, but I love to order scallops here, they are to die for! The crabcakes are also very good. One of the suprising awesome thing that Hank's has going on is their wonderful side dishes. In fact, you can order a meal of just side dishes (perfect for vegetarians). Their mac n' cheese is awesome, as is almost all their other sides. We've never come here in a group larger than 4 people, I'm not sure if/how you could, the space is very tight. So it's really a date or double date type place. Cons - it is very small, but if it were bigger, it wouldn't be nearly as special! On busy night and nice weather nights, the wait can be very long. Tip: put your name in and walk a little bit around King Street to kill time - the bar is really small, so having a cocktail while you wait is difficult. Pros - great service, great value, great food, great atmosphere, good wine selection, super cute spot!
(5)
Ryan R.
Stopped in here for lunch today since I've heard nothing but good things about this restaurant. Even know the name says a lot about what they are known for, I was in the mood for a salad. Any not just any salad of course ... it had to have goat cheese. Hank's did not disappoint! I ordered the Spring Salad. Fresh strawberries, goat cheese and heirloom lettuces with candied pecans and kumquat vinaigrette ... and yes it takes even better than it sounds! It was amazing! I even added in a side of chilled marinated beets which topped off the perfect lunch. The salad was a very fair $10 dollars and with a side of beets at $5 dollars, I was able to roll out under $20 bucks tip included. My cousin had the mussels ($12), of which I was allowed to try just one. It made me second guess my salad choice and regret the decision of trying to eat somewhat healthy. But I stood fast in my choice and will definitely get the mussels next time around. Along with lunch, they served us bread, butter and a jam that was incredible! Service was pretty good. Even though the restaurant wasn't too busy our server disappeared for a while and didn't come back to check on us until after we were through, but it was still a great experience. It's in a great location in Old Town and a perfect place to get out of the heat and grab a light lunch. I will definitely be back to try the mussels and oysters!
(4)
Diane B.
I like this place and have been several times! The lobster rolls have large chunks of lobster, the oysters are A-one, and the grilled platter had some amazing squid, octopus, and calamari. So why only 4 stars? The wait to get in can be obnoxious, and they don't take reservations. If you want to be assured prompt seating, you have to arrive at an off hour.
(4)
Eun S.
I think I've been to Hank's more than 5 times and I have never been disappointed. This level of consistency is hard to execute and is why I will continue to go back. The oysters are always fresh and the first time I tried their po boy was the single most rewarding thing ever! Their mac and cheese is crunchy and it too blew my mind. I'm almost reluctant to write them a good review because I don't want them to be too busy next time I go...
(5)
Christa Z.
This place is awesome! There is something for everyone (way more than just oysters) and the wine list, though a bit short, has a great selection. We ordered a few of the small dishes and two of us got large plates. Everything was perfect, not one miss. I would totally recommend this to anyone. It is a little small but they do a good job of fitting everyone in just right without the overly crammed feeling. Good luck saving room for dessert!
(5)
Jen D.
Excellent food, incredible sake bloody mary, very accomodating staff. We hit it during the in-between menu (4pm-5:30pm) when the place was nearly empty which was great. We wanted mussels and though they weren't on the menu, the manager had no problem putting the order in for us. The oysters were fantastic and we're looking forward to returning to try the fried oyster po'boy sandwich. It's a small space with some seating in the front with a couple of seats at the bar and more tables in back. The wait staff was very helpful, attentive but not overly so and they had great recommendations. Go...you won't regret it.
(4)
Marianne L.
Dropped in here with a bunch of yelpers for a Happy Hour UYE this evening. Was looking forward to finally stopping in here as its yet another place I've passed by for years. This review is based on the happy hour oysters only. As Hank's bills itself as an "oyster bar" I figure the offerings should be above par. OYSTERS Three choices were available for the $1/oyster special: beausoleil (New Brunswick), westport (Massachusetts), and miyagi (Washington). I opted for the first two. I give thumbs up to Hank's for putting beausoleils on the happy hour menu. I couldn't think of a better choice for an option to introducing people to raw oysters. They were small, nice and delicate, yet still firm with a light, slightly sweet flavor. Very good and nice quantity of cold liquor in the deep well. Beausoleils are also nice because of their beautiful, clean shells making for an easier experience sometimes for those new to eating oysters on the half shell. The westports were ok. A little smaller than some of the other types of oysters I like, but a bit larger than the beausoleils. They had a nice sweet flavor and again like the beausoleils very mild, though I would have preferred just a bit more brine in the taste. They were ok - my opinion on the flavor is probably tainted more by the fact that while I enjoy bluepoints (which westports are), they aren't my favorite type of oyster. Accoutrements: Mignonette - Meh! The flavor was ok, but I really didn't like that the shallots had been minced to oblivion vs just a fine chop. Chili Sauce - Generous portion of horseradish (much appreciated) on top of the cocktail sauce making for near a 50/50 ratio. SERVICE AND ATMOSPHERE Very attentive and prompt, particularly for our large party. The place is very small, so there can be quite a din as the tables fill up, but its a nice casual place to kick back after work. So why only 2 stars? The flavor of the oysters was very good and they certainly were tasty. But the preparation of them was really sub-par. Of my 18 oysters, almost all had significant bits of shell mixed in with the oyster and liquor making for less than desirable "slurping" without quite a bit of "de-shelling", the shell of one of my westports was actually cracked into 2 pieces, and most of my westports had not been properly separated from the shell. I can appreciate that its happy hour and they are cracking them open as fast as they can - but I would gladly wait a bit longer for just a bit more care. For a place that is an oyster bar (and not just another restaurant that dishes up raw oysters), I guess I set my bar appropriately higher that when I slurp mine oysters will be impeccably prepared. I can see myself returning back here. It was a lot of fun and a great way to unwind after a long day. And I hope when I do that my star rating will go up significantly. As for the rest of the menu, there are several things that look intriguing - but the prices seem a bit steep for some items. The lobster roll (had by a diner next to us) did look tasty, but I fear it would be a difficult thing for my seasoned New England blood to want to pay $23 for what I saw - not when I'm used to bulging lobster rolls for half that back home and considering what lobster is going for these days.
(2)
Tony P.
Much thanks to KeriM for setting up this UYE. The restaurant is at the corner S Henry and King Street. The facility is narrow and cozy. There are 2 tables set out front for dining in the open with the majority of the tables distributed along the length of the restaurant. The menu is an eclectic selection of seafood dishes with a sprinkle of meat dishes as well. We came here for the $1 oyster happy hour feature. I chose an equal amount of the beausoleil, westport and miyagi oysters. I thought all of the oysters were excellent and were of good consistent size. The miyagi was very delicate and tender with lightly sweet flavor. The westport were firm and a bit mineral in flavor. The beausoleil were also firm and lightly salty. There were choices of horseradish and ketchup which was strong and pungent and the wine vinegar to dip the oysters into. There was a decent wine and beer selection offered. I had the dogfish raison d'etre beer which was a belgian abbey style microbrew that was very refreshing. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I will definitely come back and try out the entree menu offerings.
(4)
Barbara H.
Hank's in Alexandria has excellent food, even for those who are not oyster fans. Their lobster bisque is exceptional with a nice supply of pieces of lobster; the Caesar salad is well balanced with a plentiful supply of shaved Parmesan cheese and the option of adding some delicious strips of anchovies over the top; the lobster roll a fellow diner had looked generous and was pronounced delicious; the gold fish before and the dark chocolate pieces after the meal are a welcome addition; the onion rings were crisp and tasty, served in a toast rack, which was cute; and the service was spot on and friendly, even to a table full of women of a certain age :) The only "con" I have is that their lift for the disabled was not functioning which made it very difficult for one of our party. Thank you, Hank's for a wonderful Friday lunch.
(4)
Damien S.
Very fresh oysters and a great ambiance. The place is right in downtown Old Town, and is smaller and a bit quieter than the Hank's in Dupont. The ceviche is very good, and their side dishes are excellent. I'd definitely recommend the chili bok choy and squash / parsnip. Have not had the lobster roll but I hear good things. All around Hank's is a great oyster joint; No more, no less and they get it right!
(4)
Lea C.
The bf and I sauntered in here for lunch one lazy Saturday while wandering around King Street. It was early for lunch, so there weren't too many people inside the dining room, which is deceptively big (bet you didn't notice how far back it goes). As a cute touch, they put a bowl of goldfish on the table for snacking, in lieu of bread. Fun! I had the shrimp po'boy and the bf had the crabcake sandwich and an order of onion rings. Everything was fantastic. My po'boy was not authentic and served on a hot dog roll, but it was very good if a bit difficult to eat. I loved the Old Bay fries. The bf loved his crabcake sandwich, and he typically dislikes seafood, so this was a miracle. I think the remoulade, which had a little kick, helped. The presentation of the onion rings is super cute, placed vertically reminiscent of a little skeleton. They were big, juicy, and flavorful, all the things you want in good onion rings. I can't wait to come back for some $1 oysters.
(4)
Kerry R.
After hearing rave reviews about Hank's for a long time and being a seafood lover, I knew I had to come see what all the hype was about. This place lives up to all of my high expectations. I came in yesterday with one of my girlfriends. The restaurant is on the bottom floor of a very dark blue building(it's somewhat hard to find at night). The inside was very homey with the decor and the bright lights dangling from the window. We were greeted immediately with a small cup of gold fish crackers. I thought this was a cute unique idea especially since it is a seafood restaurant. Since Hank's is known for their oysters, I decided to get an appetizer order of them. Our waitress provided me with a cheat-cheat of the locations where each oyster was from(ranging from local to west coast). They were all very good. As entrees, my friend got the ceviche with a side of cauliflower and I got the lobster roll with a side of french fries. She loved her ceviche which was full of calamari, shrimp, fish, and I think scallops. Her cauliflower was spot on as well. I think the real winner of the meal was the lobster roll. I overheard our waitress telling another table that the lobster roll is their most popular dish. Rightfully so. I've tasted several lobster rolls(Coastal Flats, Tackle Box, Red Hook Lobster). While they are all good, the lobster roll at Hank's is amazing. There is a generous amount of lobster and the roll is soft. The fries complemented the roll quite nicely. When we got our checks, we were also supplied with pieces of dark chocolate. It was a perfect finish to a great meal. I will be going back.
(5)
Jaime B.
The oyster's were really good, good size too, can't wait to come back for beers and the oyster special. Also tried the lamb burger, good portions, not too filling and not too little. Overall, good meal.
(4)
M C.
Love Hank's Oyster Bar! Have never been to the other locations but the one in Old Town is great. Have been there many times and I am never let down. The fried clams are wonderful and the lobster roll is fresh and not overly dressed. The mac and cheese is very flavorful and nothing can beat the oyster happy hour. Now that they have renovated and one side is a bar, it seems much roomier on the dining side. Have never had a bad meal. Dortmunder from Great Lakes Brewing Co. on tap was a great surprise. Highly recommend.
(5)
Val C.
I don't know what their secret is, but their fried oysters are the BEST I've ever tasted!!!! The dipping sauce is a GREAT compliment to the lightly battered and delicately fried oysters. The oysters are huge and very flavorful. The service is wonderful; staff is very friendly and professional! I've been a handful of times and each time has been better than the last! I can't say enough about how great this restaurant is -- I will continue going whenever in Old Town! Wish I lived nearby, but then I would probably have to up my workout regimen! It's soooo worth it though!
(5)
Mark S.
This restaurant is as good as it gets in local food. The staff is amazing, food is fresh and always original. They have a great selection of oysters from Washington state - which are the best! The new addition of a great bar makes this a fun place to sit and have a drink. If you haven't made your way to this great little Alexandria find, don't miss out!
(5)
Fred R.
An OK place, but overpriced and overrated. Food was nothing special. I'd give it a "B-" grade. Quality of dishes was erratic. Lobster bisque was blechh, but contained a few nice chunks of lobster. My sliced steak was also tasty. The Clam chowder was very good, and hot, which was important and I'll explain why. It was crowded, and we were seated at the table closest to the bar on the left when you walk in. We were glad to be seated (after a reasonably short wait), as it was cold and windy outside. I sat closest to the bar, against the wall, and was freezing during the entire meal. Our waitress saw me wearing my coat and hat and went to turn off the ceiling fan but it didn't help. Towards the end of the meal, I ordered another soup - this time clam chowder, to help warm me up. It felt as if I was sitting in the spooky, cold room in a haunted house movie. You are in an apparently nice building, and make the mistake of opening the door to a room the caretaker said not to enter. Just before dessert she came over to say the bartender told her that I was sitting in the "COLD SPOT" and she moved me to the end of the table- an immediate 15 degree difference!! Seriously. Ya mean to tell me she just found that out? I was comfortable during dessert but the person sitting next to me got colder since i was no longer serving to block her from the cold. I won't return. I had a stiff neck and shoulder from the cold for the next few days. If not for being seated in what the waitress said was "THE COLD SPOT" , I would have given it two stars, two and one-half if that was an option; but definitely not higher.
(1)
Fabian M.
Stop in on a wed nite and had a great time. Awesome oysters! Even better service! Curtis is a great server they need to give him a promotion and a raise
(4)
Dee Dee S.
If I can give this place negative stars I would!!!!! I JUST got home from having dinner if that's what you want to call it for my bf birthday and it was HORRIBLE!!!! Dishes where super expansive.... Ok I understand seafood is a bit pricey. But the waitress (Keri) wow talk about hospitality. She forgot about the birthday man's drink waited a good 20 min until we finally got it. She seemed like she had an attitude the whole night. Also she BARLEY came to our table and didn't even refill our water glasses. She would come to our table and quickly leave not given us a chance to ask for anything, we had to yell half down the room to get her attention. She spent most of her time on the other side of the restaurant. All the "positive" reviews written about this location is full of BS. So I will not be returning here.... highly disappointed!!!!
(1)
Cole D.
Positives: Lobster roll was pretty good. Oyster presentation was great. Beer list is a less run-of-the-mill, in a good way Server was friendly and attentive Negatives: Lobster bisque was really subpar. Very little lobster. And there was an inedible plastic-y shell mistakenly included in it. Overall, prices for everything were way too high given the quality/quantity. Interior is cramped. Little to offer in terms of ambiance. Hallway connecting the front to the back is pretty trashy.
(2)
Frank G.
Our dinner at Hank's was an otherwise four star experience marred by an incredibly rude hostess and simply dreadful desserts. If Gordon Ramsey were around, I could only imagine the string of profanities he would hurl in regard to both. The food was darn good, so it's with a heavy heart that I go below three stars. It's a bit pricey, but that's expected in Old Town. The desserts, however, were pretty terrible. The panna cotta lacked any semblance of cream and was an insult to an otherwise reliable dessert; it honestly tasted like it came from a Jello box mix. The key lime pie was okay, but small and with a too-thick crust. You're better off going elsewhere for dessert. The worst part of the evening, however, was the hostess. She was just plain rude, right from the get-go. I imagine the inclusion of Flying Dog's Raging Bitch IPA on the beer menu was a subtle tribute to her. A group of seven might be pushing the limits of a restaurant this size, but you should be able to handle it. With more than an hour wait for a table (they don't take reservations), we figured we would get a couple of drinks. Is the bar area crowded? Yes. Were we in the way sometimes? Yes (but we were quick to make way). Coming by and scolding us repeatedly, however, was unnecessary. You know what, we could either wait in the vestibule doing nothing, or be at the bar sucking down $11 cocktails. If you owned the place, what would you rather have your customers doing?
(2)
Christina L.
Happy hour oysters are only $1 each! We got two dozen for 4 of us. They were good and we paired them with the old bay fries.
(3)
G. H.
I love oysters, so I had been wanting to try Hank's Oyster Bar for a long time. We ordered 2 oysters of each type offered the night we went, and then ordered another round of our top two favorites, which included Chef Creek oysters from British Columbia (the best!). The oysters were all pretty tasty, and each type had a distinct flavor and character. We definitely enjoyed eating them, some with vinegar and some with cocktail sauce. The downside of the experience was that we ordered french fries to eat with our oysters, but they were brought out a long time before the oysters came out. Not only that, but there were hardly any fries in the basket, and they were pricey! Pretty disappointing. Also, our server wasn't particularly friendly, knowledgeable or helpful. Finally, we ordered the ceviche on our server's recommendation, and it was not impressive. However, it's worth going here if you're looking for a variety of oysters to try. A nice touch is the yummy chunks of dark chocolate that they bring out with your bill. 3 stars!
(3)
Miss W.
Life's simple pleasures: candlelight, wine, fried oysters, good company. A beautiful, intimate space perfect for late night dining. Remarkable wine selection, goldfish cracker starter, charming service. Fried oyster, mac and cheesy, crab cakes, malbec, all divine. Highlight: savory dark chocolate chunks at the end of the meal, sold!!
(5)
Justin C.
This half-assed lobster roll serving food truck popped up this past summer in DC, and suddenly everyone was enamored with something that had been available right under their noses for so long. Maybe it was the accessibility and "cheapness" of a $15 lobster roll that did it, or just the trendy factor, but nobody seemed to realize they were getting ripped off, and the lines continued to form every day. Meanwhile, I've steadily been enjoying the best lobster roll in DC at Hank's Oyster Bar on a regular basis, and laughing at the suckers clambering for a 3 bite lunch. While there are 2 locations for Hank's in DC, I've found the Old Town spot to be much more conducive for me, as it's not only a quick ride down the road from my apartment, but also seems to be less crowded for later dinners, which is when I tend to go. It probably has a great deal to do with the age difference in diners at Dupont Circle and Alexandria, but as long as it plays out in my favor I don't really care what the cause is. The staff in Old Town is very friendly as well, and they even brought around oyster shooters for everyone in the dining room last time I was there, on the house. This particular time, I was a bit extra hungry, and it was really cold out, so I decided to add on to my usual order and try the soup of the day ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) as well, a cream of potato with chunks of pancetta. The flavor was a bit muddled, and I know now why I've always stuck with the standard order. It wasn't a bad soup, by any means, and it was quite hearty, but it was also kind of basic, so not really worth the $6 when I would be easily full with just the main course. As for the main event, well that's why I love this place. A lobster roll can be so many things, but ultimately, if the word delicious doesn't apply, then it's not done right. It should be creamy, with tender meat, a bounty spilling forth from a nicely toasted bun or baguette, and the contrast of cold and warm should play nicely off each other. The dressing should be just enough to lather up the meat, not overpower it, and not much else should be included in the roll, because the lobster is always the star. Here is where Hank's hits the sweet spot. Not only do they offer up possibly the most delectable lobster roll in the area, but it's also gigantic ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) when compared to its competition. And, for only $23 total, you get the roll and a heaping side of Old Bay seasoned fries, which are pretty fantastic in their own right. The combination of fries and roll is definitely not one to be missed, and something that other places simply aren't replicating to this degree. Oh, and you get to finish off your meal with several large chunks of dark chocolate, gratis, pretty sweet deal. So, once spring and summer come back around, and you don't feel like waiting an hour to get your pint-sized portion from the RedHook truck, come join me at Hank's for my monthly lobster indulgence.
(5)
S C.
I love Hanks. I've never had a meal there I did not like. I like the oysters, the mussels, the duck, the baby bokchoy, the collard greens, the wine list. All high quality, fresh ingredients. You just tell the waiter what kind of oysters you like (large, briny, sweet, etc) and he or she will direct you to the right ones. Some reviewers complained that the oysters were too small. Just tell the waiter you like the larger shelled ones. I've personally not had bad service but have had friends who have. The bartender is always friendly. But I do know that some of the wait staff has a reputation for attitude. Management might want to get a handle on that.
(5)
Derek H.
If the Lobster Roll was a person, I would bury my head in its lap. I can say that with a completely straight face and no shame because that was one of the best things I've ever inhaled with my mouth. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I came to Hank's in Old Alexandria for dinner last week with some fellas for the first time. Wanted a nice meal on a Friday night instead of thirty drinks and some Mario's Pizza at 3 AM for once. We got there at around 8:30 and the place was, surprisingly, not slammed. I guess the Old Town crowd, which I'm not really familiar with, cashes out a little early (maybe they're worn out after shopping at the Lamp Store across the street? Really? An entire store for lamps?). Either way, didn't care. Got a table for 4 right away and were on our way. Three of us got the aforementioned lobster roll (described as "Sex in my mouth", "the Cadillac of Lobster", and "So good I might eat it again on its the way out of me"), 1 of us got the Flat Iron Steak ("Where's Hank? I want to ask him if he wants to split an apartment with me"). Friends also got some oysters, I didn't try any, but I did have the Popcorn Shrimp and Calamari - solid app (or small plate, as they list it) all around. The joint itself is small (or at least narrow) and could use a little more bar space, but it's hard to dock it for such a small thing. Just when you've got what looks like an incredible happy hour deal ($1 oysters) and so many perfect "date" tables, you need some bar space for us dudes who want some killer food but can't sit at a table for two without feeling out of place. If I lived closer, I would definitely be a local. I've heard equally good things (who am I kidding? Hank's is like the top rated place on Yelp in the city) about the Dupont location.
(5)
Peter C.
Who wants happy hour $1 oysters?? Hank's got them!! We came here on a Friday evening where they have $1 oysters between 5:30-6:30 pm. Between my girlfriend and I, we ended up getting 3 dozen oysters. We first started off with the $1 oysters. Out of the three different ones, we liked the Malpeques and the Alpine's. We didn't really care for the Barcat. We then got two dozen oysters - of which we got a dozen between the Malpeques and the Alpine's, and then a dozen of the Eld Inlet, Chef Creek, and Pacific Kiss ones. We still ended up liking the Malpeques and the Alpines over the additional three types of oysters. I actually didn't like them at all because one of them was just very milky and I just had to spit it back out. My tummy didn't feel so great afterwards for the rest of the weekend probably because there was a bad oyster in the batch. Overall though, you can't beat the price for the oysters. I think I may have over done it myself by doing three dozen oysters with my girlfriend. :) Still, I'd give them a 4 star just because of the price and the service was great as well.
(4)
Melaine P.
Charming, cozy (ok, fine, a little too narrow), and extremely friendly service. Kinda feels like Boston, without the attitude. The raw bar is well stocked and excellent, with select oysters, jumbo shrimp, oyster shooters, and ceviche, all reasonably priced. Check out the happy hour and late night specials for REALLY good prices. Although the raw bar was our main motivation, both my husband and I were impressed with the hot mains as well. Go.
(4)
Laura H.
I can't possibly describe how awesome this place is. I went with my husband, my brother, and my 8 yr old twins on Dec 27th. We went because we wanted oysters. Well we got oysters alright! We ordered 2 dozen to start and all 5 of us loved them. We got a variety and actually like the local ones best. We also got some fried clams, ceviche, and steamed mussels. All of it was fantastic. Then for dinner, we all split a lobster roll, a scallop special and a Mahi special. It was all very good and we were quite happy. We loved the oysters so much that we got another dozen for 'dessert'. The waiter wasn't very friendly at first, but then he warmed up to us and was very nice. I think he loved that we loved all the food so much. And he said we were not the only ones to order oysters for dessert! The inside of the restaurant is pretty small so I don't think large parties would work well. They do have a kids menu, but my kids didn't use it. They eat oysters and mussels and could care less about chicken fingers or popcorn shrimp. But there is a menu available if you bring your kids.
(5)
Rose N.
Great selection of fresh oysters from all over the place. Hank's is great for a mellow night of clean fresh oysters, mussels, a couple of beers, awesome side dishes (for $5). I'm not needy, that's all I ask for. Thanks you Hank's for quality food and service everytime. And I am addicted to the dark chocolate chuncks that come after every meal. Cleans the palate very nicely :)
(4)
S R.
FOOD - Very good. The oysters are delicious, especially the ones from New Jersey, sweet & savory. Fried calamari, popcorn shrimp, and onion rings not greasy at all. I was expecting some pieces of bacon in the braised collard greens; they were okay. Wine list - great selection & reasonable prices. SERVICE - No one smiled or had a friendly disposition. I felt that we were an inconvenience to our server. I finally got a smile out of him though. The host/manager seemed rude and snooty. I used to work in the hospitality industry and constantly communicated with guests, so I pay attention to customer service. I would have given it four stars but my friend and I felt we got attitude from staff. Go for the $1 oysters from 5:30-6:30pm.
(3)
Cheryl T.
Came here based on the great reviews, left a little disappointed. Had a late lunch on Sunday so the restaurant was quiet which was nice. Staff are attentive and nice enough but service was pretty much average. Ordered a carbcake (small plate) with a side of mac and cheese and onion rings (again, my side orders were based on reviews). Crabcake was slightly burnt and was soaked in oil. Mac and cheese was so mediocre and onion rings were terrible - they give you a small dish off thick cut rings fried in buttermilk batter and they are TASTELESS. Most restaurants use vidalia onions to make onion rings (because they are naturally sweet) - Hank's used regular brown onions or really old onions because they were just plain bad. Perhaps we came on an off-day.... try it for yourself but I don't think I'm going back.
(2)
Brianne C.
I shall never be a true foodie for the following reasons: 1. I detest mushrooms (though I love the flavor of truffles). 2. I rely on Trader Joe's pre-chopped shallots, onions, and garlic. 3. I do not like oysters. Thus, this review shall not contain observations on those raw gifts from the ocean. Rather, my meal (with its high price point) revealed the following truths: 1. The lobster bisque should be renamed tomato bisque with tendrils of shellfish. 2. The cauliflower puree with the caramelized scallops should not be termed a fondue. 3. The lobster roll was stuffed with sweet meat but also loaded with bits of celery. 4. The buttery bread cradling the lobster was nicely toasted. 5. The brussels sprouts had a lovely sweet flavor and a pleasantly firm texture. And, to save the best for last..... 6. The macaroni and cheese was sensational. Blended with smoked gouda and cream cheese and lightly topped with breadcrumbs, the tender elbow macaroni and medium sauce represented all that is best about this comfort food. Though it had been browned in the oven, it was saucier than baked mac and cheese, and stunning. Indeed, I shall return for a light meal of salad and macaroni and cheese. However, the rest of the experience was only pleasant at best, and I expect better preparations when my party spends $300 on a meal.
(3)
Chris K.
Yow! I went for the first time last night and I've been thinking about it all day today. Our helpful server steered me onto some super sweet and creamy oysters when I told her I was looking for the closest thing to a kumamoto. these were bigger but had a similar taste and texture...6 things of beauty to start. Next, what's this? Oyster sake shooters, $3 apiece??? I put these right at the top of my favorite new things list! Then the piece de resistance, which I've been craving forever: fried clams, one of the world's most perfect dishes! And these were every bit as good as any I've ever had, including loads of places in and Boston and New England! This place is nothing short of a revelation!
(5)
Micah V.
Very good. We had the Lobster Roll and the Salmon Reuben. The Reuben was incredible. I didn't have any oysters but my wife did and she really liked the Battlefield oyster. We will definitely return!
(5)
Don Q.
Here's my most honest review of the place: 1. Friendly Staff 2. Slow service 3. Great and Clean Bathrooms (like at home) 4. Kinda Pricey 5. Their Oysters are awesome 6. The Oysters Happy Hour time is ridonkulous ( I think it's meant for old people) 7. Be prepared to drop $50-$60 and leave hungry (if only having oysters with 1-2 drinks per person) 8. Nice Wine & Beer selection 9. Small space (though it does have more room in the rear) 10. Stick to the OYSTERS - Trust me!
(4)
Samantha H.
Oysters, especially raw, are not something each person will like. But being a person who loves them I had to try Hanks famous happy hour raw bar. While oysters are the only raw bar item they are plentiful and have at least 6 different types to choose from! During that time they are $1 each, as compared to $2 each normally. I also had mac n' cheese are the side which was killer! I would go back just to eat the sides! My husband, turns out, is not an oyster fan, but he gave it a good go! He ordered the lobster roll, also amazing. The only downfall to this restaurant is the crowds during happy hour and the service during those times. Overall 4 stars and loving it!
(4)
Roll T.
3.25 stars. It should come as no surprise that the sponsored result for Hank's Oyster Bar indicates it is a good place to spend $200 because it is certainly not a place one should go if they are looking to spend less than $20 on a meal. During my premiere visit to Hank's, I ended up spending just over $40... during a $1 oyster happy hour. This isn't meant to disparage the place; it simply is an observation that prices tend to gravitate toward the $$$ instead of the $$ that it is currently listed at on Yelp. With that caveat in mind, I would say that I enjoyed my experience. Being somewhat of a novice on the bivalves compared to some of my dining companions, I simply did not notice any of the shell cracking issues while slurping down my oysters. I did, however, realize that the $1 beausoleil oysters were a relative steal from a price perspective. For an informative review on the taste of the beausoleil, I defer to Marianne L's review. Personally, I enjoyed the shallot vinaigrette that accompanied the oysters. I found no textural issues, and in my opinion, it appeared that the blend meshed perfectly especially with the beausoleil oysters. The horseradish cocktail mixture was also pretty tasty. Although I did find the oyster prices to be relatively reasonable during happy hour, I did think that some of the prices for other offerings were downright fraudulent. $23 for a lobster roll? Really?? I know we're not in Maine, but honestly, I had avoided Hank's this long largely based on that shocking price point for a lobster roll. The bottled beer prices were also a bit higher than necessary. On average, I can find bottled beers for $1-$2 less than the going price at Hank's. Given that providing such beers requires no extra work on the part of the restaurant, I think it goes without saying that the beers here are overpriced. My Rogue's Dead Guy Ale was $6 for a bottle. That's a bit steep. Overall, they clearly are very knowledgeable about oysters, and for the bivalve lover, it's certainly worth a stop. I would go as far as to say it might have some of the best seafood in the Old Town area. But despite that, I still think there are other places that are more desirable for happy hour and dinner in the general vicinity.
(3)
William L.
Came for Sat brunch. Had the crab sandwich which was ok. Definitely go for the specials as the mussels and the egg benedict with fried oysters were awesome. Definitely go for the oyster bar specials!
(4)
Jon B.
My second time here, and it did not disappoint. Fresh oysters - $1 at happy hour, fresh fish, and a good bartender - that's the recipe for a successful night. Note that this place is small, and they don't take reservations, so come early or be prepared to wait. I will eat here regularly when I'm in Alexandria. If you like oysters and fresh seafood, then this is your place. They even do a credible job of non-seafood (really good mac 'n cheese, and good greens - I assume there's some sort of meat on the menu, too) but the point of this place is seafood and cocktails. - at least to me.
(4)
Jesse D.
Hank's Oyster Bar could have ruined one of my last chances at happiness. I arranged to finally meet a girl I've been talking with on an online dating site at this restaurant. I arrived a few minutes early. I asked if anyone had been seated and was waiting for someone, and they said no, so I went ahead and got a table. Many minutes passed with me sitting at this table alone. The waitstaff began looking at me uncomfortably. About fifteen minutes in I asked my waiter to check if anyone was waiting in the lobby or outside, and he said no. I continued waiting, feeling more and more embarrassed as I sipped my water and nibbled on Goldfish. After half an hour I finally conceded to being stood up and told my waiter I'd go ahead and order, at which he promptly snatched away the second set of flatware and second menu. Sheesh, at least allow me to PRETEND she might still show up. I'm not a huge oyster fan, so I ordered the popcorn shrimp and calamari. Ten dollars, and I get a small bucket of greasy fried somethings, and I can only tell the difference between them by their slight variations in shape. Hardly worth what I paid. And, and, AND, I noticed they had the new Port City IPA on their menu. Being a big IPA fan, and hardly in the mood to experiment with beers I hadn't yet tried, I ordered one. What did I get? A pale ale. A pale ale! As though a pale ale would numb the pain of such a harsh, implicit rejection, and a mis-advertised pale ale at that! Inexcusable. Eventually I finished my fried somethings and non-India pale ale and left that horrible place for my bus stop. While waiting for the bus, I received a perturbed message from the girl I was supposed to meet saying she'd arrived, waited twenty minutes for me, checked inside a couple times, then left. Did the waitstaff know I was waiting for someone? Yes. Did I ask them to check if someone was waiting during the time frame she said she was in fact waiting there? Yes. Did I share a wonderful evening of fine food and drink with this girl who actually showed up and had no intention of blowing me off? The answer to that, I'm afraid, is obvious. My tale does not yet have a sad ending; when I explained what happened, she understood, and we're going to try again at a different restaurant. But you may not be so lucky. I hope this tale of woe and nearly lost chances can serve as a cautionary tale to others. Avoid Hank's Oyster Bar! They are the enemy of love.
(1)
Alexander C.
I just got back from happy hour and had an amazing experience! Select $1 oysters from 5:30-6:30 on weekdays! Service was EXCELLENT! Our server gave us a complete rundown on the selection of oysters available..explaining everything from where the oysters were from (mostly from WA but also VA and NY), if they were sweet or not, and how subjected each oyster was to water or brine immersion. As for my order I had the Wildfire, Pemaquid, Sisters Point, and Deer Creek, My favorite was the Sisters Point due to the sweetness and meatiness. YUM. The Wildfire and Pemaquid, with a more moderate taste, were tasty as well. The Deer Creek was my least favorite choice, leaning more towards the fishy side. To finish the meal off I also had an sake oyster shooter which is made up of their house bloody mary mix, sake, and an oyster. It was delicious! Perfect mesh of all the ingredients. This place definitely hits the spot whether you love oysters or not! (A person in my party doesn't really like oysters, but still very much enjoyed them here!)
(5)
Courtney R.
Back-to-back seafood dinners out: good idea. Not because it's Lent (recovering Catholic here), but because it's easier to bring down the JHOTâ„¢ (for those that don't know, that's the Judgmental Hammer of Thor) on a place. So, the last point of reference was the Fish Market, where we dined the night prior and I got charged 50 cents for lettuce and tomato. Darn tootin' I'm still pissed about that. Hank's was pricier, but newer, cleaner and had no children haunting its halls. Plus plus plus. We ordered the market veggie plate--five sides for a semi-steep $16--following our lobster bisque. The bisque was delicious. We also ordered the fried shrimp and calamari basket. Not bad, not fabulous. Generally, this joint is a solid three stars, but I have to give extra love to the bartender/waiter who managed to weather Welshie and mine's rollercoaster dining experience of smooching in public before descending into a pissing match (I'd had a long day) without ever cracking his cheery smile, let alone puking or rolling his eyes. I ordered a slice of Key Lime pie to go after discovering all the desserts were made in-house, and ate it much later. It was way lime-y. Big ups.
(4)
A A.
I gave Hank's Oyster Bar 5 stars because it had everything I'd expect in a restaurant. I would've love to have sat outside but their outdoor seating can only take a max of 4 people at 2 tables (or a group of 4 at one table), and we had 3 of us and there were already 2 outside. Some odd Alexandria patio law that won't allow more than 4 in Old Town. But it was ok, inside was comfortable and exceeded all my expectations. Starting with the little things that are often overlooked, Hanks was unpretentious, easy to get to with nearby parking, large size tables, great condiments, good bread, spreadable butter, and great service. Everything was incredibly fresh, and nothing took too long to come out. There were 3 of us eating, so we decided to split everything we ordered 3 ways. We ordered 2 bowls of the mussels (so good - take that bread and soak it in their sauce), old bay french fries to throw in to the mussels sauce (delish!), oysters, peel n eat shrimp, and a salad (I believe it was the one with beets), with a few beers, and a bottle of wine. Between the 3 of us, this was the receipt to the perfect portions. I left wanting nothing more and not over stuffed. Wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable. Anytime we needed anything, by the time we'd think to look up, she was there ready to help. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. This was a spot we picked from going to yelp and typing in "Mussels in Alexandria", and boom, next thing you know I'm having a great meal in a great establishment I had no idea was 3.5 miles from me. I'll be back for brunch!
(5)
Brendan C.
Go here as often as I can these days. Good food, nice atmosphere, good wine list. The late night happy hour on Friday and Saturday is one of my favorite things to do on the weekends. Lee at the bar is really nice, and the guys seem to have a pretty strong idea on what types of oysters there are and what I would like. Skip the french fries, unless you love Old Bay, cause that's all they taste like. Specials are solid, haven't fooled around much with the rest of the menu.
(4)
Ralph D.
This place is excellent, small room, small menu, everything is good. I recommend
(4)
Lee P.
Decided to go here for their happy hour after much hype and can say it definitely lived up to it. Great atmosphere, cozy but not too pretentious. Great selection of Oyster's during their happy hour. Need to get there early for seats as they are strict on having your entire party present to be seated but overall definitely recommend this place. Looking forward to going back.
(4)
Whitney H.
Good food, not so good atmosphere. There was no music or background "noise", so when my friend and I got there around noon on a Friday, we thought it was kind of uncomfortable. Good variety of seafood, and nice brunch menu on Fridays. I thought it was over-priced for the quality of the actual place and atmosphere, but the food was really good. Gotta have both, though.
(3)
Teal G.
This little restaurant has the best seafood in Old Town Alexandria. Which is saying something since Old Town is right on the water. The ambiance is great, as it's small enough to feel private and comfortable but big enough to get seated and mill around. The presentation of the food is fantastic. It's clean, simple, and the oysters especially look wonderful on a flat dish on top of ice. The service people are great and Lee the bartender is really nice and quick with making drinks. Finally, the best part! The food is absolutely divine. The half fresh fish is so good. My friend doesn't even bother asking what the fish is before she orders it since she always loves it. I prefer to play around on the menu but I will admit the fresh fish is divine. The oysters are meaty. Lee (the bartender) also talked to us about the oysters coming from a sustainable source. The empty oyster shells are replanted into the river. The oysters as they grow clean the river, then when they are ready, they are farmed and eaten. Then the whole cycle starts again! Tasty AND eco minded!
(5)
Sam C.
We just stopped by and had half a dozen oysters. Forgot the name of it but it was nice and fresh, like an oyster should be. The oysters they had that day were written on a blackboard without any prices. The rest of the menu was small and not really that attractive. many items seemed similiar to dishes found at Eastern Market Lunch, but more expensive. The waiter was very unattentive and it took forever for him to come take our order. I also wished they had served the horseradish and cocktail sauce separately so I would control the level of spiciness myself better.
(3)
Lily Z.
The happy hour at Hank's was fantastic. I just had some Hammersley oysters for $1 a pop and still dreaming about the taste. They were fresh, briny, had a very pronounce sweet after taste. You can't get better oysters even at places that charge three times what Hank's charges.
(5)
Amanda M.
This place is FUN! I took a couple out-of-town friends here as an excuse to also see Old Town, and it was the perfect choice... casual and reasonably priced, laid back atmosphere and friendly staff. On the restaurant's recommendation, we called ahead before leaving the house and put our name on the waiting list for a table (this was a Saturday night during the cherry blossom festival, after all!). When we got there about 25 minutes later, we only had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated. I have to admit that I generally don't consider myself an oyster person. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where seafood of all kinds is a staple of our menu, and oysters were usually the shellfish I could do without. But since this place actually HAD an Otter Cove, WA oyster on their daily fresh sheet, I decided to be bold and try an oyster shooter. And it wasn't half bad! Maybe my taste buds have grown with me. Anyway, they had about six different oysters to choose from that night - our table tried the Washington variety, as I said, as well as a local VA catch and another from Prince Edward Island. All were good and very fresh. We all ordered different entrees and then passed them around, so I got a taste of the fried calamari and shrimp poppers (pretty tasty, especially the shrimp) and the crab cakes (good, but I've had better). The winner of the night was definitely my scallop dish, with this heavenly onion fondue cream sauce that was, as my friend put it, truly "inspired". The scallops were perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and set off nicely with a crunchy little sea vegetable that reminded me of skinny green beans. YUM! Definitely one of the best seafood dinners I've had in a long time, and that's saying a lot when you are used to eating fresh Northwest seafood. We polished off our dinners with just enough room left for dessert, which was fortunate because they had a respectable chocolate mousse and a delicious strawberry shortcake on the menu. Our waitress was very friendly, helpful with recommendations, and the food service was prompt. All in all, it was a really excellent dining experience at a price that didn't break the bank. Next time I'm looking for some good basic seafood, I'll be back.
(4)
marissa w.
Yum yum! This place is delicious and happy hour oyster deals are amazing! I love that they get in oysters from both the east and west coast. Everything I have eaten here always tastes so fresh. The peel and eat shrimp are delicious as well, with that old bay seasoning. And as for sides, the mac and cheesy is sooo good! Ambiance: It can get a little noisy and crowded in there, but I like the small venue. Service has always been great there, you don't have to wait long for drinks. It is very clean, everyone there is very professional.
(4)
Stephanie S.
Wow, amazing food, ambiance, and service. Go in to sit at the tiny bar of this adorable restaurant, have oysters for their "oyster hour" happy hour, and chat with tom the bartender. He and the rest of the friendly staff made me feel like an old friend. Oysters, roasted brussel sprouts, lobster roll, and crab cake were all prepared to perfection. What a fun night for a relaxing happy hour/dinner. Thanks, Hank's!
(5)
Pink I.
Hank's is a gem. It is one of the few solid casual restaurants in this area and certainly in Old Town. My personal view is that DC is desperately lacking in casual restaurants and mediocre food abounds (I do recognize the increasingly great suburban ethnic scene - at least for some of the Asian cuisines). For me Hanks is such a star because it serves honest food at reasonable prices - has a well-considered and reasonably priced wine list - and has very friendly and accommodating staff. That is a recipe for a great restaurant. I usually eat at Hank's once a week since it is walking distance from home. Every time I visit there is something that strikes me about "why I like Hank's." This Friday, for example, I noticed two Rose's by the glass on the menu. One was a Southern Rhone blend and the other a Bordeaux. So when was the last time you went to a casual place in the DC area that had two real (i.e., not blush swill) Rose's on the menu (by the glass)? Never. And Hank's seem to accomplish all this without being pretentious or fancy-pants. Hank's also has a menu that says, "menu changes daily" or similar. Guess what? It does! Yes, there are items that stay on the menu (Attention Hank's - please do not remove the Mac and Cheese, the onion rings, the lobster roll, the crab cakes, and several other items to be determined later), but this place has constant specials and new items; every time I visit there is something new to try. Also, for meat eaters, there is food. Do not think this place is raw bar only - there is plenty of stuff for you to eat. There is also a daily special which rotates dependably throughout the week. Fried chicken on Sunday is recommended. Also worth trying are current specials scallops, and I really like the advocado salad (with a cilantro dressing) - which has been excellent, although the dressing has varied a bit with my visits (was more like a green goddess the first time). Excellent.
(4)
Caitlin C.
The Alexandria location is SO much better than the one in DC. Love the goldfish on the table and the casual feel of the restaurant. The fried tilapia sandwich is amazing, a must try!
(5)
Amy N.
3.5 stars After wanting to come here for a while, i finally got around ro stopping by for brunch. The meal was good but it wasnt amazing. We started off with half a dozen of jumbo shrimp cocktail... They werent exacly jumbo, and they were 1.95 per shrimp. It was okay ive had better. For brunch i ordered the crab cake sandwich and it came with cole slaw. The bf and his friend had the crab eggs benedict, it came with fries. My crabcake sandwich was okay, a little too salty i heard the eggs benedict's crab was too salty as well. The place is cute and cozy. The goldfish and chocolate they gave us was a nice touch. Overall, my experience was pleasant.
(3)
Joye P.
Hank's in Old Town Alexandria is just as good as Hank's in Dupont Circle. I've visited twice in the past 6 months, eating at the granite bar both times. Last time I was there, they had a Japanese-named West Coast raw oyster variety (not Kumamoto) that was wonderful! I also got a vegetable side that was great. It's a little pricey, and small square footage, but it's quaint, romantic, and very "Old Town:" more casual, a tad rustic, just relaxed. The bartender was attentive, and I'd come back for a handcrafted cocktail. I recommend.
(5)
Lindsay B.
My family and I stumbled upon Hank's recently when wandering in Alexandria. We were in VA for my brother's TBS graduation with the Marines and thought we would try random restaurants this time (for his OCS graduation we had good restaurant tips from friends.) After two duds we were so pleased to find Hanks. The atmosphere is casual but clean. The specialty's are on a huge chalkboard on the wall and a small glass prep bowl filled with goldfish crackers awaits you at the table. I had the lobster roll and a caesar salad. The roll was filled to the brim with lobster chunks and was dressed lightly so you could taste the meat. It was really tasty. My mom really liked her sable fish with an asian sauce and my dad had the fried oyster plate. Also, my dad got the lobster bisque. It was really rich, perfect to dip pieces of bread into and I would recommend sharing it because it's a large portion to eat alone. We ended the meal with a slice of key lime pie and the bread pudding to share between the three of us. The key lime pie was great. It wasn't the weird flourescent green I've seen many times before. I would definitely recommend it. The service was great too. Everyone was very attentive. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and if I ever find myself in the area again I will definitely be stopping by.
It had been a long time since I'd had some oysters and Hank's had been bookmarked on Yelp for a long time so I decided to finally check it out. I was not disappointed. I started with 6 raw oysters and one of Hank's oyster shooters. The raw oysters were great. I'm not a huge fan of saki, but the shooter was an interesting experience and at only $3 was worth a try. I had the Oyster Po Boy next. The fried oysters were amazing. Best I've ever had. Perfect amount of batter and perfect texture. My only criticism was the bun. It was basically a glorified hot dog roll. It did not properly contain the generous portion of fried oysters. It tasted great, but I would have loved a larger, crustier bun. To give an idea of how good the fried oysters were, one of them billowed out of the previously mentioned undersized bun and onto the floor. I still ate it. All in all a great experience. I can't wait to try the happy hour so I can afford to eat a couple dozen oysters.
(4)
Christie F.
Hanks is home. Seriously, it's like Cheers - and the servers will know your oyster preferences by your second visit. Everybody raves about the lobster roll, deservedly - it is totally the area's best. (Sorry, Lobster Truck DC, I still love you but Hanks is Hanks.) The fried oyster po boy is a decadent treat. Lobster bisque is another fave. The small plate salads are delish - lightly dressed so the veggies shine. We usually order a salad, the bisque, and a few dozen oysters! We start with a sampler, then hone in on the ones we like best. (Yes, we like us some oysters.) A hidden gem on the menu is the collards - they are dark, smoky, intense, like a love affair before you meet the parents. Get there in time for oyster happy hour. Dessert, now that they offer it, is tasty - but if we still want dessert after dinner, we usually head to Alexandria Cupcake.
(5)
Ji-In L.
Let me start off by saying I'm no expert on oysters. But I am a fan. I've had plenty in my day but Hank's was the first time I can remember that I was thoroughly impressed. Went with two friends and we just ordered a mix of what they had available (about 3 or 4 oysters a piece). I can't even tell you which ones we had, but the fresh water ones were especially clean but still tasty. Then we ordered two lobster sandwiches and one oyster sandwich. I preferred the lobster because I'm not usually a big fan of breaded and fried, but the oyster was pretty tasty too. The sides were just ok. We had mac and cheese and greens. All that plus three beers we ended up paying $140.00 including tip and everything. Although they were good, I wouldn't rush back for the sandwiches but I would go back to check out this oyster happy hour. Couldn't decide between 3 stars and 4 stars. But half a star for having some pretty impressive oysters. Another half a star for being in Old Town, which is so cute. Also bonus for having a very warm and friendly server. She was very informed and patient with us as we selected our oysters. We did have to wait quite a bit for our hot food though and then once the sandwiches came out they messed up on one of them and had to remake it. But I wasn't too bothered by it because at least I'd had the oysters by then and was drinking beers with good company. Really cute place for a date or to take someone from out of town. I'd probably try to go back more often if I lived closer and if I had the budget to.
(4)
Christina A.
Always have a great experience when coming to this place!
(5)
Caitlin P.
Awesome oyster happy hour and great cocktails. Had the oyster po' boy as an entree, which I didn't love. But in hindsight, the oysters at this place are meant to be showcased, not hidden in batter. I'll definitely return.
(4)
Ngoc L.
Great spot for Happy Hour Oysters! Too bad there weren't any drink specials but I'd come back alone for the oysters. We sampled several other dishes such as lobster roll, seafood ceviche, fried oyster poboy, mussels and their desserts. All were great and they give you complimentary chocolates. Too bad it's one of those spots I can't be splurging every weekend, if I could I would!
(4)
Chi T.
Better lobsta roll than most. Definitely small. Get here early on the weekend during the peak hours. Good date place.
(4)
Bill W.
average - very average. i went with friends for happy hour oysters and then dinner. the happy hour oysters were okay. our meals were satisfactory. it is such a great space. but what really earned the two star rating was the service. our waiter seemed put out to have to serve us - and this was my third time coming to this place. each time i think that the service might get better, but it doesn't... i may try it again in a few months, but it isn't on the list right now.
(2)
Carol T.
Oysters were wonderful...good selection. Onion rings are some of the best ever. Service very good. 4 of us shared a piece of pumpkin pie only because our server pushed it...what a great guy he was!! It was melt in your mouth wonderful. A definite must place to go back to.
(4)
Jeffrey F.
Came here for happy hour recently because they offer $1 oysters. Actually, that's it for happy hour. There are no drink specials. As clearly they are traditionalists, the happy hour lasts exactly ONE hour. No, happy hour, is not a euphemism for a couple of hours of after work goodness. In any case, we walked in and were greeted by a snotty hostess who directed us to a seat along the wall. This place is pretty small and cozy. Luckily our waitress was much friendlier. She explained the oyster happy hour and talked about the differences in the 4 different types of oysters that were being offered and nicely mentioned how she'd arrange them on the plate and to leave the shells in place so we could just point to re-order ones we particularly liked. For drinks I started with the rye manhattan, which came on the rocks and annoyed me (my fault for not ordering it up) for sec until I saw that it clearly states that on the menu that is comes that way. It was just okay. Didn't really get any sense that there were bitters in it. Later I switched to wine from a really jumbled, incoherent, and small wine list. There really wasn't a theme or specialty or really a selection that seemed designed to compliment seafood. Minor point. As other reviewers have mentioned you get some goldfish to munch on, which is kinda cute, but I think I would prefer some nice bread. We ended up getting a couple dozen oysters and a few more small plates including the bok choy and the grilled sardines, which were delicious. I also had the duck large plate which was just okay. The duck was really fatty and chewy and not in a good way. The presentation was nice. I chose the bok choy as the side and it was not as good (though it was nice) as the bok choy small plate we ordered (same preparation). Large plates are on the pricier side so given the strict interpretation of happy HOUR, the bill added up after a mere 2 hours. Overall a nice chill place (save for the snotty hostess). The oysters were good and a great deal at happy hour. This place is small, but even on Thursday, it didn't get too crowded at happy hour. I'll be back for oysters and drinks.
(3)
S C.
Got 2 whole key lime pies for the boyfriends birthday, absolutely perfect!
(5)
Lori A.
I am a big fan of Hank's. The food is consistent, the staff is knowledgeable, and the atmosphere is cozy. Old Town can have the occasional stuffy, snobby restaurants, and Hanks is simply not one of those places. I went for brunch this weekend for the first time, and their menu was diverse. My companion had the Crabcake Eggs Benedict, and he said it was the best he's ever had. I had the crabcake sandwich, which came with a light coleslaw, and it was delicious. We both finished off brunch with pumpkin pie, which was very interesting; it almost had a citrus taste to it. I'm also a fan of the fact that the portion size at Hank's is under control. They never give you a heaping plate; even the slice of pie was on the small size. I appreciate restaurants that, while not skimping, don't have to slop six pounds of food in front of you to make a point.
(4)
jenn l.
mmmmm the crab cakes are so deliciously dense with crabs. ...and the good kind too! i'm told it's THE place to get crab cakes in the DC area. i'm no expert. the ratio of ingredients in those little patties of goodness makes me wonder what kind of magic they put in it. I only got the crab cakes, but people I went with got the lobster bisque soup and oysters. Everything was fantastically nautically awesome i was told.
(5)
Christina V.
I decided Hank's was going to be my first - first time trying oysters! My husband and I just love this place and the last time we went, we took the plunge and tried their oysters. And I'm so glad we did, they were so fresh and delicious! I'll be honest, I've never had their entrees. I never get to them! After ordering basically everything else on the menu, I never make it to actually ordering an entree. Ridiculous, I know, but I can't seem to get past their appetizer mussels or mac-n-cheese. Put it on the bucket list, I guess....
(4)
Paul L.
Yum! Everything I tried was good. I tried each of the daily special Oysters and they were all fresh, cold, and delicious! Crab cake was good. Crab cake benedict was tasty (particularly because of it's tasty hollandaise sauce). The oyster poboy looked great. I not only like the food here, but the staff was friendly and attentive, the small touches were nice (goldfish in the beginning, semisweet chocolate chunks at the end), they have a small but good beer selection on tap, and the atmosphere is clean, comfortable and cozy. I don't know about some of the complaints people have posted on here. Maybe when they're busy it's lacking in ambiance and top notch service (?), but I still think the food would be worth it if you can still get a table and aren't on a first date...
(4)
Cassie B.
This place has good food, good service, and a nice location. I took off one star for how cramped it feels. Other than that, pretty cute place. I would go back!
(4)
Angelica R.
Food is fresh & delicious!! Recommend you visit if your in Old Town Alexandria, kid friendly.
(4)
Michael M.
I go here once a month - and it is a consistent winner. Great service, good fresh oysters, great lobster roll, decent wine list. It gets crowded on the weekends - but I usually hit a weeknight for my oyster fix and have no problems getting a seat. I wish the bar was bigger - but that is not that big a deal. Can be a bit tough for a group of over 4, but it depends on when you go.
(4)
Eugene M.
Went to Hanks this evening, and was pleasantly surprised. It's a small restaurant, but I hear they are expanding. We got there right as they opened and the place quickly filled up. Despite the crowd, service was still quick and friendly. Food was good, the oysters on the half shell were amazing.
(4)
Jazzzione J.
I'm not an oyster fan, so I went with the griddled crab cake, which was a winner. It was small but plenty of crab and little filler, accompanied by tasty, crunchy slaw and remulade (I substituted the remulade for the tarter). My hubby enjoyed the shrimp po boy and substituted onion rings for fries. He enjoyed the oysters, both raw and fried. I really enjoyed the meat-free collards and creamy mac&cheesy. The short, thin cut fries are tasty, but I've had better. The onion rings are lightly battered and bland. Service was friendly and it was pretty empty on a Sunday around 1130. By the way, that's salt, not sugar, in the open dish on the table. Rather than buy coarse salt grinders, I think they'd rather laugh at the customers load salt into their coffee. It happened while we were there, and I must admit, it is funny.
(4)
E T.
FOOD: - oysters (olde salt, dabob bay, barron point) - griddles crab cake - watermelon salad Went there for happy-hour (5:30~6:30pm) on a Friday evening. We ordered a dozen oysters that were on the special list from the blackboard. Liked the Dabob bay and Barron Point much more so we ordered another dozen of those two. Fresh tasting oysters. Some sand and shell pieces found in the oysters, but it wasn't noticeable enough to bother us. I wasn't impressed with the crab cake. I prefer a bit more of a crust on the outside and I prefer lump-crab meat which it wasn't made with. The watermelon salad consisted of watermelon topped with spinach with bits of bleu cheese, slivers olive and a light dressing - very refreshing. DECOR: Small restaurant with limited tables and seating, but we didn't feel cramped at all. SERVICE: Fairly quick and easy service. We didn't feel rushed and they knew we were there for the happy-hour oysters special. COST: Entrees were in the $10~20 range. Some of the entrees were a little pricey. OVERALL: Good place for oysters hence the name, especially during happy-hour.
(4)
Matthew B.
A great little converted row-house in Old Town Alexandria. The place is nice on the inside and cozy (not just small, but comfortable). The wine list is pretty good and the mac & cheese is awesome - creamy and smoky. We went for the oysters, though, and they were worth it. A nice selection of different types at a decent (but not great) price of $2/per. They were good and shelled well and served with a nice selection of condiments. I'd go back.
(4)
Allen H.
I'm agreeing with Michele D.'s review in that the food was great but the atmosphere a little stuck up and pretentious. the wait staff was nice enough but it felt like that kind of "fake" politeness like they were trying really hard to be friendly. anyways that's fine because it didn't really disrupt the service at all. we got a sampler of all the oysters on the board which was a good idea since i have no idea about the intricacies of them but like to eat them. they ranged from smaller to larger, some having a more "fishy" flavor to them and some just right. pretty fresh tasting. next we got the steamed mussels which were on the small side and in a nice light tomato based broth. the mussels themselves also tasted fresh and for the most part clean. i'd order them again. we also got lobster bisque which was pretty standard according to my wife, and the old bay fries. fries were a great complement to the rest of the meal. overall a nice pleasant experience - would go back for the food. fyi: they only do call-ahead seating. and the place seems small so might not be the best for large parties.
(4)
Les B.
I went here for the first time the other evening with a friend who doesn't eat raw seafood, so I decided to not gross him out by ordering oysters on the shell. I'll have to come back to enjoy the raw bar!!! We shared the grilled eggplant & smoked mozzarella appetizer, very good. Then we both had a lobster roll, since that's what Hanks is famous for. The Lobster was excellent as was the roll (bread) itself. The fries were tasty with the seasoning on them but we both thought they were very very salty. The food and service were excellent, I will definitely return to try other items from the menu!
(4)
Amy S.
Service is always excellent. We love the fried Ipswich clams, scallops and oyster sake shooters. They give you this amazing chocolate at the end of your meal. Happy hour $1 oysters are a great deal!
(4)
Robert S.
I would think that it's difficult to run a business dependent primarily on having oysters year round, but it appears like Hank's is doing it. We went there for a Sunday brunch-type experience and I had their ceviche which was absolutely fabulous and a variety of the 6 different oysters they had in stock, primarily from the east coast. My fiancee got the crab cake Benedict and it, too, was delicious. The service we had was quick and courteous. Definitely a place to go if you want to try some different kinds of oysters.
(5)
Michele D.
I'm torn--rate on good food or rate on a snobby atmosphere??? Last Thursday I had to run into Old Town to pick up a race packet. When I parked, I realized I was near Hanks. I'd heard plenty good about their DC location and knew their Old Town was a recent addition. I stopped, looked in the window at their menu, and decided to give it a try. The restaurant is more deep than it is wide; it's modern looking and seems comfortable. To a point. From the moment I sat down, I felt like I was in a snobby joint; the patrons gave off that vibe and so did the employees. My server brought me a menu and I asked for a water with lemon. He brought my water and a small plate with lemons on it. I thought the plate looked funny and on closer inspection, noticed it was covered in dust. I called the server back over and asked him if he saw what I saw. He didn't. I sweetly said to take another look. I thought his eyes were going to pop out; he immediately started to apologize and promptly bought me a fresh (and clean plate) of lemons. My server made a few recommendations and raved about the soft shell crab sandwich, "It's really, really good". I don't know what made me say this, but I said, "Oh, you've had it a few times, eh?" and he -get a load of this- says, "No, I haven't actually had it, but I've heard it's really good". I had my eyes locked on him, waiting for the punch line, but no, it never came. While still looking dead on at him, the question of WTF?!? flashed across my head. Instead, I sweetly smiled and said that I'd give the oyster po'boy a try. Interestingly, he didn't offer a comment about it. The table in front of me was the "window table" and I'd been spying on the various things the couple sitting there ate. They started with a dozen oysters, which looked like they were a pretty decent size. They then had fried oysters, which honestly looked delicious. Pretty good sized portion, too! By the time my sandwich arrived, the couple in front of me had moved on to steamed mussels, a side order of beets (damn that was a huge portion of them and they looked good!) and a side order of fries. My sandwich was really unusual. Instead of being served in a loaf, it was stuffed into a pocket of a thick slice of bread. It consisted of fried oysters, some greens, and a sauce of sort. I enjoyed the sandwich, but it was unusual to have a sandwich like that. I'm used to two pieces of bread coming together to make a sandwich; not a thick slice of bread with a slice in the middle to stuff ingredients in. The fries that came with the were ok. I could've taken them or left them. All in all, I would try this place again, but if I get that same snobby vibe, I'd likely choose somewhere not as far, like BlackSalt. :) About watching all the food the couple in front of me ate? Honestly I wasn't stalking them; I was just curious to know how many different things they ordered.
(3)
Steve B.
Awesome! Small place but great food and great service. The lobster roll and oysters are fantastic. Initially we didn't get service at the bar so we left until our seat were ready....the host knew we were a little annoyed....so when we got our bill we were pleasantly surprised.... Our 1st round of drinks were free. Then to top it off they give you a little cup of chocolate. My wife told me it was really good.
(4)
Lacey B.
My mom gets huge props for finding this place! I loved everything about it: from the goldfish crackers to the dark chocolate and everything in between. We had a dozen raw oysters, the old bay fries and the fried calamari and shrimp. Everything tasted so wonderful and was so fresh! I don't think I've ever had fresh seafood fried, now I can't go back! Then we spotted the fresh Ipswich clams on the board that we had missed earlier! My mom was psyched. Fried clams are her fave, so we had to order those, too. They were incredibly delicious! We left Hank's absolutely stuffed and happy (as clams!). I will be back!
(5)
Marissa C.
Best place for oyster hands down! VERY CLEAN!! they have good lobster roll too!
(5)
Jaye V.
4 stars overall, but 5 stars for having the best freakin' oysters I've ever had in my life. Kumamoto oysters have now been trumped by the Skookum oysters they offered on Saturday night. Better yet, it was during their late night oyster happy hour, so they were only $1 each. These would easily be $3 at Clyde's, or any oyster-shucking brasserie-of-the-moment in NYC. These were better than any of the freshly harvested oysters I had while on the farm at Hog Island in northern California. Dios mio, they were exquisite. Plump in very deep shells, super creamy, freshly and mildly briny, so rich and flavorful... "Gott im Himmel!" The fried items I've had here have been decent - if fried whole clam bellies are your thing, they do it without all the grease like I had at that overhyped shack on the remote end of Martha's Vineyard. The lobster roll was pretty tasty and larger than your typical $14 one in Maine. The large plates are on the smaller side but sufficient with the plethora of $5 sides (with plenty of locally-grown produce options). The garlic sauteed fresh spinach? Stellar. The ceviche with jalapeno? Was actually cooked and not lime-cooked...and without any heat - only thing we didn't finish. The local sea-scallops with local tri-color corn in red corn sauce? Perfect. Not cheap, but so amazingly fresh you could taste it (or NOT taste it, depending on your perspective). If the atmosphere wasn't so New England quaint and casual, I don't think people would be complaining about the sticker shock so much. I'd recommend anything local, the daily specials, and the side dishes... and of course, the oysters. If you split oysters at happy hour, a couple small plates, and a couple of sides, you'll be satisfied - and it'll be a lot lighter on your pocketbook if you want a bang-for-your-buck late night dinner. Prior to 11:30pm during the late night happy hour, they served us the full menu rather than a condensed late night menu btw. But someone came in at 11:30, and they said "oysters only". I thought Sea Catch had the best $1 happy hour, but that's only the cheap oysters. Here they reduce the oyster list by half at that time, but the ones remaining are still very high end.
(4)
yo m.
We hail from the westcoast and were salivating for some good lobster roll. Hanks did not disappoint! Generous portions of succulent lobster on a buttered bun=heaaaaaven!! We also tried a combo of oysters, all of which were delicious and fresh. However, the unique touch that REALLY won me over was their complimentary goldfish crackers as a starter munchie!
(5)
Miles O.
A solid and reasonably inexpensive, small, casual oyster/seafood restaurant in Alexandria. We had oysters (of course), salad, lobster bisque, shrimp and scallop omelet. Salad was OK. The rest was very good. Especially, mmmm, the oysters, the bisque, and the omelet... Highly recommended.
(4)
Rachel A.
Overall excellent, but overly salted. We went here for brunch for Father's Day. We spent $66, not including tip, for 4 adults and a child. We didn't have to wait, but we sat in the back, where the windows were closed. Although it felt very private, I would have liked to be seated in the front where all the window and lights were, but all the tables were taken. Also, if you plan to sit outside, they are only allowed to seat 4 people outside, according to Alexandria law, no exceptions. The highlights were the Mac and Cheese *EXCELLENT!* , the waiter said they use cheddar, parmesan, and Havarty (sp?) cheese - velvety and delicious, so much so that I wanted to lick the plate afterwards, but I did have self control :) They serve bread with jelly and butter, as well as goldfish crackers to hold you over until your food comes. The jelly was so good that I also asked the waiter what kind it was (Darbo Raspberry Jelly, aparently used for baking). Tasted like pureed fruit! The entrees we ordered were smoked salmon served with cream cheese and capers on a bagel (average), crab cake benedict (a tad salty) and the oyster fry (can't remember the name) which is fried oysters topped with eggs and a "hollandaise" sauce, which was more like a light green sauce. The kids menu hamburger was only $7, and was about the size of half a burger at any other restaurant. It looked so good I wanted to order this myself at my next visit! At the end of your meal, we were served a bowl of chopped german dark chocolate, which was a nice touch. I would definitely come back again, although the oysters are steep at $2 EACH, so I would be excited to see how the happy hour is here.
(4)
Matthew B.
Wonderful happy hour with quick seating. Hank's offered three, out of six available, oyster selections for the special prices, $1 oysters, during the 5:30pm to 6:30pm hour. All three selections were decent enough to ensure another dozen were ordered. Attentive wait staff that was knowledgeable with the wine list that paired a nice malbec with the meal. Great location in Alexandria and a very relaxed atmosphere. I will be headed back here for another dozen.
(4)
John R.
Ever visit a restaurant that was so wonderful that you want to keep it all to yourself? Another week will not go buy that I don't visit Hank's at least once. On the one hand, this place is so wonderful I want to bring them tons of business by telling everyone about it. I also want to share this place with everyone so they can have as wonderful time. On the other hand, I want this little oyster bar all to myself. :) I was expecting something a little dive-ish, but from the second you enter you know you're going to be taken care of. A tiny bowl of goldfish crackers are brought to your table as you select a drink from their decent wine and beer list (I'm a beer guy). The oyster selection is great and their happy hour selection usually has 2 or 3 choices for a $1 each. And when you're all done, they bring a tiny bowl of crumbled dark chocolate with the bill. Priceless. ----------update I've since returned on Many occasions and I really love this place. Oyster Po Boys melt in your mouth and with a bowl of Lobster Bisque, I'm in heaven.
(5)
Sean K.
This is the first time I've felt motivated to write a Yelp review and unfortunately it's a negative motivation. Hank's is a place with generally good food that used to be on top restaurant lists. Now it needs a slap in the face to do something about its poor service. I've come here several times, as there are not enough good seafood places in Northern Virginia. Today I walked in and was greeted by an overweight girl with a frown on her face. She showed me to a table and I asked if I could have a little larger one since the place was half empty, the weather was terrible, it was after the lunch hour (2 pm) and I wanted to use my lap top. Nope -- she looked at me like I had drowned her cat or something, offered me another table in the back that turned out to be the same size. (Always a good idea to follow the rules rather than giving the customer a break!) I ordered the lobster roll, which was a disappointment -- cold lobster salad, not too impressive for $23. The hostess without the mostest planted herself in the table across from me with her buddy and I had the pleasure of listening to her smacking her fingers as she ate. The young wait staff were all busy socializing and two left by the back door, leaving it open even though it was cold and windy outside. The bus staff, meanwhile, all look like unhappy immigrants who've been yelled at too many times or something. It's unfortunate -- I've had good meals here in the past, but I'm not coming back if the owner doesn't care enough to hire and train staff who make customers feel welcome. What's the point of going to a restaurant to have somebody make you feel uncomfortable?
(2)
Marty C.
This place is fantastic! Last month my father in-law was in town, and as many times as I've walked by this place, we decided to go in. While the place is small, the food and the service are a cut above, both at the bar and in the restaurant area. For dinner we had exceptional raw oysters, crab cake, roast duck, and great dessert too! Looking forward to a return trip!
(5)
Kathy C.
We've been here 3 times and were impressed each time. Specialty is seafood, they only have 1 meat dish each night, the rest if seafood. A great variety of oysters on the half shell, you can sample different ones. The shrimp for the shrimp cocktail is my husband's favorite and he orders shrimp cocktail everywhere we go. A nice selection of side dishes. We have not tried their deserts. Nice atmosphere, good service. The restaurant is casual enough for every day, but fun and good enough for a date or special occasion.
(4)
Evelyn C.
Our party of 3 arrived on a Saturday night around 8pm. We were promptly seated at the cozy table by the window where it was perfect for people watching. We started off with 4 different kinds of oysters (one of each kind for each of us to try) and they were all super fresh and tasty. Even our friend who swore off raw shellfish was pleasantly surprised by how good they were and is now an oyster fan! We decided to order a few dishes to share: the fries, mac and cheese, mussels, and fried oysters. Fries- nothing special, not worth $5, but tasty Mac and Cheese- very decadent and rich. definitely not your blue box mac and cheese Mussels- SO GOOD! The mussels were tender and the broth was a little salty, but very flavorful. So great of our server to bring us bread to soak up the juices without even being asked. Fried oysters- I always had the thought that I didn't like cooked oysters. But these suckers were lightly breaded and fried so that the outside was hot and crispy, but the insides were still succulent and fresh. Their own tartar sauce was also delicious. All of us were surprisingly satisfied with those dishes. My eyes were bigger than my stomach and I totally wanted to order more, but I'm glad we didn't. Next time though...I'll be back for $1 oysters and more veg sides!
(4)
Jaron H.
Delicious and reasonably priced!
(5)
Pipi C.
Sorry, Maryland, but west coast oysters are the shit. And Hank's is one of the few places in DC that serves them. I'm a regular at the bar. Withholding that last star because the prices are about $3-5 more than they should be.
(4)
Puppy S.
Hank's Oyster Bar is very VEGAN FRIENDLY. Who would have thought a place with a name like this would be a great pick for vegans?! Their veggie sides are OUT OF THIS WORLD. Our server was very accommodating, and made great recommendations. We had delicious perfectly grilled Brussels sprouts and collards, and also sampled the tomato salad and bok choy that were served alongside the husband's fried chicken (which he said was excellent).
(4)
Sarah J.
I just got a nice note from the said host from my last update. Turns out our signals crossed and he DID try calling me to let me know my table was ready, but he had the wrong number. Easy mistake...the bf mumbles quite a bit (he was giving his number) and it was loud in there. If only all the staff could be like this guy! I remember him being super nice so I WAS surprised when he didn't call. Now the air is cleared and I will be back to hopefully experience some great service!
(4)
Budoh L.
Chose this spot from a recommendation from Chowhound... We were looking forward as our first stop to our adventure in Old Town Alexandria. The ambiance was a quaint seaside theme & the service was great! Assortment of 1/2 shell oyster - Fresh, right on spot, it hit the spot! Seafood Cobb Salad - looked really vibrant, but the flavor fell flat :( Shrimp Po' Boy - tasted ok but it needed bigger/heartier/or more shrimps... Thought the goldfish for starter & chocolate chunk for final palate cleanser were nice touches. We would try the place again!
