Quick Bite

Old Man Rafferty’s

Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:30 am-11 pm; Sun, 11 am-10 pm

Price: $$

Style: Casual family dining

Don’t Miss: New England clam chowder thick with tender clams, a recurring soup of the day ($2.95, bowl, $2.45, cup), and Chinese salmon rolls ($6.95)—deep-fried wontons stuffed with fish and fresh spinach, served on a spicy sesame-ginger slaw. Portobello cheese melt ($7.45) is piled with thin-sliced sautéed portobello mushrooms, peppers, and onions, and topped with tangy provolone. It comes with a hefty side of French fries and a garlicy pickle. Toppings for the hearty burgers ($8.45) include fresh pineapple and Canadian bacon. Entrées include succulent St. Louis-style and baby-back ribs served with roasted sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, and baked beans ($17.25, half slab; $22.95, full slab). Along with an array of sandwiches, there are pastas (three-cheese ravioli, $13.95; fettucine with alfredo or pink vodka sauce, $13.95), steaks, and seafood.

Heads Up: Expect to wait for a table on weekends—this is a bustling family restaurant. The staff is friendly but green. Dining areas offer plenty of elbow room, but the bar—a draw for twenty-somethings—is a scrum.

The Scoop: There are more than 40 desserts, all displayed in a glass case near the entrance. Dark Side of the Moon ($5.15), a fudge cake layered with truffle cream and topped with chocolate buttercream, is surprisingly light and not too sweet.

What are Quick Bites? Short takes on casual, affordable dining.

Restaurant Details

  • Cuisine Type:
    American
  • Price Range:
    Inexpensive
  • Old Man Rafferty’s (Hillsborough)
    284 Route 206 South
    Hillsborough, NJ 08844
  • Hours:
    Mon-Sat, 11:30 am-11 pm; Sun, 11 am-10 pm
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