Top 3 Places to Visit in Dunellen, New Jersey
My journey started at a Bed-n-Breakfasteques establishment which identifies as half restaurant half men’s residency called The Dunellen Hotel on North Washington Avenue. The 80 year old family-owned building originally opened as a private residency in 1862 and later was upgraded into a restaurant rathskeller in 1925. On the upper level you will find a spacious dinning section divided into a bar and restaurant area. The local ‘Cheers’ feeling you get when you walk in will attract the ‘out of towner’ looking for a warm Dunellen welcome when coming through the door. I was greeted within the expect 30 second etiquette rule by a handsome young bartender with a gentle smile. Surprisingly, the owner of the place was sitting four seats over, chatting while watching TV and blending in with the rest of the patriots. ‘The menu has an American cuisine in a casual atmosphere,’ says the owner John Schneider about his men’s residency-restaurant. The ‘old-world pub’ entrÃ?©e selections were reasonably priced ranging from $5 – $20 and specialty items highlighted the desert menu, such as the Starbucks Chocolate Mousse. The family-styled upper level has massive burgers that are served open styled with lettuce, tomatoes and steak fries you usually only can find at a steak house. On the lower level, the atmosphere was darker and more dress down by staff members and customers. An old-fashion popcorn kernel machine is near the bar for snacking while you wait for your entrÃ?©e to be served. The sports channel played on several of the wall-mounted television screens and the employees comfortably enjoying the game as much as the customers. The appeal is evident in this place and Schneider put it best by saying, ‘People come here for the quality of food, down-to-earth atmosphere and casual American cuisine.’ The Dunellen rathskeller/restaurant is the total guys safe-haven, other than the YMCA, were one can enjoy a football game, drink a beer and eat a good meal while feeling that it was okay to skip out on the tie for dinner. For more information visit: www.dunellenhotel.com
My next stop in Dunellen which was literally one block away on North Avenue/Rt. 28, was a place called 8 On The Break where I met with the night manager, Rich McCutcheon. McCutcheon has been an employee of the Break for 10 years and gave me really good insight to the pool hall/arcade. ‘We are usually busy and draw a crowd because we have everything. We have driving games, pinball, pool, dance games, music games, old-school games and a grill that serves funnel cakes, corndogs, pizza, hamburgers, chicken, frozen slushes and more, ‘ says McCutcheon. The Break of Dunellen, which is named after a pool move, was pretty crowded when I walked through the door. The first thing I noticed was the ‘9-baller’ at a pool table in his late fifties and rows of young adults playing video arcades as far as the eye could see. The Break is about 40 plus years old and caters to the younger crowd in Dunellen, though it has a family appeal. “It is also a nice place to bring a date,” adds McCutcheon. I found a family playing with their children on the ‘Percussion Master’ which is an electronic instrumental drum game. Also, in an extended back room I found a 16-year old female practicing her skills on a virtual DJ simulated turntable. “I like the game called Beat Mania (TudiX).” The Break stays open till 1 AM and does not serve liquor. They do serve their famous ‘Break Steak Special’ which comes with french fries, a shake and a philly cheese steak. Other activities include weekly tournaments on the popular pad-dancing games, like DDR (Dance Revolution) which attracts lots of out-of-towners and video trade publications. ‘People come from all over for some of the classics like Ms. Pac Man, Streetfighter, Marvo vs. Campton, or the Simpson which is really hard to find,” says Wira Ten who is an off-duty employee enjoying his time at the Break that evening. It is hard to believe that four large pool tables, about 40 arcades and a eatery section with a full grill could fit into the small but fun establishment. It serves for a night of clean entertainment for the whole family to enjoy while visiting Dunellen. For more information visit: www.thebreak.net
The last stop while on my travels through the small train-town was at a hidden jewel of a place called Zupko’s. Zupko’s is a one of a kind movie-bar restaurant in the heart of Dunellen. Ironically, the two prior Establishments insisted that I make this place one of the stops on my list of travels. You first walk into a spacious square-shaped bar area. The simple sand-colored wood and pictures surrounding the bar can be easily passed over by the gigantic television screen which took up the size of the the entire back wall. The owner was present and was nice enough to show me the real attraction which I naively thought was the massive television screen. Attached to the bar area is an entrance to the Dunellen Theatre which plays newly released family oriented movies such as Barnyard and Pirates of the Caribbean, showcases live comedy specials with guest such as The Howard Stern Show’s Arty Lang and theatre plays for children from local art organizations. Zupko’s is the only movie theatre in New Jersey with a liquor license and can serve a full entrÃ?©e to your table while you watch a movie with your family or friends. Some nights it gets so busy the owner has to turn people away. It is best to visit the website before hand to figure out what movie selection you would like to watch. People come from hours away to visit the family inspired restaurant movie theatre. “This theatre was built in 1922 and it’s been in my family since the 1940’s. It was a slight battle to get the liquor license at first for the theatre but after four months of pleading about having a place where you can have dinner, watch a movie while enjoying a wine or beer and hang out with the family…People began to see the benefits of have an ‘all-in-one-stop family event for all to enjoy…,” says owner Richie Zupko. The cinema-cafÃ?© comes with a terrace and has an impressive menu with specials such as, The Cinema CafÃ?© Pizza Special – $22.75 includes 2 movies tickets (Adult, Child, or Senior), large pizza, pitcher of beer or soda which is also available for all show selections. Zupko’s sells food which is cooked to order which can take time but the selection is well worth the wait as in any restaurant with steak strips or rib-eyes, Italian pastas’ in wine sauces, Eggplant Parm, cold or hot Deli sandwiches and grilled favorites like Italian hot dogs, fajitas, Philly cheese steaks, pizza, hamburgers with Cajun french fries, Chicken fingers, nacho supreme, clams with breaded mushrooms, onion rings, jalapeÃ?±o poppers with cheese and Buffalo wings. The Cinema CafÃ?© has double spaced seating with tables, so you can enjoy your meal during the show. No reservations are needed for Zupkos but to be on the safe side you would want to come a little early before the movie time. It is not hard to see why the well-known Zupko’s in the heart of the heart-filled town of Dunellen, NJ. For more information visit: www.dennellen-theater.com
