Riverside Grill is Closing
Photos
Pdfs
So it’s with heavy heart that I write this blog and I announce that the home of the “Dirty Jersey Burger”, the Riverside Grill, will be closing its doors in Hillsborough, as of this Friday, June 15 at 8 p.m.
The owners of this family business, John and Alyse Prudente, thanked all of their supporters when they made the announcement via email on Wednesday, June 13.
“We are moving out of the area and will not be seeing anyone anymore,” read a joint email from both owners. “We wish all those we met along the way the very best.”
I, for one, will miss their made-to-order juicy burgers. They had over 25 standard combinations of stacked beef and fixings on their menu! Their thick-cut homemade style fries and sweet shakes that rivaled McDonalds’ by far will be remembered fondly.
“In this economy, it’s tough,” remarked Alyse Prudente, as I interviewed her, while my daughter stood by my side sipping the thick and delicious vanilla shake just made for her, with sadness in her eyes that it would probably be the last one she enjoyed at Riverside Grill.
“We’ve been open for three years total between here and Manville,” said Alyse. The Manville location was flooded during Hurricane Irene, and then Riverside Grill opened in Hillsborough in the former Kmart plaza.
“In April of 2011 we revamped the deli in Manville into a burger joint, and we got flooded in August. From October 2011 until now, we’ve been in Hillsborough,” related Alyse.
In recent months Riverside Grill served up a series of special dinners in effort to introduce people to their restaurant and bring them on board for their “burgers, shakes, and more”. Riverside Grill had a game night where bison, alligator, and frogs’ legs were on the menu. Last month they served up spaetzle, bratwurst, Wiener schnitzel, and other German dishes one evening to spice up their menu. Originally, they had planned to host a Southern food fest on June 30, but because of the closing, that unfortunately will no longer happen.
“We are going to try to auction off assets here,” announced Alyse, with the hopes that entrepreneurs may find what they need for their own ventures. That said, if someone is looking for a business opportunity, both she and her husband, John can still be contacted to discuss things in more detail at the business phone number for a few weeks more: 908-281-0360
At the time that this article was published, the town business advocate, Gene Strupinsky was contacted but was unavailable for immediate comment. Should any additional information about Riverside Grill’s closing become available, I will make my best effort to publish an addendum to this blog, or add to the comments.
As I walked out the Riverside Grill’s doors with my daughter for what will probably be the last time, Alyse was kind enough to pose for a picture, as she said her good-byes and had these final appreciative words to say, “Thank you to our customers for supporting us.”
Thank you, Alyse and John, for giving us the best burgers in town!
Bruce Radowitz
5:39 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I am alittle confused. I was expecting to find out that this place has been a Hillsborough institution, ie around for 30 years. Did I read it correctly, they were in Hillsborough for 3 years. How long were they in Manville. I never heard of them before this article.
This is just another example of the times we live in. The Restaurant business is tough enough, but how does a "burger" joint survive in town with the competition already there and the location.
What good is calling the township business advocate. He can't do a thing.
Laura Madsen
8:23 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Hi Bruce, You did read that correctly. The owner told me that Riverside Grill has been open for a total of 3 years combined between the Hillsborough and Manville locations.
I had contacted Mr. Strupinsky just to see if he had any comments on the issue.
Harold Levin
8:13 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Even when Kmart was at full speed, there never was enough traffic to sustain a succession of eateries that came and went since the early 80's beginning with Fred's Bagel 'N Deli. That shopping center never really succeeded at maintaining small businesses of any type.
BDVideo
8:50 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I tried it, loved it, but had a bad feeling about how the business was going to survive there. They had that great neon flame sign, but since you could barely see the place from the highway, I think it went unnoticed.
Speaking of hidden businesses, did anyone notice the new pizza place at Kingsbridge on Beekman? I haven't tried it yet (I'm closer to Bella Pizza).
Laura Madsen
9:41 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I didn't know about Lenny's til now!
Steve
9:41 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
We tried Lenny's last week, the food and Pizza was good. Bellea is the other place we go too.
slippersocks
7:03 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Lenny's is not good at all. Take my advice.
LisaO
8:30 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I tried Lenny's once, and really liked their pizza. It's decorated really nice inside - big side dining room, and they're very friendly. I really like Bella Pizza too, and hope they don't put them out of business!
BDVideo
8:54 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
(The pizza place at Kingsbridge is called Lenny's, by the way.)
Curt Carnes
9:39 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Another one bites the dust -- While my President says "The private sector is doing just fine"
Listen closely to what he says in this clip below. He toggles between the government and the private sector, confusing them many times. In fact he says the private sector is doing just fine, and then he says housing and construction need help! HUH!!!
Ask anyone of the business owner in this town who has lost their shirts, just how well the private sector is doing!
I have never been an Obama fan, but listening to him to him lately, I seriously get the feeling the man is nothing more than a pathological liar, who has no conviction to anything and simply coaches every word that comes from his month, to be that of what he thinks people want to hear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvUMvknc228
centurion
9:16 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
" the man is nothing more than a pathological liar"
Dude, he's a politician, what do you expect?
annoyingcat
1:37 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
But he is the President, and you would hope for better..............................