(3)
Tracy P.
Great food; slow service, old tavern feel. The grilled sardines were unique - salty good. The oyster-sake shooter alone was worth the wait. They don't take reservations but you can shorten the wait time by calling ahead to add your name to the wait list.
(4)
Helen Y.
Fresh, clean oysters. Enough said! Decent wine selection is a plus, as well as friendly service & bartenders. You will never need to talk me into going to Hanks Oyster Bar. I've heard great things about their lobster roll, so I'll be updating this review as soon as I go back for it.
(4)
Joyce R.
Mac and Cheese is very creamy with a little bacon flavor. YUM!!! The oysters were very fresh and delic!!!
(5)
Stephanie M.
I was blown away by the freshness of the oysters. We got the sampler platter and my favorite by far were the Naked Cowboy oysters from NY. For dinner I got one of the specials of the evening, which was the scallops with sea beans in a cauliflower fondue sauce. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and if I weren't a lady I would have licked the plate! The sauce was amazingly creamy and naturally sweet from the cauliflower. My husband got the grilled sea food platter. I got to taste the calamari and the baby octopus. I loved the octopus, again it was perfectly cooked, but...the calamari was over salted. I also noticed the vinegar and shallot dip for the oysters was also over salted, and my husband felt the shrimp with his grill seafood was salty too. This would be the reason they got 4 rather than five stars. Someone has a heavy hand with the salt, which was a shame considering how beautifully everything was cooked.
(4)
Jun Y.
The salad has way too much olive oil! And 29 dollars for FOUR scallops??? This place is not that good...
(1)
Cassandra H.
Oysters, trout entree, and zucchini with squash side are all amazing. Unfortunately the service wasn't as amazing otherwise I would have given 5 stars. Had an empty glass of wine for 20 mins now.
(4)
Jason C.
I was looking forward to a great east coast seafood meal on the water while on vacation in DC but most in Alexandria were no more than a half step above tourist trap so I looked a little further inland and found this amazing spot. By far one of the best seafood meals i've had and in a relaxing atmosphere with energetic and attentive staff. Everything we had was amazing but, obviously, the fresh oysters are where it's at. Start with a dozen and you'll probably go for more!
(5)
Lyn L.
Standing in the cold waiting for oysters! That's how the evening started. You'd think when you have about 15 standing outside in less than 10 degree weather, with only 10 minutes to open, well...you'd at least let them come in to the warm restaurant. Then on Facebook, they post "Happy Hour has begun", but not at Alexandria since there were about 15 people standing outside. I posted this on their page, and I was shocked to see they 'deleted' my post. Was my post bad for business? Obviously they did not like my innocent post of asking why they advertised "Happy Hour Started', when indeed it did not. OK, enough about their business practices and lack of compassion, and on to the food and service! They brought in crowds with their $1 oyster happy hour but you can only select from 3 of the 6 types available. That's fine because only 2 of the 4 of us came for the oyster happy hour. They have a good selection of beers and wines, I opted for their $10 5 beer tasting. It was a good mix. We also tried their popcorn shrimp and calamari, very freshly fried and a nice buckets worth. The oysters got rave reviews from our fellow diners. The lobster roll was on it's own special toasted bun and for an additional $2, I could substitute the fries for their roasted Brussels sprouts. At $25 a sandwich, I found the taste to be very bland. One of the diners ordered the Lamb Burger and thought it was very tasty. We also ordered a couple of their homemade desserts and they were ok. If you like oysters this is your place to try. For landlubbers, well, there are other places in Old Town that might satisfy your taste. Service was good so Kudos for that. Then we paid our bill, we were almost charged an extra $122 dollars...yikes, so remember to check your bill before you sign it!
(3)
RMthree M.
Great food and great atmosphere. The wait staff is very responsive and great little specifics to this restaurant. The oysters are very fresh and the sides are just as fresh. Decent portions with great variety. The food can be pricy but you get what you pay for. They serve goldfish as an appetizer and dark chocolate chunks with your check...very cool touch.
(5)
Lauren M.
Great place for happy hour oysters! If I didn't have to work late hours, I think anyone could find me here once a week. There is no way to beat $1 oysters from the Eastern seaboard. The bartenders are very hospitable and attentive. If you want the $1 oysters, I suggest getting there a couple minutes before the happy hour begins; otherwise, you will be waiting to get a seat at the bar for awhile.
(4)
Laurie C.
Wish I liked oysters or wasn't afraid to keep trying them! They had great options from what I could see. Food was very fast. Crab cakes were really awesome! Loved the small plates to sample. Brussel sprouts were nice but could have had more flavor. Onion rings were nice and lightly breaded. Beet salad was great. Loved the nice touch of adding chocolate at end of meal. Would have had a second glass if wine but server never returned would definitely return though for food....want to try more on the menu.
(4)
Nadine F.
I've been to Hank's twice now, and I was wavering between giving it three stars or four stars, but I think the good service and lack of long wait times bumps it up to fours. They don't take reservations for small groups, but you can call ahead 30-45 minutes in advance and avoid the wait. Service has been great both times I've gone. I've been able to try several different dishes, and they've been hit or miss, but i think Hank's can be a great experience if you order the right things: *Lobster roll - AMAZING!! Easily the most delicious thing I've had at Hank's, and it's enormous, big enough for two people to share. *Lobster bisque - delicious, and with chunks of lobster thrown in for extra deliciousness *Half shell oysters - delightful! I had one that was a little gritty, but the rest were good, and I'm eager to try their happy hour sometime, where they have these discounted *Garlic steamed mussels with white wine and tomatoes - This is listed as a small plate, but it's pretty enormous. I liked the first few, but I got sick of eating so many mussels. The only way I'd order these in the future is if I had 2-4 other people sharing it with me, and I was able to order something else in addition to it. *Old bay french fries - delicious, thick-cut fries, just how I like them! *Mac and cheesy - I didn't enjoy this, but others at the table did. I think it would be better without the breadcrumb topping, and I wouldn't order it again. *Shrimp and scallop omelette - I kind of hated this, even though I love all the ingredients. It was way too salty and too fishy, and I couldn't eat more than a couple of bites. I was sharing this with a friend and couldn't even finish my small portion. Long story short: Go to Hanks, and order the lobster roll.
(4)
Keli R.
Went here on a first date. Sat at the bar All sorts of Oyster yumminess! Nice specials...good food...good beer...OYSTERS! what's not to like?
(4)
Kate N.
Went to dinner there last night, and service was a bit slow. Like we didn't order our main entrees until AFTER the appetizers had arrived and been eaten. I don't know if they were short handed or not. But still the waiter was friendly, and efficient, I just think he was juggling too much to do. The food was great, and we still had a fantastic time.
(4)
m p.
I'm a seafoodie and this place is clearly underappreciated at four stars. Wonderful discovery.
(5)
Scott S.
We stumbled on this while on vacation and I just don't have enough good things to say! Old Alexandria is a beautiful area full of shops and places to eat. We picked Hank's at random. The facility is small and intimate and quaint. However we didn't feel crowded. The service was friendly, fast, and excellent. I had the lobster roll and a seasonal micr brew and both were excellent. My friends had other dishes and enjoyed theirs just as much. I recommend anyone visiting the area give them a try.
(5)
Ashley P.
The hubs and I came here tonight to celebrate our last night as newlyweds, since our 1yr anniversary is tomorrow. Corny I know! Well, this was the perfect place to round out our first year of marriage! This place is so cute, and tiny, that it made for a more intimate dining affair. I liked the bar area, and how it was open in that you could see through to the rest of the restaurant. The bartender was awesome! His name may have been Tom, but I'm not sure. He was friendly, and my experience is usually bartenders just want to take your drink order and move on. This guy asked our names, and didn't roll his eyes when I asked him to come up with something fruity and sweet, since I don't drink. One word to describe that concoction; delightful! Oh, they give you a cute little bowl of goldfish to snack on, in case you missed that in the other hundred reviews of this place :). After a twenty minute wait, which is not bad at all, considering it's a Saturday night, we were taken to our table. Our server was extremely attentive, and did a great job answering my questions. I went with the famous lobster roll I kept reading about, and the hubs had the fried oyster poboy. Everything was incredibly fresh, and light. Highly enjoyable. The only thing stopping this from being upgraded to five stars is that both hubs and I agreed the food could've been slightly more seasoned. The hubs doesn't even like highly seasoned food, so that's how I know it wasn't just me! All in all, a wonderful dining experience in the heart of old town.
(4)
Leslie B.
Everything was fantastic! Oysters for happy hour and a big can of Tecate...does it get any better....? Yes, yes it does.. all the entrees were outstanding.
(4)
Mattie C.
Wow, this place is absolutely delicious. We unfortunately have never been able to hit the Happy Hour here - it ends at 6:30 and bizarrely is not available on Fridays and we just aren't able to get here on time without being horrible work skippers. Maybe one day. During HH they have $1 oysters though, so I am very very anxious to go here. Seems like a great deal! After months of moaning and groaning about never making it to Happy Hour we finally decided to suck it up and come for dinner on a Friday night. And it was amazing! We split a plate of a dozen oysters on the half shell and got to sample 6 different types of oysters. Fun! I liked comparing them and also liked how a lot of them were local oysters. We had small main courses so as not to go too overboard on the prices. Boyfriend got an incredible lobster bisque. It was extremely rich but tasted amazing, and they didn't skimp on the portion. I got a dish made up of mainly little mini scallops in a garlic-y sauce. They were moist and perfect. It wasn't a large dish but managed to fill me up. We also got the Old Bay fries. I would say they are fine but they definitely weren't the highlight of the meal. OH, and lastly we got mussels in a white wine and butter sauce. YUM! Literally every aspect of the meal was perfectly executed and absolutely delicious. We were very satisfied and excited! Atmosphere is fine - though it is a little small and cramped and you kind of feel like you are sitting on top of the other people. The tables were small also as a result and it was hard to fit everything on the table. Still, we are not paying for the atmosphere, we are paying for the amazing seafood! And in that, Hank's delivered. I am excited to come back and hoping we will actually be able to hit the Happy Hour one of these times because it looks awesome.
(5)
Alejandro F.
Great Food, very fast service, great and fresh quality of oysters! definitely recommend !
(5)
Stephanie J.
My husband and I were on vacation and our hotel was in Old Town Alexandria so we yelped nearby restaurants and Hanks came up. Within walking distance from our hotel The Hilton, this place was currently under construction but they were still open for business. When we first walked in I thought a little small, the bar took up most of the front room, but when we were led to our table the place opened up in the back. I thought the goldfish starters was very clever and the deal on local varieties of oysters was really good. I'm allergic to oysters but my husband loved them. I had the highly reviewed lobster roll with old bay seasoned fries and it was delicious! The bread was toasted and pretty thick to hold the massive amount of lobster they put on it. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Alexis W.
Just another oyster spot for me. Not one of my fave spots but gets the job done. Esp when it's $1 per oyster at happy hour. Street parking. Good luck finding parking on a Fri or Sat for date night dinner. No reservations accepted. Oysters tasted fresh but service for us sorta sucked and it wasn't packed. I'm pretty big on customer service so since then haven't been back.
(3)
Lisa H.
Great oyster selection with delicious local options, plus a full menu of other food. The wine list was pretty diverse and all-encompassing which is enjoyable. Definitely going on the recommendation list!
(4)
Bryan A.
Fantastic place, and $1/oysters at Happy Hour! That is a great deal. But it does get really crowded fast at HH and around 4:45 people begin lining up outside the door waiting for it to open. In addition to the great oysters, they have good beers on tap and lots of decent seafood choices on the menu - I have never eaten a dish here that I did not like. The only complaints are that it is pricy (though that is to be expected with seafood) and also their HH is very short - we always wish we could do happy hour here but are only able to make it on time by leaving work early. I wish the HH lasted until 7 at least.
(5)
Jen G.
Small portions, bad seating, not so good service and blah crab cakes. Did I mention how loud this place is? I was very disappointed as I came here for my birthday dinner. Tried the shrimp salad and lobster roll which my other diners had and was not impressed. The crab cakes were very small and tasteless. Lobster roll nothing to write home about. Shrimp/Avacado salad so very small. Tables were so close together, seating uncomfortable-a big long open loud room. Guess they come for the oysters which I did not try. The place was so crowded on a Monday night and waiter was so busy he had no time to give attention to our table. When he suddenly swept away my dish and the silverware fell on my arm and sleeve he said "nice catch." I have been here for brunch before and that was much better. Specialty drink was very good but never asked if I wanted another or if we wanted dessert. Key Lime pie was very good. Felt totally rushed. Will try again for lunch (the oysters) and will remember this is not a place to have a conversation.
(2)
Elizabeth W.
Oysters - raw and fried (buffalo) were very good. The 1/2 lb blue crab in butter was incredible. The seafood w/spicy marinara was also good.
(4)
Catherine G.
I've been dying to try out Hank's since coming back from Boston in May. I discovered whole belly clam and wanted to try this place since they have it. Last night, it was relatively quiet, we called ahead and got seated right away. The size of the restaurant is quaint. Reminds me a little of France bistros but with less charm. The menu is simple enough, and I can appreciate a limited menu if they specialize in only seafood. We ordered a half dozen oysters right away and a plate of whole belly clams. The whole belly clam breading was a bit heartier than we like, but it was still enjoyable. The oysters were varied and tasty. Also enjoyed those. For our entrees my husband got the Lobster Roll and I got the fried oyster plate. I think it was too much fried food at this point because I didnt enjoy them as much as I normally would, but still it tasted good. The lobster roll was fresh, but had too much in the way of celery and mayo, etc and kind of masked the lobster itself. All in all, not a terrible meal. But for the price, not the best either. The reason it got less than 4 stars, was the service. While the server was nice, I felt like she had too many tables and couldn't really provide adequate service. We had been finished with our appetizers for a while before she came back to take our entree order. She tried to push a dozen oysters on us each, without really taking the time to find out what we wanted. And when she took my fork away after the appetizers, she never really brought back another one til we had to remind her - though at this point we were halfway done with the entrees. The only saving grace for her was that another attendant took care of refilling our waters, otherwise we would have gone without I'm sure. So all in all, it was ok. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, and my curiosity has been quelled.
(3)
K. N.
We like to go to Hank's for HH with our friends. We've been here a few times cause the foods are great, especially oysters and crawfish. We came back last Thursday and that's when everything went down hill. We tried to order our last patch of oyster before happy hour price ends and we were told by our waitress "Happy hour is over at 6:30 and it has been like this for 7 years at this location.". My friend replied" Usually, it's a courtesy to give last call since we don't look at the time and so can we speak to the manager please?". Though the waitress may have not handled the situation appropriately, the manager 's attitude and so called customer service made it even worse. My friend explained that the waitress should asked us to place the order before it is over and that we come here very often, her replied was "Whatever, do you still want to place your order?" Really, Really?? Is this how you run your business? I've been to many restaurants before, but I would never have seen it coming from a manager. To add to the injury, one of my friend got really sick from the oyster. I guess we won't be back anymore.
(1)
Alan K.
This is definitely one of my favorite places in Oldtown. The food is consistently delicious, and even though seating is limited, it's relatively easy to get a table by calling ahead, even on a busy Friday or Saturday night. Onto the food: Everything we've tried so far has been delicious, with the exception of the lamb burger, which was oddly seasoned and slightly overcooked. The lobster roll, crabcake, popcorn shrimp and calamari, and lobster bisque are all outstanding, as are the countless raw oyster's we've consumed as appetizers. I'm looking forward to my next opportunity to try something new.
(4)
Charlemange F.
If you like oysters, this is a good place to go. They have oysters from different parts of the US you can try. They also make a decent lobster roll. The last time we went, they messed up our order, but made sure to make it right. We also had sake shooters, but they were average at best. I like this place and it's casual atmosphere.
(4)
Jonathan B.
I think they recently re-did their decor. The first time we went there it had a warm an interesting vibe - oysters, good beer and sandwiches seemed like just our style. We went back and either we are crazy, or they changed quite a bit. It seemed like it was now all about chrome and glass, needlessly complicated food and very loud, with a cold and sterile vibe. We left before even placing an order.
(2)
Bob S.
Visiting from the Midwest, this oyster fiend had to have it. We were returning to The District from Mount Vernon and Yelp guided me right to my dream-come true oyster bar. Half a dozen Long Islands, half a dozen Rhode Islands and a dogfish-head IPA to start. My oh my! How I do miss these salty bites of oceanic Nirvana. We ordered oyster po-boys, crab cakes, and a tilapia sandwich. All perfect! They first brought a crab-cake sandwich instead of tilapia. They got the replacement to the table in 4 minutes and then, for our "trouble" comped us another half dozen briny beauties. Class act and truly professional service. 5 stars!
(5)
Anonymous N.
Oysters oysters oysters -- raw and fried -- amazingly fresh and delicious. Everything was great -- peel and eat shrimp, smoked mozzarella salad -- outstanding! Martini's were good. BUT, two whiskeys were literally, less than an ounce -- $30!!!! It soured our mood. We live in NYC and even your most exclusive whiskey bar wouldn't have that precedent. They really need to revisit this pour. We enjoyed this place. The whiskeys were interesting, but nothing warrants such a meager pour. It left a sour taste in our mouths.
(3)
Porter O.
I was walking from a bar near the waterfront back to the metro at about 9:30 at night when I noticed I was being followed (I know, in Old Town), so I ducked into Hank's to have a beer and wait it out. Everyone was incredibly nice and friendly, and Dom even walked me the rest of the way to the metro. Such a nice experience that I plan to go back for dinner.
(5)
Mirela T.
Tried this place out for my boyfriends birthday and they were very accommodating throughout the entire experience. I was very impressed. Yes the space is small, but they were able to seat the 6 of us without any problem. I also had backed a cake for the occasion and they manager on duty was so kind to refrigerate it for me while we were having lunch. This was actually my very first time having raw oysters, so i didn't know what to expect. Lets just say i was not disappointed. They had oysters from all over the east coast region, so it was nice to sample a little bit of everything. Super impressed. We also had their mac and cheese, man they were deadly! SO GOOD! Overall the experience was enjoyable and I've returned on several occasions for some of those awesome oysters! :)
(4)
Holly N.
Oh so tasty! The happy hour special on oysters is sublime. Really i am not sure where else you can get such great oyster at that price point in DC. The atmosphere is great family friendly, business's friendly you name it. I love the lobster roll dress nicely great roll, only needs a little salt to make it sing.
(5)
Christy C.
Delicious! Get the lobster roll!!! Went with friends and the waitstaff was very attentive. Had a wonderful kale salad as a starter. The only drawback was it was loud and difficult to hear our friends.
(5)
Anthony R.
Great atmosphere the food simply delicious. A great place to just sit down have a glass of wine and have some of the best seafood in Old Town Alexandria.
(5)
Tara W.
Great place but small and gets packed quickly. A little pricey.
(4)
Lauren S.
Overall: Wonderfully fresh & tasty seafood in a cute, little restaurant with great service. Food: Perhaps it's because we had been unpacking boxes all day -- but this meal really hit the spot. My mom started with oysters and loved every last bite. From there, we ordered the avocado salad, crab cakes, a lobster roll and my husband ordered some kind of fish option (he really enjoyed it -- cant remember what it was, however.) The crab cakes were busting with lump crab and great flavor. It comes with sides but I really didn't touch them aside of the coleslaw (it was good, for the record. not much dressing so that's always a plus.) The lobster roll was what a lobster roll should be so thumbs up there. The menu is nothing fancy, but it all tastes SO. GOOD. Tip: They don't do reservations but you can call ahead and have them put in your name. I imagine this could be handy on a busy weekend night. We went on a Wednesday and it was pretty darn busy.
(5)
dan r.
They had great lobster bisque and great that they were next door to Alexandria cupcake but lemonade was sour and fizzy
(3)
Bill S.
We went their for lunch. I had an oyster poorboy and Phyllis had the Lobster roll. Both where good but in my opinion, very overpriced. We had their watermelon salad which was different and excellent. It should be tried.
(3)
Bob C.
So far I give Hank's four stars just on the oysters and the help from the bartender. I'm not an oyster master so I had to express what I liked in my favorite oysters I had in Annapolis. Not too salty, a illite sweet and the size of a quarter or half dollar. Tender says let's have you try the Pongoteague. Absolutely great and spot on. It's Taco Tuesday so after confirming that it is Tuesday I will be ordering this. My bartender says they are amazing. If you've read my other Fish Taco reviews you'll understand that I take this awfully f'n serious! Bring it on!!! Crispy taco but not the traditional corn, maybe a deep dried flour? Absolutely fresh ingredients and I have to say excellent! One mor thing like Columbo would say.. I was done and posted. I looked up and found a tiny spice bowl of what looked to be chunk chocolate. I ate a piece of this soft, kickass dark chocolate and I'm not sure what more these folks can do to make me love this place. Actually, it can be done but no doubt illegal. Note I changed to five stars.
(5)
Becky S.
GREAT oysters!! Mussels are also amazing. Bisque had huge chunks of lobster but was a bit salty towards the end. Have tried almost everything on their menu... Can't go wrong!!
(5)
Andrea v.
Went for a late lunch last Saturday (July 20th). Located right on King Street, in a fairly small venue (though we did notice they've purchased the building next door and plan to expand). Started with raw oysters and steamed mussels. Oysters were like a kiss from the sea - fresh, tasty, salty - perfect. Mussels were also expertly done - plump, moist, tender, in a tomato & garlic sauce (the sauce could have been marketed as a very high end gourmet tomato soup - yum, yum, yum). We both had the lobster rolls - they were perfect. One of the best versions I've ever had. A classic done exactly the way it should be. Loads of lobster, light seasoning, light mayo - on an awesome bun. With a couple of beers we spent a total of $80 - which is about what we expected for the quantity & quality. Only complaint was they seemed understaffed, so service a bit off - nothing terrible, but it was obvious the waiter was overwhelmed. Bottom line - You like fresh seafood? Go spend the money, eat, and enjoy. You won't be disappointed by the food. Take a relaxed approach to the small venue and sometimes spotty service - and you'll have a good time of it.
(4)
Frank G.
Always liked this place. Now larger . Bar is more upscale. Food and service remain top notch. A good catch.
(5)
Zara K.
Loved it! Went for happy hour! The oysters are so worth it! They give u a selection of the oysters u can't order just any oysters during happy hour! Quite fresh if not the best ! Cute little hang out place!
(5)
P. G.
Living in Old Town I've dined at Hank's on numerous occasions. Their food is always consistent and delicious, the service is always good, and the servers/bartenders are extremely friendly. I've never had anything that I didn't like, but it's Hank's Lobster Roll that takes this place from a 4-star to a 5-star, in my opinion. The Lobster Roll is GREAT! If you love lobster, do yourself a favor and order it! Hank's also gives you complimentary goldfish before your meal and chocolate after your meal. It's a cutesy, nice touch.
(5)
Edna C.
The steamed clams, celery root soup with oysters, grilled seafood plate and market veggie dish, all wonderful! Great food and friendly service!!
(5)
Molly M.
This place happened to me almost by accident, and it was one of the best "values" I've ever had. It happened because my boyfriend and I were house sitting in the area - we live in the district. So, feeling like dinner out, I checked yelp for nearby spots that had good reviews. I wasn't even looking for seafood! I saw this place and decided to check it out - boy and I love our raw oysters. Pros: * No bread to start -- goldfish! How original - and it was great. * 6 oysters on the half shell, each described from a unique location. For the record, the Rhode Island ones were the best we had that night. I'd never had raw oysters presented to me with flavor and origin descriptor as if I was drinking wine - I want this to continue. * Sauteed Spinach with garlic - best sauteed spinach of my life. * Mac & Cheese - definitely in my top 5 mac and cheese experiences, lifetime. * Instead of mints or oranges at the end, we were given hunks of bittersweet chocolate. Awesome idea! * I know we had an entree.. I was pretty sleepy, sorry, can't remember now. * Service was friendly and fast. * Dinner for two, including one beer - $50 total. Total steal. Cons: * I wish it were closer to us! I hear there's a location in Dupont - I can't wait to try! Keep up the good work guys.
(5)
Maria B.
We had a great meal here on Saturday night. Though the bar is not nearly big enough and there's really nowhere to wait for your table, the food and service more than makes up for it. There is something for all price points, from a burger or a lobster roll, to a three course meal. The food is delicious, the pear salad was fantastic and the oysters shouldn't be missed. I wish we had tried dessert. Don't skip the mac and cheese!
(4)
Hokie F.
Raw oysters and seafood grill made for a nice evening. The manager Claude runs a great operation.
(5)
Chelsea S.
I had been really wanting to try a lobster roll and after a missed opportunity at a food truck in DC, I decided to seek out my lobster roll at Hank's. It did not disappoint. Despite a somewhat hefty price, the lobster roll was totally worth it. Picture this: lightly toasted bun, brimming with fresh chunky lobster meat... lots and lots and lots of fresh chunky lobster meat. My husband got the fried oyster sandwich which he loved, and we split a side of onion rings. These aren't your freezer isle onion rings either. These are perfectly fried golden rings of perfection. Will definitely be back next time we get a hankering (HANKering, haha get it?) for delicious fresh seafood.
(4)
Erik K.
Went on a Monday night and was lucky to enjoy the lamb and take some bites off of my girl's steamed lobster... Everything was delicious. From the cocktail drinks, oysters, all the way to the main course, was one of the best meals I've had.
(5)
Adele C.
Love this place. All I mainly eat here is the oysters off the happy hour menu and they are good oysters. I also enjoy the side dishes, the broccoli and spaghetti squash are my favorites. To drink I generally order the don draper, I like it so much I can't order anything else. I am a regular to the happy hour so I would recommend.
(5)
Emily T.
Went here for a nice Sunday dinner, based off of all the wonderful reviews. People, please. This place is the worst. 3 of us arrived a little early and waited for the last 2 members of our party- they would not seat us until the other 2 people arrived and made us wait in the doorway like idiots. There was almost no one else in the restaurant and was absolutely no reason not to seat us. They food is mediocre at best. I can't understand why people rave about the quality or taste- it was so plain and below average. On top of the lameness, it was incredibly expensive. Want a shrimp cocktail? Buy the shrimp individually for $3. My best advice would be to save your money, and go some where (anywhere) else. If you're in the mood for fresh seafood, go to the Captain John's wharf across the bridge in DC. Feed an entire family for $30- everything fresh, shucked and cooked right in front of you. Oh man.. Hanks Oyster Bar- you suck and you ruined our Sunday dinner. Never again.. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)
Derick K.
I had a couple raw oysters and a couple Bloody Maria's. The drinks were tasty, the oysters were raw, so not much to them. The server was good. The ceiling fan was a bit much...I didn't like the breeze at all!
(3)
Nina U.
Liked the small dining area and I loved watching the guys shuck the oysters. Didn't try any though- I'm sure the EMTs would thank me for not getting a shellfish reaction. Only giving them 3 stars because I ordered a Grey Goose and cranberry and I think there were only two drops of cranberry in there? It barely had a shade of pink and I'm pretty sure that cranberry juice is cheaper than vodka? I was getting high off of the fumes. I like you guys but my idea of a good drink is not about how strong it is but how good it tastes. Just my preference.
(3)
Samantha S.
Decided to go into Hank's after an attempt to eat at another restaurant failed. We had to wait outside for about 5 minutes for them to open. I could tell by the line of people outside that it was going to be good! We were seated right away (a party of 2) and immediately had a server come over to get us drinks and suggest "oyster happy hour". Being as though I'm not much of a fan of raw oysters, we decided to order the fried ones. They came out nice and quick and were lightly fried, and not greasy at all! For dinner we had the crab cake platter and lobster roll. Both came with fries, and the crab cakes came with coleslaw as well. Crabcakes were excellent as was the lobster roll, perfect consistency, not too much mayo. Tartar sauce was amazing. Overall great atmosphere, and great service.
(4)
Victoria A.
Loved the atmosphere, loved the food. The Alexandria location is pretty small (have not been to the others) but it adds to the experience in a way. The staff was very accommodating for our large party. I had the mussels, I would go back just for that! Excellent crab cakes. Everyone I went with enjoyed the food and the experience. I will definitely go back some time soon.
(5)
Lynne R.
I am often disappointed with seafood when I travel south ( New England native), but not tonight. We had oysters, po-boys and crab cakes. All superb. The coleslaw and Mac and Cheese were really great as well. We had a 5 minute wait on a Saturday night with no reservations. The restaurant was full. Wait staff were pleasant. Loved the clean and simple decor. Anyway, Yum, yum, yum. Thank you Yelp for another great find. Would definitely return and recommend!
(5)
Tracy L.
Fantastic restaurant in a great location. Excellent service overall. Fresh oyster, great clam chowder, delicious avocado salad! Would definitely return!
(5)
Pamela M C.
Great date night spot tucked into King Street. Its super casual and you can hear your dinner mates! The food is exceptional. We had crab cakes and mussels. They were great and we will be back.
(5)
Randem Y.
This place was great! We had a raw oyster sampler that was AMAZING, and the Oyster Po Boy, and the Lobster roll (which was packed full of lobster, on the most amazing butter roll), all was delicious!! It was a tad bit pricey ($100 for lunch), and that included 3 beers. The atmosphere was great, and it was a real chill laid back environment. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Gina A.
Really cute little place my boyfriend found while looking for some casual places in Alexandria to have lunch at. Instead of bread they give you goldfish to munch on while you wait for your food, which at that point I knew they got my stamp of approval! I was pretty certain I wasn't going to drink, until I saw they had a drink which consisted of Creme de Violet, St. Germaine, lime and sparkling wine...couldn't help myself. It was called a "Stormy Morning," and I highly recommend it. We decided to split the duck hash and seafood cob salad. The duck hash was incredible but very rich, so it was nice to have the salad. The salad was absolutely gorgeous and very generously portioned. The service was incredibly friendly. No complaints on this end.
(4)
Anna P.
The food is delicious here. I have never had a meal at Hank's that I didn't love. With that, I have to give a nod to the detail here as well - from the goldfish crackers when we are first seated to the dark chocolate bites with our check. The lobster roll is delicious. Oysters are always perfect - fresh and tasty. Salads fresh and the lobster bisque like a big warm delicious hug on a cold winter day. What I wasn't expecting was just how delicious the fried chicken and mac and cheese are. Both are amazing. The only down side is that prices are a but higher than for similar menu items around Old Town, and getting a table for dinner on a Friday or Saturday can be darned near impossible at times. But when you have the patience and want some quality food, Hanks is a must try.
(4)
Thai T.
Service was great. Food was good. My best friend and I called ahead to put our names on the waiting list on a busy Saturday night last weekend (June 15th), got there and still waited probably another 20 minutes for our table, not horrible considering they were slammed. We got a sampling of their oysters, which I enjoyed all 3, she enjoyed 2. She got the ribeye special of the day with spinach and their mac and cheese. All of which were very good, ribeye was perfect, had an amazing sauce; cooked/sauteed spinach was lemony and very flavorful; and mac and cheese was just yummy. I had the lobster roll and stringy fries, also very tasty, posssibly better roll than Red Hook! :P
(4)
Sara P.
My husband and I went here a few weeks ago and loved it! We HIGHLY recommend this place. A lot of the other reviews complain about the wait time... we waited about 40 minutes and just went to the coffee shop Killer ESP a couple of doors down to wait. I found the small restaurant refreshing and prefer that to a huge place, so I definitely didn't mind waiting. The lady who waited on us was friendly and we loved her! And even more impressive, the food came out literally 5 minutes after we ordered! My hubby got the lobster roll and I got the fried oysters. I think I prefer Coastal Flat's lobster roll to Hank's, as the one here seemed a little bland, but the fried oysters were PERFECT!! I would highly recommend them.
(5)
Courtney F.
So I had no idea that this narrow restaurant could pack so much flavor. I think I had to be the greediest person there that night. The macaroni and cheese was good enough to make me want to jump kick the friend who introduced me to Hank's. I also got a lobster roll that was descent (given the fact that I have no idea how an authentic lobster roll tastes). As far appearance its definitely on the more casual side. So following in my hipster friends always under dressed style made me stick out like a sore thumb. It was either our sweatshirts or the 13 plates and bowls between three people that made patrons stare. Well worth the dirty looks...
(5)
Michele D.
This place was definitely a fun spot. We got there just before the evening rush so we secured one of the last tables. The oysters were great and so were the shrimp and ceviche. It does get a little crowded when people are waiting for tables and you tend to feel like they are standing right on top of the table you are sitting at. We missed Happy Hour by a few minutes so I definitely will be going back!
(4)
Sandy L.
Went for brunch on Sunday, June 1, arriving at 11:30am, when they opened, Host was rude. We sat at table in the bar and a regular came in after us, got a hug from manager and his drink first and a hug!. We sat there with nothing, no water, no drinks, nothing, no one spoke with us. Finally, after 20 minutes, the manager put goldfish crackers on our table. Thanks! Bartender asked if we want a drink, so we ordered 2 drinks and asked if we could order brunch (after sitting there for 25 minutes), she was so rude, we left with $0 tip for her. They were clearly put out to offer service to people who just wanted to order brunch and pay for service. I waitressed for 3 years. My husband was a bartender. Won't go back.
(1)
T N.
I love oysters. Raw, fried, steamed, or in soups, I love them all. My absolute favorite, though, are raw oysters. I love the idea and taste of fresh lemon juice, cocktail sauce, and Tobasco sauce on freshly shucked oysters. I have heard many good recommendations from friends and family to go to Hank's and I am glad that I was able to try for the first time! The restaurant is very small so going there in a group bigger than 4 is not a good idea. My friends and I went in a group of 4 and we had barely any room to stand and wait. I heard the location in DC is no different. Be warned and be patient. The menu is quite small but has a little bit of everything for everyone. The oysters were quite fresh and I was able to try all 6 types of oysters that night. My main entree was the Ahi Tuna with seaweed salad which was not all that impressive. We were not seated with a small bowl of Gold Fish crackers, which is no big deal, but I expect to be treated the same as everyone else around me. So, that knocked down one star. The other star knocked off was for the small space. All in all, if you're craving for oysters, than Hank's is the place to be. They change their menus so I am willing to come back to try the rest that the have to offer!
(3)
Brian J.
I have mixed feelings for Hanks. It's a great neighborhood place and we've been here a few times. The Oyster happy hour is the best deal going, select oysters for $1 weekdays. The rest of the menu is very hit or miss. My wife had that mahi mahi which was very overseasoned and I had the lamb chops, which were very fatty and came with bland onion rings. It's also very noisy. Would I come back? Yes, but I'd just for the Oyster happy hour and a beer.
(2)
John C.
Nice trendy place. Arrived at 9:00pm and was told that the wait was 45 minutes. Got seated within 30 minutes. Had a few cocktails from the bar. was tasty and they used premium alcohol. Ordered the fried shrimp and calamari but not crazy about it since it was full of batter and not much flavor. Clam belly was very good and tasty. The mussels in red sauce was very tasty. The best part of the meal was the lobster roll and french fries. Believe it or not, Im not a fries person but these were one of the best fries I've had in a long time. Service was just ok. Nothing special and kind of dry. Would go back for the clam belly and lobster rolls.
(3)
Lisa E.
This is my new "go to" place in Old Town. I don't eat seafood, but the atmosphere and the bar is fantastic. The bartender is impressive. He is friendly, calls you by name and remembers you the next time you stop in. He makes a great margarita to boot. It's a friendly atmosphere and the food is outstanding! Stop in if you have a chance - you won't regret the experience.
(5)
David K.
Brought my father in over the father's Day weekend. Had a GREAT meal. My Dad had the fried oysters, the portion was ample and reasonably priced. We also had 18 raw oysters, also excellent. I had the lobster roll, it was delicious. Service was good, the bartender was SUPER NICE and FUNNY. HIGHLY recommend this location OVER the Dupont location. There is NO 'TUDE in this location, unlike the uppity DC location. The only issue is (as been previously stated) that the place is tiny. There can be a considerably wait for a table. KUDOS to the Alexandria, Va. location!
(4)
Tiffany B.
Delicious oysters and great craft beer selections. The place is a little small and can get cramped but the oysters and po boys are well worth it.
(4)
Rae N.
Upgrade to 5-stars since their cool expansion & renovation. Dining area not as crowded since that bar has been relocated to the adjoining expansion area. The new bar is 3-4 times longer than the old bar; looks very inviting. Need to try it out on my next visit.
(5)
Megan L.
$1 happy hour oysters and their Mac & Cheesy keep me coming back! I haven't had anything that was bad here. Their lobster roll isn't as good as the ones I've had in New England, but it was still pretty tastey. It's a bit on the small side and their bar area consists of like 3 chairs! One of their tables is next to the window facing the street and that's a fun place to sit and watch the people going by. They also sell their oysters per piece (happy hour or not) - which was pretty awesome when my friend wanted to try her first raw oyster. We were able to order her ONE oyster to try.
(4)
A S.
My wife and I LOVE this place! Putting in the new bar was a stroke of genius. There's nothing better than sitting at their huge bar with a cocktail and a few oysters, chatting with Tom and/or Izzy (two great bartenders). The staff knows their stuff and does a great job managing a popular restaurant on King St. Even if you don't like oysters, there are plenty of tasty options to be enjoyed in a really friendly atmosphere. It's a must try... I will probably stop in tonight.
(5)
Mike O.
A quick shout-out for the raw bar happy hour Tues-Friday. $1 oysters (limited selection) make for a great opportunity for landlubbers like me to try a variety of oysters on the half-shell. The bartender was helpful and friendly, guiding me through my mollusk adventure. I'd encourage anyone seeking oysters 101 to come to Hank's and learn what your preferences are.
(4)
Jon C.
Great oysters, cool atmosphere, nice selection of beers on tap. The lobster bisque wasn't my favorite but there is nice selection of food for people that don't like seafood as well.
(4)
Donn D.
The variety of oysters are great! A bit pricey in my opinion, but nonetheless fresh and great.
(4)
Melissa M.
I can't say this is the best lobster roll only because it's the first one I ever tried, but it was fabulous! I'm not really into raw oysters much but had some anyway (when in Rome, after all) and they were pretty good. My friend had the oyster Po' Boy and loved it. Pretty cool cocktail menu as well. We didn't do dessert that night, though.
(4)
Beth F.
We love this place. The best food in Old Town where you can bring kids. Everything we've eaten has been delicious.
(4)
Michael P.
Classy place without being too formal. They have a great variety of oysters and their fresh even though the are nationally sourced. The service is always perfect - so much so that I sometimes I don't notice the service because they're timing is perfect. Event the simple things like the lobster roll sandwich are good.
(4)
Jeremy C.
After a recent trip to NYC and eating at Pearl Oyster Bar, I had to have more, but sadly I do not live in NYC. So, I began my desperate search for something similar - to be able to bite into an awesome lobster roll and some fresh oysters....Hanks Oyster Bar did not disappoint. After reading the Yelp reviews, I made a reservation before going. I am glad I did so, because this place is TINY and can fill up on a weekend night. The quaint size and dim lighting really created a romantic vibe...especially for being in Old Town Alexandria. This was the place I had been looking for. I felt at home; I felt comfortable. The friendly waitress brought us our menus and explained the different type of oysters they had. We ended up ordering two lobster roll dishes, an oyster sampler (oysters from different east coast locations), and calamari. The lobster roll was great! The lobster was tender, but also had that meaty and chewy consistency that only lobster has. The calamari was also delicious with their house tartar sauce, and the oysters were to die for. They were able to tell what kind of oysters a few of them were so they threw in a few for free....AWESOME! I love free stuff! Pros: Great food! Try the lobster roll, and definitely get yourself some oysters! Cons: NOTHING! maybe parking..but hey, its Old Town Alexandria. Oh yah...make a reservation! Overall, this is the closest to Peal Oyster Bar in NYC I could find...and thats saying a lot!
(5)
Nathan P.
I am a fan of this place. Just expect to drop a good chunk of change. It is pretty pricy with the raw oysters coming in at 2.25. If you get a couple drinks and keep ordering rounds of dozen oysters you will be in for a nice surprise when the bill comes around. I overall had a great experience.
(4)
Jimmie W.
Happy hour is only from 5:30 to 6:30. Get there early because there will be a line. It's worth the wait for the $1.00 oysters. Chesapeake were my fav. Very meat with a clean after taste.
(5)
Rose L.
Charming little restaurant with a lot of character. Blackboard menu of available oysters and specials. Goldfish crackers to munch on while you wait and a very creative menu. Tried native va oysters and also pacific. Va oysters were better. Also had an oyster salad. Another had the oyster po boy which was delicious. And when you get the check they give you dark chocolate - that's enough reason to visit. Not a whole lot of seating but it gives you the feeling of being invited into sometimes kitchen. Very low key but colorful in menu selection and charm. Have a couple of oysters when you visit. They're that good.
(4)
Ellen B.
I have been here twice now and will likely not return. The oysters are great. That is a no brainer. I have had the scallops which are also great, but way overpriced. Four scallops with sauces on a plate for $29??!!?!?! The nail on the coffin was the highly recommended lobster roll, whch was chewy and tasteless and now sits uncomfortably in my stomach. Stick with what they do best - the oysters and the vegetable sides.
(2)
Jackie N.
The oysters are delicious and topped with a homemade minuets. Go for the mussels, the sauce is to die for!
(5)
Paul J.
Excellent fresh oysters. The po boy is to die for. Very very cramped waiting area. Few chairs while waiting. Long long waits so call 30 mins prior to arrival to get on seating list. Plan on $75 a person for one meal and a few drinks.
(4)
Olive O.
Although the food is always very good to excellent (The raw oysters and the PoBoy are my go-to options, along with some of the specials) - I have become somewhat disenchanted with this place over the last few years. We go to Hanks at least 6-7 times yearly. The ambience remains quite nice (but a little too cozy - people always running into you if you are walking to the bathroom, out of the restaurant, or out of the bar). The service is good in general, but sometimes feel that a couple of the (female) servers are a little snappy and rush you. Forget about taking advantage of the Happy Hour - tried a few times over the last year - would arrive at 5:55PM (happy hour was 5:30-6:30 PM the last time we tried) and would not get seated in time. The major problem is that I don't have the time or patience to wait an hour for a table after a busy week on a Friday or Saturday night. We've even tried calling ahead and still had to wait 45 minutes for a table on more than one occasion, after waiting the 30 minute call ahead period. The last experience we had was on a Friday night - called ahead for a table at 7:15 PM - arrived at 7:45 PM, and then waited until 8:30 to be seated. They don't seem to take reservations here. The other issue is that it's not cheap to eat there - on the last occasion we were there - we ended up spending $200 (for 2 people) - for a dozen oysters, 2 or 3 drinks total, appetizer, I think a couple sides, and 2 entrees + tip (we were really hungry). Kind of pricey for waiting an hour and a half to eat. Have not tried any of the other DC locations, given that we live down the street from the Old Town restaurant, but after our recent experiences at this restaurant - don't necessarily plan to.
(3)
Mackenzie R.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. The cold oyster selections were delicious! You also need to check out their Poboy sandwhich. Simple but has a great flavor
(4)
Jason G.
One of our favs! The prices are a bit high and the wait can be loooong on Fri/Sat nights. But, the food is great, staff is usually great (a few exceptions), and $1 happy hour oysters rock!
(5)
Chich S.
Went for brunch and it was excellent! The bloody mary's are amazing (and only $7!). The oyster po-boy and the lobster rolls are delish, though the latter is a bit pricey. The oysters are fantastic too, but $2.25 is a bit pricey for me so I'd rather wait for happy hour. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Yanlin C.
Nice place with nice food. Enjoy the small shop with customized menu. They have huge lobster in the lobster bisque!!!!
(4)
Robert S.
Food is great. Oysters are not strong tasting and the food is very well presented. I saw other reviews about small portion sizes but the portions were perfect for the wife and I. The service was good and the restaurant clean and inviting. The only reason for 4-stars is the price. It is a little expensive but worth it in my mind. We will return.
(4)
Tim R.
Mac and cheese is a cannot miss. Best I've ever had. Oyster po boy more like a lobster roll so kind of disappointing. Good oysters though just not enough of them and bread choice was strange. Mussels very good but can they please serve with crunchy bread to sup up the yummy broth? Solid choice in old town and new bar is beautiful.
(3)
Jon L.
A five star lunch experience today. Met up with an Old Town local to check out the oysters on a spring like day. Musta been 70 degrees out with people running around in shorts & tee's. They had three varieties of Virginia oysters, Chincoteague, New Point Comfort & Olde Salt...we opted for two of each@ $2 each. The Chincoteague was smooth, on the briney side and fair sized. The others were ok, but we agreed the Chincoteague was select. She had the crab cake tartar which she said was quite good. I opted for the crab cake eggs benedict which was 5 star, no doubt. It's nice when it's crab & oyster season together, double delight.
(5)
N N.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. I'm a picky oyster eater. I liked the west coast oysters here as they are smaller and have a more delicate flavor (less sea-like taste). Unfortunately, they aren't quite consistent with the quality of the oysters that they bring out to you. I ordered a second round of the same kind of oysters and some were huge and very fishy, but a couple won't spoil the bunch for me. I will definitely go back here for oysters. The other food here was okay. The seafood ceviche was not good. The pieces were too big and too cooked to be ceviche. It was also lacking acidity from the citrus. Service was not terrible but not great. Our waiter didn't really seem too friendly or cared how we were. Just asked what we wanted and didn't care to answer questions because he kept wanting to jet off elsewhere.
(3)
Barbi H.
I love Hank's. What else can I say? The good... *Quaint, quality food. Basic, but soo fresh and yummy. **The bartender may be the best ever! They've got some awesome seasonal options that aren't your typical, but still make me think I might just be at "The Columbia Room" (if you don't know where or what I'm talking about search that next!) ***Oyster Happy Hour!!! The not-so-good... *The 1st thing that hits you when you walk in is that this place is *tiny*. **When I've not sat at the bar & actually gotten a table, the service hasn't been as great in the front room. Ech. Either way, you'll be seeing me there again, soon!
(5)
Amanda L.
Oyster happy hour from 5:30-6:30 pm - $1 oysters - nuff' said. Seriously, this place is a great place to go after work for happy hour/dinner. Lobster bisque is delicious with big chunks of lobster (although a tad bit too salty), and the "mac and cheesy" is great. They also have a unique cocktail menu with seasonal drinks. It's a small place, so if you plan on going towards the end of the week during happy hour, make sure to arrive around 5:30 for first seating.
(4)
Eric O.
Step 1: Do not eat a large dinner before coming to Saturday night happy hour ($1 oysters). Step 2: Start with a few different types to decide on your favorites. Step 3: Order dozens more and enjoy!
(3)
Sean M.
This place is one of the better oyster bars in the DC area. I went in on a cold, rainy fall day. Before I noticed their oyster selection, I noticed their beer selection, which was great (they have ROGUE!). I then ordered the lobster bisque and a dozen oysters. The great part about this place is you can order a mixed plate of oysters. So, I was able to order a dozen with 6 different kinds of oysters. I was the only one in the place when i went, early after noon, and the waiter was eating some new oysters taht had just arrived and he brought me a sample. Bottom line, they have a great variety of oysters, that are VERY fresh. Seems like an easy objective to accomplish, but Hank's does it better than most.
(5)
Angela L.
This trip to Hank's, I hadn't eaten dinner beforehand so I finally got to sample the true wonderfulness of the place. I was celebrating having received a job offer and didn't think twice about ordering a bottle of Albarino, the mac n cheesy, and fried calamari and shrimp. The wine was amazing, lots of grapefruit flavors. The mac and cheese, excellent as last time. But the fried goodies - oh my. So very, very good. I sort of ignored the fact I'm on a diet and ate every last one. Hank's is most certainly on the top five of Old Town restaurants for me!
(5)
Kevin R.
We ordered 10 different mixed oyster. ordered lobster sandwiches with fries. their fries were skinny and tasted real good. they are little bit pricy but it's def worth it.
(5)
Viet D.
I love oysters...although I can't eat them much due to my hyperthyroid...but anyways...tmi. When I have been good on my diet and need a seafood fix, Hank's is close to my house and is good and that is why I have been there about 5 times since they have opened, which was last year I believe. The oysters on the half shell are awesome...lots of different varieties which I load with lemon juice and hot sauce (yummm). The fried oysters are good...80% of the time I have ate them. one time I ordered the friend oysters, there was tons of grit and sand in them, but that is nothing the restuarant could have controlled. They quickly and friendly gave me another order. The mac and cheese is awesome...as well as the collared greens. Skip the lobster roll...pricey and not that tasty. Calamari is good too.
(4)
Blair P.
5 stars for Hank's! I went Friday night for a special occasion with my boyfriend and we had such a great time. I wish I had remembered our waiters name - he was very attentive and friendly. We started with two of each oysters from the blackboard - always check the blackboard! I'm not even an oyster fan and all was fresh and delicious. We then ordered the small plates of caesar salad with anchovies and fried oysters. This was our least favorite dishes. Four anchovies were just placed on top of the caesar salad - I think we were expecting something different. And I'm not a fan of the fried oysters - they didn't compare to the fresh oysters. Last but not least, the lobster roll. This was our favorite dish by far! I didn't want it to end! We would have been happy to just order the lobster roll. We'll be back for more! And to add, the goldfish to start and chocolates to end with was a nice touch.
(5)
Greg T.
My wife and I started with the dozen oyster sampler and were very satisfied with the quality/ variety of east coast and west coast varieties. West coast won. We then shared the scallops and the lobster roll and were impressed with both and highly recommend each. Great service and help with the menu selections. Well done Hanks.
(4)
Maggie W.
OMG amazing! The Lobster Roll is sublime! CHUNKS of yummy lobster, not just claw meat! The manager Claude is AWESOME!
(5)
Jill M.
I really enjoyed my experience here. My husband, brother-in-law and I did the oyster sampler (we each got one of the six varieties they offered that day). The presentation was good and oysters were tasty and fresh. I enjoyed the local beers they had on the menu. Everyone also really liked their meals-high quality and well prepared. The shrimp po boy was amazing. My bite of my husband's fish sandwich was great. My sister loved her lobster roll and mac and cheese and b-i-l liked the crab cake sandwich. I would recommend to anyone visiting the area.
(4)
Benjamin M.
I love Hank's for oysters. I heard good things about their Sunday fried chicken. It only makes sense never go to an oyster bar for fried chicken. Stick to Hank's seafood; Hank, stick to seafood. The fried chicken is pre-cut off the bone (in an attempt to present the food in a dignified manner, I suppose). Half the fun of fried chicken is lost when slivers are cut from the bone. The side dishes are delicious at Hank's (this really is a mixed review). The service was good, however the ticket that was brought to me and that I sent my card away with came back for signature with $6 added to it (not gratuity) added to it. I was ready to leave because you can only have a ZipCar so long, so I didn't raise the issue, but it seems only fair that the ticket that you send to the register with your card have the price that you end up paying ... not $6 more. For Hank's oysters and seafood - 4 stars. For Hank's DuPont location - 4 stars. For Hank's Fried Chicken in Alexandria - 2 stars.
(2)
Brian G.
This place turned out to be the worse decision of the Year so far. We went when it was a bit busy which I understand the wait is fine, and we didn't mind the short 30 minute wait. The first young lady at the front was very calm cool and collected even though she was running around and doing more than one thing at a time. She said we were more than welcome to call back if we didn't want to wait and she would give us an update on our time, 15 minute call was suggested so we didn't have to wait in the small area and crowd around people that were already eating. We were fine with this. We called back and I told the woman we were checking in and was just curious how long our wait was. I stated that what the young lady that helped us a few minutes before had said, the woman's reply to my question was "And...?" I was a bit taken back. I told my friend with what happened so we decided to walk next door and see who this was. Older brunet woman in her late 30's I am guessing. We were greeted with the same attitude and the comment was "I just told you on the phone it was going to be about 15 more minutes." We turned around and left. Sorry I didn't get a chance to try the food, but we didn't make it past your front door service and we never will either. The only patronage you will get out of me is a bad review. Sorry ;)
(1)
June W.
Finding a good place to eat in Old Town in heels and trying not to break an ankle on the cobble stones is tricky...but I found one! It doesn't look like much from the outside but truly a gem. My husband and I started off with the prosciutto and roasted peppers (similar to a pepperonata) with their really yummy sour-dough bread. For the main course we had an oyster po'boy and an oyster dinner. For 2 bucks you can swap out the coleslaw for any of their sides. We got the collard greens (eh) and baked cauliflower (good!). Will absolutely go back--tremendous meal and not overly pricey. Best oysters around, not greasy or tiny. Oysters were plump and juicy with a good breading. MMmmm mmm.
(4)
Nina P.
Aside from the hour wait (for a party of 5), this restuarant is a wonderful gem amongst the MANY restaurants in Old Town Alexandria. On the first floor of a rowhouse, the decor gives off a modern clean demeanor. Hank's is an Oyster Bar with a great selection of fresh oysters. We decided to try ALL the varieties since all of us enjoyed raw oysters. Charleston Salt, Clevedon (New Zealand), Naked Cowboy (New York) and Tree Island (British Columbia) were the first two dozen to be tested. All were fresh tasty and well presented with a mignonette sauce and a horseradish/cocktail sauce. We decided to try some of the other dishes such as Grilled Mediterranean Sardines, Grilled Portabello w/goat cheese, Lambchops w/balsamic reduction (a little on the skimpy side), Garlic Steamed mussels w/white wine and tomatoes (sublime!!), spinach sauteed w/garlic (wonderful) and Old Bay fries. The food is great and a good value especially after 10:30pm when selected varieties of oysters are $1 a piece and NO WAITING for a table. We will be back with a smaller party. Can't forget the small square dish of chopped bittersweet chocolate which came at the end of this wonderful dinner. It is a GO......
(4)
Claire T.
If you can handle the wait, you will not regret it. They do not take reservations and it's always busy here, so expect to wait. That said, if you stick around, you will not be disappointed. The oysters are amazingly fresh and the lobster roll is to die for! I definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Pancho Julio Chico R.
I wanted to pup a tent at Hank's! This place is great. Great oysters and great service.
(5)
Alex L.
Fresh oysters and a friendly staff. We sat at the bar and got a couple of drinks when the place was pretty dead. We all split a lobster roll which was fine, albeit expensive and the staff was cool enough to let us experiment with taking an oyster in a shot of beer. Decent place.
(4)
Jason F.
Located in Old Town Alexandria, Hanks Oyster Bar is nestled in with small shops and cobble stone walk ways which creates a unique feel to the area. The restaurant is quite small as well as the menu however the service and food is spectacular! Our server, Zach, was great telling us all the great things to eat there. We were then served goldfish crackers while we decided what to order, cute and yummy!. We did go for brunch so we were then served bread and jam to go with our crab cake eggs Benedict. Phenomenal! We even got a small little chocolate at the end of a wonderful dining experience. I'd love to go back and try more!
(5)
Dave R.
Great place! Had a dozen oysters and the flatiron with chimichurri and 2 sides. Everything was very tasty. Staff was friendly. Will certainly be back.
(5)
chris s.
Another perfect meal. Had the burger which was deliciously fire licked and pink inside, a true winner for a fish joint. Also, had the string beans and shallots in soy sauce. I fought my GF for the last one, they were great. Another round of perfectly chilled and briny oysters chosen by our server Ali who was a super star. Thanx Hanx!
(5)
Mark R.
Wish I had discovered this place sooner, but the positive reviews are well deserved. I went with my wife and we both tried everything we ordered. We had fried oysters for an appetizer since my better half isn't into raw fish. They were very good. She ordered the scallops and ginger carrot soup which were both extremely tasty. I decided to go with the veg plate for which you can choose five sides. I chose the broccoli & garlic, butternut squash, collard greens, mac & cheese and fries. She loved the fries which were thin and very tasty. All the sides were excellent, but the squash and mac & cheese were notable for unique tastiness. With the fried oysters and a Czech Pilsner on draft I was full, but we took a risk and ordered the Key Lime Pie. In our experience it is a risk outside of a trusty place like New Orleans. However, it was also quite good so i can even recommend it as well. This is definitely a place we will return to again soon -- amongst the best food in Old Town we have had. With a mixed cocktail added to the above, the bill was $85 for two of us before the tip.
(5)
Jessica K.
I took my mom here for Mother's Day dinner. It was really delicious. A very simple yet sophisticated menu. We had some oysters of the half shell, the old bay peel and eat shrimp, a side salad and the crab cake. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked awesome! A little of the pricey side, I thought, but the charm will take me back there.
(4)
William S.
We loved this restaurant. The food was fantastic. They don't take reservations but they have call ahead seating so make sure to do that because there is not alot of space to stand and wait. We had a dozen oysters to start, sampling 2 of each variety available that night. We chose our two favorites and had another 6 of each. So, so good! I chose the scallop special and my husband had a po' boy. The scallops were cooked perfectly. The sandwich had a toasted bun and the oysters were lightly breaded really letting the flavor of the oyster come through. For dessert I had the tangerine panna cotta which was like an adult version of a creamsicle and my husband had the key lime pie that was terrific. The hostess was very nice and got all of us seated as quickly as possible. I wish we lived closer because I want to go back already.
(5)
Ashley C.
Love hanks. One of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
kimbe m.
This is what I hope for when I travel - a chance meeting with my hotel's manager, a discussion of local foods, a recommendation that lives up to its promise. I went early for dinner, hoping to get into this very small place. Took advantage of the early bird $1 each oyster special and had half a dozen fabulously fresh oysters. Followed it with their lobster roll, highly recommended by my new best friend the manager. Now, here's attention to detail - I asked the waitress if the roll would be "mayonnaise-y", saying I didn't care for mayo. Son of a gun, I received an absolutely fresh-made lobster roll with NO mayo! The lobster was cold and perfect, the seasoning just right, and even the roll seemed special, with meat spilling over the top. In fact, it was so very, very good that after resting for a little while, I went ahead and ordered the mussels! Again, no disappointment - a fabulously rich sauce (but not too rich) accompanied them, and I sopped it up with gusto. Feeling very replete, I tipped my waitress outrageously, then strolled the half mile to the waterfront. Having eaten at other seafood restaurants in the area, notably the Chart House (a 2.5 if there ever was one, and lower because of the ridiculous pricing), Hank's is an absolute find, a neighborhood gem. If you want pretentious dining, don't go here - but if you love good food and a friendly atmosphere, with a bowl of goldfish crackers to start and a ramekin of fabulous dark chocolate to end, this is your place.
(4)
Bill V.
I have eaten here about a dozen times. The happy hour oyster specials are fantastic. Some of the best I have had anywhere. Love the popcorn shrimp and Mac and cheesy. Small and noisy, and the tab can add up quickly with ala carte side dishes.
(4)
Scott C.
This place is so good. Very charming small place with exposed brick walls and a super friendly staff. I went with a group of four people and had two dozen oysters, some fried clams both were killer as appetizers. The oysters were very fresh and they had a good variety. I tend to like my oysters meaty with much bolder flavor and the selection they had that night was much more mild. It wasn't the greatest oyster experience, but that was not any doing of the place, just a matter of taste. I had a grilled Dorade which came out filleted, juicy and flavorful. You don't have to do too much with a fresh piece of fish. Squeeze of lemon and splash of olive oil. Fantastic. Spend the money to get the sides. They add quite a bit of punch to the meal. The oysters and fish are very good, but the flavors are delicate. The sides give the meal nice balance. The baked mac and cheese is amazing and the roaster parsnip and butternut squash was simple but perfectly executed. If you have room for dessert, get the orange panna cotta. I think the menu changes quite often, so some of these dishes may not be there. Everything was so strong, that I am sure anything ordered would be great. Five stars.
(5)
Don R.
Went for lunch on Saturday July 25, 2009 with a friend. I ordered a half dozen oysters on the half shell. They were tasty, but very small - maybe 1 " x 1.5", and at $2 each, pricy. We both ordered the fried oyster po-boy. Very disappointing. 6 fried oysters on a split-top hot dog bun that wasn't even toasted. No dressing on the sandwich. Came with a decent sized portion of what they called coleslaw, but was just shredded cabbage, with no dressing. I had to add vinegar from the table bottle. At $15, way overpriced. We split a mac and cheese side at $6.95 which was good but again small. We both had iced tea, and with a tip, the tab was $51.00! I used to live in New Orleans, and Oyster po-boys should come in a foot long french bread, 'dressed' with mayo, shredded cabbage and pickles, and be as many oysters you can shove onto said bread. Overall, I'll not be back. Too bad, I really wanted it to be good.
(2)
Matt M.
Phenomenal oysters, and a great place for happy hour ($1 oysters), although the drinks are a bit pricey for a happy hour.
(4)
Bob H.
Great fresh oysters. Go for the $1 oyster happy hour, 5:30-7:00 weekdays.
(5)
Jimmie R.
The happy hour special of $1/oyster is worth the 5 star rating. The local oysters served here are amazing and guaranteed to delight even those with a sophisticated oyster palette. Beer special is on yuengling; I think it is $1 off. I didn't try anything else but the happy hour will bring me back to try other menu items.
(5)
chancy l.
Fantastic. Great service and good wine selection. Could use more Pinot Grigios by the glass. The Lobster Roll with fries was phenominal!! Foodies will like this place.
(5)
Julianna T.
Hanks Oyster Bar is an absolute treat. They have an extremely small menu predominately of raw and cooked seafood. They feature one meat dish a night. I met a friend here last night around 7:30PM. The atmosphere is starch and brightly lit. This is great for a family dinner or with friends. I might think twice about having a celebration or a romantic date here. As I said the menu is small and the food is straight forward with traditional favorites such as shrimp cocktail, oysters on the half shell and lobster bisque. Sides include onion rings, fries, coleslaw, and macaroni and cheese. My friend had the lobster bisque. Being from southern Maryland, I had to have the fried oysters. They were sooo good! I also had brussel sprouts. They were cooked perfectly. The wines are inexpensive and thoughtful. I had the Domaine Bellevue (sauvingnon blanc) which complimented my dish perfectly. The only disappointment was the service. Our waiter was extremely busy and not attentive. He was friendly though. I just was surprised at how long the ordering process took for beverages and food and then beverages again. I just remembered another disappointment. I took their key lime pie home to my sick boyfriend as a special treat. When he opened it, it was just a plain piece of cheesecake with bits of lime throughout. There was no raspberry sauce or whipped topping. I thought it was a little unusual for a restaurant to serve a dessert that way and I didn't really get the reaction from my boyfriend that I wanted. All that said, Hank's is marvelous. I will go back repeatedly.
(4)
Annie C.
Never had an entree at Hank's that I didn't love. Quick service, quaint atmosphere.
(4)
Kristin P.
How could I have forgotten to review Hank's, as it is most definitely NOT forgettable! I'm not a fan of oysters, but my husband is and he really enjoyed Hank's. I do love crab cakes and they definitely deliver. I've been to Hanks twice; once for dinner and once for brunch. Both times I ordered the crab cake. For brunch, I enjoyed a crab cake sandwich and it was served with watercress. The only things that would improve the sandwich is if a slightly smaller bun was used (it was much larger than the cake itself) and the stems of the watercress were trimmed. The service is attentive, unpretentious, and friendly.
(4)
Courtenay W.
Hank's isn't huge, but it's pretty good! We started with some lobster bisque, which was okay...definitely not the best I've had, but not the worst. It had a decent amount of lobster. Then, we moved on to some oysters. The Penn Cove oysters were ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! We also had some Sake Oyster Shooters that had a nice kick and were pretty good too! I moved on to the lobster roll, which was okay. I liked the fact that it wasn't overly mayo-ed, but it definitely could have used more spices or something. My BF got the fish tacos and they were really good. I would definitely reccommend. All in all, we will go back:-)
(4)
Kas T.
cute little place. agree with the nice but sort of faked politeness of the servers. love the oysters. had a sampler of everything on the oyster list and my favorite was the olympic miyagi. the lobster bisque was a little too salty in my opinion. i would def go back, this time for the happy hour.
(4)
Russell J.
Excellent, massive fried oysters; the onion rings and veggie sides were good as well.
(4)
Janet C.
i've been here before, but this review is for our most recent visit. for some reason, it was so very very satisfying this time around, more so than other times. we went for the happy hour (5:30-7pm as of the middle of March, but they can always change the time), where a selection of oysters on the board are $1 each, versus $2. It's always good to get an assortment of the ones with happy hour prices, then getting the ones you especially like the next time around. we also had the seared sea scallops (special for that day), which were damn tasty but a pretty pricey at $20ish for 4 scallops. the best i think was the order of mussels in a white wine, butter, tomato, and garlic sauce. perfect to sop up with the free bread that you can get totally full on. all in all, a great meal. go early, less people.
(5)
E S.
This is a great oyster place, generous on portions! I even brought my firm there to celebrate an annual event recently. One of our staff buddies enjoyed his meal so much that he pulled out his Firing document from the US Patent Office, a formal document that we all got a good laugh between the chow down. Seems like the Patent Office's major strength is Firing Ph.D.s and Master's degree scientists
(3)
Bjorn H.
Just to be clear - "price of admission" was meant as a writing flourish, not literal -- no price to get in, lobster roll is awesome :) Also, I'm now seeing some typos in my original post - my bad.
(5)
Sarah H.
I'll start off admitting that I have a problem with "chains"-- even if that only means that there are three of them...And I'm not the biggest seafood fan. Nevertheless, we stopped in here for drinks and appetizers before we headed out to a late dinner. They had a nice wine menu and a decent beer menu... I was thrilled that their seasonal was a local pumpkin brew. This review should be taken lightly as I'm not a huge oyster fan. We tried the sake oyster shooters, which, I think anyone should try despite their aversion to the idea. Although it wasn't my favorite thing, it's definitely worth checking out. We also did the Old Bay peel and eat shrimp which were right on the dot with the seasoning. I really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and the service was great. Despite my aversion to seafood, I would recommend for anyone who enjoys oysters to check this place out. I saw some pretty cool stuff coming out of the kitchen and if we had had more time I would have expanded my comfort zone and tried some more options out.
(3)
John D.
OK, three main problems with a place that serves seafood/specializes in oysters: 1. You have to serve fish and chips. I mean, it's a staple. Hank's did not have that on the menu. 2. When you're charging $13 for a fish sandwich, it really shouldn't be TILAPIA. Really? Basically the cheapest fish that is probably imported from China (I don't eat imported seafood, for all of the known reasons), and is often found living in glorified mud puddles. Come on, serve a real fish sandwich. 3. No Wellfleet oysters? Practically the best oysters on the planet. Again, come on. I won't go back unless friends drag me there. Don't get me wrong, the service was great and the setting was good as well. It's just...their menu and selection needs work.
(2)
Anna T.
LOBSTER ROLLS. I can't help but keep raving about the lobster rolls. It's a generous portion, seasoned well, and nice big chunks of lobsters. I'd have these lobsters over Luke's or Red Hook any day. Everytime I go here, I get about 2 dozen oysters, and a lobster roll. Boyfriend isn't a big fan of seafood, but is willing to go here with me because of their burgers. The burger is very simple, but cooked to perfection. With the amount of oysters I eat, this place can get a bit pricey, but so many choices to choose from. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because the last time I got here, there was a millipede crawling through the ice that my oysters was laying in. Now I know this sounds gross (most people would go nuts), but the manager agreed to take off that order of oysters. Could've been a better trade in my opinion but you have to understand that they don't wash their oysters to prevent them from losing any oyster liquor. The oyster liquor (the juices inside the oyster) makes up a great part of why oysters taste so good. I guess that's what you get for eating something raw. Hopefully this incident will help them inspect their oysters a little better. Boyfriend and I will usually start our cheat day with brunch here every two weeks, but we haven't been back in 3 months since the millipede incident. However, other than that, they do serve great food with great choice of oysters. Will come back.....soon.
(4)
Karen C.
FYI: Happy Hours may have changed.
(5)
kazia f.
We have lived in Old Town for 5 years now, and never ventured into Hanks until tonight. What a tremendous experience we have been missing out on! I didn't know that we had happened upon the new expansion (gorgeous marble bar, seating 22 people), until the bartender mentioned it. Tom was the most personable, kind, jovial bartender I have probably ever encountered. his level of service alone makes us sure to return. The oysters were delicious and beautifully presented, and the veggies we ordered as sides also blew us away (brussels sprouts and roasted squash). We have found our new favorite neighborhood place. Thanks Tom! And Hank's, of course.
(5)
Jennifer A.
I ate dinner here on Black Friday with my boyfriend. It's a small bar/restaurant. We waited maybe 5 or so minutes for seats at the bar. The bartenders didn't acknowledge us quickly but once I asked for attention they provided great service. We ordered beers on tap and a half dozen of oysters. The woman working behind the bar taught us that during happy hour, three types of oysters are $1 each. We enjoyed the oysters from James River, VA. They were big and came with lemon wedges, shrimp cocktail sauce, and one other vinegar(I think) based dip. We then ordered the crab cake dinner which came with old bay fries and coleslaw. I really liked the crab cakes and the dipping sauce on the side because they tasted very citrusy. We also ordered a dinner special of scallops. Those were good as well but a little too salty for my liking. Although the scallops were filling, it seemed like more of an appetizer than an entree. Our bartender was great. She answered all of our questions about the menu options and was always quick to offer a refill, etc. If you live in or near Old Town Alexandria, I'd recommend this place during happy hour. Beers aren't discounted but oysters are.
(4)
Angel W.
Hank's in Old Town is a very small but quaint venue. My friends raved about the food. I do not eat oysters but I could tell the table really enjoyed their selections. Hank's does offer some vegetarian options including salads and many side dishes. We mostly went here for a snack. I had the Old Bay French Fries which were good. I tried the Squash Spaghetti which was not my thing (a little too sweet) and I tried the Buttermilk Onion Rings, which had an amazing batter with a salty lemony flavor. Apparently their mac and cheese is the best around according to friends. My only complaint is about the snooty hostess. A hostess is supposed to be welcoming and accomodating. Hank's hostess was more like a prison warden. She was entirely too strict and unfriendly. After the "scoldings" we received, I felt more like her employee rather than a patron. I realize the hostess probably has additional duties to contend with such as making sure the restaurant (especially of this size) adheres to a fire code, but her attitude and constant scowl were unnecessary, unprofessional and unwelcoming. The service we received from our server was pleasant. Update: the manager sent me a message basically giving me an overview of the firecode and saying that they cannot let patrons do whatever they want or else they would be out of business. While I appreciate the fact that he took the time to respond to my concern, I feel that he missed the point. My complaint had nothing to do with what was said about the firecode or the fact that we "couldn't do whatever we wanted" (whatever that means), but instead was about the attitude of the hostess. There is a professional way to treat patrons. He did not address this aspect in his note.
(4)
Sarah B.
