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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is St. Charles County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine Restaurant Spotlight Archive |
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'Off The Hook' Offer Tempting Sea DishesBy Mary Ann O'Toole Holley
Larry Gettemeier says his restaurant's position along Hwy. K makes him part of the longest strip mall in the world, but being located in a labyrinth of stores, restaurants and Jiffy Lubes has only made him a commodity.
Off the Hook, a delightful "to-go or eat-in" dining establishment that specializes in freshly fried Pacific Cod and all the fixings, is the only one of its type for at least 10 miles. But the convenience of being located at Hwy. K and Hutchings Farm is far from why customers flock to Off the Hook's night and day, weeklong fish frys. Larry Gettemeier and family put gusto in the food found at "Off the Hook," a family-run eatery that provides far more than the fried fish franchise status quo. Owned by Larry and his wife Kim, the two bring grandma's family favorite recipes to your table, dropping perfectly battered and breaded codfish, shrimp, catfish, clams and chicken into various oils of optimal temperature. "My mom and dad and grandma owned a restaurant at Mark Twain Lake and had fish frys every Friday," Gettemeier said. "I just thought the fish recipe would go like crazy here, and since Lent started, we've had customers lined out the door." Off the Hook, with its motto, "One Bite and You'll Be Hooked," uses fresh Pacific codfish that's blast-frozen right on the boat. Their strict quality control tracks the very crew and ship that supplies their fish. Each piece is cut to generous portions and then Grandma Gettemeier's recipe comes into play. Grandma's recipe is battered and breaded for a light crispy culinary approach that's not "swimming in grease," Gettemeier said. All fish is flash-fried when ordered, and on any busy night, Gettemeier is likely to fry up 500 pounds. Gettemeier says their codfish delicacies are often compared to the kind found at St. Ferdinand's fish fry in Florissant, where anyone who has ever lived in North County has spent at least 30 minutes waiting in line at some time or another. "When I moved out here (to St. Charles County) eight years ago, I went to various fish frys and just couldn't find any really good fish," Gettemeier said. "Our fish is cooked as you order, but even then it's only about a three to four minute wait." Fish is sold by the pound or the piece, and you'll never find a perfectly formed "diamond" of cod. All Off The Hook fish is the real thing, each sliced in two-ounce portions. "One of the more unique aspects of our restaurant is list of side items," Gettemeier said. "I like the code and cream corn bites, but we sell the heck out of catfish." Sweet spaghetti is just one of the side items available - another of grandma's recipes that Gettemeier says he eats every day. Breaded and fried mac 'n cheese bites ($1.45 for four or $2.25 for eight) are popular with the younger set, and breaded and fried dill pickles are big with most everybody, he said. Waffle cut fries are crisped to perfection and their potato pancakes are a variation on the theme. The flat, tater tot-type potato is seasoned with spices and fried crispy enough to create a crunch. Add a little of their applesauce and you've got an Old World German flare. Hushpuppies aren't overlooked at Off The Hook's fry-o-rama of feasting, and Cole slaw is also their own recipe, made fresh in the kitchen daily. Lunch specials are available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at $5.95 for a quarter-pound fish basket with a fish filet sandwich, a side item and drink. If you're in the market for a dinner - eaten in or carried out - feed four for $24.99 with a Family Pack to go filled with two pounds of fish and two sides of your choice. If fish isn't your cup of tea, opt for chicken also sold by the quarter or half pound. You'll be equally pleased. Fresh fried shrimp comes by the dozen ($9.25) or half-dozen ($7.95), and always includes two side items. Any which way you choose, there's an option at Off the Hook to satisfy any appetite. If you can't decide, go for the combo plates featuring fish, chicken and three shrimp ($7.95) or the half-pound fish and clams selection at $8.25. The dining room, with seating for about 40, is decorated from top to bottom by Larry and his brother Matt, a duo who left no stone unturned when tapping into the nautical nature of a business surrounded by fish. Though far from the ocean and not even near the river, the counter is a lighthouse, a giant "Jaws" recreation juts from one wall and a happy halibut smiles and greets kids. Walls whip up memories of a rough-hewn fish shanty and fishnets flounce from beam to beam. Photographs of their food-fare fill the walls, lending mouth-watering thoughts to those undecided. And. don't forget the sweets - even if your belly is full. New York Cheesecake and Pecan Pie wraps up a meal the way Grandma Gettemeier would have liked it.
Off the Hook Hutchings Farm Plaza 2508 Hwy. K O'Fallon, MO
Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Calling ahead is not necessary, but for information or large orders, call 636-281-FISH (3474) |
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