Pub Grub

The hardest part of writing this article was figuring out which of our eateries qualifies as a pub. Ok, so obviously it has to have a bar. But, the question remains, is it a bar that serves food or a restaurant that has a bar? This is a fine distinction which I found difficult to delineate. I think Vocabulary.com has the best take on it. They define it this way: “a pub is a bar or tavern that serves food and often acts as a community gathering place.” A pub must be casual, more of a neighborhood joint where the locals like to hang out. I came up with a baker’s dozen of establishments that satisfied my criteria.

A Few Fun Facts

The C-View, founded in 1948, is one of Cape May’s oldest establishments. Locals think of it as our Cheers Bar – the place where everybody knows your name. They offer a different special each day of the week, with Wednesday—aka Wing Night—being the most popular. Starting at 3pm, wings are only 75 cents apiece (dine in only) and come with your choice of 10 different sauces. The C-View is also the only place on the island where you will find kielbasa.

Mayer’s also dates back to the 1940s and started out as a family run tavern with lodging upstairs. However, things slowly declined, and by the 80s it had become “a rowdy dive of questionable repute.”  Eight years ago, the Laudemans (of The Lobster House) gave Mayer’s the facelift it so badly needed – keeping the famed central bar and updating the menu. Mayer’s has always been known for their scallops, but this is no ordinary watering hole. Read on and you will see what I mean.

For over 40 years, both Carney’s and the Mad Batter have been family owned and operated. Four generations of Carneys and three generations of Kulkowitzes have personally welcomed guests to their establishments, helping them to create fond memories. The Mad Batter is best known for its fabulous breakfasts, but it is so much more. By the way, and contrary to the popular urban myth, the original owner, Harry Kulkowitz, did not win the Carroll Villa (home of the Mad Batter) in a poker game. He paid $96,000 for it in 1976.

Be sure to look up when you visit the Ugly Mug. The mugs that are suspended from the ceiling belong to members of the Ugly Mug Club. Each member has his/her own mug, just as they did a hundred years ago—although I’m pretty sure back then it was men only. Deceased members of the club are honored by having their mugs hung facing toward the ocean. Each September, members gather for the United States National Froth Blowing contest. Whoever blows the most foam out of a glass of beer becomes the champion. The Mug is also the only Cape May pub with a hot dog on the menu.

Many, like Lucky Bones, 5 West, and The Boiler Room are operated by the same people who own other popular restaurants, some of which are fine dining establishments. In fact, Lucky Bones has a unique loyalty program which allows you to earn rewards that can be used either there or at the Washington Inn.

Lucky Bones traces its name back to the days when Cape Island was a whaling village. Superstitious sailors never set sail on Friday and would stow away good luck charms. The “lucky bone” was an odd hook-like claw from a male horseshoe crab that they wore to protect themselves from the perils at sea.

The aptly named Boiler Room is located in the basement of Congress Hall and is well known for its pizza. In fact they are a self-proclaimed  “unique underground pizzeria.”

Harry’s is located at the Montreal Beach Resort and is our only oceanfront rooftop bar. Be sure to try their award-winning New England clam chowder.

Speaking of places with a view, Harpoon’s on the Bay is the best place to have a cocktail while you watch the sun set. With three bars and plentiful seating, it is the largest pub in the greater Cape May area.  Although you may not notice it at first, the menu is probably the most globally diverse of them, with influences from Hawaii, Cuba, Vietnam, Mexico, New England, and New Orleans.

According to Rusty Nail’s website, “The Nail, as it’s known by the locals, is an iconic surfer bar and restaurant that made a name for itself in the ‘70s. Back in the day, lifeguards, surfers and beautiful beach bunnies gathered around the wood bar that was rumored to be the longest in all of Cape May.” Today, you can still come right off the beach and dine with your toes in the sand.

The Red Brick Ale House in North Cape May is another venue with a large outdoor seating area complete with a stone fireplace. Famous for their red brick oven pizza, it’s also a fun place to play trivia in the off season and my favorite spot for a burger.

Delaney’s name says it all—kinda. Delaney’s Irish Pub and Grille is our only Irish pub and is located on what is supposed to be the highest elevation in Cape May—a whopping 16 feet above sea level. Their menu includes the traditional items you would expect: corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, Shepherd’s pie, Irish meatloaf, and Guinness glazed salmon. What you may not know is how extensive and varied the rest of the menu is. There is sure to be something for everyone.