We went for lunch on a Saturday and had the Otter Cove, New Point Comfort and Hood Canal oysters which were all delicious. By far some of the best oysters I've ever had. For our main course, we had the lobster roll and small fries oyster plate with old bay fries. I'd never tried a lobster roll but this one was amazing in my opinion. The bread is specially made for the restaurant and the lobster had the perfect amount of mayo and celery. Their fried oysters were also great. For dessert we had the key lime pie and they bring yummy chocolate to the table as well. I highly recommend this place for the fabulous food and friendly service!
(5)
Cassandra M.
Friday night at 9:30 we walked right in and got a table. The cocktails are amazing, the atmosphere is clean and casual. Great music and service. We had oysters with a delicious fresh mignonette. The Caesar salad which was pretty good. And the muscles with wine and butter sauce which were amazing! We loved the goldfish to start and the chocolate to finish. No complaints here! We will be back!
(5)
Cindy C.
Best best and very very good place to eat!!' Bartender are awesome! Always on point. I loved and enjoyed every moment of this bar/restaurant.
(5)
phil b.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in a very long time. Everything was just perfect: Atmosphere: Small and cozy, and just the right level of elegance mixed with a historical ambiance. Service: Everyone was extremely polite and helpful. Available when you need them....not bothering you when you don't. Food: Just incredible food. We had oysters as starters, and they were to die for. Then my wife had the soft shell crab which was very good, and I had the peel and eat shrimp which was extremely fresh and perfectly seasoned with old bay seasoning. Also a really nice selection of beers and wines. All in all, just a perfect dining experience. It was a tad expensive for my wallet, but we enjoyed it so much, it was well worth it. As you can see, I rarely do reviews, unless I absolutely love a place or hate a place (I've written one very negative review on Burapa in Clarendon, which yelp conveniently blocked....so i'll say here, don't go to Burapa....TERRIBLE management!!!). But Hanks... I LOVE!!
(5)
Tiffany V.
Really enjoyed Hank's Oyster Bar. I got crab cakes and Brussel sprouts, and both dishes were delicious. They serve goldfish as the pre-dinner snack, which was actually very enjoyable & tasty. I don't like oysters, so I can't comment on that, but I'm sure it's good based upon other reviews. I'd plan for a wait as the place is small. You can put your name on the list (try calling ahead and adding your name), and then wait at another restaurant/bar near by for a pre-drink. If I remember correctly, they'll call your phone when your table is ready. Food, drinks, atmosphere and good service make this a great place.
(5)
Patrick M.
Great oysters and one of the best burgers (yes, you read that correctly) ever! We went on a Saturday night, and fortunately decided to wait the 30 minutes or so we needed to get a table. It's Old Town, so it's not like you can't walk up and down the block and keep occupied. I know next-to-nothing about oysters, beyond that I've met few I did not like, but... if you are an aficionado, know that the wait staff is very knowledgeable, so they can guide you based on whatever preferences you convey. Keep in mind, as other reviewers have noted, that Hank's is a converted brownstone, so I would not show up with a large group. Regardless, if you have to wait, it's worth it. Go!
(4)
Dave L.
Had dinner at Hank's Oyster Bar this week while visiting Old Town Alexandria on a business trip. Dining alone I went for a spot at the bar. I started with a trio of oysters from British Columbia that were sweet and delicate. Next up was a salad of avocado and romaine hearts with buttermilk cilantro dressing. The salad was really good - the romaine and avocado fresh and delicious. Dinner was a gridded crab cake which was also tasty. I decided to hold off on desert was was rewarded with a small bowl of dark chocolate chunks that that ended up being the perfect ending to a great meal. Over the past week Hank's Oyster Bar was the most enjoyable meal I had in Old Town. Friendly staff, great food, and a sociable crowd at the bar to share food with - next time I am in town this will be at the top of my list.
(4)
Pei L.
So disappointed. Tried to come 2 times and each time the dishwasher was broken, so therefore no food could be cooked. The second time we even called a couple of hours before and was assured that they were indeed open and had been since a couple of hours after we were turned away two days before. By the time we arrived, again they were not serving food. Call right before you go I guess. Instead had a WONDERFUL meal at Momo sushi one night and a Stellar meal at Caphe Bahn Mi the other evening.
(1)
Zei C.
I am an Oyster Whore! It's hard to find a variety of oysters in the DMV area besides BluePoints. I am a BIG fan of west coast oysters and not too many oyster bars offer them in this area. (I think I have been to every one of them) The side dishes are pretty tasty as well. Not over seasoned so you won't feel like your heart is about to collapse. I enjoy the VA location a little bit better than the DC location only because it's more intimate. Also, because the VA location is smaller, the staff seems more attentive. If you are an Oyster Whore this is the place to get it in!
(4)
Evi D.
Came here (3 of us) last Sunday and just like the Hank's in Dupont, it was great! Service was fabulous, food was delicious and it was a nice relaxed atmosphere. We sat facing the street- great people watching- and enjoyed the food. There are some great beers on tap, and they were great refilling our waters. I'd definitely be back, although I can see that the space might be limited sometimes.
(4)
Heather H.
Yummy! Had excellent food and great service. Nice selection of beverages. Small, quaint, little place, a short walk from the Kings Street Metro Station. I will be back here or one of the other 2 locations. A little pricey but well worth it.
(4)
Megs T.
4.5 Ate at the bar here one evening, enjoying some much needed "me" time away from the hubs and kiddies. There is nothing more I enjoy than a great meal...by.my.self. I realize that may sound strange, but sometimes I just like to focus on my food! That said, I'd been meaning to try Hanks for a longggg time. Didn't even realize they had a location in Old Town, but this is where I ended up serendipitously. And my meal was sooo lovely. This location is fairly small, intimate and laid back. Seems like many of the people are regulars. Bartender was friendly and knowledgeable. I started with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and one each of the day's available oysters: Hama Hama, Kumamoto, Old Plantation, New Point Comforts and Cape May. ALL were fresh, meaty and delicious though my favorite was likely the mildly briny New Point--local to Virginia:) Oysters were accompanied by cocktail and 'radish and a lemon/onion mignonette. I use condiments VERY sparingly on my oysters, but did try the mignonette and it was very complementary and unobstrusive. Next I had the fried oyster small plate, made with the Hama Hama oysters. These are what justify the near 5-star review. They. were. heavenly. Perfect. Why? Because you could 100% taste the actual oyster! Don't get me wrong. I love fried. But I have never had fried oysters where I felt they were done as much justice as on the half-shell or that I could really "taste." These: plump, juicy, flavorful. Wow. Also, very generous portion for an appetizer. Last, I did the lobster bisque--something I try anywhere it's on the menu. The lobster meat in the bisque was great but the actual bisque could have used more cream and was missing a little something. Still enjoyed it. Ended with the key lime pie, which a lady at the bar insisted I try because it was *that* awesome. I'm not a big dessert person to start with but key lime is one I do like and I am quite critical of this dessert. Let's just say this thing was *that* awesome. Damn! And I learned the chef there doesn't even make it with key limes (uses regular limes instead). Still sells as key lime pie as it is more recognizable hence more sellable than a "lime tart" would be. Anyway, perfect end to this experience. Highly recommended.
(4)
Johnna F.
Excellent food, excellent service. Peel and eat shrimp for appetizer which was the bomb and a lobster roll for the main meal. Would definitely visit again.
(5)
Nikol A.
Love this see food restaurant ,they have the best oysters in a area,my and family were very pleased,and service was on top as well.Will be back there for sure with friend.
(5)
Sara R.
My friend was in town and we randomly stopped into Hanks for some oysters and seafood. The food was delicious and our server, John, was incredibly knowledgable! I didn't know much about oysters and he was able to give very specific descriptions about the taste, where they came from, and why it has certain characteristics. We had a few cocktails which were poured perfectly and the beer selection was really unique. Dinner was great too! They have plenty of other yummy seafood options if you don't like oysters :)
(5)
Michelle S.
I love love love Hanks!!! HH is awesome, oysters, shrimp cocktail, etc. The food is great, service just as good. Prices for HH are very reasonable. The mac n cheese here, YUM! I think I go a bit overboard here, but I just can't help it ;-)
(4)
Matt C.
Bomb azz oysters! They are simply awesome! And I am a bit of an oyster snob... I have had the oysters here probably a dozen times (each time ordering a dozen), and I have never gotten sick or hurled. In fact the opposite of... each time thoroughly enjoying them. Cold beer and raw oysters. Mandatory. The food quality of the rest of the stuff on the menu is also excellent. One of my favs is the lobster roll. Delish! It's a small restaurant, very narrow, and can get a little noisy depending which table you are at... I can overlook this... but if you are looking for a quite restaurant this may not be it.. Service = top notch. From the host, to the servers, to the bartenders... I have experienced both sitting at the bar and at tables and always received outstanding service. If I had a list for Alexandria this would be in my top 5, probably #1 or #2..
(5)
Michelle I.
I took my husband to Hank's this past Sunday after denying him of oysters at Columbia Firehouse on Friday night. We strolled in around 8pm and were seated right away. To start off the meal, my husband and I decided to order some adult beverages. They have a nice selection of beer and wine. If it had not been a Sunday night, I probably would have gotten more than one glass of wine. The free goldfish they put on the table is a cute idea, but I'm a free bread kind of girl. We knew we were definitely getting oysters on the half shell, so we decided to go with a dozen of the VA ones. They also offered ones from British Columbia and Washington. My husband likes his oysters briny, so we did all VA ones. The oysters came with two condiments, cocktail sauce topped with fresh horseradish and a shallot-red wine vinegar sauce. Both were great complements to the oysters. For our main entrees, I ordered the lobster roll and my husband got the rainbow trout. I decided to sub the old bay fries for onion rings after eying the ones ordered by the couple sitting next to us. The lobster roll had big chunks of lobster and was lightly dressed with some sort of mayo based sauce. It was served on a long potato roll. I though it was very good, but not the best lobster roll I've ever had. My husband did not have any complaints about his rainbow trout. We would definitely go back for some oysters and drinks. I think we'll have to check out the Half Price Raw Bar they have at the Dupont location (10pm-12am every night).
(4)
M. C.
We have always liked the food at Hank's but did not go there often because the restaurant is small, typically crowded, and they do not take reservations. However, they recently expanded and have a beautiful new bar area which seemingly doubled their space, allowing us to stop by for drinks and appetizers without worrying about waiting for a seat. The staff are friendly and efficient and make an effort to learn the regulars names. Menu features a variety of healthy options as well if you are shying away from fried or creamy foods.
(4)
Steve M.
In town for 3 days. Wife and I stopped in because we heard it was THE place on King for oysters. The reviews are right! 6 types on the chalkboard and tried 4 types, 2 of each. The local oysters are good. Wife had the griddled crab cake and loved it! Tried them all over the world and rates it tops! The lobster roll was like a trip yo Boston! Worth the stop for sure.
(4)
Yaima R.
Freshest tasting oysters in the DC area, highly recommend the fried oysters and lobster roll.
(5)
Carl C.
Oysters are beyond great! They even give a discount for DOD employees that have been laid off.
(5)
Abby C.
Food/Cost: (3/5) My friends and I came for a light dinner during their Happy Hour. I got one of each of their happy hour oysters ($1/each) and Hank's Oyster Stew ($9). We also got a side of roasted brussel sprouts ($5) to share. I must say, the food that I had was a solid "good," but was nothing spectacular. The oysters were fresh and cheap (thanks to happy hour pricing). The lightly cream-based stew was good and had 5 good-sized oysters in it (at least they don't skimp on ingredients), but not inspiring. The brussel sprouts were actually the best thing I ate here; they were nicely salted and roasted just right. Their other menu items are actually quite well priced, but I didn't try them so I can't comment on that. Ambiance: (5/5) The restaurant is small and narrow, but cute. There aren't many tables here, so if you want to dine with a group, definitely try to make reservations. The decor is a mix of nautical, rustic, and modern -- cute in a confused kind of way. Location: (5/5) Located in Old Town Alexandria, Hank's is nestled between other restaurants and stores and you probably wouldn't notice it unless you were specifically looking. It's near the movie theater, which is a plus. We walked here from the King Street metro stop, but there's also a free trolley that travels up and down King Street if you want to cut down on walking. At night, strings of lights on the trees that straddle King Street are lit up, which creates a romantic, festive setting. Service: (5/5) Our server/waitress was very attentive and friendly. When my friend found her lobster bisque too salty, out waitress apologized and took the bisque back without any attitude or qualms. Overall: (3/5) I wish I could give this place a higher rating due to the great service and quaint surroundings both in and out of the restaurant, but the food (which is the heart of a restaurant) was just average -- or A-Ok as Yelp defines 3 stars.
(3)
Sarah M.
I'm here for a conference, and was looking for a nice bite with a friend in Old Town. Hank's was perfect! It's in a tiny row house, but the space is large when you enter and the staff is awesome. We had a nice glass of Viognier while we waited. Dinner was delicious - we just missed oyster happy hour (boo!) but had a dozen delicious oysters and split a lobster roll. Love how they do the split for you here. The garlic broccoli was the perfect green to have with the lobster. Hank's was perfect for a summer weeknight dinner - fresh, airy, well-priced and perfect for catching up with a friend!
(4)
Betty L.
Cute place and the food was delicious. We got the fried calamari and dozen oysters so we could sample the entire selection. All of the oysters were fresh and delicious except for one that had the word "hood" in it- it had a very strange aftertaste? Other than that, the service was excellent and they have a 50% deal through Scoutmob right now.
(4)
Anne-Margaret O.
We were looking for a place to get a drink, have a nice (fast) dinner, and enjoy a conversation - we headed to Hank's! Great - healthy food. Wonderful wait staff. We go back to Hank's time and time again. The Sable fish is incredible!!
(4)
Trabbit L.
Thanks to the rude waiter, Curtis H. (according to our bill), we now have a new favorite passive aggressive catch phrase, "Whatever. I GUESSS. If you WAANT." Wanted to try here during my visit last year, but was too full after our lovely meal at Vermillion. This time I was with sister and brother-in-law and we made Hank's a priority. Went in for a late lunch around 3pm on Friday (3/30/2012), the place was pretty empty. We started with drinks and 2 dozens oysters. I told them how lovely it was to sit by the window and people watch at Vermillion during my last visit. It was something that had greatly added to the experience as a tourist visiting the city. We finished our 2 dozens and were sitting there, table empty except for drinks, waiting for the entrees. Window couple left, and we were excited and ASKED (were we too nice?!) our waiter if we could move over to window seats. By now, the whole floor was empty except for us and another couple. There was a long pause, like he didn't hear us. Then, without eye contact, while continuing with what he was doing, he mumbled his first unaccommodating, "I guess. If you want." We were stunned and somewhat confused by this answer. Empty restaurant. One server. Empty table. We wanted to move to a new table. Courteously ASKED, when we could have just done it. First, what's the big problem? Second, why so unaccommodating? And in such a rude and dismissive way? Figuring there must have been some kind of a misunderstanding. Maybe he didn't mean to sound so rude. He walked by, and my sister gave him another chance and tried again. "So, we're gonna move to the window seats, is that ok?" Once again, a long pause. Then a bit more exaggerated "I GUESSS. If you WAANT." It was clear he was not pleased and wanted us to know it. Sister and I were not impressed and were going to move ourselves anyway, but brother-in-law was too considerate of the server's feelings (and probably didn't want any spit in his food), so we stayed. We had lobster roll, Po Boy, and soft shell sandwich. Everyone enjoyed their dish, but no food is good enough to be treated rudely by a server. My brother-in-law (many years in the biz = a heavy tipper), bless his heart, still tipped the guy way too much in my sister and I's opinion, even though he was also quite unhappy with the experience.
(2)
Tammy C.
(See pics) More of 3.4 stars. Came here for lunch after strolling along a street filled with small shops that sprinkle with restaurants and ice-cream places. I used Yelp to locate this place which is a bit further away from the dock and slightly less touristy. From outside you can easily miss it as all you can see is a custom tailor shop sign. Inside it's cool as a cucumber oyster bar / restaurant with woven chairs. The oysters here were good and fresh, the seafood ceviche was probably slightly cooked before served and it was not as sour lime taste. The seasoned shelled shrimps were good. Service was good and courteous. I wish I liked the food more but it was just not quite as impressive as becoming a fan with the price.
(3)
Allen H.
They don't take reservations - but call them 30 minutes out and you'll be on their list. Our party of 3 waited about 20 minutes at the bar. Service was efficient and knowledgeable. Oysters galore, from the Atlantic, Chesapeake Bay, even the Pacific! Noise level is a bit high, but shouting was not necessary. Food was fresh, reasonably sized and priced. We'd definitely return.
(5)
Lisa P.
Not sure why this place has such a large following...maybe it's great but just not for me. I will say the service was excellent and friendly but the food just wasn't to my liking. My husband and I shared the fried oysters (which were fried very nicely but the texture of such large oysters is mainly mushy). Then I ordered fish and chips while hubby had a shrimp po' boy. I actually sent mine back because the breading was not crunchy at all. (I could bend the pieces of fish in half without cracking the breading.) As I said, service was excellent and I was quickly brought an entirely new plate of food even though I had already eaten all my coleslaw and some of the fries. I was told the head chef prepared it himself this time...and it was better, but still not crunchy. I think it came out exactly how it was meant to, but it just isn't the way I like my fish and chips. I ended up picking off the breading and just eating the fish. Hubby's shrimp was fried nicely but he said there was some unusual seasoning he didn't care for on it, although he did eat it in spite of that. To my surprise, the manager took my food off the bill without being asked. I would have felt guilty about it since they did actually serve me twice, except our lunch still cost $40 plus tip. There are so many good restaurants that we go to when we're in the area I don't need to return to this place. Sorry.
(2)
Elesai K.
Their food is always sooooo sooooo good. Even the vegetables taste soooo goood~ One of the greatest gems in Old Town.
(4)
Graham O.
With a name like Hank's Oyster Bar, you shouldn't be surprised to hear that their oysters are excellent. Among the freshest and most flavorful oysters I have ever had near the east coast. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly to go along with their attentive service. Added bonus: They have a great selection of craft beer...not a huge list, but all of them are thoughtfully selected and pair well with dishes on their menu. Great mussels, also.
(4)
Tyler R.
My girlfriend and I love this place and it's become one of our go-to spots. They always have some of the freshest and best tasting oysters in town. They're crab cakes are excellent and the lobster rolls (discovered last visit.) are ridiculous!!. It's one of those places we just get a craving for and it never disappoints.
(4)
Chris C.
Thoroughly enjoyed dinner there last night. It is small inside so prepare to wait on busy nights (Friday, Saturday). While they don't take reservations, they do allow you to call ahead when you are 20-30 minutes out so you have little to no wait once you arrive. I don't know what another reviewer's problem with service was but we had the same waiter (Curtis) and had no issue. He was very attentive and helped with oyster suggestions. I went with the lobster roll based on all of the other reviews and it didn't disappoint. However, there are a lot of other tasty its on the menu of which I'm waiting anxiously to go back and try. My wife had the the creamy roasted corn with crab soup and really enjoyed it. She is sort of a soup nazi so that is saying a lot. They have a large selection of bottled and draft beers as well as specialty drinks. Highly recommend Hank's.
(5)
Erika F.
Dear Heavenly Mac N Cheesy, Where have you been my whole life?! You aromatic smoked Gouda creaminess resembles that of fresh sizzling bacon but without the heaviness much less the greasiness. I will never forget you and the next time I visit Hank's Oyster Bar I will make sure to order 5 mac n cheesies. I heart you Mac N Cheesy. Okay so now that I've written my love letter to Mac N Cheesy I can tell you about the rest of the food that I had at Hanks. I ordered the oyster Po Boy and it was delicious the sauce that it comes with on the side is amazing and the bread is so fresh and soft yet it has a toasted outer shell that completes the sandwich. I ordered the onion rings to go with it but sadly I have to say I was not impressed...they weren't bad but not anything memorable especially since you have to pay for it on the side. The other items I tried was the lobster roll and that was delicious as well same type of bread as the oyster po' boy. This item will not displease you. Have I tried the Oysters yet? No, sadly. I am waiting for the $1 dollar oyster night so that I can go all out, good idea or not? We'll find out.
(5)
Ruchi M.
Had a lovely lovely meal of oysters - both raw and in the po'boy. They were both exceptional. I can't remember the oysters by name, but they were perfect with a squeeze of lemon. And the oyster po'boy was seriously one of the best I've ever had. The roll was slightly buttery and toasted, and was topped with watercress (never had this in a po'boy!) and fried oysters, and some kind of delicious aioli. It was fantastic. Highly recommend going there, and sitting at the bar so you can hang out with Tom (the awesome bartender).
(5)
Sarah A.
Super cute tiny place in Old Town. It is really small and I would assume that it would get quite crowded. I went on Tuesday night so no problem. Def. not for groups. We shared raw oysters and I had the lobster roll. Both were great! Also, they had orange goldfish instead of bread for the appetizer so cute and funny :) and dark chocolate for dessert (free) - awesome. The menu has a good range it isn't just oysters. There are plenty of other options. I will def go back!
(4)
Nicolas L.
The New Orleans oysters are DELICIOUS. I also had the crab cake sandwich that was very very yummy. This crab cake sandwich was in no way skimping out on crab, nice big pieces of crap meat. Very very good food that is paired with lightning fast service. At the end you also get chunks of chocolate which was a really nice treat to end of a really great meal.
(5)
Keren S.
The oyster selection is always yummy. Love their lobster roll, fried clams, and key line pie. Always accommodating to food allergy issues too. Worth the trip!
(5)
Tu-van L.
They split our entree for us! We told the waitress we were splitting two appetizer platters (fried oysters, Ipswich clams) and a lobster roll meal for our dinner, and she not only timed the food to come in order but had the kitchen staff cut our lobster roll in half and and put it on two separate plates for us. They even divided up our substitute mac'n cheese side between the two plates for us. And everything was DELICIOUS! You can't go wrong with anything here - yum!
(5)
Kelly S.
I have had Hank's fried oyster from my mother bring some home once or twice and they were very good then. They are even better right out of the ktichen! Because of them, the beers (that change on tap occaisionally) and the friendly staff, I have been coming here once a week consistently for the last couple of months and mostly only ordering the fried oysters and occasionally order a couple of raw oysters from either MD or VA (I find the west coast oysters are usually too small). It's also a bitof a budget thing. I don't make a lot of money these days and this is my one indulgence. But this past weekend I decided to get out of my box. I had seen the burger on previous nights and was ready to give it a try (I love burgers!). And it didn't disappoint. One of the best I have ever had. But I really find myself remembering the Old Bay fries that came with it. They are seasoned just enough that the flavoring is just past subtle which leaves me wanting more. I was very sorry when I ate the last few. It was a bit of a hectic time. They were very busy but that makes it sort of fun. As usual, I met some fun people at the 6 to 7 seat bar, where I always sit. And that is another reason I like to go back.
(5)
Sienna W.
I LOVE this place, I LOVE this place, I LOVE this place! It is so good and I think the ambiance and decor is charming. It is very small and they don't take reservations, but I'd wait no matter what! Oysters are always good and the Lobster Roll is HUGE! I also love getting the Veggie Plate, which is you just picking 5 of their sides as a dinner. And it's amazing because their sides are AMAZING! The brusselsprouts are a personal favorite!
(5)
vanessa g.
I always wanted to visit this place and I figured it was the perfect time last night to do so since I had a hankering for lobster bisque. I'm not an oyster fan but my husband is so it was the best of both worlds. He ordered the oyster sampler (which changes daily as their menu accommodates fresh catches) and I started with the lobster bisque. the bisque was great, perfect temperature and the right amount of creaminess, and plenty of lump lobster meat chunks. My husband loved his sampler and even ordered a few extra oysters afterwards. I decided to try their lobster roll and I'm glad I did. The bun was warm and the lobster was delicious, I'm so glad I ordered it. Our waitstaff was kind and courteous and are water was always getting refilled. The place can get a bit loud and it's very narrow overall nice ambiance. I wanted to try other items from the menu but i was too full, guess I'll have to come back again !
(4)
Janet H.
Always great service and food here each and every time. Try their mac and cheese but everything on the menu is good.
(4)
Jenny C.
Hank's Oyster Bar, well, I went for the happy hour for oysters and thank god I did. Oysters are about the only thing I can out eat my husband on. The happy hour special is a good deal, especially compared to other spots. And the more I've tried other spots, the more I've realized Hank's Oysters actually taste better...I just hate trying to find parking in Old Town :S
(4)
Jeffrey S.
Not sure Hank's really needs another review, but as I also use my reviews to remember my own experiences at different dining establishments around the region, I figured I'd toss this one in for good measure. I had the opportunity to visit Hank's twice this past weekend and although my party and I did experience one ordering glitch with a wait associated inconvenience, both dining experiences were near outstanding. Let me start of by recommending the west coast oysters. East coast oysters are great, don't get me wrong, but when frequenting an establishment where you are lucky enough to be able to order west coast oysters, opt for them. West coast oysters are a little more briny and at the same time can also be a little sweet. In addition I find that the mignonette is a little better suited to west coast oysters where cocktail sauce is more complementary to east coast oysters. When visiting Hank's I like to opt for raw west coast oysters and a small plate of fried (east coast) oysters. To go along with that we ordered the small plate popcorn shrimp and calamari appetizer. Hank's also has a great selection of craft beers and wines along with a full service bar. On the second visit we repeated the oyster orders and skipped the calamari/shrimp appetizer in favor of a couple of sable fish specials. The sable fish was delectable, velvet in texture and perfectly glazed. I had been to Hank's on a number of occasions, but felt more compelled to write this review after the twice in two days experience. Overall, Hank's is great. It can get a little crowded and space is sometimes a luxury. It is also not the greatest location for large parties, but if you are willing to make a few exceptions, Hank's is a place that you should enjoy.
(5)
Eveline A.
Hank's Oyster Bar is, how shall we say, very cozy. The wait for a table was a bit of a doozy because of the size of the restaurant at 8PM on a Friday, so the spousal unit and I sat at the bar and grudgingly nursed our beers while chowing down on as many goldfish crackers as we could get our hands on to soften our hunger pangs. In the end, the wait was completely worth it for what was probably the most amazing oysters I've ever had the pleasure of eating, and I don't even really like oysters that much. "So if you don't like oysters, why did you go to Hank's OYSTER BAR?" the more savvy among you may ask. WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, THEY DON'T ONLY DO OYSTERS! Yes, indeed, Hank's is a purveyor of fine seafood of all types, and please do not disregard my advice to get the lobster roll, because it is the best goddamn lobstah roll that has ever crossed my lips. By Neptune's trident, that is some fine shellfish they serve here. I am not kidding. You must get the lobster roll. You will not regret it. I should also mention that the lobster bisque was also very generously lobstery, if a little too salty for my taste, and the ceviche was truly a culinary masterpiece, although by the time I finished it I was a little OD'd on seafood. The prices are, hmm...somewhat pricey yet reasonable for the quality of the food. My God, the food. Don't even look at the prices. Savor the delicious flesh of the ocean's bounty. Just remembering those oysters brings a tear to my eye.
(5)
Angie T.
Hanks Oyster Bar let me count the ways I love thee 'period' enough said! Oyster lovers check out their late night oyster specials! $1 oysters after 10:30pm Fri and Sat!
(4)
Lori R.
What's not to love about a restaurant that starts with goldfish crackers and ends with chunks of dark chocolate? Add in perfect fried oysters ($10 for a rich appetizer-plateful of them with a good tartar sauce), one perfect shrimp cocktail with a tasty cocktail sauce, and a large side of collards with shallots and balsamic drizzle, and I was one happy gal. Would've loved even more of the balsamic drizzle. My husband had the crabcake sandwich, which he said was okay, but would order something different next time. (He was coveting a neighboring table's fried shrimp). But he absolutely loved the mac and cheesy. This was our first experience with Hank's Oyster Bar, but it won't be our last. My thanks to previous reviewers for helping to lead us to this gem!
(4)
LeighAnn G.
Great Lakes Beer on Tap and Pull and Eat Shrimp...what could be better?
(4)
Kate P.
This place is great. I popped in here for lunch today to use my 50% off Scoutmob deal and I loved both the atmosphere and food. Most people were sitting in the front of the restaurant, where there were a few small, intimate tables. A small bar and a couple bathrooms separate that from the back of the place, which seemed to be for larger groups. I got a lobster roll and a couple oysters, which were both delicious. I've had lobster rolls from the DC lobster truck, the Tackle Box in Georgetown, and a place in Boston I can't recall now, but I believe Hank's is my favorite so far. There were plenty of big chucks of lobster and the fries they served with it were delicious. The Old Bay seasoning was not overpowering- just enough to give them a slight kick. The whole time, I got great service. Oh and they serve you a little bowl of goldfish when you get there-so fun! I would definitely come back here!
(5)
Arnold T.
I love this place. They have great lamb burgers as well as seafood. The bartender is very friendly.
(5)
Emily M.
I've been living in the DC area since September, and this was one of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've had thus far. EVERYTHING was amazing. The oysters, the calamari, and the seafood cobb salad - YUM. Our server knew the menu and had great suggestions... Plus she wasn't overly attentive or annoying. I ordered a local Virginia cider and it was the perfect drink to go with my meal. I highly recommend Hank's if you're in Old Town and looking for seafood!
(5)
Blake P.
The short and sweet of it - you go for the oysters, specifically at happy hour. Outside of that the place is decent, but nothing amazing. Food is tasty but the menu is limited and the prices are a little high. Again, if you're not in it for the oysters you'll find better places further down King Street (e.g. Fish Market). But as I was saying, happy hour. Go. Prices are good ($1 each) and they usually have multiple kinds to pick from. Outside of that I'd probably skip it, but that's me. Some notes - they have very limited seating and nearly no capacity for larger groups, even a 4 top would be hard to do reliably. So don't go with friends. And again, happy hour (the time changes depending on the time of year/day it seems - call them to ask).
(4)
John S.
Other reviews for Hanks were spot on. Ceviche was very good, Mac n cheese was amazing, avocado salad was smothered in dressing which although it was good was too much. Service was tepid at best. They made it seem as if they were doing us a favor by serving us. A too cool for school; you're annoying me attitude. But we enjoyed the meal even if it was on the pricey side.
(3)
Matars Z.
Excellent service and even better food - but I wish the prices at this place were not so atrociously high for the tiny tiny portions you get. I have no problem paying $25 or $30 for a fish dish but when its four bites (albeit very very tasty bites) I do feel a bit ripped off - no matter how wonderful the dish. The sablefish is cut along the filet half, so the portion is really about a third of the portion I normally see in seafood restaurants. A main dish that left me so hungry, I had to have another meal a few hours later. The oyster PoBoy at $15 is also delicious, but overpriced - it looked to be a respectable size, but even the average eater will be completely hungry after having this - because the bread is light and the four tiny oysters in it hardly suffice! Great flavor, as usual, but why not make this slightly more substantial, for this price? The overpriced tiny portions really extend to everything and make me think of the place as "cheap" - and its irritating enough that I almost gave it 2* (but I'm going to strictly go with the food flavors for the rating). Continuing with the minuscule portions saga: Just a few tiny pieces of bread, accompanied by the tiniest sliver of butter. I almost laughed. What did it take to cut this tiny 0.5 inch by 0.5 inch, but 0.15 inch thick butter slice that sat at the bottom of the butter dish, alone, almost hard to find? When smeared, would it cover half of a tiny piece of bread for one of us? Were we to divide it up among us, would we even get one quarter of a tiny piece of bread buttered up? And when the chocolate mousse arrived, I finally did laugh. Here was a square dish, 1 inch in height, of which when you took the first spoonful you realize a third of an inch of the dish is china. Thus the depth of the mousse in this dish was thus less than half an inch. We placed it in four teaspoons. Four teaspoons worth of mousse is the biggest joke of a portion I've seen in DC in years. It was phenomenal mousse - light and fluffy, a perfect ratio of beaten whites and real chocolate. Just sublime. But truly four full teaspoons. And so on, and so forth. But everything tastes WONDERFUL. So if you don't mind pay top dollar for small portions, you'll be OK. But I'm still a bit irritated.
(4)
H A.
fried oysters!!! delicious.
(4)
Melanie W.
Yay! Old Town gets Hanks Oyster Bar too! I have never been to the DC Hank's Oyster Bar so I'm not able to compare, but I can say that I really enjoyed my experience and will definitely be back to visit my new neighbor again soon. First of all, they have definitely managed to squeeze in as many seats as possible into a very small space. When packed it's just enough room for everyone without feeling crowded, but there is NO standing room if you have to wait for a table. The staff was all very nice and friendly and wonderful. I tried a sample of the the available oysters and some were just alright but others were delicious. I had the best Virginia oyster I've ever had in my life. The beer selection was not so hot which I think is a serious shortcoming because good beer and seafood can go really well together sometimes. The wine selection on the other hand was pretty good. The calamari was the best I've ever had. The scallops were the best I ever had. My friend's flank steak on the other hand was ordered medium and served rare - sent back to be cooked to medium and then brought back medium-rare. And I'm not saying that because we don't know what medium looks like. I'm chalking it up to an opening week kink that will be worked out. The macaroni and cheese was the best I ever had - it has smoked gouda in it- yum! I heard the snowpeas were great but I didn't try those. 3 "best I've ever had"s in a restaurant during their opening week - can't wait for next week!
(4)
Helen V.
Lobster Roll Crabcakes Raw Oysters goldfish and chocolate When your waiter sets down a little bowl of goldfish cheese crackers as soon as you sit down, does your inner child not come out?! Hank's has a narrow storefront that stretches long, back into the block. People may miss it when they're strolling down King Street because of the other huge dining establishments that can lead you astray, but this place boasts just the same care, quality, and taste. My friend and I were salivating over the menu options and had a hard time narrowing down a selection. Of course, we ordered what was listed above, we shared. It was delicious!!! The lobster roll was a special of the day and what a wonderful option it was! It is shameful for me to admit, but that was my first lobster roll--definitely not my last! The bun/roll on which it was served was buttery, soft and rich, which complemented the large pieces of lobster. Delightful! The crab cakes were also a treat; mainly my friend's dish, but I snagged a bite. When the meal ended, our waiter also set down another little bowl of....chocolate blocks, similar to that of baking chocolate. I thought it was a sweet gesture and I admire these free little treats. I cannot wait to come back; hopefully, I will be able to enjoy their 'Oyster Hour' from 5:30-6:30p! (Supposedly to be the best deal in town)
(5)
Greg A.
Chalk this one up to the Yelp iPhone app. Having never visited Alexandria, and walking around starving and cold at 11 at night, this gem of a place popped-up on the map. While I was grateful to get out of the cold, I was thrilled with the food and atmosphere at Hank's. I had the fried oyster dinner, and they had some of the best fried oysters I've ever had - very crunchy on the outside, not at all oily or soggy, while still being tender on the inside. Unlike fried oysters I've had at other restaurants, the oysters didn't fall apart when picking them up with my fork. My girlfriend had a duck breast that was on special that night, and it was one of the best duck dishes I've ever had. I didn't have anything off the wine menu, but the cocktail selections were good. The service was good, and I appreciated the nice little touches like the complimentary chocolates and goldfish crackers. This place is a definite must visit when I go back to the area.
(4)
Sammie L.
Skip the Caesar salad. Hit up the joint for happy hour, if you can make it, the prices are a steal. Note that Hanks is participating in an initiative to sustain oyster production in the Chesapeake Bay by recycling its shells. How awesome is that??? The space in Alexandria is a converted brownstone - long, thin, and "intimate". Don't bathe yourself in cologne before you go -
(5)
C R.
I can't believe I've never reviewed this place before. WTF is wrong with me? This place is DA BOMB. Honestly. The one thing I look for in an outstanding restaurant is consistently good food. At Hank's, we've always, without exception, had consistently EXCELLENT food. I loved their old bartender (don't know his name, but he was great), but now they have a new guy and he's super awesome. He made perfect wine recommendations. The oysters are always fresh and delicious. The lobster bisque? Amazing. The lobster rolls are really yummy (although the best are from Red Hook), the french fries nicely spiced, crispy, and delicious. The mussels are fantastic. Really--anything on their menu is bound to be good. You can't go wrong at Hank's.
(5)
Shawn B.
A group of four of us went in to try the oysters and have a few drinks. We were having a great time, and it was early in the night. The server started to push for us to get an entree, and when we asked for more oysters instead we were refused additional drinks unless we purchased an entree. To be clear, we are a thirty-something group, we were not obnoxious, obscene, or using profanity. We were a bit loud, but again, it was Friday night and we were having a good time. I wanted to like this place, we've had a great experience everywhere else in the area, but with an uptight management its impossible to relax here. Next time on king street we will pass on the judgment and avoid hanks for a better time.
(1)
Mike R.
Great food and relatively fast service for a Friday night. Although the main course was a little slow to come out...our server and the wait staff ensured there was never an empty drink or an empty plate cluttering the table. Highly recommend the onion rings and the lobster roll.
(4)
Natasha S.
After posting my review, the general manager was ever so kind to contact me and let me know that the Mac and Cheese WAS vegetarian! (Thank goodness, since the person in my party who ordered it is a vegetarian). It gets the smokey taste from Smoked Gouda, so that was a relief!
(4)
Vic-Crys W.
Pros: (delicious oysters for happy hour) Hank's Oysters Bar is named for what they do best, Oysters. Taking advantage of the dollar oyster happy hour (5:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday), while frugal, gives you that added satisfaction while chomping down on a variety oysters of your choice. Cons: (1 hour happy hour, so-so menu) It is hard not to feel down when an oyster happy hour comes to a close, especially one that last only an hour. The menu selection of burgers and lobster rolls is adequate, but not mind blowing, though other reviewers may differ in opinion. Recommend: Oysters for Happy Hour Comparable to: City Crab (New York)
(3)
Alan V.
Hank's Oyster Bar is definitely a must do if you're in the area. I was in for a conference and looked for a place to eat on Yelp. With the ratings and comments I had to try it. Hank's did not disappoint. I had the ceviche, scallops, and steamed mussels. My colleague shared the ceviche and steamed mussels but had the mixed seafood grill. The quality of the seafood used is top notch and they don't try to mask it behind tons of spices. The steamed mussels were outstanding with sides of bread to soak up the yummy broth. Beer choices are pretty good too. I recommended some clients the following day and they couldn't stop raving about Hank's.
(5)
Anthony I.
I heart oysters and Hanks always has a nice selection of fresh varieties! This location is very charming and casual, they even have an outdoor table. On each occasion I have had wonderful oysters but my absolute favorite item here is the portobella mudrooms with goat cheese, amazing and the oven roasted cauliflower is wonderful as well. A real nice touch is the dark chocolate they give you with the check, a real sweet ending.
(4)
Fro S.
Amazing fantastic food and service. Great oysters. Wonderful sides. everything i had was delicious.
(5)
Aaron H.
Probably my favorite restaurant in Old Town. Their lobster roll is one of the better lobster rolls you can get in the DC area (and it seems everywhere has them now). Excellent shecrab soup also. Just about everything on the menu is well done - albeit a little pricey. Beer Selection is OK - they have 4 or so brews on tap - its gotten better now that they have started carrying Port City. Oysters - of course this is what they are about. I really didn't understand the differences in oysters until I came here.... It really opens your eyes. And the oyster happy hour makes it reasonable to try out a variety of oysters (normally they will have three different types for a buck an oyster). However, I would come to their oyster happy hour more if they had drink specials also. Events - They have a number of dinner events which I haven't tried. But Oysterfest, their signature yearly event is one of my favorite times. Not only is the food and drink excellent, but the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Writing this reviews makes me want to go back now. Only criticisms- very small, can get loud if there are a few rowdy groups, no drink specials, no lunch hours, limited tap beer selection (would think there is more - oysters and beer).
(5)
Irene P.
Generally a fan, and go to gobble tons of seafood, but there are so many great reviews on here that I never thought to post. Until I had the fried chicken. Holy fried chicken!!! Who knew? Landlubbers will not be disappointed.
(4)
Matthew H.
My wife and I went for the oyster happy hour which lasts from 5 to 7 on Tuesdays through Fridays. When we checked in with the hostess, and put our name in at 6:00, we checked with her that after the 20 minute wait we would still be eligible for the deal. We were seated at 6:35 and at the end of the meal were charged $2.25 per oyster instead of the $1.00 happy hour fee. Our waiter told us that in order to take advantage of the happy hour, we needed to order by 6:30 (5 minutes prior to our seating). WTF! Ended up paying 2.25 times the price I expected. Waiter was not willing to budge. Next time, advertise what you honor so that your customers are not deceived! Food was good, but I felt taken advantage of and probably will not go back for a long time even though I just permanently move to the area.
(2)
White Devil C.
Fresh, fun, and more updated inside than it looks from the street. Goldfish snack was whimsical and set a good tone. Knowledgeable staff.
(4)
Alexis M.
I have been coming to Hank's pretty regularly since moving to Alexandria a few months ago. I always leave very satisfied. The beer selection isn't huge, but the beers they do have are pretty good. The food portions are very large and I especially enjoy the happy hour oyster bar. You have to arrive early for the happy hour, as the place fills up pretty quickly and the space isn't too big. My favorite side dish would have to be the mac & cheese, comfort food done right. The fried oysters are also very good. I didn't even like oysters before moving out here, but they seem to be everywhere so I finally broke down and gave them another shot. I'm really glad I did and I'm sure you won't be disappointed going to Hank's.
(4)
Dan Y.
Everything here is super fresh, so fresh that if you go too late half the menu will be sold out! This, however did not stop us from having a very good meal and gave us incentive to go back....but next time much earlier! Started with a dozen oysters. All were fresh and meaty, a few were more brine than I liked but by no means fishy. The Salad of the day was a great choice. Fresh micro-greens mixed with nuts peaches and a light orange vinaigrette with drops of balsamic reduction. Grilled scallops were one of the last entree options left after a long holiday weekend. They were terrific. Again very fresh and perfectly cooked medium rare. Tastes like the ocean but not fishy in any way. A good sign of fresh seafood. The mixed mushrooms were very earthy and added a nice balance to the dish.
(4)
Adilbek I.
Maybe a little biased since I love oysters so much, but man, do they make a great oyster po'boy sandwich. First time I went, shared the coast-to-coast oyster plate and had the oyster po'boy, haven't looked back since. The atmosphere is nice and laid back, and the service is great. They have a pretty good selection of drinks, and they have goldfish to snack while you wait. I've been to the downtown DC one as well, and this one just feels more comfortable and nicer. If you're looking for a place in Old Town, I definitely recommend trying Hank's first.
(5)
Tom N.
YUMMY!!! Everything with the exception of the goldfish crackers was absolutely delicious. We started off with the fresh oyster, yummy. Then the lobster bisque...by far one of the best lobster bisque i have ever had. I have had bisque from NY to SF...this rank among one of the best. I had ordered the pan roasted Mahi...it was fresh and perfectly cooked, dare I say; it was better than the one i had at Mama in Maui at 1/3 the price. The marinated Sable was so delicate and just perfectly cooked. Major recommendation is the onion rings, buttermilk and lightly battered, hard to put down. Just YUMMY
(5)
Nina B.
I am a huge oyster fan, and couldn't wait to try out Hank's. Having lived in North Florida, I'm very familiar with fresh oysters straight out of the Gulf. However, the freshness of North Florida can't be obtained at Hank's. Although they have a great variety of oysters, good selection of other foods, and delicious Mac and Cheese!
(3)
Florentina D.
So good that I went back twice for dinner during my week-long stay in Alexandria. Although this town does not lack delicious restaurants, nowhere was I happier spending $200 of my "restaurant budget" than at Hank's. If you're a fan of oysters and expect to be having LOTS of them, you should definitely go during happy-hour when they are $1 apiece rather than $2. The freshness and flavor of the ceviche, oyster shooters and jumbo shrimp cocktail are to be noted. Also tried the molasses covered short ribs and they were cooked to perfection - tender and full of flavor.
(5)
Chris F.
This place is a gem in the middle of Old Town Alexandria. We almost missed the restaurant entirely despite the fact that it's on busy King Street since it had a very inconspicuous sign in front. The restaurant is quaint and small, and had simple dcor and exposed bricks. While their brunch menu was small, it more than made up for it in quality and taste. Much to my surprise they start you off with a small bowl of Goldfish crackers. It was a quirky touch, and made me feel like I was about to get something special.The bread with butter and jam arrives after you're down with the Goldfish crackers. Again, what restaurant serves two freebies at the beginning of the meal? I expected the bread, but never the crackers. The star of brunch was the crab cake benedict with seasoned fries. What a flavor explosion! Forget about English muffins because the crab cake IS the English muffin. For one crab cake, you get two perfectly poached eggs and a healthy supply of hollandaise sauce. The crab cake was probably one of the best I've eaten, especially since the crab lumps actually outnumbered the extra breadcrumbs and fillings that make you feel cheated out of eating crab cakes. As simple as the seasoned fries were, they were a nice touch to the crab cake benedict. You get your sweet, salty, sour, and spicy all in one dish and it really is a winner. At the end of the meal, I got one final surprise when I was served dark chocolate chunks for "dessert." The service was just as great as the food. Our server was friendly and nice, and seemed genuine in trying to make sure we were full and satisfied with our meal. Besides the quality and taste of the food, Hank's Oyster Bar does great with the small details. The Goldfish crackers and chocolate were all unexpected pleasant surprises. This restaurant, as simple as it is, was a highlight in my trip to Alexandria.
(5)
Mike S.
The place has good food. but the inside is tiny. There is no room in there. If you dont like crowds avoid this place. The soft shells were excellent along with the oysters. It is tough to park down there so give yourself time to find a spot.
(4)
Shayla C.
Would have been a 4 star review except the prices are too high for the small portion sizes. For example, we paid extra to substitute onion rings for fries with the lobster roll and we only received 8 onion rings. The fried oysters are very good but again overpriced for the portion size. I was eager to try the crab cakes and lobster roll, my husband liked both, I thought both were just o.k. All and all I felt the food was good but I will not be back. The food is just overpriced.
(3)
Christine P.
This place is delicious! We started with fresh oysters, which were perfect. I chose the bouillabaisse after reading about it in the Express, and it exceeded my expectations. I thought the staff was exceptionally friendly - though I just moved to Alexandria after three years in DC, so any shred of good customer service seems amazing to me. We both loved this place and keep mentioning it weeks later... that's how good it was.
(5)
jaimie r.
Found this based on reviews & was not disappointed! We knew we wanted oysters & were happy with the selection & our servers knowledge & recommendations-the local ones were our favorite. My 3 year old got fish sticks & mac n cheese-they were great-not your usual kids meal variety! We didn't arrive until 8pm so they had sold out of a couple of items-of course they were what I wanted (soft shell crab & the whole fish)-my only complaint. I went with the lobster roll & it was great-my husband got the crab cakes & they were the best I have had! If you love a dense crab cake with a lemony undertone then these are for you. Overall we had a great dinner even though we got there late & had small children with us-if you can overcome those odds then it's worth going to Hanks!!
(4)
C B.
Took my boyfriend for his birthday on a Wednesday evening and we both thoroughly enjoyed our first experience at Hank's! I called 30 mins ahead per other suggestions but it wasn't really necessary for a week night. The small, quaint restaurant was fully packed, but we were seated right away. We ordered a bottle of a white wine, Petit. Very delicious! We ordered an array of 6 oysters for appetizers, and the server did an awesome job of recommending an assortment! For the main course I had the lobster roll per other reviews, and people don't lie when they say it is awesome! I would definitely order it again. My boyfriend ordered the Oyster Po' Boy, and he was very satisfied with it! Overall, if you're looking for a quiet and personable setting, I would not recommend Hank's. For us, it was perfect. We enjoyed the laughter of the people surrounding us and it made for a laid back and fun evening!
(4)
Timothy O.
Popcorn shrimp and calamari app was excellent. The veggie market plate was great (loved the bok choy and the mac and cheese). The crabcakes, however were a total disappointment. Asked if they were lump, bartender said yes, but when they arrived there was not a lump of crabmeat to be found, just over-seasoned mush. Never again will I order crabcakes there. For such a pricey joint this was a real letdown.
(3)
Jacqueline S.
Went here at the end of Happy Hour - it was great! The place is nice and cozy and clean. I was really surprised that it wasn't crazy packed given the reviews. The service was excellent - they waiter/bartender was so helpful in explaining the difference between the types of oysters they had. The oysters were nice and fresh and delicious (I love oysters and don't get to have great oysters all the time being from the midwest) as were the shrimp. I had never tried fried oysters so we got a basket of those too - they were huge! Can't beat oysters for $1 ea.
(5)
Judith S.
It's a lovely atmosphere: bright, but narrow, colonial row with an industrial kitchen. It's perfect for a very small party (2 or 3 people, maybe 4) and quiet enough to have a conversation with your friends over seafood. Judith recommends: the beet and avocado salads, crabcakes and roasted veggies. Skip the dessert, you get a bowl of dark chocolate pieces with the check! Then walk down King afterwards to peer in the shops.
(4)
amanda e.
Oyster selection is great! They have different varities to choose from and they are priced pretty well. It has a really nice atmosphere as well, esp. for a date night. Will go back again soon.
(4)
Eric K.
Come for the oysters, stay for the rest of the menu. The best thing about Pete's is their Oyster Special from 5:30-6:30 where 3 varieties of oysters are a buck each. A BUCK EACH! If you have people who want to try oysters but don't want to spend an arm and a leg, or if you are just an all out oyster lover this special can't be beat. If you are an oyster snob there are usually a large variety of oysters (at least 6 on most of my visits) from around the nation that run the gamut from the cheaper varieties to super premium ones. The bar menu usually has a decent selection of microbrews on draft to choose from and a solid cocktail menu featuring classic drinks and signature favorites. I usually follow up my oyster feast with their lobster roll and old bay fries. The lobster roll might be a little overpriced at $23, especially since I have had others around town in the sub $20 dollar range that are just as good. But I suppose the Old Town location demands a premium. The place gets crazy on weekends with long waits, but if you are free during the week you can usually get a seat without any problems. I visit the Old Town location regularly and have always had swift and friendly service. Not to mention the nice added touch of goldfish crackers on your table at the beginning of the meal and chunks of chocolate for when the check comes. I love Hank's, you probably will too.
(4)
Helen L.
Great place in D.C. for meaty salty oysters! Collard greens and mac & cheese were both especially good too. Wasn't there late enough but menu advertised late night oyster happy hour after 11pm. $1 oysters!
(4)
James P.
The brunch menu has some great options. I think it's changed a lot since the last time I went--I knew something was up when I saw "Try our homemade desserts!" since they never had any dessert before. I had a hangtown fry, which was perfect--the flavor of the oysters still shined through the other items in the dish (bacon, cheese, etc.). Key lime pie was delicious. Service was quick and good. My only complaint was $6 for a bottle of beer seems unreasonable in the local market.
(5)
Mimi P.
Oysters were fresh and served just right (chilled)! I went to Hanks for their $1 oyster deal after eleven and had over a dozen sea salts and chincoteagues. MMMmm... were they good! Their calamari and fries were also tasty. Couldn't have complained. The service was great. And my experience was wonderful =)
(4)
Chris R.
I travel to DC quiet frequently and usually stay in Old Town. I literally eat at Hank's EVERY night. It's rare to find someplace that far north that can fry oysters that well, but Hank's has it down. The sides are awesome - if you like beets, get them you will enjoy it and the greens are excellent as well.
(4)
Dom L.
Not quite $$, but reasonable prices for excellent seafood in a cozy and casual atmosphere. We had oysters, crab cakes, grilled shrimp & octopus, lobster bisque, scallops, lobster rolls, and caesar salad and we all would have ordered all of them again. Fantastic.
(5)
Gabrielle R.
More than just great oysters. Other non-seafood items were delicious and the service is always good. Waiters are knowledgable and offer an opinion. Good atmosphere, too.
(4)
sarah s.
Eh. The food was slightly above average. I had the crab cake, which was tasty but NO pieces of lump-cheap! The mac n cheese was ok, nothing to write home about. Same with the caesar salad. Hubby had some oysters and the mussels, both of which he said were good but he's had better. The noise level was insane. I know I'm probably sensitive to this, but my eardrums were throbbing, literally. There is no insulation- all brick, steel, concrete, etc. There were 3 tables near us- 2 regular and 1 large that apparently all knew each other and were quite loud, visiting each other's tables and shouting across the room. When they all left at once, my ears were so thankful. Average food coupled with the noise level-DEAFENING- means i won't be back.
(1)
Rich B.
Spending the week at ES and used Yelp to find places nearby. Glad I came upon Hank's. The oysters were great but the scallops with cauliflower puree were phenomenal. Perhaps the best I have ever had. I am a chef and will be duplicating this recipe. The flat iron steak with chimmichurri was also very good. But the scallops stole the show
(5)
Anthony Y.
The food was expensive and the portions were moderate. However the food was really unique. My daughter had a delicious fried oyster Po boy and i had the lobster roll..I thought mine was delicious and she enjoyed her po boy. We had an assortment of oysters 6 different types..and oyster shooters to compliment which were awesome twist. overall, the selling point is that the food has a creative twist. Definately give it a try if you are at all into seafood, particularly oysters.
(4)
Bill L.
As transplanted New Englanders, my wife and I have been searching for whole belly fried clams for many years. We finally found them at Hank's and went to the Old Town location to give them a try. First we had to deal with a snotty hostess. Hank's doesn't accept reservations; they ask that you call 15 minutes before your arrival so they can put you on a "wait list." Upon our arrival, I was chastised for calling 45 minutes ahead of time, instead of 15. Then, she was obviously upset when we didn't accept the table next to the front door. We offered to sit at the bar and have a drink while waiting for another table and she didn't seem pleased about this either. The bartender was awesome. Beyond the fact that he was funny, pleasant, and knowledgeable he made a damn fine dirty martini. The dining room is tiny which actually makes it a comfortable, pleasant, and enjoyable experience. The fried Ipswich clams were just all right. We grew up on Boston's North Shore, not far from Ipswich. We have eaten at the world famous Clam Box in Ipswich, were raised on clams at Kelly's in Revere Beach, and still travel to Cape Cod several times each year in our never-ending quest for the perfect fried clam. We're not "snobs," but we kind of know our clams. The ones at Hank's are just OK. They did appear to be mudders, as opposed to gritty clams from the sand flats, but they were tiny and fried in a batter that lacked the sweetness which truly defines the dish. Don't avoid Hank's and don't avoid the clams, They are a true American delicacy and should be tried. Just know that there are better ones out there if you are willing to make the eight hour drive.
(3)
Doug K.
So this is my first review on Yelp but I have done a review here and there so not entirely new ground. I've been to Hank's several times. I go for the Sunday night special - Fried Chicken!!!! talk about comfort food! this is the ultimate. I'm not a huge fan of raw oysters but read about the fried chicken this past summer and just had to try it. I have not been disappointed. So I get here about once a month when I need the comfort of fried chicken and the comforting side dishes that Hank's offers - typically cold wet Sunday evenings. Our meal tonight started with Sierra Nevada Celebration on draft which is a seasonal favorite - I never pass this opportunity up - actually the whole table - all 4 of us jumped on it. First course - fried oysters - moist succulent - quite tasty. Unfortunately raw oysters are just not my choice but I do enjoy the fried variety on occasion and these were just fine. For my main course Fried Chicken I added the Mac and Cheesy and the coleslaw. Three large boneless pieces of fried chicken - moist, succulent, yet crispy - I could only finish 2 so I will be enjoying it again for lunch or dinner tomorrow. The Mac and Cheesy was incredible - rich creamy with a perfect crunchy top served in a stainless dish on the side it was the perfect complement to the fried chicken. ou get a choice of two sides with the chicken so I completed it with the coleslaw which was fresh and crisp but somewhat lost on the richness of the fried chicken and the Mac and Cheesy but nevertheless I had my veggie. We tried to order a 2nd round of celebration but unfortunately the keg kicked and they didn't have a backup - it happens. Being full of fried chicken we skipped desert but were presented with a check and a small bowl of delicious chocolate which was a perfect end to this comforting Sunday night meal. The service was perfect, I like the fact that they recognize us even after a few visits over several months - that goes along way with me. My expectations were exceeded - they were there when you expected and need them and dishes never backed up, I never feel watched or overwhelmed there, it is warm. So my bottom line here is if you are looking for comfort food, desire great fried chicken and warm service this is the place to be on Sunday night. I will have to get abck and give the oysters a go - the selection seems well thought out and I saw plenty of others ordering them.
(4)
Brian P.
Went here for the first time last Tuesday evening around 7 and walked right into for a table of 4. Respectable wine and beer list, especially considering the size of the place. Our two guest tried the crab cakes and said they were above average. My wife had the calamari/shrimp plate with mac and cheese which she said she would order again. I had the lobster roll which was the 2nd best I've ever had behind only the one I had out on Long Island once. Service was attentive but not hovering. And finally, my wife enjoyed the goldfish crackers to start things off.
(4)
Aaien T.
If you're an oyster fan, go here!
(4)
Bill B.
Hank's is a fabulous addition to the neighborhood. This place is singularly responsible for helping my wife learn to enjoy raw oysters. Short, well thought out wine list with interesting selections by the glass. The food is terrific: high quality, fresh ingredients, prepared in a straightforward style. Do not miss the lobster roll, though at $23, you might need to budget for it! Other menu items are less splurgy. No specific kids menu, but a good option for kids is the macaroni and cheese. We love Hank's!
(4)
Joan Y.
A few of my favorite things: the fried clams to start; the lobster roll - very authentic and not too much mayonaisse. And the goldfish snacks that are placed on your table to start. The service is decent as well.
(4)
Ann S.
I was disappointed in the lack of seafood other than oysters. I ended up with a flat iron steak. The mac & cheese is to die for, though. I agree with other reviewers that the hostess that evening had no personality - never said hi or smiled. Our server was attentive though a little robotic.
(2)
Jill H.
BEST Oyster Po' Boy I've ever had in my LIFE!!!!! Nothing else needs to be said.
(5)
SC O.
One of those places that every 2-3 months I remind my husband that we need to go there for their oysters...and goldfish crackers. Small joint, service is "eh" but whatever, the food is really good. Most recently we started with the jumbo shrimp cocktail (6 for $1.95 each), 12 oysters from somewhere in Washington State (handful of choices from where they have come!) and then split the rockfish which came out "fish" and all and we just dug in. A great seafood dinner and with drinks it came to approx $100. And about those goldfish crackers, first thing that hits the table when you sit down are a small bowl of those delicious childhood treats, once you have a few you can't stop!
(4)
J. W.
Pretty fair meal at Hank's. I visited for an early dinner and took advantage of oyster happy hour, $1 per oyster. They were very fresh and tasty, the cocktail sauce was average. For dinner I tried the lobster roll. It provided a heaping serving of lobster, but it didn't have a lot of flavor. In all, the meal was good and I'd certainly go back for the oysters. Normally I would have given 4 stars but the service wasn't great. When I arrived, there were only a few diners and I was the only one at the tiny bar, the bartender was right there. He took his time to shuck 6 oysters and pour 4 drinks before he so much as acknowledged my presence. I get the fact that he was in the middle of something, but a quick hello would have been appropriate in the first 5 minutes.
(3)
Bean O.
Been to Hank's twice now. First time I thought "average food and overpriced". Second time, same thing. We won't be coming back. Started with ceviche which was squid and shrimp-- they didn't even devein it! So gross. Hubs got the soft shell crab special---- two small crabs that's it. No sides included! so we ordered a snow peas which were drenched in sesame oil. I got the oyster po boy which at least came with coleslaw. Overall small portions and overpriced; do not recommend; you will leave hungry!
(1)
Christine N.
one of my favorite restaurants in northern Virginia. Actually, this is my only favorite restaurant in northern Virginia. I love the food here; very consistent and reasonable. The service is very friendly; not like other no VA restaurants who want to be up there with NYC or even dc restaurants, and not justifiably so. I recently had the bouillabaisse and grilled rock fish on a Sunday night. Both are delicious. Please continue serving those two.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Mitch S.
Walked in to the restaurant on a Sunday night and was not even greeted. When the host returned he pushed us aside and still didn't greet us or ask if we needed a table. A second "greeter" came by and the two chatted and continued to ignore us. We left and had a great meal at the Majestic just down the street. I suggest management visit the Majestic to see how its done! I won't be going back to Hank's. There are dozen's of restaurants to choose from in the area......
(1)Daniel L.
Great restaurant!!! Clean atmosphere, light and bright feel to the ambiance, especially with their new look. Came here after a horrible meal at another restaurant, where we didn't even stay for entrees. This was the perfect pick me up afterwards. Recommend their lobster roll. A generous portion of lobster on superbly toasted sourdough bread. Ask for the seasoned fries! Highly recommend.
(4)Christine L.
I have never been to the one in DuPont circle. But I deff like this place much better due to its location and service. My friend told me the one in DuPont is always packed. I came here on Saturday night for drinks, sitting at the bar area. There were some people but not too crowded. Very relaxed environment. Would visit again.
(4)C Z.
This place was so good!!!! I had the lobster roll...it had huge chunks of lobster, it was just like eating a whole lobster except I didn't have to fuss with the shell! Hubby had the fried oysters...now I don't like oysters, but I could definitely eat these! We both agree the food here is amazing!! It was about a 45 min wait, but well worth it. Oh yeah, and they have a pretty good beer selections, too!
(5)Meghan G.
I love this place...normally...which is why I give it a 3...but I came in today and was waiting for two other people. They wouldn't seat me until my whole party came...only two more people. The bar was full so I ended up standing awkwardly between the bar/kitchen/dining area. No one else in the restaurant gave me a second glance or asked if I needed anything or after standing awkwardly while tables filled the host didn't even offer me to sit at a table to wait. This isn't a heinous act but for a typically friendly and welcoming place they made me feel unwanted. If it wasn't my birthday and I really wanted to eat here I probably would've left by now. And...don't managers usually mingle and talk to patrons? I would think a manager would've noticed me standing and would've accommodated. But, who am I to ask much from a restaurant! In this case, nobody! :) : /
(3)Kelly R.
I was treated like a queen here. I went in twice on vacation and my service, food, and hospitality were top-notch. The calamari/shrimp appetizer was delicious - as were my crab cakes. My morning brunch meal was the french toast with a mimosa - fresh OJ, yes please. I can't imagine a better experience here. The chef even dropped off some duck confit roasted potatoes for us to try. It's a place I'll remember and a place I'd eagerly return to, as well. Loved sitting at the bar, talking with locals and staff!
(5)Kiev R.
Let me start off by saying that the oysters are fresh and downright delicious and a great buy at $1 each during happy hour. Outside of that... I wasn't too impressed. The restaurants opens at 5:30 PM for evening service and we arrived around 5:15 and promptly realized that the long line snaking down the sidewalk was actually for folks waiting to get in. So we got in line wondering why people were lining up so dang on early for happy hour. Once we got inside, it all made sense. First off, the restaurant is super tiny and basically had great difficulty accommodating parties larger than say, 4 people. With a group of 8 people, we were in a bit of a predicament. Add to the fact that it's happy hour where folks straggle in as they get off work and where (because of space issues) you cannot get a table for more people than are actually present and yeah... it was interesting to say the least. Secondly, happy hour only last for 1 hour (that's not a typo; an entire 60 minutes) and is only available on the oysters; no drink specials; no side dishes; nothing else. Lastly, the oysters took FOREVER to come to the table! Literally, we placed an order for 3 dozen oysters which took 30 minutes to arrive. As soon as those hit the table, we placed a 2nd order for another 3 dozen which also took 30 minutes to arrive. With happy hour only lasting an hour, do you see how this could be a problem? I love the oysters here (they were delicious) but won't be going out of my way anytime soon to make it back to Hank's.
(2)Bri N.
The bartenders there last night were super nice and I loved the oysters (and I got one of my friend's shrimp that was delicious also). I'm in town for business and it's hard for me not to go back again tonight.....I just might! Delicious and great service, not a normal combination in Austin where I live....
(5)Wayne H.
Hank's Oyster Bar is a must visit every time i visit my sisters in Alexandria. It is located in historical Old Town Alexandria, which today mostly consists of little shops, antique stores, and restaurants. They don't take reservations but you can call them 30 minutes before arrival and they will put your name on the list. My favorite thing to start with is their saki oyster shooters. The oysters change from time to time, so I usually just go with the ones they recommend that night. For my entree I always get the same thing, the garlic steamed mussels w/ white wine & tomatoes. These are absolutely one of the best, if not best, mussels I have ever eaten. They are also different from many other mussel recipes because of the tomato base. I also really like their salad of avocado and romaine hearts w/ buttermilk cilantro dressing. Very tasty, and I have never seen this served at any other restaurants before. The only negative: One of my sisters is not a big seafood lover so she once ordered the rib-eye steak. She was very skeptical to order it because she insisted that no way a seafood place could make a good steak. I asked the waiter how the steak was and told him about my sister's caution. He said it was very good and it had to be, because it's the only meat item on their menu so they have to ensure that it is good. My sister was right. The steak was quite dry, chewy, and came drowning in sauce (yuck). So it's safe to say "yes don't order steak at a seafood place". However, if it's seafood you are after definitely make a stop at Hank's Oyster Bar!
(5)Heather G.
Hank's has been on my "To Try" list for a while so I was happy when a friend wanted to meet me in Old Towne for HH. My Old Towne experience has never been pleasant due to parking restraints, however Hank's Oyster Bar has me covered by providing a parking lot behind the restaurant. The space inside is very small hence you will probably always have a wait to be seated. They do not take reservations and during happy hour, you can expect to wait at least 20 minutes for a table of two...but it is soooo worth it! I am so easy to please, so I was tickled pink over the goldfish crackers for starters. Goldfish crackers take me back to kindergarten when my teacher would give them to us for snacks before nap time. Goldfish+ Naps = Heaven. I digress, back to Hank's... The oysters during happy hour are $1 each and I guess that is a good price for the DC area. However, they were amazing! I am not just saying this because I love oysters. They really were good. And I am not just saying this because I was super hungry at this point. They really WERE good! I wish I could remember what types I had, but I ordered a sample of each that were on the menu for that day. And get this, they change the menu daily so I am sure when you go the oysters that I salivated over might not be on the menu. Nonetheless, on Wednesdays they have an oven-roasted chicken special that my friend ordered. She stated it was equally amazing, and even though I have a hard time believing that an oyster bar can make amazing chicken, I just wanted to put that note in just in case you don't eat oysters.
(4)Andres A.
Hanks oyster bar was great for happy hour but their menu didn't impress me. The ambiance was great but I was surprised to see that the only special during happy hour was food, where are the drink specials???? It seems like what they lose on happy hour with oysters is recovered with the drinks. I would go back but I would limit myself to one beer and the oysters. I also think that they should add a different food item other than oysters to their happy hour menu, not everyone likes oysters.
(3)Malcolm J.
Service was pretty good, prompt, friendly enough. All of the staff was nice, saying hello & goodbye. Had the Bluefish ($26): good piece of fish, meaty savory and not fishy at all, sort of a moist less steak-textured tuna. Perfectly grilled. Served very simple with a few pieces of fennel, pink grapefruit (unusual, but pleasant and refreshing). A little light on the sides for a $26 dish but there was plenty of fish (2 pieces) & I guess that's what I was really ordering in the first place, not sides. Be prepared for a little crowded and noisy, the 2tops are really close together.
(3)Tom H.
I was in the area for a conference. A friend knew I was a foodie and seafood lover so told me to check it out. A buddy of mine and I saddled up to the bar on a Saturday night rather than waiting 45 for a table. I had a handful of oysters, as one must do here. Coming from Boston oysters are a staple appetizer. There was a good variety and all were meaty and delicious. We got some thick and hearty shrimp cocktail as well. Finished it off with a solid lobster roll and fries with an Old Bay seasoning. All good stuff. Decent beer selection; nice attentive bartender. No Boston, but definitely a good experience for an out of tower looking for a low key night. Would certainly suggest it .
(4)Colby G.
Good, low-key spot for a Saturday night. We skipped the oysters this time and went with the regular burger, which was very good. Excellent selection of micros on tap, and Tom the bartender was the man (as I was told he would be). The kitchen shutdown at 11 so don't plan on any late night food orders. Also, don't be the a-hole that goes in at 10:56 to order food.
(4)Angela B.
The Washington State oysters and steamed shrimp are delicious! Sharing a hamburger and onion rings is a great way to end the meal. A must in Old Town Alexandria!! You will have to wait but it's worth it so get a beer and chill out.
(5)Zia L.
This review is NOT based on the oysters. I have wanted to try this place for a long time because I'm from New England and love seafood. I thought the lobster bisque tasted like tomato soup. Couldn't really tell there was lobster in it. The lobster roll was good, but I don't think it was worth $25. All in all I thought it was just so so and was not worth the price. I would rather go to other places in the DC metro area.
(2)Marie G.
Having traveled all day - I was so glad to come across Hanks! The restaurant is small but the food selection is quite impressive! I settled with the lobster roll and old bay fries. Skipped dessert but was happy to see a few dark chocolate chunks in a glass dish when my bill arrived! Ill do a little more exploring of the menu on my next trip!
(5)Cynthia L.
Came here with my boyfriend tonight and had a fantastic after work dinner. Overall experience = 5 stars! Let's just start with the food. The Middle Neck Clams with Chorizo in wine and butter sauce we started off with was delicious! We were so happy the small plate came with crunchy slices of bread to sop up the sauce with. It was so good that we asked the waiter to keep the dish after we had eaten everything on the plate so we could dip other things in the sauce! We ordered the Lobster Roll with Old Bay fries as well as the Fried Oyster Dinner with slaw and subbed out the fries for Mac & cheese. The lobster roll itself was buttery from the New England style bun, with a good, filling portion of sweet lobster meat (chunky) and each bite ended with a crunch from the celery. It was plain delish. The fries I didn't really care for, but was happy to have on the side for dipping in the remainder of the clam sauce. The fried oysters were very tender (almost melt in your mouth) with a lightly battered layer of fried breading served with tartar sauce - couldn't get any better. Mac & cheese was also very good! Service was good all around - friendly, prompt & helpful. The restaurant itself has an open and warm concept, and although small, well kept and clean (bathrooms included). Only regret was not being able to try one of their many alcoholic beverages as I am getting over a cold. Will definitely be back!
(5)Sarina P.
Oh Hank's, why do I even try the fried oysters anywhere else? HOB uses their raw bar-grade West Coast oysters for their fried version and you can certainly taste the difference. No anonymous flabby bivalves here--this is the real deal. Add in their addictive mac and cheese and roasted cauliflower and you'll have a meal that you will crave for the foreseeable future. They have a little parking lot in the back, but street parking isn't that bad if you go south on each of the side streets on that block. It's true that the interior is tiny!
(5)Unhappy C.
Tried to dine here Sunday evening, but the staff was more interested in cleaning the back portion of the restaurant than seating our party of 5. They put 5 adults at a 4 top; when we asked to move one seat to the end, we were told it was a fire hazard. Understandable, even though we were the only party in the restaurant. When we asked to move to a larger table, we were told they were cleaning that portion of the restaurant. Business must be great if it is more important to clean for an early close than serve customers. Funny - I thought they were in the food service / restaurant business.
