—It’s been a long road but as noted in this fresh-off-the-presses Instagram post, Neck of the Woods Brewing in Pitman has finally opened its doors (and tasting room) to the public this month. The brewery is the brainchild of friends and craft enthusiasts Paul McIntyre, Frank Price, Dave Surdam and Bruce Lowden. They come from different professional backgrounds, drawn by a shared love of craft beer. Among their inaugural offerings are a Session IPA and a blueberry Berliner Weisse (both ideal for summer drinking). For now, the tasting room is open only Thursday through Sunday, but—bonus points—the brewery is located in the Total Turf sports complex, so there’s ample opportunity to burn off those beer calories. Neck of the Woods Brewing Company, 614 Lambs Road, Pitman (Mantua Township); 856-553-6275
—Previously located in Lawrenceville, Tower Dogs hot dog restaurant has finally opened on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. For a hot dog restaurant, they’re bringing a lot of history—the 100 percent all beef (steak cuts) hot dogs have their roots in the Princeton Tower Club, a university eating club still in operation, where chef Jim Forkel first created his hot dogs. The dogs were such a success, they jumped first to a food truck, then to a brick-and-mortar location in Lawrenceville. Now it’s Asbury Park’s turn. The dogs come variously bacon-wrapped, batter-fried, Chicago style, the list goes on (FYI, dogs are customizable). Cheap eats, and a unique opportunity to treat yourself to some Ivy League noshing down the Shore. Tower Dogs, 800 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-997-3111
In the Works:
—Asbury Park is getting another restaurant this month with the arrival of Maruca’s Tomato Pies—filling the pizza void on the boardwalk. Maruca’s has been operating its original location in Seaside Heights for decades now, and after seeing the revitalization of the Asbury Park boardwalk, owner Domenic Maruca decided to share his signature pies, covered with spirals of tomato sauce. The expansion was championed—and facilitated—by Asbury Park developer Sammy Boyd. The restaurant should be opening soon and will spend this summer, at least, as a pop-up near the mini-golf course before settling into the Fourth Avenue Pavilion. Maruca’s Tomato Pies, Asbury Park; no phone yet.
Closed:
—The Station House in Haddon Heights has closed after some years of contention between the building landlord and the restaurant tenant over infrastructure repairs. The restaurant was owned by Patti Sharp, who began working there as a waitress 25 years ago, then bought the place. The restaurant was especially known for its hearty breakfasts (like French toast and chicken and waffles in a cozy setting). Although an agreement was reached over financing and repairs, the doors were locked suddenly (and, presumably, finally) several days ago as certain conditions of the agreement had not been realized. The Station House, 602 Station Avenue, Haddon Heights