As I often remind myself, the focus of this column is to uncover what is extraordinary, unusual, and/or unexpected about Cape May’s restaurant scene. Our pubs have what you would expect—burgers, fries, pizza, wings, ribs, soups, salads, and happy hour. But this is Cape May. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. You just never know what you will find here until you look.

Unexpected beginnings

Tantalize your taste buds at Mayer’s with their smoked bluefish spread, pimento cheese, or a few lamb skewers.  Believe it not, veggies are now quite popular as a starter. Enjoy cauliflower bites at Carney’s or Harry’s; fried string beans at Delaney’s or the Ugly Mug—they also serve fried broccoli; Brussels sprouts at Lucky Bones, the Mad Batter, or the Red Brick; or fried tomatoes with crab at Carney’s. If you, like my husband, count pickles as a vegetable, try the pickle fries at Harpoons. They also prepare a lovely tuna poke.

You can start your meal with a tin fish plate at 5 West. What is that? Sardines. I must say, it is the first time I have ever seen them on a menu. While we’re on the subject of fish, you can try the conch fritters at Delaney’s or dig into a colossal crab cocktail at the Ugly Mug—a half pound of it!

Fancy Fries

Elevate your fries with truffles and parmesan cheese at the Boiler Room, 5 West, or Harry’s. Take a trip to Cuba by ordering them at Lucky Bones. Or gussie them up with lump crab cream sauce at the Ugly Mug. You can even turn them into an entrée at the Red Brick by topping them with steak, Cheese Wiz and sriracha ketchup.

Bodacious Burgers

Every one of our pubs serves burgers except the Boiler Room. (If you want one at Congress Hall you have to go upstairs to the Blue Pig—and people say it’s worth climbing the stairs!)  Mayer’s serves theirs with pickled onions and Dijon mayo. The Mad Batter has seven takes on this pub staple including the Ocean burger (with shrimp salad), the Mexican, the Hawaiian, and the Breakfast burger that is exactly what you think it might be: a burger topped with bacon, eggs, and cheese on an English muffin. The Ugly Mug has its own version of an Ocean burger with shrimp Imperial and sharp cheese. At the Red Brick, the Black and Blue Burger is Cajun rubbed with blue cheese. And finally, 5 West has an Italian version with roasted peppers, spinach, and gorgonzola cheese. Mangia bene!

Pizza with Pizazz

Plain pizza is ubiquitous in Cape May as it is in most of the country. But our chefs have been working overtime to create some of the most unusual pizzas you can imagine. I’m not just talking about pineapple or anchovies here. These pizzas stand alone. For instance, The Boiler Room adds pulled pork to one, prosciutto and arugula to another, and soppressata and capicola with fig jam to yet another. Carney’s drizzles honey on their pepperoni pie. Lucky Bones has one with butternut squash, caramelized onions, prosciutto, sage pesto, and nutmeg cream drizzle that they call Harvest Pie, and another called Croque Madame which is topped with soppressata, bacon, and sunny-side-up eggs. The Red Brick adds pears, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, and their fabulous spring mix. But 5 West gets my vote for the most unusual with their pickle pie—not your everyday pizza, to say the least!

Jewish Deli?

Yes, you can enjoy liverwurst, corned beef, hot pastrami, even pickled beets at three of our pubs: the C-View, Delaney’s, and the Ugly Mug. Note: pickled beets are only available at The Mug.

Surprising Sandwiches

Harpoons is serving a Cubano (as is 5 West) in addition to a short rib Banh Mi. The C-View never disappoints with their prime rib sandwich, Delaney’s has one with grilled or blackened tuna, and the Ugly Mug puts fried oysters on a Brioche bun.

Complete Entrees

Most of the pubs also serve a number of full entrees—everything from salmon Dijonnaise or a Cuban spiced pork chop to lobster and prime rib. But unlike many of our fine dining establishments, our pubs still serve bread without charging for it, and entrees still come with your choice of sides or a starch and vegetable to complement each dish. And, entrée prices are somewhat less than other restaurants, giving you much more bang for your buck.

Canine Cuisine

Dogs are welcome at many places that offer outdoor dining. But nowhere are they more welcome than at the Rusty Nail. They even have a special doggie menu with four different entrees plus wholesome treats.

So, come and hang out with the locals at one of our fine pubs where you will find everything from burgers to filet mignon and everything in between. Bon Appetit!