(1)Dana L.
2.25 For the smallest oysters on the East Coast, 2.50 for the smallest "jumbo" shrimp, EACH!!! Fish and Chips was mostly bread, no meat. Atmosphere not as advertised, and everything is overpriced. Who are these yuppy urbanites giving this place a positive review?!!! Avoid, better places nearby. Terrible with a capital T!!!
(1)Sara J.
This honestly may deserve a 5. The only reason I am giving me Hanks a 4 is because the service was a little slow at first waiting for a waiter. Once our waiter came to our table he
(4)Sharon P.
Really good meal! Food was well-portioned, fresh, and flavorful. Service was the only part of the dining experience that I felt could be improved.
(4)Melissa F.
Delicious oyster selection. Today they were sold out of the Naked Cowboy (NY). The favorite was the Little Skookum (WA)
(5)George N.
Only had the oysters. 3 types available the night we went (blue point, alpine, and one other...) - ONLY serves oysters during reverse happy hour (10:30-midnight), friday + All types of oysters were good (especially for only $1) The blue point was a bit "meatier" and larger than the others, but not as sweet. + No wait at this time (This part of King St is pretty dead this late at night as most of the late night action is closer to the water apparently)
(4)art f.
Small Old Town townhouse location. Decent salads. My fried oysters were superb - cooked just right, not overly breaded, not overly fried. Worth the visit right there. My companions both had fish tacos that got good reviews. The oysters came with respectable fries and cole slaw. We ordered 3 sides: cold beets, macaroni and cheese, and spinach. All were very good; a little too much food. Good wine and beer selections. A limited but well-focused menu. I'm going back.
(5)Sherry L.
The wait is so ridiculous on a Saturday night (1.5 hours @ 8PM - AND they underestimated the time so we ended up standing around for another .5 hours). I gave them the benefit of the doubt though, because I had been there before on an off-day and my party was seated very quickly. Tip: if you don't want to deal with the nonsense, I'd suggest getting there early, going on a random weekday, or both. Thankfully, the food is 110% worth the wait. My sister and I were both too full for po' boys, otherwise I would have insisted that we both order po' boys to split + a few raw oysters to sample. I have tried the lobster po' boy and the raw oysters before, and both are fantastic choices. My two cents (from my first visit): The lobster filling is perfectly seasoned. Not too creamy, not too dry, and they definitely do not skimp on the lobster! I love that the roll is super buttered up. :9 NOM. For the price, the quality and quantity of the large plate are spot on. The oysters are super fresh albeit a little pricey - I feel like I've definitely had my share of half-shell oysters at other seafood restaurants in the NOVA area that were of equal caliber but much cheaper. This time around, we ordered the mussels in tomato&white wine sauce, the mac&cheese, and the broccoli w/ chili flakes. The mussels are fantastic! We got a side of bread with our meal, and sopping up the soup with the bread was just....DROOOOOOL. I think Hank's mussels have got to be my new favorite! The sides weren't bad either. I'm not a huge fan of mac&cheese so I won't comment, but I thought the broccoli was well-cooked and the chili flakes were a nice touch! Finally, the small bowl of goldfish before the meal and the dark chocolate blocks after the meal are little gestures that I can certainly appreciate.
(5)Karen V.
It's good - don't get me wrong, but for the price I have had way better. The wait staff (and some of the guests) can be snotty too... will probably look for somewhere else in the area before coming back.
(3)Alexandra H.
We only go here for their Happy Hour $1 Oysters, but it's always amazing. The oysters are so fresh and I really love that they serve goldfish crackers to start and dark chocolate to end. They have a nice wine list too!
(4)Julie U.
Waited for them to open at 5:30 pm. When we asked for a table for 3 and 2 of the 3 people were there, even though there was no one waiting for a table and the restaurant was half empty, they wouldn't seat us. The hostess was snotty about it and pointed out that they normally were more crowded at this time. Who cares how full they normally are, it was poor customer service and I will never eat there and will tell my friends not to go.
(1)Phatcharat P.
Came here for brunch with the fam. The oysters and mussels were delicious. Bloody Mary was good for the price ($7). I had the crab egg benedict which was good but not great. I will definitely try the salmon benedict next time.
(4)M C.
Awesome food - food is fresh and tasty. Place is small but worth any wait.
(5)Judson W.
Seafood and eat it! I've been to Hank's at both the DC location and the Old Town Alexandria location, which I slightly preferred. They're both fairly small places, but I didn't feel as cramped as I did at the one in Dupont Circle. First off - I have to mention the Mac & Cheesy. Why? Because it has to be the BEST mac & cheese I've ever tasted. I don't know what the people at Hank's do to make it so unbelievable, but I'm in heaven every time I take a bite. You can order it as a side or order it separately in a much bigger portion. I usually end up doing both! The oysters are of course the main reason people come here and they do not disappoint. However, I was a little confused when I found out they didn't have normal size crackers. They only offer tiny "oyster crackers" which means I wasn't able to prepare my raw oysters the way I like - cracker, oyster, cocktail sauce, raw horseradish. I wanted so desperately to order the lobster roll and fries but just couldn't stoop to paying freaking $23 bucks for it (I know I'm cheap). So I ended up splitting the lamb with my hubby and it was actually pretty delicious. I recall the beer tap prices to be pretty pricey ($6-$9), but they also offer a variety of bottled beer for lower prices. Old Town is a great location for Hank's, right next to a variety of bars for before/after dinner drinks. All in all, if you're craving some good seafood, you can't go wrong with Hank's!
(4)Tracey B.
This place is the bomb. Great service. Food is phenomenal. Arrived at 6:50 on a Friday night and sat at two seats at the bar since there was a little wait for a table. Our server/bartender John was great. We ordered ceviche, mussels and fried oysters and all were fantastically fresh and delicious.
(5)Sonja C.
Dinner for two on a Friday night at Hanks: terrific experience! They even had Left Hand Milk Stout on tap. Ordered the pumpkin soup and muscles to start. Creamy, sweet and hot soup was just the flavor of fall I was looking for. Hubby tucked into a BIG bowl of muscles resting in the most amazing broth! Worth every drop as we mopped up as much as we could with the bread. For dinner we split the barramundi - expertly seasoned and prepared and enjoyed the squash and parsnip side. The onion rings were average. The panna cotta was also just ok-maybe more sauce... Service was friendly and efficient. Great evening and worth the price.
(4)Chris C.
4 star food. 2 star service. Waiter was clueless and perfunctory. Bus boy gave me someone else's entree. Overall service was poor but thankfully the food was good.
(3)Jim I.
Nice selection of East and west coast oysters. $1 east coast happy hour was spot on. Tar bay deal of the day. Staff n customers friendly.
(5)Joe B.
Excellent food! Very friendly & inviting. Good for families. We (Family of 4, only 3 ate 5 y/o fell asleep) had: Seafood Ceviche 12 Oysters on half shell (Mixed) Peal & Eat Shrimp Middle necked Clams in white wine sauce. Lobster bisque Fried Oyster Po'Boy Mac & Cheese Would go back in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!!
(5)Dave P.
Food was good. The price is too high for what we had. Service a little slow but the waiter was ver nice.
(1)Jackie N.
We came here on a Friday night, but made reservations. We got there a few minutes late and they had already crossed us off the list, so we had to wait a little bit. We got a drink at the bar, which is in the middle of the room. A little awkward just because there was no where to stand without being in the way of the servers and staff. The restaurant is cute and quaint, like the usual Old Town restaurant type. The BF and I were starving, so we started with the lobster bisque and a dozen oysters. They had 6 varieties that day, so we decided to get 2 of each. The soup was delicious, not as thick or salty as other lobster bisques I have had. We then tackled the oysters. The West Coast ones were larger and has more of an ocean-y taste, while the East Coast, predominantly Virginia ones, were smaller with less of a salt water taste. I don't remember our favorite kind, but it started with an "H"! Sorry...should have written them down. I believe they were from Washington State and had the best overall texture and bite. We ordered 6 more of those. For our meal, I got the soft shell crab special, which came with a watercress salad and asian-soy like sauce. The soft shell crab was cooked well, but the sauce did not do it for me. I had to ask for tartar sauce. The BF got the order of steamed mussels, which were pretty yummy and had alot of flavor. For dessert, we got the Key Lime tart, which was just alright. All in all, the oysters were the best thing we had. I am sure we will come back JUST for them.
(3)Debby L.
I went on an oyster spree with my friends who live in Arlington, VA. This was the second place we ate at, and I think it was my favorite. FRIED OYSTER PO BOY SANDWICH The po boy was juicy and very fresh. I ate 1/3 of the sandwich because we were splitting it. I thought my portion was just perfect because we like to try a lot of other stuff. HOP ISLAND BBQ OYSTERS So delicious. I thought this was the best dish of the night.
(5)Kathryn R.
Good service, oysters were okay, not the best. I suppose that's to be expected since all of them were shipped in from other places. I would go back, but not for oysters.
(3)Jenny S.
I love coming to Old Town, everything is so cute and quaint. The place is actually pretty small, but it reminded me of the best tiny seafood restaurants in Boston, where they can only hold a few tables and chairs. The boyfriend and I have been wanting to try out this place for a while and finally went here for brunch and it did not disappoint at all. I got the shrimp po-boy, which was overflowing with fried succulent goodness of shrimp. The boyfriend got the crab cakes egg benedicts with perfectly poached eggs. I like my eggs extra running, but the boy does not, so this made him very happy, plus they did not skimp on any of the crab lump meat. We both wished we had more room in our stomach to try other dishes, but we both left completely happy. I don't find any great seafood places in the DMV area, but Hank's Oyster Bar is hands down delicious and I can't wait to come back to try everything else on the menu. Service was great and the prices are fair.
(5)Kayla F.
Tiny interior...any parties over 4 will be seated at separate tables This place has delicious oysters...I could have eaten a whole dozen by myself. Peel and eat shrimp was also good. I tried the infamous lobster roll and while the lobster was incredibly fresh the sauce they prepared it in was lacking flavor. I almost feel like the lobster by itself would have more flavor than the sauce they put on it. I asked for a side of clarified butter but that didn't help either. The roll was still very good though...lots of meat but just lacking in flavor. Also tried a little bit of the fried clams...I might have liked them more than the lobster roll. They were absolutely delicious. This place is a must try! (I didn't come here for happy hour but saw that they have oysters for something like $1.25 each during happy hour....If I lived in the area I would be here on the reg for happy hour)
(4)Scott B.
Hank's has long been one of my favorite neighborhood spots but I think management is pushing staff too hard to turn over tables to pay for new expansion. Dinner for six of us on Saturday night was bit of a disaster. Kitchen is solid and will continue to drive the hordes there but wait staff needs help. Orders forgotten, staff continually bumping into table and the pressure to turn the table was too much. Could not get a water glass refilled but as soon as you are finished your plate, they are there to whisk it away before the rest of the party has finished eating. Slow down people, retrain new staff on basic etiquette and don't ruin what you have worked so hard to attain. Scott
(3)Linda G.
Great food and atmosphere. They have a wide variety of oysters and they are delicious. The oysters shooters, lobster roll, and mac and cheese are also amazing.
(5)Valarie G.
Enjoyed my dinner here, great oysters. Not impressed with the guests at the table next to us..cranky old people who constantly interrupted our normal-level conversation (just between my husband and I) telling us to "hush up". Maybe the old people need to go home or there should be more than a few inches between the tables? Also not impressed w/the soggy french fries
(3)Ben S.
I enjoyed this place. I'm not even huge on oysters, but the sides were great. We haven't actually gone back, but that is more because it isn't our type of food then because of anything bad about it.
(4)Jim D.
What's up with the no reservation policy at Hank's?! This very popular seafood eatery needs one! Waits on the weekend can be absurd, but luckily you can call ahead about 30 minutes or so and put your name on the wait list - a small consolation. The oysters are very excellent. I didn't care much for their mignonette sauce (but then again, I typically never do), but these juicy little mollusk held their own quite nicely. The bisque had good flavor, albeit heavy on the tomato and a tad too thin. My friend ordered the fish special which was tasty but a rather small portion. I ordered the lobster roll which was also on the smaller side and a touch too oily, but nonetheless still good with a fair amount of chunk lobster meat. Service was extremely efficient and came with a warm smile. Drinks were kept full. Nice touches with the goldfish and after dinner dark chocolates.
(3)Alexandra W.
On my way down to DC from Philadelphia, my boyfriend texted me "Do you want to get oysters tonight?" I don't know why he even asked, because the answer is always yes. Their oysters are pretty reasonably priced at $2 per. I've never seen them for less than $2.50 anywhere else. They do have a $1 special, but it starts at 10:30, which I think is a little late. Maybe I'm just spoiled by Oyster House. The entrees is where it gets a little sketchy. The soft shell crab was $26. What was on my plate? 2 soft shells and about 7 leaves of lettuce. If you're going to charge me (well, my boyfriend, actually) that much, I want carrots on my salad! I want a starch! I want sides! No way those 2 little guys cost anywhere near $26. Otherwise, the food was good. ...but I did get walked in on in the bathroom, and I'm pretty sure it was by one of the servers. Luckily, it was the kind of walk-in that no one actually sees each other.
(3)Alan N.
If you like oysters than this bar is the place to go, they have a chalk board with what they have in stock. The place is tiny so it gets packed really fast, a reservation would be a great idea. I was fortunate that when I went a table opened just as I walked in. I really didn't eat anything here other than the oysters so I can't say much about their other menu items. They have an oyster sampler platter that lets you try about 3 of every kind and is totally worth the price. I never really realized the difference in taste of oysters until I was here and I was able to try all the different types they had. All in all if you like oysters and your in Old Town Alexandria then this is the spot you want to go to. They have a happy hour oyster option that starts around 11 or midnight.
(4)Betsy H.
My husband and I just left Hank's in Old Town on New Year's Eve and when we arrived at exactly 11 pm, were dismayed to learn the kitchen was closing and no exceptions would be made, even for oysters and other bar food items. What? Despite the apologies from the bartender and the offer for a drink on the house, I find this attitude of Hank's to be very off putting. I have worked in many restaurants over the years - the Old Ebbitt in DC and on Nantucket - and I can't imagine turning away customers on a holiday night when it would be just as easy to offer a bar menu and keep them happy. On holidays, people are out late and this is the way it goes in the restaurant industry, Hank's management, so you should plan accordingly. It was disappointing and I won't be back. Future customers, be sure to know when when the Hank's kitchen closes (and most nights, it's super early there, believe me) because they won't accommodate you.
(1)Corie A.
LOVE their ware river Oysters on the half shell!! This is the place my boyfriend and I go to share 2 dozen raw oysters. I have also had a few items off their menu that have failed to disappoint (fish tacos, seafood ceviche with lime and jalapeno, and braised short ribs). The place is pricey so it's def the kind of place you go to in celebration of something or to just grab a dozen delicious oysters in the VA ware river sauce! Yum!
(5)Julie J.
My wonderful boyfriend took me out to Hank's on Saturday night for a seafood date night. What a treat! The restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria in a quaint little area with lots of similarly expensive little restaurants and kitschy shops. However, Hank's is not just an overpriced restaurant serving overly extravagant, but tiny meals. It's actually quite reasonably priced and the food is excellent. They don't take reservations, which is sort of a problem on a Saturday night, so make sure to call 20 minutes before your arrival to be placed on the waiting list for a table! Upon our arrival, I wasn't particularly impressed by the small, crowded restaurant with cafeteria style tables and chairs, but my beau and I sat down and ordered a drink nonetheless - Two Princes Reisling for me and a Sierra Nevada for him. Thoroughly enjoying our libations and happy to finally have a table, we decided to share a few treats from Hank's "small plates" menu. First, we split the lobster bisque and the popcorn shrimp and calamari. The bisque was divine, but definitely very heavy - the first thing I tasted was butter, not that I'm complaining! The popcorn shrimp and calamari was similarly palate pleasing and perfectly prepared, with a slightly spicy dipping sauce which woke up the lightly fried crustaceans. Next, we split a plate of mussels and roasted garlic broccoli. In my opinion, there is almost nothing that compares to roasted vegetables, but the mussels, cooked to perfection in a white wine sauce, were good too. We didn't have desert, but I'm sure it would have been similarly scrumptious. The long wait times and the overly-cramped atmosphere could be deterrants to giving Hank's a shot, but the food more than made up for any discomfort we initially felt! I definitely recommend this place, but suggest a week-night stop to avoid the weekend rush.
(4)Ashley C.
Great service! We walked in on a Thursday night after 7 and were seated in about 10 minutes. Missed happy hour, but from Tuesday to Thursday they offer $1 oysters from 5:30-6:30. All of the food was super fresh and amazing! I recommend trying the mac and cheese for sure! Menu changes daily! I will return to try the specials!
(5)Hien N.
I came here for happy hour $1 oysters. They were small but for a $1, they were worth it. Good service and delicious oysters! However, the place itself is very small and cramped!
(4)Holly B.
We have been coming back to Hank's a few times a year for at least four years now. While the space is tight, the staff is wonderful, the food is wonderful and we always have a great experience. They always have a special of the day, and I have never had one of their seasonal items that wasn't wonderful. The basics of the menu are pretty static, so I always know I can get fresh oysters (duh) from various regions, their lobster roll is mighty yummy and even their salads are great.
(4)Roger M.
I'm feeling badly that this is the third well-liked restaurant that I've given a down-at-the-mouth review to in the last ten days, but I seem to be caught in some sort of weird downward spiral with restaurants lately. I usually like Hank's, and think their Sunday evening fried chicken is the city's best, but this visit didn't go as well. My partner ordered the vegetable platter, which he liked (brussels sprouts, spinach, beets, greens, and tomato salad, all of which he said were perfectly done. I, unfortunately, went with seafood options, which were not so good. My shrimp cocktail was mushy and limp (a sure sign it had been frozen), and my order of ceviche was 90% calamari and had very little flavor besides peppers (in my book, good ceviche has a nice mix of shrimp, scallops, fresh fish, and calamari, and strong flavors of lime and citrus). The shrimp cocktail was so sub-standard that I asked to have it take back, but the charge ($2.50 / shrimp) still showed up on the bill anyway -- a poor way to handle a customer complaint. My beer (a Tank 7 Saison from Kansas City, MO) was EXCELLENT though. I'm afraid this is the last time I'll eat at Hank's -- charging us for the mushy shrimp was just not right. Other than that faux-pas, the service was good, and we like the restaurant most of the time we've eaten there. I don't think I'll be back, though.
(3)Holly P.
Prices check Atmosphere check Food check More than oysters - I'm not a huge oyster fan and I will be going back here! We had shrimp appetizer, clam dinner and lobster roll dinner - I'm still salivating!!! Only waited 15 min's on a warm Saturday night in early spring! Surprising seeing as how it's a fairly small establishment. So small and yet so BIG!
(5)PC W.
I love oysters on the half shell but my experience has been rather limited. I had been meaning to hit up Hank's in Old Town to sample different types of oysters. Once I saw that they had a $1 oyster happy hour from 5:30-6:30, Sunday-Thursday; I made it a priority. The oysters did not disappoint and I polished off a dozen. They had 3 types of oysters to choose from this evening - Dragon Creek, Olympic Miyagi and a 3rd name I can't remember. The Dragon Creek was the plumpest of the group and mild in flavor. It's great if you're in the mood for a substantial oyster or a refreshingly cool oyster that isn't briny. The Olympic Miyagi was my favorite - I call it the dinky dark oyster. It's petite but the slightly briny after taste is really enjoyable. The Penn Cove was my least favorite - something with the bold flavor did not agree with my taste buds. I am still an oyster novice and Hank's will be my training ground. Come here for the oysters only. I had the lobster bisque which was too salty and the cognac taste was overpowering. I had a few bites of the mussels in a tomato broth and it was very acidic. ***Updated 3/9/08*** We returned for the $1 oyster happy hour in hopes that we would have a try at another three types of oysters and indeed we did. On today's menu was New Point Comforts, Hood Canals and Blue Points. The Hood Canal oyster is very thin and salty and I'm not a fan. The New Point Comforts were plump, firm and bland in flavor. The Blue Points were my favorite this time - medium in size, silky in texture, ever-so-slightly briny and a mild finish. I also had a side of the mac and cheesy which was yummy - made with smoked gouda and white cheddar.
(4)B. T.
Good but not great. Lobster roll and oysters were just fine.
(3)King C.
To start off they give you a free appetizer which is a bowl of "goldfish" crackers. That's pretty awesome. Now that that's out of the way, i went to Hank's for their Happy Hour which is Tues-Thurs from 5:30-6:30 PM, which is within the first hour of when they actually open. It's $1 Oysters and you have three choices to choose from. One was Virginian and the other two I don't remember. But I do remember that they're East Coast Oysters. Beers are about $5 and they have a variety to choose from. The Rouge American Ale bottle was twice as large as other beers. The Oysters were pretty decent size. All of the pictures that people have uploaded pretty much describe the Oyster dishes. Their lobster bisque is pretty good too. We didn't really get anything else while we were there since we went mainly for the Happy Hour. Another thing you'd have to try is the Oyster Shooters. They're very interesting. They don't taste good but it's interesting. Definitely bang for your buck in terms of Happy Hour that involves seafood. Our group kind of overboard when we got 9 dozens of Oysters... I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(4)Karin J.
Was a bit disappointed with our dinner here after all the rave reviews. I think our chief complaint were the portions on the main dishes. We ordered the marinated sablefish with soy balsamic glaze and the NC shrimp and polenta dish. Both were good, but the sablefish came out on a bed of meager greens and that was it....you pay $24 for a small slice of fish! The shrimp was OK, after you removed all the shrimp heads, you were left with five small shrimp bodies over a bed of polenta (which was tasty), but again, when you pay $27 for a dish, you expect something a bit more. We were sadly disappointed with this presentation....and left the restaurant still hungry and kind of disappointed with the whole experience. Maybe they have better dishes, but we were not impressed our first trip here.
(2)Henry C.
I love this place, and not just because it's named Hank. This hidden gem of Old Town serves some of the best oysters and seafood around. The restaurant is small and is the size of a small townhouse, but there's enough seating inside unless you come at peak hours. But, be ready to eat with your elbows close to you because the tables are pretty close to each other. You can also easily hear the conversation of anyone seated near you, even if they are whispering. The food is amazingly fresh. The lobster roll is a must try as are the mussels. They have a rotating variety of oysters. Though, keep in mind Hank's is not open on Mondays and on other days the hours are very odd. So, check before heading over there.
(4)Kimberly H.
This place rocks! I am not in to oysters - but let me tell you what I AM in to that this place delivers on - - Fantastic ambiance. Small and cozy with exposed brick. What can I say? It enhances the food experience for me. - Scallops - very yummy here! - Service - quick and attentive - Oysters - while I am not into them, my husband is and said they are very good - especially the oyster po boy It is pricey - so if you have wine, etc. expect to drop some bucks. It is tiny, so it fills up quick and a wait is not unusual.
(4)Candace C.
I have good memories of the DC location, so when an out of town friend came for a visit and requested oysters, this was the perfect place to go. We literally came in for a "snack" and ended up with fried chicken for the anti-seafood diner, a plate of fried oysters, a heaping bowl of mussels, some onion rings, and mac & cheese. I didn't even bother with the chicken--the oysters and mussels were so melt in your mouth good. The oysters were sheer perfection--perfectly cooked with minimal breading. The mussels were great too--loved the sauce and only wished we had some nice italian bread to soak it up rather than a bowl of goldfish. Bottom line, we loved our meal and I looked like a star with my visiting friend. Booya!
(5)Kim N.
Came here for happy hour/dinner with my cousin. We were both craving the lobster roll and immediately thought of Hank's. We arrived just before 6 pm and ordered a dozen oysters on the half shell (dragon creek, malpeques, and one other I can't remember, but it was from Washington). The oysters were fantastic. Great flavor, no brine, awesome mignonette sauce! We got our lobster rolls, I subbed the fries with roasted cauliflower, my cousin subbed her fries with the bok choy (which were awesome, great garlic flavor, but still had its crunch). I also got the mac & cheese, which was just as delish as I remembered. We split the key lime pie, which was tart, but the crumbly gracker cracker crust was delicious. It tasted homemade and was a perfect end to our meal. I only wish that the lobster roll was bigger ...
(5)Lexi K.
Of course Hanks is awesome even though the wait is brutal at times. HOWEVER, there was one thing that made the wait bearable...LINDSAY, is an awesome hostess. As a business owner myself, I know and appreciate the importance of a hostess! She was not only very pleasant but also offered to leave her busy job up front to get us some goldfish since we must have looked starving. :). Yes the oysters are always incredible but the service at the front-KEY. Good job hanks.
(5)John C.
Ok. I would rate this 3 stars and that's being nice. I mean the 3 stars is for the food and great servers. But DAYM the fucking restaurant bar or whatever you want to call it, is so fucking cramp. Like the fucking tables are like a foot away from each other like no joke u can take an oyster from the tables next you if they are not looking. This place deserve 2 FUCKING stars.
(3)Miss K.
Mediocre. Nothing special. Small place, small menu. Probably won't go back just because nothing wowed me. Service was also mediocre. Clyde's actually has better oysters.
(3)Ada W.
The oysters were incredibly fresh and delicious. The waiter was fantastic and took the time to describe the different types of oysters and their characteristics. Love starting the meal with Goldfish crackers and dark chocolate at the end. The only con is the meals are on the small side, but so very tasty!
(4)Logan S.
The oysters are the best. I normally don't like calamari but they made me like it. I suggest getting everything and share it amongst your family.
(5)Erin O.
This is exactly what I needed at the time. The place is small, the staff attentive and aloof at the same time. I'm not sure how that works, but they kind of disappear but get you everything you need when you need it. A little like oyster ninjas. I had half a dozen raw, sweet Pacific oysters to start. They were briny, clean, and very flavorful. The mignonette sauce was perfect and just touch went a long way to the appreciation of each oyster. To appease my California spirit, I had an avocado salad (really, I'm not THAT Californian) which was creamy, but light, and made me feel much less guilty about the next dish I ordered: The Fried Oysters. Man. I have no idea what kind of oysters these were, but they were amazing, especially for fried oysters. They weren't the gigantic, chalky, these can't be served raw, so we'll fry 'em oysters I've had so many times at other places in that format. They were small, sweet, and fried just enough. Not to mention, for the price, there were a ton of them. I felt miserable about it, but I had to leave one on the plate because I was just too full, and I knew I had to walk another mile after the meal. If I'm back in the area, I will definitely make a point of eating here again when I'm jonesin' for shellfish.
(4)Liam D.
Been meaning to hit up Hank's in DC for years but just never got around to it. Girlfriend knew that and took me for an early evening bite at Hank's Alexandria as part of our Valentine's day getaway to Old Town. I've heard how great Hank's is before, and I always thought, "c'mon, could it be THAT much better than Clyde's?" The answer: undoubtedly so. I had some of the most amazing oysters I've ever eaten, including discovering Old Salts from Virginia, the briniest, most awesome oyster I've eaten. Tried six types in total, but they were my favorite (and that's over Kusshi and Kumamotos!) Also had some fried oysters and sides including some amazing grilled brussel sprouts and bok choy in chili sauce - faaaaantastic. Wash it all down with a couple beers and you've got yourself one hell of a meal. They've got oyster happy hours with $1 oysters, and that's going to be the death of me. I'll have to carve out about $100/month for Hank's Happy Hour Oysters now that I know what I've been missing. And it's a good thing I don't live anywhere near 17th street, or that number would be a lot higher. Lastly, they also supposedly have a pretty kickass brunch... that's next on my list.
(5)Michael F.
Great spot in Old Town! Service was superb! Tom, the bartender, greeted everyone who sat at his bar and was very helpful when asking questions about the menu. I had the ceviche, grilled crab cake, and onion rings. All great choices. I highly recommend you make this a stop even if its just for a few drinks!
(4)E M.
Visited here several times when I was in Virginia. Great oysters great people, great food in general. Oyster fest in April is a blast, definitely worth it if you enjoy oysters, beer and fun. Good late night deal, if they're open. Ventured down on a couple evenings only to find they weren't open for late night oyster shooters... womp womp.
(4)Ervin A.
Fried fish snadwhich is my favorite here at Hanks.
(4)annie w.
So apparently I've been eating crap oysters and didn't know it. Went for some oysters and a drink. Sat at the bar and ate 6 of the blue? creek oysters and 6 of the pacific something-or-other oysters. I really can't remember the names, because I was in freaking heaven. Wow. The pacific were so meaty and juicy and flavorful. Just wow. I am by no means an oyster expert, but I really thought I had had some great oysters in the past. Not so. Hubband got a lobster roll, thinking it would be a cheap eat (I guess he confused the price of that with something else). Definitely not a cheap eat, but freaking tasty! I have had my share of lobstah rolls in NH and Maine, but this was one of the best I've ever had. It was full of freshly cooked chunks- and mean CHUNKS- of lobster meat. No ridiculous fillers like a ton of onion or celery. Moderate amount of good quality mayo. Decent bun. It was actually worth the 20 or so bucks it cost. The place is small, and not really handicap accessible (steep stairs, narrow dining area). The bartender was fine. Not great, but not horrible. I thought he could have been a bit friendlier, but oh well. We had planned on just dropping in to get an appetizer and a drink, but ended up spending like $60. Not what we had planned, but worth it. I plan to go back for happy hour when the oysters are cheaper, and I can be a pig for less $$$.
(4)John G.
Great oysters and great food. We went to Hank's for the first time this week and we will definitely be back. Staff was friendly. The only knock on this place is that it is a tight fit, but it was worth it.
(5)Amy P.
Hank's Oyster Bar was an overall great dinner. While waiting for my table I enjoyed the Elevator cocktail. It was great - although most of the drinks on their bar menu looked amazing, not to mention a decent wine selection. The oysters were awesome with about 7 different types from VA to WA to try. Everything on the menu sounded delish. I ordered the avocado romaine hearts salad and asparagus soup. Loved both! The buttermilk cilantro salad dressing was unique and very tasty. Despite less than stellar dessert reviews - I did order the chocolate mousse. I must agree - it was nothing special. But, I'm never unhappy with chocolate. Only a few small gripes: The restaurant layout. The bar is located in the center of a long/thin room - making a logistical mess during the expected wait for a table. The food was amazing but they could have laid off the salt. My first cocktail choice was turned down due to a missing ingredient. Also tried to order a second round of a certain oyster which was also out. The menu does change daily so I understand the limited supply at a 9:00pm dinner, nevertheless irritating. Minus the few gripes - a great experience. I will definitely return.
(4)Nicole D.
My fiance and I went to Hank's on a night we were looking for someplace "different". I'm so glad we decided to try this place, and we are already looking forward to our next visit. Started with a reasonably priced bottle of white-wine, and goldfish (score!). Ordered lobster bisque (delicious! big hunks of lobster!), and an order of ceviche (generous portion!). Ended up ordering another bisque and a round of 12 oysters (2 from each geographical area). Added a few more oysters onto that, then enjoyed the complimentary dark chocolate dessert. Adam was our server, and he was upbeat and professional. A+ evening!
(5)Richard F.
Well, as I said in my previous review, I would go back to Hanks if in town and when I was; I did! Hank's was great and of course the oysters were the treat we all expected. Even my wife, who is not a raw oyster fan, enjoyed the fresh and delicious bivalves that they served us. We had a nice assortment and because we sat down early, the prices were very reasonable. We also enjoyed some nice seafood main dishes and overall Hank's was as good as I remember it. This is not gourmet fine dining. And the best thing they serve, IMO, is the oysters. I will repeat what I said last time. If I am back in the area again, I will go back to Hank's.
(4)Jano K.
If you like a good raw bar, this place was very cool, modern. Several oyster varieties from different locations available. Happy hour pricing made sampling feel reasonable. Cocktail specials were unique and refreshing on a hot summer day. Four stars for apps and cocktails.
(4)Terri C.
First time here. The oysters on the half shell were superb. Sunday, so I tried the fried chicken special( yes chicken) . Very good again. A little pricey but, good food . I'll definitely come back. Half price oysters after 10 and during happy hour.
(4)Socheat S.
It was mid week Wednesday after work and on a whim I end up at Hanks for happy hour! First time, and the definitely not a disappointment! Tom, our bartender was great. As soon as we sat at the bar there were menus and drink orders were made. Thats what I call service! Food came out at an awesome speed! We had a round of Happy hour oysters. It was fresh, perfectly shucked with all the dressings! Followed with fried pop shrimp & fried calamari, we figure we would balance our palette with a fresh shrimp avacado, & corn salad. Gotta have balance right?! We decided to put some of the fried calamari and shrimp on top and it hit the spot perfectly! I could have probably ordered a few more items! The menu was short to the point and easy to read. Would definitely go again...maybe fried oysters?! Eating deliciousness makes me happy!
(5)Joanne D.
Oysters are sweet, service us fast and efficient... A great place to unwind, have a drink and enjoy great seafood.
(4)Gretchen P.
What a great spot! I can't believe it's taken me this long to get to try Hank's Oyster Bar and their famously fresh oysters. I popped in here for lunch yesterday with mi madre, and we had a great experience. They just started serving lunch on a regular basis in April, I believe, so the place wasn't super-packed, but that meant we got good service and the best/most awkward seat in the house -- right in front of the giant street-facing window! Haha, awesome for people watching, or for being watched by people -- whatever your fancy. We started with some oysters, naturally, asking for one of each of the six featured oysters on the blackboard. I am by no means an oyster aficianado, but I really enjoyed getting to try such a variety and easily identified my favorites. They were so fresh! The presentation is great, with oysters on the halfshell (oyster power!) on a bed of crushed ice, served with lemon wedges, some kind of lemony-onion sauce, cocktail sauce, and horseradish, so you can mix and match to your heart's delight! There is also sea salt, tabasco, and vinegar on the tables. For my entree, I got the fish and chips, which came with Old Bay seasoned fries and delicious soft fried fish. I actually thought the presentation of this was very cute, with the fish cut up into almost like classy fish sticks. It also came with cole slaw and a side of tartar sauce. I didn't super-love the fries (I'm a fry snob though), but the fish itself was fantastic and it was a yummy choice. My mom didn't get enough oysters to start with, so she opted for the fried oyster dinner as her entree. (It's actually served as a "small plate" on the lunch menu, but our waiter offered to turn it into a dinner entree by pairing it with fries and cole slaw. Her fried oysters were ENORMOUS -- definitely not what you typically think of when you think fried oysters. They were super soft and had a nice flavor, also served with tartar sauce. The prices are Hank's are not cheap, but, then again, neither are oysters ($2.25 each off the raw bar), and I thought the meal was well worth the price. The service is great for such a casual place, with complimentary goldfish to start your meal and some bittersweet chocolate to end it. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Emily L.
When circumstances conspire to dump you in Old Town Alexandria around lunchtime, thank your lucky stars. Hipsters and traffic notwithstanding, it's a lovely area and the restaurants in the area are each more charming than the last. In fact, deciding could provoke some anxiety, unless you happen to love seafood as much as we do! The interior is cheery and modern, with clean lines and unobtrusive lighting. Once seated, we ordered from their impressive beer list and got an adorable ramekin of goldfish crackers to munch on while we perused the menu. My husband has a strict policy of ordering lobster rolls whenever possible, so his decision was much quicker. I wanted to try everything, so I was grateful for the shrimp / calamari dish that at least allowed me to kill two delicious birds with one entree! In fact, they were both perfect -- tiny nuggets in impossibly light, crispy batter, served alongside a mustardy aioli that I wanted to inhale all at once. The lobster roll was also excellent (I tried a bite, but lobster is not really my thing) and the french fries were perfectly crispy, hot and plentiful. My side of braised greens was just what it should be: warm, smoky and providing a much-needed contrast to all the fried food on the table! As we started to wind down, we came to the only unpleasant part of the experience: the staff. We were there at an off-peak time, mid-afternoon, but the service was very patchy: our initial server didn't return after our food was on the table, and the plethora of runners who came to fill water and take dishes were downright oppressive. Every five minutes we were shooing another one away, and in particular we could not get them to understand that we were taking our time with the food but did not want to throw out what we hadn't eaten yet. It was ridiculous. Finally we gave up and let them have the dishes. I honestly think that if I returned I would ask the server up front to please let them know not to disturb us. Considering the quality of the food and atmosphere, however, I am happy to forget the service problems, especially since they ended our meal with a tiny dish of dark chocolate chunks. Restaurants just don't understand how much a small gesture like that means to customers, or they would all do it: as it stands, many of them try to charge you for every napkin and piece of ice, when it costs them practically nothing to elevate the experience past the level of a few mistakes. Well done, Hank's, and I hope we'll meet again soon!
(4)Shany Y.
Oh yes! Hanks RULES! I'm from California, so we don't get oysters this meaty over there. I've been trying a bunch of oysters here on the East Coast and Hank's definitely didn't disappoint. I had 20 oysters personally, and tried each of the three different kinds on happy hour. Happy hour is a great deal, but it was a little hard for us to choose a good spot to sit ( there are three different happy hour spots and they are all first come first serve). We ended up sitting in the lounge area downstairs. Great vibes, but the tables could have been a little higher. Definitely would come back.
(5)Amy C.
I went here for happy hour with a friend. Wait was pretty long, which was expected, but we luckily got two seats at the bar right by the door. Service was a bit slow for us at the bar. I still say it's worth going. The oysters of the day were delicious - we both got one of each + a bottle of wine. Definitely not a bargain, but a good splurge after a long work day.
(4)Megan S.
Oh. Em. Gee. So friggin good! I came here for the first time with my husband and aunt who was visiting from LA. After a day playing tourist in DC, we wanted something hearty and tasty, and Hanks seemed like a good choice! From the window in the outside, the interior looks like it's only a few tables big, but the dining room extends to a whole other area! We dined with our grouchy and tired one year old. They gave us goldfish to keep him entertained til his dinner arrived, which was a lifesaver! We tried the fried oysters, steamed mussels, fried clams, and the oyster poboy. We all shared the lemon grilled asparagus which was delicious, too! The fried oysters and clams were seriously out-of-this-world amazing. I still reminisce about them with my aunt every time we talk on the phone. Hanks was a little pricey, but I'd done here again. Actually, every day if I could afford it. I imagine this place gets busy on Saturdays, so I'd definitely make a reservation. We dined here on a Sunday evening and had no problem being seated right away. I'm sure we got lucky!
(5)James D.
This place is great. The staff is knowledgable and friendly. They know what oysters to recommend and what's fresh. I ordered the oysters on the half shell and I will get them again when I come in. The bar itself is very modern with a retro twist. Great atmosphere and clean bathrooms. They expanded and have a sit down side but the bar is where it's at.
(5)Kevin A.
Consistently good service, consistently good food. From the welcome serving of fish crackers to the thank you serving of complimentary dark chocolate, this place impresses. I'm sure their fish and oysters taste good--but I can't get enough of their high-value "veg plate" for $20 you get 5 sides. I had the Brussel sprouts, spinach, mac 'n cheese, beets, and cole slaw and I gotta tell you it was a lot of food! As a vegetarian it's rare to feel stuffed after a meal, and this place knocks it out of the park. After enjoying the veg plate I didn't have any more room in my belly! My dining partner also enjoyed a very fresh salad -- it looked good and he had nothing but compliments to say. Like so many other reviewers on this site-- Hank's is good -- go enjoy!
(4)Jihad B.
Came here for lunch one day (in goddam June) because my friend was unarguably in the mood for oysters. I had a dozen oysters, two from each location they had for the day wherein two of the six were West Coast. The West Coast oysters were by far better than the East Coast oysters. They were from somewhere in Washington but I'm not sure which ports. Since oysters don't fill you up I also sprang for an Oyster Po' Boy. It was vaguely reminiscent of my time in New Orleans were I pretty much consumed nothing but Po' Boys and Hurricanes. The food here is good but I will certainly have to return when oysters are in season. An expensive lunch but that is to be expected.
(4)Susan L.
It's more expensive than yelp says. wish there were more oysters, or maybe bigger oysters...my friend and I felt a little cheated. delicious nonetheless! the rest of the food - lobster bisque, mushrooms...is small portioned and full of oil/fat/salt for the prices. staff and atmosphere - refreshing and one of a kind :)
(3)Jeff C.
Hank's Oyster Bar is a little bit of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Yes, I am making a reference to that classic Clint Eastwood western, because like the movie, this place is filled with highs and lows for this oyster-slinging anti-hero. So let's get right into this foodie gun battle, or as Tuco would say, "When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." The Good: The excellence of Hank's oysters cannot be denied, for they are the oysters by which all other oysters in Alexandria should be judged. Sweet, salty, and tasting of the ocean, these beauties are magic and whether you select yours from the Pacific or Atlantic side, you will not be disappointed...Oyster perfection and just what this oyster beast craved. Trust me on this one, Yelpers, I may not be able to outdraw Clint Eastwood, but when it come to these oceanic treasures, I'm a shucking master. The Bad: Oh, it is one of my all-time pet peeves and always results in the loss of a star the moment I witness it...That's right, Buckaroos, I'm talking children sitting at the bar. Sure, it was during the day, and mom and junior were at the other end of the bar, but I don't think I ever saw Clint belly up to the bar next to one of the Rugrats. I can never figure this one out, for the bar is simply no place for your child, people. Again, there is a place for child dining and drinking: It's called the restaurant's dining room, or if you prefer, the classic alternative that is ChuckECheese. The Ugly: Ok, as much as I hate finding children at the bar--something which really detracted from my Hank's Succulent oysters, sauteed spinach (yum), and frosty beverage--I'm also annoyed by their weird hours. Hank's closes its doors from 3-5 PM. That is the start of some prime happy hour enjoyment and a tragic loss as far as I am concerned. I asked the bartender about this policy, and she offered up the much expected excuse of cleaning the bar, prepping for the dinner rush, and just getting things ready. Now, although I disagree with this policy and feel that Hank's is being a bit elitist by somehow saying that my happy hour dollars aren't good enough for them, I realize that they can run this oyster spot anyway they want. Remember, Seinfeld's Soup Nazi had a quality product that allowed fans to overlook his quirky policies (No Soup for You). No, what I really found ugly was the fact that my bartender, by all accounts a pretty skilled drink-slinger, decided to add, "This is the way all places in Old Town do it.: I was stunned. I have lived in Old Town for over 20 years and can tell you that the majority of restaurants keep their doors open all day long. It is one thing to stand by your policy, quite another to pitch a false narrative.. Shame! However, even with a three star The Good, the Bad, and Ugly rating, Hank's offers up some of the best oysters in town. In fact, if I had gone in later in the day, I most likely wouldn't have noticed these negatives and gone with a five star rating, for just like end of our epic western, there is treasure at the end.
(3)Bill C.
You will not be disappointed. Great oysters, as one would expect. Great servers. Good young vibe. Decent entrees with attention to detail. Only place where they lost a star is for dessert. They have a very limited dessert menu and the chocolate mousse was not all that good. The key lime pie was excellent.
(4)K C.
This was a great place to grab lunch while visiting Old Town. We went pretty early for lunch so it was still the brunch menu. It is definitely pricey but the food is spectacular. Started with the oysters because why wouldn't we?! Since it was only 2 of us we decided to get 8 oysters. The sever recommended that we try 2 of each that they offer, which we thought was a great idea. It was a great variety of small to large oysters. All fresh & delicious. For my lunch option I went with the fried fish sandwich. I wanted to try the lobster roll but I just couldn't bring myself to spend $25 on a sandwich for lunch (oh, but how I wanted to). I, however, had no ordering regret. Hands down the best fried fish sandwich I've ever had and possibly be best tartar sauce. It was flaky & delicious. Delicious coleslaw too, it was on the dry side which I prefer. My boyfriend got the mussels, which I didn't try but I was told they were very good. So to sum things up: although pricey, taste makes it worth it. I now have a new standard for fried fish, which will probably ruin a lot of home favorites for me.
(5)Courtney K.
Bottom Line: A charming place in Old Town Alexandria to eat seafood. I went here for an early dinner on Saturday night and the raw bar was packed. Luckily, there was plenty of seating in the dining room. At Mexican restaurants they bring tortilla chips to the table, here they bring goldfish crackers. Although a processed snack food might give the wrong impression to some guests, I appreciated the humor in this. Hank's had some great craft beers on tap so we started there before moving on to Po Boys and Burgers. Our food was nicely presented and tasty. Most items on the menu come ala carte with really means your wallet will take a bigger hit if you want a side. We did a side of Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes which were well seasoned and tasty. Our server here was great. He was fun and attentive. You could tell that he enjoyed his job and knew the menu like it was no one's business. What I didn't love about Hank's was the seating. Our table for two was wobbly which is always a bummer. Then, despite the dining room being almost completely empty, another couple was sat right beside us. Awkward. Why do restaurants do that?!? Anyway, my date and I suspended whispering sweet nothings to each other and enjoyed the entertainment offered by the adjacent first, Match.com date.
(4)Mary Kate M.
2.25 stars and rounding down. It is one of those experiences that you get hyped up about. It's like when you're a kid, and you're so excited to go see Santa. You get to tell him everything you want for Christmas, you are going to convince him on why you were such a great kid and deserve that $100 gift that mom and dad said you weren't old enough for -- but you want it and you deserve it! Once you see Santa, you realize that Santa is wearing a fake beard, he doesn't have the same jolly look as the Santa you saw last year who had the slightly happy persona than this Santa. Then it dawns on you that this isn't Santa at all, but in fact your dad's friend who he plays baseball with during the summer. I thought he looked familiar!? ------- True story on how I found out Santa isn't who I thought he was when I was a kid. Disappointed.... what a bitch tonight. My hopes and dreams of eating at Hank's Oyster Bar shattered by dull food, an overcrowded wall to wall seating, and a server who served up a pretty snide attitude after I got my measly looking crab cakes with baked mac and cheese and spaghetti squash. I be damned if I am going to pay $30 for this. PLEASE SEE THE PHOTO AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THIS REVIEW. My dining partner Mrs. Adrienne M. and I looked at the plate of food that sat before me, then looked at each other, then looked at the food again. Were they serious or was I on candid camera? First and foremost before I ordered the crab cake, I was reassured by the server that it was amazing. I told him that I was weary of trying crab cakes outside of Old Ebbitt Grill since I think they have the best in the city and they do not have fillers. More meat and less fillers is what I expected to have especially after the server told me he used to work at Old Ebbitt and went on the express how this one was so much better. False information if I've ever seen or heard such! The food itself looked terribly pathetic. Loped on there with not much portion. The crab cakes themselves were EXTREMELY small. They couldn't have been any thicker than a sausage patty from McDonald's. I hate to compare the two, but that is the only thing that comes to mind in comparison at the moment. The size is also comparable in length. Adrienne took once glance and she said, "There are a lot of fillers in there with very little meat." One bight justified her conclusion. The sides were anything better. Instead of getting coleslaw and fries as my sides, I decided to take the $2 up-charge and get two sides from their side menu. The spaghetti squash tasted old. I make really good spaghetti squash at home -- usually with honey or cinnamon similar to what they had on their menu, and it was far from tasting worth a second bite let alone a second glance. Baked mac and cheese had a similar story except with it -- it had no flavor. It was extremely bland and was crewy... not in the good way. I decided to send it back altogether and Adrienne and I decided to split a caesar salad and each get a bowl of their lobster bisque soup. Lobster has large chunks of lobster in it. This is a plus and thank you for being hefty on that portion size. Downside to the bisque, it had a weird taste to me. It was not like regular bisque that in my opinion is a little bit lighter. Runny ketchup consistency. Adrienne disagreed and thought the bisque should have been richer. Both of us decided it was underwhelming regardless, and not the most solid purchase that could have been made. $10 for lobster and ketchup.... Caesar salad comes with anchovies. IF you're not into that, ask for them to not be put on there. Our server asked us before hand which I did appreciate. Not a fan of the fish.... Adrienne said the salad was 'watery', and I think it lacked flavor. The shaved cheese didn't compliment the romaine lettuce well. Adding pepper didn't helps it case either. What we did enjoy -- yes, there was something we enjoyed here -- were the oysters. We started with 12. Two of each that they had on their menu with 6 different kinds all ranging from east to west coast of North America. Our mutual favorite was the Battle Creek oysters from Virginia. They had the right flavor and consistency. Not too grinny with a slight salty taste. Since I returned my main course, we settled on just ordering another round of 12 oysters, but this time getting solely the Battle Creek oysters instead of the variety we had the first time. We didn't have drinks. Service was good. We were well taken care of, but the server did seem to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder that took away from the dialogue between us and him. Hank's does have solid oysters. They live up to their namesake in that regards. Everything else -- well, Hank's is for the birds if you ask my opinion. I might come back for the $1 oyster happy hour, but you won't catch me rolling in here for main dinner courses again.
(2)Whitney S.
Hank's is my favorite Old Town restaurant! The service and food are consistently amazing. I love to visit their cozy bar for a cocktail and oysters. Their bartender Tom is the greatest.
(5)Hilary W.
Hanks was awesome! Stuck in the rain we were looking for a place to seek shelter. So glad we stopped here, the food was great! We started with the corn and crab tamale. Delicious. I would not change a thing about it! Then we had the peel and eat shrimp. Nothing special, exactly what you expect. Ended with the lobster roll- a must have! So tender and the bun was awesome. Really good!
(5)Samantha L.
Hank's Oyster Bar is a seafood restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. Our server Jeremy had a great sense of humor. After we were seated, they brought us a small clear dish of Pepperidge Farm's Goldfish. For drinks, we got a glass of white wine and two Arnold Palmer's. The Arnold Palmer consisted of iced tea and lemonade. It was light and naturally sweet. Since this was an oyster bar, we had to try a few raw oysters. We got half a dozen raw oysters consisting of three Goosepoint oysters from WA and three Malleque oysters from Prince Edward Island. These raw oysters came with lemon wedges, cocktail sauce with horseradish, and tart mignonette. The Goosepoint oysters were buttery, grassy, and had a strong oyster taste. The Malleque oysters were very salty tasting. After oysters, they brought us a basket of sliced bread with butter on the side. The Garlic Steamed Blue Bay Mussels consisted of a pound of large mussels in a garlic tomato sauce. It was perfect for dipping bread. The Red Beet Salad consisted of thinly sliced beets topped with artisan greens and sunflower seeds tossed in a red onion vinaigrette. The Fried Oysters dinner portion came with tartar sauce, old bay fries and light coleslaw. The Grilled Mahi-Mahi was served over sautéed spinach, potatoes, and tomatoes in strong dijon mustard sauce. We felt that the dijon mustard sauce was overkill. When they gave us the bill, they gave us a small clear dish filled with chopped dark chocolate. I'm so glad we finally got to try this amazing oyster place!
(4)Danielle T.
I had scheduled a dinner with my friend and decided to arrive 10 minutes before he arrived. I asked for a table for 2 and the front desk guy (who has more interested in talking business with another person) refused to give it to me. He told me He had a table but would not give it to me until my friend arrive. I would have to wait for my friend at the bar. There was available tables for 2 but I could not seat down. Really?! What service is that? I go out for dinners almost every night and it was the first time a host told me I had to wait until the second party to arrive. Seriously?! What is wrong with you? I waited for my friend and we went next door restaurant.
(1)Steven U.
This was our last stop being going back to Los Angeles :(. First off, this place is very charming inside. Different than anything we have in Los Angeles. I ordered oyster po boy with old bey fries, lobster bisque, and oysters on a half shell. I've had a few po boys in my life due to my trip to New Orleans, this is right up there. Lobster bisque was good but nothing special. The oysters were delicious. Server was very knowledgeable on expected taste from where the oysters were sourced. I highly recommend anyone to swing by for some oysters.
(5)Bryan M.
Sorry I have high expectations, but I don't appreciate the poor attitude and service here. I complained and received a laugh from the staff. Smirk by the 'host' and dumb look from the person who's only job seemed to be holding the phone. Clean up the bar settings if people are waiting. Don't take another new order without cleaning up and old order. Poor. Even if the food was good, never gonna come back. Managements responsibility to train staff on how to serve and act. Hope the owner is reading.
(1)Pegah Y.
My bf and I had a date night at Hank's Oyster Bar in Alexandria about a week ago and had a pleasant experience. I'd previously visited the Dupont location and it was my bf's first experience with the oyster chain. We didn't have reservations but didn't have trouble getting a table for 2 at 5:45pm on a Saturday night. It did get rather crowded after 6pm. We ordered 10 oysters on the half shell and enjoyed each one. Our oysters were from various parts of the country (including Washington, the New England area, and Virginia). The specific oysters we got, according to the receipt they printed out for us, were: Kusshi (British Columbia), Goose Point (Washington), Tottel Inlet (Washington), Battle Creek (Virginia), and Pungoteague (Virginia). We also ordered drinks - I opted for a white wine (the sauvignon blanc from Sonoma, CA), while my bf ordered a strong cocktail - the "Shiver me Timbers," which came with Maker's Mark, maple, salt and bacon. We had never had bacon in a drink before and it was AWESOME. For my main dish, I ordered an oyster po' boy with cole slaw and it was delicious and filling. My bf ordered the lobster roll with old bay fries and also enjoyed his meal. As with my other Hank's experience, though the food was tasty and we had a good experience, it wasn't out-of-this-world. Still, I think it's a great oyster restaurant in the DC area and both experiences I've had there have been solid. Note that parking is scarce in the Old Town Alexandria area generally - we got extremely lucky and found street parking at 5:30pm on a Saturday night.
(4)Kari S.
Make sure to order the shrimp cocktail, its the best I have found in DC! The bartender is also very friendly, but his name escapes my memory.
(5)Meghan M.
Wow, just wow. What a great place. Get your @$$ over there now---and preferably around 5-7 on Monday-Friday. Let me tell you, I've never had a more interesting evening at a bar ALONE than I did last night (last night = early May 2014, #lateryelp). Tom and Mariam (bartenders) make this a great, casual, and comfortable place to enjoy an evening. As soon as I sat down, Tom introduced himself, complete with a handshake, and he remembered the names of ALL of his customers ALL night long. He sets the tone for a great atmosphere of conversation and friendliness. Thanks to his tone-setting, I had great conversations with numerous fellow patrons. It was a great night, with great food, and a great sense of community---and that my friends is pretty priceless. The community and atmosphere is enough alone to warrant 5 stars, but then they go and impress me with many more things: 1. Food, 2. Cocktails, 3. Oyster specials, 4. Freshness, and 5. Service. Everything was great here. The oysters were fresh, and during Happy Hour (Mon-Fri, 5-7) they are a whopping $1. Can't beat that! As a non-oyster fan, Tom was happy to guide me in what to pick, and they were quite good. He also did what a phenomenal server does and made sure all his patrons got in one last order before Happy Hour was over. For my entree, I had the lobster roll which was quite large and quite awesome. For drinks, I had the bourbon drink "The bitter end of Don Draper," and it was delicious. Their cocktails are pretty damn spendy, but they are unique, use 'hard for the regular Joe to find' ingredients, and they're delicious---so worth it in my opinion. As you can tell, I walked away completely enamored by this place. The dining room seemed a little less wonderful, and with folks like Tom and Mariam manning the bar, I would happily eat on stools for all my meals here.
(5)Kristy W.
It's called Hank's Oyster Bar. So when I tell you that the staff is extraordinarily knowledgeable about oysters, you shouldn't be surprised. Five hundred and fifty-one one people have written about every possible food item and service situation, so I don't think I need to bore you with that. What I will tell you is that Hank's is a great place to test out your oyster wings. I wasn't aware before I ate at Hank's the really different types of oysters and how different they taste based on location, type, etc. The bartender asked us what flavors we like and then brought out oysters to meet those needs. Having a bunch of varieties made it so that we could taste them one after another and really get to tell the intricacies of the different types. Knowing what locations and types were our favorite can then really inform oysters that we purchase at other bars in the future.
(4)Julia N.
Hank's Oysters has really good oysters. Surprised? I didn't think so. Oysters: 5 stars Other food: 3 stars The oyster selection and freshness here were great! My group tasted a variety of oysters, which ranged significantly in terms of brininess and sweetness. If you're new to raw oysters, try a couple out before ordering multiple of any one kind. I am more of a sweet oyster person, especially with a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of vinegar. My table also ordered the seafood Cobb salad, which was pretty disappointing. It looked really nice (see my photo), but there were only about 6 pieces each of shrimp and calamari, and the dish overall didn't have much flavor. The fish and chips were also, unfortunately, unimpressive. The fish looked like it came out of the freezer aisle (all one size/shape), but I did, strangely, enjoy the chewy breading. The fries were good and mysteriously disappeared when I looked away from my plate... Others said that their lobster po' boys were good, but I didn't get to try it, so don't take my word on it. My verdict: certainly check Hank's out if you have a hankering for oysters. Otherwise, there are probably other places that focus a bit more on non-oyster seafood offerings.
(4)Alan L.
Needed a seafood fix and Hank's was our pick after checking out our options on Yelp. Great service and really good seafood - we might actually be coming back here again this week! Started out with six oyster shooters and large shrimp. Those went down so quickly we put in another order. For our main meals we ordered the oyster po' boy, a lobster po' boy, and our daughter had the mussels cooked in a garlic wine sauce. All very good! For side orders we also had the buttermilk breaded onion rings and the Mac and Cheesy - which is the ultimate, if you like your mac 'n cheese a little more on the cheesy side. Onion rings came out slightly salted and without any kind of dipping sauce. I'm completely okay with that if they are good - and they passed the test. They have a great selection of wines and beers here. The bar side was very busy, but we were able to get seating on the restaurant side around 5:45 pm without a problem. Service here was great - our server was very helpful and the food came out very fast. If you are in town visiting and you are looking for some seafood, Hank's is your place!
(5)Toulaphone C.
I was very satisfied with my first visit to Hank's last night. Our group was looking forward to the happy hour oysters and we were not disappointed. Dining for dinner opens at 5:30 pm and the happy hour ends at 6:30 pm. The waitress gave us Goldfish to snack on before our food arrived. We were given a sampler of a dozen oysters that ranged from Maryland and the James River. I highly recommend the James River oysters because they were large in size and juicy. Each oyster is $1.25. For my large plate, I ordered the Oyster Po' Boy with Cole Slaw. The Po' Boy was very deep fried so go to Hank's with a hungry stomach because you will need the appetite for this bad boy. The cole slaw was probably one of the best cole slaws I've had. I also tried a bit of the lobster roll and it was filled with lots of meat and was just divine.
(5)Corey D.
Terrible service and tiny portions. We asked to have separate checks before we ordered and the waiter said "we'll see about that." When we got our bill he put it on one bill. He said he didn't have time to figure out who ordered what and split the check. It wasn't convenient for him. When we gave him our credit cards the manager returned to the table and rudely said, "the credit cards need to be signed." The food tasted good but the small portions definitely weren't worth the price. Wouldn't go there again.
(1)Becky J.
We felt like oysters so decided to try Hank's Oyster Bar for brunch. The place was hopping. Oysters were $2.25 a piece and they had three types from WA and three types from VA. All were tasty. Service was good. The place is quite loud. Hubby's fried oysters were yummy. We will definitely be back!
(4)Blake D.
Hanks was such a great find. Absolutely wonderful food and the service was top notch. Wonderful hidden gem
(5)Colin C.
I have been meaning to go to one of the Hank's locations for years but always had trouble getting in without a long wait. This one was surprisingly empty on an early Sunday night dinner. Hey do take call a heads so take advantage of that. The spot is right on King street and is basically a narrow row house. It has a hip ambiance and most of the clientele seemed to be 30-40 something professionals dressed well. Nice bar and another seating area, not a lot of room for a large party. Service was quick and friendly. The drink menu was extensive and interesting. As was the food menu. I liked that they had the oysters and other specials up on the chalkboard and they change frequently. Prices are definitely high but not horribly outrageous especially for the area. The southern fried chicken was great, as were he sides of fries and Mac and cheese and the different sautéed veggies. The oysters were really good, in particular the VA ones. I'm not pretentious or in the know about these things but liked how they were served and could tell the difference between the types. Lobster bisque was good as well. I hear they have a good HH as well. Definitely a new interesting option for the area.
(4)Christina Y.
I'm so sad I deleted the pictures I took of this place from my phone! We loved it so much we came back here again with our friends. They even give cute goldfish snacks while you're waiting for the food. Can't ever go wrong with that. The only negative thing I have to say was that the hostess said we'd be seated in about twenty minutes. It ended up being closer to forty five. Still worth the wait. Their lobster roll was bigger than I had anticipated which is always a plus. And their crab cakes were delicious too! If anything, you can order from the bar. Yay yay.
(4)Marc M.
Overall quality. I bit pricey, but quality is there. Many directions to fish here. Could do oysters, all kinds and if during their two happy hour periods, just $1.25 each. If staying on menu, grilled seafood is very fresh. Wine selection is good as well. Had a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, don't see that often and pairs great with the fish.
(4)Maria H.
Did not expect the Alexandria location to be as large as it is. It made it easier to get a table without a reservation on a week night. And they were still crowded. Had the oysters. Of course. Then soft shell crabs. And the trout. I appreciated that I didn't have a choice to get filled up on bread, sometimes I need help with that choice. Lol. The goldfish crackers were both amusing and just enough. The crabs were delicately seasoned and allowed to be the center of the dish. Quite tasty! The trout was also good, Dessert - key lime pie. It was ok. I was more interested in the crabs!!!
(4)Dani K.
Small and expensive, service the worst. Hey management hire some professionals. Stop trying to save money by hiring high school kids and actually invest in your business.
(1)Randy M.
Words cannot describe my love for this place... we've been here way too many times to count since it opened a half dozen or so years ago. I have never ever had a bad meal... some better than others of course, because nothing is perfect, but I simply cannot bring myself to give Hank's 4 stars. They are a solid 4.7 stars imho. We know when we go to Hank's, we will always have at the very least a good meal. Lobster Roll is always perfect, and my wife is a huge fan of the oysters and gets them every time. I've had most things on the menu at one time or another, and they're all good. The place is small though, so plan accordingly... especially if you plan to dine Friday or Saturday nights. You may be waiting a long time. I wish they opened for dinner at 5 rather than 5:30.... the bar opens so you can go in and chill until dinner, but I like to eat early. Hardly reason to take off more than 1/10 of a point. I can't recommend this place enough.
(5)L S.
I found this place to be overpriced and underwhelming. I ordered the Oyster Po Boy. It was tasty, but I expected more for $20 and had a really upset stomach afterwards. My mom ordered the fried oyster dinner and said that her oysters were barely warm. She ate a few and didn't finish them. The tastiest part of the dinner was the chocolate that came with the check.
(2)Adrienne M.
2 generous stars "Oysters will make ya fast gal," is exactly what my Grandma used to say to discourage me from eating oysters. If she was still alive, I would call her and tell her how I'm no more...or less "fast" than I was before I downed 12 raw oysters tonight. Oh Hank, I've been eyeing you for sometime now. Approximately 150+ days of wonder and intrigue...I find myself wondering how and why you have four stars...but as I understand it, you have a $1 oyster HH. Now I get it. Long narrow hallways, walls cladded with chalk paint featuring specials, beer and types of oysters, this place was bustling with hungry customers. And I was excited. Excited to finally see what all the rave was about. Our waiter, friendly and efficient, perpetuated the hype, described all the menu items with such ingenuity, all Mary-K M. and I could do was sit and listen in awe and wonder (somebody should give him a raise). He told us that the crab cake that Mary ordered was the ABSOLUTE BEST IN THIS AREA, the oysters were the freshest and everything on the menu was awesome, so there wouldn't be a problem with anything we ordered (I, the skeptic, know a good salesperson when I see one). I smiled and nodded. Mary ordered the crab cake "platter" with mac and cheese and spaghetti squash. Together, we ordered 24 oysters (2 of each of their six on the menu that ranged from west to east coast, and 12 oysters that were mutually enjoyed, the Battle Creek from VA), lobster bisque, and a Caesar salad. If that seemed like enough food to satisfy us, you're wrong. We began with the variety raw oysters of course, which were pretty great and followed up with another round because it seemed reasonable after Mary was brought her skimpy-looking crab cake platter to the table. To be clear, I had no parts of tasting the crab cakes, but from across the table, I could tell that they had more fillers than any of the women who play on any of the Real Housewives shows, and Mary confirmed as much. The mac looked like it was just thrown on the plate as an after thought, having no cheesy pull to it. In the middle of our assessment, Mary looked to our dining neighbor and asked, "Does this look like it's worth $31?" The kind lady says, "Wow, is that the crab cake platter? No, it doesn't. It's so small." And I think the words "it looks a little weird" came out of her mouth. That was more than enough confirmation to send it back to the kitchen (which I personally do not make a habit). The waiter came back to check on us and seemed fairly disappointed Mary didn't find it appetizing. There was a lot of disappointment going around this night. I suggested we should just stick to the basics, and ordered the lobster bisque and salad, to which the waiter's noticeable plummeting affect became even more unnerving. Tisk-tisk. Lobster Bisque: Anyone who knows a good bisque will tell you that (1) it's supposed to be rich (it's made with heavy cram for goodness sakes), (2) because it's made with cream, it's on the fairer side in terms of coloring, and (3) the lobster and onions GENERALLY place it in the mildly sweet/savory category. Deep breath (see pictures). I honestly felt that Hank's disgraced this bisque as it was tomatoey, overly salted, tart and not as rich as a bisque should be. I could barely taste the chunks of lobster, which were drowned by the overwhelming tomato base (this was also the reddest lobster bisque I'd ever seen and tasted). I also found it a few dollars cheaper than I expected ($10) which is a great price, but so much quality was lacking that I would prefer to pay more money for lobster bisque done at least adequately. Caesar Salad: The waiter asked if we wanted anchovies, to which we said no. This was an indication, to me, that the dressing was made fresh, and would have that anchovy potency that I love so much. The salad arrived and I could tell that it wouldn't cut it. First, I couldn't see any dressing on the salad. Secondly, even the shaved cheese couldn't mask the fact that the dressing was watered down. Lastly, hopefully, Hank's isn't house making the measly croutons they sprinkled on the plate. There may have been four tiny specks of them (which had no flavor). It's a shame to find out Hank's is cutting costs by watering down salad dressing and making tiny, flavorless croutons, on top of highly filtered crab cakes. I arrived at Hank's with high expectations, only to leave disgruntled and irritated with the lack of passion the cooks have for their food. My only hope this that this review is a wake up call, so that tomorrow's customers will not have to endure such negligence. If I EVER venture back to this establishment, it will be during HH for the $1 oysters, an unlikely instance where I will find my bill at $90 as this meal.
(2)Katherine C.
My dude and I came here last night for date night. We arrived a little before 7 on a Saturday night and we waited about 5 minutes for a table, which wasn't bad at all. Our waiter seemed a bit frazzled because it was so busy, but he was attentive and we didn't feel left out. We ordered six oysters (two each of three kinds) and asked our waiter to just pick 3 of his favorites. I think we got one West Coast, one from Maryland, and one from Virginia. I think my favorite was the Virginia variety but the West Coast was the largest and most ocean-y, which I liked. Our waiter did a great job! Decided what to have for dinner was challenging! Everything sounded amazing, but I settled on the crab cake dinner and my dude ordered the branzino special. The crab cake was great, not much filler and pretty flavorful. It came with cole slaw (nothing special but still alright), tartar sauce (yum), and skinny fries. I stole a bite of the branzino, which was awesome. The skin was really crispy and delcious. My date couldn't drink that night, but we were super interested in the cocktail menu, which had tons of whiskey cocktails (our faves). We'll definitely be back
(5)Anny J.
I don't eat shellfish but my friend really wanted to eat seafood and I was so hungry I could gnaw my arm. Besides, I was confident that I would be able to find something to eat. Ok. Though small, the restaurant is charming in it's simplicity. It's a great place to take a person for a first date if the aim is to impress but you don't want to appear as if you're trying too hard. It's a little noisy and crowded but that's to be expected in a small space. The food was delicious! The smoked mozzarella was creamy and the accompanying vegetables were perfectly seasoned. I had the Mahi Mahi entree which was heavenly and my friend enjoyed his lobster roll. The deductions: I give a half star deduction because the wait staff was not as attentive as I would have liked: we waited quite a bit before someone came to take our orders. The other half star deduction was for the price. Although I do not mind paying a premium for quality food, it was a little disappointing that the entree did not come with any starchy side or veggie. Literally it was a piece of fish with a few pearl onions and sauce for $27. Takeaway: absolutely delicious. Despite the price if I am ever in the area I would revisit.
(4)Anthony T.
Hank's is a great restaurant with a few locations across the DC region. The Alexandria location is nestled in the heart of Old Town, and it doesn't disappoint with its host of seafood options from raw oysters to fish specials and burgers/sandwiches. I've been to Hank's twice now and I've tried the burgers and fries as well as some of different fish specials and the duck. All the food has been great and up to par. The burgers were definitely memorable as was the mahi mahi. The duck and flounder were pretty good, but I think they were actually overshadowed by the side dishes we ordered - the brussels sprouts and the mushrooms were delicious! Overall, a great dinner spot for a date or with friends. Will definitely have to come back for happy hour one day!
(4)Lucille M.
Could easily have 5 stars. These guys need to make a decision: either keep the dining room or stop serving food earlier. When you shove people who want a table at the bar, you upset both sides. The diners clearly don't want to sit at the bar, and more than that, I don't want four upset diners sitting next to me (two of them underage for the bar, anyway), spending the whole evening talking about how they wish they had a table. Other than that, the food's great!
(3)Kendra W.
My new favorite place :-) I never got my waiters name but it really doesn't matter- the guy was good! Very friendly, checked on me frequent enough to know that he cared but not so much that I couldn't eat in peace. I came in the door knowing what I wanted so it wasn't long before my fried oysters were placed in front of me and my, my, my, were they delicious. The breading on the oysters was not overdone and did not interfere with the flavor of the oysters themselves. I really, really enjoyed them. To drink I had the dark & stormy which was good but the oysters were the real star of this visit. I will absolutely be back but I can't guarantee a review of anything other than the oysters. They're all I want!!
(5)Linda P.
Oysters were fresh, but on the pricey side. Garlic tomato steam mussels were tasty. You can taste the wine and garlic. Good deal! Old bay French fries were actually crispy the whole time. Happy they didn't get oil soggy!! Servers were nice folks and prompt. You get Goldfish crackers to snack on as you wait for your food.
(4)Jackie O.
I'm allergic to shellfish so I usually steer clear of places like Hanks but since I live around the corner and my boyfriend frequents the bar at Hanks I thought it was time to give it a try. While I can't speak to their signature oysters, I will say the cocktails were great, the grilled mahi mahi, kale salad & asparagus were all delicious. Small space, kind of noisy & way more children there than I expected to see.
