Cuisine: Steakhouse / Seafood
I still can’t wrap my head around the fact this joint was built back in 1676. Honestly, I didn’t even know New Jersey — and specifically Bloomfield — existed back then. Clearly my American history classes in high school were lacking. Granted, we talked mostly about the indigenous peoples of the West coast and skipped right to the French and Indian War. Or maybe it was the Spanish American war. Again, I didn’t pay much attention to anything other than English class. But, yeah, this building is historic and is, along with Tierney’s Tavern, apparently one of a couple haunted haunts in the area. But also steak.
I’m honestly not sure what I expected from a steakhouse in the suburbs. Frankly, not much. Especially after years of eating at the ones in NYC, which we’ve all been programmed to believe are the best in the country. I mean, the Jr.’s both claim their favorite steak they ever had was at some random Italian chophouse in Watertown, NY called Sboro’s. So, chalk one up for suburban eateries and the death of juvenile taste. This is all preface to say that I was wrong to immediately write off this by-the-way restaurant and the beef cooked within. It’s not fair, and I will try to do better. But I probably won’t.
Now, it’s honestly been a minute since we’ve been here. Though we have eaten here a couple times over a bunch of years. I would describe the space as… well, as historic. I think, over time, they’ve done some renovations. Mainly some new flooring and fixing of some stained drop ceiling and that type of thing. It still feels a bit like an old-ass building that has served several purposes over the years and they do the best to set up tables in some semblance of order. They mostly succeed, but the spacing is a little awkward in places, and they still haven’t really figured out the whole issue with the dark ceiling feeling a bit oppressive. It’s mainly just a matter that buildings in the 1600s were built practically and heartily and not necessarily aesthetically. It’s fine. The small bar up front is adorable. You can just picture some Union soldiers or a local politician and his muttonchops sitting for some Yuenglings or whatever.
The thing is, the steaks are good. Are they cheap? They are not. In fact, the prices are pretty much on par with the average NYC steakhouse. These are special occasion prices. Lunch, which is mostly beef-based sandwiches and salads, isn’t too bad cost-wise and sounds delicious. But a 16oz bone-in NY strip for dinneris $56. It comes with your choice of potato product and a green salad, but that’s about it. What I do appreciate is that they recommend you order the strip rare or medium rare. And include note on their menu that if you try to order your steak medium-well or well like a complete moron that they basically wash their hands of you and your life choices. Now, that is proper steakhouse etiquette. It’s also something that tells me they take the cook on their steaks seriously. Like if they did deliver a medium rare piece of meat that was too far toward medium, they’d honor and respect your request to have it re-cooked. Not that this was ever an issue here. Ultimately, I was incredibly happy with my steak. It was cooked perfectly, was very flavorful and they throw in a decent salad and good fries for good measure. It is a pretty pricey night out once you throw in a few drinks — they generally have four or so local NJ brews on tap and a full bar — but it’s good to know that we have somewhere local that can stand up to the big boys on the big island.
409 Franklin St. – Bloomfield
973/680-4500
eatbeefgethooked.com
