Old Bay Restaurant, The Review

That one star review is a load of petty BS so this is to balance it out.

Friendly staff, great burgers, good beer selection. I'll be going back for sure.

We were a large party of 15 in the downstairs bar for a happy hour and product presentation. We sampled many of the apps, beers and drinks from the new menu. Overall everyone really enjoyed it. As the event organizer, there were no complaints :) Only positive comments...

We tried most of the app menu and highly recommend the Irish Nachos, Steak Bites, Wings, and Corn Beef &Cabbage Rolls.

This location is awful compared to the one in Kenilworth. I d prefer to go to the one in Kenilworth, better atmosphere.

Food and service was outstanding. I had a burger and it was one of the best I have ever had. As soon as we walked in, we were made to feel at home. A+! I will be back!

Great place to hang out with friends, and the staff are very friendly. Really good food, and a good atmosphere too. There's even an outdoor sitting area with heat lamps!

Stood at the corner entrance with my wife for about 15mins waiting to be seated. Suddenly a woman who had been drinking beers and doing shots turns around and says "Table for 2"? Apparently the hostess is aloud to drink and ignore customers. When we realized she was the hostess and decided to drink and ignore us we turned around and left. Horrible first experience at this Blackthorns. The one in Parisppany is always a good time. This one surely dropped the ball.

Service was great, but not all the food seemed to be hit or miss. The quesadilla was on point and would be something I would order again if I ever was there. The wings were nothing special, pretty standard. The fries and gravy was a bit disappointing due to the gravy component being more like an au jus and less a gravy, the fries on the other hand was great. Their version of a French dip was good. Beer list was good with the house draft being great. I would definitely give it another shot if I was ever in the area again.

The place is awesome and spacious, the meals was delicious and the prices were very affordable. fast, efficient service and very personal staff members. I recommend this place.

I have been around this place way before it was "the Black". I love what they have done here! The food always exceeds expectation! And if you are lucky, you will have Kelly as your Mixologist! Causual and fun atmosphere, great food, nice beer list, and wonderful staff! Highly recommended!

Irish pub good is pretty typical. Good selection of beers. Attentive wait staff.

Hadn't been to this bar since they sold, re-tooled and launched (early 2018). Upgrades to the layout are very positive. Still has a sports bar feel, but better flow. Staff is great in terms of working hard. Watched management and felt like staff was strong in spite of it. Food looks delicious.

i like it here always quality food & service. looking forward to coming back with my friends.

Fun place to enjoy with friends. Good food, friendly staff

My fav Irish pub in town. Great servers. Good food. A gear outside deck.

amazing place! awesome service!! reasonable prices!

Came here for a quick lunch last THursday, food was great, service was great too. I had the Irish deep sandwich which was awesome.

Food was so delicious. Really nothing but great experiences here, so I will be back.

Good selection of beers on draft. Shepherd's pie was actually cottage pie but still pretty good. Good service as well.

Great food delicious beer! Cordial staff right up to management. Highly recommend.

Very cool, open venue with secluded areas for private talks, music can be a little loud but otherwise very enjoyable. Checking in with your phone gets you a $3 drink and free cover.

Music was awesome. Services was great. Beer was good.Staff were courteous.

I visit this place a lot since I work close by. I love how the service is always good and they keep the place clean regularly. Rates are fair and they serve sizeable portions.

Waitress great..but, ordered beer..Stella..only had three bottles available and didnt tell you until you were on third. Ordered Shepards Pie and was very watery and just ok and steak sandwich was good. Overall..eehh

very tasty. this place has many good reviews for a reason.

Great food with quality ingredients. It has a good feel to it. My apartment is far from here, so I can't visit often.

When I saw this wasn't Old Bay anymore I was a little salty. But I went in twice, and it's great. Interesting menu and a great beer list. Also some cider on tap and plenty of gluten free options - without being froufrou about it. They just put a gf next to the chili on the menu. Nobody has to know. I don't get to New Brunswick much but when I do, I'll be back.

