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The Cajun restaurant brand celebrates its Hattiesburg debut with a busy grand opening and social media excitement sparked by local partnerships and an immersive preview dinner.
Hattiesburg, MS (RestaurantNews.com) Off The Hook has crossed the state line, and Hattiesburg is getting hooked. The Louisiana-born Cajun restaurant celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting Wednesday, October 21, with guests flooding in to welcome the brand’s first restaurant outside Louisiana.
The Hattiesburg opening marks a major step in Off The Hook’s growth, bringing its “Real Cajun. Real Fast.” promise to a new state and introducing the Pine Belt to the food and hospitality behind its Louisiana following.
“Taking Off The Hook outside Louisiana for the first time is a big moment for our team, and Hattiesburg has made it even more special,” said Paxton Moreaux, CEO and co-owner of Off The Hook. “Seeing guests pour through our doors on opening day was incredible. We’re proud to share the Cajun flavors we grew up with and look forward to becoming part of the Hattiesburg community.”
Located at 6218 U.S. Highway 98, the restaurant opened amid a wave of online excitement that had been building for days.
On Friday, October 16, Off The Hook hosted an immersive dinner experience for local influencers, community partners and creators. The gathering gave guests an early taste of the brand and set off a steady stream of social media posts that continued through grand opening day.
Attendees have been sharing their experiences, keeping Off The Hook in the local social media conversation and giving Hattiesburg diners plenty to talk about before the ribbon was cut. Wednesday brought that excitement through the doors, as guests arrived ready to see (and taste) what the buzz was about.
The Mississippi debut represents an important milestone for a brand built around bold Cajun flavors and quick, convenient service. After growing across Louisiana, Off The Hook is bringing that same approach to Hattiesburg, with a menu featuring Gulf shrimp and catfish platters, po’boys, chicken and sausage gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and red beans and rice. Boudin balls and signature Swamp Fries add to the lineup of Louisiana favorites.
Community connection also played a role in the opening celebration. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Hattiesburg Area Development Partnership, Off The Hook honored Extra Table with a donation, kicking off a local partnership as the restaurant puts down roots in Hattiesburg.
Founded by chef and restaurateur Robert St. John, Extra Table purchases and delivers nutritious, shelf-stable food to food pantries and soup kitchens across Mississippi. The donation brought support for that mission into a day celebrating the restaurant’s next chapter.
Off The Hook also partnered with Hattiesburg comedian and content creator Mary Ryan Brown as part of its Mississippi debut, adding a hometown voice to the brand’s first opening outside Louisiana. The collaboration complemented the steady stream of social media posts surrounding the launch, connecting the Louisiana-born restaurant with its new Pine Belt audience. Watch Mary Ryan Brown’s Off The Hook video on Facebook.
From the immersive preview dinner to the crowds at the grand opening, Off The Hook’s arrival has given Hattiesburg a new reason to gather around Cajun food and share the experience. With its first restaurant outside Louisiana now open, the brand is carrying its homegrown flavor into a new market with an enthusiastic welcome from the Pine Belt.
For more information about Off The Hook, its menu and locations, visit OTHook.com.
Media Contact:
Regan Nelson
Director of Marketing & PR
Off The Hook Restaurants
regann@othook.com