Opening
Big Chicken, Bridgewater
Newark native and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal is the man behind Big Chicken, a fast-casual fried chicken chain. Big Chicken got its start in 2018 in Las Vegas and now has more than 30 locations across the country; the new Bridgewater restaurant, set to open July 18, marks the first location in O’Neal’s home state of New Jersey. Big, loaded fried chicken sandwiches can come topped with options like spicy sauces, mac and cheese, and crispy onions. Popcorn chicken, chicken tenders, salads, fries, shakes and sundaes make up the rest of the menu.
640 Commons Way, Suite 4240
Bistro Taino, Bogota
Colorful, open umbrellas dangle from the ceiling at this new Puerto Rican restaurant. Bistro Taino is a sister restaurant of Pop Taco & Bar in Dumont and Casual Habana Cafe in New Milford and Hackensack. It boasts a variety of authentic Puerto Rican and Caribbean appetizers and entrées. There also is a large menu of signature cocktails and sangrias.
107 East Main Street
Park Place Prime, Atlantic City
Photo courtesy of Bally’s Corporation
New to Bally’s Casino is this contemporary steakhouse, featuring a vast menu of chops, seafood, cocktails and more. The name pays tribute to the casino’s original name, Bally’s Park Place. Steaks can be enhanced with toppings like truffle butter and grilled shrimp. Happy hour is offered daily, too, featuring deals on a variety of light bites and sips.
1900 Pacific Avenue
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Closing
Brick Lane Curry House, Montclair
The team at Brick Lane Curry House announced on Facebook earlier this week that the 15-year-old restaurant’s final day in business will be this Sunday, July 21. “This journey has been magical – we’ve forged lifelong friendships, been part of your special moments, and hopefully added a dash of spice and warmth to the vibrant tapestry of Montclair,” the post read. Brick Lane was a British-style curry house, known for serving Indian dishes like various curries, samosas, paratha, lamb chops and more. While the restaurant is closing, the team wrote in the post to keep an eye out, as “there might be a new adventure on the horizon for [them] soon.”
Guerriero Gelato, Montclair
Last month, the relatively new Morristown location of this gelato shop closed. This past week, the team took to Instagram again to announce that the Montclair location, in operation for nearly 10 years, will close in October. “Let me be clear, out Montclair shop is popular, last year we had a record year! However traffic and sales have no chance of keeping up with taxes, rents, the cost of living, labor, and food,” the Guerriero family wrote in the Instagram post. Guerriero still has locations in West Orange, Teaneck and Caldwell.
Uncle Milton’s, Hoboken
In just two years of business, Uncle Milton’s became a popular destination for breakfast, lunch, dinner, catering and events. The Latinx-owned and LGBTQ+-friendly eatery served a diverse menu, including items like empanadas, pizzas, sandwiches and desserts, most of which can still be ordered for catering after the storefront closes on July 30. A post on the cafe’s Instagram account broke the news, which expressed the owner’s gratitude for the community and plans to move to a new location in Hoboken sometime soon.
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