Rails never disappoints, it's a great place for date night or any special occasion. We started our night with white wine and a spicy margarita. For our appetizer we had the tuna tartare and spanish octopus. I will definitely order the tuna tartare again. For our main we had a tomahawk, smoked gouda and bacon mac and cheese and mushrooms with spinach. Our waiter was great, he constantly came by to check on us and had great recommendations for sides. read more

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The problem with Rails Steakhouse is that the apps are the best part, so the overall trajectory of the experience just goes gradually downhill throughout. I came here last night with the Bitch Pack for a 7pm dinner. One of my top-tier chums had been here before a handful of times, but otherwise we were making our debuts. I've been aware of this place for literally years, having driven by it on 202 numerous times, but the closest I ever got to the door was about 16 years ago when I took some used wine crates from the end of Teresa Guidice's driveway nearby. Time flies! The building is seriously cool. I wandered in first and instead of being a grownup and just alerting my chums to my presence, assumed I was late and that they were downstairs in the speakeasy (one of apparently four bars in the restaurant? So yes, a rather large establishment). They weren't, but it was an opportunity to take a gander at that setup, which involves an incredibly unique entrance to gain access (no spoilers here). In this era where people just decide that their bars are speakeasies because one of their employees is dressed like a flapper, it's nice to see one that actually remembers they're supposed to be secrets and hard to get into. The staff I encountered during my needless search/exploration was very nice; I think one of them politely suggested I text my chums, which was of course excellent advice I didn't take. Anyway. As mentioned, the apps were awesome. We split the lobster arancini at my suggestion, and also got some tuna tartar. The arancini is fantastic; incredible taste/texture, and something I'd order again in a heartbeat. And honestly? To me the best tuna tartar keeps it simple - it's tuna, avocado and wontons/chips. That's it. Nice and smooth, just as nature intended. We were also pondering a special that I think involved gnocchi and strawberries, which might have been awesome too, but I was pleased with all of these decisions. The steak was okay, which is obviously not the greatest takeaway for a steakhouse. I liked the flavors a lot; I was a little concerned the pepper would be overwhelming but I was into it, and the steak was slightly undercooked, which is also a plus for me. Ideally I'd order rare everywhere I go but I only do it at places I trust (cough cough Cloverleaf in Caldwell cough cough), so I went with medium rare, which came out pretty close to rare. It might just be personal palate preference, but I thought the marbling was a little too thick on the ribeye, which meant "stringier" bites that took away from the positives of marbling, namely the aforementioned flavor. Morally I tend to hang out in the steak section of a steakhouse menu, but I might wander off the reservation if I'm back again. We got some sides as well to share, which were SUPER uneven. The mashed potatoes were decent and the gouda smoked mac & cheese a definite highlight - the smokiness really gave it some zest. I didn't taste them but the Brussels sprouts looked almost sickly (definitely not crispy) and my chum almost spit them out in her napkin. Avoid at all costs. And unfortunately we sputtered to the finish line. I sampled the pina colada creme brulee, which was technically tasty but very cold (literally the first time I've encountered it at that temp); same with the s'mores cheesecake. It was pretty obvious these weren't made to order and weren't even prepped/heated up for us, which was strange given that both of these desserts by definition require heat for caramelizing and toasting. Big miss there. The service was fine; maybe a little sluggish but we weren't really in a time crunch unless you count the fact that some of us were perilously close to bedtime. A request to move to a nearby table away from an air vent was promptly handled, so points for that. I'd have no objection to sneaking back into the speakeasy for a nip and some apps, but when you don't have much interest in the steak at a steakhouse, it's kind of a problem. read more

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My boyfriend brought me to Rails Steakhouse for my birthday because he had heard great things about it, and he was especially excited to show me the speakeasy in the basement. I have to say, the atmosphere and the speakeasy were probably my favorite parts of the entire experience. They were unique and definitely worth seeing. Unfortunately, things started to go downhill once we were seated. We waited about 15 minutes before anyone acknowledged us. No one greeted us, offered water, or brought bread, so we finally had to ask another staff member ourselves. When the bread arrived, it was cold with a sprinkle of salt on top. Normally I wouldn't mind, but after waiting so long, it was disappointing. My boyfriend asked if it was supposed to be served warm, and the waiter said yes and offered to bring us fresh bread. That replacement bread didn't arrive until we had already finished our meal, packed our leftovers, and were ready to leave. They ended up putting the rolls in our to-go bag. Our waitress eventually came over and asked if we'd like drinks or appetizers. We placed our appetizer order, and only afterward did she mention the appetizer specials. We were seated near the bar and could clearly see our drinks being prepared. Our first cocktails sat at the bar for around 10 minutes before they were brought to us. Later we ordered a pitcher of sangria, and we watched it sit there for another 10-15 minutes. Throughout the meal, our waitress rarely checked on us. We had to ask bussers and even another waitress several times for water refills, and we eventually asked another server to bring us the sangria because we had already finished our cocktails. The service made us feel overlooked. For dinner, we ordered the porterhouse for two with mushrooms and a Caesar salad. The steak arrived well-cooked, but our sides didn't come out until much later, so we ended up eating about half of the steak before the mushrooms and salad arrived. The steak itself was cooked nicely, but it lacked seasoning in our opinion. We found ourselves adding salt and pepper and enjoyed it much more with the chimichurri sauce we ordered. Overall, this was my birthday dinner, and I could tell my boyfriend felt bad because he had been looking forward to bringing me here. I really wanted to love this restaurant, but the service and hospitality fell well below expectations. While the ambiance was beautiful and the speakeasy was a highlight, the inattentive service overshadowed the experience. Maybe we caught them on an off night, and I might consider giving Rails another chance someday. However, after driving nearly an hour, I left disappointed and don't feel the overall experience justified the trip. read more

