I was definitely pleasantly surprised.  The 7 of us came here for dinner on a Monday evening around 7pm and there was no wait.  I got the portion control size  Chicken Elizabeth with Italian Wedding soup for the side.  The Italian wedding soup I swear was canned Campbell's Italian Wedding soup (I've eaten enough Campbell's in college to recognize the meatball, the round little balls of pasta and the off green spinach in the soup...it's canned and reheated.  don't get me wrong, i love campbell's, but i expected a "homemade" version."  i digress.  the bread basket was a forgetable mess of stale sliced italian bread that has been warmed up.  the entree was oddly...delicious!  it was like chicken cordon blue w/o the bread crumbs.  a slice of chicken breast with ham and a slice of melted cheese on top of brocollini (huge yay!), a little dab of mashed potato (eh, i could do w/o), some tomato and mushroom ragout and a potato croquette?  not bad...a huge entree for what is the portion control entree..i don't want to know what the regular size entree is.  party of 7 and didn't even add the 18% gratuity on top of the bill!  Doesn't matter, the waiter was worth the min 20.  I was too full to try the dessert, but i will stop by on Wednesday when I'm heading back home from the conference.  not too shabby.  but shame on the soup and bread!
Review Source:Fabulous food,BUT very weak drinks.Martini's are weak & not filled to the top.Top shelf scotch seemed light, & the glass was not even a 1/4 of an inch full.A vodka & diet soda had to be sent back,because there was no taste of vodka.The drink came back somewhat better,but nothing to write home about.With 32 shots to a bottle,& approximately $10+ per drink, short weak drinks are inexcusable.A cosmopolitan didn't even have a slice of fruit,& of course,WAS VERY WEAK!
Review Source:I walked by this place and saw all the awesome cakes they have one day, and couldn't stop thinking about going there.
It was a hard decision to make which ones to buy. I ended up getting a slice of peanut butter mousse cake and a slice of bourbon chocolate layer cake.
I forgot about the mousse and left the bag at room temperature, so when I had the peanut one, it was already half-melted. But it's still really good!
However, the layer chocolate one was too rich, that as a fan of chocolate I didn't like it that much. I didn't even finish the whole piece after 3 days. So I threw the rest away.
I was told about this place. And I have to say it is exactly as it is listed. A upscale diner. There is a array of choices to pick from. But the food is prepared with much more flavor.
It is a family place. And come as you are. No reservations needed. On Fri night we walked in and no wait at all. But it was a continuous flow of people. The music in the back ground is some light pop music.
The desert was delicious. I enjoyed the raspberry swirl cheese and it was better then cheese cake factory cheese cake. Â
The decor is of like an salon in the western times. Settle, clean and comfort .
If you get the chance to visit the place. I do not think many will be disappointed in taking a visit.
If your familiar with New Brunswick. This is restaurant heaven for many. And in any direction on Albany street there is any kind of food. So to stop in here you will leave thinking you made a good choice.
Have fun yelp'ers
I was pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. Not a big fan of food places in Central Jersey but this one was scrumptious for lunch. The tomato soup with mini cheese sandwiches was the lunch perfect meal! Also had many of their wraps and sandwiches which are hearty and you can take home (they are good with portions). Â I notice lots of business meetings in the area happen here especially around lunch time. Atmosphere is comfortable but not tacky.
Review Source:Mike R's review is spot on.
I went to Rutgers and went here once in a while as a student, so when I was back on campus, I was excited to go back. I don't know if it's my more mature and sophisticated palette, or if the place has gone downhill, or a combination of both, but this place was awful. Cons of the night:
- walked in at 8 for dinner on a Sunday and was told there was a 20-25 minute wait for two; there were empty tables everywhere, they just couldn't keep up
- the waiter was on another planet; he never brought us out bread, we had to ask twice for refills as he didn't even remember we asked the first time when we reminded him, and overall was just a spaz
- the food was awful: I got chicken francaise, and it was just incredibly bland, lacking any seasoning or originality.  My fiancé got chicken Parmesan and it was the exact same
Never going back.
Ahh, OMR. Another establishment I've been in and out of over the years, dating all the way back to when they were in their original location on Easton Avenue. At least over all these years they have been consistent... consistently mediocre.
I want OMR to be better. But for some reason they just can't get it together enough to kick it up one more notch. OMR is simply your home-grown version of a TGI Friday's or Bennigan's with slightly better food. Nothing more, nothing less.
TIP: Good potato skins. And an above-average sliced hangar steak. Dine outside if the weather is
Always a great go to for lunch, especially on Sundays. The line here is always pretty rough, so you often end up waiting quite a bit for a seat, but its worth it in the end.