First time there. Went for the karaoke. DJ Mel is awesome! Great sound system! Got her singers up one right after the other. Great karaoke crowd. Friendly people and staff. Did not try the food, but definitely will next time. Yes, we will be back! Had a really good time!

Regina is my favorite bartender! Great drinks. Great food and a great atmosphere.

I'm pleasantly surprised. I ordered a sampler appetizer and it's really yummy. Also got a surf n turf and very good. My husband got himself hurricane cocktail and it's very delicious! Overall good place.

Very clean and accessible restaurant. They serve big meals and for economical prices. I loved the food a lot and the staff members were very affable and informative. Recommended.

Everything was great! Just FYI the "Irish" Chicken Murphy had a curry taste to it. So although it tasted pretty good, the flavor through me off since we were in an Irish pub. I would've gotten the Shepherd's Pie instead had I known.

Great place honestly wish they just banned smoking in their outdoor section.

I recommend it! The chicken wings were fantastic! Service was quick! Employees were very friendly! Must try the Mac and cheese and waffle fries!

Great burger and Craft beer lunch. Outstanding service.

The staff was very friendly and attentive. The bill was appropriate.

The redesign of the restaurant's layout is good. Good vibe in the place. The Band was rocking.

It was good. I saw A Band Called Fuse perform there. It was an excellent show!!!

The food was very delicious. The steak and steak bites were phenomenal. The service was a bit slow, but the waitress was very nice and we were outside so it was very enjoyable. The drink menu was very extensive, with two bars and a lot of T.V.s. There was two level indoor seating, very much what you would think of a pub.

I may be biased because I loved Old Bay and Blackthorn currently occupies Old Bays old building(You can still smell the Old Bay seasoning) But the Apps were great, Shepards Pie was awesome. Friendly but inexperienced wait staff and one page menu. Beer and cocktail list was a bit more extensive.

This spot is amazing and broad, the food was delicious and the rates were very fair. quick, efficient service and very friendly waiters. I highly recommend this place.

DO NOT EAT FOOD HERE. We ordered chicken quesadillas and burger. Chicken was stale and disgusting. Burger was over cooked. I threw up and got sick after I ate here. Never ever get food from this place.

Good venue with multiple gathering areas and a covered outdoor space. Quick service, friendly staff. Traditional Irish pub food with limited vegetarian options.

Pretty happy with the food, but it seemed like the forgot our order. After a long wait and watching others seated after us finished and leaving, we checked. Food came soon after. We'll give them another try and I'll up my stars if the food and service are both good.

The food is GREAT! The atmosphere is OUTSTANDING! The staff is TOP NOTCH!

My son was performing and we went there - nice and lively place ! Great customer service . In fact forgot to pay the bill as we had to step out for an urgent errand. When I realized that I called the restaurant to pay but the manager said not to worry about it !nice gesture

Better than some of the other places in New Brunswick. Service was good and quick. Food was good. Prices are average for the area. Not real Irish food of course but still ok. Would visit again.

Great pub, the food is delicious their specialty cocktails are amazing, and their servers and bartenders are so nice! Definitely coming back!

One of the best place to go in New Brunswick. Food is awesome. Everything they make is in their kitchen not frozen food. My fav baked buffalo wings and chips & Fish sandwich. Yummy.

$13 for Fish (from the fish and chips) that I might as well have bought from the frozen food isle at the grocery store. Came in symmetric shapes. Certainly not made there. Cisco? Not worthy of eating after a few bites.... just threw it out.

Fantastic. Although it was newly opened the service and food was very polished and delicious.

Love the vibes at Blackthorn! The friendliest of staffs and proper pours. The food is outstanding, bringing unique flavors to Irish classics. They pull in a lot of entertainment as well during the weekends and plenty of space indoors & outdoors.

Food was excellent and prepared fresh. Service was attentive and friendly. I was there for lunchtime.

