Top 3 Places to Visit in Dunellen – NJ

Hop on the NJ Transit from Newark heading southwest and in 20 minutes you will come to find a cozy train-town called Dunellen, NJ. 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 and lower levels the restaurant 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 sports channel played on several of the wall-mounted television screens and the employees comfortably enjoying the game as much as the customers. 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 a place called 8 On The Break where I met with the night manager, Rich McCutcheon. ‘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. 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. 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. The liquor-licensed cinema cafÃ?© 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. 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. 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. For more information visit:
www.dennellen-theater.com