I've had a few of their club sandwiches and they are some the better ones I've had. Also you can't beat their Sunday brunch buffet. Everything from a fresh waffle stand, to an omelet stand. They even have a stand of fresh shrimp and crab legs. By far the best brunch option in New Brunswick. If you've still got some room in your belly after the meal, then head over to the bakery next door for some of the best cookies and cake options you could ask for.
Located on Albany Street in downtown New Brunswick, just E of J&J's world headquarters building, this is OMR's second location in town, having moved about 1/2 mile several years ago from its original spot, where it seated perhaps two dozen. I know this because I was a customer way back then as well, and I've been to this OMR as well as the one in Hillsborough many, many times since then (27 years!).
FOOD
Today the family had a black russian (turkey, corned beef, cole slaw, russian dressing, cheese, on pumpernickel), a burger, a pulled pork sandwich, and a kids meal of chicken strips. The black russian had enough guts, but the bread didn't last long enough to hold it together. Both the burger and pulled pork meals suffered the same fate: the roll was no match for the rest of the sandwich. The burger was allegedly 8 ounces, but it seemed less. The pulled pork was small. The chick strips were a decent portion for a kids meal. I've noticed a decline in quality and quantity over the past two years. I used to find the sandwiches amazing, to the point of bringing people with me to the restaurant; today's were no better than you'd find at TGIF's, Ruby Tuesday's, or any other chain, and that's not why I dine locally. Not bad, but disappointing, especially compared to OMR's legacy.
SERVICE
Had to ask for a kid's menu (should have been obvious), The kid's meal arrived without the side of carrots we ordered, and we had to ask twice to get it. One offer for drink refills; no offers when my water glass went dry (and the water tasted funky). Friendly, but inefficient service.
AMBIANCE
Kinda pub-ish, but more like the aforementioned chains, save for the cool nostalgia photos on the wall. Seating was so tight I had to squeeze between two patrons whose chairbacks were LITERALLY less than 12" apart, and this was a main walkway in the restaurant. Ridiculous, really.
SUMMARY
A shadow of its former self. Not bad if you're already there, but I'd not go out of my way, like I used to, to visit.
Have been here a bunch of times and have yet to be disappointed. I make sure to order the tomato basil soup every time regardless of what I'm eating because it's my favorite soup that I've had outside of New Orleans.
If you're a dessert fan you'll love this place, there aren't too many places that have a better cheesecake selection and there's a reason that the desserts are listed in the front of the menu.
I'm not sure if this is a trend, but I think the quality of their food is slowly going down. I've been here at least once a year for the past eight years. I know that's not a lot, but I've had a range of experiences here.
First and foremost, the dessert I've gotten here has been amazing every time. That is the one thing that is constant. I've gotten a variety of cheesecakes, and all have met or exceeded my expectations.
Second, the prices are pretty good here, especially for the amount of food they give you. Generally, I think it's better to get the pasta dishes because the serving sizes are bigger. The amount of chicken fettuccine I received compared to the size of the chicken salad sandwich with fries is HUGE.
As for the food, I've had their chicken fettuccine multiple times and at first, it was amazing, but after the third time, the sauce was too thick and the noodles weren't cooked all the way through. The first time I had the chicken salad sandwich, it blew my mind. I think that was the time I fell in love with chicken salad. But the second time around, it was just meh. For the portions though, it is so not worth the price, even with the amount of fries they give you. Their steak (don't remember exactly what the dish was called) was rather tough to chew, but seasoned pretty well. The burger I had (also don't remember the name) was delicious though. It was cooked exactly to my liking, and the bun was nice and warm.
Overall, not a bad place, but I suggest going in solely for dessert.
If you are looking for good food, well prepared, and served with friendly efficiency, at a very good value, in New Brunswick, then look no further. OMR has been very consistent through the years in offering a great selection to please almost everyone. If you are a dessert person, they do have some amazing offerings. The drinks are good and reasonably priced. I dined there recently with five friends -- some of whom were a bit unsure about what they wanted, kept changing their minds, and were cracking jokes. Our waiter was undaunted, and our food arrived as requested (though some of our steaks were cooked more rare than ordered). The bar area is a great meeting spot and can accommodate lots of people. Not a bad place for a date (although not really romantic), but it is lively & fun. Also would be fine for families with kids. I recommend the Hanger Steak.
