Some 1.3 million Irish people live in New Jersey, so it's is no wonder that there are a multitude of Irish-styled pubs in the state. In fact, Spring Lake on the Jersey shore has become known as the "Irish Riviera." While many of these bars and resaurants are smaller, independently owned establishments, there are a few larger Irish restaurant chains in New Jersey as well.
Bennigan's is an international Irish bar and grill chain. Open for lunch and dinner, Bennigan's features daily food and drink specials, and you can always check its website for a countdown to St. Patrick's Day. Hand-battered fish and chips, a reuben burger, a Guinness-glazed bacon cheeseburger and an "Irish Dip" (rather than a French dip) sandwich are regular menu features. One of the most popular items on the menu is the Monte Cristo sandwich--sliced ham and turkey with Swiss and American cheese on wheat bread, served crispy and topped with powdered sugar. The sandwich comes with red raspberry preserves for dipping.
Bennigan's
2196 W. Landis Avenue
Vineland, NJ 08360
856-205-0010
bennigans.com
The Irish Rail is part of a chain of New Jersey sister restaurants. It is open Monday through Thursday for lunch and dinner and Friday through Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located on the Jersey shore, the Irish Rail has a full bar and serves Happy Hour specials from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The restaurant offers jumbo HD televisions for watching sporting events and hosts live music on weekend nights. Entrees include a famous Irish potato soup, corned beef, and Shepherd's Pie For a morning treat on weekends, try the Irish breakfast--two eggs any style, bangers, baked beans and grilled tomatoes Then there's the Limerick wrap--scrambled eggs, sausage, sour cream, salsa and cheddar-jack cheese.
The Irish Rail
229 East Main Street
Manasquan, NJ 08736
732-223-9300
theirshrail.com
Connolly Station is a sister restaurant of the Irish Rail. You'll find it in Belmar, New Jersey. This restaurant and tavern is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner and late night fun. Connolly Station features daily drink and food specials as well as live entertainment. Check their website for the entertainment schedule. Menu options include the likes of "Irish Nachos," Idaho and sweet potato fries covered in cheese, onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, and olives and served with sour cream and salsa. You can also avail yourself of Irish split pea soup, made with corned beef, and the Irish Bangers and Mash. The latter consists of slow-roasted sausages served over mashed potatoes with a brown gravy and vegetables.
Connolly Station
715 Main Street
Belmar, NJ 07719-2703
732-280-2266
connollystation.com
Farrell's Stout & Steak is the third sister restaurant in the chain that includes the Irish Rail and Connolly Station. Located in Point Pleasant Beach, Farrell's offers a large selection of Irish ales, stouts and beers, as well as Irish specialty dishes like corned beef and Shepherd's Pie. There is live entertainment most nights with indoor and outdoor seating--plus space available for hosting private parties. On certain days the restaurant offers bargain specials like two-for-one fish and chips or two-for-one burgers.
Farrell's Stout & Steak
401 Broadway
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742-2615
732-892-2090
farrellsstoutandsteak.com
