The East Brunswick Farrell's in the Brunswick Square Mall closed in December 1991 and stood approximately where Tilted Kilt is now there was another entrance from the inside of the mall on the J.C.Penney's side. "We used to just say it was someone's birthday - to get the waiters and waitresses to march around with the drum and all the singing," Hannan said. Like many, Tom Hannan of Point Pleasant Beach used to frequent Farrell's for the "birthday" perks.
and so much fun.Īnd of course, you always got a free ice cream sundae - not the Zoo - on your birthday. The restaurant looked like an ice cream parlor from more than 100 years ago and the menu was a newspaper type style. With its iconic old- fashioned 1900's fair-like atmosphere, Farrell's had a menu of classic comfort food, a penny candy area with giant jawbreakers and, of course, the Zoo - a massive ice cream extravaganza that was meant to shared. Servers ran around with it on a stretcher and drums and sirens sounded.Īt Farrell's, patrons stepped back in time and had servers dressed in pin-striped vests, ties and cane hats. Topping the list for Central Jersey, Farrell's in East Brunswick is an establishment that was unanimously beloved and missed. "Now all the new establishments are competing for noise level and how many TVs there are."ĭo you remember? Farrell's, East Brunswick "All great places to go to, eat, drink, relax have good conversations, watch a movie," said Kondratuk of East Brunswick. "We reminisce all the time about old places that we miss," said Denise Spicuzzo of Spotswood.Ĭindy Kondratuk listed a slew of establishments that she and her family loved. "Why did all these great places close?," she said. Raised in Monroe, and now a resident of Helmetta, Cindy Shapter lamented the closing of her local favorites. READ: 5 Central Jersey towns for family-friendly fun READ: 5 things to do with drink in hand in Central Jersey After much debate, we settled on five favorites.
We asked readers, colleagues, friends and family what restaurant they missed the resulting list was long and full of longing. It saddened us to see them go and even decades after the closing, these restaurants are still remembered with fondness. Some catered to families and others favored a date night or more adult crowd. But, all of them, after a good long run, were no more. Some of these restaurants were chains, others one-off establishments. They were staples, whether because they were places to hangout with friends, a family favorite or simply, that good. Of course, you can always order entrees like Shrimp Fantasia (prosciutto-wrapped shrimp, spinach, milk, mozzarella, garlic, white wine sauce and capellini pasta) salads like blackened ahi tuna salad and grilled calamari salad sandwiches wraps panini, specialty pastas, and seafood and poultry dishes.Watch Video: WATCH: Arooga's Grille House and Sports Bar opens in East BrunswickĬENTRAL JERSEY – Thinking back, there were many restaurants in our hometowns that seemed like they would last forever. Serving your feast: These South Jersey restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day so get your reservations in.
Share coal-fired pies like Napolitano (San Marzano tomato and whole milk mozzarella) or Fig (prosciutto, fig jam, milk mozzarella, gorgonzola and arugula) while you dine in the open-concept space.ĭon't want to cook?: 18 places to find Thanksgiving takeout and make holiday stress-free Whether you’re looking for comfortable outdoor seating or a bustling atmosphere with hearty dishes, Marchello’s is the place to go. Go: 353 Farnsworth Ave., 60 Marcello’s Coal Fired Restaurant & Pizza “It’s what Bordentown needs - they have great food, and we hope it doesn’t go anywhere,” said Valerie Kempisty, a Bordentown resident. The Mexican menu items include enchiladas, chilaquiles, meat platters, tortas sandwiches, quesadillas, nachos, empanadas, fajitas, burritos, sopes (corn cakes topped with meat of choice), tacos and gorditas.Ī complimentary basket of chips and salsa is offered.Įnd your visit with desserts like flan, rice pudding and cheesecake. Speaking of Bordentown: When is the right time to expand, franchise? These NJ restaurants are growing in pandemicįor your vegan holiday: Order your vegan side dishes from these local eateries this Thanksgiving On the a la carte menu, guests can choose from a variety of egg dishes like omelets, Benedicts and huevos rancheros, skillets like sausage scrambled and corned beef hash, waffles, pancakes, wraps and sandwiches.įor lunch and dinner, there are salads, soups, club sandwiches like grilled chicken and BLT, burgers like bacon avocado and veggie, sandwich melts like roast beef and gyro, hot dogs, steak sandwiches, paninis and more.