Curt Carnes
8:24 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
centurion -- I agree with your point. However, most politicians know when they are lying. But when it becomes pathological, they no longer know they are lying and actually believe the lies they say!
Check this one out -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVRaA_Z7430
john nalepka
7:58 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Sincere regards to another lost small local business.@ Curt- "The private sector is doing OK" commnent is burning in my gut as I watch pesoanl, business and professional clients struggle with this economic disaster. nothing for these people or small business like the one mentioned. No stimulus/bailout for them...
SF
8:04 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
What a shame - very good food. I will miss the fries and gravy! The owners are very nice people - wish them all the best.
Laura Madsen
8:48 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
I will miss the fries and gravy, too, Sharon!
centurion
9:14 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Didn't know they where there. That shopping center needs to be bulldozed, maybe build a nice new bank(sarcasm).
And speaking of the business advocate; How many other small Hillsborough businesses are there that could use some publicity from his office? Maybe he could include something on the town website, or produce a news letter so we at least know they exist. Considering the sign ordinance, which I like, they town should be doing all they can to help small business be noticed.
Steve
9:47 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
There is a web page Dine Hillsborough First on the EBDC town web site.
http://www.hillsboroughbusiness.org/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=79&TPID=10833
BDVideo
5:45 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
I tried clicking around the website Steve mentioned. Not very useful. It lists restaurants everybody knows about, or categories that are empty (click on Mexican or Buffets) only 11 pizza restaurants (notable place missing: Alphonso's), only two family restaurants, only one Asian, and a few that are closed (Baker's Treat, Riverside soon)...
Laura Madsen
6:07 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
I noticed the same thing, BDVideo. I don't think the site is maintained. For example, nothing was listed in the Chinese/Thai category of restaurants and there are some in town. :\
Savvyshopper2
9:40 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
What a shame, never heard of the place! Anyone know of any additional 'gems' that are hidden within Hillsborough? Always looking for a good family place to go for lunch and/or dinner, but end up having to leave town.....
LisaO
8:34 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Pheasant's Landing is STILL the best restaurant in Hillsborough!
The food is always hot and fresh, not frozen junk. Great kid's menu, outside dining, burger night! My favorite place.
Laura Kinney
10:45 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
New Restaurant in the area. Not officially open, but I ate there recently. Great food! Little Island Restaurant | Authentic Jamaican Cuisine
littleislandcuisine.com
378 South Branch Road, Hillsborough NJ (Kingsbridge Center) 908-336-8744. Little Island Restaurant | Authentic Jamaican Cuisine.
Laura Madsen
10:50 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
"Jamaican" me hungry! ;) I'll have to try it when it officially opens.
BDVideo
5:42 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Good luck to Lenny's and the Jamaican restaurant. I hope they fare better than the diner that was in there, and the Italian restaurant, and the Mexican restaurant...
My advice to anyone in there: Advertise like crazy. I know about Lenny's because my sister lives in Claremont Towers, and they distributed menus there. The Jamaican restaurant will have to work hard at it because most people (like me) only have a foggy idea what "jerk" seasoning is, and not much else about Jamaican food.
(Now, if they want to do a short video and put it on Facebook, I can do that!)
BDVideo
10:24 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I tried Little Island Cuisine! I got the jerk chicken with rice and beans to go. It was delicious! The chicken had that "fresh off the grill" flavor. I bought the smaller size and was only able to eat half of it, so I'll have a good lunch tomorrow.
Little Island Cuisine is one of Hillsborough's hidden gems, in the Kingsbridge Center, which is on Beekman Lane, diagonally across from the municipal building. I was surprised to see a few restaurants in there.
A Cunningham
1:50 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Not sure why we are blaming the President for Riverside Grill closing. Did he take out overvalued mortgages that he couldn't really afford, leading to a gigantic real estate bubble that burst and took down the world economy? No, that was us and our fellow citizens and our banker friends who made it all possible. Nice blame shift tho.
Curt Carnes
5:40 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
I'm not blaming Obama for the Riverside closing. All I was pointing out was his remark that the private sector is doing just fine, and my opinion that he is a pathological Liar!.
Did you watch the video I posted? Can you honestly watch that video and tell me he isn't?
If the private sector was doing just fine, I'd be on my way to Block Buster to grab a DVD, and then to Cost Cutters to grab a cheap pair off sun glasses. Then I could go check the price of a bicycle at K-Mart, and stop by the Riverside for a top notch Cheese Burger!
Steve
5:48 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Sure it is his fault, every time Obama is seen out eating it is a burger. All he had to due was make one visit to Riverside then people would line up out the door to get one, :-)
Laura Madsen
6:18 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
"If the private sector was doing just fine, I'd be on my way to Block Buster to grab a DVD, and then to Cost Cutters to grab a cheap pair off sun glasses. Then I could go check the price of a bicycle at K-Mart, and stop by the Riverside for a top notch Cheese Burger!" - That is an awesomely accurate statement, Curt! :)
Steve - LOL Thanks for making me laugh. :) This is why I enjoy people's comments so much!
