Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light Tavern
Route 9 & Moss Mill Road, Smithville
609-652-0544
Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11:30 am-9:30 pm; Fri-Sat, 11:30 am-10 pm; bar open until 2 am, Mon-Thurs; 3 am, Fri-Sat; midnight, Sun.
Price: $/$$
Style: Casual, family-style restaurant in spacious 100-year-old building, with adjoining bar.
Don’t Miss: The generous Guinness Nachos plate is topped with Guinness gruyère sauce ($8 on the lunch menu; $10 with chicken or chili). Buffalo wings are a Fred & Ethel’s specialty (ten pieces, $9; fifteen pieces, $13). The wings come Buffalo style (hot), honey BBQ, or BBQ. South Jersey tomato bisque is served rich and creamy, with homemade croutons on top (cup, $4; bowl, $5). Salad choices include Chinese chicken ($9), Santa Fe ($9), and Ethel’s chicken Cobb ($10). The grilled Swiss, crab, and tomato sandwich comes on hot sourdough bread—with Jersey tomatoes, of course ($12). The tavern setting might put you in the mood for the roast beef and cheddar sandwich, offered on a kaiser roll with homemade horseradish sauce ($9). There is also a selection of panini sandwiches and wraps, plus seven different Angus beef burgers (up to $13), and special dinners every day.
Heads Up: Happy hour is celebrated weekdays from 4 to 7 pm, with free munchies and drink specials.
The Scoop: Named for Fred and Ethel Noyes, lovers of South Jersey history who restored the nearby Smithville Inn, the Lantern Light is part of a village of some 60 shops in historic buildings arrayed around Lake Meone. It’s a nice place to stroll pre- or post-meal, with plenty of browsing for shoppers of all ages, plus a train ride and carousel for the kids.
What are Quick Bites? Short takes on casual, affordable dining.
Restaurant Details
- Cuisine Type:American
- Price Range:Moderate