Quick Bite: Tavern 292

Tavern 292
Fairfield
292 Passaic Avenue
862-210-8867

Open: Lunch and dinner, daily

Price: $$

Style: Upscale tavern with a spacious dining room and large separate bar area. Serves a generous array of fresh pub favorites plus a lineup of substantial entrées.

The Scoop: Located on a stretch of Passaic Avenue that is more industrial/commercial than residential, Tavern 292 (formerly Bruschetta) has gained a loyal following since its rebranding by father and son owners Gus and Solo Apostolotoulos in 2016.

The Menu: House-made guacamole with crisp, house-made chips make a good start. The appetizer list is long, and portions are generous. Have a specialty cocktail. The list is short, but they are well made. For mains, choose from a roster of salads like the California chicken (pictured), with plump roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, portobello mushrooms and mixed greens with juicy grilled chicken. A huge portion of pork ribs was fork tender. Classics such as Yankee pot roast, country-fried chicken and lemon sole are worthy. Naturally, there are burgers—fries are a la carte, but are worth it. Most entrées come with choice of sides, such as crunchy house-made coleslaw and sweet-potato fries.

Heads Up: Prices are friendly, most under $15. Drinks, too, are reasonable: draft beers, $4-$7; wine from $7.50; mixed drinks, $9–$11.