Review Source:Old Man Rafferty's is a New Brunswick staple. Â The food has been consistant over the years and I have never been let down by any dish I've eaten. Â
In New Brunswick, it's difficult for a restaurant to stand out and Old Man Rafferty's definately does not stand out. Â What it does do, is offer good food at a reasonable price. Â The outside dining is always a great touch when the weather is nice. Â Their brunch is about as good as it gets. Â I'd highly recommend the tomato basil soup, it's outstanding. Â
I do have to say the desserts were disappointing. Â When you take a look into their gourmet shop, everything looks and smells so delicious. Â I'm not going to say the desserts are bad because they're not, but they are a bit of a let down.
I typically come here for their brunch on Sunday afternoons.
The price has gone up consistently, but what else is new?
At one point, they gave tiny desserts instead of full slices of desserts, which was a big appeal. They were cheaping out! But then the NEXT time I went, the full slices were back. Perhaps enough people complained about the change??
I enjoy their breakfast- big waffles, sausages, bacon, potato pieces weren't always soft and tender. Luncheon meats and bagels were a favorite of mine if I could fit it in. Shrimp cocktails were big and meaty. They had pasta platters and occasional pasta cream sauces- it varies each time what they have specifically, and breakfast foods, meat (hams, etc), are the main staples.
This is a place I come to occasionally, and the brunch for special occasions, and I would come here again.
I agree with another reviewer that the experience at old man rafferty's can either be hit or miss.
When I visited this place for the first time, I got tomato soup, calamari, and a slice of carrot cake.
I thought that the tomato soup was the best one I've ever had in my entire life, and I absolutely loved calamari too. But the carrot cake was just so-so.
I recently visited this place again and I was not impressed at all. I got tomato soup , 3 cheese ravioli, and my friend got a rib (sorry forgot the actually name). I thought that the tomato soup was good but not as good as before, and I wasn't a fan of ravioli. It was too blend and mushy. And I absolutely disliked the rib. the rib was difficult to chew, and cooked veges on the side was bitter and very blend.
However, I really liked the dessert which was a slice of Vesuvius. it was kind of too sweet for me but wasn't overwhelming.
Awesome! My meal was delicious! The atmosphere was also pleasant - I live in Manhattan and visited a friend in NJ who took me there - if I didn't look outside I would have thought I was still on the Upper West Side where I live!
But what I respect, admire, and praise most of all is that they have options for smaller portions which happen to also be at a lower price - isn't this what America needs when you hear about obesity rates? Having options certainly is the first step in  changing those statistics - this restaurant has taken the first step! I hold them in highest regard - plus the food was great!
Just moved to NB and have been here a handful of times. I like this place and its reasonably priced. They offer most of their dishes as halves for the wallet and portion control conscious patrons. This is the flagship restaurant and there is another one in Hillsborough.
This place is good when you hit it up at the right time. Avoid it during Rutgers games, obviously, and dont expect a gourmet meal. Everything here is tasty and fresh - but happy hour no. Didn't find out too much about the chefs but the heads are Cleo Menendez and Dave Dellipoali. I like to come here for Sunday brunch and prefer sitting outside in the courtyard. I probably wont be here much when it starts getting colder though.
Alli's Report Card:
Food: Preface this by saying this place is good for lunch and brunch - skip dinner, the entrees are ok but nothing great. They have pretty good lunch riff raff, and offer everything as whole or halves. They have great salads - love their shrimp salad ($9.95), good deli sandwiches and fantastic desserts. They are pretty serious about their desserts and have dedicated two pages of their menu to them. I don't do apps here and bread is $1 extra (insert snort) just sayin.
Booze: Wouldn't really recommend this place as a local watering hole or anything. Â
Decor/Layout: A bit strange inside, dont love it. The tables are close together, I'm not connecting to the decor. I do love the outside courtyard area though.
Servers: Staff is ok. The last time I was here our waiter sucked, he was pretty rude and super slow and they weren't busy.
Plating: Eh - nothing special
Date Night: Could make for a nice casual encounter, but sit outside, inside is a little too weird.
Girls Night: Nah.
Large Party Gathering of Friends: Not so much, go some place a bit more fun and festive.
Most of the times I've been here, it's pretty good. Â Service is usually good. Â However, I must say for a "Zagat rated" restaurant, they might want to see if their dishwasher is working properly. Â The Silverware hand very obvious greasy finger prints all over them. I figure, ok no biggie, I'll grab a set off an empty table...strike two! Both sets of silverware on that table were also not clean. Â That's pretty shabby in my opinion, 4 sets of siverware, all dirty. Â And the most recent time I went there, I ordered a mini-calzone appetizer, I swear they were mini hot pockets, not impressive, just wasted space in my stomach. Â But the desserts are always good.
