Stapleton’s Restaurant & Lounge

I made an opentable reservation and didn’t stay longer than 2 mins after we were seated right next to the band. It seems like a polished dive bar more than anything else. Nice décor.

It’s a popular place that was crowded on the Friday night I ate there. For their appetizer of calamari, there were too many of the tentacle types (more than ½ the plate) as opposed to the plain round calamari that most people prefer. In fact, I realized that at many restaurants, you only get the round and none of those tentacles. The good thing is that their scallops were NOT overcooked. The MUSIC that FRIDAY was WAY TOO LOUD and we had to leave before our ear drums were totally shot. The band was very good but they need to turn down their speakers and the management of the restaurant should insist on that. It was a good find but I won’t go back soon unless they turn down those speakers and serve better calamari

Very disappointed with my dinner last week. Had the mussels and they were very small and tasteless. Pork chop over done when specifically asked for medium. Way over priced for the quality.

Tonight was my first time going to this restaurant although I’ve heard about it many times. The food and drinks were was great, the atmosphere was lively and the owner was very nice. I will be back!

This was my second trip to Stapleton’s within a 2 Year span. I was informed that there was a new chef during my 2^nd visit last week, however the meal I had during my first visit early last year (the Salmon) was quite excellent.
They have a few tasty cocktails on the menu, and during this recent visit, I decided to try the «Pineapple Upside Down Cake» flavored Cocktail. Very Tasty! Totally captured the essence of an actual cake. I also wasn’t very hungry but was in the mood for a snack of sorts so I ordered the Lemon Pepper Wings, to go, as I finished what had turned into two cocktails. My order arrived and the aroma that frolicked out of that to-​go container tempted me with an air of come hither. I had to have one… One led to two, and then three… They were so succulent, I tried to contain myself so as not to draw any attention to the fact that they were getting the best of me. I paid my bill and made my way to the safe-​haven of my vehicle where I had at them before driving off happily in Pure Bliss! Definitely going again.
(Note: as for the dinner menu, not for a date of the cheapish persuasion).

*Lots of regulars.
*Friendly people (regulars) and staff.
*Small restaurant (~10 tables) with a large bar
*Live music some nights after 9pm
*Food took a while but they were crowded (with people waiting to be seated for both tables and at the bar).
*Scallops and fish tacos are very good. Muscles are poor.

Simply awful. There are many fine restaurant choices in this area but unfortunately this is not one. An empty room should have been the first clue, but even then the service was lacking.

This is a low-​class establishment and should be avoided. They are email spammers. No high class establishment that cares about their neighbors would do that.
This restaurant is spamming my private email account. They used unscrupulous means to obtain this email account as I have been very careful to keep it private and shared it with only close friends.
You do not need to be giving your money to establishments that use these practices. There are plenty of good guy restaurant establishments in our area — just look for the next nearest five star establishment on Unilocal. And don’t support establishments that have no respect for its customers.

Stapleton’s is a great little spot with good food, great atmosphere. The owner Eric is very personable and cares deeply about the customers’ experience. I recommend this place to anyone who enjoys a friendly atmosphere and good food. Enjoy!

Our first experience at Stapleton’s was this evening, and it was delightful. Happy hour and then dinner with clams casino and the fig appetizer to the halibut special were terrific. The Griggstown chicken and swordfish that our frequent flyer friends to Stapleton’s enjoyed was also terrific. Wine was reasonable and not disappointing. We will return and bring along more friends. The staff could not have been more solicitous and accommodating. We will return with our friends and family.

Just finished a fabulous dinner here with family. The 6 of us came in at 730 on a Friday and were seated immediately at a nice round table. Our waitress Abbey was friendly and attentive :)
If you like seafood apps the clams Trenton is a must! Tender clams covered in bacon and oil. What more could you want?!? Side note… ask for more bread to dip in the sauce.
For dinner I got the special scallops over a house salad. I’m pretty picky when it comes to cooked scallops (overcooked can be so rubbery!) but these were legitimately cooked to perfection. Dressing was light and flavorful.
My mom got the lobster ravioli and while I’ll admit the ravioli was an average lobster rav, the sauce was the star of the show. A light cream tomato sauce with fresh diced tomatoes and basil.
No one had a bad meal.
For dessert we shared 3 desserts (stand out was the chocolate mousse cake!) and each got a coffee or cappuccino.
Total for 6 people…3 shared apps, 2 starter salads, 2 drinks each, 6 entrees, 3 shared desserts and 6 coffees was under $ 300. Less than $ 50/​person for great food and drinks. I’ll take it! Not sure why people are comparing it to other places (I’ve never visited those restaurants) but in my opinion this place is a great find :)

Agreed with the post that this doesn’t compare to Vinnie’s. Overpriced for what you get. Bland and sandy has no place in a seafood restaurant.
Maybe they are still working out the kinks, but just not a great experience.

High expectations and hopes were quickly dashed at Stapleton’s in Raritan, NJ. The food on the menu was not what was served. The items we ordered had no taste and were looked sad and pale on the plate. The panko encrusted tilapia was light gray and tasteless. The salmon was listed to be served with spinach and pasta but came with mashed potatoes and string beans. The tuna was really sickly looking. the menu said tuna over seaweed with mango chutney and was served over mango salsa with a sprig or two of seaweed.
The prices are very high. Dinner for four with NO alcohol, only two appetizers, and no desserts came to $ 135. Soft drinks tasted awful and without any warning we were charged $ 2.50 per refill. In most restaurants when you are charged for refills you usually get soda bottles or the waiter lets you know that there are no free refills.
We left very disappointed and overcharged and will never go again.
Don’t bother. A waste of money.

Food was terrible, period. Shame on them for trying to be Uncle Vinnies. Not even close.