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This is a restuarnt review written
weekly by veteran restuarant critic Suzin Odlen. Be sure to check back often to find some
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Review by Suzin Odlen Where to go for great food, live entertainment and a friendly atmosphere? To J.D.'s Pub & Grill at the Shoppes at Smithville. In just two year's time, J.D.'s has established a loyal following and with good reason. We spoke at length with Todd Storr, J.D.'s owner along with brothers Brian and Scott and Chef John Voit. The business has exceeded their best expectations and in fact, they're in the process of expanding the facility to include a dining room next door. This popular gathering spot serves a good variety of food at very attractive prices. The menu is well conceived and offers something for everyone including an extensive list of munchies, salads, jumbo sandwiches and dinner specials. Our waitress, Chris, recommended the Vegetable Spring Roll appetizer ($4.25) and we were thrilled with this selection. It included three spring rolls which were cut into manageable pieces with two delicious sauces for dipping. The nicest part - they weren't the slightest bit greasy. We also shared an order of Jersey Shore Clams ($5.95) which were tender and sweet. Other good starters included Mussels Mariniere ($5.50), Clams on the Half Shell ($3.00), U-Peel-Um Shrimp ($5.99) and J.D.'s Soon To Be Famous Chicken Wings, to name just a few. We passed on a salad but there were many temptations such as a Mediterranean Salad with fresh seafood, Tomato & Mozzarella and Teriyaki Salad served with a seared marinated chicken breast over mixed greens and vegetables sprinkled with toasted sesames. The soups were French Onion and Clam Chowder. We asked Chris, what are some of your favorites? and without missing a beat, she said, "the hamburgers." My dining partner ordered a Half Pound Burger ($4.00) and raved about it. It was cooked to order and the meat was fresh and flavorful, served on a Kaiser roll with pickles and chips or a big order of fries for an additional .75¢. There were other good hot sandwich selections, too, priced from $4.50 to $5.95. These included Grilled Chicken Breast, either plain or with barbecue sauce, Grilled Tuna Steak, Hot Roast Beef and a four ounce Filet Mignon on a Kaiser roll. J.D.'s also offers Overstuffed Deli Sandwiches with your choice of bread. Here you'll find Roastbeef, Turkey, Corned Beef, Tuna, Ham and The Club Sandwich. The dinner specials of the evening were Broiled Tile Fish ($9.95) and Grilled Mako ($10.95), both served with ratatouille and Red Bliss potatoes. I chose a well advertised special, the half pound Filet Mignon ($9.95) with ratatouille and a baked potato with sour cream. This was a delicious steak by anyone's standards and so well priced that I will return to J.D.'s to order it. We were going to pass on dessert but decided in a weak moment to share an order of Rice Pudding that was delicious. They also offered Reese's Cup Pie, Lemon Merengue Pie and Chocolate Indulgence. We had a great waitress at J.D.'s which is always a pleasure. Chris was friendly, efficient and very accommodating. J.D.'s Pub & Grill offers live entertainment every weekend which is a big draw, particularly off-season before the seashore clubs have opened. This is a great spot for relaxing with friends over food and drink and you'll be just as comfortable with the prices. Sun - Thurs. 11am-2am · Fri. & Sat 11am-3am Shoppes at Smithville, Rt. 9 · 404-9000 (adjacent to Shop N Bag) |