Great place for a special occasion steak. The valet parking either adds to that experience or feels like an additional cost, but the food quality and ambiance is top notch, so not having parking is the trade off. The service was prompt and the server answered all of our questions about the menu. The bread was soft little salty rolls. Some of our party split the tomahawk which was massive, cooked to perfection, and very juicy. I got the lamb chops which were superb and so meaty. The polenta/broccoli rabe didn't really add much. For sides, the creamed spinach was more cheesy than creamy, but if you like cheese, it works. The parmesan truffle fries were likewise very cheesy and a great blend of salty and crunchy. The mac n cheese was good, but the lobster pieces were smallish. We did go overboard with the cheese sides, but they went so well with the main dishes. Dessert seemed like a must. We shared the apple cider donut bread pudding, which was very unique and blended the cold ice cream with the hot apple, dense pudding. We also had to try the 10 layer chocolate cake and the sheer size is amazing, but it was also richly chocolate flavor. The more unique dish and classic dish were both winners, and I couldn't even choose a favorite Everyone had a good time, the dishes were all amazing, and it's worth the splurge to celebrate yourself or a loved one. read more

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Went to dine here to celebrate a birthday, the location is very nice, clean rustic look. They have complimentary valet parking which is plus! Our server was pretty nice, just service was a bit slow. We were a party of 8, the pictures I had included were most of the parties meals. I would say everyone was happy with their dinner selections, no complaints, pretty average for the main courses. We ordered calamari and crab cakes for appetizers and those were actually very delicious. Dessert and cocktails were pretty solid as well. I would come back! read more

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Too much show prices high food is minimal like a Chuck E. Cheese for adults trying to make a scene in a soap opera

Stopped in for a quick bite at the bar. The atmosphere is super cool and modern. There's a speakeasy in the basement and private room. The Red and Black Manhattan was fantastic. It's a twist on a traditional Manhattan by using Amaro Nonino instead of sweet vermouth. Crab cocktail was great with Old Bay Mayo and a vodka spiked cocktail sauce. Shrimp were huge and super fresh. The heated rolls are a great touch (they're heated in their pizza oven then brushed with warm butter and topped with sea salt). The American Wagyu beef burger was bigger than expected, the bacon jam was spot on and very unique, super tasty. The lobster Mac-n-Cheese was loaded with huge chunks of lobster. Super creamy and cheesy, just delicious. read more

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We drove 45 minutes to try this steakhouse. I have to say it was so worth it! The service was impressive we had 2 waiters making sure we were comfortable and that we had everything we needed. The steaks were delicious fine cut! We had an abundance of appetizers and they were all delicious. We had a few bottles of wine. The ambiance is chill and the restaurant is beautiful so much to look at. I will definitely be back! read more

Rails Steakhouse - Cowboy steak/Mac and cheese - Steakhouses Near Me - Towaco, New Jersey

Went to this restaurant a while ago, definitely more than a year ago! I would definitely recommend it. The steak was delicious. The thick cut bacon was very good and I would highly recommend it. Service was on point. Also, I chose this place because obviously it was on the Real housewives of New Jersey lol it's been on the show multiple times and I was curious to see the inside. It Looks like a chalet but also looks like a cave and it's dark and there's a fire pit. It's really a beautiful place. read more

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We have been here before but this particular time was AMAZING, we sat downstairs which was new for us, it was decorated so beautiful for the holidays and our waiter was really nice. All of the apps, drinks, food, sides and desserts were all so so good! Can't wait to go back! read more

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Food was delicious. We weren't served at the beginning for a little bit, but the steaks were served to perfection. We got the mac and cheese and spinach for sides. And even got a take home anniversary slice of butter cake -spectacular Ambiance is cozy, classic vibes. Service was slow at first but then quick once we sat. I almost felt rushed but drinks were strong enough to keep me from getting up read more

