Star Tavern
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Star Tavern used to be my favorite pizza in New Jersey, which is a pretty dramatic statement, but deserved. Unfortunately in the last few years, there has been a dip in the quality and overall experience, and it's just not the same perfect bar pie I remember. My noble chum and I stopped by here for a very early dinner (technically lunner, I guess - it was 3:30pm.) this past Monday. That absolutely could have been part of the problem here; a devil's advocate might argue that coming during a decidedly "off" time didn't guarantee the best staff/product, though my counter to that would be that the restaurant was open for business and should have provided its best possible level of food and service regardless. Your mileage may vary. Anyway. Even though it was pretty obvious why, it was very exciting to procure an actual parking spot right next to their restaurant in the lot; I'm not sure I've ever had anything other than street parking half a block down from this place (which isn't ideal since this neighborhood isn't the best), so it was a promising start to the adventure at least. I'm sure not everyone is going to agree on this, but I miss the authentic divey vibe Star Tavern used to have. It wasn't over-the-top grimy, but it was unique and felt more homey. Sometime in the past five years or so (I could be a little off on the timing), they did a massive interior overhaul and the personality just disappeared - it's weirdly gentrified now with a lot of sterile colors and paneling. I'll absolutely acknowledge though that I don't know if there's a legit back story that required the significant changes. Notwithstanding, it feels like an unforced error. At my recommendation, we split a plain pie ($15ish) and my chum requested mozzy sticks. The pie is still good, but not great. The most significant issue I encountered is that it's not as crispy as it used to be. By definition, the crust/dough is going to be extremely thin, so if it's floppy it's much tougher to eat, especially when the cheese is on the watery side. And don't get me wrong - I think for this type of pie that's exactly how the toppings should be. I'm not sure what the best pizza in New Jersey is now, but this one for me is out of the running. A shame. The mozzy sticks were surprisingly good, though we were both reasonably confident that they were just standard freezer apps. That suggests to me that they were heated up perfectly, and I thought the accompanying marinara sauce was excellent and reminded me of Pizza Hut (which I had to clarify for my dining companion WAS a compliment in this instance). A second order was accidentally procured and promptly consumed. I DO think it helped that the serving size wasn't egregious - it was six or seven sticks per plate. Coupled with a thin bar pie, I was able to walk out of there still feeling moderately frisky. The service was uneven. Our waiter was very nice, but also inattentive in spurts. We'd be looking for him to, say, order another app, and see him 20 feet away intently staring at his phone. That actually also happened when we walked in - there were two bartenders manning the front who we had trouble hailing down to confirm seating because they were both focused on their phones and not the customers. It wasn't a busy time so I can understand that to an extent, but the minute you have patrons roaming around, that should be the priority. You might have better luck coming at a busier time when the staff is more on their toes, but the chances of longer wait times understandably increase as well. This is still a recommendation, but I don't know that at this point I'd go too far out of my way to frequent it.
EE GrimshawEE Grimshaw
10
I recently had a good time at this casual pizza bar with my friends , and I thought I'd share my experience! The pizzas here are decent, not mind-blowing but satisfying for a casual meal. They offer a variety of toppings, so there's something for everyone. Now, let's talk about the chicken wings – they're a must-try! They were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with just the right amount of flavor and heat. We couldn't get enough of them, and they're definitely a highlight of the menu. If you're looking for something lighter, they also have salads. They're fresh and a good option if you want to balance out your meal with some greens. Plus, it's nice to have that option for those days when you want to be a bit healthier. And of course, what's a pizza bar without beer? They have a decent selection of brews to choose from, which pairs perfectly with the casual, relaxed atmosphere of the place. It's a family-friendly spot, so it's great for a laid-back night out with loved ones. The service was friendly and attentive, which added to the overall positive experience. Prices were reasonable too, making it an affordable choice for a casual meal with family or friends. In summary, if you're in the mood for some decent pizza, fantastic chicken wings, a salad option, and a cold beer in a casual, family-friendly setting, this pizza bar is worth a visit. It won't disappoint if you're looking for a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. 🙂🍕🍺🍻😀
Elnaz EElnaz E
10
For several months now, I’ve heard people rave about this place; so, I decided to give it a try. As soon as you walk in, you get that “local bar” feel. No bells, no whistles and a bit run down. Service is fast. A bit too fast. I had barely placed down my last finished buffalo wing and the plate was immediately removed. The bill instantly followed before I could reach for my napkin to wipe the sauce still on my face from the wings. It felt as if I was being rushed out. Regardless, the food here is above average with an emphasis on the bar pie. I had the fried calamari, buffalo wings, and plain bar pie. The calamari was your typical frozen-bag calamari found in most places. The marinara sauce that accompanied it was delicious. The wings had a good kick to it. Not too overpowering but it does clear your sinuses. The pie was delicious, if you like thin crusted pies; I do. The cheese on the pie had a bit more than normal salt but it complimented the crust and sauce very well. I would NOT say the pie was salty. If I am in the area, I will gladly stop by again.
Jason CunasJason Cunas
10
It appears this establishment is an example of cognitive bias. The Star Tavern may have been amazing at one point in time. Clearly it was! It has 1K+ 5-star reviews! The problem is that it may be 5 stars in the minds of those that remember it when it was so. Nostalgia tends to do that - keep us stuck in a point in time when things were better. 5 stars it is no longer. The food wasn't bad. The bar pie was decent although the crust could have been a little crispier and the sauce a tad less salty. The calamari was awesome! The service though was not pleasant to experience. Our waitress had an attitude and was annoyed we were asking questions. Some people will say it comes with the territory; that the attitude is part of the Tavern's charm. I might buy that if it was cheaper, but a meal for two without booze was nearly 50 bucks. I work too hard for my money to have to deal with that when I go out to eat. In the end, come for the comraderie, the history, and an ok (but not spectacular) bar pie. Don't expect much else.
Sotirios GountasSotirios Gountas
30
My wife and I brought our 18 month old son for an early pizza dinner before visiting Turtleback Zoo. Despite our 4:00 arrival the restaurant was jam packed and there was already a short wait. One of the employees said the wait would be about 20 minutes, but it was only 10-15, so no issues there. The service was prompt and efficient, getting our drinks quickly and taking our order as soon as we were ready. The buffalo wings were good, not fantastic; a little small and scrawny (and expensive - $15!) but very saucy, which we like. The star of the show here is undoubtedly the pizza. Thin and crispy crust, but perfect undercarriage with just the right amount of chew. We got sausage and half hot cherry peppers, and the flavors were incredible. Unfortunately our crust was a liiiiittle burnt - perhaps left 45 seconds too long in the oven. However, I would definitely recommend Star Tavern and would definitely try their pizza again.
Sam ChewleffSam Chewleff
00
Place was poppin. Plenty of seats, but every seat was filled on a HOT Friday afternoon. They rotate people out fast enough, though, because the pies come out pretty quickly, so there was essentially no wait time. We were a party of 10...walked in during a busy time, were seated within minutes. The pizzas came out fast. The bar was a little slow. I feel they could've used an extra hand or two (appeared to only have two bartenders at the time). The entire staff was very friendly. They work as a team to give you a great experience. Very thin, delicious bar pies. I'm not sure if I'd like them takeout, but they were one of the best in-house eating pies I've ever had. The wings were awesome, too. Decent amount of parking in their lot. But if you can't find a spot in their lot, they have secondary parking right around the corner in a second lot. 10/10 would recommend
Rick SmithRick Smith
00
Nearby Attractions Of Star Tavern
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Soverel Park
Orange Garden Center
Ticos Tree Experts
Colgate Field
Colgate Park
Edison Lofts
Playhouse Nursery School
George's & Sons General Construction Inc
Rosedale Cemetery