(4)Loren P.
Avoid the tourists by the water & come here. Everything is FRESH. Love the cocktails, crab cake is good (not the best I've ever had, but good) & fried clams were great! Hanky panky was awesome! So good.
(4)Sherri T.
First and foremost, I love this little area of Old Town Alexandria. It is engulfed with plenty of restaurants and bars, which means there are a variety of choices to choose from. If you're coming to Hank's, expect a wait time and a small crowded dining area. The service was mediocre, but perhaps it was in fact Friday and they were busy. For starters, they had a special going on for oysters with a huge variation of oysters to choose from so we ordered 2 of each kind to try them all ($3.25 per oysters). The earthy ones were my favorite because they didn't taste too fishy but I was quite awed by how fresh their oysters are, so it's a must try if you're visiting the area. In note to the food here; For appetizers, I ordered fried calamari and let's just say I had better. For entree, I ordered their lamb chops cooked medium and they came out perfect. They had a limited bar selection for drinks to choose from and parking is a bit of a hassle (mostly street parking). Despite the lack of drinks to choose from and parking, I would certainly come back for their oysters...
(4)Angie K.
Today my boyfriend and I decided to check out this oyster bar, and we were very very pleased! The environment was very clean and welcoming. Our server, Tim, was friendly and took the time to educate us on the different oysters they serve. As soon as you're seated they provide you with a small bowl of goldfish as a snack. We ordered the sampler of oysters that Tim suggested and ended up loving the Eld inlet and Totten inlet oysters. My boyfriend also ordered the hank's burger which he said tasted mediocre, and I had the smoked salmon benedict which was pretty satisfying ~ Our server made sure to check up on us regularly and they serve dark chocolate upon handing you the check. Overall, I am definitely looking forward to coming back soon!!!!
(5)Jen F.
Love Hank's Oyster Bar! I personally don't eat raw oysters, but my husband does and says Hank's offers the best in the area. I do love the fried oysters here, so I can attest to those being super delicious. I normally get the lobster roll with either the fries or the mac and cheese. The lobster roll has a heaping serving of lobster, and the roll itself is the right kind - split top buttery deliciousness! The mussels here are also great, as are the po boys and the ceviche.
(5)Beverly H.
Love this area in old town VA, and again, in search of crab cakes but persuaded to go with another option by my server. (Excellent knowledgeable service btw). Eclectic beer list which made me want to try a few. The N.C shrimp with truffled cheese grits took me back to a lazy Sunday morning in Charleston. The rich flavors (seasoned with the perfect amount of garlic) came together impeccably. Served with ample shrimp, this visit would earn five stars, but they were a little stingy with the grits. Especially compared to the lobster roll (the most ordered item on the menu according to our server) which was generous, rich and divine easily ranks with any off the cost of Main. My husband ordered it with fries.and I will be back for the lobster roll, and maybe oysters, with a big appetite. Price was slightly high but not ridiculous for the quality.
(4)Corinne C.
Best oysters in Old Town! Great cocktail menu (make sure you are off the next day). Bartender was friendly. Modern trendy boutique type of bar/restaurant. Local clientele for the most part.
(5)I O.
The oysters was very fresh as well as the mussels. Service was lacking a bit even though the restaurant was not as busy. For the price and location the service needs to step up their game. You will get fresh food here, no doubt. I'll be back.
(4)Jason B.
Walked right in and got the last table with 4 of us. I had the ribeye (don't get steak at a seafood restaurant), girlfriend and sister got the rockfish, very good. Mom had the crab cakes, she said they were good. We also sampled 3 types of oysters. One of them was amazing. Sorry I can't tell you which ones. I can never tell the difference. We had the chocolate mousse and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Mousse was fantastic. Shortcake left a little to be desired and did see many strawberries. I would definitely recommend this place. Friendly service, good food.
(4)Rachel G.
Came in here for brunch on a Sunday afternoon. Didn't try the oysters because I'm not a fan. However, everyone was happy with their food! Service was good and fast, food was good. I got a salad...Can't remember what it was called, but it had calamari, shrimp, and a bunch of vegetables. Really delicious salad and filled me right up!
(4)Arnie C.
In town for a vacation and we wanted some good fresh seafood. Hank's was our pick according to all the previous yelp reviews and we are glad we did. We had the oysters on the half shell which were fresh and delicious. I ordered the Oyster po boy and the wife had the Lobster roll both were spot on.
(5)Eden M.
Delicious oysters, both on the half shell and fried. I'm picky about cole slaw and tartar sauce. Both were delicious. Service was good. On the negative side, it's very noisy. There's nothing to absorb it. Also, being from the Carolinas, I'm not used to having to pay such high prices for good oysters. It was good food though.
(4)Curly W.
I've been on a bit of a streak of treating myself to oysters and other offerings at Hank's at least once a week in recent months - great for the soul, albeit tough on the wallet! Oysters are excellent - and they have a few varieties available at half price ($1.25) during oyster happy hour (M-F, 5:00-7:00 pm and after 10:00 pm all nights) - the Golden Chesapeakes two nights ago were particularly good. Mussels & steamed clams almost always available, as well. They do a very nice job w/ fried oysters, too -- I just suggest getting the "small plate" of those; you get just as many oysters as you do w/ the full dinner platter, and the fries/coleslaw isn't worth the extra $7 Atmosphere is pretty casual, service is friendly & sincere, parking a little bit of a challenge in that part of Old Town. It may seem pricey for a casual place, but well worth it in my book. Menu changes daily, but usually most of what's on their online menu (which is updated less often) is on pretty consistently - just a few things change - so check it out in advance. I've been to the Dupont Circle location just a few times - bar is a bit smaller and more cramped there, but outside dining there is nice (it's not on a super-busy street), and overall also really good.
(5)Danny H.
Always a great time at Hank's. Superb fresh oysters and even delectable fried oysters for the not-so-brave. The HH menu is simply the best-bang-for-buck money you will get in the area. The place does get very busy so arrive early or plan to get a drink and wait. I highly recommend the oyster shooters here. Simply love them, it's a great play on spice, savory, and a hint of alcohol but all well-within reason. Just a tickling to let you know it's there.
(4)Randy M.
Came in for late lunch on a Monday,it was pretty empty and sat at the bar. Bar manager was helpful in choosing drinks and had a few oysters from both coasts, I am still partial to west coast but both were great. Ordered the salmon ruben and I had a braised short rib sandwich. Both were great along with the duck fat fries. Nice friendly place with good food. Need to come back for happy hour.
(4)Frank H.
Following an attempt to walk around Old Town on a Friday night, only to be rained on a few minutes into the trek, a group of friends and I ran to Hank's Oyster Bar for shelter and some late night bites. We got in around 10:30pm to a decently populated bar, but lucky enough for us, there was still a high table available. We ordered two rounds of raw oysters on the half shell, two dozen at a time, and were greatly satisfied. They were fresh, served with ample amounts of oyster crackers, lemon, cocktail sauce with fresh horseradish, and a nice mignonette. Great service all around, and extremely accommodating. One of my friends was still a little tipsy from dinner and not only knocked over her glass of water, but also made several passes at our waiter...He was a good sport about it luckily, however, I'll never let her live that stunt down, :P.
(4)Debbie L.
I love seafood so I'm a big fan of Hank's Oyster Bar (and their $1 oysters during HH!!!!) Just a heads up -- the lobster roll has CELERY mixed into it. A little distracting (and crunchy) in my opinion (but still very yummy). I love that they start your meal with goldfish and end it with many generous pieces of dark chocolate.
(4)Jennifer N.
Cute little restaurant located in Old Town Alexandria that serves super fresh seafood! The menu was a tadddd bit on the pricey side for the main entrees. My siblings and I came mainly for the oysters though..which were $2.25 each. We ordered a dozen oysters (2 of each type they offered). I don't remember exactly what oysters they were, but I know half were from the west coast and the rest were from the east! :P I loveddd how fresh these oysters were and that you could definitely taste the difference in each kind. We also ordered the ceviche, which included large pieces of squish, fish, and shrimp. The portion was huge! It didn't look like much initially, but once we started eating..I felt like it took forever to finish. And not because it didn't taste delicious, but because there was just so many pieces of yummy seafood. The description said it had jalapenos in it, but honestly I didn't taste any heat, which was as littleee disappointing. We ordered two sides - mac and cheese & onion rings. Both were really good. Mac and cheese had a ton of flavor and was extra creamy. Clean, cute restaurant with friendly staff and great oysters! I'll be back!
(4)Albert Y.
Pricey oysters, but fresh. And the staff are quite knowledgeable. I just wish they would advertise ahead what types of oyster they will be serving that night, so when they finally bring in belons I can arrange a loan with the bank before I come in...
(4)Mark P.
Came here for the oysters. The happy hour special of $1 apiece made me, well, happy! The ambience is great too. It's a good place to entertain and be entertained. This is definitely one of many happening spots to be found in Alexandria, VA. Parking is hard to find but possible.
(5)Hee Jin B.
Absolutely amazing. Hank's has some delicious oysters and seafood. Went for lunch with my girlfriend and we were not disappointed. It seems quite small from the front/entrance. When I went, they were doing construction in the front. It was busy but not too crowded for lunchtime on the weekend. The waiter was friendly and polite. We ordered 12 raw oysters, 2 of each of the daily kinds. I had an oyster po boy while my gf had a lobster roll. The raw oysters were amazing. They were fresh, plump, juicy. Our favorites were the ones from WA. My oyster po boy was to die for. The fried oysters were excellent; lightly fried, crispy and still juicy. The tartar sauce was not too overpowering and had good flavor for the sandwich. The bread was warm, soft, and buttered. Fresh greens on it. It was so good, I ordered an order of fried oysters to go! My gf's lobster roll was quite good as well. But we both agreed that it was overshadowed by the deliciousness of the oyster po boy. I cannot wait to go back to Hanks and although I'll be exploring the menu, I highly recommend the oyster po boy!
(5)Liza A.
When you first walk in, it seems like the bar area is it, but much to my surprise around the corner behind the wall is a cozy space for more diners. I haven't tried their oysters, I know silly me! But I did have their Pear & Arugula Salad w/ Shaved Fennel, Red Onions, Bleu Cheese, & Apple Cider Bacon Vinaigrette! Absolutely fantastic! And I ate it with their Smoked Salmon Reuben w/ Coleslaw, Pepper Jack Cheese & Cayenne Remoulade on Marble Rye sandwich. Wow! It was very delish! I went back twice and ordered the same thing!
(4)Ashlyn S.
The oysters did not disappoint! Stopped in here late one night while in town. I ordered the crab cake and my friend had the lobster roll, which were both great. Service was excellent. I will for sure be back the next time I'm in Alexandria.
(4)Ragnar A.
So cool. The oyster happy hour is a great start. The local brews on draft were awesome with the oysters. Scallops with the Brussel sprouts and potatoes were the perfect combo. Service was great. Atmosphere was great. Check it out.
(5)Trey W.
This is a "go to" spot for Oysters, craft beer and great sides. The food is wonderful and they always have specials. The bar servers are always the same two guys and they are very friendly and helpful with recommendations. A strong recommend when in the area.
(4)Kit O.
I'm so sorry to give a bad review, but I just don't get this place, bland greasy and unappetizing. I couldn't find a redeeming factor it in the overpriced drinks wasn't much to ask about the waiter barely find a time to come back to see if we were pleased . Oh well you win some you lose some
(2)Joe G.
4.5 stars. I waited a long time to try this place and it was worth it. Opened at 5:30 on Friday evening, walked in just before 6 and bar was packed. They have decent happy hour but was unable to sit at bar. I was annoyed because small kids sitting at bar with parents. I didn't bring my kids so I could go enjoy the bar; it's just courtesy that's all I'm saying. Sat in dining area at a very cozy table. Order the oysters 6 at a time and try different types. The menu changes daily so I tried the seafood mix grill, very light meal, $28 and it was awesome! The octopus was cooked just right. Wife ordered ceviche as an appetizer, not the typical ceviche were used to but it was good and plentiful. She also had the fried clams, $20+$2 charge to change side to Brussel sprouts. The Brussels were tasty. They also have wide selection of cocktails. I tried the key lime pie and it was better than expected. Try the National beer, comes in a can and it's own beer cozy. Nice people all around, service was great and I would love to come back. Found out about the PX too but that's in a different review. I would have given a 5 star but like I said the bar thing annoyed me. Total was $120 +$30 tip. Happy eating!
(4)Dino P.
Have been here several times. We generally like it. Great place for dinner. Not as great for lunch. Dinner menu has some great options, lunch a little more limited. I had a burger last time. A little too charred on the outside. Onion rings were fantastic though.
(3)Don P.
Nicest staff in Old Town. Great oysters and craft beer. I got an ale called Schlafly, it is excellent. Happy Hour oysters are $1.25 each and you can get as few as you want. My favorite place to relax in the DC area
(5)Sloane A.
The oyster's are as good as I have had: hence the name. It is pricey and I could easily spend over $50 on myself between half a dozen oysters, drinks, and an entree but that's easy at most restaurants in this city. I've been a few time and never been disappointed. The lobster roll was great as well as everyone at my table enjoyed their entree during brunch. My favorite part is that they give you a little bowl of goldfish when you sit down. It's small touches like that, that make restaurant memorable in a city like DC.
(4)Tiffany F.
Oysters were really good so they get 2 stars for that. Lobster roll for 25 dollars was way over priced and anti-climatic. There were only a few pieces of lobster and the roll was cold. Also, not sure what the criteria is for getting after dinner chocolate, both tables to the left and right got them, but we did not. It's a great way for restaurants to single you out and feel like you don't belong. I will not come back and would not recommend it.
(2)Yujin M.
I've re-discovered Hank's Oyster Bar! Did you know that they now have a lunch menu? I'm not sure how long this has been going on, but apparently word hasn't gotten out. We were probably one of three or four parties inside the dining hall throughout our entire lunch. This was a large departure from my previous visits, which were limited to the late-night madness of the oyster happy our. The list of oyster names (locations?) meant very little to me. If you're not particular about your oysters, trust the server to mix and match a plate for you. After partaking in a few half-shells for the table, I had an oyster po' boy that was so overflowing with fat, succulent fried oysters that you could barely see the buttered bun holding it all together. They also gladly substituted my cole slaw for fries. The more health-conscious of our group got the grilled tuna sandwich, which also looked really good! At $16 for the po' boy and $2.25 a pop for the half-shells, this place sadly will not likely make it into my regular rotation. It's a great place to keep in your back pocket though, either for that special occasion lunch, or when you're on the corporate credit card!
(4)Tiffany R.
Heard a lot about Hanks and wanted to try it for birthday dinner. The place is very narrow with no standing or waiting area. The server spilled beer across the back of us to start and didn't say anything. He also couldn't make a suggestion for which type of oysters to get... At an oyster bar! Scallops were good but plates are small and they do not come with a side. I would say overpriced for what you get.
(2)Harry G.
Good Place! Fast, friendly service.
(4)Hung T.
Having been here 3 times already and getting oysters every time, I can definitely say the oysters here are on point. Its just the prices here are pretty crazy for a casual seafood spot. But that's DC for ya. Oyster po boy was really good especially the buttery toasted bread. Onion rings were huge. Haven't had anything else here besides that but everything on the menu looked good except for the fact that its $4-$5 more than what I'd pay for. Will probably be back but maybe during happy hour instead.
(4)Aric B.
If you're traveling to DC and need a place to hang out, eat and have a cocktail, this is the place. Oysters were fantastic, ceviche was good (but way too much for one person), and the lobster roll was not only outstanding but plentiful. Locals and bartenders were nice and willing to speak to a stranger of their fine city.
(5)Tara C.
Bartender Tom was great! oysters were relish!(we had the PEI). Bar area was small but nice place overall.
(4)Emily L.
Very cute date place. The Tuesday fish taco special was amazing. So fresh and tasty with big chunks of white fish. Also had the ipswich clam appetizer. The clams were a little smaller than ones I've had elsewhere, but still solid. I did not like the seafood ceviche. I did get to enjoy the happy hour oysters and those were very good local oysters. The bartenders were very friendly.
(4)Larry L.
Oyster happy hour at the bar. 'Nuff said
(5)Elaine H.
Hank's is my neighborhood seafood restaurant. I always sit at the bar, order a dozen oysters, a glass of wine or a cocktail, people watch and chat with some of the locals and tourists. This is a king st hot spot and I highly recommend getting here at 5PM to get a seat at the bar. The oyster HH is grand and affordable. The ladies and gents behind the bar are lovely, and always give great food and cocktail recommendations. I'm working my way through the Ice Bar and Small Plate options before I tackle the Large Plates or the Meat & Two daily specials. At the moment I'm stuck on the ceviche, sake shooters, lobster bisque, duck fat potatoes and the Cesar salad with anchovies--"I wish I knew how to quit you!"
(5)Patty P.
Stopped here for lunch. Had a dozen of oysters and the shrimp po' boy. Everything was delicious. The Shrimp Po' Boy was very good especially the bread which is lightly buttered. The dipping sauce was perfect for the Old Bay fries and the sandwich. I would visit here again.
(5)Christina N.
It was ok. The food could have been better considering the price. Service was great. Restaurant was super cute and nautical.
(3)Stephanie A.
This is THE spot - for real. $1 Oysters during happy hour are where it's at. I come here usually every other week just for that. I have tried lots of their other dishes too - never had anything bad. Steak dish was just ok though - I remember being disappointed in that (cooked well and everything, I just think the concept didn't work very well together). They seem to do much better with their seafood, which is expected. I recommend the fish tacos, lobster roll, burger and it is good to try some of the specials they have on the menu. They are usually very tasty! Mixed drinks are just ok though- flavors seem muted and I am always interested in the naming and ingredients, but the flavors end up not living up to what I expect. I suppose whoever makes the drink menu could take a chance and add more flavor - I want something memorable! Atmosphere is nice and the bartenders are great! This place is very small so I do see how it might not be great for groups of 5+
(5)Danny D.
Love this place, don't know the name of the guy bartending at 6 PM on Memorial Day, the one without the beard. Worst, I mean the worst Martini ever. First one way too much Vermouth. Second one no Vermouth and too much olive jouce. That coupled with his attitude, not happening! Otherwise Hanks rocks!
(4)Russell G.
The selection of oysters here is fantastic. I opted for the sampler with 6 different kinds. The specialty drinks are fun looking here but I felt my Don Draper was a little weak. The other thing I really like about this place is your ability to make up your own meals. After the oysters, I felt like crab cakes and spinach. Nothing more, nothing less. No problem, I ordered off the small plates and sides menu. Done. This place is certainly worth checking out. Get reservations ahead of time. This venue is small and fills up fast at dinner time.
(4)Candice B.
Went here on a Friday night around 8:00 and there was a 45 min wait so we put our name on the list and decided to walk around looking for a place to get a drink. Ended up at the wine and cheese place down the street, but when we were finished came back and they no longer had a wait. We were seated right away and placed our orders. Local beers on tap, I can never remember which ones I like and which ones I don't like, but that is my own fault. We had eaten a meat and cheese plate down the street so decided to get oysters and apps. My husband and I shared a crab cake and boiled shrimp. Both were very tasty. My only faults are that I would prefer easy peel shrimp, I ended up with a piece of shell in my mouth a couple of times, because the peel didn't all come off at once. The crab cake was really good too, it did come with a bunch of sauce though, not really sure what that was about I guess some people like that . Our friend really liked her oysters. It 'tis the season.
(4)Elaine S.
Narrow entrance, so it's awkward waiting around inside, especially when bar stools are a few feet from the wall. So if you do have to wait, your standing almost directly behind someone who's sitting at the bar. waiter seemed uncomfortable with our questions about the menu, and did not meet too many of our needs... Lobster bisque tasted like tomatoe soup... I couldn't get green beans with my meal even though they came with another... I could go on... I was shocked about my negative experience because I was excited to go there. I love Old Town, and most restaraunts there, but it was a first and last visit for my friend and I at Hanks.
(1)Christian A.
The infused vodkas are very good for making Blood Mary's with. The food is a flavorful but a bit over priced. Decent service. Nothing of major note either way. The dark chocolate after the meal was a nice touch. I wouldn't come back but I wouldn't avoid the place.
(3)Caitlin S.
Great raw oyster bar, they change up the oyster menu, and often have a good combination of northern meaty oysters and southern briny oysters, all delicious! They're pear and arugula salad is great as well and they have good beers on tap, but could use more beer and drink options. Only reason review is not 5/5 is because of the more expensive prices and not enough brews. Also the bar seating is great, fantastic services, would definitely recommend
(4)Ed H.
Simple review, worth the price. Got oysters, ceviche, and lobster roll. It was easily worth the money! Need to go back.
(5)Jamie W.
I think it's over priced for what it is. 4 sea scallops for $27 and that's all I am getting and then each additional side was $6. It all was very tasty and cooked well but priced high. They have a happy hour for their oysters which is awesome and you can get some good deals on that
(3)Sherri K.
Great HH prices on oysters! I love this place and am so happy that it is in my hood. Nothing like the HH places I am used to in Denver, but this is as good as it gets for me right now, and that makes me happy. It is cozy, but super social - happening bar area. Great food options. Right in the middle of the mix. I am excited to find a go-to place for oysters, and a new go-to place to meet fun people. The parking is difficult, but the service is pleasant. Well worth the effort.
(4)Chris S.
Great oysters at good prices ($2.50 each). Very good salad: the avocado and heart of romaine with a spicy cilantro dressing was marvelous. The scallops were terrific on a bed of cauliflower fondue. Good list of wines by the glass. Okay service considering how packed the place was and the tables being rather too close together. The server brought me the wrong wine with my scallops. I pointed out that Albariño doesn't have bubble. He realized he brought Prosecco instead. I was nearly done with my entree before the Albariño arrived because he stopped to take an order at the next table , a party of five, first. Very very noisy. I recommend it but it's certainly not the place for a peaceful meal.
(3)Mia N.
This place is good, but most of the main entrees were fried foods it seemed. You have to order starters, otherwise just entrees will not fill you up. The only bad thing about this place are the prices. When you add up everything, it gets pretty expensive. Husband ordered 6 fresh oysters, which he said were very good and fresh. Better than the ones from the D.C. wharf, but not as good as ones he's eaten in NYC. My lobster bisque was excellent with huge pieces of lobster. The entrees were mostly fried options and they were overpriced...The fish and chips' price of $13 is not bad, but the fries are so thin and not filling enough. The batter was very light and fish very good. Tasted even better dunking it into malt vinegar. The shrimp po boy was overpriced at $19 and seemed small with the measly fries. It should have been $12 to $13 since shrimp is cheap. Our son had chicken fingers. He didn't like them and so my husband ate them. The price was around $75, not counting tip. It would be better if the prices were lower, then we would go again. The place was small and crowded. Two people could go and get 2 orders of fish and chips for $13 each and water and it wouldn't be bad, but the food is not filling enough. They should offer free bread at least.
(3)mike j.
Had a great family gathering for lunch. The lobster roll, trout special, and fish and chips proved to be very tasty. Good service and a nice bar area if you want to do more Oysters and happy hour. Good service. Only complaint is the trout special was $18, which is fine, but should come with a side for a $18 lunch item (one star off)
(4)Colleen G.
Went here tonight for my sisters birthday. The food was delicious as always however the host was most unwelcoming. When my husband and I arrived we were looking around for my sister (who had been waiting there for 10 min already) he seemed rather annoyed and could hardly even sit up off his elbow to take care of us. Just not a great first impression.
(3)Dominique R.
I struggled between giving this 3 or a 4 and I'm going with 3. I didn't really like the food, but the rum punch was good. It is also a little annoying that you can't order food until 5:30pm (unless its from the raw bar). Why open at 5pm if you aren't going to allow people to order food until 5:30? If you wait until 5:30 to get there you will NOT get a seat at the bar. I got there at 5 until 5 and there was a line outside. So if you plan on being at the bar, get there early!
(3)Andrew O.
Big fan of Hanks in all its locations. Food and service are both solid. Good selection of oysters. Great happy hour and late night. Great bar. The food is nothing unusual but it is tasty and quality stuff. Casual atmosphere. Bartenders know their stuff.
(5)Kelli H.
This was my first time at this restaurant and being an oyster lover I had to try to out. I enjoy all sorts of oysters and I eat them without dressing them up. I haven't been able to find a restaurant that has as good of oysters as Shaws Crabhouse in Chicago and Schaumburg until now. I tried the 3 oysters they had for $1 each today and they were amazing. Each oyster had their own specific taste. I have to say they get very fresh oysters here and a nice variety. They had a list of 6 which is pretty good. I will definitely be back because this is the first time since moving away from Chicago I can say I have had amazing oysters.
(5)Ashley V.
One of my favorite Old Town spots. The sake oyster shooters were amazing. The oysters we ordered as appetizers were as good as it gets. Everyone in our party thoroughly enjoyed their meal.
(5)Rob B.
Great place! I've been to this one and the location in DC and both are top notch. Seating is very tight at both locations but well worth it.
(4)Megan Ashley G.
QUALIFIER: I AM ALLERGIC TO SHELLFISH. THIS REVIEW SHOULD BE SKIPPED IF YOU DON'T SHARE THIS CHARACTERISTIC. **I am still leaving a review because there may be others in my boat. It really stinks being allergic to shellfish because you still want to go out and socialize with friends... I think it's important that places who specialize in shellfish have a few viable options for those who can't partake. And this place definitely has great alternatives. Myself and a group of 5 others visited this restaurant on President's Day after touring Mt. Vernon. We got in just in time for their Happy Hour Oyster special. Obviously I didn't partake in this but I did have a burger (sans bun) and a salad. The food was great. The wine was great. All my cohorts ordered Oysters and the dining experience was relatively quiet (due to the fact that they were happily shoveling oysters into their faces). One caveat: If you can't eat Oysters or you don't go during Oyster Happy Hour, it will be an expensive trip. A glass of wine was $10 or $12 and with food and salad, my individual bill came to around $40 or $50. It's not terribly expensive but it may be smarter to "pre-game" at home and keep it to one glass of wine with dinner. The staff was friendly and accommodating. As per usual in Old Town, parking can be a challenge and the restaurant was small and compact. I know that some people would consider a 3-star rating poor, but when you consider that an establishment "meets expectations" it is really quite accurate.
(3)Hana P.
My husband surprised me with a brunch here this past weekend and I love this little spot! As an appetizer, we ordered oysters from a couple different regions, but I think my favorite were from the Pacific Northwest. They seemed a little sweeter and I appreciate that our server took the time to explain the oysters to us (PS - I'm not an oyster connoisseur, but I hope to be when I grow up LOL). We also had shrimp cocktail and I really liked how they made their cocktail sauce - the horseradish was separate and you had to mix it yourself, but it was so delish! For my entree, I ordered a lobster roll and I was a bit disappointed. I'm so used to ordering the Connecticut-style lobster roll from the Lobster Truck in DC and was really looking forward to that. Instead, I received the Maine-style lobster roll with the diced lobster meat and mayo. It didn't taste bad and really it was my fault for not asking ahead of time how the lobster roll was prepared. I just don't prefer that type of lobster roll, but it was nothing that some Old Bay seasoning couldn't cure! Speaking of Old Bay, the Old Bay fries were great! My husband ordered the shrimp po boy and demolished it, so I take it that it was pretty amazeballs. I do wish they had a better dessert offering (because I'm a glutton and still wanted something sweet to eat after all of that food we devoured), but I guess it was a good thing for my waistline that I wasn't interested in their dessert menu. All in all, I love this place and I'm looking forward to coming back soon!
(4)HJ B.
Just discovered this place during last trip to Old Town. Fun time lounging at the oyster bar and sampling oysters with a fine glass of vino. Great oyster selections, especially the one that's only available at Hanks. Lobster soup was tasty as well. The "Lobster Roll" order next to me looked fantastic & there were "yummy sounds" heard with each taste. Excellent servers, attentive without being intrusive or pushy. Friendly locals. Laid-back, casual atmosphere. Will definitely be back next time I'm in the area.
(4)Marshall R.
Read a good review of this dining establishment and my wife and decided to try the place. It is quite busy but we had no problems getting seated. I tried the lobster poor boy, and my wife a had a salad with shrimp. We both enjoyed our meals immensely. The wait staff was good considering how busy the place was. Well worth stopping in for a meal.
(4)Taylor G.
Thank you, Hank's, for sending me into the new year on a high note, food-wise. They were open for brunch New Year's Day so we were like YAY because we needed hangover food and a hair of the dog. Duuddddeeee. Everything was so yummy. And the service was prompt and friendly. Bloody mary's with some nice vodka choices (we got it with pickled vodka, bomb!) and they were actually spicy for once in a restaurant which I loved. I love oysters and I work in an oyster bar myself so I was happy to see that they had a shucking station and the server knew about the oysters they had that day. Also they were just great oysters, fresh and served with mignonette and horse radish. I got this crazy trout/potato hash with poached eggs. It was great and I could tell they use quality foodstuffs. They gave us chocolate at the end. Like? What? Just free chocolate? I felt renewed, like those shots I took in bed had never happened. A good time was had by all. I'll be back!
(5)Bob L.
Went to dinner here, was tore between a couple places in the area. This is a very trendy place and does a swift business. Food was good but not exceptional like I thought it would be. Service was good, also a bit squeezed in the dining area. Noise level was on the louder side but acceptable. If in the area I would likely try something else. I was expecting to get offered bread or something with our pre-dinner salads and never got asked about anything. The looks of the place exceeds the service.
(3)Nic P.
Having come here a couple of times whenever I've visited before I was so looking forward to coming back. I follow them on Facebook and see all the things they're serving up and all the specials they have that it has me craving it until I make it back. Unfortunately, this trip was a bust. I was sadly disappointed in the service and the taste of my food that I don't know that I'll go back. It was a really humid evening and the place is so tiny that it gets crowded easily. We had to wait outside which made me unhappy, but whatever. We didn't wait too terribly long, at least not over what they said we would. We were ushered in past tons of people blocking the way between the front of the place and back. Annoying. Then we sat elbow to elbow with the people we were between. It's pretty close when your conversation is disrupted by something your neighbor said because they're so close. Noise level was higher than I like when I'm trying to enjoy dinner. At any rate, settled in and asked for a couple of drinks. The waiter must have been slammed because we had a little wait for that. Not cool when you've just come in from humidity and heat you could cut with a knife. Oh well. Finally got our drinks and decided to order oysters for an appetizer. After listening to the choices we decided on both West and East coast, a mixture. What we got was all West coast, which didn't include some of my faves. Disappointment. We told the waiter, but he just said he thought we wanted East Coast, no offer to change it at all. And, the oysters weren't that great. Some were, most weren't my style. Oh well. The greatest disappointment of the evening was my dinner. I ordered the pan roasted mahi mahi with lobster cream sauce and shitake mushrooms. I asked for no lobster cream sauce to make it a more healthy alternative. I feel like someone should have told me I was going to eat the driest piece of fish I'd ever had in my life if I left that off. It was inedible. For a side I ordered the oven roasted brussels sprouts. They were so bland I couldn't finish them. Don't order, save yourself. Just no flavor. For dessert I had the special strawberry/rhubarb pie. I had strangely never had rhubarb pie before and I think I know why now. The pie with the strawberry was delicious and it sounded like a great combo, what with the sweet and tart together, but it just caused me to really have sour reaction. I feel like this meal was a fail all around. I'm sad, because I've had good experiences before. Oh well.
(2)Sara R.
Had been dying to try this place for happy hour...and was not disappointed. Actually I was not late for the first time in my life - was totally there at 5pm to get the most of this happy hour! Sit at the bar for amazing service, delicious oysters, and an overall happiness. I'm actually minorly grossed out by oysters, but i kind of like playing with my food and make it my mission to camouflage them with horseradish and cocktail sauce. So much fun! Also you'll get a chocolate surprise at the end of your meal...cannot beat wine, oysters, and chocolate!!!
(5)Traci R.
Hank's has a special place in my heart because we got seated in like 2mins when there was a bar full of people seemingly waiting. Idk how it happened, but it did and I'm grateful. Service: Our server was very knowledgeable about the oysters, and very friendly in general. To be very honest, he was somewhat slow but after avoiding an hour-long wait, I wasn't too concerned. Food: We ordered 8 oysters, 2 from 4 different regions (at the suggestion of our server) and they were all so good! They tasted very fresh and they came with vinegar which went well with them. I've never had my oysters w/ vinegar before. My mom got the steak with sauteed bok choy and fried onion rings. She loved every single bite. I tried her steak and it was so good. The bok choy is awesome, as I ordered it also. I ordered the lobster po' boy with old bay fries. It was good. The lobster po' boy was fine but I feel like there could've been more to it. Some seasoning or a condiment. Idk. It's kinda 'meh'. But it's certainly not a bad choice. Other than that, the decor is simple and clean. Very casual place. Seems to get super packed on weekend nights so prepare for a wait.
(4)Perry W.
Excellent choice for dinner. The scallop entree was great. We also had the popcorn shrimp/calamari appetizer. The dipping sauce was delicious. The key lime pie tasted fresh and was the best I've had in a while. My only complaints were the time it took to get our drinks and food. The personnel that greeted us when we entered the restaurant also seemed disinterested in helping us.
(4)Ben T.
First date night in our new home of Alexandria! Started the night off on the wait list. No worries as we expected that on a Saturday. We went next door to have some drinks until our table was ready. Their system involves texting you when you table is ready which I am a huge fan of but apparently their system was down so we never got a text. We walked in after our time was up and were promptly seated anyways. We started with oysters (duh). We sampled a few from WA as this was where our road trip started :) They were fantastic. I had the Cesar salad with anchovies and lobster bisque. I really enjoyed them both and they were a perfect light choice for a hot summer evening. They serve a sample of bittersweet chocolate with the check and perfectly satisfied our post meal sweet-tooth. Our waitress gave us some great other restaurants to try in our new hometown. First night in Alexandria success! PS great dirty martinis go really well with oysters!
(4)Ted B.
Love Hank's...but I'm worried Can't say enough good things about Hank's - favorite restaurant in Old Town. But the crab cakes are trending downward! I confess to being a crab cake snob. Hank's won me over years ago with the best crab cakes around (taste & flavor). However, execution has slipped over the past few months - a couple months ago I was slightly disappointed, but chalked it up to an off night. Last night I was put off by the size - both crab cakes reminded me off silver dollar pancakes. If supply is an issue, I'd rather see it off the menu or at a higher price - as long as the quality stays high. You've got a great menu and a crab cake recipe to die for...please don't lose your touch.
(4)Hannah H.
While my husband and I were in the Old Town area, we decided to come here for a weekend brunch. I was really excited as this place had been on my list of 'To Eat' for a while! We were the first in line and it seemed as if the restaurant itself had been recently remodeled? It looked very swanky and nice, and not at all how I had imagined it to be! Our server was Jeremy, and he was okay. We started off with a sampler of the 6 different raw oysters they had for the day: the Totten Inlet (Washington), the Hammersley (Washington), the Hood Canal (Washington), the Point Judith (Rhode Island), the Blue Points (Connecticut), and the New Point Comfort (Virginia); it came with cocktail sauce, fresh horseradish, and clarified butter. They were very very FRESH and I REALLY enjoyed them! We also ordered Fried Oysters, Popcorn Shrimp & Calamari, Old Bay French Fries, and Mac and Cheesy. The fried oysters were HUGE, and both that and the popcorn shrimp and the calamari had the same batter - I expected it to be more crunchy, but it was underseasoned; I think the objective was to taste the seafood rather than the batter. I wasn't a fan of their tartar sauce as well. The Old Bay fries were fine, and I did like the Mac and Cheesy, as it was nice and creamy with breadcrumbs on top. I was a little disappointed that they didn't have their famous brussel sprouts for brunch. I would definitely come back here for the raw oysters, but probably not order off of their main menu. +fresh raw oysters +hit-or-miss service
(3)Donald L.
Really enjoyed Hank's at happy hour. I stopped in for a happy hour one evening while staying in Alexandria on business. It is a convivial, charming place that is up a few steps from the sidewalk in old town. The bartender recommended 3 types of oysters on happy hour that were so good that I indulged in a second dozen. The beers were craft and local there was nary a large brewer of domestic to be found. If you find yourself in Alexandria, stop in for a beer and some oysters. It is a little slice of heaven.
(5)Jenny P.
Oyster fans, this bar is for you! At $2.75 per, you can sample a variety. My friend and I stopped by for light refreshments on Saturday afternoon and had 3 per person. Instead of other oyster bars that have an a la carte menu, our server brought out two of each type based on her expertise (or maybe oyster-of-the-day sort of thing). All fresh and even sweet. Also, she brought out complementary dark chocolates to go with our beers when we were done with the oysters, which was very gracious!
(5)Jared G.
In town for work, saw some good reviews, figured I'd give it a shot. It was fine, nothing to write home about (almost literally, spoke to my wife on the phone, didn't even bring up eating here). The place looks nice, a bit small. The people working there were all good. The place is just overpriced for what it is, and after all the talk of how great of a lobster roll they have, it was just OK. The "sauce" didn't have much taste. There were some larger chunks of lobster, but it was obviously filled out by a LOT of small threads of lobster which weren't very good. The bread was fine, didn't blow me out of the water. Same with the fries. They were there, nothing great. For $25 for a lobster roll, I expect a bit more. I left feeling "a-ok" about the experience, so, 3 stars. I am not really unhappy about going, but won't be going again.
(3)Ferdinand T.
Most expensive happy hour ever. $1 oyster nice I ordered 4 Spritz. (Half a shot of aperol, sparking dry wine, soda water, ice and an orange wedge) bartender charged me $18 dollars for each. She charged a shot of aperol and a glass of sparkling wine. Really??? So if I had ordered a Long Island iced tea, she would have charged me for each liquor in it? (tequila, gin, rum, vodka, 3-sec) Not the best service but I do not expect that during happy hour. Bar is extremely uncomfortable, since the wall and the bar are 3-ft apart. The lighting was extremely bright. Good luck
(1)Brian M.
Great little gem in Old Town! The place is small which creates this very cozy and intimate atmosphere. Perfect spot for a casual meal or date. We stopped here on our way to a Nationals game (perfect to jump off the metro at King Street). Ended up ordering a 14 oysters (they had 7 different types) with Fries and Mac & Cheesy. Oysters were amazing, fresh and came out quickly! We devoured them in no time which was a good thing we ordered a few other menu items. The Mac & Cheesy is out of this world bad for your health but great tasting. This was one of our better meals that we have had! I highly recommend this place if you are in Old Town.
(4)Philip A.
I have been to both hanks seafood spots. The food is good, not great. It is pretty pricey for what you get. I just think that for seafood in this area that you can do way better, cheaper. 25 dollars for a lobster roll that was ok. Lukes in Georgetown 15 dollar lobster roll is 10x better.. Fresher and better executed. I am not saying this place isn't worth going to, but it's far from the best
(3)Ashley A.
Great atmosphere, great food, great cocktails! Seafood is exceptionally fresh. The signature cocktails should not be missed. They have casual seafood classics and sophisticated seafood staples of the northeast and do them both exceptionally well. Great spot to meet friends or family. I love the little goldfish crackers and chocolate chunks they give as complimentary start and end of meal treats.
(5)A T.
We took some friends from out of town here for a summer dinner. We got there right at the time most happy hours are in full swing- esp. ones with a bar the size of the one in this place. So, this said, I was a little concerned when I walked in and saw BAR- esp as we had kids in our party. During five or so minute wait for our table (not bad- we did call 15 min ahead of time at the recommendation of the hostess) we asked about any drink specials- none. Oyster specials, but no drink specials. Huh? We were brought to our table in the back- and this this where the charm of the place came in- it was well done. We went to order and did the "oyster special-" not really a special: $1-a-piece oysters. Hmmm. So we got the least expensive item- (the $16 oyster poboy) all of us did- and kids things for the kids. And this was my problem with the place- the sandwich was good, but small- oysters were good- but it all added up. And there was no give on prices at any stage. Our bill was HUGE. I know rents are high in old town Alexandria, but it was silly. You've got to give customers a little room to breathe. Regular happy hour specials on the drinks would have gotten star #4. A larger poboy would have gotten the fifth.
(3)Shandra H.
The oysters were great at Hanks this past Friday. However, the service was horrible. The hostess was rude and racist. The bartender was slow to take our order for drinks. And our waitress in the main dining room was condescending and attentive. Also their website says happy hours between 5 and 7 which was untrue. The hostess said happy hour is from 530 to 630. We had to wait 30 minutes to order oysters at the dollar and $1.25 price.
(2)Robert A.
Update: Hank's has some of the best bartenders in Alexandria. They're both friendly and knowledgeable. Although the beer menu isn't massive, it's extremely well thought out and contains the most interesting brews around. It's a must do if you're hanging out in Old Town.
(5)Kim B.
This place is always great from the food to the drinks to the service. I live nearby and my relatives always request eating here whenever they visit. I recommend anything whether it's seafood or not, especially oysters and shrimp cocktail. If you like seafood or not, this place is great. It can be a little pricey, but worth it. The space for seating is pretty small and they don't take reservations, so you might have to call ahead, plan to go at a time when it might be less busy, or wait a bit at the bar area or nearby.
(5)Meaghan M.
This place is so great. The menu looks absolutely fantastic and seeing others plates, I do believe this is completely true. I stuck to oysters which were on point ! And Tom, the bartender is so great, very kind and informative about the area. I definitely will revisit next time I'm here and I most certainly recommend
(5)Tyler W.
Wow. Simply wow. Best oyster bar I have ever been to bar none. You can order your oysters based off region. It was extremely educational. I was shocked at how large of a degree the tastes vary from bay to bay. The oysters were fresh and the service was A+. Will be back.
(5)Andrew C.
Ate there tonight solo and sat at the bar. Lucked out on the game on the two flat panels, as it was slow at 8:30. Oysters need two things, super fresh, check, expertly opened, not so good as there was shell in 3 out of eight. I had the lobster roll. OK I am spoiled to ones in Maine and Mary's, Pearl's etc in NYC. First it came before I was half way finished with my oysters. Bad form as the bun is warm and the fry's are hot. It was a little dry. Bun, near perfect, lobster, a little bland. I felt rushed in an empty restaurant, but the food overall was good.
(3)Grant H.
Come for the oysters, stay for the goldfish crackers, chocolate and service. Tom, in the bar is great! He is personable, friendly and specific with food and drink recommendations. Haven't had a bad dish here! Take home a free Hank's coozie when you order a Natty Bo. We are new to the neighborhood, but will be regulars. The lobster roll was a good size (not too big), light with a nice buttery roll. The old bay fries could us a bit more old bay, especially if you are from MD, but they are crispy and good. The pear and arugula salad is delish. Try the local salty oysters with the mignonette. This will be a go-to for us in old town.
(5)Lori W.
5 minute walk from my new casa here in Old Town. Lucky girl. Best news is that they are expanding, taking the space next door. Thank goodness because 6 bar stools is way too small for this incredible place. Rumor has it...late Fall for the expansion. John is an incredible bartender, makes great cocktails and is instrumental in the unique drink development. Have been here about 10 x since moving to Old Town. Creature of habit...the mussels, hands down, are some of the best anywhere - ask for a thicker broth to dunk the bread. A crisp Albarino is always my go-to, but a Belgian beer would go perfectly too or a Gewurztraminer (yes, I can spell). Simple pleasures...a little ramekin of Pepperidge Farm cheddar goldfish is placed in front of every patron. This past Sunday, I had the mussels, natch, but started with a refreshing salad: Watermelon salad with fennel, red onions, kalamata olives & feta. yummy. Happy place, happy servers. Little ramekin of dark chocolate chunks are given to each patron after the meal too. Nice touch. I do wish they had a tv though - can undertand why they don't - space. Maybe with the expansion?
(4)Allison S.
This is one busy place! We had to wait for 20 minutes for a table and we did the call ahead option too. I guess we were lucky because a group of five were still waiting after we left... so call ahead and make sure your whole group is there. P.S. I wouldn't suggest this place for big crowds, the place is rather small and most of the tables are two tops, I want to say that are long tables in the back but I feel like I'm mixing another seafood bar up with this one... Overall it's a pretty small place, quite packed so not much room for a clan of medieval dressed Goldfish to snack on while waiting and dark chocolate at the end of the meal :) Nice touch! To start it off we got a sampler of the oysters, it came with six oysters: three different kinds, sorry I can't remember what kinds but all were very good and fresh. And we also got the seafood ceviche, small portion but since we were sharing it was sufficient. Again fresh, a little heat and nice herbs to compliment the freshness of the dish! I know it's sad but I had the steak dinner at an oyster bar, but I will say, "Great Steak!" The ribeye steak came with brown gravy, delicious! It also came with two sides, I chose the spinach and mac and cheese and I was not disappointed! My BFF got the lobster roll, which was suggested by the waitress, she said it's what they are known for. The roll was pretty stuffed which is great, I want to say it was good, but sadly I was obsessed with my steak so, I didn't take too much note about her lobster roll... As far as service the waitress was ok, I had a couple of problems of flagging her down to ask for stuff, which in my opinion, should have been given to me beforehand, such as silverware. But it was in the middle of dinner rush any good waitress could get overwhelmed and miss some details. Overall the meal was great, when back in the Northern VA, I wouldn't be opposed to coming back here.
(4)Tracy H.
Well.... It's an oyster bar, which means the oysters were awesome. They were very fresh and taste creamy and I love them! Besides the oysters, we also ordered the rib eye cause it was the daily special. It was quite disappointing. Although the rib eye was cooked just as we ordered(medium well), but somehow we didn't feel like it was worth the money($32), it was thin and small and the sauce tasted salty.... We had brussels sprout and onion ring as sides and they were totally out of our expectation(bad). We got a tiny portion rings and just mediocre brussels sprout. I guess cause it's an oyster bar so the rest of the food doesn't matter at all, lol. Maybe come back just for the oysters.
(3)Jeff D.
the bar is nice with a fresh open feel, lots of marble and white. The bartender was kind and inviting, she made some suggestions that were spot on. The food was good with a nice presentation. The only thing I can fault about the place was the greeter a young gentleman that was rude.
(4)Brandy C.
Have been here several times since my last review and it is delicious as ever! Came here on a Friday night with a girlfriend with the intention of stuffing ourselves silly. Mission accomplished! The oysters still rocked my socks, absolutely! Mussels, still freakin awesome! We also got the peel n' eat shrimp (tasty), portabello mushrooms with goat cheese (to die for), duck-fat fried potatoes (amazing), and the mac and cheesy (OMG WOW). Top it all off with a couple of their Saison beers and you will be in seafood heaven. LOVE THIS PLACE! P.S. The service was great too, even on a Friday night!
(5)Jen T.
Where have you been all those times we were in Old Town. So glad we hunted this place since it's not easy to find with lack of signage. Who would imagine once you open their door, there's a long bar area with more dining in the other side. Love love love goldfish crackers and it's a first sign that this place is for me when the server brought us a little dish to munch on. Had the Cobb salad with seafood- woo hoo my favorites on a plate- all sorts of seafood like shrimp, calamari and eggs with some bacon and avocados. BF almost did a little dance when he took a bite of his shrimp po boy. I think we didn't even talk during our meal because we were busy stuffing our face. Oink oink. Best lunch we had in quite a while. Definitely on our fave list!
(5)Emma M.
Wow! This place is amazing. Food is awesome, service is great and the atmosphere is wonderful. I am a huge oyster shooter fan and there's were great! I also loved everything on there menu, not just the oysters. Flat iron steak and lamb burger were both very tasty. Definitely a great place to go!
(5)Chris W.
Lots of great new options for happy hour! Dollar Oysters always work with lots of variety. The crab cake dinner with sides was awesome and very tasty. Tons of oyster meal choices including Po Boy and some other fried options! Lots of local DC, VA and MD beers to choose from. Nothing ends a evening like an Oyster shooter.
(4)Vivian D.
I love oysters and was quite hyped to try out this restaurant. We ordered a few cocktails, two oyster shooters and the popcorn shrimp & calamari to start. $11 for an oyster shooter because we wanted ketel one instead of saki in our oyster shooters (which normally goes for $4 each). That was ridiculous. And it wasn't even that good. The popcorn dish was nothing special--- just your average straight up battered fried squid and shrimp with a side of dipping sauce. I had too much alcohol to actually remember what the dipping sauce was but the dish was very bland in my opinion (even with the help of the sauce). I had to squeeze lemon and add a few touches of seasonings to be able to enjoy it. I ordered the ceviche next for my starter. This was the absolute worst ceviche that I have ever had. It was composed solely of squid and shrimps that appeared cooked because they were hard to chew on. When I expressed my dislike of the ceviche to the manager, she gave me an attitude and then explained to me that the restaurant prepared them differently in that they "poach the seafood and there is very minimal seasoning", then she instructed me to "squeeze the lime on the side to give it more flavors". Ummm...okay. When I think of ceviche, I think of raw seafood marinated in lime juice...not cooked squid and shrimps with a side of lime. It took her awhile but she came to her senses and took the ceviche off our bill. My friend ordered the crab cake dinner for her entree which she enjoyed very much. As for me, I wanted to try their oysters. I asked our server Curtis what oysters they have and he started listing them out for me verbally. The problem with this is that it was very loud in the restaurant and I couldn't hear or focus on anything he said. I asked if the list of oysters were written out somewhere so I can see. He vaguely said it was written out on a chalkboard (but I had no clue where that was). Like the manager, he seemed pretty irritated and agitated the more questions I asked so I just left it at that. I wish he was more accommodating and had written the names for me on a piece of paper because I really wanted to try all of them but I had no idea what they were offering. Also, at other restaurants that I've been to they have the names of the oysters as well as what you should expect them to taste like all written out so I felt like it wasn't something crazy for me to ask. I ended up just telling him that I like my oysters sweet and went with his suggestions. I got the eld inlet and totten inlet oysters from Washington state. I didn't like the eld inlet oysters as much as the totten. It was more briny while the totten inlet was sweeter and had a melon after taste....reminds me of kumamotos! Really glad I got to try those. Overall, this place is good for $1 oysters happy hour but I wouldn't come here to dine dine. The only part of my dinner that I enjoyed was the small window in which I was able to taste the oysters and you can go to any oyster bars for oysters! Food was average and overpriced. They could have made up with good service but alas that was also too much to ask. Both the server and the manager were dismissive of me and my friend. Our server Curtis was hardly at our table unless to take our orders or to bring us our check. Both server and manager never smiled once throughout our entire dining experience. We did not feel welcome and left as soon as we finished our entrees. Forget dessert! Time to skidaddle.
(2)Dan Y.
Dined at Hank's Oyster Bar last night (2/28/15) and was not disappointed. Everything was excellent...seriously, everything was excellent and, even better, unpretentious. The food, the service, and the ambiance were all excellent. For starters, we (a group of four) had some fresh oysters which included some Blue Point and Salty Wolfe's which were incredibly fresh and delicious! Then we moved into the main course which we ordered the lobster roll, fried oyster po' boy, fried oyster meal, and the night's featured meat, the ribeye. Everyone loved their respective orders. I tried my wife's lobster roll and was in heaven! I ordered the fried oyster po' boy. I've had fried oysters before but I doubt I've ever had better prepared fried oysters than the ones that were served at Hank's. Everything was delicious and fresh tasting. What was so pleasant is that the dishes were kept simple, not over-sauced, or over-seasoned which allowed the main ingredients of the dishes to stand out. This was true with with both the lobster in the lobster roll, the fried oysters in the po' boy, and even the cole slaw that accompanies the po' boy. I didn't try out my friend's ribeye, but he was thoroughly pleased. The main courses were, simply put, excellent. At the end of the meal, we were surprised with a small dish of delicious Colombia-sourced chocolate. After reading the reviews, we couldn't resist ordering the key lime pie. "Wow" is the simplest way to put it. I also have to note that a previous yelper mentioned that they were disappointed by their beer selection. I could not disagree more with that part of the review. They simply have more beers on the menue, both on tap and bottled, than you would ever find in an average restuarant and probably 90% of all restuarants you will dine at. My buddy had the Founder's IPA, my wife had one of the lagers, and I had the seasonal Anderson Valley Winter Solstice. They were all excellent and, if you think about it, very different beers. I also noticed that they had some of Left Hand Milk Stout on Nitro as well! I've only mentioned about a fifth of their selection. You do the math - they have a lot of quality beer. Don't miss out on this place! I know I won't!
(5)Kathy S.
My son and his girlfriend had oysters here last night and got food poisoning. They told the server they tasted funny but was told they were good oysters. Last week my friend was also here eating oysters and got really sick as well.
(1)Bill M.
So, the lady flew in, and told me she wanted seafood. A quick browse through Yelp, and we picked Hank's, which was walking distance from my work place. Went in at 6ish on a Friday evening, got seated immediately. The place was hopping. The server was attentive, informative, and not pushy. We had the pear and arugula salad and the toasted mozzarella salad. Both were exquisite. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly sized (we both had half of each). I had the lobster roll, and she had the scallops. The scallops were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The lobster roll was a combination of thick meaty lobster salad, on a fresh warm toasted buttered roll. A perfect balance of sweet and salty. We were too stuffed to eat dessert, but the small bowl of dark chocolate provided at the end was a really nice touch. Highly recommended.
(5)Myan T.
My boyfriend and I recently moved to Nashville and after 3 months of absolutely HORRIBLE seafood in a landlocked state, we felt like we were in oyster heaven at Hank's. We stopped into Hank's for lunch during Thanksgiving weekend and were lucky enough to get a table without having to wait in the otherwise full restaurant. To start, we had 8 raw oysters. The waiter graciously ordered us a sample of each of the 6 oysters Hank's had and doubled up on his two favorites. The oysters were absolutely delicious. I've never had cleaner, fresher, nor delicious oysters in my life. They were served with sides of cocktail/horseradish and clarified butter though they didn't need anything more than a simple squeeze of lemon juice. I could honestly eat about 20 of these by myself and die a happy woman. We also shared the steamed mussels which featured a sauce good enough to drink with a straw. These mussels were outstanding. Take my word for it: GET THE MUSSELS. You will not be disappointed. They weren't huge but they were fresh and texturally perfect. The waiter happily provided as much bread for dipping as our hearts contented. We went through 3 baskets of bread and when it came time to leave, our waiter even offered to give us a little box for the sauce and some extra bread to go. Full of pride, we declined though I regretted that decision later that night. The bill came out to about $45 with tip. Not a cheap lunch but it was the perfect amount of food and the meal was well worth it. The food was outstanding and the excellent service was the cherry on top. The waiters were attentive without being intrusive and they were casual/laidback without being blasé. Overall, a truly wonderful lunch. We both left Hanks with huge smiles and will definitely be back!
(5)Mike L.
This was a very cool place. It appears to be newly renovated based on how new it looked as well as comments made by a local I was with. The staff was very friendly, super knowledgeable waiter, and great food. I had the scallops which were fantastic and the lobster roll. This is too much for one person to eat alone (I was sharing so don't get both). The oysters were also fantastic as was the beer selection. I will return next time I am in town.
(5)Kristen V.
Great food and beer. Salty Wolfe oysters on a half shell so yummy! Fried Calamari and shimp good too! Must try!
(5)Marc W.
Yum yum yum. I remain convinced that crab cakes should be broiled and not fried but it's places like this that make me question my own ideals. Add to that some of the best local oysters I've ever had and my favorite maligned swill of a beer Natty Boh and you get this gem of a place. Pricier than I would like but well in line with the area. If I lived near here I would be in serious trouble. Nice atmosphere accommodating staff. All in all well worth the trip.
(4)Nunca A.
I can only discuss in detail the actual establishment experience seeing as how when my friends dragged me here for my birthday dinner it was because they are oyster eaters and not myself. The main culprit rather enjoyed the oysters so I must make note of that for oyster lovers who may come across the review. With that said, I can now move forward. I enjoyed my mac and cheese and spinach sides and the fried catfish. The waitress may have had a bad day or was distracted by life but she seemed a bit short in her conversation with the table and almost snappy in her tone. It was loud and only one who enjoys the smell of heavy alcohol (and people filled with that in their breath) while eating can stomach a table near the bar. If you have a small appetite, the sides are a good enough size for an appetizer or small plate but the entree overall is not that big in amount or quantity either. Everything seems to range in the mid-20s for price but to me, not worth the price. The food tastes like it should all average around 8 an entree.
(3)Carrie A.
Hands down best oysters ever! The bartender Tom will make you feel at home while making you the best cocktail ever!!!
(5)Kristy S.
Just ok, lobster roll was fine but nothing special ($25). Fries were good and service was good too.
(3)Daniel K.
First time coming here and I was not disappointed. We were very lucky to get there at the time we arrived as there was one open table for us. It's best to call in for reservation for a place like this. It was mostly packed. Looking at the menu everything look delicious. Note that the menu actually changes everyday. We ordered the muscles which was under the "small" dishes which was actually quite large. I would say it is a good appetizer for two. I myself ordered Lobster Roll dinner which I was kinda disappointed in, it needed more seasoning, and more juice as it was a bit dry for my taste. The desert was delicious, I forgot what it was called again however it was a soft pastry with chocolate in the inside and outside with little whip cream. Waiter was very courteous and attentive. I will definitely try this place out again in the near future.
(4)Chris P.
Great lunch. Fresh fresh fresh. Oysters lobster and champagne with a window seat overlooking King Street. Can't wait to go back
(4)Jamie S.
I've eaten here many times. I always get the oysters and they have a nice variety, of Chesapeake and Washington oysters. I'm wired to like the local oysters because I'm from here but I haven't met a west coast oyster I don't like. Crab cakes, shrimp, coleslaw, mac and cheese, lobster bisque, oyster po'boys, mushrooms, lobster rolls are all delicious.
(5)Jessica S.
Amazing - I could eat the oysters all day. Really need to check out the $1 oyster happy hour. My husband, who doesn't like raw oysters, loved the oyster po boy. He said the fried oysters melted in his mouth. I liked the goldfish (instead of bread) and chocolate (with the check).
(5)Jessica M.
Hanks was absolutely amazing I have 0 complaints! I had one of the local beers which was light and tasty and I had 10 oysters and the lobster bisque for my meal. The oysters were incredible! I am a new oyster lover and at first I ordered 6 and then got 4 more. There were 6 different kinds of oysters to choose from. My brother had the lamb and the duck fat roasted potatoes were delicious. My mom had the rainbow trout and my dad had the fried oyster dinner. We only waited 10 minutes to be seated and the place was packed. If you are in the VA area this is the place to eat.
(5)Jing V.
I'd give this place zero, but two for the service. The food was terrible but at least the waitress did what she could to make sure our food came on time and waters were filled. We spent 130 dollars on what seemed to be overfried, greasy, farm raised seafood, that could be compared to microwavable food. We can here because we saw that they had the best raw oysters in town, but they did not taste fresh. I've had much better elsewhere. The restaurant interior is nice. It has warm lighting and has seating perfect for couples or a small group of friends. Unfortunately, the food was not up to par during our viist.
(2)Lee G.
This place was recommended by family so we wanted to try while we were in DC. Easy to find. Parking was available behind the buiilding. We had an oyster poboy, fried shrimp and calamari and onion rings. The food and the service was great! Would definitely eat here again.
(4)Robert M.
Slow way way down on the hype machine........in fact shut it down. With much anticipation, we were beyond excited to experience the Hanks aura. Hanks Oyster Bar bills itself as a casual, neighborhood type restaurant, but bills its' customers as a high end restaurant. Simple décor, friendly service, and absolutely the oysters are fresh and outstanding. Found the menu somewhat limiting though. After sharing a dozen oysters, both my wife and I struggled to pick a dinner. She went with the burger, I selected the Fried Clam Platter; my son had the Lobster Roll. Each meal was lackluster at best. And the Old Bay FF are suitable only for Claude Rains -- there is literally ZERO Old Bay flavor. . Coupled with HIGH prices throughout the entire menu - (e.g.a single soft shell crab is $18), and it adds up to two stars- - thanks only to the oysters. Unfortunately for Hanks, we had just dined at Thames in Baltimore -- and that is how an Oyster Bar is done !! Won't be going back to Hanks; ever, and don't recommend it.
(2)Josh V.
One of our favorite local spots that never disappoints. Never had anything bad, the scallops are probably my favorite. Can be tough at times to get a table, which just goes to show how good it is.
(5)Sarah S.
FRIED CHICKEN Yeah, this isn't about oysters. Or seafood. I'm visiting the area for work and hadn't been to this Hank's - I had visited the Dupont Circle location and never had to pleasing of an experience. Well, this Hank's was different. All the staff was super friendly and even the customers were - granted, I was sitting at the [tiny] bar. It was fun to mix with regulars and also some other out of towners. A nice little wine list and a good mix of regional and not so regional beer. They also make cocktails. The bartender was super friendly and very welcoming; I felt like a regular after I left. Every night of the week they offer a different special - Sunday night was fried chicken night, and you get two sides with it. I had brussels sprouts with mac and cheese. Both were good and the chicken, which was boneless, was very tasty! I'll surely be back to this Hank's when back in the area.
(4)Rachel S.
Excellent selection of oysters and all types were very fresh. Server knew a lot about the oysters and helped us choose a good variety. They fried the calamari and popcorn shrimp perfectly--for the second time. The dish is well seasoned and offers good value. Lobster roll was also good, not overly dressed. Nice wine and cocktail selection. The salads were very good--we had the fennel with pear and arugula and kale--a little pricey if you're not used to a $10+ salad. They're not meal size, but 2 salads and splitting the fried calamari was the perfect sized late dinner. This place fills up quick, you'll have better luck being seated with 2 than a large group. Host took my number and I got a text when the table was ready. I'll be back for sure!
(5)Rebecca A.
Enjoyed a great Sunday Brunch, complete with a spicy Bloody Mary. I tried the special, Smoked Trout hash with poached eggs. It was fantastic! My friend had the Crabcake Benedict, my second choice. It was a hard decision, with so many options on the menu. Goldfish are served when seated and dark chocolate with the check. The feel of the restaurant was very fresh and welcoming.
(4)Cameron F.
Oysters were great! The food was also pretty good. I would recommend the asparagus, the portabela mushroom and the brussels sprout as you sides. I had the crab cakes and they were pretty standard, nothing outta this world. It's kind of a small cramped area and the wait staffed seemed over whelmed, which was unfortunate for them and us.
(4)Jessica S.
I love Hank's Oyster Bar, and I bring all my out-of-town visitors here. All of their food is top notch, but their mussels are a must have! That sauce... ooh, I drool just thinking about it. I always ask for more bread so i can sop it all up - it's far too delicious to waste. Their servers are always attentive and friendly, and I love the dark chocolate chunks they serve after your meal. Their menu varies by the season and they have different specials each day. I also like their crabcake with its big chunks of crab. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Old Town. They also have a location in Dupont which has insanely good service even when it's busy.
(5)Pete J.
Loved the chocolate after dinner. We started with an appetizer of calamari and shrimp. Perfectly cooked calamari and tasty shrimp. We then ordered fish tacos and the fried clams. Clams had brussel sprouts which were tasty and coleslaw which was fair at best. Great beer selection. I would come back.
(4)Dora E.
We have been to Hank's Oyster Bar previously. I have to say that experience was great. Last time, they were busy, but our waiter was great. The food was great and the arrival of the food was timed perfect. However, last night's service was horrible. It started great since we called in to put our name for a table. When we arrived we were almost seated immediately. The dinning room was not too busy. We're a party of two. Our waitress took our drink and our appetizer order. Our drinks and 1 of 2 apps arrived. She came to check on us, so far so good. She also took our entree order. Keep in mind it is not busy. The wait staff do not run their drink or food orders or bus the table. They have other staff to do it. We never saw our waitress for the next 45 minutes. The tables next to us finished their meals and another groups got seated. Their apps and entrees arrived timely. We were like what is wrong with this picture. She finally comes over and asked if we ever got the second app??? Or entrees??? Furthermore, She tried to blame it on "others". She kept saying "others" told her that we had already received and ate our dinner. She joked about it. She did not even apologize about the situation instead she indicated it was coming right out. We waited for another 15 minutes before the food arrived. Again, she blamed on the "others". We were like who are the others. I understand that we were in a tourist area, but we are locals. Their business will not be hurting because of my review or from me never going back. We have worked in the restaurant and hospitality industry so we know things can happen. I personally did not appreciate how she handled the situation. Pp
(2)Chanel D.
The fried Ipswich clams were some of the freshest, and lightest that I've ever had. Not chewy, hard strips that resemble crunchy cheetos (you know what I'm talking about!) As a side, I had the grilled portobello mushrooms with goat cheese, which were beautifully prepared. My sister shared the clams with me and ordered a side of the mac and cheese. The portion was disappointingly small, but still delicious. Our friend got the lobster roll and a side of duck fat french fries which were decadently filing and good. There wasn't any room for dessert, but that's just an excuse to come back here again.
(4)Nicole B.
This place was a great Monday night dinner. Lobster roll was great! Bun was soft toasty and buttery. The oysters impeccable! A true win! Love the atmosphere and the attentive staff. My new oyster hang out.
(4)Tri T.
They had six options for oysters and we stuck with the local tastes which were all extremely good. I recommend getting 5-6 per person before you dive into your meal. One order of mussels will accommodate a table of four and they were also tasty. The tomato soup was mediocre in my opinion but the sablefish was really good. For what it's worth, sablefish is pretty meaty (I had no clue). To date, this is my favorite place to get oysters. More exploring to do though.
(4)Katya S.
I went there for Valentine's Day. The place is small but cozy. I would recommend it. Oysters were great.
(3)Erin M.
My Friday night experience at Hank's Old Town as awful. It doesn't matter that the food was good. (But it was only good- not great.) First, they need a visible policy on their website about not accommodating large groups. It's a small, tight space that can't fit groups more than 6-8. I was with a group of 20. I walked in during lunch to warn them, and ask for help fitting in my large group at dinner. I was flat out told by the door staff that they wouldn't do anything for me. They said to call 30 mins out. So I did. Again on the phone it was made very clear to me that they weren't going to help me. They never even asked my name to start the reservation/table. If it had been remotely possible for me to contact my group of 20 and send everyone to a better, friendlier restaurant, I would have. Unfortunately, that just wasn't possible. I walked in 15 minutes early and again asked them to start the table. They suggested instead that my group just stand in the back of the bar the whole night. (SERIOUSLY??? STAND for dinner??) After a few more minutes I realized they still hadn't ever taken my name, and when my friends would arrive, and ask for my table, they wouldn't find us. So again I went up and talked to them. Each encounter was rude and annoying. Talk about horrible service. After a few minutes I had 20 friends standing in the back of the bar waiting. No one offered to get us drinks, appetizers, etc. We just stood there waiting for a table. It was awful! Now that I've been there I see and understand why they couldn't sit us all together. But they could have done a much better job with the customer service while we waited. I've been to the Dupont Circle location and loved it. (Where my large group was seated and treated nicely without incident.) As for the good- it was good. It wasn't great. Completely average. I expected much better (because the DuPont experience was much better). I won't go back, even though I love oysters and seafood and work a block away. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone either. There are other oyster locations in Old Town with much better customer service. I will add one clause to my experience. The male staff I spoke to were just awful. One woman, that I presume to be the manager for the night, was helpful and kind (but not until I had a friend go up and start talking to her. I had reached the point of volcanic explosions with the rudeness from the male staff.). Had she not been as kind and helpful as she was, I would have gone ballistic. Called: 7 pm Entered: 7:15 Group arrived: 7:30 First group seated: 8:20 Second group: 8:40 Third group (me): 9 My food arrive: 9:30 We left by 10.
(2)Lianne F.
SUPER delicious and fresh seafood but the prices are kind of crazy for a DC area restaurant. The menu rotates so you are bound to find something that tickles your fancy but the special seared sea scallops was a whopping $29. We just stuck to appetizers and my son had a burger. After the burger, two glasses of wine, a root beer, oysters on the half shell and an appetizer the bill was easily over $100. I have heard the HH prices are better, don't get me wrong, I love it and I don't mind paying for quality but here the portion sizes are TINY for what they charge. Especially when I can get a better lobster roll on a food truck for less $.
(3)Abram J.
Summary: Overpriced. Ok but not great food. Great service. Pros: Great compact venue in the middle of Old Town. Prompt, knowledgeable, courteous servers (they let me borrow a charger for my iPhone!). Excellent oysters. Cons: Significantly over-priced. Lobster roll is what the server said they are "known for" -- this was bland and cheap. Probably cost them $5-6 in food cost for the cup-scoop of lobster salad, the toasted hot dog roll, and the half-potato-worth of house fries. The price for this dish? $25 -- enough to buy a whole lobster. To be fair, I only got the Lobster Roll dinner and the 6-oyster sampler, but I did so at the advice of the server. There were a few chunks of lobster in the salad, but overall it was bland and nothing to write home about... Surely not something I would want to be my flagship menu item. DEFINITELY nowhere near $25 in food on that plate -- that money could have been much better spent elsewhere. Also, $2.25 per oyster is kind of dumb. These oysters are good, but not any better than the exact same oysters that other reputable raw bars are selling. No reason to spend twice as much here. My bill for the lobster roll meal and the 6 oysters was $43. I would have been comfortable spending maybe $18 on this meal.
(3)Diana P.
The raw oyster selections were delicious! You can never go wrong here if you're an oyster lover. We also had the lobster roll and crab cake and both were prepared to perfection. This is one of the more popular places in Old Town so the wait can be a while on the weekend (they do not take reservations). I suggest getting your name on the list and then take a stroll to the pier and back. You can also hang at the itty bitty bar... if there's room.
(4)Yaka H.
Went on a Friday and was delighted to find that HH specials were available! We had to wait a bit for our table, so we sat at the bar to pass the time. The bartender was very friendly and helpful. $1 oysters HH (on select oysters written on the blackboard) until 6:30! Hurray! So, I had to partake in that immediately! This happy gal slurped a yummy dozen, easily. Each order comes with lemons, cocktail sauce, horseradish, and mignonette (which I didn't care too much for, but it's just personal preference). I only wished I lived closer to partake in this HH more frequently. At the table, we started off the a little bite of fried shrimp & calamari and a Caesar salad. The salad was lightly dressed, which was pleasant. The romaine was quite fresh and the adorned crackers added some nice pizzazz to the salad. The fried calamari and shrimp were fried just perfectly. The shrimp and calamari were tender and succulent. This has to be my number one experience for fried shrimp and calamari. It was just that good; I'm not sure if it was just a fluke, but I'll have to be back and see. For entrees, I just ordered the steamed mussels (which is actually an appetizer to share) and SX had the lobster roll. The steamed mussels were steaming in this bath of velvety-rich white wine, tomato, and garlicky goodness. Luckily, our server stopped by and thoughtfully gave me a spoon, an oyster fork, and a basket of bread without me even asking. I was also surprised at the sheer amount of delicious mussels placed in front of me. SX exclaims that his lobster roll was very good. He liked that you can tell that there were distinct large chunks of lobster and that the dressing wasn't overpowering the lobster meat.
