Woodstown Tavern — Restaurant in Woodstown

Woodstown Tavern

My girlfriend and I where exploring the Woodstown area after visiting the Cowtown flea market and decided to have lunch at the Woodstown Tavern. Two houses at the end of the block sported pride flags so we felt somewhat comfortable going in as an openly queer couple. Reviews mentioned the place having scrapple fries and needing an decor update. A dive bar is a good bar.

We entered at the rear of the building through a small group of older men who seem to be regulars. One specifically stepped up to compliment my blue hair color and another opened the door and welcomed us in.

The back portion of the bar serves as a liquor store and was kinda cute and rustic with an antique style cash register and copper caged shelving. The main portion of the bar is dark and moody like a western bar looking for a breath of fresh air in a new non smoking century. 1920s mirrors 1960s bar, old pine paneling with smoke aged patina.

We loved that there where two billiard tables and that the music was not overwhelming. The walls in the billiard area where freshly painted and everything was very, very clean.

We ordered 2 Land sharks a roast beef sandwich, ham and cheese club sandwich, onion rings, scrapple fries, and zucchini fries. Land shark wasn’t stocked at the bar so our bartender took a minute to bring up a whole 6 pack for us, and apologized for the delay.

Food was good, portions where generous. The zucchini fries alone where twice the size of what we would get back home. It was worth it. Our server was nice and attentive.

While we waited for our food we enjoyed listening to the local chatter and kind support for each other except for the contribution of ONE WOMAN and her very drunk overly tanned husband who later loudly announced living on 2 penny run and having the best fireworks.

This local ambassador of the nasty/ nosy neighbors committee began her vocal commentary of us. “Where do you think they are from? Blue hair, hmmmmpf She’s checking the menu online. She’s not happy…. She wants something you don’t have.

Now she’s updating her status, im getting notifications. How annoying“

At this point the bartender looked at the ambassador crossly and told her to stop.

The nosey neighbor began to spin a thin veil that it was her “ friend” on her phone annoying her. We elected not to confront her as its a holiday weekend and bail $ is a little thin this month.

So why am I writing about some hick town biddy rather than just a review of a business? Well, the company you keep matters and manners matter. Small town businesses are struggling and it appears Salem County, NJ could use an infusion of businesses and folks with jobs to care for all those declining properties. Maybe you don’t think anyone new belongs in your community. Maybe you think the economy will bounce back. When small town folk act out in juvenile and unwelcoming ways you loose $ in immediate local investment along with longterm investment.

Are you going to let your “ elders” act like mean girls? Its 2021 Woodstown - gay people aren’t freaks to gawk at for a penny. Blue hair isn’t all that weird. Not every city person is uppity and high maintenance.

I put in my two cents because obviously this town NEEDS some scandal to chatter about.

So get on your phone tree and get to talking!

Yes, Woodstown Tavern, we will be back for more of those...

Dad and I drove a half hour down on a Thursday night. Our waitress was bad. It took a long time for her to place our drink orders, rarely check in on us, didn't ask us if there was anything else she could get us. Dad heard you guys do cocktails and such, if that's true, she did NOT give us a meanu or even mention drink specials, cocktails and such. Food wise....there is a few call to action signs in the windows that are NOT true. They say they have great food, food was average, at least the fries were really good. They say they have cold beer and the beer wasn't really cold. I had a Buffalo chicken wrap...again, just average, and my dad had a sandwich and thw food took FOREVER to get it out to us on a night, Thursday night, that was clearly NOT busy BUT at least it was hot. I was hoping to have a nice healthy fun meal and there is VERY little health food options. Parking lot is very small so we had to park across the street. This place is just not worth going to when traveling 30+ minutes down and 30+ minutes...

First time back here in about 10 years. Hasn't changed much and glad we popped in to grab a cheesesteak and some fried pickles. While the entire place is dark and drab, the bartenders were on point and friendly. The cheesesteaks were a tad skimpy on meat, rolls a day old or frozen but had some flavor with the grill grease. Tatertots were warm at best but my friend pickles were banging hot with a ranch dill dipping sauce- not the Chipotle sauce as noted on the menu.

While I wasn't impressed with the food, I would go back and give it another try. There are limited food options in town and would love this place to be a solid option over the diner. Give them a try - you might be...