Houlihan's

OK, I'll admit I am very prejudiced when it comes to Houlihans. I worked at one from my 18th birthday to the day I graduated college.  ACE does a great job in NJ, way better than old Houlihans corporate, which was a mess.  When it comes to a quick dinner and a movie, this is where we go. The menu is huge, and I could recite it by heart, by I always go heartland chicken salad with buffalo style chicken.  My last visit I had the carrot cake in a jar, which was awesome until I got home and saw there was enough calories in that bad boy to feed me for the day.  Oh well, it was worth it for the 1 time. I'll be back (but no carrot cake).

I live within walking distance of this new Houlihans location and since they've opened, I've just been so thoroughly unimpressed and disappointed. As a franchise, each location is mandated to meet the parent company's (Ace Restaurant Group) criteria. Sadly, this location just does not deliver the same quality as others and the service is way below par. The wait staff are constantly bickering to one another and the 'bartenders' are beyond unfriendly...unless you went to high school with them!! Then again, watching the wait staff and management reminds me of high school...

Food was pretty bad: my normal selection is the Brentwood Chicken Sandwich; a tasty marinated chicken breast atop a buttered bun with spring mix, tomato, bacon, onion and melted smoked Gouda with a chipotle mayo spread (that I never get). While this may sound good, the Woodbridge location leaves half of these items off and it always arrives lukewarm, like everything else. I have a hunch food is not arriving hot because the staff are too busy chatting in the front of the house to notice orders are ready. I once waited over 45 minutes for a bloody chicken breast...at 2pm on a Monday! Horrible food, horrible (watered down) drinks, and most notably: horrible service. The management is aloof to all the problems and as a result I never see a large crowd. I don't recommend this location at all; drive further on Rt. 1 to the New Brunswick branch and enjoy a passable meal. Drinks are still bad (diluted and sugary) no matter what the location, but the service is better.

For a chain restaurant, this is one of the better ones.  The menu is diverse, unique  and well made.  No complaints here.  Keep this place in your back pocket for those nights you aren't sure what you want to eat.  The menu is bound to have something for you.