Hookers Seafood Joint owners Robert Bryant and Kendale Harris
According to the owners of downtown Harrisburg’s newest seafood restaurant, it hasn’t taken long for people to get hooked on their food.
Within a week from last Thursday’s soft opening of Hookers Seafood Joint on Walnut Street, first-time customers have already returned for more.
Owners Robert Bryant and Kendale Harris of York credit the early success to their mouth-watering food and friendly personalities.
“The food is one thing, but the energy is another,” Bryant said.
During the pandemic, the pair of Philadelphia natives opened their first business, The SteakOut, with York and Lancaster locations, after realizing the need for an authentic Philly cheesesteak spot. They started offering seafood options at The SteakOut, but decided to open another business dedicated to the fried fish and their “renowned” grits. Hookers Seafood Joint was born and opened in York and now Harrisburg.
Based on Bryant and Harris’ previous experience selling their seafood out of a food truck in Harrisburg, they knew there was a market in the city for their dishes.
Hookers specializes in fried fish—flounder, whiting and shrimp—and their gouda cheesy grits.
To perfect their recipes, the pair has spent hours upon hours in the kitchen “burning their taste buds” and “consuming way too much salt,” they said.
“It’s all been from scratch and messing around in the kitchen,” Bryant said.
Outside of their food, Bryant and Harris believe in the power of energetic, entertaining marketing and customer service. You may walk into the shop and hear Harris singing in the kitchen while you’re greeted by Bryant whose charisma is contagious. They’re also very aware of the connotations that come with the name Hookers and aren’t shy about cracking jokes on their social media page. They like being a little edgy and playful with their business.
“To have the good food is the icing on the cake, but to have a good personality is important too,” Harris said.
Hookers is currently open for takeout and delivery and accepting online orders only. Their Harrisburg grand opening will take place on Nov. 17, when they will open for in-store ordering and dining.
Hookers Seafood Joint is located at 405 Walnut St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.
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