(4)Joseph M.
I spend 200-400 dollars every time I'm in, and that's just me plus one. Either personal friends or work related during happy hour. That amount doesn't include my other guests. Sometimes I'll bring 5-6 additional guests. Needless to say, me and my guests love this place, and we spend a lot of hard earned money here. We love oysters, Hank's others dishes, and what they have on tap. It's a great selection and it's delicious. To make a long story short, we were seated at the small window table with my guests in the front behind the hostess station. Bartender was great, blonde bearded guy. A good friend of mine had just returned from a deployment, and we were celebrating. Invited his wife and newborn out as well. My brother, his wife, and a few other guests joined us. We we were on our 3rd of round oysters, having a wonderful time, when I finally procured a stool from the bar. It was busy. I developed a bad back, and was injured while with the gov't. Needless to say, after an hour of standing I needed a seat. I grabbed one when the place started to clear out after happy hour. Right after, someone named Jon or John, younger fellow, dark hair, that was helping the hostess with incoming guest seating, with a gruff attitude told me rudely that he "needed my seat." Right in front of me and my guests, he took my seat and gave it to another guest. No explanation. I was shocked. Furthermore, he was rude when I asked him later why as a paying customer, I was being the denied the right to sit? Why another guest had a higher priority than me? Nothing, no response. Just a disrespectful attitude. He looked at me like I was garbage. Hank's, I don't bring this up, and I don't use it as an excuse in my life or as a free pass, but I served my country, have a bad back because of it, recommend this place to everyone, pretty easy going, bring a lot of people in here, including vets, we spend money here on a regular basis, and I'm denied a seat for an unspecified reason? I asked the nice hostess if this was an acceptable form of behavior for staff at Hank's, and she mumbled that John can be "possessive." I mean how rude can you be when I'm bringing in customers and telling them how great this place is, only to be embarrassed? I'll take my business elsewhere. I highly doubt I'll receive a response to this review. Obviously, Hank's does well. But I'm just some guy right? Some guy that laid it on the line, and is disrespected and embarrassed...
(1)Candace J.
We went here while staying in Old Town for the weekend celebrating our anniversary. We walked in around 7:30 and asked for a table for two. We were told it would be a 35 minute wait- not a problem we would wait at the bar. An hour and a half later we were STILL NOT SEATED. We had watched numerous people walk in the door and get seated before us. So finally my husband went to the host and he literally told us he'd forgotten about us. What the hell? So we closed out our bar tab (which, after waiting for 90 minutes already hungry we had ordered two drinks, two beers, and one appetizer and our tab was $80) and were seated. I ordered local MD oysters, hubs ordered Oysters Rockefeller, and we both ordered the scallops entree (with sea beans, mushrooms, and onion fondue). The waiter brought me different oysters without any explanation or heads up and said they were just out of what I ordered. I had no chance to say whether I wanted them. The rockefeller was pretty good, no comments there. However, both of our entrees were extremely salty. We might as well have just eaten the salt shaker instead. All in all, NOT impressed in the slightest. We spent almost $200 there and given the experience and quality we wouldn't have paid even half of that. We absolutely will never return.
(2)Sweet N.
The food here is always fresh and yummy. The oysters are always fresh and the selection is great! Happy hour is even better. Avoid weekends around dinner time. The last two times I've been, the wait was over an hour. You might want to aim for after 9pm.
(4)Kathryn K.
I came here for dinner with my husband and a friend during the week, right after happy hour ended. We were told the wait would probably be 45 min, an hour tops which wasn't a problem, there's always plenty of window shopping in the area! We came back 40 minutes later and the hostess told us it wouldn't be much longer so stick around... At the hour mark I checked in with the hostess again and got another "soon!" but the manager overheard and comped us a round of drinks which was much appreciated. We finally got a table after waiting for an hour and a half which I consider pretty unacceptable given the initial range. If they told me an hour and half from the beginning we would have gone somewhere else and come back another night. On to the important part...the food! Yummy. Oysters on the half shell, fried oysters, peel and eat shrimp, tomato salad, lobster bisque all delicious. Fish Tacos were just ok. The drinks (both the comped and the ahem...next round) were strong and tasty. Our waiter was also great and helped us pick out oysters to try. Service was much faster than expected given how long we waited for a table. If my rating were based solely on the food and service at the table I would be hitting a solid 4 stars. The drinks went a long way to help with the wait but really, wait times shouldn't be that far off. Lesson learned, call ahead.
(3)Michelle B.
I started eating raw oysters within the past year. Hank's is one of the places I go to get them during their weekend happy hour. I don't typically buy drinks or any of their other food items (although the other items are good). I'm not really into the lobster roll that most people love. I like my lobster hot drizzled with butter without bread. Hank's is a great place for oysters.
(4)Beatriz B.
The oysters are amazing! Also had the fried oysters with Mac and cheesy, which were delicious! It was a little pricey, but we also had a drink with our meal.
(4)Marie E.
Stopped at Hanks for my first meal after landing in D.C. and checking into my hotel. I love oysters.....and could not wait to have lunch. It was nearing the end of the lunch service so it was not crazy busy ( plus for me). I ordered 2 of each oyster that had that day...Heaven!! I apologize for not remembering the names..but no complaints. I also ordered a glass of sparkling, the old bay fries, and dessert. Take the time to stop....you won't be dissappointed.
(4)Steve P.
Incredibly fresh and tasty oysters. The lobster roll is the best you'll have in the area. The fish is very fresh and prepared well. It can be pricey but it's worth it.
(4)H.R. N.
When my dinner companion and I were seated at our table, they started us off with a warm smile and a small bowl of goldfish crackers. Yeah, you heard me right--goldfish crackers. It doesn't quite say auspicious beginning when you see something like that. But a wise man once said, don't judge a restaurant by its cracker. I think. I've heard such good things about this Hank's, though, so I stayed the course. We ordered a dozen of the York oysters, but that's because they didn't have my usual darling--the Blue Point variety. Strange that they wouldn't have my favorite, actually. Still, my York oysters were clean, fresh, tasty. The cocktail sauce and horseradish, unfortunately, were not very flavorful supplements. Don't ask me why. My friend ate oysters for the very first time here. Her reaction was... mixed. (I can't take her anywhere! lol) Something I've never seen before, by the way, is sea salt on the table. A pinch here and a pinch there--nice touch. Next to come out were our shrimp cocktails, which were $3 each, and a small plate of fried shrimp sprinkled with Old Bay. I wasn't wild about the shrimp cocktail. I've had better. But the fried shrimp thingie, the only hot dish we ordered, was not bad at all. Being a rice junkie, I needed a starch to go with the meal, but could only find their Old Bay fries. Small and rather tasteless, they were transformed when I sprinkled a little malt vinegar on them. Thank you, vinegar! How about dessert? We first ordered the peach cobbler. Yuck. I've never tasted bitter peaches before. WTH. But our server was good enough to apologize and replace the order with key lime pie. Redemption via a key lime pie. Who knew? Four stars. Well deserved.
(4)Meredith R.
I LOVE this place! I have never had a bad dish or experience here (hope I'm not jinxing myself). Yes, you have to wait, but it's worth it and if you do your timing right, you won't have to wait too long. I love the goldfish they put down at your table to start! The oysters are always fantastic and fresh! We usually have the waiter make suggestions because it's hard to choose. I have had several of their dishes, but I love to order scallops here, they are to die for! The crabcakes are also very good. One of the suprising awesome thing that Hank's has going on is their wonderful side dishes. In fact, you can order a meal of just side dishes (perfect for vegetarians). Their mac n' cheese is awesome, as is almost all their other sides. We've never come here in a group larger than 4 people, I'm not sure if/how you could, the space is very tight. So it's really a date or double date type place. Cons - it is very small, but if it were bigger, it wouldn't be nearly as special! On busy night and nice weather nights, the wait can be very long. Tip: put your name in and walk a little bit around King Street to kill time - the bar is really small, so having a cocktail while you wait is difficult. Pros - great service, great value, great food, great atmosphere, good wine selection, super cute spot!
(5)Ryan R.
Stopped in here for lunch today since I've heard nothing but good things about this restaurant. Even know the name says a lot about what they are known for, I was in the mood for a salad. Any not just any salad of course ... it had to have goat cheese. Hank's did not disappoint! I ordered the Spring Salad. Fresh strawberries, goat cheese and heirloom lettuces with candied pecans and kumquat vinaigrette ... and yes it takes even better than it sounds! It was amazing! I even added in a side of chilled marinated beets which topped off the perfect lunch. The salad was a very fair $10 dollars and with a side of beets at $5 dollars, I was able to roll out under $20 bucks tip included. My cousin had the mussels ($12), of which I was allowed to try just one. It made me second guess my salad choice and regret the decision of trying to eat somewhat healthy. But I stood fast in my choice and will definitely get the mussels next time around. Along with lunch, they served us bread, butter and a jam that was incredible! Service was pretty good. Even though the restaurant wasn't too busy our server disappeared for a while and didn't come back to check on us until after we were through, but it was still a great experience. It's in a great location in Old Town and a perfect place to get out of the heat and grab a light lunch. I will definitely be back to try the mussels and oysters!
(4)Diane B.
I like this place and have been several times! The lobster rolls have large chunks of lobster, the oysters are A-one, and the grilled platter had some amazing squid, octopus, and calamari. So why only 4 stars? The wait to get in can be obnoxious, and they don't take reservations. If you want to be assured prompt seating, you have to arrive at an off hour.
(4)Eun S.
I think I've been to Hank's more than 5 times and I have never been disappointed. This level of consistency is hard to execute and is why I will continue to go back. The oysters are always fresh and the first time I tried their po boy was the single most rewarding thing ever! Their mac and cheese is crunchy and it too blew my mind. I'm almost reluctant to write them a good review because I don't want them to be too busy next time I go...
(5)Christa Z.
This place is awesome! There is something for everyone (way more than just oysters) and the wine list, though a bit short, has a great selection. We ordered a few of the small dishes and two of us got large plates. Everything was perfect, not one miss. I would totally recommend this to anyone. It is a little small but they do a good job of fitting everyone in just right without the overly crammed feeling. Good luck saving room for dessert!
(5)Jen D.
Excellent food, incredible sake bloody mary, very accomodating staff. We hit it during the in-between menu (4pm-5:30pm) when the place was nearly empty which was great. We wanted mussels and though they weren't on the menu, the manager had no problem putting the order in for us. The oysters were fantastic and we're looking forward to returning to try the fried oyster po'boy sandwich. It's a small space with some seating in the front with a couple of seats at the bar and more tables in back. The wait staff was very helpful, attentive but not overly so and they had great recommendations. Go...you won't regret it.
(4)Marianne L.
Dropped in here with a bunch of yelpers for a Happy Hour UYE this evening. Was looking forward to finally stopping in here as its yet another place I've passed by for years. This review is based on the happy hour oysters only. As Hank's bills itself as an "oyster bar" I figure the offerings should be above par. OYSTERS Three choices were available for the $1/oyster special: beausoleil (New Brunswick), westport (Massachusetts), and miyagi (Washington). I opted for the first two. I give thumbs up to Hank's for putting beausoleils on the happy hour menu. I couldn't think of a better choice for an option to introducing people to raw oysters. They were small, nice and delicate, yet still firm with a light, slightly sweet flavor. Very good and nice quantity of cold liquor in the deep well. Beausoleils are also nice because of their beautiful, clean shells making for an easier experience sometimes for those new to eating oysters on the half shell. The westports were ok. A little smaller than some of the other types of oysters I like, but a bit larger than the beausoleils. They had a nice sweet flavor and again like the beausoleils very mild, though I would have preferred just a bit more brine in the taste. They were ok - my opinion on the flavor is probably tainted more by the fact that while I enjoy bluepoints (which westports are), they aren't my favorite type of oyster. Accoutrements: Mignonette - Meh! The flavor was ok, but I really didn't like that the shallots had been minced to oblivion vs just a fine chop. Chili Sauce - Generous portion of horseradish (much appreciated) on top of the cocktail sauce making for near a 50/50 ratio. SERVICE AND ATMOSPHERE Very attentive and prompt, particularly for our large party. The place is very small, so there can be quite a din as the tables fill up, but its a nice casual place to kick back after work. So why only 2 stars? The flavor of the oysters was very good and they certainly were tasty. But the preparation of them was really sub-par. Of my 18 oysters, almost all had significant bits of shell mixed in with the oyster and liquor making for less than desirable "slurping" without quite a bit of "de-shelling", the shell of one of my westports was actually cracked into 2 pieces, and most of my westports had not been properly separated from the shell. I can appreciate that its happy hour and they are cracking them open as fast as they can - but I would gladly wait a bit longer for just a bit more care. For a place that is an oyster bar (and not just another restaurant that dishes up raw oysters), I guess I set my bar appropriately higher that when I slurp mine oysters will be impeccably prepared. I can see myself returning back here. It was a lot of fun and a great way to unwind after a long day. And I hope when I do that my star rating will go up significantly. As for the rest of the menu, there are several things that look intriguing - but the prices seem a bit steep for some items. The lobster roll (had by a diner next to us) did look tasty, but I fear it would be a difficult thing for my seasoned New England blood to want to pay $23 for what I saw - not when I'm used to bulging lobster rolls for half that back home and considering what lobster is going for these days.
(2)Tony P.
Much thanks to KeriM for setting up this UYE. The restaurant is at the corner S Henry and King Street. The facility is narrow and cozy. There are 2 tables set out front for dining in the open with the majority of the tables distributed along the length of the restaurant. The menu is an eclectic selection of seafood dishes with a sprinkle of meat dishes as well. We came here for the $1 oyster happy hour feature. I chose an equal amount of the beausoleil, westport and miyagi oysters. I thought all of the oysters were excellent and were of good consistent size. The miyagi was very delicate and tender with lightly sweet flavor. The westport were firm and a bit mineral in flavor. The beausoleil were also firm and lightly salty. There were choices of horseradish and ketchup which was strong and pungent and the wine vinegar to dip the oysters into. There was a decent wine and beer selection offered. I had the dogfish raison d'etre beer which was a belgian abbey style microbrew that was very refreshing. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I will definitely come back and try out the entree menu offerings.
(4)Barbara H.
Hank's in Alexandria has excellent food, even for those who are not oyster fans. Their lobster bisque is exceptional with a nice supply of pieces of lobster; the Caesar salad is well balanced with a plentiful supply of shaved Parmesan cheese and the option of adding some delicious strips of anchovies over the top; the lobster roll a fellow diner had looked generous and was pronounced delicious; the gold fish before and the dark chocolate pieces after the meal are a welcome addition; the onion rings were crisp and tasty, served in a toast rack, which was cute; and the service was spot on and friendly, even to a table full of women of a certain age :) The only "con" I have is that their lift for the disabled was not functioning which made it very difficult for one of our party. Thank you, Hank's for a wonderful Friday lunch.
(4)Damien S.
Very fresh oysters and a great ambiance. The place is right in downtown Old Town, and is smaller and a bit quieter than the Hank's in Dupont. The ceviche is very good, and their side dishes are excellent. I'd definitely recommend the chili bok choy and squash / parsnip. Have not had the lobster roll but I hear good things. All around Hank's is a great oyster joint; No more, no less and they get it right!
(4)Lea C.
The bf and I sauntered in here for lunch one lazy Saturday while wandering around King Street. It was early for lunch, so there weren't too many people inside the dining room, which is deceptively big (bet you didn't notice how far back it goes). As a cute touch, they put a bowl of goldfish on the table for snacking, in lieu of bread. Fun! I had the shrimp po'boy and the bf had the crabcake sandwich and an order of onion rings. Everything was fantastic. My po'boy was not authentic and served on a hot dog roll, but it was very good if a bit difficult to eat. I loved the Old Bay fries. The bf loved his crabcake sandwich, and he typically dislikes seafood, so this was a miracle. I think the remoulade, which had a little kick, helped. The presentation of the onion rings is super cute, placed vertically reminiscent of a little skeleton. They were big, juicy, and flavorful, all the things you want in good onion rings. I can't wait to come back for some $1 oysters.
(4)Kerry R.
After hearing rave reviews about Hank's for a long time and being a seafood lover, I knew I had to come see what all the hype was about. This place lives up to all of my high expectations. I came in yesterday with one of my girlfriends. The restaurant is on the bottom floor of a very dark blue building(it's somewhat hard to find at night). The inside was very homey with the decor and the bright lights dangling from the window. We were greeted immediately with a small cup of gold fish crackers. I thought this was a cute unique idea especially since it is a seafood restaurant. Since Hank's is known for their oysters, I decided to get an appetizer order of them. Our waitress provided me with a cheat-cheat of the locations where each oyster was from(ranging from local to west coast). They were all very good. As entrees, my friend got the ceviche with a side of cauliflower and I got the lobster roll with a side of french fries. She loved her ceviche which was full of calamari, shrimp, fish, and I think scallops. Her cauliflower was spot on as well. I think the real winner of the meal was the lobster roll. I overheard our waitress telling another table that the lobster roll is their most popular dish. Rightfully so. I've tasted several lobster rolls(Coastal Flats, Tackle Box, Red Hook Lobster). While they are all good, the lobster roll at Hank's is amazing. There is a generous amount of lobster and the roll is soft. The fries complemented the roll quite nicely. When we got our checks, we were also supplied with pieces of dark chocolate. It was a perfect finish to a great meal. I will be going back.
(5)Jaime B.
The oyster's were really good, good size too, can't wait to come back for beers and the oyster special. Also tried the lamb burger, good portions, not too filling and not too little. Overall, good meal.
(4)M C.
Love Hank's Oyster Bar! Have never been to the other locations but the one in Old Town is great. Have been there many times and I am never let down. The fried clams are wonderful and the lobster roll is fresh and not overly dressed. The mac and cheese is very flavorful and nothing can beat the oyster happy hour. Now that they have renovated and one side is a bar, it seems much roomier on the dining side. Have never had a bad meal. Dortmunder from Great Lakes Brewing Co. on tap was a great surprise. Highly recommend.
(5)Val C.
I don't know what their secret is, but their fried oysters are the BEST I've ever tasted!!!! The dipping sauce is a GREAT compliment to the lightly battered and delicately fried oysters. The oysters are huge and very flavorful. The service is wonderful; staff is very friendly and professional! I've been a handful of times and each time has been better than the last! I can't say enough about how great this restaurant is -- I will continue going whenever in Old Town! Wish I lived nearby, but then I would probably have to up my workout regimen! It's soooo worth it though!
(5)Mark S.
This restaurant is as good as it gets in local food. The staff is amazing, food is fresh and always original. They have a great selection of oysters from Washington state - which are the best! The new addition of a great bar makes this a fun place to sit and have a drink. If you haven't made your way to this great little Alexandria find, don't miss out!
(5)Fred R.
An OK place, but overpriced and overrated. Food was nothing special. I'd give it a "B-" grade. Quality of dishes was erratic. Lobster bisque was blechh, but contained a few nice chunks of lobster. My sliced steak was also tasty. The Clam chowder was very good, and hot, which was important and I'll explain why. It was crowded, and we were seated at the table closest to the bar on the left when you walk in. We were glad to be seated (after a reasonably short wait), as it was cold and windy outside. I sat closest to the bar, against the wall, and was freezing during the entire meal. Our waitress saw me wearing my coat and hat and went to turn off the ceiling fan but it didn't help. Towards the end of the meal, I ordered another soup - this time clam chowder, to help warm me up. It felt as if I was sitting in the spooky, cold room in a haunted house movie. You are in an apparently nice building, and make the mistake of opening the door to a room the caretaker said not to enter. Just before dessert she came over to say the bartender told her that I was sitting in the "COLD SPOT" and she moved me to the end of the table- an immediate 15 degree difference!! Seriously. Ya mean to tell me she just found that out? I was comfortable during dessert but the person sitting next to me got colder since i was no longer serving to block her from the cold. I won't return. I had a stiff neck and shoulder from the cold for the next few days. If not for being seated in what the waitress said was "THE COLD SPOT" , I would have given it two stars, two and one-half if that was an option; but definitely not higher.
(1)Fabian M.
Stop in on a wed nite and had a great time. Awesome oysters! Even better service! Curtis is a great server they need to give him a promotion and a raise
(4)Dee Dee S.
If I can give this place negative stars I would!!!!! I JUST got home from having dinner if that's what you want to call it for my bf birthday and it was HORRIBLE!!!! Dishes where super expansive.... Ok I understand seafood is a bit pricey. But the waitress (Keri) wow talk about hospitality. She forgot about the birthday man's drink waited a good 20 min until we finally got it. She seemed like she had an attitude the whole night. Also she BARLEY came to our table and didn't even refill our water glasses. She would come to our table and quickly leave not given us a chance to ask for anything, we had to yell half down the room to get her attention. She spent most of her time on the other side of the restaurant. All the "positive" reviews written about this location is full of BS. So I will not be returning here.... highly disappointed!!!!
(1)Cole D.
Positives: Lobster roll was pretty good. Oyster presentation was great. Beer list is a less run-of-the-mill, in a good way Server was friendly and attentive Negatives: Lobster bisque was really subpar. Very little lobster. And there was an inedible plastic-y shell mistakenly included in it. Overall, prices for everything were way too high given the quality/quantity. Interior is cramped. Little to offer in terms of ambiance. Hallway connecting the front to the back is pretty trashy.
(2)Frank G.
Our dinner at Hank's was an otherwise four star experience marred by an incredibly rude hostess and simply dreadful desserts. If Gordon Ramsey were around, I could only imagine the string of profanities he would hurl in regard to both. The food was darn good, so it's with a heavy heart that I go below three stars. It's a bit pricey, but that's expected in Old Town. The desserts, however, were pretty terrible. The panna cotta lacked any semblance of cream and was an insult to an otherwise reliable dessert; it honestly tasted like it came from a Jello box mix. The key lime pie was okay, but small and with a too-thick crust. You're better off going elsewhere for dessert. The worst part of the evening, however, was the hostess. She was just plain rude, right from the get-go. I imagine the inclusion of Flying Dog's Raging Bitch IPA on the beer menu was a subtle tribute to her. A group of seven might be pushing the limits of a restaurant this size, but you should be able to handle it. With more than an hour wait for a table (they don't take reservations), we figured we would get a couple of drinks. Is the bar area crowded? Yes. Were we in the way sometimes? Yes (but we were quick to make way). Coming by and scolding us repeatedly, however, was unnecessary. You know what, we could either wait in the vestibule doing nothing, or be at the bar sucking down $11 cocktails. If you owned the place, what would you rather have your customers doing?
(2)Christina L.
Happy hour oysters are only $1 each! We got two dozen for 4 of us. They were good and we paired them with the old bay fries.
(3)G. H.
I love oysters, so I had been wanting to try Hank's Oyster Bar for a long time. We ordered 2 oysters of each type offered the night we went, and then ordered another round of our top two favorites, which included Chef Creek oysters from British Columbia (the best!). The oysters were all pretty tasty, and each type had a distinct flavor and character. We definitely enjoyed eating them, some with vinegar and some with cocktail sauce. The downside of the experience was that we ordered french fries to eat with our oysters, but they were brought out a long time before the oysters came out. Not only that, but there were hardly any fries in the basket, and they were pricey! Pretty disappointing. Also, our server wasn't particularly friendly, knowledgeable or helpful. Finally, we ordered the ceviche on our server's recommendation, and it was not impressive. However, it's worth going here if you're looking for a variety of oysters to try. A nice touch is the yummy chunks of dark chocolate that they bring out with your bill. 3 stars!
(3)Miss W.
Life's simple pleasures: candlelight, wine, fried oysters, good company. A beautiful, intimate space perfect for late night dining. Remarkable wine selection, goldfish cracker starter, charming service. Fried oyster, mac and cheesy, crab cakes, malbec, all divine. Highlight: savory dark chocolate chunks at the end of the meal, sold!!
(5)Justin C.
This half-assed lobster roll serving food truck popped up this past summer in DC, and suddenly everyone was enamored with something that had been available right under their noses for so long. Maybe it was the accessibility and "cheapness" of a $15 lobster roll that did it, or just the trendy factor, but nobody seemed to realize they were getting ripped off, and the lines continued to form every day. Meanwhile, I've steadily been enjoying the best lobster roll in DC at Hank's Oyster Bar on a regular basis, and laughing at the suckers clambering for a 3 bite lunch. While there are 2 locations for Hank's in DC, I've found the Old Town spot to be much more conducive for me, as it's not only a quick ride down the road from my apartment, but also seems to be less crowded for later dinners, which is when I tend to go. It probably has a great deal to do with the age difference in diners at Dupont Circle and Alexandria, but as long as it plays out in my favor I don't really care what the cause is. The staff in Old Town is very friendly as well, and they even brought around oyster shooters for everyone in the dining room last time I was there, on the house. This particular time, I was a bit extra hungry, and it was really cold out, so I decided to add on to my usual order and try the soup of the day ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) as well, a cream of potato with chunks of pancetta. The flavor was a bit muddled, and I know now why I've always stuck with the standard order. It wasn't a bad soup, by any means, and it was quite hearty, but it was also kind of basic, so not really worth the $6 when I would be easily full with just the main course. As for the main event, well that's why I love this place. A lobster roll can be so many things, but ultimately, if the word delicious doesn't apply, then it's not done right. It should be creamy, with tender meat, a bounty spilling forth from a nicely toasted bun or baguette, and the contrast of cold and warm should play nicely off each other. The dressing should be just enough to lather up the meat, not overpower it, and not much else should be included in the roll, because the lobster is always the star. Here is where Hank's hits the sweet spot. Not only do they offer up possibly the most delectable lobster roll in the area, but it's also gigantic ( flickr.com/photos/wedoit… ) when compared to its competition. And, for only $23 total, you get the roll and a heaping side of Old Bay seasoned fries, which are pretty fantastic in their own right. The combination of fries and roll is definitely not one to be missed, and something that other places simply aren't replicating to this degree. Oh, and you get to finish off your meal with several large chunks of dark chocolate, gratis, pretty sweet deal. So, once spring and summer come back around, and you don't feel like waiting an hour to get your pint-sized portion from the RedHook truck, come join me at Hank's for my monthly lobster indulgence.
(5)S C.
I love Hanks. I've never had a meal there I did not like. I like the oysters, the mussels, the duck, the baby bokchoy, the collard greens, the wine list. All high quality, fresh ingredients. You just tell the waiter what kind of oysters you like (large, briny, sweet, etc) and he or she will direct you to the right ones. Some reviewers complained that the oysters were too small. Just tell the waiter you like the larger shelled ones. I've personally not had bad service but have had friends who have. The bartender is always friendly. But I do know that some of the wait staff has a reputation for attitude. Management might want to get a handle on that.
(5)Derek H.
If the Lobster Roll was a person, I would bury my head in its lap. I can say that with a completely straight face and no shame because that was one of the best things I've ever inhaled with my mouth. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I came to Hank's in Old Alexandria for dinner last week with some fellas for the first time. Wanted a nice meal on a Friday night instead of thirty drinks and some Mario's Pizza at 3 AM for once. We got there at around 8:30 and the place was, surprisingly, not slammed. I guess the Old Town crowd, which I'm not really familiar with, cashes out a little early (maybe they're worn out after shopping at the Lamp Store across the street? Really? An entire store for lamps?). Either way, didn't care. Got a table for 4 right away and were on our way. Three of us got the aforementioned lobster roll (described as "Sex in my mouth", "the Cadillac of Lobster", and "So good I might eat it again on its the way out of me"), 1 of us got the Flat Iron Steak ("Where's Hank? I want to ask him if he wants to split an apartment with me"). Friends also got some oysters, I didn't try any, but I did have the Popcorn Shrimp and Calamari - solid app (or small plate, as they list it) all around. The joint itself is small (or at least narrow) and could use a little more bar space, but it's hard to dock it for such a small thing. Just when you've got what looks like an incredible happy hour deal ($1 oysters) and so many perfect "date" tables, you need some bar space for us dudes who want some killer food but can't sit at a table for two without feeling out of place. If I lived closer, I would definitely be a local. I've heard equally good things (who am I kidding? Hank's is like the top rated place on Yelp in the city) about the Dupont location.
(5)Peter C.
Who wants happy hour $1 oysters?? Hank's got them!! We came here on a Friday evening where they have $1 oysters between 5:30-6:30 pm. Between my girlfriend and I, we ended up getting 3 dozen oysters. We first started off with the $1 oysters. Out of the three different ones, we liked the Malpeques and the Alpine's. We didn't really care for the Barcat. We then got two dozen oysters - of which we got a dozen between the Malpeques and the Alpine's, and then a dozen of the Eld Inlet, Chef Creek, and Pacific Kiss ones. We still ended up liking the Malpeques and the Alpines over the additional three types of oysters. I actually didn't like them at all because one of them was just very milky and I just had to spit it back out. My tummy didn't feel so great afterwards for the rest of the weekend probably because there was a bad oyster in the batch. Overall though, you can't beat the price for the oysters. I think I may have over done it myself by doing three dozen oysters with my girlfriend. :) Still, I'd give them a 4 star just because of the price and the service was great as well.
(4)Melaine P.
Charming, cozy (ok, fine, a little too narrow), and extremely friendly service. Kinda feels like Boston, without the attitude. The raw bar is well stocked and excellent, with select oysters, jumbo shrimp, oyster shooters, and ceviche, all reasonably priced. Check out the happy hour and late night specials for REALLY good prices. Although the raw bar was our main motivation, both my husband and I were impressed with the hot mains as well. Go.
(4)Laura H.
I can't possibly describe how awesome this place is. I went with my husband, my brother, and my 8 yr old twins on Dec 27th. We went because we wanted oysters. Well we got oysters alright! We ordered 2 dozen to start and all 5 of us loved them. We got a variety and actually like the local ones best. We also got some fried clams, ceviche, and steamed mussels. All of it was fantastic. Then for dinner, we all split a lobster roll, a scallop special and a Mahi special. It was all very good and we were quite happy. We loved the oysters so much that we got another dozen for 'dessert'. The waiter wasn't very friendly at first, but then he warmed up to us and was very nice. I think he loved that we loved all the food so much. And he said we were not the only ones to order oysters for dessert! The inside of the restaurant is pretty small so I don't think large parties would work well. They do have a kids menu, but my kids didn't use it. They eat oysters and mussels and could care less about chicken fingers or popcorn shrimp. But there is a menu available if you bring your kids.
(5)Rose N.
Great selection of fresh oysters from all over the place. Hank's is great for a mellow night of clean fresh oysters, mussels, a couple of beers, awesome side dishes (for $5). I'm not needy, that's all I ask for. Thanks you Hank's for quality food and service everytime. And I am addicted to the dark chocolate chuncks that come after every meal. Cleans the palate very nicely :)
(4)S R.
FOOD - Very good. The oysters are delicious, especially the ones from New Jersey, sweet & savory. Fried calamari, popcorn shrimp, and onion rings not greasy at all. I was expecting some pieces of bacon in the braised collard greens; they were okay. Wine list - great selection & reasonable prices. SERVICE - No one smiled or had a friendly disposition. I felt that we were an inconvenience to our server. I finally got a smile out of him though. The host/manager seemed rude and snooty. I used to work in the hospitality industry and constantly communicated with guests, so I pay attention to customer service. I would have given it four stars but my friend and I felt we got attitude from staff. Go for the $1 oysters from 5:30-6:30pm.
(3)Cheryl T.
Came here based on the great reviews, left a little disappointed. Had a late lunch on Sunday so the restaurant was quiet which was nice. Staff are attentive and nice enough but service was pretty much average. Ordered a carbcake (small plate) with a side of mac and cheese and onion rings (again, my side orders were based on reviews). Crabcake was slightly burnt and was soaked in oil. Mac and cheese was so mediocre and onion rings were terrible - they give you a small dish off thick cut rings fried in buttermilk batter and they are TASTELESS. Most restaurants use vidalia onions to make onion rings (because they are naturally sweet) - Hank's used regular brown onions or really old onions because they were just plain bad. Perhaps we came on an off-day.... try it for yourself but I don't think I'm going back.
(2)Brianne C.
I shall never be a true foodie for the following reasons: 1. I detest mushrooms (though I love the flavor of truffles). 2. I rely on Trader Joe's pre-chopped shallots, onions, and garlic. 3. I do not like oysters. Thus, this review shall not contain observations on those raw gifts from the ocean. Rather, my meal (with its high price point) revealed the following truths: 1. The lobster bisque should be renamed tomato bisque with tendrils of shellfish. 2. The cauliflower puree with the caramelized scallops should not be termed a fondue. 3. The lobster roll was stuffed with sweet meat but also loaded with bits of celery. 4. The buttery bread cradling the lobster was nicely toasted. 5. The brussels sprouts had a lovely sweet flavor and a pleasantly firm texture. And, to save the best for last..... 6. The macaroni and cheese was sensational. Blended with smoked gouda and cream cheese and lightly topped with breadcrumbs, the tender elbow macaroni and medium sauce represented all that is best about this comfort food. Though it had been browned in the oven, it was saucier than baked mac and cheese, and stunning. Indeed, I shall return for a light meal of salad and macaroni and cheese. However, the rest of the experience was only pleasant at best, and I expect better preparations when my party spends $300 on a meal.
(3)Chris K.
Yow! I went for the first time last night and I've been thinking about it all day today. Our helpful server steered me onto some super sweet and creamy oysters when I told her I was looking for the closest thing to a kumamoto. these were bigger but had a similar taste and texture...6 things of beauty to start. Next, what's this? Oyster sake shooters, $3 apiece??? I put these right at the top of my favorite new things list! Then the piece de resistance, which I've been craving forever: fried clams, one of the world's most perfect dishes! And these were every bit as good as any I've ever had, including loads of places in and Boston and New England! This place is nothing short of a revelation!
(5)Micah V.
Very good. We had the Lobster Roll and the Salmon Reuben. The Reuben was incredible. I didn't have any oysters but my wife did and she really liked the Battlefield oyster. We will definitely return!
(5)Don Q.
Here's my most honest review of the place: 1. Friendly Staff 2. Slow service 3. Great and Clean Bathrooms (like at home) 4. Kinda Pricey 5. Their Oysters are awesome 6. The Oysters Happy Hour time is ridonkulous ( I think it's meant for old people) 7. Be prepared to drop $50-$60 and leave hungry (if only having oysters with 1-2 drinks per person) 8. Nice Wine & Beer selection 9. Small space (though it does have more room in the rear) 10. Stick to the OYSTERS - Trust me!
(4)Samantha H.
Oysters, especially raw, are not something each person will like. But being a person who loves them I had to try Hanks famous happy hour raw bar. While oysters are the only raw bar item they are plentiful and have at least 6 different types to choose from! During that time they are $1 each, as compared to $2 each normally. I also had mac n' cheese are the side which was killer! I would go back just to eat the sides! My husband, turns out, is not an oyster fan, but he gave it a good go! He ordered the lobster roll, also amazing. The only downfall to this restaurant is the crowds during happy hour and the service during those times. Overall 4 stars and loving it!
(4)Roll T.
3.25 stars. It should come as no surprise that the sponsored result for Hank's Oyster Bar indicates it is a good place to spend $200 because it is certainly not a place one should go if they are looking to spend less than $20 on a meal. During my premiere visit to Hank's, I ended up spending just over $40... during a $1 oyster happy hour. This isn't meant to disparage the place; it simply is an observation that prices tend to gravitate toward the $$$ instead of the $$ that it is currently listed at on Yelp. With that caveat in mind, I would say that I enjoyed my experience. Being somewhat of a novice on the bivalves compared to some of my dining companions, I simply did not notice any of the shell cracking issues while slurping down my oysters. I did, however, realize that the $1 beausoleil oysters were a relative steal from a price perspective. For an informative review on the taste of the beausoleil, I defer to Marianne L's review. Personally, I enjoyed the shallot vinaigrette that accompanied the oysters. I found no textural issues, and in my opinion, it appeared that the blend meshed perfectly especially with the beausoleil oysters. The horseradish cocktail mixture was also pretty tasty. Although I did find the oyster prices to be relatively reasonable during happy hour, I did think that some of the prices for other offerings were downright fraudulent. $23 for a lobster roll? Really?? I know we're not in Maine, but honestly, I had avoided Hank's this long largely based on that shocking price point for a lobster roll. The bottled beer prices were also a bit higher than necessary. On average, I can find bottled beers for $1-$2 less than the going price at Hank's. Given that providing such beers requires no extra work on the part of the restaurant, I think it goes without saying that the beers here are overpriced. My Rogue's Dead Guy Ale was $6 for a bottle. That's a bit steep. Overall, they clearly are very knowledgeable about oysters, and for the bivalve lover, it's certainly worth a stop. I would go as far as to say it might have some of the best seafood in the Old Town area. But despite that, I still think there are other places that are more desirable for happy hour and dinner in the general vicinity.
(3)William L.
Came for Sat brunch. Had the crab sandwich which was ok. Definitely go for the specials as the mussels and the egg benedict with fried oysters were awesome. Definitely go for the oyster bar specials!
(4)Jon B.
My second time here, and it did not disappoint. Fresh oysters - $1 at happy hour, fresh fish, and a good bartender - that's the recipe for a successful night. Note that this place is small, and they don't take reservations, so come early or be prepared to wait. I will eat here regularly when I'm in Alexandria. If you like oysters and fresh seafood, then this is your place. They even do a credible job of non-seafood (really good mac 'n cheese, and good greens - I assume there's some sort of meat on the menu, too) but the point of this place is seafood and cocktails. - at least to me.
(4)Jesse D.
Hank's Oyster Bar could have ruined one of my last chances at happiness. I arranged to finally meet a girl I've been talking with on an online dating site at this restaurant. I arrived a few minutes early. I asked if anyone had been seated and was waiting for someone, and they said no, so I went ahead and got a table. Many minutes passed with me sitting at this table alone. The waitstaff began looking at me uncomfortably. About fifteen minutes in I asked my waiter to check if anyone was waiting in the lobby or outside, and he said no. I continued waiting, feeling more and more embarrassed as I sipped my water and nibbled on Goldfish. After half an hour I finally conceded to being stood up and told my waiter I'd go ahead and order, at which he promptly snatched away the second set of flatware and second menu. Sheesh, at least allow me to PRETEND she might still show up. I'm not a huge oyster fan, so I ordered the popcorn shrimp and calamari. Ten dollars, and I get a small bucket of greasy fried somethings, and I can only tell the difference between them by their slight variations in shape. Hardly worth what I paid. And, and, AND, I noticed they had the new Port City IPA on their menu. Being a big IPA fan, and hardly in the mood to experiment with beers I hadn't yet tried, I ordered one. What did I get? A pale ale. A pale ale! As though a pale ale would numb the pain of such a harsh, implicit rejection, and a mis-advertised pale ale at that! Inexcusable. Eventually I finished my fried somethings and non-India pale ale and left that horrible place for my bus stop. While waiting for the bus, I received a perturbed message from the girl I was supposed to meet saying she'd arrived, waited twenty minutes for me, checked inside a couple times, then left. Did the waitstaff know I was waiting for someone? Yes. Did I ask them to check if someone was waiting during the time frame she said she was in fact waiting there? Yes. Did I share a wonderful evening of fine food and drink with this girl who actually showed up and had no intention of blowing me off? The answer to that, I'm afraid, is obvious. My tale does not yet have a sad ending; when I explained what happened, she understood, and we're going to try again at a different restaurant. But you may not be so lucky. I hope this tale of woe and nearly lost chances can serve as a cautionary tale to others. Avoid Hank's Oyster Bar! They are the enemy of love.
(1)Alexander C.
I just got back from happy hour and had an amazing experience! Select $1 oysters from 5:30-6:30 on weekdays! Service was EXCELLENT! Our server gave us a complete rundown on the selection of oysters available..explaining everything from where the oysters were from (mostly from WA but also VA and NY), if they were sweet or not, and how subjected each oyster was to water or brine immersion. As for my order I had the Wildfire, Pemaquid, Sisters Point, and Deer Creek, My favorite was the Sisters Point due to the sweetness and meatiness. YUM. The Wildfire and Pemaquid, with a more moderate taste, were tasty as well. The Deer Creek was my least favorite choice, leaning more towards the fishy side. To finish the meal off I also had an sake oyster shooter which is made up of their house bloody mary mix, sake, and an oyster. It was delicious! Perfect mesh of all the ingredients. This place definitely hits the spot whether you love oysters or not! (A person in my party doesn't really like oysters, but still very much enjoyed them here!)
(5)Courtney R.
Back-to-back seafood dinners out: good idea. Not because it's Lent (recovering Catholic here), but because it's easier to bring down the JHOTâ„¢ (for those that don't know, that's the Judgmental Hammer of Thor) on a place. So, the last point of reference was the Fish Market, where we dined the night prior and I got charged 50 cents for lettuce and tomato. Darn tootin' I'm still pissed about that. Hank's was pricier, but newer, cleaner and had no children haunting its halls. Plus plus plus. We ordered the market veggie plate--five sides for a semi-steep $16--following our lobster bisque. The bisque was delicious. We also ordered the fried shrimp and calamari basket. Not bad, not fabulous. Generally, this joint is a solid three stars, but I have to give extra love to the bartender/waiter who managed to weather Welshie and mine's rollercoaster dining experience of smooching in public before descending into a pissing match (I'd had a long day) without ever cracking his cheery smile, let alone puking or rolling his eyes. I ordered a slice of Key Lime pie to go after discovering all the desserts were made in-house, and ate it much later. It was way lime-y. Big ups.
(4)A A.
I gave Hank's Oyster Bar 5 stars because it had everything I'd expect in a restaurant. I would've love to have sat outside but their outdoor seating can only take a max of 4 people at 2 tables (or a group of 4 at one table), and we had 3 of us and there were already 2 outside. Some odd Alexandria patio law that won't allow more than 4 in Old Town. But it was ok, inside was comfortable and exceeded all my expectations. Starting with the little things that are often overlooked, Hanks was unpretentious, easy to get to with nearby parking, large size tables, great condiments, good bread, spreadable butter, and great service. Everything was incredibly fresh, and nothing took too long to come out. There were 3 of us eating, so we decided to split everything we ordered 3 ways. We ordered 2 bowls of the mussels (so good - take that bread and soak it in their sauce), old bay french fries to throw in to the mussels sauce (delish!), oysters, peel n eat shrimp, and a salad (I believe it was the one with beets), with a few beers, and a bottle of wine. Between the 3 of us, this was the receipt to the perfect portions. I left wanting nothing more and not over stuffed. Wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable. Anytime we needed anything, by the time we'd think to look up, she was there ready to help. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. This was a spot we picked from going to yelp and typing in "Mussels in Alexandria", and boom, next thing you know I'm having a great meal in a great establishment I had no idea was 3.5 miles from me. I'll be back for brunch!
(5)Brendan C.
Go here as often as I can these days. Good food, nice atmosphere, good wine list. The late night happy hour on Friday and Saturday is one of my favorite things to do on the weekends. Lee at the bar is really nice, and the guys seem to have a pretty strong idea on what types of oysters there are and what I would like. Skip the french fries, unless you love Old Bay, cause that's all they taste like. Specials are solid, haven't fooled around much with the rest of the menu.
(4)Ralph D.
This place is excellent, small room, small menu, everything is good. I recommend
(4)Lee P.
Decided to go here for their happy hour after much hype and can say it definitely lived up to it. Great atmosphere, cozy but not too pretentious. Great selection of Oyster's during their happy hour. Need to get there early for seats as they are strict on having your entire party present to be seated but overall definitely recommend this place. Looking forward to going back.
(4)Whitney H.
Good food, not so good atmosphere. There was no music or background "noise", so when my friend and I got there around noon on a Friday, we thought it was kind of uncomfortable. Good variety of seafood, and nice brunch menu on Fridays. I thought it was over-priced for the quality of the actual place and atmosphere, but the food was really good. Gotta have both, though.
(3)Teal G.
This little restaurant has the best seafood in Old Town Alexandria. Which is saying something since Old Town is right on the water. The ambiance is great, as it's small enough to feel private and comfortable but big enough to get seated and mill around. The presentation of the food is fantastic. It's clean, simple, and the oysters especially look wonderful on a flat dish on top of ice. The service people are great and Lee the bartender is really nice and quick with making drinks. Finally, the best part! The food is absolutely divine. The half fresh fish is so good. My friend doesn't even bother asking what the fish is before she orders it since she always loves it. I prefer to play around on the menu but I will admit the fresh fish is divine. The oysters are meaty. Lee (the bartender) also talked to us about the oysters coming from a sustainable source. The empty oyster shells are replanted into the river. The oysters as they grow clean the river, then when they are ready, they are farmed and eaten. Then the whole cycle starts again! Tasty AND eco minded!
(5)Sam C.
We just stopped by and had half a dozen oysters. Forgot the name of it but it was nice and fresh, like an oyster should be. The oysters they had that day were written on a blackboard without any prices. The rest of the menu was small and not really that attractive. many items seemed similiar to dishes found at Eastern Market Lunch, but more expensive. The waiter was very unattentive and it took forever for him to come take our order. I also wished they had served the horseradish and cocktail sauce separately so I would control the level of spiciness myself better.
(3)Lily Z.
The happy hour at Hank's was fantastic. I just had some Hammersley oysters for $1 a pop and still dreaming about the taste. They were fresh, briny, had a very pronounce sweet after taste. You can't get better oysters even at places that charge three times what Hank's charges.
(5)Amanda M.
This place is FUN! I took a couple out-of-town friends here as an excuse to also see Old Town, and it was the perfect choice... casual and reasonably priced, laid back atmosphere and friendly staff. On the restaurant's recommendation, we called ahead before leaving the house and put our name on the waiting list for a table (this was a Saturday night during the cherry blossom festival, after all!). When we got there about 25 minutes later, we only had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated. I have to admit that I generally don't consider myself an oyster person. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where seafood of all kinds is a staple of our menu, and oysters were usually the shellfish I could do without. But since this place actually HAD an Otter Cove, WA oyster on their daily fresh sheet, I decided to be bold and try an oyster shooter. And it wasn't half bad! Maybe my taste buds have grown with me. Anyway, they had about six different oysters to choose from that night - our table tried the Washington variety, as I said, as well as a local VA catch and another from Prince Edward Island. All were good and very fresh. We all ordered different entrees and then passed them around, so I got a taste of the fried calamari and shrimp poppers (pretty tasty, especially the shrimp) and the crab cakes (good, but I've had better). The winner of the night was definitely my scallop dish, with this heavenly onion fondue cream sauce that was, as my friend put it, truly "inspired". The scallops were perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and set off nicely with a crunchy little sea vegetable that reminded me of skinny green beans. YUM! Definitely one of the best seafood dinners I've had in a long time, and that's saying a lot when you are used to eating fresh Northwest seafood. We polished off our dinners with just enough room left for dessert, which was fortunate because they had a respectable chocolate mousse and a delicious strawberry shortcake on the menu. Our waitress was very friendly, helpful with recommendations, and the food service was prompt. All in all, it was a really excellent dining experience at a price that didn't break the bank. Next time I'm looking for some good basic seafood, I'll be back.
(4)marissa w.
Yum yum! This place is delicious and happy hour oyster deals are amazing! I love that they get in oysters from both the east and west coast. Everything I have eaten here always tastes so fresh. The peel and eat shrimp are delicious as well, with that old bay seasoning. And as for sides, the mac and cheesy is sooo good! Ambiance: It can get a little noisy and crowded in there, but I like the small venue. Service has always been great there, you don't have to wait long for drinks. It is very clean, everyone there is very professional.
(4)Stephanie S.
Wow, amazing food, ambiance, and service. Go in to sit at the tiny bar of this adorable restaurant, have oysters for their "oyster hour" happy hour, and chat with tom the bartender. He and the rest of the friendly staff made me feel like an old friend. Oysters, roasted brussel sprouts, lobster roll, and crab cake were all prepared to perfection. What a fun night for a relaxing happy hour/dinner. Thanks, Hank's!
(5)Pink I.
Hank's is a gem. It is one of the few solid casual restaurants in this area and certainly in Old Town. My personal view is that DC is desperately lacking in casual restaurants and mediocre food abounds (I do recognize the increasingly great suburban ethnic scene - at least for some of the Asian cuisines). For me Hanks is such a star because it serves honest food at reasonable prices - has a well-considered and reasonably priced wine list - and has very friendly and accommodating staff. That is a recipe for a great restaurant. I usually eat at Hank's once a week since it is walking distance from home. Every time I visit there is something that strikes me about "why I like Hank's." This Friday, for example, I noticed two Rose's by the glass on the menu. One was a Southern Rhone blend and the other a Bordeaux. So when was the last time you went to a casual place in the DC area that had two real (i.e., not blush swill) Rose's on the menu (by the glass)? Never. And Hank's seem to accomplish all this without being pretentious or fancy-pants. Hank's also has a menu that says, "menu changes daily" or similar. Guess what? It does! Yes, there are items that stay on the menu (Attention Hank's - please do not remove the Mac and Cheese, the onion rings, the lobster roll, the crab cakes, and several other items to be determined later), but this place has constant specials and new items; every time I visit there is something new to try. Also, for meat eaters, there is food. Do not think this place is raw bar only - there is plenty of stuff for you to eat. There is also a daily special which rotates dependably throughout the week. Fried chicken on Sunday is recommended. Also worth trying are current specials scallops, and I really like the advocado salad (with a cilantro dressing) - which has been excellent, although the dressing has varied a bit with my visits (was more like a green goddess the first time). Excellent.
(4)Caitlin C.
The Alexandria location is SO much better than the one in DC. Love the goldfish on the table and the casual feel of the restaurant. The fried tilapia sandwich is amazing, a must try!
(5)Amy N.
3.5 stars After wanting to come here for a while, i finally got around ro stopping by for brunch. The meal was good but it wasnt amazing. We started off with half a dozen of jumbo shrimp cocktail... They werent exacly jumbo, and they were 1.95 per shrimp. It was okay ive had better. For brunch i ordered the crab cake sandwich and it came with cole slaw. The bf and his friend had the crab eggs benedict, it came with fries. My crabcake sandwich was okay, a little too salty i heard the eggs benedict's crab was too salty as well. The place is cute and cozy. The goldfish and chocolate they gave us was a nice touch. Overall, my experience was pleasant.
(3)Joye P.
Hank's in Old Town Alexandria is just as good as Hank's in Dupont Circle. I've visited twice in the past 6 months, eating at the granite bar both times. Last time I was there, they had a Japanese-named West Coast raw oyster variety (not Kumamoto) that was wonderful! I also got a vegetable side that was great. It's a little pricey, and small square footage, but it's quaint, romantic, and very "Old Town:" more casual, a tad rustic, just relaxed. The bartender was attentive, and I'd come back for a handcrafted cocktail. I recommend.
(5)Lindsay B.
My family and I stumbled upon Hank's recently when wandering in Alexandria. We were in VA for my brother's TBS graduation with the Marines and thought we would try random restaurants this time (for his OCS graduation we had good restaurant tips from friends.) After two duds we were so pleased to find Hanks. The atmosphere is casual but clean. The specialty's are on a huge chalkboard on the wall and a small glass prep bowl filled with goldfish crackers awaits you at the table. I had the lobster roll and a caesar salad. The roll was filled to the brim with lobster chunks and was dressed lightly so you could taste the meat. It was really tasty. My mom really liked her sable fish with an asian sauce and my dad had the fried oyster plate. Also, my dad got the lobster bisque. It was really rich, perfect to dip pieces of bread into and I would recommend sharing it because it's a large portion to eat alone. We ended the meal with a slice of key lime pie and the bread pudding to share between the three of us. The key lime pie was great. It wasn't the weird flourescent green I've seen many times before. I would definitely recommend it. The service was great too. Everyone was very attentive. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and if I ever find myself in the area again I will definitely be stopping by.
(5)Mac O.
HANK'S VERSUS _____________________ [I'm kind of on the fence about Hank's. We have family in from out-of-town, and they really wanted to go here for dinner. I've had it Yelp-marked for quite awhile and pass by all the time, so I was quite willing to give it a go. But with all the fantastic seafood places we have in DC (people may say we suck at most cuisine, but you gotta give us great seafood!), I'm not sure where Hank's ranks. We had some really high highlights, and some pretty disappointing low-lights. So I figured I'd pit it head-to-head against some of my favorite DC fish joints to see how it all shakes out.] Round 1: Beverages My Blizzard cocktail with bourbon and cranberry juice was PO-tent. Yesssss. Husband leaped for joy over Magic Hat #9. Mom went nuts for a local Baltimore brew. Cousin and aunt swooned over the riesling/pinot grigio blend. Advantage: solid performance, Hank's. Round 2: Raw Oysters Old Salte (VA), Dragon Creek (VA), Shigoku (BC) = decent oysters, but the mignonette lacked interest, and why do I have to mix my own cocktail sauce? The Dragon Creeks were either shucked poorly or have the daintiest shells on earth, because in every one there were several large flakes of shell we bit down on. No good, no good at all. Advantage: a little place in the Palisades I can't stay away from. Round 3: Mussels In a white wine/tomato/butter sauce. A generous serving with huge, plump mussels, and a sauce you definitely wanted to sop up with the accompanying fluffy focaccia. Advantage: draw. Hank's mussels certainly stand on their own, but I've had some damn fine mussels in this town. Round 4: Popcorn Shrimp & Calamari Dude, these shrimp were cooked *purrrrr-fectly.* I think calling them "popcorn" is a misnomer seeing as how they were quite large. Wasn't as impressed with the calamari which I thought overbreaded...although the breading was super crunchy and satisfying. Advantage: draw. I'm still thinking about that shrimp the next day! For calamari, I'd go elsewhere. Round 5: Fried Oysters I appreciate the ample serving and the crackling, cornmeal crust. They were pretty good. Advantage: draw. Round 6: Lobster Roll w/ Old Bay Fries I will give those fries a standing o. I kept sneaking in under husband's arm to snag them from his plate - thin, crisp, golden, dusted with just the right amount of Old Bay. The lobster roll was really nice, too. Loaded with chunks of meat, a minimal amount of mayo to bind, not too much filler, and a bun toasted really, really nicely so that it was both sweet and charred tasting. Advantage: Hank's lobster roll is excellent. Round 7: Crab Cakes Two good-sized patties, fried lightly but a bit soggy, with large lumps of crab and dijon mustard as a binder. Piquant and nice, but I found the tartar sauce overwhelming and ditched it after a few bites. Advantage: elsewhere. Round 8: Sides Mac and cheesy was soupy with an inordinate amount of crumb topping (not the way I like my mac 'n' cheese), and there was bacon in it. Or it least it tasted like bacon. So maybe it was smoked cheese... Sure, bacon is great; but as someone who avoids meat, I"d appreciate a heads-up on the menu if there *is* bacon involved. Braised collard greens were absolutely delicious and fall-apart tender, with a sweet and tangy sauce. Bonus points for them being local. Chilled beets seemed like chopped beets from a can. But I love chopped beets from a can. Cole slaw was crunchy and good, not too much dressing. Onion rings were composed of really nice-sized onions and not too much batter. They needed salt, tho. Sautéed portobello mushrooms with goat cheese were absolutely out of this world. Old Bay fries I'd punch my cat for. Just kidding, I would never do that. Punch my husband for. Advantage: Hank's sides are hit or miss, but their hits are simply amazing. Round 9: Ambiance I don't think I have ever once commented on the music at a restaurant, but I was straight *loving* Hank's adult-contemporary mix. We got everything from Sarah McLachlan to Travis to Hall & Oates to ABBA to Duran Duran to Jackson 5. I love Hank's upscale Cape Cod vibe, too, with the arty black and whites of Old Town on the wall. Advantage: Hank's has a warm, inviting, and sophisticated atmosphere suited to small groups. Round 10: Service Just fine, except for big lags between our server's appearance. But plates were cleared quickly and drinks refilled promptly. Can I just put it out there that an automatic 20% gratuity for parties of 6 or more is a bit presumptuous on a restaurant's part, however? Advantage: Hank's service passes. Verdict: There are some wonderfully outstanding aspects to Hank's menu and the restaurant itself. There are also some deep misses. I'd be back for the lobster roll and a whole slew of sides, tho, for sure. 3.5 stars.
(3)Tony M.
It had been a long time since I'd had some oysters and Hank's had been bookmarked on Yelp for a long time so I decided to finally check it out. I was not disappointed. I started with 6 raw oysters and one of Hank's oyster shooters. The raw oysters were great. I'm not a huge fan of saki, but the shooter was an interesting experience and at only $3 was worth a try. I had the Oyster Po Boy next. The fried oysters were amazing. Best I've ever had. Perfect amount of batter and perfect texture. My only criticism was the bun. It was basically a glorified hot dog roll. It did not properly contain the generous portion of fried oysters. It tasted great, but I would have loved a larger, crustier bun. To give an idea of how good the fried oysters were, one of them billowed out of the previously mentioned undersized bun and onto the floor. I still ate it. All in all a great experience. I can't wait to try the happy hour so I can afford to eat a couple dozen oysters.
(4)Christie F.
Hanks is home. Seriously, it's like Cheers - and the servers will know your oyster preferences by your second visit. Everybody raves about the lobster roll, deservedly - it is totally the area's best. (Sorry, Lobster Truck DC, I still love you but Hanks is Hanks.) The fried oyster po boy is a decadent treat. Lobster bisque is another fave. The small plate salads are delish - lightly dressed so the veggies shine. We usually order a salad, the bisque, and a few dozen oysters! We start with a sampler, then hone in on the ones we like best. (Yes, we like us some oysters.) A hidden gem on the menu is the collards - they are dark, smoky, intense, like a love affair before you meet the parents. Get there in time for oyster happy hour. Dessert, now that they offer it, is tasty - but if we still want dessert after dinner, we usually head to Alexandria Cupcake.
(5)Ji-In L.
Let me start off by saying I'm no expert on oysters. But I am a fan. I've had plenty in my day but Hank's was the first time I can remember that I was thoroughly impressed. Went with two friends and we just ordered a mix of what they had available (about 3 or 4 oysters a piece). I can't even tell you which ones we had, but the fresh water ones were especially clean but still tasty. Then we ordered two lobster sandwiches and one oyster sandwich. I preferred the lobster because I'm not usually a big fan of breaded and fried, but the oyster was pretty tasty too. The sides were just ok. We had mac and cheese and greens. All that plus three beers we ended up paying $140.00 including tip and everything. Although they were good, I wouldn't rush back for the sandwiches but I would go back to check out this oyster happy hour. Couldn't decide between 3 stars and 4 stars. But half a star for having some pretty impressive oysters. Another half a star for being in Old Town, which is so cute. Also bonus for having a very warm and friendly server. She was very informed and patient with us as we selected our oysters. We did have to wait quite a bit for our hot food though and then once the sandwiches came out they messed up on one of them and had to remake it. But I wasn't too bothered by it because at least I'd had the oysters by then and was drinking beers with good company. Really cute place for a date or to take someone from out of town. I'd probably try to go back more often if I lived closer and if I had the budget to.
(4)Christina A.
Always have a great experience when coming to this place!
(5)Caitlin P.
Awesome oyster happy hour and great cocktails. Had the oyster po' boy as an entree, which I didn't love. But in hindsight, the oysters at this place are meant to be showcased, not hidden in batter. I'll definitely return.
(4)Ngoc L.
Great spot for Happy Hour Oysters! Too bad there weren't any drink specials but I'd come back alone for the oysters. We sampled several other dishes such as lobster roll, seafood ceviche, fried oyster poboy, mussels and their desserts. All were great and they give you complimentary chocolates. Too bad it's one of those spots I can't be splurging every weekend, if I could I would!
(4)Chi T.
Better lobsta roll than most. Definitely small. Get here early on the weekend during the peak hours. Good date place.
(4)Bill W.
average - very average. i went with friends for happy hour oysters and then dinner. the happy hour oysters were okay. our meals were satisfactory. it is such a great space. but what really earned the two star rating was the service. our waiter seemed put out to have to serve us - and this was my third time coming to this place. each time i think that the service might get better, but it doesn't... i may try it again in a few months, but it isn't on the list right now.
(2)Carol T.
Oysters were wonderful...good selection. Onion rings are some of the best ever. Service very good. 4 of us shared a piece of pumpkin pie only because our server pushed it...what a great guy he was!! It was melt in your mouth wonderful. A definite must place to go back to.
(4)Jeffrey F.
Came here for happy hour recently because they offer $1 oysters. Actually, that's it for happy hour. There are no drink specials. As clearly they are traditionalists, the happy hour lasts exactly ONE hour. No, happy hour, is not a euphemism for a couple of hours of after work goodness. In any case, we walked in and were greeted by a snotty hostess who directed us to a seat along the wall. This place is pretty small and cozy. Luckily our waitress was much friendlier. She explained the oyster happy hour and talked about the differences in the 4 different types of oysters that were being offered and nicely mentioned how she'd arrange them on the plate and to leave the shells in place so we could just point to re-order ones we particularly liked. For drinks I started with the rye manhattan, which came on the rocks and annoyed me (my fault for not ordering it up) for sec until I saw that it clearly states that on the menu that is comes that way. It was just okay. Didn't really get any sense that there were bitters in it. Later I switched to wine from a really jumbled, incoherent, and small wine list. There really wasn't a theme or specialty or really a selection that seemed designed to compliment seafood. Minor point. As other reviewers have mentioned you get some goldfish to munch on, which is kinda cute, but I think I would prefer some nice bread. We ended up getting a couple dozen oysters and a few more small plates including the bok choy and the grilled sardines, which were delicious. I also had the duck large plate which was just okay. The duck was really fatty and chewy and not in a good way. The presentation was nice. I chose the bok choy as the side and it was not as good (though it was nice) as the bok choy small plate we ordered (same preparation). Large plates are on the pricier side so given the strict interpretation of happy HOUR, the bill added up after a mere 2 hours. Overall a nice chill place (save for the snotty hostess). The oysters were good and a great deal at happy hour. This place is small, but even on Thursday, it didn't get too crowded at happy hour. I'll be back for oysters and drinks.
(3)S C.
Got 2 whole key lime pies for the boyfriends birthday, absolutely perfect!
(5)Lori A.
I am a big fan of Hank's. The food is consistent, the staff is knowledgeable, and the atmosphere is cozy. Old Town can have the occasional stuffy, snobby restaurants, and Hanks is simply not one of those places. I went for brunch this weekend for the first time, and their menu was diverse. My companion had the Crabcake Eggs Benedict, and he said it was the best he's ever had. I had the crabcake sandwich, which came with a light coleslaw, and it was delicious. We both finished off brunch with pumpkin pie, which was very interesting; it almost had a citrus taste to it. I'm also a fan of the fact that the portion size at Hank's is under control. They never give you a heaping plate; even the slice of pie was on the small size. I appreciate restaurants that, while not skimping, don't have to slop six pounds of food in front of you to make a point.
(4)jenn l.
mmmmm the crab cakes are so deliciously dense with crabs. ...and the good kind too! i'm told it's THE place to get crab cakes in the DC area. i'm no expert. the ratio of ingredients in those little patties of goodness makes me wonder what kind of magic they put in it. I only got the crab cakes, but people I went with got the lobster bisque soup and oysters. Everything was fantastically nautically awesome i was told.
(5)Christina V.
I decided Hank's was going to be my first - first time trying oysters! My husband and I just love this place and the last time we went, we took the plunge and tried their oysters. And I'm so glad we did, they were so fresh and delicious! I'll be honest, I've never had their entrees. I never get to them! After ordering basically everything else on the menu, I never make it to actually ordering an entree. Ridiculous, I know, but I can't seem to get past their appetizer mussels or mac-n-cheese. Put it on the bucket list, I guess....
(4)Paul L.
Yum! Everything I tried was good. I tried each of the daily special Oysters and they were all fresh, cold, and delicious! Crab cake was good. Crab cake benedict was tasty (particularly because of it's tasty hollandaise sauce). The oyster poboy looked great. I not only like the food here, but the staff was friendly and attentive, the small touches were nice (goldfish in the beginning, semisweet chocolate chunks at the end), they have a small but good beer selection on tap, and the atmosphere is clean, comfortable and cozy. I don't know about some of the complaints people have posted on here. Maybe when they're busy it's lacking in ambiance and top notch service (?), but I still think the food would be worth it if you can still get a table and aren't on a first date...
(4)Cassie B.
This place has good food, good service, and a nice location. I took off one star for how cramped it feels. Other than that, pretty cute place. I would go back!
(4)Angelica R.
Food is fresh & delicious!! Recommend you visit if your in Old Town Alexandria, kid friendly.
(4)Michael M.
I go here once a month - and it is a consistent winner. Great service, good fresh oysters, great lobster roll, decent wine list. It gets crowded on the weekends - but I usually hit a weeknight for my oyster fix and have no problems getting a seat. I wish the bar was bigger - but that is not that big a deal. Can be a bit tough for a group of over 4, but it depends on when you go.
(4)Eugene M.
Went to Hanks this evening, and was pleasantly surprised. It's a small restaurant, but I hear they are expanding. We got there right as they opened and the place quickly filled up. Despite the crowd, service was still quick and friendly. Food was good, the oysters on the half shell were amazing.
(4)Jazzzione J.
I'm not an oyster fan, so I went with the griddled crab cake, which was a winner. It was small but plenty of crab and little filler, accompanied by tasty, crunchy slaw and remulade (I substituted the remulade for the tarter). My hubby enjoyed the shrimp po boy and substituted onion rings for fries. He enjoyed the oysters, both raw and fried. I really enjoyed the meat-free collards and creamy mac&cheesy. The short, thin cut fries are tasty, but I've had better. The onion rings are lightly battered and bland. Service was friendly and it was pretty empty on a Sunday around 1130. By the way, that's salt, not sugar, in the open dish on the table. Rather than buy coarse salt grinders, I think they'd rather laugh at the customers load salt into their coffee. It happened while we were there, and I must admit, it is funny.
(4)E T.
FOOD: - oysters (olde salt, dabob bay, barron point) - griddles crab cake - watermelon salad Went there for happy-hour (5:30~6:30pm) on a Friday evening. We ordered a dozen oysters that were on the special list from the blackboard. Liked the Dabob bay and Barron Point much more so we ordered another dozen of those two. Fresh tasting oysters. Some sand and shell pieces found in the oysters, but it wasn't noticeable enough to bother us. I wasn't impressed with the crab cake. I prefer a bit more of a crust on the outside and I prefer lump-crab meat which it wasn't made with. The watermelon salad consisted of watermelon topped with spinach with bits of bleu cheese, slivers olive and a light dressing - very refreshing. DECOR: Small restaurant with limited tables and seating, but we didn't feel cramped at all. SERVICE: Fairly quick and easy service. We didn't feel rushed and they knew we were there for the happy-hour oysters special. COST: Entrees were in the $10~20 range. Some of the entrees were a little pricey. OVERALL: Good place for oysters hence the name, especially during happy-hour.
(4)Matthew B.
A great little converted row-house in Old Town Alexandria. The place is nice on the inside and cozy (not just small, but comfortable). The wine list is pretty good and the mac & cheese is awesome - creamy and smoky. We went for the oysters, though, and they were worth it. A nice selection of different types at a decent (but not great) price of $2/per. They were good and shelled well and served with a nice selection of condiments. I'd go back.
(4)Allen H.
I'm agreeing with Michele D.'s review in that the food was great but the atmosphere a little stuck up and pretentious. the wait staff was nice enough but it felt like that kind of "fake" politeness like they were trying really hard to be friendly. anyways that's fine because it didn't really disrupt the service at all. we got a sampler of all the oysters on the board which was a good idea since i have no idea about the intricacies of them but like to eat them. they ranged from smaller to larger, some having a more "fishy" flavor to them and some just right. pretty fresh tasting. next we got the steamed mussels which were on the small side and in a nice light tomato based broth. the mussels themselves also tasted fresh and for the most part clean. i'd order them again. we also got lobster bisque which was pretty standard according to my wife, and the old bay fries. fries were a great complement to the rest of the meal. overall a nice pleasant experience - would go back for the food. fyi: they only do call-ahead seating. and the place seems small so might not be the best for large parties.
(4)Les B.
I went here for the first time the other evening with a friend who doesn't eat raw seafood, so I decided to not gross him out by ordering oysters on the shell. I'll have to come back to enjoy the raw bar!!! We shared the grilled eggplant & smoked mozzarella appetizer, very good. Then we both had a lobster roll, since that's what Hanks is famous for. The Lobster was excellent as was the roll (bread) itself. The fries were tasty with the seasoning on them but we both thought they were very very salty. The food and service were excellent, I will definitely return to try other items from the menu!
(4)Amy S.
Service is always excellent. We love the fried Ipswich clams, scallops and oyster sake shooters. They give you this amazing chocolate at the end of your meal. Happy hour $1 oysters are a great deal!
(4)Robert S.
I would think that it's difficult to run a business dependent primarily on having oysters year round, but it appears like Hank's is doing it. We went there for a Sunday brunch-type experience and I had their ceviche which was absolutely fabulous and a variety of the 6 different oysters they had in stock, primarily from the east coast. My fiancee got the crab cake Benedict and it, too, was delicious. The service we had was quick and courteous. Definitely a place to go if you want to try some different kinds of oysters.
(5)Michele D.
I'm torn--rate on good food or rate on a snobby atmosphere??? Last Thursday I had to run into Old Town to pick up a race packet. When I parked, I realized I was near Hanks. I'd heard plenty good about their DC location and knew their Old Town was a recent addition. I stopped, looked in the window at their menu, and decided to give it a try. The restaurant is more deep than it is wide; it's modern looking and seems comfortable. To a point. From the moment I sat down, I felt like I was in a snobby joint; the patrons gave off that vibe and so did the employees. My server brought me a menu and I asked for a water with lemon. He brought my water and a small plate with lemons on it. I thought the plate looked funny and on closer inspection, noticed it was covered in dust. I called the server back over and asked him if he saw what I saw. He didn't. I sweetly said to take another look. I thought his eyes were going to pop out; he immediately started to apologize and promptly bought me a fresh (and clean plate) of lemons. My server made a few recommendations and raved about the soft shell crab sandwich, "It's really, really good". I don't know what made me say this, but I said, "Oh, you've had it a few times, eh?" and he -get a load of this- says, "No, I haven't actually had it, but I've heard it's really good". I had my eyes locked on him, waiting for the punch line, but no, it never came. While still looking dead on at him, the question of WTF?!? flashed across my head. Instead, I sweetly smiled and said that I'd give the oyster po'boy a try. Interestingly, he didn't offer a comment about it. The table in front of me was the "window table" and I'd been spying on the various things the couple sitting there ate. They started with a dozen oysters, which looked like they were a pretty decent size. They then had fried oysters, which honestly looked delicious. Pretty good sized portion, too! By the time my sandwich arrived, the couple in front of me had moved on to steamed mussels, a side order of beets (damn that was a huge portion of them and they looked good!) and a side order of fries. My sandwich was really unusual. Instead of being served in a loaf, it was stuffed into a pocket of a thick slice of bread. It consisted of fried oysters, some greens, and a sauce of sort. I enjoyed the sandwich, but it was unusual to have a sandwich like that. I'm used to two pieces of bread coming together to make a sandwich; not a thick slice of bread with a slice in the middle to stuff ingredients in. The fries that came with the were ok. I could've taken them or left them. All in all, I would try this place again, but if I get that same snobby vibe, I'd likely choose somewhere not as far, like BlackSalt. :) About watching all the food the couple in front of me ate? Honestly I wasn't stalking them; I was just curious to know how many different things they ordered.
