The Pine Tavern — Restaurant in Old Bridge Township

Charging a convenience fee for using a credit card is just the latest nickel and dime move by the owner and his son. I have never ate at any restaurant that charged a convenience fee for using a credit card. And unless this is the new norm, I never will again. I’ve been eating here for many years. Over the years they have cut many corners. One of the things they did to cheapen this restaurant is to stop giving cloth napkins. You used to get your silverware rolled up in a cloth napkin when you dined. Now, they give you paper napkins that you would get at a diner. Their wine list has substantially gone downhill as well. The reds have gotten cheaper and cheaper, yet the price per glass hasn’t changed. They also got rid of the booths which were in the center of the restaurant, replacing them with square tables. This was an obvious attempt to cram in more people in an effort to bring in more money; when in reality it cheapened the look and makes it seem more like a cafeteria. Tonights appetizers which we always get when we eat there consisted of shrimp in garlic sauce and guacamole and chips. There was far less shrimp than usual and there was far fewer chips than usual. For my entrée, I ordered a side of mashed sweet potatoes. Normally these are like a dessert for me but tonight they tasted burnt. Thinking better of it while writing this review, I should’ve demanded they remove the cost of the one side off my meal, since they want to charge for using a credit card. Over the years they have lost many excellent waitstaff and hostesses. If the owner or his son reads this review, they will know how long I’ve been going there when I say that they have lost many great waiters and waitresses to include Ray and Karen and good hostesses like Claudia. From eating there for so many years, I can honestly say I no longer get what I pay for. For the $90-$100 that I spend for me and my wife, there are many other better restaurants to go to for that type of money. Plus, you will not be charged a 3% convenience fee for using your credit card at any other restaurant.

UPDATE As of January 2020, they renovated the place. I went back because they did away with the 3% fee. They brought back the cloth napkins but the prices are ABSURD for the type of place this is. I always get the same thing, Skirt Steak. Delicious? ABSOLUTELY! BUT...the price is ridiculous. Going back several years the same entree I believe was $22. They then increased it to about $24 or $25. Then it went to I think $28 and the 3% fee was add. That’s when I stopped going. Tonight $31!!! To make matters worse, you don’t even get two sides anymore; you get one. Are you kidding me. The food is good, but this is not a high end restaurant. PS their wine by the glass is still terrible. $7-$8 low end red...

Update 9/6 Ok after our last experience there now I have to deduct 2 stars. One for service other for food. It took 10 minutes for anyone to even take a drink order (and they were very slow). Then another 10 min for us to get water soda and NO milk. I literally got up walked to wawa to get my daughter milk. Who runs out of milk? Fajitas ..... better off going to Rosalitas or Jose. The amount of grease in the fajita pan was absurd. It tasted ok but disappointing. My wife over pasta with chicken. Andddd they forgot the chicken! The pasta itself my wife was disappointed. Very disappointing been going here for years and past two visits well we won’t be coming back for a while and I suggest a dinner at ponte vex chop for a good dinner.

Update 7/11/20 We went back after the remodel and sorry to see that they remodeled only for sentimental reasons as I first met my wife at the “old” bar . However the “new” pine tavern looks awesome. Once again the food does not disappoint as I had some of the best ribs I have ever had. My wife got a hamburger which is your pine tavern staple and our daughter had chicken tenders. There was a delay in getting our food, but the manager did come over and apologize as they got slammed with To go orders at the same time .

Original review

This place truly holds a special place in my heart. I just moved to old bridge 10 years ago.... several months later I met my wife their on our first date. The food is amazing. The hamburgers are probably the best one will ever eat. The wait staff are awesome. Prices are more then reasonable and honestly the quality of food is 5 Stars. Have to tell you this place is popular and can get crowded but it’s worth the wait. Been here multiple times over the year and...

My family chose the Pine Tavern for a family birthday. It was a party of 16 that we made a reservation for on Monday night. For the people that arrived early, the staff was accommodating! They didn't wait around for the rest of our party to come in, we were comfortable with bread and drinks. Ordering was quick and efficient, the waiter (I'm 95% sure his name was Joe, he definitely introduced himself every time new people came in, I just have baby brain) was able to answer ANY questions about the food, I was undecided and asked him to make a recommendation between two entrees. The food took a little long to come out, but it was 16 meals at once, I'm sure it took the exact amount of time it was supposed to take. But in that time, our waiter brought out more fresh, hot bread for the whole table and we didn't notice the wait. Each and every person at that table said the food was delicious! There was one entree that my uncle thought came with something, but he read the menu wrong. Nonetheless, the staff brought him the sides he thought he was entitled, and then he realized he was wrong! The waiter even apologized when my uncle was the one that was wrong!

Moral is that the service was perfect, the food was awesome, each one of us personally thanked our waiter and we made sure to tell the manager that everyone that helped out our party, including a trainee waiter, we were just so pleased with. I fully recommend the Pine Tavern for birthdays, holidays, and every day!

Also, it was expected that the bill was going to be double the price that it was! I literally could not have anything...