Thomas Edison National Historical Park
4.7
(749)Click for details

Soverel Park
4.3
(194)Click for details

Orange Garden Center
4.1
(141)Click for details

Ticos Tree Experts
4.7
(116)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Star Tavern
Jimmy Buff's Of West Orange Italian Hot Dogs
Castaway Restaurant & Bar
Tasha's Caribbean & Soul Food Cuisine
Mamma Maria
Light Bulb Coffee Shop
Wing It On!
Chimpun callao
Willow & Olivia Dessert Café
Don Vega’s Place - Sam's Place
Fogon Latino

Jimmy Buff's Of West Orange Italian Hot Dogs
4.7
(1.1K)Click for details

Castaway Restaurant & Bar
4.1
(435)$
Click for details

Tasha's Caribbean & Soul Food Cuisine
4.5
(185)Click for details

Mamma Maria
4.0
(178)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
400 High St, City of Orange, NJ 07050
Map
Phone
(973) 675-3336
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Website
startavern.net
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Reviews
Overview
4.5
(1.6K reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Casual bar & eatery with booth seating serves thin-crust pizzas plus Italian & sandwich specialties.
attractions: Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Soverel Park, Orange Garden Center, Ticos Tree Experts, Colgate Field, Colgate Park, Edison Lofts, Playhouse Nursery School, George's & Sons General Construction Inc, Rosedale Cemetery, restaurants: Jimmy Buff's Of West Orange Italian Hot Dogs, Castaway Restaurant & Bar, Tasha's Caribbean & Soul Food Cuisine, Mamma Maria, Light Bulb Coffee Shop, Wing It On!, Chimpun callao, Willow & Olivia Dessert Café, Don Vega’s Place - Sam's Place, Fogon Latino

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