(3)Steve B.
Awesome! Small place but great food and great service. The lobster roll and oysters are fantastic. Initially we didn't get service at the bar so we left until our seat were ready....the host knew we were a little annoyed....so when we got our bill we were pleasantly surprised.... Our 1st round of drinks were free. Then to top it off they give you a little cup of chocolate. My wife told me it was really good.
(4)Lacey B.
My mom gets huge props for finding this place! I loved everything about it: from the goldfish crackers to the dark chocolate and everything in between. We had a dozen raw oysters, the old bay fries and the fried calamari and shrimp. Everything tasted so wonderful and was so fresh! I don't think I've ever had fresh seafood fried, now I can't go back! Then we spotted the fresh Ipswich clams on the board that we had missed earlier! My mom was psyched. Fried clams are her fave, so we had to order those, too. They were incredibly delicious! We left Hank's absolutely stuffed and happy (as clams!). I will be back!
(5)Marissa C.
Best place for oyster hands down! VERY CLEAN!! they have good lobster roll too!
(5)Jaye V.
4 stars overall, but 5 stars for having the best freakin' oysters I've ever had in my life. Kumamoto oysters have now been trumped by the Skookum oysters they offered on Saturday night. Better yet, it was during their late night oyster happy hour, so they were only $1 each. These would easily be $3 at Clyde's, or any oyster-shucking brasserie-of-the-moment in NYC. These were better than any of the freshly harvested oysters I had while on the farm at Hog Island in northern California. Dios mio, they were exquisite. Plump in very deep shells, super creamy, freshly and mildly briny, so rich and flavorful... "Gott im Himmel!" The fried items I've had here have been decent - if fried whole clam bellies are your thing, they do it without all the grease like I had at that overhyped shack on the remote end of Martha's Vineyard. The lobster roll was pretty tasty and larger than your typical $14 one in Maine. The large plates are on the smaller side but sufficient with the plethora of $5 sides (with plenty of locally-grown produce options). The garlic sauteed fresh spinach? Stellar. The ceviche with jalapeno? Was actually cooked and not lime-cooked...and without any heat - only thing we didn't finish. The local sea-scallops with local tri-color corn in red corn sauce? Perfect. Not cheap, but so amazingly fresh you could taste it (or NOT taste it, depending on your perspective). If the atmosphere wasn't so New England quaint and casual, I don't think people would be complaining about the sticker shock so much. I'd recommend anything local, the daily specials, and the side dishes... and of course, the oysters. If you split oysters at happy hour, a couple small plates, and a couple of sides, you'll be satisfied - and it'll be a lot lighter on your pocketbook if you want a bang-for-your-buck late night dinner. Prior to 11:30pm during the late night happy hour, they served us the full menu rather than a condensed late night menu btw. But someone came in at 11:30, and they said "oysters only". I thought Sea Catch had the best $1 happy hour, but that's only the cheap oysters. Here they reduce the oyster list by half at that time, but the ones remaining are still very high end.
(4)yo m.
We hail from the westcoast and were salivating for some good lobster roll. Hanks did not disappoint! Generous portions of succulent lobster on a buttered bun=heaaaaaven!! We also tried a combo of oysters, all of which were delicious and fresh. However, the unique touch that REALLY won me over was their complimentary goldfish crackers as a starter munchie!
(5)Miles O.
A solid and reasonably inexpensive, small, casual oyster/seafood restaurant in Alexandria. We had oysters (of course), salad, lobster bisque, shrimp and scallop omelet. Salad was OK. The rest was very good. Especially, mmmm, the oysters, the bisque, and the omelet... Highly recommended.
(4)Rachel A.
Overall excellent, but overly salted. We went here for brunch for Father's Day. We spent $66, not including tip, for 4 adults and a child. We didn't have to wait, but we sat in the back, where the windows were closed. Although it felt very private, I would have liked to be seated in the front where all the window and lights were, but all the tables were taken. Also, if you plan to sit outside, they are only allowed to seat 4 people outside, according to Alexandria law, no exceptions. The highlights were the Mac and Cheese *EXCELLENT!* , the waiter said they use cheddar, parmesan, and Havarty (sp?) cheese - velvety and delicious, so much so that I wanted to lick the plate afterwards, but I did have self control :) They serve bread with jelly and butter, as well as goldfish crackers to hold you over until your food comes. The jelly was so good that I also asked the waiter what kind it was (Darbo Raspberry Jelly, aparently used for baking). Tasted like pureed fruit! The entrees we ordered were smoked salmon served with cream cheese and capers on a bagel (average), crab cake benedict (a tad salty) and the oyster fry (can't remember the name) which is fried oysters topped with eggs and a "hollandaise" sauce, which was more like a light green sauce. The kids menu hamburger was only $7, and was about the size of half a burger at any other restaurant. It looked so good I wanted to order this myself at my next visit! At the end of your meal, we were served a bowl of chopped german dark chocolate, which was a nice touch. I would definitely come back again, although the oysters are steep at $2 EACH, so I would be excited to see how the happy hour is here.
(4)Matthew B.
Wonderful happy hour with quick seating. Hank's offered three, out of six available, oyster selections for the special prices, $1 oysters, during the 5:30pm to 6:30pm hour. All three selections were decent enough to ensure another dozen were ordered. Attentive wait staff that was knowledgeable with the wine list that paired a nice malbec with the meal. Great location in Alexandria and a very relaxed atmosphere. I will be headed back here for another dozen.
(4)John R.
Ever visit a restaurant that was so wonderful that you want to keep it all to yourself? Another week will not go buy that I don't visit Hank's at least once. On the one hand, this place is so wonderful I want to bring them tons of business by telling everyone about it. I also want to share this place with everyone so they can have as wonderful time. On the other hand, I want this little oyster bar all to myself. :) I was expecting something a little dive-ish, but from the second you enter you know you're going to be taken care of. A tiny bowl of goldfish crackers are brought to your table as you select a drink from their decent wine and beer list (I'm a beer guy). The oyster selection is great and their happy hour selection usually has 2 or 3 choices for a $1 each. And when you're all done, they bring a tiny bowl of crumbled dark chocolate with the bill. Priceless. ----------update I've since returned on Many occasions and I really love this place. Oyster Po Boys melt in your mouth and with a bowl of Lobster Bisque, I'm in heaven.
(5)Sean K.
This is the first time I've felt motivated to write a Yelp review and unfortunately it's a negative motivation. Hank's is a place with generally good food that used to be on top restaurant lists. Now it needs a slap in the face to do something about its poor service. I've come here several times, as there are not enough good seafood places in Northern Virginia. Today I walked in and was greeted by an overweight girl with a frown on her face. She showed me to a table and I asked if I could have a little larger one since the place was half empty, the weather was terrible, it was after the lunch hour (2 pm) and I wanted to use my lap top. Nope -- she looked at me like I had drowned her cat or something, offered me another table in the back that turned out to be the same size. (Always a good idea to follow the rules rather than giving the customer a break!) I ordered the lobster roll, which was a disappointment -- cold lobster salad, not too impressive for $23. The hostess without the mostest planted herself in the table across from me with her buddy and I had the pleasure of listening to her smacking her fingers as she ate. The young wait staff were all busy socializing and two left by the back door, leaving it open even though it was cold and windy outside. The bus staff, meanwhile, all look like unhappy immigrants who've been yelled at too many times or something. It's unfortunate -- I've had good meals here in the past, but I'm not coming back if the owner doesn't care enough to hire and train staff who make customers feel welcome. What's the point of going to a restaurant to have somebody make you feel uncomfortable?
(2)Marty C.
This place is fantastic! Last month my father in-law was in town, and as many times as I've walked by this place, we decided to go in. While the place is small, the food and the service are a cut above, both at the bar and in the restaurant area. For dinner we had exceptional raw oysters, crab cake, roast duck, and great dessert too! Looking forward to a return trip!
(5)Kathy C.
We've been here 3 times and were impressed each time. Specialty is seafood, they only have 1 meat dish each night, the rest if seafood. A great variety of oysters on the half shell, you can sample different ones. The shrimp for the shrimp cocktail is my husband's favorite and he orders shrimp cocktail everywhere we go. A nice selection of side dishes. We have not tried their deserts. Nice atmosphere, good service. The restaurant is casual enough for every day, but fun and good enough for a date or special occasion.
(4)Evelyn C.
Our party of 3 arrived on a Saturday night around 8pm. We were promptly seated at the cozy table by the window where it was perfect for people watching. We started off with 4 different kinds of oysters (one of each kind for each of us to try) and they were all super fresh and tasty. Even our friend who swore off raw shellfish was pleasantly surprised by how good they were and is now an oyster fan! We decided to order a few dishes to share: the fries, mac and cheese, mussels, and fried oysters. Fries- nothing special, not worth $5, but tasty Mac and Cheese- very decadent and rich. definitely not your blue box mac and cheese Mussels- SO GOOD! The mussels were tender and the broth was a little salty, but very flavorful. So great of our server to bring us bread to soak up the juices without even being asked. Fried oysters- I always had the thought that I didn't like cooked oysters. But these suckers were lightly breaded and fried so that the outside was hot and crispy, but the insides were still succulent and fresh. Their own tartar sauce was also delicious. All of us were surprisingly satisfied with those dishes. My eyes were bigger than my stomach and I totally wanted to order more, but I'm glad we didn't. Next time though...I'll be back for $1 oysters and more veg sides!
(4)Jaron H.
Delicious and reasonably priced!
(5)Pipi C.
Sorry, Maryland, but west coast oysters are the shit. And Hank's is one of the few places in DC that serves them. I'm a regular at the bar. Withholding that last star because the prices are about $3-5 more than they should be.
(4)Puppy S.
Hank's Oyster Bar is very VEGAN FRIENDLY. Who would have thought a place with a name like this would be a great pick for vegans?! Their veggie sides are OUT OF THIS WORLD. Our server was very accommodating, and made great recommendations. We had delicious perfectly grilled Brussels sprouts and collards, and also sampled the tomato salad and bok choy that were served alongside the husband's fried chicken (which he said was excellent).
(4)Sarah J.
I just got a nice note from the said host from my last update. Turns out our signals crossed and he DID try calling me to let me know my table was ready, but he had the wrong number. Easy mistake...the bf mumbles quite a bit (he was giving his number) and it was loud in there. If only all the staff could be like this guy! I remember him being super nice so I WAS surprised when he didn't call. Now the air is cleared and I will be back to hopefully experience some great service!
(4)Budoh L.
Chose this spot from a recommendation from Chowhound... We were looking forward as our first stop to our adventure in Old Town Alexandria. The ambiance was a quaint seaside theme & the service was great! Assortment of 1/2 shell oyster - Fresh, right on spot, it hit the spot! Seafood Cobb Salad - looked really vibrant, but the flavor fell flat :( Shrimp Po' Boy - tasted ok but it needed bigger/heartier/or more shrimps... Thought the goldfish for starter & chocolate chunk for final palate cleanser were nice touches. We would try the place again!
(3)Tracy P.
Great food; slow service, old tavern feel. The grilled sardines were unique - salty good. The oyster-sake shooter alone was worth the wait. They don't take reservations but you can shorten the wait time by calling ahead to add your name to the wait list.
(4)Helen Y.
Fresh, clean oysters. Enough said! Decent wine selection is a plus, as well as friendly service & bartenders. You will never need to talk me into going to Hanks Oyster Bar. I've heard great things about their lobster roll, so I'll be updating this review as soon as I go back for it.
(4)Joyce R.
Mac and Cheese is very creamy with a little bacon flavor. YUM!!! The oysters were very fresh and delic!!!
(5)Stephanie M.
I was blown away by the freshness of the oysters. We got the sampler platter and my favorite by far were the Naked Cowboy oysters from NY. For dinner I got one of the specials of the evening, which was the scallops with sea beans in a cauliflower fondue sauce. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and if I weren't a lady I would have licked the plate! The sauce was amazingly creamy and naturally sweet from the cauliflower. My husband got the grilled sea food platter. I got to taste the calamari and the baby octopus. I loved the octopus, again it was perfectly cooked, but...the calamari was over salted. I also noticed the vinegar and shallot dip for the oysters was also over salted, and my husband felt the shrimp with his grill seafood was salty too. This would be the reason they got 4 rather than five stars. Someone has a heavy hand with the salt, which was a shame considering how beautifully everything was cooked.
(4)Jun Y.
The salad has way too much olive oil! And 29 dollars for FOUR scallops??? This place is not that good...
(1)Cassandra H.
Oysters, trout entree, and zucchini with squash side are all amazing. Unfortunately the service wasn't as amazing otherwise I would have given 5 stars. Had an empty glass of wine for 20 mins now.
(4)Jason C.
I was looking forward to a great east coast seafood meal on the water while on vacation in DC but most in Alexandria were no more than a half step above tourist trap so I looked a little further inland and found this amazing spot. By far one of the best seafood meals i've had and in a relaxing atmosphere with energetic and attentive staff. Everything we had was amazing but, obviously, the fresh oysters are where it's at. Start with a dozen and you'll probably go for more!
(5)Lyn L.
Standing in the cold waiting for oysters! That's how the evening started. You'd think when you have about 15 standing outside in less than 10 degree weather, with only 10 minutes to open, well...you'd at least let them come in to the warm restaurant. Then on Facebook, they post "Happy Hour has begun", but not at Alexandria since there were about 15 people standing outside. I posted this on their page, and I was shocked to see they 'deleted' my post. Was my post bad for business? Obviously they did not like my innocent post of asking why they advertised "Happy Hour Started', when indeed it did not. OK, enough about their business practices and lack of compassion, and on to the food and service! They brought in crowds with their $1 oyster happy hour but you can only select from 3 of the 6 types available. That's fine because only 2 of the 4 of us came for the oyster happy hour. They have a good selection of beers and wines, I opted for their $10 5 beer tasting. It was a good mix. We also tried their popcorn shrimp and calamari, very freshly fried and a nice buckets worth. The oysters got rave reviews from our fellow diners. The lobster roll was on it's own special toasted bun and for an additional $2, I could substitute the fries for their roasted Brussels sprouts. At $25 a sandwich, I found the taste to be very bland. One of the diners ordered the Lamb Burger and thought it was very tasty. We also ordered a couple of their homemade desserts and they were ok. If you like oysters this is your place to try. For landlubbers, well, there are other places in Old Town that might satisfy your taste. Service was good so Kudos for that. Then we paid our bill, we were almost charged an extra $122 dollars...yikes, so remember to check your bill before you sign it!
(3)RMthree M.
Great food and great atmosphere. The wait staff is very responsive and great little specifics to this restaurant. The oysters are very fresh and the sides are just as fresh. Decent portions with great variety. The food can be pricy but you get what you pay for. They serve goldfish as an appetizer and dark chocolate chunks with your check...very cool touch.
(5)Lauren M.
Great place for happy hour oysters! If I didn't have to work late hours, I think anyone could find me here once a week. There is no way to beat $1 oysters from the Eastern seaboard. The bartenders are very hospitable and attentive. If you want the $1 oysters, I suggest getting there a couple minutes before the happy hour begins; otherwise, you will be waiting to get a seat at the bar for awhile.
(4)Laurie C.
Wish I liked oysters or wasn't afraid to keep trying them! They had great options from what I could see. Food was very fast. Crab cakes were really awesome! Loved the small plates to sample. Brussel sprouts were nice but could have had more flavor. Onion rings were nice and lightly breaded. Beet salad was great. Loved the nice touch of adding chocolate at end of meal. Would have had a second glass if wine but server never returned would definitely return though for food....want to try more on the menu.
(4)Nadine F.
I've been to Hank's twice now, and I was wavering between giving it three stars or four stars, but I think the good service and lack of long wait times bumps it up to fours. They don't take reservations for small groups, but you can call ahead 30-45 minutes in advance and avoid the wait. Service has been great both times I've gone. I've been able to try several different dishes, and they've been hit or miss, but i think Hank's can be a great experience if you order the right things: *Lobster roll - AMAZING!! Easily the most delicious thing I've had at Hank's, and it's enormous, big enough for two people to share. *Lobster bisque - delicious, and with chunks of lobster thrown in for extra deliciousness *Half shell oysters - delightful! I had one that was a little gritty, but the rest were good, and I'm eager to try their happy hour sometime, where they have these discounted *Garlic steamed mussels with white wine and tomatoes - This is listed as a small plate, but it's pretty enormous. I liked the first few, but I got sick of eating so many mussels. The only way I'd order these in the future is if I had 2-4 other people sharing it with me, and I was able to order something else in addition to it. *Old bay french fries - delicious, thick-cut fries, just how I like them! *Mac and cheesy - I didn't enjoy this, but others at the table did. I think it would be better without the breadcrumb topping, and I wouldn't order it again. *Shrimp and scallop omelette - I kind of hated this, even though I love all the ingredients. It was way too salty and too fishy, and I couldn't eat more than a couple of bites. I was sharing this with a friend and couldn't even finish my small portion. Long story short: Go to Hanks, and order the lobster roll.
(4)Keli R.
Went here on a first date. Sat at the bar All sorts of Oyster yumminess! Nice specials...good food...good beer...OYSTERS! what's not to like?
(4)Kate N.
Went to dinner there last night, and service was a bit slow. Like we didn't order our main entrees until AFTER the appetizers had arrived and been eaten. I don't know if they were short handed or not. But still the waiter was friendly, and efficient, I just think he was juggling too much to do. The food was great, and we still had a fantastic time.
(4)m p.
I'm a seafoodie and this place is clearly underappreciated at four stars. Wonderful discovery.
(5)Scott S.
We stumbled on this while on vacation and I just don't have enough good things to say! Old Alexandria is a beautiful area full of shops and places to eat. We picked Hank's at random. The facility is small and intimate and quaint. However we didn't feel crowded. The service was friendly, fast, and excellent. I had the lobster roll and a seasonal micr brew and both were excellent. My friends had other dishes and enjoyed theirs just as much. I recommend anyone visiting the area give them a try.
(5)Ashley P.
The hubs and I came here tonight to celebrate our last night as newlyweds, since our 1yr anniversary is tomorrow. Corny I know! Well, this was the perfect place to round out our first year of marriage! This place is so cute, and tiny, that it made for a more intimate dining affair. I liked the bar area, and how it was open in that you could see through to the rest of the restaurant. The bartender was awesome! His name may have been Tom, but I'm not sure. He was friendly, and my experience is usually bartenders just want to take your drink order and move on. This guy asked our names, and didn't roll his eyes when I asked him to come up with something fruity and sweet, since I don't drink. One word to describe that concoction; delightful! Oh, they give you a cute little bowl of goldfish to snack on, in case you missed that in the other hundred reviews of this place :). After a twenty minute wait, which is not bad at all, considering it's a Saturday night, we were taken to our table. Our server was extremely attentive, and did a great job answering my questions. I went with the famous lobster roll I kept reading about, and the hubs had the fried oyster poboy. Everything was incredibly fresh, and light. Highly enjoyable. The only thing stopping this from being upgraded to five stars is that both hubs and I agreed the food could've been slightly more seasoned. The hubs doesn't even like highly seasoned food, so that's how I know it wasn't just me! All in all, a wonderful dining experience in the heart of old town.
(4)Leslie B.
Everything was fantastic! Oysters for happy hour and a big can of Tecate...does it get any better....? Yes, yes it does.. all the entrees were outstanding.
(4)Mattie C.
Wow, this place is absolutely delicious. We unfortunately have never been able to hit the Happy Hour here - it ends at 6:30 and bizarrely is not available on Fridays and we just aren't able to get here on time without being horrible work skippers. Maybe one day. During HH they have $1 oysters though, so I am very very anxious to go here. Seems like a great deal! After months of moaning and groaning about never making it to Happy Hour we finally decided to suck it up and come for dinner on a Friday night. And it was amazing! We split a plate of a dozen oysters on the half shell and got to sample 6 different types of oysters. Fun! I liked comparing them and also liked how a lot of them were local oysters. We had small main courses so as not to go too overboard on the prices. Boyfriend got an incredible lobster bisque. It was extremely rich but tasted amazing, and they didn't skimp on the portion. I got a dish made up of mainly little mini scallops in a garlic-y sauce. They were moist and perfect. It wasn't a large dish but managed to fill me up. We also got the Old Bay fries. I would say they are fine but they definitely weren't the highlight of the meal. OH, and lastly we got mussels in a white wine and butter sauce. YUM! Literally every aspect of the meal was perfectly executed and absolutely delicious. We were very satisfied and excited! Atmosphere is fine - though it is a little small and cramped and you kind of feel like you are sitting on top of the other people. The tables were small also as a result and it was hard to fit everything on the table. Still, we are not paying for the atmosphere, we are paying for the amazing seafood! And in that, Hank's delivered. I am excited to come back and hoping we will actually be able to hit the Happy Hour one of these times because it looks awesome.
(5)Alejandro F.
Great Food, very fast service, great and fresh quality of oysters! definitely recommend !
(5)Stephanie J.
My husband and I were on vacation and our hotel was in Old Town Alexandria so we yelped nearby restaurants and Hanks came up. Within walking distance from our hotel The Hilton, this place was currently under construction but they were still open for business. When we first walked in I thought a little small, the bar took up most of the front room, but when we were led to our table the place opened up in the back. I thought the goldfish starters was very clever and the deal on local varieties of oysters was really good. I'm allergic to oysters but my husband loved them. I had the highly reviewed lobster roll with old bay seasoned fries and it was delicious! The bread was toasted and pretty thick to hold the massive amount of lobster they put on it. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Alexis W.
Just another oyster spot for me. Not one of my fave spots but gets the job done. Esp when it's $1 per oyster at happy hour. Street parking. Good luck finding parking on a Fri or Sat for date night dinner. No reservations accepted. Oysters tasted fresh but service for us sorta sucked and it wasn't packed. I'm pretty big on customer service so since then haven't been back.
(3)Lisa H.
Great oyster selection with delicious local options, plus a full menu of other food. The wine list was pretty diverse and all-encompassing which is enjoyable. Definitely going on the recommendation list!
(4)Bryan A.
Fantastic place, and $1/oysters at Happy Hour! That is a great deal. But it does get really crowded fast at HH and around 4:45 people begin lining up outside the door waiting for it to open. In addition to the great oysters, they have good beers on tap and lots of decent seafood choices on the menu - I have never eaten a dish here that I did not like. The only complaints are that it is pricy (though that is to be expected with seafood) and also their HH is very short - we always wish we could do happy hour here but are only able to make it on time by leaving work early. I wish the HH lasted until 7 at least.
(5)Jen G.
Small portions, bad seating, not so good service and blah crab cakes. Did I mention how loud this place is? I was very disappointed as I came here for my birthday dinner. Tried the shrimp salad and lobster roll which my other diners had and was not impressed. The crab cakes were very small and tasteless. Lobster roll nothing to write home about. Shrimp/Avacado salad so very small. Tables were so close together, seating uncomfortable-a big long open loud room. Guess they come for the oysters which I did not try. The place was so crowded on a Monday night and waiter was so busy he had no time to give attention to our table. When he suddenly swept away my dish and the silverware fell on my arm and sleeve he said "nice catch." I have been here for brunch before and that was much better. Specialty drink was very good but never asked if I wanted another or if we wanted dessert. Key Lime pie was very good. Felt totally rushed. Will try again for lunch (the oysters) and will remember this is not a place to have a conversation.
(2)Elizabeth W.
Oysters - raw and fried (buffalo) were very good. The 1/2 lb blue crab in butter was incredible. The seafood w/spicy marinara was also good.
(4)Catherine G.
I've been dying to try out Hank's since coming back from Boston in May. I discovered whole belly clam and wanted to try this place since they have it. Last night, it was relatively quiet, we called ahead and got seated right away. The size of the restaurant is quaint. Reminds me a little of France bistros but with less charm. The menu is simple enough, and I can appreciate a limited menu if they specialize in only seafood. We ordered a half dozen oysters right away and a plate of whole belly clams. The whole belly clam breading was a bit heartier than we like, but it was still enjoyable. The oysters were varied and tasty. Also enjoyed those. For our entrees my husband got the Lobster Roll and I got the fried oyster plate. I think it was too much fried food at this point because I didnt enjoy them as much as I normally would, but still it tasted good. The lobster roll was fresh, but had too much in the way of celery and mayo, etc and kind of masked the lobster itself. All in all, not a terrible meal. But for the price, not the best either. The reason it got less than 4 stars, was the service. While the server was nice, I felt like she had too many tables and couldn't really provide adequate service. We had been finished with our appetizers for a while before she came back to take our entree order. She tried to push a dozen oysters on us each, without really taking the time to find out what we wanted. And when she took my fork away after the appetizers, she never really brought back another one til we had to remind her - though at this point we were halfway done with the entrees. The only saving grace for her was that another attendant took care of refilling our waters, otherwise we would have gone without I'm sure. So all in all, it was ok. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, and my curiosity has been quelled.
(3)K. N.
We like to go to Hank's for HH with our friends. We've been here a few times cause the foods are great, especially oysters and crawfish. We came back last Thursday and that's when everything went down hill. We tried to order our last patch of oyster before happy hour price ends and we were told by our waitress "Happy hour is over at 6:30 and it has been like this for 7 years at this location.". My friend replied" Usually, it's a courtesy to give last call since we don't look at the time and so can we speak to the manager please?". Though the waitress may have not handled the situation appropriately, the manager 's attitude and so called customer service made it even worse. My friend explained that the waitress should asked us to place the order before it is over and that we come here very often, her replied was "Whatever, do you still want to place your order?" Really, Really?? Is this how you run your business? I've been to many restaurants before, but I would never have seen it coming from a manager. To add to the injury, one of my friend got really sick from the oyster. I guess we won't be back anymore.
(1)Alan K.
This is definitely one of my favorite places in Oldtown. The food is consistently delicious, and even though seating is limited, it's relatively easy to get a table by calling ahead, even on a busy Friday or Saturday night. Onto the food: Everything we've tried so far has been delicious, with the exception of the lamb burger, which was oddly seasoned and slightly overcooked. The lobster roll, crabcake, popcorn shrimp and calamari, and lobster bisque are all outstanding, as are the countless raw oyster's we've consumed as appetizers. I'm looking forward to my next opportunity to try something new.
(4)Charlemange F.
If you like oysters, this is a good place to go. They have oysters from different parts of the US you can try. They also make a decent lobster roll. The last time we went, they messed up our order, but made sure to make it right. We also had sake shooters, but they were average at best. I like this place and it's casual atmosphere.
(4)Jonathan B.
I think they recently re-did their decor. The first time we went there it had a warm an interesting vibe - oysters, good beer and sandwiches seemed like just our style. We went back and either we are crazy, or they changed quite a bit. It seemed like it was now all about chrome and glass, needlessly complicated food and very loud, with a cold and sterile vibe. We left before even placing an order.
(2)Bob S.
Visiting from the Midwest, this oyster fiend had to have it. We were returning to The District from Mount Vernon and Yelp guided me right to my dream-come true oyster bar. Half a dozen Long Islands, half a dozen Rhode Islands and a dogfish-head IPA to start. My oh my! How I do miss these salty bites of oceanic Nirvana. We ordered oyster po-boys, crab cakes, and a tilapia sandwich. All perfect! They first brought a crab-cake sandwich instead of tilapia. They got the replacement to the table in 4 minutes and then, for our "trouble" comped us another half dozen briny beauties. Class act and truly professional service. 5 stars!
(5)Anonymous N.
Oysters oysters oysters -- raw and fried -- amazingly fresh and delicious. Everything was great -- peel and eat shrimp, smoked mozzarella salad -- outstanding! Martini's were good. BUT, two whiskeys were literally, less than an ounce -- $30!!!! It soured our mood. We live in NYC and even your most exclusive whiskey bar wouldn't have that precedent. They really need to revisit this pour. We enjoyed this place. The whiskeys were interesting, but nothing warrants such a meager pour. It left a sour taste in our mouths.
(3)Porter O.
I was walking from a bar near the waterfront back to the metro at about 9:30 at night when I noticed I was being followed (I know, in Old Town), so I ducked into Hank's to have a beer and wait it out. Everyone was incredibly nice and friendly, and Dom even walked me the rest of the way to the metro. Such a nice experience that I plan to go back for dinner.
(5)Mirela T.
Tried this place out for my boyfriends birthday and they were very accommodating throughout the entire experience. I was very impressed. Yes the space is small, but they were able to seat the 6 of us without any problem. I also had backed a cake for the occasion and they manager on duty was so kind to refrigerate it for me while we were having lunch. This was actually my very first time having raw oysters, so i didn't know what to expect. Lets just say i was not disappointed. They had oysters from all over the east coast region, so it was nice to sample a little bit of everything. Super impressed. We also had their mac and cheese, man they were deadly! SO GOOD! Overall the experience was enjoyable and I've returned on several occasions for some of those awesome oysters! :)
(4)Holly N.
Oh so tasty! The happy hour special on oysters is sublime. Really i am not sure where else you can get such great oyster at that price point in DC. The atmosphere is great family friendly, business's friendly you name it. I love the lobster roll dress nicely great roll, only needs a little salt to make it sing.
(5)Christy C.
Delicious! Get the lobster roll!!! Went with friends and the waitstaff was very attentive. Had a wonderful kale salad as a starter. The only drawback was it was loud and difficult to hear our friends.
(5)Anthony R.
Great atmosphere the food simply delicious. A great place to just sit down have a glass of wine and have some of the best seafood in Old Town Alexandria.
(5)Tara W.
Great place but small and gets packed quickly. A little pricey.
(4)Lauren S.
Overall: Wonderfully fresh & tasty seafood in a cute, little restaurant with great service. Food: Perhaps it's because we had been unpacking boxes all day -- but this meal really hit the spot. My mom started with oysters and loved every last bite. From there, we ordered the avocado salad, crab cakes, a lobster roll and my husband ordered some kind of fish option (he really enjoyed it -- cant remember what it was, however.) The crab cakes were busting with lump crab and great flavor. It comes with sides but I really didn't touch them aside of the coleslaw (it was good, for the record. not much dressing so that's always a plus.) The lobster roll was what a lobster roll should be so thumbs up there. The menu is nothing fancy, but it all tastes SO. GOOD. Tip: They don't do reservations but you can call ahead and have them put in your name. I imagine this could be handy on a busy weekend night. We went on a Wednesday and it was pretty darn busy.
(5)dan r.
They had great lobster bisque and great that they were next door to Alexandria cupcake but lemonade was sour and fizzy
(3)Bill S.
We went their for lunch. I had an oyster poorboy and Phyllis had the Lobster roll. Both where good but in my opinion, very overpriced. We had their watermelon salad which was different and excellent. It should be tried.
(3)Bob C.
So far I give Hank's four stars just on the oysters and the help from the bartender. I'm not an oyster master so I had to express what I liked in my favorite oysters I had in Annapolis. Not too salty, a illite sweet and the size of a quarter or half dollar. Tender says let's have you try the Pongoteague. Absolutely great and spot on. It's Taco Tuesday so after confirming that it is Tuesday I will be ordering this. My bartender says they are amazing. If you've read my other Fish Taco reviews you'll understand that I take this awfully f'n serious! Bring it on!!! Crispy taco but not the traditional corn, maybe a deep dried flour? Absolutely fresh ingredients and I have to say excellent! One mor thing like Columbo would say.. I was done and posted. I looked up and found a tiny spice bowl of what looked to be chunk chocolate. I ate a piece of this soft, kickass dark chocolate and I'm not sure what more these folks can do to make me love this place. Actually, it can be done but no doubt illegal. Note I changed to five stars.
(5)Becky S.
GREAT oysters!! Mussels are also amazing. Bisque had huge chunks of lobster but was a bit salty towards the end. Have tried almost everything on their menu... Can't go wrong!!
(5)Andrea v.
Went for a late lunch last Saturday (July 20th). Located right on King Street, in a fairly small venue (though we did notice they've purchased the building next door and plan to expand). Started with raw oysters and steamed mussels. Oysters were like a kiss from the sea - fresh, tasty, salty - perfect. Mussels were also expertly done - plump, moist, tender, in a tomato & garlic sauce (the sauce could have been marketed as a very high end gourmet tomato soup - yum, yum, yum). We both had the lobster rolls - they were perfect. One of the best versions I've ever had. A classic done exactly the way it should be. Loads of lobster, light seasoning, light mayo - on an awesome bun. With a couple of beers we spent a total of $80 - which is about what we expected for the quantity & quality. Only complaint was they seemed understaffed, so service a bit off - nothing terrible, but it was obvious the waiter was overwhelmed. Bottom line - You like fresh seafood? Go spend the money, eat, and enjoy. You won't be disappointed by the food. Take a relaxed approach to the small venue and sometimes spotty service - and you'll have a good time of it.
(4)Frank G.
Always liked this place. Now larger . Bar is more upscale. Food and service remain top notch. A good catch.
(5)Zara K.
Loved it! Went for happy hour! The oysters are so worth it! They give u a selection of the oysters u can't order just any oysters during happy hour! Quite fresh if not the best ! Cute little hang out place!
(5)P. G.
Living in Old Town I've dined at Hank's on numerous occasions. Their food is always consistent and delicious, the service is always good, and the servers/bartenders are extremely friendly. I've never had anything that I didn't like, but it's Hank's Lobster Roll that takes this place from a 4-star to a 5-star, in my opinion. The Lobster Roll is GREAT! If you love lobster, do yourself a favor and order it! Hank's also gives you complimentary goldfish before your meal and chocolate after your meal. It's a cutesy, nice touch.
(5)Edna C.
The steamed clams, celery root soup with oysters, grilled seafood plate and market veggie dish, all wonderful! Great food and friendly service!!
(5)Molly M.
This place happened to me almost by accident, and it was one of the best "values" I've ever had. It happened because my boyfriend and I were house sitting in the area - we live in the district. So, feeling like dinner out, I checked yelp for nearby spots that had good reviews. I wasn't even looking for seafood! I saw this place and decided to check it out - boy and I love our raw oysters. Pros: * No bread to start -- goldfish! How original - and it was great. * 6 oysters on the half shell, each described from a unique location. For the record, the Rhode Island ones were the best we had that night. I'd never had raw oysters presented to me with flavor and origin descriptor as if I was drinking wine - I want this to continue. * Sauteed Spinach with garlic - best sauteed spinach of my life. * Mac & Cheese - definitely in my top 5 mac and cheese experiences, lifetime. * Instead of mints or oranges at the end, we were given hunks of bittersweet chocolate. Awesome idea! * I know we had an entree.. I was pretty sleepy, sorry, can't remember now. * Service was friendly and fast. * Dinner for two, including one beer - $50 total. Total steal. Cons: * I wish it were closer to us! I hear there's a location in Dupont - I can't wait to try! Keep up the good work guys.
(5)Maria B.
We had a great meal here on Saturday night. Though the bar is not nearly big enough and there's really nowhere to wait for your table, the food and service more than makes up for it. There is something for all price points, from a burger or a lobster roll, to a three course meal. The food is delicious, the pear salad was fantastic and the oysters shouldn't be missed. I wish we had tried dessert. Don't skip the mac and cheese!
(4)Hokie F.
Raw oysters and seafood grill made for a nice evening. The manager Claude runs a great operation.
(5)Chelsea S.
I had been really wanting to try a lobster roll and after a missed opportunity at a food truck in DC, I decided to seek out my lobster roll at Hank's. It did not disappoint. Despite a somewhat hefty price, the lobster roll was totally worth it. Picture this: lightly toasted bun, brimming with fresh chunky lobster meat... lots and lots and lots of fresh chunky lobster meat. My husband got the fried oyster sandwich which he loved, and we split a side of onion rings. These aren't your freezer isle onion rings either. These are perfectly fried golden rings of perfection. Will definitely be back next time we get a hankering (HANKering, haha get it?) for delicious fresh seafood.
(4)Erik K.
Went on a Monday night and was lucky to enjoy the lamb and take some bites off of my girl's steamed lobster... Everything was delicious. From the cocktail drinks, oysters, all the way to the main course, was one of the best meals I've had.
(5)Adele C.
Love this place. All I mainly eat here is the oysters off the happy hour menu and they are good oysters. I also enjoy the side dishes, the broccoli and spaghetti squash are my favorites. To drink I generally order the don draper, I like it so much I can't order anything else. I am a regular to the happy hour so I would recommend.
(5)Emily T.
Went here for a nice Sunday dinner, based off of all the wonderful reviews. People, please. This place is the worst. 3 of us arrived a little early and waited for the last 2 members of our party- they would not seat us until the other 2 people arrived and made us wait in the doorway like idiots. There was almost no one else in the restaurant and was absolutely no reason not to seat us. They food is mediocre at best. I can't understand why people rave about the quality or taste- it was so plain and below average. On top of the lameness, it was incredibly expensive. Want a shrimp cocktail? Buy the shrimp individually for $3. My best advice would be to save your money, and go some where (anywhere) else. If you're in the mood for fresh seafood, go to the Captain John's wharf across the bridge in DC. Feed an entire family for $30- everything fresh, shucked and cooked right in front of you. Oh man.. Hanks Oyster Bar- you suck and you ruined our Sunday dinner. Never again.. NEVER AGAIN!
(1)Derick K.
I had a couple raw oysters and a couple Bloody Maria's. The drinks were tasty, the oysters were raw, so not much to them. The server was good. The ceiling fan was a bit much...I didn't like the breeze at all!
(3)Nina U.
Liked the small dining area and I loved watching the guys shuck the oysters. Didn't try any though- I'm sure the EMTs would thank me for not getting a shellfish reaction. Only giving them 3 stars because I ordered a Grey Goose and cranberry and I think there were only two drops of cranberry in there? It barely had a shade of pink and I'm pretty sure that cranberry juice is cheaper than vodka? I was getting high off of the fumes. I like you guys but my idea of a good drink is not about how strong it is but how good it tastes. Just my preference.
(3)Samantha S.
Decided to go into Hank's after an attempt to eat at another restaurant failed. We had to wait outside for about 5 minutes for them to open. I could tell by the line of people outside that it was going to be good! We were seated right away (a party of 2) and immediately had a server come over to get us drinks and suggest "oyster happy hour". Being as though I'm not much of a fan of raw oysters, we decided to order the fried ones. They came out nice and quick and were lightly fried, and not greasy at all! For dinner we had the crab cake platter and lobster roll. Both came with fries, and the crab cakes came with coleslaw as well. Crabcakes were excellent as was the lobster roll, perfect consistency, not too much mayo. Tartar sauce was amazing. Overall great atmosphere, and great service.
(4)Victoria A.
Loved the atmosphere, loved the food. The Alexandria location is pretty small (have not been to the others) but it adds to the experience in a way. The staff was very accommodating for our large party. I had the mussels, I would go back just for that! Excellent crab cakes. Everyone I went with enjoyed the food and the experience. I will definitely go back some time soon.
(5)Lynne R.
I am often disappointed with seafood when I travel south ( New England native), but not tonight. We had oysters, po-boys and crab cakes. All superb. The coleslaw and Mac and Cheese were really great as well. We had a 5 minute wait on a Saturday night with no reservations. The restaurant was full. Wait staff were pleasant. Loved the clean and simple decor. Anyway, Yum, yum, yum. Thank you Yelp for another great find. Would definitely return and recommend!
(5)Tracy L.
Fantastic restaurant in a great location. Excellent service overall. Fresh oyster, great clam chowder, delicious avocado salad! Would definitely return!
(5)Pamela M C.
Great date night spot tucked into King Street. Its super casual and you can hear your dinner mates! The food is exceptional. We had crab cakes and mussels. They were great and we will be back.
(5)Randem Y.
This place was great! We had a raw oyster sampler that was AMAZING, and the Oyster Po Boy, and the Lobster roll (which was packed full of lobster, on the most amazing butter roll), all was delicious!! It was a tad bit pricey ($100 for lunch), and that included 3 beers. The atmosphere was great, and it was a real chill laid back environment. Will definitely go back.
(4)Gina A.
Really cute little place my boyfriend found while looking for some casual places in Alexandria to have lunch at. Instead of bread they give you goldfish to munch on while you wait for your food, which at that point I knew they got my stamp of approval! I was pretty certain I wasn't going to drink, until I saw they had a drink which consisted of Creme de Violet, St. Germaine, lime and sparkling wine...couldn't help myself. It was called a "Stormy Morning," and I highly recommend it. We decided to split the duck hash and seafood cob salad. The duck hash was incredible but very rich, so it was nice to have the salad. The salad was absolutely gorgeous and very generously portioned. The service was incredibly friendly. No complaints on this end.
(4)Anna P.
The food is delicious here. I have never had a meal at Hank's that I didn't love. With that, I have to give a nod to the detail here as well - from the goldfish crackers when we are first seated to the dark chocolate bites with our check. The lobster roll is delicious. Oysters are always perfect - fresh and tasty. Salads fresh and the lobster bisque like a big warm delicious hug on a cold winter day. What I wasn't expecting was just how delicious the fried chicken and mac and cheese are. Both are amazing. The only down side is that prices are a but higher than for similar menu items around Old Town, and getting a table for dinner on a Friday or Saturday can be darned near impossible at times. But when you have the patience and want some quality food, Hanks is a must try.
(4)Thai T.
Service was great. Food was good. My best friend and I called ahead to put our names on the waiting list on a busy Saturday night last weekend (June 15th), got there and still waited probably another 20 minutes for our table, not horrible considering they were slammed. We got a sampling of their oysters, which I enjoyed all 3, she enjoyed 2. She got the ribeye special of the day with spinach and their mac and cheese. All of which were very good, ribeye was perfect, had an amazing sauce; cooked/sauteed spinach was lemony and very flavorful; and mac and cheese was just yummy. I had the lobster roll and stringy fries, also very tasty, posssibly better roll than Red Hook! :P
(4)Sara P.
My husband and I went here a few weeks ago and loved it! We HIGHLY recommend this place. A lot of the other reviews complain about the wait time... we waited about 40 minutes and just went to the coffee shop Killer ESP a couple of doors down to wait. I found the small restaurant refreshing and prefer that to a huge place, so I definitely didn't mind waiting. The lady who waited on us was friendly and we loved her! And even more impressive, the food came out literally 5 minutes after we ordered! My hubby got the lobster roll and I got the fried oysters. I think I prefer Coastal Flat's lobster roll to Hank's, as the one here seemed a little bland, but the fried oysters were PERFECT!! I would highly recommend them.
(5)Courtney F.
So I had no idea that this narrow restaurant could pack so much flavor. I think I had to be the greediest person there that night. The macaroni and cheese was good enough to make me want to jump kick the friend who introduced me to Hank's. I also got a lobster roll that was descent (given the fact that I have no idea how an authentic lobster roll tastes). As far appearance its definitely on the more casual side. So following in my hipster friends always under dressed style made me stick out like a sore thumb. It was either our sweatshirts or the 13 plates and bowls between three people that made patrons stare. Well worth the dirty looks...
(5)Michele D.
This place was definitely a fun spot. We got there just before the evening rush so we secured one of the last tables. The oysters were great and so were the shrimp and ceviche. It does get a little crowded when people are waiting for tables and you tend to feel like they are standing right on top of the table you are sitting at. We missed Happy Hour by a few minutes so I definitely will be going back!
(4)Sandy L.
Went for brunch on Sunday, June 1, arriving at 11:30am, when they opened, Host was rude. We sat at table in the bar and a regular came in after us, got a hug from manager and his drink first and a hug!. We sat there with nothing, no water, no drinks, nothing, no one spoke with us. Finally, after 20 minutes, the manager put goldfish crackers on our table. Thanks! Bartender asked if we want a drink, so we ordered 2 drinks and asked if we could order brunch (after sitting there for 25 minutes), she was so rude, we left with $0 tip for her. They were clearly put out to offer service to people who just wanted to order brunch and pay for service. I waitressed for 3 years. My husband was a bartender. Won't go back.
(1)T N.
I love oysters. Raw, fried, steamed, or in soups, I love them all. My absolute favorite, though, are raw oysters. I love the idea and taste of fresh lemon juice, cocktail sauce, and Tobasco sauce on freshly shucked oysters. I have heard many good recommendations from friends and family to go to Hank's and I am glad that I was able to try for the first time! The restaurant is very small so going there in a group bigger than 4 is not a good idea. My friends and I went in a group of 4 and we had barely any room to stand and wait. I heard the location in DC is no different. Be warned and be patient. The menu is quite small but has a little bit of everything for everyone. The oysters were quite fresh and I was able to try all 6 types of oysters that night. My main entree was the Ahi Tuna with seaweed salad which was not all that impressive. We were not seated with a small bowl of Gold Fish crackers, which is no big deal, but I expect to be treated the same as everyone else around me. So, that knocked down one star. The other star knocked off was for the small space. All in all, if you're craving for oysters, than Hank's is the place to be. They change their menus so I am willing to come back to try the rest that the have to offer!
(3)Brian J.
I have mixed feelings for Hanks. It's a great neighborhood place and we've been here a few times. The Oyster happy hour is the best deal going, select oysters for $1 weekdays. The rest of the menu is very hit or miss. My wife had that mahi mahi which was very overseasoned and I had the lamb chops, which were very fatty and came with bland onion rings. It's also very noisy. Would I come back? Yes, but I'd just for the Oyster happy hour and a beer.
(2)John C.
Nice trendy place. Arrived at 9:00pm and was told that the wait was 45 minutes. Got seated within 30 minutes. Had a few cocktails from the bar. was tasty and they used premium alcohol. Ordered the fried shrimp and calamari but not crazy about it since it was full of batter and not much flavor. Clam belly was very good and tasty. The mussels in red sauce was very tasty. The best part of the meal was the lobster roll and french fries. Believe it or not, Im not a fries person but these were one of the best fries I've had in a long time. Service was just ok. Nothing special and kind of dry. Would go back for the clam belly and lobster rolls.
(3)Lisa E.
This is my new "go to" place in Old Town. I don't eat seafood, but the atmosphere and the bar is fantastic. The bartender is impressive. He is friendly, calls you by name and remembers you the next time you stop in. He makes a great margarita to boot. It's a friendly atmosphere and the food is outstanding! Stop in if you have a chance - you won't regret the experience.
(5)David K.
Brought my father in over the father's Day weekend. Had a GREAT meal. My Dad had the fried oysters, the portion was ample and reasonably priced. We also had 18 raw oysters, also excellent. I had the lobster roll, it was delicious. Service was good, the bartender was SUPER NICE and FUNNY. HIGHLY recommend this location OVER the Dupont location. There is NO 'TUDE in this location, unlike the uppity DC location. The only issue is (as been previously stated) that the place is tiny. There can be a considerably wait for a table. KUDOS to the Alexandria, Va. location!
(4)Tiffany B.
Delicious oysters and great craft beer selections. The place is a little small and can get cramped but the oysters and po boys are well worth it.
(4)Rae N.
Upgrade to 5-stars since their cool expansion & renovation. Dining area not as crowded since that bar has been relocated to the adjoining expansion area. The new bar is 3-4 times longer than the old bar; looks very inviting. Need to try it out on my next visit.
(5)Megan L.
$1 happy hour oysters and their Mac & Cheesy keep me coming back! I haven't had anything that was bad here. Their lobster roll isn't as good as the ones I've had in New England, but it was still pretty tastey. It's a bit on the small side and their bar area consists of like 3 chairs! One of their tables is next to the window facing the street and that's a fun place to sit and watch the people going by. They also sell their oysters per piece (happy hour or not) - which was pretty awesome when my friend wanted to try her first raw oyster. We were able to order her ONE oyster to try.
(4)A S.
My wife and I LOVE this place! Putting in the new bar was a stroke of genius. There's nothing better than sitting at their huge bar with a cocktail and a few oysters, chatting with Tom and/or Izzy (two great bartenders). The staff knows their stuff and does a great job managing a popular restaurant on King St. Even if you don't like oysters, there are plenty of tasty options to be enjoyed in a really friendly atmosphere. It's a must try... I will probably stop in tonight.
(5)Mike O.
A quick shout-out for the raw bar happy hour Tues-Friday. $1 oysters (limited selection) make for a great opportunity for landlubbers like me to try a variety of oysters on the half-shell. The bartender was helpful and friendly, guiding me through my mollusk adventure. I'd encourage anyone seeking oysters 101 to come to Hank's and learn what your preferences are.
(4)Jon C.
Great oysters, cool atmosphere, nice selection of beers on tap. The lobster bisque wasn't my favorite but there is nice selection of food for people that don't like seafood as well.
(4)Donn D.
The variety of oysters are great! A bit pricey in my opinion, but nonetheless fresh and great.
(4)Melissa M.
I can't say this is the best lobster roll only because it's the first one I ever tried, but it was fabulous! I'm not really into raw oysters much but had some anyway (when in Rome, after all) and they were pretty good. My friend had the oyster Po' Boy and loved it. Pretty cool cocktail menu as well. We didn't do dessert that night, though.
(4)Beth F.
We love this place. The best food in Old Town where you can bring kids. Everything we've eaten has been delicious.
(4)Michael P.
Classy place without being too formal. They have a great variety of oysters and their fresh even though the are nationally sourced. The service is always perfect - so much so that I sometimes I don't notice the service because they're timing is perfect. Event the simple things like the lobster roll sandwich are good.
(4)Jeremy C.
After a recent trip to NYC and eating at Pearl Oyster Bar, I had to have more, but sadly I do not live in NYC. So, I began my desperate search for something similar - to be able to bite into an awesome lobster roll and some fresh oysters....Hanks Oyster Bar did not disappoint. After reading the Yelp reviews, I made a reservation before going. I am glad I did so, because this place is TINY and can fill up on a weekend night. The quaint size and dim lighting really created a romantic vibe...especially for being in Old Town Alexandria. This was the place I had been looking for. I felt at home; I felt comfortable. The friendly waitress brought us our menus and explained the different type of oysters they had. We ended up ordering two lobster roll dishes, an oyster sampler (oysters from different east coast locations), and calamari. The lobster roll was great! The lobster was tender, but also had that meaty and chewy consistency that only lobster has. The calamari was also delicious with their house tartar sauce, and the oysters were to die for. They were able to tell what kind of oysters a few of them were so they threw in a few for free....AWESOME! I love free stuff! Pros: Great food! Try the lobster roll, and definitely get yourself some oysters! Cons: NOTHING! maybe parking..but hey, its Old Town Alexandria. Oh yah...make a reservation! Overall, this is the closest to Peal Oyster Bar in NYC I could find...and thats saying a lot!
(5)Nathan P.
I am a fan of this place. Just expect to drop a good chunk of change. It is pretty pricy with the raw oysters coming in at 2.25. If you get a couple drinks and keep ordering rounds of dozen oysters you will be in for a nice surprise when the bill comes around. I overall had a great experience.
(4)Jimmie W.
Happy hour is only from 5:30 to 6:30. Get there early because there will be a line. It's worth the wait for the $1.00 oysters. Chesapeake were my fav. Very meat with a clean after taste.
(5)Rose L.
Charming little restaurant with a lot of character. Blackboard menu of available oysters and specials. Goldfish crackers to munch on while you wait and a very creative menu. Tried native va oysters and also pacific. Va oysters were better. Also had an oyster salad. Another had the oyster po boy which was delicious. And when you get the check they give you dark chocolate - that's enough reason to visit. Not a whole lot of seating but it gives you the feeling of being invited into sometimes kitchen. Very low key but colorful in menu selection and charm. Have a couple of oysters when you visit. They're that good.
(4)Ellen B.
I have been here twice now and will likely not return. The oysters are great. That is a no brainer. I have had the scallops which are also great, but way overpriced. Four scallops with sauces on a plate for $29??!!?!?! The nail on the coffin was the highly recommended lobster roll, whch was chewy and tasteless and now sits uncomfortably in my stomach. Stick with what they do best - the oysters and the vegetable sides.
(2)Jackie N.
The oysters are delicious and topped with a homemade minuets. Go for the mussels, the sauce is to die for!
(5)Paul J.
Excellent fresh oysters. The po boy is to die for. Very very cramped waiting area. Few chairs while waiting. Long long waits so call 30 mins prior to arrival to get on seating list. Plan on $75 a person for one meal and a few drinks.
(4)Olive O.
Although the food is always very good to excellent (The raw oysters and the PoBoy are my go-to options, along with some of the specials) - I have become somewhat disenchanted with this place over the last few years. We go to Hanks at least 6-7 times yearly. The ambience remains quite nice (but a little too cozy - people always running into you if you are walking to the bathroom, out of the restaurant, or out of the bar). The service is good in general, but sometimes feel that a couple of the (female) servers are a little snappy and rush you. Forget about taking advantage of the Happy Hour - tried a few times over the last year - would arrive at 5:55PM (happy hour was 5:30-6:30 PM the last time we tried) and would not get seated in time. The major problem is that I don't have the time or patience to wait an hour for a table after a busy week on a Friday or Saturday night. We've even tried calling ahead and still had to wait 45 minutes for a table on more than one occasion, after waiting the 30 minute call ahead period. The last experience we had was on a Friday night - called ahead for a table at 7:15 PM - arrived at 7:45 PM, and then waited until 8:30 to be seated. They don't seem to take reservations here. The other issue is that it's not cheap to eat there - on the last occasion we were there - we ended up spending $200 (for 2 people) - for a dozen oysters, 2 or 3 drinks total, appetizer, I think a couple sides, and 2 entrees + tip (we were really hungry). Kind of pricey for waiting an hour and a half to eat. Have not tried any of the other DC locations, given that we live down the street from the Old Town restaurant, but after our recent experiences at this restaurant - don't necessarily plan to.
(3)Mackenzie R.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. The cold oyster selections were delicious! You also need to check out their Poboy sandwhich. Simple but has a great flavor
(4)Jason G.
One of our favs! The prices are a bit high and the wait can be loooong on Fri/Sat nights. But, the food is great, staff is usually great (a few exceptions), and $1 happy hour oysters rock!
(5)Chich S.
Went for brunch and it was excellent! The bloody mary's are amazing (and only $7!). The oyster po-boy and the lobster rolls are delish, though the latter is a bit pricey. The oysters are fantastic too, but $2.25 is a bit pricey for me so I'd rather wait for happy hour. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Yanlin C.
Nice place with nice food. Enjoy the small shop with customized menu. They have huge lobster in the lobster bisque!!!!
(4)Robert S.
Food is great. Oysters are not strong tasting and the food is very well presented. I saw other reviews about small portion sizes but the portions were perfect for the wife and I. The service was good and the restaurant clean and inviting. The only reason for 4-stars is the price. It is a little expensive but worth it in my mind. We will return.
(4)Tim R.
Mac and cheese is a cannot miss. Best I've ever had. Oyster po boy more like a lobster roll so kind of disappointing. Good oysters though just not enough of them and bread choice was strange. Mussels very good but can they please serve with crunchy bread to sup up the yummy broth? Solid choice in old town and new bar is beautiful.
(3)Jon L.
A five star lunch experience today. Met up with an Old Town local to check out the oysters on a spring like day. Musta been 70 degrees out with people running around in shorts & tee's. They had three varieties of Virginia oysters, Chincoteague, New Point Comfort & Olde Salt...we opted for two of each@ $2 each. The Chincoteague was smooth, on the briney side and fair sized. The others were ok, but we agreed the Chincoteague was select. She had the crab cake tartar which she said was quite good. I opted for the crab cake eggs benedict which was 5 star, no doubt. It's nice when it's crab & oyster season together, double delight.
(5)N N.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. I'm a picky oyster eater. I liked the west coast oysters here as they are smaller and have a more delicate flavor (less sea-like taste). Unfortunately, they aren't quite consistent with the quality of the oysters that they bring out to you. I ordered a second round of the same kind of oysters and some were huge and very fishy, but a couple won't spoil the bunch for me. I will definitely go back here for oysters. The other food here was okay. The seafood ceviche was not good. The pieces were too big and too cooked to be ceviche. It was also lacking acidity from the citrus. Service was not terrible but not great. Our waiter didn't really seem too friendly or cared how we were. Just asked what we wanted and didn't care to answer questions because he kept wanting to jet off elsewhere.
(3)Barbi H.
I love Hank's. What else can I say? The good... *Quaint, quality food. Basic, but soo fresh and yummy. **The bartender may be the best ever! They've got some awesome seasonal options that aren't your typical, but still make me think I might just be at "The Columbia Room" (if you don't know where or what I'm talking about search that next!) ***Oyster Happy Hour!!! The not-so-good... *The 1st thing that hits you when you walk in is that this place is *tiny*. **When I've not sat at the bar & actually gotten a table, the service hasn't been as great in the front room. Ech. Either way, you'll be seeing me there again, soon!
(5)Amanda L.
Oyster happy hour from 5:30-6:30 pm - $1 oysters - nuff' said. Seriously, this place is a great place to go after work for happy hour/dinner. Lobster bisque is delicious with big chunks of lobster (although a tad bit too salty), and the "mac and cheesy" is great. They also have a unique cocktail menu with seasonal drinks. It's a small place, so if you plan on going towards the end of the week during happy hour, make sure to arrive around 5:30 for first seating.
(4)Eric O.
Step 1: Do not eat a large dinner before coming to Saturday night happy hour ($1 oysters). Step 2: Start with a few different types to decide on your favorites. Step 3: Order dozens more and enjoy!
(3)Sean M.
This place is one of the better oyster bars in the DC area. I went in on a cold, rainy fall day. Before I noticed their oyster selection, I noticed their beer selection, which was great (they have ROGUE!). I then ordered the lobster bisque and a dozen oysters. The great part about this place is you can order a mixed plate of oysters. So, I was able to order a dozen with 6 different kinds of oysters. I was the only one in the place when i went, early after noon, and the waiter was eating some new oysters taht had just arrived and he brought me a sample. Bottom line, they have a great variety of oysters, that are VERY fresh. Seems like an easy objective to accomplish, but Hank's does it better than most.
(5)Angela L.
This trip to Hank's, I hadn't eaten dinner beforehand so I finally got to sample the true wonderfulness of the place. I was celebrating having received a job offer and didn't think twice about ordering a bottle of Albarino, the mac n cheesy, and fried calamari and shrimp. The wine was amazing, lots of grapefruit flavors. The mac and cheese, excellent as last time. But the fried goodies - oh my. So very, very good. I sort of ignored the fact I'm on a diet and ate every last one. Hank's is most certainly on the top five of Old Town restaurants for me!
(5)Kevin R.
We ordered 10 different mixed oyster. ordered lobster sandwiches with fries. their fries were skinny and tasted real good. they are little bit pricy but it's def worth it.
(5)Viet D.
I love oysters...although I can't eat them much due to my hyperthyroid...but anyways...tmi. When I have been good on my diet and need a seafood fix, Hank's is close to my house and is good and that is why I have been there about 5 times since they have opened, which was last year I believe. The oysters on the half shell are awesome...lots of different varieties which I load with lemon juice and hot sauce (yummm). The fried oysters are good...80% of the time I have ate them. one time I ordered the friend oysters, there was tons of grit and sand in them, but that is nothing the restuarant could have controlled. They quickly and friendly gave me another order. The mac and cheese is awesome...as well as the collared greens. Skip the lobster roll...pricey and not that tasty. Calamari is good too.
(4)Blair P.
5 stars for Hank's! I went Friday night for a special occasion with my boyfriend and we had such a great time. I wish I had remembered our waiters name - he was very attentive and friendly. We started with two of each oysters from the blackboard - always check the blackboard! I'm not even an oyster fan and all was fresh and delicious. We then ordered the small plates of caesar salad with anchovies and fried oysters. This was our least favorite dishes. Four anchovies were just placed on top of the caesar salad - I think we were expecting something different. And I'm not a fan of the fried oysters - they didn't compare to the fresh oysters. Last but not least, the lobster roll. This was our favorite dish by far! I didn't want it to end! We would have been happy to just order the lobster roll. We'll be back for more! And to add, the goldfish to start and chocolates to end with was a nice touch.
(5)Greg T.
My wife and I started with the dozen oyster sampler and were very satisfied with the quality/ variety of east coast and west coast varieties. West coast won. We then shared the scallops and the lobster roll and were impressed with both and highly recommend each. Great service and help with the menu selections. Well done Hanks.
(4)Maggie W.
OMG amazing! The Lobster Roll is sublime! CHUNKS of yummy lobster, not just claw meat! The manager Claude is AWESOME!
(5)Jill M.
I really enjoyed my experience here. My husband, brother-in-law and I did the oyster sampler (we each got one of the six varieties they offered that day). The presentation was good and oysters were tasty and fresh. I enjoyed the local beers they had on the menu. Everyone also really liked their meals-high quality and well prepared. The shrimp po boy was amazing. My bite of my husband's fish sandwich was great. My sister loved her lobster roll and mac and cheese and b-i-l liked the crab cake sandwich. I would recommend to anyone visiting the area.
(4)Benjamin M.
I love Hank's for oysters. I heard good things about their Sunday fried chicken. It only makes sense never go to an oyster bar for fried chicken. Stick to Hank's seafood; Hank, stick to seafood. The fried chicken is pre-cut off the bone (in an attempt to present the food in a dignified manner, I suppose). Half the fun of fried chicken is lost when slivers are cut from the bone. The side dishes are delicious at Hank's (this really is a mixed review). The service was good, however the ticket that was brought to me and that I sent my card away with came back for signature with $6 added to it (not gratuity) added to it. I was ready to leave because you can only have a ZipCar so long, so I didn't raise the issue, but it seems only fair that the ticket that you send to the register with your card have the price that you end up paying ... not $6 more. For Hank's oysters and seafood - 4 stars. For Hank's DuPont location - 4 stars. For Hank's Fried Chicken in Alexandria - 2 stars.
(2)Brian G.
This place turned out to be the worse decision of the Year so far. We went when it was a bit busy which I understand the wait is fine, and we didn't mind the short 30 minute wait. The first young lady at the front was very calm cool and collected even though she was running around and doing more than one thing at a time. She said we were more than welcome to call back if we didn't want to wait and she would give us an update on our time, 15 minute call was suggested so we didn't have to wait in the small area and crowd around people that were already eating. We were fine with this. We called back and I told the woman we were checking in and was just curious how long our wait was. I stated that what the young lady that helped us a few minutes before had said, the woman's reply to my question was "And...?" I was a bit taken back. I told my friend with what happened so we decided to walk next door and see who this was. Older brunet woman in her late 30's I am guessing. We were greeted with the same attitude and the comment was "I just told you on the phone it was going to be about 15 more minutes." We turned around and left. Sorry I didn't get a chance to try the food, but we didn't make it past your front door service and we never will either. The only patronage you will get out of me is a bad review. Sorry ;)
(1)June W.
Finding a good place to eat in Old Town in heels and trying not to break an ankle on the cobble stones is tricky...but I found one! It doesn't look like much from the outside but truly a gem. My husband and I started off with the prosciutto and roasted peppers (similar to a pepperonata) with their really yummy sour-dough bread. For the main course we had an oyster po'boy and an oyster dinner. For 2 bucks you can swap out the coleslaw for any of their sides. We got the collard greens (eh) and baked cauliflower (good!). Will absolutely go back--tremendous meal and not overly pricey. Best oysters around, not greasy or tiny. Oysters were plump and juicy with a good breading. MMmmm mmm.
(4)Nina P.
Aside from the hour wait (for a party of 5), this restuarant is a wonderful gem amongst the MANY restaurants in Old Town Alexandria. On the first floor of a rowhouse, the decor gives off a modern clean demeanor. Hank's is an Oyster Bar with a great selection of fresh oysters. We decided to try ALL the varieties since all of us enjoyed raw oysters. Charleston Salt, Clevedon (New Zealand), Naked Cowboy (New York) and Tree Island (British Columbia) were the first two dozen to be tested. All were fresh tasty and well presented with a mignonette sauce and a horseradish/cocktail sauce. We decided to try some of the other dishes such as Grilled Mediterranean Sardines, Grilled Portabello w/goat cheese, Lambchops w/balsamic reduction (a little on the skimpy side), Garlic Steamed mussels w/white wine and tomatoes (sublime!!), spinach sauteed w/garlic (wonderful) and Old Bay fries. The food is great and a good value especially after 10:30pm when selected varieties of oysters are $1 a piece and NO WAITING for a table. We will be back with a smaller party. Can't forget the small square dish of chopped bittersweet chocolate which came at the end of this wonderful dinner. It is a GO......
(4)Claire T.
If you can handle the wait, you will not regret it. They do not take reservations and it's always busy here, so expect to wait. That said, if you stick around, you will not be disappointed. The oysters are amazingly fresh and the lobster roll is to die for! I definitely recommend this place.
(4)Pancho Julio Chico R.
I wanted to pup a tent at Hank's! This place is great. Great oysters and great service.
(5)Alex L.
Fresh oysters and a friendly staff. We sat at the bar and got a couple of drinks when the place was pretty dead. We all split a lobster roll which was fine, albeit expensive and the staff was cool enough to let us experiment with taking an oyster in a shot of beer. Decent place.
(4)Jason F.
Located in Old Town Alexandria, Hanks Oyster Bar is nestled in with small shops and cobble stone walk ways which creates a unique feel to the area. The restaurant is quite small as well as the menu however the service and food is spectacular! Our server, Zach, was great telling us all the great things to eat there. We were then served goldfish crackers while we decided what to order, cute and yummy!. We did go for brunch so we were then served bread and jam to go with our crab cake eggs Benedict. Phenomenal! We even got a small little chocolate at the end of a wonderful dining experience. I'd love to go back and try more!
(5)Dave R.
Great place! Had a dozen oysters and the flatiron with chimichurri and 2 sides. Everything was very tasty. Staff was friendly. Will certainly be back.
(5)chris s.
Another perfect meal. Had the burger which was deliciously fire licked and pink inside, a true winner for a fish joint. Also, had the string beans and shallots in soy sauce. I fought my GF for the last one, they were great. Another round of perfectly chilled and briny oysters chosen by our server Ali who was a super star. Thanx Hanx!
(5)Mark R.
Wish I had discovered this place sooner, but the positive reviews are well deserved. I went with my wife and we both tried everything we ordered. We had fried oysters for an appetizer since my better half isn't into raw fish. They were very good. She ordered the scallops and ginger carrot soup which were both extremely tasty. I decided to go with the veg plate for which you can choose five sides. I chose the broccoli & garlic, butternut squash, collard greens, mac & cheese and fries. She loved the fries which were thin and very tasty. All the sides were excellent, but the squash and mac & cheese were notable for unique tastiness. With the fried oysters and a Czech Pilsner on draft I was full, but we took a risk and ordered the Key Lime Pie. In our experience it is a risk outside of a trusty place like New Orleans. However, it was also quite good so i can even recommend it as well. This is definitely a place we will return to again soon -- amongst the best food in Old Town we have had. With a mixed cocktail added to the above, the bill was $85 for two of us before the tip.
(5)Jessica K.
I took my mom here for Mother's Day dinner. It was really delicious. A very simple yet sophisticated menu. We had some oysters of the half shell, the old bay peel and eat shrimp, a side salad and the crab cake. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked awesome! A little of the pricey side, I thought, but the charm will take me back there.
(4)William S.
We loved this restaurant. The food was fantastic. They don't take reservations but they have call ahead seating so make sure to do that because there is not alot of space to stand and wait. We had a dozen oysters to start, sampling 2 of each variety available that night. We chose our two favorites and had another 6 of each. So, so good! I chose the scallop special and my husband had a po' boy. The scallops were cooked perfectly. The sandwich had a toasted bun and the oysters were lightly breaded really letting the flavor of the oyster come through. For dessert I had the tangerine panna cotta which was like an adult version of a creamsicle and my husband had the key lime pie that was terrific. The hostess was very nice and got all of us seated as quickly as possible. I wish we lived closer because I want to go back already.
(5)Ashley C.
Love hanks. One of my favorite restaurants.
(5)kimbe m.
This is what I hope for when I travel - a chance meeting with my hotel's manager, a discussion of local foods, a recommendation that lives up to its promise. I went early for dinner, hoping to get into this very small place. Took advantage of the early bird $1 each oyster special and had half a dozen fabulously fresh oysters. Followed it with their lobster roll, highly recommended by my new best friend the manager. Now, here's attention to detail - I asked the waitress if the roll would be "mayonnaise-y", saying I didn't care for mayo. Son of a gun, I received an absolutely fresh-made lobster roll with NO mayo! The lobster was cold and perfect, the seasoning just right, and even the roll seemed special, with meat spilling over the top. In fact, it was so very, very good that after resting for a little while, I went ahead and ordered the mussels! Again, no disappointment - a fabulously rich sauce (but not too rich) accompanied them, and I sopped it up with gusto. Feeling very replete, I tipped my waitress outrageously, then strolled the half mile to the waterfront. Having eaten at other seafood restaurants in the area, notably the Chart House (a 2.5 if there ever was one, and lower because of the ridiculous pricing), Hank's is an absolute find, a neighborhood gem. If you want pretentious dining, don't go here - but if you love good food and a friendly atmosphere, with a bowl of goldfish crackers to start and a ramekin of fabulous dark chocolate to end, this is your place.
(4)Bill V.
I have eaten here about a dozen times. The happy hour oyster specials are fantastic. Some of the best I have had anywhere. Love the popcorn shrimp and Mac and cheesy. Small and noisy, and the tab can add up quickly with ala carte side dishes.
(4)Scott C.
This place is so good. Very charming small place with exposed brick walls and a super friendly staff. I went with a group of four people and had two dozen oysters, some fried clams both were killer as appetizers. The oysters were very fresh and they had a good variety. I tend to like my oysters meaty with much bolder flavor and the selection they had that night was much more mild. It wasn't the greatest oyster experience, but that was not any doing of the place, just a matter of taste. I had a grilled Dorade which came out filleted, juicy and flavorful. You don't have to do too much with a fresh piece of fish. Squeeze of lemon and splash of olive oil. Fantastic. Spend the money to get the sides. They add quite a bit of punch to the meal. The oysters and fish are very good, but the flavors are delicate. The sides give the meal nice balance. The baked mac and cheese is amazing and the roaster parsnip and butternut squash was simple but perfectly executed. If you have room for dessert, get the orange panna cotta. I think the menu changes quite often, so some of these dishes may not be there. Everything was so strong, that I am sure anything ordered would be great. Five stars.