Curt Carnes
8:16 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Thanks, Laura – Might I add. Afterwards, I could have stopped in Maestro’s for an upscale dinner, then grabbed a bucket of the best wings in town at Charlie Browns, and then filled up at the Getty station on the way back home. Oh, I forgot to run to the Learning Express to get a gift for my niece, and while I was there I could have run into Pathmark to grab some bottled water, or heaven forbid a 20 ounce sugary soda, and if I was still hungry I could have hit the all you can eat Chinese place by Staples!
BDVideo
8:20 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
"If the private sector was doing just fine..."
Blockbuster would still be gone. They took too long to go online.
Cost cutters may, or may not, have survived competition from Wal Mart.
K-Mart seemed out of place, even when I worked their in 1984. They were small and didn't even have a lot of the items that other K-Marts had (such as furniture). And so many times I'd go to K-Mart to buy, for instance, towels, only to find the matching wash cloths were out of stock. Wal Mart beat them just by being bigger, in my opinion.
Riverside needed to be in a more visible location. (Maybe a catchier name, too.) And remember, the owner said he had no time for the business and was moving away (as mentioned in the email to those of us on the list).
tacodadbob
3:54 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
It's for sale on craigslist. Lister claims they don't have time and are opening another business...
looking to buy a restaurant cheap?
there are only a few days to take advantage of this offer
well i have a great deal available
our doors are clsoing this friday
we will auction off entire store next week
OR
i am offering everything,
invetory
equipment(lots of nice items, 21' hood and brand new pos system)
tables/chairs/flatware, everything
website
security deposit
name(no debt at all for this business)
for 20,000 firm
nothing lower, not worth it to me
sec deposit is 4k
inventory is 5k
pos 5k
all included
could never set this up at any location for this price
opening another business is reason for sale, just have no time
busy highway location, no liquor license
currently open with proper permits
will pass new co for buyer with no problems
very clean
20k is firm
this offer is good until monday when the auction starts
lease $1500 monthly
1350 sq ft
hvac cost average $725 monthly
256 rt 206 south
hillsborough, nj
www.hungry4burgers.com
thanks for looking
and please serious emails only that show proper interest
and that you have money correct or i am not responding
very little time to buy this as the start of the aution monday stops this sale of
the business
BDVideo
8:24 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Speaking of "hidden gems," I had a burger and buffalo wings from King Wing and they were very good. They're almost lost in the cluster of strip malls, but they are right on 206 and worth checking out. They're better than fast food, and have some more variety than Five Guys (who are awesome as well). And King Wing delivers.
http://kingwingonline.com/
LisaO
8:37 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
King Wing is awesome! Great "fat" sandwiches, great prices. They're right behind Dominos.
Sue M
8:49 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Thanks -- Maybe I'll luck out and their rolls will be safe for my son like Riverside was! (egg allergy)
Curt Carnes
10:16 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
BD -- Where are they located?
BDVideo
1:36 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
King Wing 430 US Highway 206 Hillsborough, NJ 08844
(908) 359-7770
Next to the Dominoes that's between 7-Eleven and Goodyear & Sunoco.
Subway used to be there.
(I have no affiliation. I just mention them because they're the closest thing to what Riverside Grill was.)
Gayle Harris
7:00 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
LIttle Island is open. I met the owner and she is very nice! I haven't eaten there yet (picky kids) but plan to try it soon.
LisaO
8:35 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I went in their once, got a menu. Wasn't impressed - decor is sparse, menu only had five or six things listed on it. Didn't try the food, but hope it's good!
Eugene Walker
4:24 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Mrs. Massen,
Has Mr. Strupinsky, or his office responded to your questions yet?
Laura Madsen
10:51 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Hi Eugene, As of this evening I have not received any response from Mr. Strupinsky nor his office on this matter. He has always been very forthcoming when I have asked him questions regarding other matters in the past. Perhaps he has had other pressing matters to attend to or does not have additional information.
Sue M
7:30 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
I will miss Riverside Grill as well -- My son is allergic to eggs but loves cheeseburgers. There are fewer and fewer places we can get him an egg-free roll besides McDs/Burger King. For example, Five Guys, Raffertys, and Applebees all have egg in their rolls. Many places "don't know" if the rolls are safe because they just get the rolls in non-descript bags from a bakery.
And for those who didn't know it existed, Laura blogged about it awhile ago here on Patch. I don't feed my little savings blog to Patch, but I blogged about them as well back in January...
http://suebh.blogspot.com/2012/01/riverside-grill-coupons-hillsborough.html
Laura Madsen
7:44 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Great blog post, Sue. They were always very considerate and went out of their way to please their customers, young and old.
Sue M
8:39 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Well, at least I have over a dozen pizza places I can feed him at LOL ;-)
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