Shape up with the greasy silverware kids! You're better than that, or at least you should hope to be with the prices you charge.
Back in the day OMR was really good but I think lately the quality of the place has really gone downhill. Â I used to come here a lot with my co-workers but it may be time to find a new place.
The atmosphere in the restaurant was kind of chaotic and the place is kind of weirdly set up. Â The tables are really close together so you can pretty much hear everything the table next to yours is saying. Â Also I think it could be a little bit cleaner....the places looks dingy sometimes but I don't know if that's because it's dimly lit or what. Â
The drinks from OMR are OK...nothing super special. Â I usually stick with my regular drinks there. Â The drinks are reasonably priced and I've heard they've updated their drink menu so I would give that a try.
As far as the food, I usually skip the meal there when I go with my co-workers. Â It's typical American fare and is usually nothing special. Â They do offer some tasty sounding specials but the regular menu stuff is kind of eh. Â The menu is has a lot of options but seems to lack focus. Â I think they try to do EVERYTHING and in doing so they haven't found a way to do a few things really well. Â But I have had the Tomato Basil Soup which I would recommend - that's definitely tasty even though salty at times.
Desserts: Â OMR offers a wide variety of desserts and the cakes are usually really good. Â They are definitely pricey. Â Also, they usually change the cakes they have there and the waitstaff does not bother to memorize what they have on hand that night. Â So often times your asked to just get up and look at their cake case. Â Would be nicer to have a regular menu that you could offer guests.
Service: Â Service is really hit or miss here. Â We've had good service and we've had bad (unfortunately bad more than good.) Â We've yet to have that really stellar waiter or waitress at that place. Â We've had our fair share of bad ones though...greet times have been long and some of the servers have been forgetful about things. Â Also we rarely see our server in there - would be nicer to see them check their tables a little more consistently. Â
I think that they would do much better if they narrowed the focus of their menu and were more focused on making the experience for their guests more memorable. Â But give it a shot - it's an NB tradition and maybe it'll pick back up again soon.
I have had some mixed feeling about Old Man's. My first visit happened to be pretty awful due to the bad service from the hostess and waitstaff and we ended up walking out before getting to eat anything.
From what my friend had told me the rude hostess was new and he hasn't seen her since the bad exp.
So let's jump forward 6 months and my bud asked me if I was willing to give them another shot, being the kind heart that I am I said why not.
Well the exp all round was much better, finally got to try the food which was def good quality solid bar food.
I ordered a burger with cheddar. The meat is supposedly a special blend and hand packed daily from a butcher in Philly. Overall the burger was quality. Def great quality meat, nice char from being char grilled with an open flame. The cheddar was a tasty farmhouse cheddar with a bit of sharpness to it. Just how I like it.
The bun wasn't silly like some of these places, but rather a quality brioche bun which was nicely toasted and married the burger quite well.
The produce on the burger was quality as well. Great quality romaine lettuce and perfectly ripe tomatoes. This is NJ there is no excuse for any establishment not have great tomatoes. But sadly many do fail at it though.
My friend had a bowl of chilli which he enjoyed quite well.
On my third visit which was this afternoon. I ate again with my friend and this time we sat outside and we each started started with a cup of the French onion soup which he has raved about since I have known him.
It was def a great cup of French onion, perhaps even the best I have had in my time so far on earth lol
I decided to go with a roast beef sandwich which my friend had recommended and it was a solid recommendation indeed.
The roast beef was super tender, moist, juicy and the perfect rareness. I got it on their pumpernickel bread which also was on his recommendation. I luv pumpernickel and it def did not leave me unsatisfied. Great bread, great roast beef, super fresh produce, again the lettuce was nice, fresh and crisp. Nothing peeves me more then lettuce that is past it's prime with a soggy limp character. It Infurtiates me lol seriously it's just nasty lol
None of that to be found here. Fresh and crisp as can be. As were the tomatoes. You can not forget about the little things because without a strong supporting cast your production is bound to fail ; )
The sandwich came with a side of their house fries, which are basically homemade kettle chips. Very good!!
My friend who is on a protein diet went with a turkey and roast beef club with lettuce, tomato, bacon and Swiss on (white bread, which he did not eat.)
Otherwise he enjoyed the sandwich, or let me rephrase that (everything in between the bread) quite well. He is a big fan of the deli selections and he has made me a believer. Def good quality stuff. And def worth checking out if you enjoy quality burgers, and great deli sandwiches.
Overall the sandwich was really great, and I def would come again for it.
Service the last time was very very good. We had a great attentive waiter.
Pretty standard, average American fare and can accommodate large groups if needed.