Attended a Christmas party here. Friendly staff, great food, drinks are good. Pay for parking just down the street next to Stress Factory.

Great bartenders here and one bad one, however the food is super good. I am ready any time for the Chili...Awesome!!

Typical chain restaurant idea of an Irish pub, the sort of place you just happen to end up at when no one can decide on anything better. Haven't tried the food other than one app, some cheese bomb potato concoction, exactly what you'd expect from this type of place. Good beer selection but very pricey. Staff is attentive but not overly friendly. It's fine for a drink or two but I don't think I'll be going out of my way to visit.

Cool spot to hang out with phone chargers and coat hooks at the bar! Cool bar staff, and good quesadilla!

Wings a bit undercooked but staff was very attentive to make sure we left satisfied.

Great experience! My husband & I were looking for a casual lunch place near our hotel and we found blackthorn. Liz, the bartender, had a great knowledge about the local beer scene and have some great recommendations. We split the Reuben which was delicious. The meat to bread ratio was on point and the hand cut fries were great too! Highly recommend

Got there near five, it wasn't very busy. It has a cool atmosphere.

Had a great time. Ate lunch one day. Excellent burger. Drinks only on another visit.

Mediocre food. Mostly frozen/reheated. Bar is fine.

Nicely renovated where the outdated mardi gras style place used to be.

Stopped by without realizing it was a soft opening for "friends and family"....we were brought to a table outside on the patio anyway. Quick service with a solid beer selection and tasty cocktails. The mac n cheese was also good.
After a second visit, waitress spilled beer all over me and my phone. Was told it would be taken care of, but only if I fronted the repair and it could be proven that it was caused by the spill. Waitress also avoided table until check was given back, delaying our departure. She then hovered while we signed checks, in an effort to pressure a good tip.

I sent my friends to this place with my warmest recommendations. I go to this restaurant often. I get very good feedback from my friends. The meals are great and the stuff is efficient and cooperative. always when we go to this place we pass a lovely time. highly recommended.

Had a early Father's day dinner with my Wife and Two Daughters. First impression was the place was empty. Only one other couple at 6:45PM. Our waiter was attentive and pleasant. We had the Irish Nacho's which were very good. All our meals were good, burgers cooked to order. The Flat bread pizza was very good, so was the chicken wrap. I had a pasta dish with corned beef shavings. It was ok, just ok. Overall our food was fine. But I didn't get any Irish feel. No music in the background and it should have been cleaner. The place had that latenight, College drink till you get stupid smell from the night before. There was a uncovered DJ table in the booth with garbage on the floor. The kitchen door was propped open showing a typical restaurant kitchen, I'm sure there was no chef or owner on premises. The upstairs dinning room still had chairs stacked on the tables, lending to the disarray look.
I was in the business, and have been to Ireland multiple times. If you are going for the Irish atmosphere at least stream some Irish music. Overall all I would go back and hope for a better experience.

Gabriel the best in the kitchen !!!! Nice place for beers and chips n chips

Fantastic spot to grab some food when in a rush. The customer service is quick, rates are affordable, good mood. I highly recommend this place

This place is delicious! Tried quite a few entrees here and everything was good. The leek soup, and appetizer sampler were very good. Shepherd's pie had a good taste and seasonings. It was done just right. The coddle was a brunch special and it was a great blend of sausages and potatoes and vegetables. The dessert was small but amazing. Wish there was more of it! The service was attentive and the overall atmosphere was welcoming. Would definitely recommend this new gem! Also, the beer was very good.

Friendly staff, great LGBT event. Awesome Karaoke and nicely priced drinks. Would visit again. =)

Comfortable and cozy atmosphere. Food was excellent Irish fare. Large draft beer and specialty cocktail menu. Live music on Saturday nights. Great service and lots of fun.

Although the food was excellent, for what ever the reason, the service was sub par(possibly the snowy weather). They seemed under staffed and nobody knew what to do.

Still had some of the Old Bay menu items. Had a great time.