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Mate's Inn

4.8 (12 reviews)
InexpensiveAmerican
Closed • 7:30 am - 1:30 pm

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MATE'S INN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Good for groups

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a restaurant with tables and chairs
Gerald S.

Mate's Inn on the grounds of the NJ Department of Corrections on Stuyversant Avenue, Trenton, is not an ordinary restaurant, and cannot be evaluated on the same standards. This is a rehabilitation project by someone who took a brilliant idea and made it a reality. Teach skills that can be adapted in the community at large while serving the general public with a food experience that cannot be duplicated in the open market. Learning to be a chef, sou chef, and other professional kitchen worker, creates opportunities for employment not otherwise available to "guests of the State." While they serve time, they also learn to serve customers and cook up some very tasty dishes. The Inn is on the campus of the DOC, in an old mansion converted into a restaurant on the first floor. It is set up nicely, with plenty of tables in a large dining room. Windows all around with views of the large facility. Access is restricted, and everyone must show a photo ID in order to pass through the main gate. Once inside, parking is easy, and walking into the building from the parking lot takes a minute. The menu offers five or six entrees, a few sides, soups and salads. It is fairly constant for a few weeks before it changes again. We chose the chicken wing special, Cajun pasta and the Italian hot dog (mine). The other plates looked good, and my companions expressed satisfaction with their meals. My hot dog was in fact 2 wieners, with a light topping of sautéed onions, green frying and sweet red peppers and roasted potatoes. The bun was the only real disappointment, as it had no taste nor texture. They could use a better bread purveyor. The homemade carrot cake was highly touted, and was tasty with a nice cream cheese icing that could have been thicker, but had the right addictive flavor. Otherwise, the service by the men in white chef's garb was very good, and the overall experience enriched by the reality that we were eating well and helping society writ large. We were told of a BBQ the next day. That was very tempting, but schedules did not permit such a rapid return visit. Certainly, next time!

Chicken with capers
Rupa S.

What a fantastic place ! We ordered chicken with lemon & capers - came with flavor fully seasoned squash and rice. Exceeded expectations. Also ordered Reuben - masterfully made with tender beef and sauerkraut (which I normally find too tart) which melted in my mouth and plenty fries. Both dishes were large portioned and at just $6.50 and $6.75 - no tips. Strawberry shortcake large serving with real & lots of strawberries at just $2.75. All the food screamed "homemade from scratch" and made by someone who obviously loves to cook. The inmates themselves were in good mood, polite and ernest. The lady cashier was positively glowing with happiness - maybe because it was a day after a holiday or because of the obvious camaraderie among the staff/server inmates, this is a happy place. Table next to our obviously had regulars - 4 old ladies eating a leisurely lunch and comparing notes on life policies and dividends and very pleased with their afternoon - can't blame them, we were too !

Chicken pesto panini with peppers and side salad-very delicious

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2 years ago

Great find with chill ambiance and great servers, just wish they were open later since its a drive from my home

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2 years ago

I love the food there the services and peccable and the staff are excellent ambiance and you could be in and out

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

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10 years ago

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7 years ago

Good food! Department of Corrections run cafe. Menu was good. Enjoyed our visit. Menu changes every month or so.

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7 years ago

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12 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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Mate's Inn - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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