JD’s Pub & Grille

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – Although the initials in JD’s Pub & Grille stand for the Jersey Devil, there is certainly nothing devilish about the Cheers-like bar and eatery.
On the contrary, JD’s is a friendly kind of place where everyone gets to know your name.
“Whether you are in a T-shirt and jeans or in a suit and tie, you will feel comfortable coming here,” said Todd Storr, one of the co-owners.
First opened in 1995, the family-owned restaurant and bar has gradually become a popular hangout spot for both locals and students at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey when school is in session.
It’s in the Smithville Town Center, just down the street from where Mother Leeds gave birth to her infamous 13th child.
“Every year we are just doing better and better,” Storr said.
The 5,600-square-foot pub features several plasma-screen televisions and a big-screen TV and a pool table housed in a separate room.
The menu features popular bar foods and some specialty items, such as the Jersey Devil Burger, a Filet Mignon Cheesesteak, and the Cuban Sandwich.
“We have specials on the weekends as well that are not on our regular menu,” said Storr, a Smithville resident who is originally from Brigantine.
He said that during the football season, JD’s televises all NFL games and runs food and drink specials.
“We can show up to 14 games on 17 televisions,” Storr said.
The pub often hosts live music on weekends and will be featuring the local cover band called No Clue Friday, Sept. 21. On Thursday starting at 9 p.m., JD’s host a college night in which 14-ounce domestic beers go for $1. Happy hour runs 5 to 7 p.m. nightly.
Currently, construction of a new JD’s is scheduled to begin in a couple weeks near the intersection of New York and Moss Mill roads. Less than a minute’s drive from the current location, the new pub will be 7,000 square feet, about 1,500 square feet larger than at present.
“Everything will be all new at the new location,” Storr said. “Construction should be completed sometime in March.”