Hook’d on the Sound: Comfort Food & More at Westport's Compo Beach

Picture this: you're at the beach tanning when all of a sudden you hear that dreaded sound of your stomach rumbling. But you aren’t in the mood for the classic hot dog or chicken tenders that are usually served at a beach. You want something a little more gourmet, like a lobster roll or a farm-fresh salad. Have no fear! Hook’d on the Sound can provide you just that and is located only a few feet away from your towel. 

Now open for the 2021 season, Hook’d on the Sound makes beach life a little more elegant with a large menu offering popular breakfast and lunch items, like avocado toast and a crispy chicken sandwich. With the beach as their venue, general manager Nadine Wilf and owner Itai Shoffman are excited to satisfy beach-goers’ cravings.

Wilf understands the fact that the world is shifting more towards a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle and that sometimes people do not want to eat fast food. As a result, Hook’d on the Sound created a large menu with food offerings that will hopefully satisfy every customer. 

“We are not a fast-food environment. We have a vast menu so there is something for everyone: vegetarian, vegan, healthy. But we also have the classic hamburger and hotdogs, Wilf said. “Hook’d has taken the beach life to another level in terms of food and service.” 

Some of the most popular menu items are the lobster rolls, which can be made cold or warm with either mayo or butter, and their fish tacos served on a corn tortilla with avocado salsa, sour cream and their signature salsa verde.

While some of their fancier food items seem to be a hit, Hook’d recognizes that they are still located on the beach filled with many kids who love to order their classic ‘beach hotdog’ or their ‘Hook’d bacon cheeseburger’ served on a potato bun with premium applewood smoked bacon and Angus beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato. 

 Once this spot opened up, Wilf knew she wanted to jump at the opportunity to work on the water. Having lived in California for many years, Wilf is accustomed to beach life. Although concession stands on the beach might normally be characterized as a place with fast food options, Wilf and Shiffman had the same vision of sophisticated beach life for their concession stand. Not only do they want to serve quality food, but they also want to make sure that their service is up to par. 

“I always say that we can go to a really fantastic Michelin star restaurant, and if we didn’t get great service, we wouldn’t go back,” Wilf said. “Instead we would go to a place like Hook’d on the Sound with good food, although not a Michelin star, and get excellent service.” 

This spot is attractive as it is located right on the beach so it is convenient. Additionally, Wilf and Shoffman have turned mostly towards Westport residents to work at the stand in order to do this place justice.  

“I love working at Hook’d because I grew up constantly nagging my mom to take me to get food at the concession stand at Compo,” Hayley Buckman, a cashier at Hook’d said. “I am looking forward to serving Compo beach-goers delicious food to enhance their beach day.” 

Overall, Wilf and Shoffman look forward to meeting their customers, filling up their bellies and making their day. 

“[My favorite thing about being a restaurant manager] is being able to make someone’s dining experience wonderful,” Wilf said. “I do believe that when you come into dine and I get the chance to meet you and the staff gets to greet you, it makes your day.” 

Hook’d On The Sound @ Westport Compo Beach