We started off the meal with a shared plate of nachos. It was a heaping plate that can be easily shared with a group. The only thing perhaps a bit odd about the nachos was that the salsa provided had a taste reminiscent of pizza (stewed canned tomatoes).
What I did like was that they had smaller portions available of certain menu offerings that came with a soup or a salad. I tried the chicken francaise and the chicken vegetable soup. It wasn't the typical chicken francaise where the chicken cutlet is dipped in an eggy batter and served with a lemony sauce. It was just a grilled chicken breast that had cooked briefly in a lemony, thick sauce. So this was a bit disappointing, but still edible. The pasta salad that came with the entree was fun to eat.
There was nothing extremely outstanding about the meal and the wait staff provided okay service. However, it did take awhile to get someone attention to get a spoon for a fellow diner that had only ordered a soup.
This resto is prob the 2nd best resto in NB. Â Stage Left is 1st.
Charming interior...clean and organized.
Expensive dinner but the quality never disappoints.
As for the brunch...holy shit....for $22.50...tear up waffles, pancakes, eggs, grilled zucchini and eggplant, pasta salads, crab legs, shrimp cocktail, omelettes, crispy bacon, sausage, carving stations of turkey, roast beef and ham, flounder, endless plates of lox, cakes, cookies, pies.... Â
8lbs. Â Yup, I weighed myself. Â I'm 8lbs heavier after this meal.
This is, without question, my favorite place to eat when I'm in New Brunswick. Â The food is great, the service is usually pretty good, and the portion sizes are ENORMOUS. Â Our favorite dishes from here include: tomato-basil soup, Rafferty's Club, the ravioli, firehouse chili, and everything in the dessert case. Â We're also big fans of the Sunday brunch for special occasions.
Beware, though, this place can get incredibly crowded on weekends and during big events at Rutgers. Â We've sat through 45+ minute waits for a table before, but it's always worth it to us. Â The wait staff are usually very pleasant, and many of them are locals/students and can recommend places to go after your meal.
The atmosphere is very relaxed, and you'll see a mix of people dressed casually and in work-appropriate attire. Â It gets a bit crowded and noisy at dinnertime, so you'll want to be mindful of what's around you so you don't trip any of the waitstaff. Â The prices are reasonable considering the amount of food you get, but it's not so expensive that you can't afford to eat here. Â When I was a student at RU, I heard it described as a place nice enough to bring your parents for dinner, but not so nice that you can't pay for it if they leave you with the check. Â I think that's a pretty fair assessment and just adds to why I love OMR. Â There are also 2 other locations, which I am hoping to try out too.
Shrimp Salad sandwich - "Hello. Â My name is Randy, and I am an addict". Â My vice of choice is the SSS.
For many months, I used to go to Old Man Rafferty's every few days while on assignment at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, located just down the street.
In 25+ times of dining, I had the Shrimp Salad Sandwich 12 times in a row, then, got totally tired of it. Â So I switched to the Chicken Salad sandwich, and it was also great! Â The next day, I cried and so needed a fix of SSS. Â I quickly went back to OMR and got a fix of Shrimp Salad sandwich...and I continued happily for another long while.
Finally, reality struck...as all good things finally come to an end (as THEY say). Â I needed to return back to LA, so I sadly said goodbye.
Now, I go to meetings to deal with the loss, and try to make amends to other sandwiches I had abandoned during that time of my life. Â Sigh, I miss you SSS - you're the best.
This is my favorite "American" restaurant in New Brunswick. It gets packed, especially during weekends. I suggest making a reservation or be prepared to wait, especially if you have a large party.
The menu has a large variety of food that caters to everyone. Even the pickiest of eaters can find something that they'd like. The seating area sometimes feels cramped; you may need to play musical chairs when you're seated with lots of people.
On Sundays, they serve a buffet brunch and the food is yummy! This is definitely a great place to bring parents, friends, or loved ones. Â During the warmer months, there's outdoor seating. I can't wait to order a glass of vino and enjoy a meal out on the patio!
And don't forget about desserts! Next door, there's a little gourmet shop and they have their decadent cheesecakes, cakes, and other sweets and treats. They also sell candies, seasonings, and other gourmet goodies!
I've been hearing a lot of good things about Old Man Rafferty's although my personal experience wasn't anything that made me want to go back for a second try. Â I ordered a pasta and sadly, it was overcooked and a bit on the mushy side, which I simply can't overlook because I prefer my pasta al dente. Â (big pasta and noodle eater). The food also took a pretty long time to arrive, though there weren't a lot of other customers, and it was a rainy day.
If I do have to come back, I'd probably try something other than pasta...
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