(5)Don R.
Went for lunch on Saturday July 25, 2009 with a friend. I ordered a half dozen oysters on the half shell. They were tasty, but very small - maybe 1 " x 1.5", and at $2 each, pricy. We both ordered the fried oyster po-boy. Very disappointing. 6 fried oysters on a split-top hot dog bun that wasn't even toasted. No dressing on the sandwich. Came with a decent sized portion of what they called coleslaw, but was just shredded cabbage, with no dressing. I had to add vinegar from the table bottle. At $15, way overpriced. We split a mac and cheese side at $6.95 which was good but again small. We both had iced tea, and with a tip, the tab was $51.00! I used to live in New Orleans, and Oyster po-boys should come in a foot long french bread, 'dressed' with mayo, shredded cabbage and pickles, and be as many oysters you can shove onto said bread. Overall, I'll not be back. Too bad, I really wanted it to be good.
(2)Matt M.
Phenomenal oysters, and a great place for happy hour ($1 oysters), although the drinks are a bit pricey for a happy hour.
(4)Bob H.
Great fresh oysters. Go for the $1 oyster happy hour, 5:30-7:00 weekdays.
(5)Jimmie R.
The happy hour special of $1/oyster is worth the 5 star rating. The local oysters served here are amazing and guaranteed to delight even those with a sophisticated oyster palette. Beer special is on yuengling; I think it is $1 off. I didn't try anything else but the happy hour will bring me back to try other menu items.
(5)chancy l.
Fantastic. Great service and good wine selection. Could use more Pinot Grigios by the glass. The Lobster Roll with fries was phenominal!! Foodies will like this place.
(5)Julianna T.
Hanks Oyster Bar is an absolute treat. They have an extremely small menu predominately of raw and cooked seafood. They feature one meat dish a night. I met a friend here last night around 7:30PM. The atmosphere is starch and brightly lit. This is great for a family dinner or with friends. I might think twice about having a celebration or a romantic date here. As I said the menu is small and the food is straight forward with traditional favorites such as shrimp cocktail, oysters on the half shell and lobster bisque. Sides include onion rings, fries, coleslaw, and macaroni and cheese. My friend had the lobster bisque. Being from southern Maryland, I had to have the fried oysters. They were sooo good! I also had brussel sprouts. They were cooked perfectly. The wines are inexpensive and thoughtful. I had the Domaine Bellevue (sauvingnon blanc) which complimented my dish perfectly. The only disappointment was the service. Our waiter was extremely busy and not attentive. He was friendly though. I just was surprised at how long the ordering process took for beverages and food and then beverages again. I just remembered another disappointment. I took their key lime pie home to my sick boyfriend as a special treat. When he opened it, it was just a plain piece of cheesecake with bits of lime throughout. There was no raspberry sauce or whipped topping. I thought it was a little unusual for a restaurant to serve a dessert that way and I didn't really get the reaction from my boyfriend that I wanted. All that said, Hank's is marvelous. I will go back repeatedly.
(4)Annie C.
Never had an entree at Hank's that I didn't love. Quick service, quaint atmosphere.
(4)Kristin P.
How could I have forgotten to review Hank's, as it is most definitely NOT forgettable! I'm not a fan of oysters, but my husband is and he really enjoyed Hank's. I do love crab cakes and they definitely deliver. I've been to Hanks twice; once for dinner and once for brunch. Both times I ordered the crab cake. For brunch, I enjoyed a crab cake sandwich and it was served with watercress. The only things that would improve the sandwich is if a slightly smaller bun was used (it was much larger than the cake itself) and the stems of the watercress were trimmed. The service is attentive, unpretentious, and friendly.
(4)Courtenay W.
Hank's isn't huge, but it's pretty good! We started with some lobster bisque, which was okay...definitely not the best I've had, but not the worst. It had a decent amount of lobster. Then, we moved on to some oysters. The Penn Cove oysters were ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! We also had some Sake Oyster Shooters that had a nice kick and were pretty good too! I moved on to the lobster roll, which was okay. I liked the fact that it wasn't overly mayo-ed, but it definitely could have used more spices or something. My BF got the fish tacos and they were really good. I would definitely reccommend. All in all, we will go back:-)
(4)Kas T.
cute little place. agree with the nice but sort of faked politeness of the servers. love the oysters. had a sampler of everything on the oyster list and my favorite was the olympic miyagi. the lobster bisque was a little too salty in my opinion. i would def go back, this time for the happy hour.
(4)Russell J.
Excellent, massive fried oysters; the onion rings and veggie sides were good as well.
(4)Janet C.
i've been here before, but this review is for our most recent visit. for some reason, it was so very very satisfying this time around, more so than other times. we went for the happy hour (5:30-7pm as of the middle of March, but they can always change the time), where a selection of oysters on the board are $1 each, versus $2. It's always good to get an assortment of the ones with happy hour prices, then getting the ones you especially like the next time around. we also had the seared sea scallops (special for that day), which were damn tasty but a pretty pricey at $20ish for 4 scallops. the best i think was the order of mussels in a white wine, butter, tomato, and garlic sauce. perfect to sop up with the free bread that you can get totally full on. all in all, a great meal. go early, less people.
(5)E S.
This is a great oyster place, generous on portions! I even brought my firm there to celebrate an annual event recently. One of our staff buddies enjoyed his meal so much that he pulled out his Firing document from the US Patent Office, a formal document that we all got a good laugh between the chow down. Seems like the Patent Office's major strength is Firing Ph.D.s and Master's degree scientists
(3)Bjorn H.
Just to be clear - "price of admission" was meant as a writing flourish, not literal -- no price to get in, lobster roll is awesome :) Also, I'm now seeing some typos in my original post - my bad.
(5)Sarah H.
I'll start off admitting that I have a problem with "chains"-- even if that only means that there are three of them...And I'm not the biggest seafood fan. Nevertheless, we stopped in here for drinks and appetizers before we headed out to a late dinner. They had a nice wine menu and a decent beer menu... I was thrilled that their seasonal was a local pumpkin brew. This review should be taken lightly as I'm not a huge oyster fan. We tried the sake oyster shooters, which, I think anyone should try despite their aversion to the idea. Although it wasn't my favorite thing, it's definitely worth checking out. We also did the Old Bay peel and eat shrimp which were right on the dot with the seasoning. I really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and the service was great. Despite my aversion to seafood, I would recommend for anyone who enjoys oysters to check this place out. I saw some pretty cool stuff coming out of the kitchen and if we had had more time I would have expanded my comfort zone and tried some more options out.
(3)John D.
OK, three main problems with a place that serves seafood/specializes in oysters: 1. You have to serve fish and chips. I mean, it's a staple. Hank's did not have that on the menu. 2. When you're charging $13 for a fish sandwich, it really shouldn't be TILAPIA. Really? Basically the cheapest fish that is probably imported from China (I don't eat imported seafood, for all of the known reasons), and is often found living in glorified mud puddles. Come on, serve a real fish sandwich. 3. No Wellfleet oysters? Practically the best oysters on the planet. Again, come on. I won't go back unless friends drag me there. Don't get me wrong, the service was great and the setting was good as well. It's just...their menu and selection needs work.
(2)Anna T.
LOBSTER ROLLS. I can't help but keep raving about the lobster rolls. It's a generous portion, seasoned well, and nice big chunks of lobsters. I'd have these lobsters over Luke's or Red Hook any day. Everytime I go here, I get about 2 dozen oysters, and a lobster roll. Boyfriend isn't a big fan of seafood, but is willing to go here with me because of their burgers. The burger is very simple, but cooked to perfection. With the amount of oysters I eat, this place can get a bit pricey, but so many choices to choose from. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because the last time I got here, there was a millipede crawling through the ice that my oysters was laying in. Now I know this sounds gross (most people would go nuts), but the manager agreed to take off that order of oysters. Could've been a better trade in my opinion but you have to understand that they don't wash their oysters to prevent them from losing any oyster liquor. The oyster liquor (the juices inside the oyster) makes up a great part of why oysters taste so good. I guess that's what you get for eating something raw. Hopefully this incident will help them inspect their oysters a little better. Boyfriend and I will usually start our cheat day with brunch here every two weeks, but we haven't been back in 3 months since the millipede incident. However, other than that, they do serve great food with great choice of oysters. Will come back.....soon.
(4)Karen C.
FYI: Happy Hours may have changed.
(5)kazia f.
We have lived in Old Town for 5 years now, and never ventured into Hanks until tonight. What a tremendous experience we have been missing out on! I didn't know that we had happened upon the new expansion (gorgeous marble bar, seating 22 people), until the bartender mentioned it. Tom was the most personable, kind, jovial bartender I have probably ever encountered. his level of service alone makes us sure to return. The oysters were delicious and beautifully presented, and the veggies we ordered as sides also blew us away (brussels sprouts and roasted squash). We have found our new favorite neighborhood place. Thanks Tom! And Hank's, of course.
(5)Jennifer A.
I ate dinner here on Black Friday with my boyfriend. It's a small bar/restaurant. We waited maybe 5 or so minutes for seats at the bar. The bartenders didn't acknowledge us quickly but once I asked for attention they provided great service. We ordered beers on tap and a half dozen of oysters. The woman working behind the bar taught us that during happy hour, three types of oysters are $1 each. We enjoyed the oysters from James River, VA. They were big and came with lemon wedges, shrimp cocktail sauce, and one other vinegar(I think) based dip. We then ordered the crab cake dinner which came with old bay fries and coleslaw. I really liked the crab cakes and the dipping sauce on the side because they tasted very citrusy. We also ordered a dinner special of scallops. Those were good as well but a little too salty for my liking. Although the scallops were filling, it seemed like more of an appetizer than an entree. Our bartender was great. She answered all of our questions about the menu options and was always quick to offer a refill, etc. If you live in or near Old Town Alexandria, I'd recommend this place during happy hour. Beers aren't discounted but oysters are.
(4)Angel W.
Hank's in Old Town is a very small but quaint venue. My friends raved about the food. I do not eat oysters but I could tell the table really enjoyed their selections. Hank's does offer some vegetarian options including salads and many side dishes. We mostly went here for a snack. I had the Old Bay French Fries which were good. I tried the Squash Spaghetti which was not my thing (a little too sweet) and I tried the Buttermilk Onion Rings, which had an amazing batter with a salty lemony flavor. Apparently their mac and cheese is the best around according to friends. My only complaint is about the snooty hostess. A hostess is supposed to be welcoming and accomodating. Hank's hostess was more like a prison warden. She was entirely too strict and unfriendly. After the "scoldings" we received, I felt more like her employee rather than a patron. I realize the hostess probably has additional duties to contend with such as making sure the restaurant (especially of this size) adheres to a fire code, but her attitude and constant scowl were unnecessary, unprofessional and unwelcoming. The service we received from our server was pleasant. Update: the manager sent me a message basically giving me an overview of the firecode and saying that they cannot let patrons do whatever they want or else they would be out of business. While I appreciate the fact that he took the time to respond to my concern, I feel that he missed the point. My complaint had nothing to do with what was said about the firecode or the fact that we "couldn't do whatever we wanted" (whatever that means), but instead was about the attitude of the hostess. There is a professional way to treat patrons. He did not address this aspect in his note.
(4)Sarah B.
We went for lunch on a Saturday and had the Otter Cove, New Point Comfort and Hood Canal oysters which were all delicious. By far some of the best oysters I've ever had. For our main course, we had the lobster roll and small fries oyster plate with old bay fries. I'd never tried a lobster roll but this one was amazing in my opinion. The bread is specially made for the restaurant and the lobster had the perfect amount of mayo and celery. Their fried oysters were also great. For dessert we had the key lime pie and they bring yummy chocolate to the table as well. I highly recommend this place for the fabulous food and friendly service!
(5)Cassandra M.
Friday night at 9:30 we walked right in and got a table. The cocktails are amazing, the atmosphere is clean and casual. Great music and service. We had oysters with a delicious fresh mignonette. The Caesar salad which was pretty good. And the muscles with wine and butter sauce which were amazing! We loved the goldfish to start and the chocolate to finish. No complaints here! We will be back!
(5)Cindy C.
Best best and very very good place to eat!!' Bartender are awesome! Always on point. I loved and enjoyed every moment of this bar/restaurant.
(5)phil b.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in a very long time. Everything was just perfect: Atmosphere: Small and cozy, and just the right level of elegance mixed with a historical ambiance. Service: Everyone was extremely polite and helpful. Available when you need them....not bothering you when you don't. Food: Just incredible food. We had oysters as starters, and they were to die for. Then my wife had the soft shell crab which was very good, and I had the peel and eat shrimp which was extremely fresh and perfectly seasoned with old bay seasoning. Also a really nice selection of beers and wines. All in all, just a perfect dining experience. It was a tad expensive for my wallet, but we enjoyed it so much, it was well worth it. As you can see, I rarely do reviews, unless I absolutely love a place or hate a place (I've written one very negative review on Burapa in Clarendon, which yelp conveniently blocked....so i'll say here, don't go to Burapa....TERRIBLE management!!!). But Hanks... I LOVE!!
(5)Tiffany V.
Really enjoyed Hank's Oyster Bar. I got crab cakes and Brussel sprouts, and both dishes were delicious. They serve goldfish as the pre-dinner snack, which was actually very enjoyable & tasty. I don't like oysters, so I can't comment on that, but I'm sure it's good based upon other reviews. I'd plan for a wait as the place is small. You can put your name on the list (try calling ahead and adding your name), and then wait at another restaurant/bar near by for a pre-drink. If I remember correctly, they'll call your phone when your table is ready. Food, drinks, atmosphere and good service make this a great place.
(5)Patrick M.
Great oysters and one of the best burgers (yes, you read that correctly) ever! We went on a Saturday night, and fortunately decided to wait the 30 minutes or so we needed to get a table. It's Old Town, so it's not like you can't walk up and down the block and keep occupied. I know next-to-nothing about oysters, beyond that I've met few I did not like, but... if you are an aficionado, know that the wait staff is very knowledgeable, so they can guide you based on whatever preferences you convey. Keep in mind, as other reviewers have noted, that Hank's is a converted brownstone, so I would not show up with a large group. Regardless, if you have to wait, it's worth it. Go!
(4)Dave L.
Had dinner at Hank's Oyster Bar this week while visiting Old Town Alexandria on a business trip. Dining alone I went for a spot at the bar. I started with a trio of oysters from British Columbia that were sweet and delicate. Next up was a salad of avocado and romaine hearts with buttermilk cilantro dressing. The salad was really good - the romaine and avocado fresh and delicious. Dinner was a gridded crab cake which was also tasty. I decided to hold off on desert was was rewarded with a small bowl of dark chocolate chunks that that ended up being the perfect ending to a great meal. Over the past week Hank's Oyster Bar was the most enjoyable meal I had in Old Town. Friendly staff, great food, and a sociable crowd at the bar to share food with - next time I am in town this will be at the top of my list.
(4)Pei L.
So disappointed. Tried to come 2 times and each time the dishwasher was broken, so therefore no food could be cooked. The second time we even called a couple of hours before and was assured that they were indeed open and had been since a couple of hours after we were turned away two days before. By the time we arrived, again they were not serving food. Call right before you go I guess. Instead had a WONDERFUL meal at Momo sushi one night and a Stellar meal at Caphe Bahn Mi the other evening.
(1)Zei C.
I am an Oyster Whore! It's hard to find a variety of oysters in the DMV area besides BluePoints. I am a BIG fan of west coast oysters and not too many oyster bars offer them in this area. (I think I have been to every one of them) The side dishes are pretty tasty as well. Not over seasoned so you won't feel like your heart is about to collapse. I enjoy the VA location a little bit better than the DC location only because it's more intimate. Also, because the VA location is smaller, the staff seems more attentive. If you are an Oyster Whore this is the place to get it in!
(4)Evi D.
Came here (3 of us) last Sunday and just like the Hank's in Dupont, it was great! Service was fabulous, food was delicious and it was a nice relaxed atmosphere. We sat facing the street- great people watching- and enjoyed the food. There are some great beers on tap, and they were great refilling our waters. I'd definitely be back, although I can see that the space might be limited sometimes.
(4)Heather H.
Yummy! Had excellent food and great service. Nice selection of beverages. Small, quaint, little place, a short walk from the Kings Street Metro Station. I will be back here or one of the other 2 locations. A little pricey but well worth it.
(4)Megs T.
4.5 Ate at the bar here one evening, enjoying some much needed "me" time away from the hubs and kiddies. There is nothing more I enjoy than a great meal...by.my.self. I realize that may sound strange, but sometimes I just like to focus on my food! That said, I'd been meaning to try Hanks for a longggg time. Didn't even realize they had a location in Old Town, but this is where I ended up serendipitously. And my meal was sooo lovely. This location is fairly small, intimate and laid back. Seems like many of the people are regulars. Bartender was friendly and knowledgeable. I started with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and one each of the day's available oysters: Hama Hama, Kumamoto, Old Plantation, New Point Comforts and Cape May. ALL were fresh, meaty and delicious though my favorite was likely the mildly briny New Point--local to Virginia:) Oysters were accompanied by cocktail and 'radish and a lemon/onion mignonette. I use condiments VERY sparingly on my oysters, but did try the mignonette and it was very complementary and unobstrusive. Next I had the fried oyster small plate, made with the Hama Hama oysters. These are what justify the near 5-star review. They. were. heavenly. Perfect. Why? Because you could 100% taste the actual oyster! Don't get me wrong. I love fried. But I have never had fried oysters where I felt they were done as much justice as on the half-shell or that I could really "taste." These: plump, juicy, flavorful. Wow. Also, very generous portion for an appetizer. Last, I did the lobster bisque--something I try anywhere it's on the menu. The lobster meat in the bisque was great but the actual bisque could have used more cream and was missing a little something. Still enjoyed it. Ended with the key lime pie, which a lady at the bar insisted I try because it was *that* awesome. I'm not a big dessert person to start with but key lime is one I do like and I am quite critical of this dessert. Let's just say this thing was *that* awesome. Damn! And I learned the chef there doesn't even make it with key limes (uses regular limes instead). Still sells as key lime pie as it is more recognizable hence more sellable than a "lime tart" would be. Anyway, perfect end to this experience. Highly recommended.
(4)Johnna F.
Excellent food, excellent service. Peel and eat shrimp for appetizer which was the bomb and a lobster roll for the main meal. Would definitely visit again.
(5)Nikol A.
Love this see food restaurant ,they have the best oysters in a area,my and family were very pleased,and service was on top as well.Will be back there for sure with friend.
(5)Sara R.
My friend was in town and we randomly stopped into Hanks for some oysters and seafood. The food was delicious and our server, John, was incredibly knowledgable! I didn't know much about oysters and he was able to give very specific descriptions about the taste, where they came from, and why it has certain characteristics. We had a few cocktails which were poured perfectly and the beer selection was really unique. Dinner was great too! They have plenty of other yummy seafood options if you don't like oysters :)
(5)Michelle S.
I love love love Hanks!!! HH is awesome, oysters, shrimp cocktail, etc. The food is great, service just as good. Prices for HH are very reasonable. The mac n cheese here, YUM! I think I go a bit overboard here, but I just can't help it ;-)
(4)Matt C.
Bomb azz oysters! They are simply awesome! And I am a bit of an oyster snob... I have had the oysters here probably a dozen times (each time ordering a dozen), and I have never gotten sick or hurled. In fact the opposite of... each time thoroughly enjoying them. Cold beer and raw oysters. Mandatory. The food quality of the rest of the stuff on the menu is also excellent. One of my favs is the lobster roll. Delish! It's a small restaurant, very narrow, and can get a little noisy depending which table you are at... I can overlook this... but if you are looking for a quite restaurant this may not be it.. Service = top notch. From the host, to the servers, to the bartenders... I have experienced both sitting at the bar and at tables and always received outstanding service. If I had a list for Alexandria this would be in my top 5, probably #1 or #2..
(5)Michelle I.
I took my husband to Hank's this past Sunday after denying him of oysters at Columbia Firehouse on Friday night. We strolled in around 8pm and were seated right away. To start off the meal, my husband and I decided to order some adult beverages. They have a nice selection of beer and wine. If it had not been a Sunday night, I probably would have gotten more than one glass of wine. The free goldfish they put on the table is a cute idea, but I'm a free bread kind of girl. We knew we were definitely getting oysters on the half shell, so we decided to go with a dozen of the VA ones. They also offered ones from British Columbia and Washington. My husband likes his oysters briny, so we did all VA ones. The oysters came with two condiments, cocktail sauce topped with fresh horseradish and a shallot-red wine vinegar sauce. Both were great complements to the oysters. For our main entrees, I ordered the lobster roll and my husband got the rainbow trout. I decided to sub the old bay fries for onion rings after eying the ones ordered by the couple sitting next to us. The lobster roll had big chunks of lobster and was lightly dressed with some sort of mayo based sauce. It was served on a long potato roll. I though it was very good, but not the best lobster roll I've ever had. My husband did not have any complaints about his rainbow trout. We would definitely go back for some oysters and drinks. I think we'll have to check out the Half Price Raw Bar they have at the Dupont location (10pm-12am every night).
(4)M. C.
We have always liked the food at Hank's but did not go there often because the restaurant is small, typically crowded, and they do not take reservations. However, they recently expanded and have a beautiful new bar area which seemingly doubled their space, allowing us to stop by for drinks and appetizers without worrying about waiting for a seat. The staff are friendly and efficient and make an effort to learn the regulars names. Menu features a variety of healthy options as well if you are shying away from fried or creamy foods.
(4)Steve M.
In town for 3 days. Wife and I stopped in because we heard it was THE place on King for oysters. The reviews are right! 6 types on the chalkboard and tried 4 types, 2 of each. The local oysters are good. Wife had the griddled crab cake and loved it! Tried them all over the world and rates it tops! The lobster roll was like a trip yo Boston! Worth the stop for sure.
(4)Yaima R.
Freshest tasting oysters in the DC area, highly recommend the fried oysters and lobster roll.
(5)Carl C.
Oysters are beyond great! They even give a discount for DOD employees that have been laid off.
(5)Abby C.
Food/Cost: (3/5) My friends and I came for a light dinner during their Happy Hour. I got one of each of their happy hour oysters ($1/each) and Hank's Oyster Stew ($9). We also got a side of roasted brussel sprouts ($5) to share. I must say, the food that I had was a solid "good," but was nothing spectacular. The oysters were fresh and cheap (thanks to happy hour pricing). The lightly cream-based stew was good and had 5 good-sized oysters in it (at least they don't skimp on ingredients), but not inspiring. The brussel sprouts were actually the best thing I ate here; they were nicely salted and roasted just right. Their other menu items are actually quite well priced, but I didn't try them so I can't comment on that. Ambiance: (5/5) The restaurant is small and narrow, but cute. There aren't many tables here, so if you want to dine with a group, definitely try to make reservations. The decor is a mix of nautical, rustic, and modern -- cute in a confused kind of way. Location: (5/5) Located in Old Town Alexandria, Hank's is nestled between other restaurants and stores and you probably wouldn't notice it unless you were specifically looking. It's near the movie theater, which is a plus. We walked here from the King Street metro stop, but there's also a free trolley that travels up and down King Street if you want to cut down on walking. At night, strings of lights on the trees that straddle King Street are lit up, which creates a romantic, festive setting. Service: (5/5) Our server/waitress was very attentive and friendly. When my friend found her lobster bisque too salty, out waitress apologized and took the bisque back without any attitude or qualms. Overall: (3/5) I wish I could give this place a higher rating due to the great service and quaint surroundings both in and out of the restaurant, but the food (which is the heart of a restaurant) was just average -- or A-Ok as Yelp defines 3 stars.
(3)Sarah M.
I'm here for a conference, and was looking for a nice bite with a friend in Old Town. Hank's was perfect! It's in a tiny row house, but the space is large when you enter and the staff is awesome. We had a nice glass of Viognier while we waited. Dinner was delicious - we just missed oyster happy hour (boo!) but had a dozen delicious oysters and split a lobster roll. Love how they do the split for you here. The garlic broccoli was the perfect green to have with the lobster. Hank's was perfect for a summer weeknight dinner - fresh, airy, well-priced and perfect for catching up with a friend!
(4)Betty L.
Cute place and the food was delicious. We got the fried calamari and dozen oysters so we could sample the entire selection. All of the oysters were fresh and delicious except for one that had the word "hood" in it- it had a very strange aftertaste? Other than that, the service was excellent and they have a 50% deal through Scoutmob right now.
(4)Anne-Margaret O.
We were looking for a place to get a drink, have a nice (fast) dinner, and enjoy a conversation - we headed to Hank's! Great - healthy food. Wonderful wait staff. We go back to Hank's time and time again. The Sable fish is incredible!!
(4)Trabbit L.
Thanks to the rude waiter, Curtis H. (according to our bill), we now have a new favorite passive aggressive catch phrase, "Whatever. I GUESSS. If you WAANT." Wanted to try here during my visit last year, but was too full after our lovely meal at Vermillion. This time I was with sister and brother-in-law and we made Hank's a priority. Went in for a late lunch around 3pm on Friday (3/30/2012), the place was pretty empty. We started with drinks and 2 dozens oysters. I told them how lovely it was to sit by the window and people watch at Vermillion during my last visit. It was something that had greatly added to the experience as a tourist visiting the city. We finished our 2 dozens and were sitting there, table empty except for drinks, waiting for the entrees. Window couple left, and we were excited and ASKED (were we too nice?!) our waiter if we could move over to window seats. By now, the whole floor was empty except for us and another couple. There was a long pause, like he didn't hear us. Then, without eye contact, while continuing with what he was doing, he mumbled his first unaccommodating, "I guess. If you want." We were stunned and somewhat confused by this answer. Empty restaurant. One server. Empty table. We wanted to move to a new table. Courteously ASKED, when we could have just done it. First, what's the big problem? Second, why so unaccommodating? And in such a rude and dismissive way? Figuring there must have been some kind of a misunderstanding. Maybe he didn't mean to sound so rude. He walked by, and my sister gave him another chance and tried again. "So, we're gonna move to the window seats, is that ok?" Once again, a long pause. Then a bit more exaggerated "I GUESSS. If you WAANT." It was clear he was not pleased and wanted us to know it. Sister and I were not impressed and were going to move ourselves anyway, but brother-in-law was too considerate of the server's feelings (and probably didn't want any spit in his food), so we stayed. We had lobster roll, Po Boy, and soft shell sandwich. Everyone enjoyed their dish, but no food is good enough to be treated rudely by a server. My brother-in-law (many years in the biz = a heavy tipper), bless his heart, still tipped the guy way too much in my sister and I's opinion, even though he was also quite unhappy with the experience.
(2)Tammy C.
(See pics) More of 3.4 stars. Came here for lunch after strolling along a street filled with small shops that sprinkle with restaurants and ice-cream places. I used Yelp to locate this place which is a bit further away from the dock and slightly less touristy. From outside you can easily miss it as all you can see is a custom tailor shop sign. Inside it's cool as a cucumber oyster bar / restaurant with woven chairs. The oysters here were good and fresh, the seafood ceviche was probably slightly cooked before served and it was not as sour lime taste. The seasoned shelled shrimps were good. Service was good and courteous. I wish I liked the food more but it was just not quite as impressive as becoming a fan with the price.
(3)Allen H.
They don't take reservations - but call them 30 minutes out and you'll be on their list. Our party of 3 waited about 20 minutes at the bar. Service was efficient and knowledgeable. Oysters galore, from the Atlantic, Chesapeake Bay, even the Pacific! Noise level is a bit high, but shouting was not necessary. Food was fresh, reasonably sized and priced. We'd definitely return.
(5)Lisa P.
Not sure why this place has such a large following...maybe it's great but just not for me. I will say the service was excellent and friendly but the food just wasn't to my liking. My husband and I shared the fried oysters (which were fried very nicely but the texture of such large oysters is mainly mushy). Then I ordered fish and chips while hubby had a shrimp po' boy. I actually sent mine back because the breading was not crunchy at all. (I could bend the pieces of fish in half without cracking the breading.) As I said, service was excellent and I was quickly brought an entirely new plate of food even though I had already eaten all my coleslaw and some of the fries. I was told the head chef prepared it himself this time...and it was better, but still not crunchy. I think it came out exactly how it was meant to, but it just isn't the way I like my fish and chips. I ended up picking off the breading and just eating the fish. Hubby's shrimp was fried nicely but he said there was some unusual seasoning he didn't care for on it, although he did eat it in spite of that. To my surprise, the manager took my food off the bill without being asked. I would have felt guilty about it since they did actually serve me twice, except our lunch still cost $40 plus tip. There are so many good restaurants that we go to when we're in the area I don't need to return to this place. Sorry.
(2)Elesai K.
Their food is always sooooo sooooo good. Even the vegetables taste soooo goood~ One of the greatest gems in Old Town.
(4)Graham O.
With a name like Hank's Oyster Bar, you shouldn't be surprised to hear that their oysters are excellent. Among the freshest and most flavorful oysters I have ever had near the east coast. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly to go along with their attentive service. Added bonus: They have a great selection of craft beer...not a huge list, but all of them are thoughtfully selected and pair well with dishes on their menu. Great mussels, also.
(4)Tyler R.
My girlfriend and I love this place and it's become one of our go-to spots. They always have some of the freshest and best tasting oysters in town. They're crab cakes are excellent and the lobster rolls (discovered last visit.) are ridiculous!!. It's one of those places we just get a craving for and it never disappoints.
(4)Chris C.
Thoroughly enjoyed dinner there last night. It is small inside so prepare to wait on busy nights (Friday, Saturday). While they don't take reservations, they do allow you to call ahead when you are 20-30 minutes out so you have little to no wait once you arrive. I don't know what another reviewer's problem with service was but we had the same waiter (Curtis) and had no issue. He was very attentive and helped with oyster suggestions. I went with the lobster roll based on all of the other reviews and it didn't disappoint. However, there are a lot of other tasty its on the menu of which I'm waiting anxiously to go back and try. My wife had the the creamy roasted corn with crab soup and really enjoyed it. She is sort of a soup nazi so that is saying a lot. They have a large selection of bottled and draft beers as well as specialty drinks. Highly recommend Hank's.
(5)Erika F.
Dear Heavenly Mac N Cheesy, Where have you been my whole life?! You aromatic smoked Gouda creaminess resembles that of fresh sizzling bacon but without the heaviness much less the greasiness. I will never forget you and the next time I visit Hank's Oyster Bar I will make sure to order 5 mac n cheesies. I heart you Mac N Cheesy. Okay so now that I've written my love letter to Mac N Cheesy I can tell you about the rest of the food that I had at Hanks. I ordered the oyster Po Boy and it was delicious the sauce that it comes with on the side is amazing and the bread is so fresh and soft yet it has a toasted outer shell that completes the sandwich. I ordered the onion rings to go with it but sadly I have to say I was not impressed...they weren't bad but not anything memorable especially since you have to pay for it on the side. The other items I tried was the lobster roll and that was delicious as well same type of bread as the oyster po' boy. This item will not displease you. Have I tried the Oysters yet? No, sadly. I am waiting for the $1 dollar oyster night so that I can go all out, good idea or not? We'll find out.
(5)Ruchi M.
Had a lovely lovely meal of oysters - both raw and in the po'boy. They were both exceptional. I can't remember the oysters by name, but they were perfect with a squeeze of lemon. And the oyster po'boy was seriously one of the best I've ever had. The roll was slightly buttery and toasted, and was topped with watercress (never had this in a po'boy!) and fried oysters, and some kind of delicious aioli. It was fantastic. Highly recommend going there, and sitting at the bar so you can hang out with Tom (the awesome bartender).
(5)Sarah A.
Super cute tiny place in Old Town. It is really small and I would assume that it would get quite crowded. I went on Tuesday night so no problem. Def. not for groups. We shared raw oysters and I had the lobster roll. Both were great! Also, they had orange goldfish instead of bread for the appetizer so cute and funny :) and dark chocolate for dessert (free) - awesome. The menu has a good range it isn't just oysters. There are plenty of other options. I will def go back!
(4)Nicolas L.
The New Orleans oysters are DELICIOUS. I also had the crab cake sandwich that was very very yummy. This crab cake sandwich was in no way skimping out on crab, nice big pieces of crap meat. Very very good food that is paired with lightning fast service. At the end you also get chunks of chocolate which was a really nice treat to end of a really great meal.
(5)Keren S.
The oyster selection is always yummy. Love their lobster roll, fried clams, and key line pie. Always accommodating to food allergy issues too. Worth the trip!
(5)Tu-van L.
They split our entree for us! We told the waitress we were splitting two appetizer platters (fried oysters, Ipswich clams) and a lobster roll meal for our dinner, and she not only timed the food to come in order but had the kitchen staff cut our lobster roll in half and and put it on two separate plates for us. They even divided up our substitute mac'n cheese side between the two plates for us. And everything was DELICIOUS! You can't go wrong with anything here - yum!
(5)Kelly S.
I have had Hank's fried oyster from my mother bring some home once or twice and they were very good then. They are even better right out of the ktichen! Because of them, the beers (that change on tap occaisionally) and the friendly staff, I have been coming here once a week consistently for the last couple of months and mostly only ordering the fried oysters and occasionally order a couple of raw oysters from either MD or VA (I find the west coast oysters are usually too small). It's also a bitof a budget thing. I don't make a lot of money these days and this is my one indulgence. But this past weekend I decided to get out of my box. I had seen the burger on previous nights and was ready to give it a try (I love burgers!). And it didn't disappoint. One of the best I have ever had. But I really find myself remembering the Old Bay fries that came with it. They are seasoned just enough that the flavoring is just past subtle which leaves me wanting more. I was very sorry when I ate the last few. It was a bit of a hectic time. They were very busy but that makes it sort of fun. As usual, I met some fun people at the 6 to 7 seat bar, where I always sit. And that is another reason I like to go back.
(5)Sienna W.
I LOVE this place, I LOVE this place, I LOVE this place! It is so good and I think the ambiance and decor is charming. It is very small and they don't take reservations, but I'd wait no matter what! Oysters are always good and the Lobster Roll is HUGE! I also love getting the Veggie Plate, which is you just picking 5 of their sides as a dinner. And it's amazing because their sides are AMAZING! The brusselsprouts are a personal favorite!
(5)vanessa g.
I always wanted to visit this place and I figured it was the perfect time last night to do so since I had a hankering for lobster bisque. I'm not an oyster fan but my husband is so it was the best of both worlds. He ordered the oyster sampler (which changes daily as their menu accommodates fresh catches) and I started with the lobster bisque. the bisque was great, perfect temperature and the right amount of creaminess, and plenty of lump lobster meat chunks. My husband loved his sampler and even ordered a few extra oysters afterwards. I decided to try their lobster roll and I'm glad I did. The bun was warm and the lobster was delicious, I'm so glad I ordered it. Our waitstaff was kind and courteous and are water was always getting refilled. The place can get a bit loud and it's very narrow overall nice ambiance. I wanted to try other items from the menu but i was too full, guess I'll have to come back again !
(4)Janet H.
Always great service and food here each and every time. Try their mac and cheese but everything on the menu is good.
(4)Jenny C.
Hank's Oyster Bar, well, I went for the happy hour for oysters and thank god I did. Oysters are about the only thing I can out eat my husband on. The happy hour special is a good deal, especially compared to other spots. And the more I've tried other spots, the more I've realized Hank's Oysters actually taste better...I just hate trying to find parking in Old Town :S
(4)Jeffrey S.
Not sure Hank's really needs another review, but as I also use my reviews to remember my own experiences at different dining establishments around the region, I figured I'd toss this one in for good measure. I had the opportunity to visit Hank's twice this past weekend and although my party and I did experience one ordering glitch with a wait associated inconvenience, both dining experiences were near outstanding. Let me start of by recommending the west coast oysters. East coast oysters are great, don't get me wrong, but when frequenting an establishment where you are lucky enough to be able to order west coast oysters, opt for them. West coast oysters are a little more briny and at the same time can also be a little sweet. In addition I find that the mignonette is a little better suited to west coast oysters where cocktail sauce is more complementary to east coast oysters. When visiting Hank's I like to opt for raw west coast oysters and a small plate of fried (east coast) oysters. To go along with that we ordered the small plate popcorn shrimp and calamari appetizer. Hank's also has a great selection of craft beers and wines along with a full service bar. On the second visit we repeated the oyster orders and skipped the calamari/shrimp appetizer in favor of a couple of sable fish specials. The sable fish was delectable, velvet in texture and perfectly glazed. I had been to Hank's on a number of occasions, but felt more compelled to write this review after the twice in two days experience. Overall, Hank's is great. It can get a little crowded and space is sometimes a luxury. It is also not the greatest location for large parties, but if you are willing to make a few exceptions, Hank's is a place that you should enjoy.
(5)Eveline A.
Hank's Oyster Bar is, how shall we say, very cozy. The wait for a table was a bit of a doozy because of the size of the restaurant at 8PM on a Friday, so the spousal unit and I sat at the bar and grudgingly nursed our beers while chowing down on as many goldfish crackers as we could get our hands on to soften our hunger pangs. In the end, the wait was completely worth it for what was probably the most amazing oysters I've ever had the pleasure of eating, and I don't even really like oysters that much. "So if you don't like oysters, why did you go to Hank's OYSTER BAR?" the more savvy among you may ask. WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, THEY DON'T ONLY DO OYSTERS! Yes, indeed, Hank's is a purveyor of fine seafood of all types, and please do not disregard my advice to get the lobster roll, because it is the best goddamn lobstah roll that has ever crossed my lips. By Neptune's trident, that is some fine shellfish they serve here. I am not kidding. You must get the lobster roll. You will not regret it. I should also mention that the lobster bisque was also very generously lobstery, if a little too salty for my taste, and the ceviche was truly a culinary masterpiece, although by the time I finished it I was a little OD'd on seafood. The prices are, hmm...somewhat pricey yet reasonable for the quality of the food. My God, the food. Don't even look at the prices. Savor the delicious flesh of the ocean's bounty. Just remembering those oysters brings a tear to my eye.
(5)Angie T.
Hanks Oyster Bar let me count the ways I love thee 'period' enough said! Oyster lovers check out their late night oyster specials! $1 oysters after 10:30pm Fri and Sat!
(4)Lori R.
What's not to love about a restaurant that starts with goldfish crackers and ends with chunks of dark chocolate? Add in perfect fried oysters ($10 for a rich appetizer-plateful of them with a good tartar sauce), one perfect shrimp cocktail with a tasty cocktail sauce, and a large side of collards with shallots and balsamic drizzle, and I was one happy gal. Would've loved even more of the balsamic drizzle. My husband had the crabcake sandwich, which he said was okay, but would order something different next time. (He was coveting a neighboring table's fried shrimp). But he absolutely loved the mac and cheesy. This was our first experience with Hank's Oyster Bar, but it won't be our last. My thanks to previous reviewers for helping to lead us to this gem!
(4)LeighAnn G.
Great Lakes Beer on Tap and Pull and Eat Shrimp...what could be better?
(4)Kate P.
This place is great. I popped in here for lunch today to use my 50% off Scoutmob deal and I loved both the atmosphere and food. Most people were sitting in the front of the restaurant, where there were a few small, intimate tables. A small bar and a couple bathrooms separate that from the back of the place, which seemed to be for larger groups. I got a lobster roll and a couple oysters, which were both delicious. I've had lobster rolls from the DC lobster truck, the Tackle Box in Georgetown, and a place in Boston I can't recall now, but I believe Hank's is my favorite so far. There were plenty of big chucks of lobster and the fries they served with it were delicious. The Old Bay seasoning was not overpowering- just enough to give them a slight kick. The whole time, I got great service. Oh and they serve you a little bowl of goldfish when you get there-so fun! I would definitely come back here!
(5)Arnold T.
I love this place. They have great lamb burgers as well as seafood. The bartender is very friendly.
(5)Emily M.
I've been living in the DC area since September, and this was one of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've had thus far. EVERYTHING was amazing. The oysters, the calamari, and the seafood cobb salad - YUM. Our server knew the menu and had great suggestions... Plus she wasn't overly attentive or annoying. I ordered a local Virginia cider and it was the perfect drink to go with my meal. I highly recommend Hank's if you're in Old Town and looking for seafood!
(5)Blake P.
The short and sweet of it - you go for the oysters, specifically at happy hour. Outside of that the place is decent, but nothing amazing. Food is tasty but the menu is limited and the prices are a little high. Again, if you're not in it for the oysters you'll find better places further down King Street (e.g. Fish Market). But as I was saying, happy hour. Go. Prices are good ($1 each) and they usually have multiple kinds to pick from. Outside of that I'd probably skip it, but that's me. Some notes - they have very limited seating and nearly no capacity for larger groups, even a 4 top would be hard to do reliably. So don't go with friends. And again, happy hour (the time changes depending on the time of year/day it seems - call them to ask).
(4)John S.
Other reviews for Hanks were spot on. Ceviche was very good, Mac n cheese was amazing, avocado salad was smothered in dressing which although it was good was too much. Service was tepid at best. They made it seem as if they were doing us a favor by serving us. A too cool for school; you're annoying me attitude. But we enjoyed the meal even if it was on the pricey side.
(3)Matars Z.
Excellent service and even better food - but I wish the prices at this place were not so atrociously high for the tiny tiny portions you get. I have no problem paying $25 or $30 for a fish dish but when its four bites (albeit very very tasty bites) I do feel a bit ripped off - no matter how wonderful the dish. The sablefish is cut along the filet half, so the portion is really about a third of the portion I normally see in seafood restaurants. A main dish that left me so hungry, I had to have another meal a few hours later. The oyster PoBoy at $15 is also delicious, but overpriced - it looked to be a respectable size, but even the average eater will be completely hungry after having this - because the bread is light and the four tiny oysters in it hardly suffice! Great flavor, as usual, but why not make this slightly more substantial, for this price? The overpriced tiny portions really extend to everything and make me think of the place as "cheap" - and its irritating enough that I almost gave it 2* (but I'm going to strictly go with the food flavors for the rating). Continuing with the minuscule portions saga: Just a few tiny pieces of bread, accompanied by the tiniest sliver of butter. I almost laughed. What did it take to cut this tiny 0.5 inch by 0.5 inch, but 0.15 inch thick butter slice that sat at the bottom of the butter dish, alone, almost hard to find? When smeared, would it cover half of a tiny piece of bread for one of us? Were we to divide it up among us, would we even get one quarter of a tiny piece of bread buttered up? And when the chocolate mousse arrived, I finally did laugh. Here was a square dish, 1 inch in height, of which when you took the first spoonful you realize a third of an inch of the dish is china. Thus the depth of the mousse in this dish was thus less than half an inch. We placed it in four teaspoons. Four teaspoons worth of mousse is the biggest joke of a portion I've seen in DC in years. It was phenomenal mousse - light and fluffy, a perfect ratio of beaten whites and real chocolate. Just sublime. But truly four full teaspoons. And so on, and so forth. But everything tastes WONDERFUL. So if you don't mind pay top dollar for small portions, you'll be OK. But I'm still a bit irritated.
(4)H A.
fried oysters!!! delicious.
(4)Melanie W.
Yay! Old Town gets Hanks Oyster Bar too! I have never been to the DC Hank's Oyster Bar so I'm not able to compare, but I can say that I really enjoyed my experience and will definitely be back to visit my new neighbor again soon. First of all, they have definitely managed to squeeze in as many seats as possible into a very small space. When packed it's just enough room for everyone without feeling crowded, but there is NO standing room if you have to wait for a table. The staff was all very nice and friendly and wonderful. I tried a sample of the the available oysters and some were just alright but others were delicious. I had the best Virginia oyster I've ever had in my life. The beer selection was not so hot which I think is a serious shortcoming because good beer and seafood can go really well together sometimes. The wine selection on the other hand was pretty good. The calamari was the best I've ever had. The scallops were the best I ever had. My friend's flank steak on the other hand was ordered medium and served rare - sent back to be cooked to medium and then brought back medium-rare. And I'm not saying that because we don't know what medium looks like. I'm chalking it up to an opening week kink that will be worked out. The macaroni and cheese was the best I ever had - it has smoked gouda in it- yum! I heard the snowpeas were great but I didn't try those. 3 "best I've ever had"s in a restaurant during their opening week - can't wait for next week!
(4)Helen V.
Lobster Roll Crabcakes Raw Oysters goldfish and chocolate When your waiter sets down a little bowl of goldfish cheese crackers as soon as you sit down, does your inner child not come out?! Hank's has a narrow storefront that stretches long, back into the block. People may miss it when they're strolling down King Street because of the other huge dining establishments that can lead you astray, but this place boasts just the same care, quality, and taste. My friend and I were salivating over the menu options and had a hard time narrowing down a selection. Of course, we ordered what was listed above, we shared. It was delicious!!! The lobster roll was a special of the day and what a wonderful option it was! It is shameful for me to admit, but that was my first lobster roll--definitely not my last! The bun/roll on which it was served was buttery, soft and rich, which complemented the large pieces of lobster. Delightful! The crab cakes were also a treat; mainly my friend's dish, but I snagged a bite. When the meal ended, our waiter also set down another little bowl of....chocolate blocks, similar to that of baking chocolate. I thought it was a sweet gesture and I admire these free little treats. I cannot wait to come back; hopefully, I will be able to enjoy their 'Oyster Hour' from 5:30-6:30p! (Supposedly to be the best deal in town)
(5)Greg A.
Chalk this one up to the Yelp iPhone app. Having never visited Alexandria, and walking around starving and cold at 11 at night, this gem of a place popped-up on the map. While I was grateful to get out of the cold, I was thrilled with the food and atmosphere at Hank's. I had the fried oyster dinner, and they had some of the best fried oysters I've ever had - very crunchy on the outside, not at all oily or soggy, while still being tender on the inside. Unlike fried oysters I've had at other restaurants, the oysters didn't fall apart when picking them up with my fork. My girlfriend had a duck breast that was on special that night, and it was one of the best duck dishes I've ever had. I didn't have anything off the wine menu, but the cocktail selections were good. The service was good, and I appreciated the nice little touches like the complimentary chocolates and goldfish crackers. This place is a definite must visit when I go back to the area.
(4)Sammie L.
Skip the Caesar salad. Hit up the joint for happy hour, if you can make it, the prices are a steal. Note that Hanks is participating in an initiative to sustain oyster production in the Chesapeake Bay by recycling its shells. How awesome is that??? The space in Alexandria is a converted brownstone - long, thin, and "intimate". Don't bathe yourself in cologne before you go -
(5)C R.
I can't believe I've never reviewed this place before. WTF is wrong with me? This place is DA BOMB. Honestly. The one thing I look for in an outstanding restaurant is consistently good food. At Hank's, we've always, without exception, had consistently EXCELLENT food. I loved their old bartender (don't know his name, but he was great), but now they have a new guy and he's super awesome. He made perfect wine recommendations. The oysters are always fresh and delicious. The lobster bisque? Amazing. The lobster rolls are really yummy (although the best are from Red Hook), the french fries nicely spiced, crispy, and delicious. The mussels are fantastic. Really--anything on their menu is bound to be good. You can't go wrong at Hank's.
(5)Shawn B.
A group of four of us went in to try the oysters and have a few drinks. We were having a great time, and it was early in the night. The server started to push for us to get an entree, and when we asked for more oysters instead we were refused additional drinks unless we purchased an entree. To be clear, we are a thirty-something group, we were not obnoxious, obscene, or using profanity. We were a bit loud, but again, it was Friday night and we were having a good time. I wanted to like this place, we've had a great experience everywhere else in the area, but with an uptight management its impossible to relax here. Next time on king street we will pass on the judgment and avoid hanks for a better time.
(1)Mike R.
Great food and relatively fast service for a Friday night. Although the main course was a little slow to come out...our server and the wait staff ensured there was never an empty drink or an empty plate cluttering the table. Highly recommend the onion rings and the lobster roll.
(4)Natasha S.
After posting my review, the general manager was ever so kind to contact me and let me know that the Mac and Cheese WAS vegetarian! (Thank goodness, since the person in my party who ordered it is a vegetarian). It gets the smokey taste from Smoked Gouda, so that was a relief!
(4)Vic-Crys W.
Pros: (delicious oysters for happy hour) Hank's Oysters Bar is named for what they do best, Oysters. Taking advantage of the dollar oyster happy hour (5:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday), while frugal, gives you that added satisfaction while chomping down on a variety oysters of your choice. Cons: (1 hour happy hour, so-so menu) It is hard not to feel down when an oyster happy hour comes to a close, especially one that last only an hour. The menu selection of burgers and lobster rolls is adequate, but not mind blowing, though other reviewers may differ in opinion. Recommend: Oysters for Happy Hour Comparable to: City Crab (New York)
(3)Alan V.
Hank's Oyster Bar is definitely a must do if you're in the area. I was in for a conference and looked for a place to eat on Yelp. With the ratings and comments I had to try it. Hank's did not disappoint. I had the ceviche, scallops, and steamed mussels. My colleague shared the ceviche and steamed mussels but had the mixed seafood grill. The quality of the seafood used is top notch and they don't try to mask it behind tons of spices. The steamed mussels were outstanding with sides of bread to soak up the yummy broth. Beer choices are pretty good too. I recommended some clients the following day and they couldn't stop raving about Hank's.
(5)Anthony I.
I heart oysters and Hanks always has a nice selection of fresh varieties! This location is very charming and casual, they even have an outdoor table. On each occasion I have had wonderful oysters but my absolute favorite item here is the portobella mudrooms with goat cheese, amazing and the oven roasted cauliflower is wonderful as well. A real nice touch is the dark chocolate they give you with the check, a real sweet ending.
(4)Fro S.
Amazing fantastic food and service. Great oysters. Wonderful sides. everything i had was delicious.
(5)Aaron H.
Probably my favorite restaurant in Old Town. Their lobster roll is one of the better lobster rolls you can get in the DC area (and it seems everywhere has them now). Excellent shecrab soup also. Just about everything on the menu is well done - albeit a little pricey. Beer Selection is OK - they have 4 or so brews on tap - its gotten better now that they have started carrying Port City. Oysters - of course this is what they are about. I really didn't understand the differences in oysters until I came here.... It really opens your eyes. And the oyster happy hour makes it reasonable to try out a variety of oysters (normally they will have three different types for a buck an oyster). However, I would come to their oyster happy hour more if they had drink specials also. Events - They have a number of dinner events which I haven't tried. But Oysterfest, their signature yearly event is one of my favorite times. Not only is the food and drink excellent, but the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Writing this reviews makes me want to go back now. Only criticisms- very small, can get loud if there are a few rowdy groups, no drink specials, no lunch hours, limited tap beer selection (would think there is more - oysters and beer).
(5)Irene P.
Generally a fan, and go to gobble tons of seafood, but there are so many great reviews on here that I never thought to post. Until I had the fried chicken. Holy fried chicken!!! Who knew? Landlubbers will not be disappointed.
(4)Matthew H.
My wife and I went for the oyster happy hour which lasts from 5 to 7 on Tuesdays through Fridays. When we checked in with the hostess, and put our name in at 6:00, we checked with her that after the 20 minute wait we would still be eligible for the deal. We were seated at 6:35 and at the end of the meal were charged $2.25 per oyster instead of the $1.00 happy hour fee. Our waiter told us that in order to take advantage of the happy hour, we needed to order by 6:30 (5 minutes prior to our seating). WTF! Ended up paying 2.25 times the price I expected. Waiter was not willing to budge. Next time, advertise what you honor so that your customers are not deceived! Food was good, but I felt taken advantage of and probably will not go back for a long time even though I just permanently move to the area.
(2)White Devil C.
Fresh, fun, and more updated inside than it looks from the street. Goldfish snack was whimsical and set a good tone. Knowledgeable staff.
(4)Alexis M.
I have been coming to Hank's pretty regularly since moving to Alexandria a few months ago. I always leave very satisfied. The beer selection isn't huge, but the beers they do have are pretty good. The food portions are very large and I especially enjoy the happy hour oyster bar. You have to arrive early for the happy hour, as the place fills up pretty quickly and the space isn't too big. My favorite side dish would have to be the mac & cheese, comfort food done right. The fried oysters are also very good. I didn't even like oysters before moving out here, but they seem to be everywhere so I finally broke down and gave them another shot. I'm really glad I did and I'm sure you won't be disappointed going to Hank's.
(4)Dan Y.
Everything here is super fresh, so fresh that if you go too late half the menu will be sold out! This, however did not stop us from having a very good meal and gave us incentive to go back....but next time much earlier! Started with a dozen oysters. All were fresh and meaty, a few were more brine than I liked but by no means fishy. The Salad of the day was a great choice. Fresh micro-greens mixed with nuts peaches and a light orange vinaigrette with drops of balsamic reduction. Grilled scallops were one of the last entree options left after a long holiday weekend. They were terrific. Again very fresh and perfectly cooked medium rare. Tastes like the ocean but not fishy in any way. A good sign of fresh seafood. The mixed mushrooms were very earthy and added a nice balance to the dish.
(4)Adilbek I.
Maybe a little biased since I love oysters so much, but man, do they make a great oyster po'boy sandwich. First time I went, shared the coast-to-coast oyster plate and had the oyster po'boy, haven't looked back since. The atmosphere is nice and laid back, and the service is great. They have a pretty good selection of drinks, and they have goldfish to snack while you wait. I've been to the downtown DC one as well, and this one just feels more comfortable and nicer. If you're looking for a place in Old Town, I definitely recommend trying Hank's first.
(5)Tom N.
YUMMY!!! Everything with the exception of the goldfish crackers was absolutely delicious. We started off with the fresh oyster, yummy. Then the lobster bisque...by far one of the best lobster bisque i have ever had. I have had bisque from NY to SF...this rank among one of the best. I had ordered the pan roasted Mahi...it was fresh and perfectly cooked, dare I say; it was better than the one i had at Mama in Maui at 1/3 the price. The marinated Sable was so delicate and just perfectly cooked. Major recommendation is the onion rings, buttermilk and lightly battered, hard to put down. Just YUMMY
(5)Nina B.
I am a huge oyster fan, and couldn't wait to try out Hank's. Having lived in North Florida, I'm very familiar with fresh oysters straight out of the Gulf. However, the freshness of North Florida can't be obtained at Hank's. Although they have a great variety of oysters, good selection of other foods, and delicious Mac and Cheese!
(3)Florentina D.
So good that I went back twice for dinner during my week-long stay in Alexandria. Although this town does not lack delicious restaurants, nowhere was I happier spending $200 of my "restaurant budget" than at Hank's. If you're a fan of oysters and expect to be having LOTS of them, you should definitely go during happy-hour when they are $1 apiece rather than $2. The freshness and flavor of the ceviche, oyster shooters and jumbo shrimp cocktail are to be noted. Also tried the molasses covered short ribs and they were cooked to perfection - tender and full of flavor.
(5)Chris F.
This place is a gem in the middle of Old Town Alexandria. We almost missed the restaurant entirely despite the fact that it's on busy King Street since it had a very inconspicuous sign in front. The restaurant is quaint and small, and had simple dcor and exposed bricks. While their brunch menu was small, it more than made up for it in quality and taste. Much to my surprise they start you off with a small bowl of Goldfish crackers. It was a quirky touch, and made me feel like I was about to get something special.The bread with butter and jam arrives after you're down with the Goldfish crackers. Again, what restaurant serves two freebies at the beginning of the meal? I expected the bread, but never the crackers. The star of brunch was the crab cake benedict with seasoned fries. What a flavor explosion! Forget about English muffins because the crab cake IS the English muffin. For one crab cake, you get two perfectly poached eggs and a healthy supply of hollandaise sauce. The crab cake was probably one of the best I've eaten, especially since the crab lumps actually outnumbered the extra breadcrumbs and fillings that make you feel cheated out of eating crab cakes. As simple as the seasoned fries were, they were a nice touch to the crab cake benedict. You get your sweet, salty, sour, and spicy all in one dish and it really is a winner. At the end of the meal, I got one final surprise when I was served dark chocolate chunks for "dessert." The service was just as great as the food. Our server was friendly and nice, and seemed genuine in trying to make sure we were full and satisfied with our meal. Besides the quality and taste of the food, Hank's Oyster Bar does great with the small details. The Goldfish crackers and chocolate were all unexpected pleasant surprises. This restaurant, as simple as it is, was a highlight in my trip to Alexandria.
(5)Mike S.
The place has good food. but the inside is tiny. There is no room in there. If you dont like crowds avoid this place. The soft shells were excellent along with the oysters. It is tough to park down there so give yourself time to find a spot.
(4)Shayla C.
Would have been a 4 star review except the prices are too high for the small portion sizes. For example, we paid extra to substitute onion rings for fries with the lobster roll and we only received 8 onion rings. The fried oysters are very good but again overpriced for the portion size. I was eager to try the crab cakes and lobster roll, my husband liked both, I thought both were just o.k. All and all I felt the food was good but I will not be back. The food is just overpriced.
(3)Christine P.
This place is delicious! We started with fresh oysters, which were perfect. I chose the bouillabaisse after reading about it in the Express, and it exceeded my expectations. I thought the staff was exceptionally friendly - though I just moved to Alexandria after three years in DC, so any shred of good customer service seems amazing to me. We both loved this place and keep mentioning it weeks later... that's how good it was.
(5)jaimie r.
Found this based on reviews & was not disappointed! We knew we wanted oysters & were happy with the selection & our servers knowledge & recommendations-the local ones were our favorite. My 3 year old got fish sticks & mac n cheese-they were great-not your usual kids meal variety! We didn't arrive until 8pm so they had sold out of a couple of items-of course they were what I wanted (soft shell crab & the whole fish)-my only complaint. I went with the lobster roll & it was great-my husband got the crab cakes & they were the best I have had! If you love a dense crab cake with a lemony undertone then these are for you. Overall we had a great dinner even though we got there late & had small children with us-if you can overcome those odds then it's worth going to Hanks!!
(4)C B.
Took my boyfriend for his birthday on a Wednesday evening and we both thoroughly enjoyed our first experience at Hank's! I called 30 mins ahead per other suggestions but it wasn't really necessary for a week night. The small, quaint restaurant was fully packed, but we were seated right away. We ordered a bottle of a white wine, Petit. Very delicious! We ordered an array of 6 oysters for appetizers, and the server did an awesome job of recommending an assortment! For the main course I had the lobster roll per other reviews, and people don't lie when they say it is awesome! I would definitely order it again. My boyfriend ordered the Oyster Po' Boy, and he was very satisfied with it! Overall, if you're looking for a quiet and personable setting, I would not recommend Hank's. For us, it was perfect. We enjoyed the laughter of the people surrounding us and it made for a laid back and fun evening!
(4)Timothy O.
Popcorn shrimp and calamari app was excellent. The veggie market plate was great (loved the bok choy and the mac and cheese). The crabcakes, however were a total disappointment. Asked if they were lump, bartender said yes, but when they arrived there was not a lump of crabmeat to be found, just over-seasoned mush. Never again will I order crabcakes there. For such a pricey joint this was a real letdown.
(3)Jacqueline S.
Went here at the end of Happy Hour - it was great! The place is nice and cozy and clean. I was really surprised that it wasn't crazy packed given the reviews. The service was excellent - they waiter/bartender was so helpful in explaining the difference between the types of oysters they had. The oysters were nice and fresh and delicious (I love oysters and don't get to have great oysters all the time being from the midwest) as were the shrimp. I had never tried fried oysters so we got a basket of those too - they were huge! Can't beat oysters for $1 ea.
(5)Judith S.
It's a lovely atmosphere: bright, but narrow, colonial row with an industrial kitchen. It's perfect for a very small party (2 or 3 people, maybe 4) and quiet enough to have a conversation with your friends over seafood. Judith recommends: the beet and avocado salads, crabcakes and roasted veggies. Skip the dessert, you get a bowl of dark chocolate pieces with the check! Then walk down King afterwards to peer in the shops.
(4)amanda e.
Oyster selection is great! They have different varities to choose from and they are priced pretty well. It has a really nice atmosphere as well, esp. for a date night. Will go back again soon.
(4)Eric K.
Come for the oysters, stay for the rest of the menu. The best thing about Pete's is their Oyster Special from 5:30-6:30 where 3 varieties of oysters are a buck each. A BUCK EACH! If you have people who want to try oysters but don't want to spend an arm and a leg, or if you are just an all out oyster lover this special can't be beat. If you are an oyster snob there are usually a large variety of oysters (at least 6 on most of my visits) from around the nation that run the gamut from the cheaper varieties to super premium ones. The bar menu usually has a decent selection of microbrews on draft to choose from and a solid cocktail menu featuring classic drinks and signature favorites. I usually follow up my oyster feast with their lobster roll and old bay fries. The lobster roll might be a little overpriced at $23, especially since I have had others around town in the sub $20 dollar range that are just as good. But I suppose the Old Town location demands a premium. The place gets crazy on weekends with long waits, but if you are free during the week you can usually get a seat without any problems. I visit the Old Town location regularly and have always had swift and friendly service. Not to mention the nice added touch of goldfish crackers on your table at the beginning of the meal and chunks of chocolate for when the check comes. I love Hank's, you probably will too.
(4)Helen L.
Great place in D.C. for meaty salty oysters! Collard greens and mac & cheese were both especially good too. Wasn't there late enough but menu advertised late night oyster happy hour after 11pm. $1 oysters!
(4)James P.
The brunch menu has some great options. I think it's changed a lot since the last time I went--I knew something was up when I saw "Try our homemade desserts!" since they never had any dessert before. I had a hangtown fry, which was perfect--the flavor of the oysters still shined through the other items in the dish (bacon, cheese, etc.). Key lime pie was delicious. Service was quick and good. My only complaint was $6 for a bottle of beer seems unreasonable in the local market.
(5)Mimi P.
Oysters were fresh and served just right (chilled)! I went to Hanks for their $1 oyster deal after eleven and had over a dozen sea salts and chincoteagues. MMMmm... were they good! Their calamari and fries were also tasty. Couldn't have complained. The service was great. And my experience was wonderful =)
(4)Chris R.
I travel to DC quiet frequently and usually stay in Old Town. I literally eat at Hank's EVERY night. It's rare to find someplace that far north that can fry oysters that well, but Hank's has it down. The sides are awesome - if you like beets, get them you will enjoy it and the greens are excellent as well.
(4)Dom L.
Not quite $$, but reasonable prices for excellent seafood in a cozy and casual atmosphere. We had oysters, crab cakes, grilled shrimp & octopus, lobster bisque, scallops, lobster rolls, and caesar salad and we all would have ordered all of them again. Fantastic.
(5)Gabrielle R.
More than just great oysters. Other non-seafood items were delicious and the service is always good. Waiters are knowledgable and offer an opinion. Good atmosphere, too.
(4)sarah s.
Eh. The food was slightly above average. I had the crab cake, which was tasty but NO pieces of lump-cheap! The mac n cheese was ok, nothing to write home about. Same with the caesar salad. Hubby had some oysters and the mussels, both of which he said were good but he's had better. The noise level was insane. I know I'm probably sensitive to this, but my eardrums were throbbing, literally. There is no insulation- all brick, steel, concrete, etc. There were 3 tables near us- 2 regular and 1 large that apparently all knew each other and were quite loud, visiting each other's tables and shouting across the room. When they all left at once, my ears were so thankful. Average food coupled with the noise level-DEAFENING- means i won't be back.
(1)Rich B.
Spending the week at ES and used Yelp to find places nearby. Glad I came upon Hank's. The oysters were great but the scallops with cauliflower puree were phenomenal. Perhaps the best I have ever had. I am a chef and will be duplicating this recipe. The flat iron steak with chimmichurri was also very good. But the scallops stole the show
(5)Anthony Y.
The food was expensive and the portions were moderate. However the food was really unique. My daughter had a delicious fried oyster Po boy and i had the lobster roll..I thought mine was delicious and she enjoyed her po boy. We had an assortment of oysters 6 different types..and oyster shooters to compliment which were awesome twist. overall, the selling point is that the food has a creative twist. Definately give it a try if you are at all into seafood, particularly oysters.
(4)Bill L.
As transplanted New Englanders, my wife and I have been searching for whole belly fried clams for many years. We finally found them at Hank's and went to the Old Town location to give them a try. First we had to deal with a snotty hostess. Hank's doesn't accept reservations; they ask that you call 15 minutes before your arrival so they can put you on a "wait list." Upon our arrival, I was chastised for calling 45 minutes ahead of time, instead of 15. Then, she was obviously upset when we didn't accept the table next to the front door. We offered to sit at the bar and have a drink while waiting for another table and she didn't seem pleased about this either. The bartender was awesome. Beyond the fact that he was funny, pleasant, and knowledgeable he made a damn fine dirty martini. The dining room is tiny which actually makes it a comfortable, pleasant, and enjoyable experience. The fried Ipswich clams were just all right. We grew up on Boston's North Shore, not far from Ipswich. We have eaten at the world famous Clam Box in Ipswich, were raised on clams at Kelly's in Revere Beach, and still travel to Cape Cod several times each year in our never-ending quest for the perfect fried clam. We're not "snobs," but we kind of know our clams. The ones at Hank's are just OK. They did appear to be mudders, as opposed to gritty clams from the sand flats, but they were tiny and fried in a batter that lacked the sweetness which truly defines the dish. Don't avoid Hank's and don't avoid the clams, They are a true American delicacy and should be tried. Just know that there are better ones out there if you are willing to make the eight hour drive.
(3)Doug K.
So this is my first review on Yelp but I have done a review here and there so not entirely new ground. I've been to Hank's several times. I go for the Sunday night special - Fried Chicken!!!! talk about comfort food! this is the ultimate. I'm not a huge fan of raw oysters but read about the fried chicken this past summer and just had to try it. I have not been disappointed. So I get here about once a month when I need the comfort of fried chicken and the comforting side dishes that Hank's offers - typically cold wet Sunday evenings. Our meal tonight started with Sierra Nevada Celebration on draft which is a seasonal favorite - I never pass this opportunity up - actually the whole table - all 4 of us jumped on it. First course - fried oysters - moist succulent - quite tasty. Unfortunately raw oysters are just not my choice but I do enjoy the fried variety on occasion and these were just fine. For my main course Fried Chicken I added the Mac and Cheesy and the coleslaw. Three large boneless pieces of fried chicken - moist, succulent, yet crispy - I could only finish 2 so I will be enjoying it again for lunch or dinner tomorrow. The Mac and Cheesy was incredible - rich creamy with a perfect crunchy top served in a stainless dish on the side it was the perfect complement to the fried chicken. ou get a choice of two sides with the chicken so I completed it with the coleslaw which was fresh and crisp but somewhat lost on the richness of the fried chicken and the Mac and Cheesy but nevertheless I had my veggie. We tried to order a 2nd round of celebration but unfortunately the keg kicked and they didn't have a backup - it happens. Being full of fried chicken we skipped desert but were presented with a check and a small bowl of delicious chocolate which was a perfect end to this comforting Sunday night meal. The service was perfect, I like the fact that they recognize us even after a few visits over several months - that goes along way with me. My expectations were exceeded - they were there when you expected and need them and dishes never backed up, I never feel watched or overwhelmed there, it is warm. So my bottom line here is if you are looking for comfort food, desire great fried chicken and warm service this is the place to be on Sunday night. I will have to get abck and give the oysters a go - the selection seems well thought out and I saw plenty of others ordering them.
(4)Brian P.
Went here for the first time last Tuesday evening around 7 and walked right into for a table of 4. Respectable wine and beer list, especially considering the size of the place. Our two guest tried the crab cakes and said they were above average. My wife had the calamari/shrimp plate with mac and cheese which she said she would order again. I had the lobster roll which was the 2nd best I've ever had behind only the one I had out on Long Island once. Service was attentive but not hovering. And finally, my wife enjoyed the goldfish crackers to start things off.
(4)Aaien T.
If you're an oyster fan, go here!
(4)Bill B.
Hank's is a fabulous addition to the neighborhood. This place is singularly responsible for helping my wife learn to enjoy raw oysters. Short, well thought out wine list with interesting selections by the glass. The food is terrific: high quality, fresh ingredients, prepared in a straightforward style. Do not miss the lobster roll, though at $23, you might need to budget for it! Other menu items are less splurgy. No specific kids menu, but a good option for kids is the macaroni and cheese. We love Hank's!
(4)Joan Y.
A few of my favorite things: the fried clams to start; the lobster roll - very authentic and not too much mayonaisse. And the goldfish snacks that are placed on your table to start. The service is decent as well.
(4)Ann S.
I was disappointed in the lack of seafood other than oysters. I ended up with a flat iron steak. The mac & cheese is to die for, though. I agree with other reviewers that the hostess that evening had no personality - never said hi or smiled. Our server was attentive though a little robotic.
(2)Jill H.
BEST Oyster Po' Boy I've ever had in my LIFE!!!!! Nothing else needs to be said.
(5)SC O.
One of those places that every 2-3 months I remind my husband that we need to go there for their oysters...and goldfish crackers. Small joint, service is "eh" but whatever, the food is really good. Most recently we started with the jumbo shrimp cocktail (6 for $1.95 each), 12 oysters from somewhere in Washington State (handful of choices from where they have come!) and then split the rockfish which came out "fish" and all and we just dug in. A great seafood dinner and with drinks it came to approx $100. And about those goldfish crackers, first thing that hits the table when you sit down are a small bowl of those delicious childhood treats, once you have a few you can't stop!
(4)J. W.
Pretty fair meal at Hank's. I visited for an early dinner and took advantage of oyster happy hour, $1 per oyster. They were very fresh and tasty, the cocktail sauce was average. For dinner I tried the lobster roll. It provided a heaping serving of lobster, but it didn't have a lot of flavor. In all, the meal was good and I'd certainly go back for the oysters. Normally I would have given 4 stars but the service wasn't great. When I arrived, there were only a few diners and I was the only one at the tiny bar, the bartender was right there. He took his time to shuck 6 oysters and pour 4 drinks before he so much as acknowledged my presence. I get the fact that he was in the middle of something, but a quick hello would have been appropriate in the first 5 minutes.
(3)Bean O.
Been to Hank's twice now. First time I thought "average food and overpriced". Second time, same thing. We won't be coming back. Started with ceviche which was squid and shrimp-- they didn't even devein it! So gross. Hubs got the soft shell crab special---- two small crabs that's it. No sides included! so we ordered a snow peas which were drenched in sesame oil. I got the oyster po boy which at least came with coleslaw. Overall small portions and overpriced; do not recommend; you will leave hungry!
(1)Christine N.
one of my favorite restaurants in northern Virginia. Actually, this is my only favorite restaurant in northern Virginia. I love the food here; very consistent and reasonable. The service is very friendly; not like other no VA restaurants who want to be up there with NYC or even dc restaurants, and not justifiably so. I recently had the bouillabaisse and grilled rock fish on a Sunday night. Both are delicious. Please continue serving those two.
(4)