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Rails is one of my favorite steakhouses in the area. The food is always excellent, the vibes are on point and they have a great cocktail list. The portions are typically a good size to being leftovers home. We typically only stop in for birthday dinners / special occasions, etc, but came on Sunday because we didn't want to cook. During this visit, we started with the crab cocktail and the mussels which was a special for the day. I was hesitant to get the mussels because I usually like them cooked in white wine and the tomatoes sounded odd to me, but this was delightful! The tomatoes, peppers and bacon all brought such a great flavor to the dish. Can't forget the complimentary bread that they bring out! Two golden buttery biscuit pieces of goodness! For dinner, we had the filet Mignon which was cooked to perfection along with a side of mashed potatoes. We also had the butter cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Everything we ordered came out delicious. Service was fast and attentive. Thank you Shannon! read more

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My brother and I went to Rails for drinks on Saturday 7/25. We were home visiting our mom and hadn't been home for a while so we had no idea Rails existed. We had the best service at the bar that I've had in a long time. Bartenders were friendly and attentive. The ambiance in the restaurant was great. I can't wait to go back the next time I'm home for a visit. read more

Well Rails is no short trip for me, i am in Queens, New York and this beautiful delight lies in Tocowa, New Jersey. The first comment ill make, worth every mile!!!! The place is absolutely beautiful inside, warm and rustic with a touch of country mixed with modern design. The workers are extremely welcoming and full of smiles. They gave a wonderful booth for my wifes birthday and the waitstaff did an excellent job explaining the specials. I did ask for a draft New Jersey cityscape IPA and it was absolutely perfect tasting. The food is nothing less than superb. Cooked to perfection, from wagyu slider to T bone steaks and chicken parm (i come from a neighborhood of top notch Italian food and Rails still hits the mark). This place looks like in the summer it has beautiful outdoor spaces fitted out with heater and fire places. An outdoor bar area with lounge seating ready for my next visit. Rails.... Thank you for the hospitality i can not wait to return. read more

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The ambience and the food was great. I must admit that part. Have heard so many things from this place so I had to try it of course we got there five minutes late because of traffic, but everything was good. The only thing I have to pick on was probably my waitress as she was not attentive to us whatsoever, but was more attentive to other parties of diff color should I say the least. Not sure if it was because I didn't fit the description of the other people or what but her service was not great whatsoever. The hostess as well made a comment to me that as soon as my partner takes off his hat, we can be seated. I found it a bit odd as we just walked in and it was freezing cold outside, so of course he had a hat on. But he took it off right away. We will try it again, another time and see what happens. read more

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Rails has been on our " places to try " list for a while. It met our expectations. The staff is super attentive, starting with the host, down to the servers. Great service ! My husband had a tomahawk, it was made to perfection. I had a sirloin which was amazing. They have a large selection of sides compared to other places and this I loved. We ordered fried calamari, truffle fries and these lobster cakes. For dessert we shared a pecan cheesecake which was perfect for two. I've seen the slices for carrot cake, and it's enough to feed a party or 4 lol. Overall great experience and will visit again read more

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My husband requested we come back here for his birthday and it was another great experience. The dirty martinis were made so well! The steaks always cut so well and my favorite side is the brussel sprouts! read more

Been going here since it opened and the space is beautiful! Had a tour with my friend and her boss at the time and owner of the place! I loved the family history and the use of their backyard tree for an art installation in the staircase and other parts of the room. The speakeasy is fun, dark and moody downstairs and the open dining room and outdoor seating is lovely too. As for the food, I really don't care for their sticky buns but they seem to be popular. I prefer regular bread but it's nice to have something warm before we even order drinks. They have an excellent wine selection and their mixed drinks are so fun. Our server was very nice and attentive and was knowledgeable with the menu with the price is a reasonable considering how crazy things are these days but we will definitely go back over and over again because it's one of our favorite spots. read more

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I haven't been to Rails in way too long. Everything here is amazing. It's a top notch dining experience from start to finish. You probably cannot go wrong with anything that you order. Not to mention the space is gorgeous and the service is on point. We started off with crab cakes and bacon. Crab cakes are small, but this is to be expected. Every bite was decadent. Bacon with peanut butter sauce and jalapeno jelly is unreal. This is a must-order. For my main I went with skirt steak which is my favorite cut. It was cooked perfectly and the chimichurri was so flavorful. We shared the hashbrowns which are sooo good and the brussels which were just ok. These were actually much blander than expected. Luckily everything else was so good that it made up for it. Can't wait to return! read more

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My first visit to Rails Steakhouse definitely will not be my last! This steakhouse delivers in ambiance, service, and delicious food. There's so many options for seating from the bar to a speakeasy, and standard dining. The service is exceptional as is the food. My table ordered a few of pasta appetizers. We enjoyed the lobster mac and cheese, short rib gnocchi special, porcini gnocchi, and fried calamari. All were terrific! Most of us ordered the petite filet mignon and tried different sides including mashed potatoes, spinach, and brussel sprouts. The filet mignon was cooked to our liking and very tender. We ended our meal with two giant slices of cake. The carrot cake was out of this world. They gave us a blueberry butter pound cake with a birthday candle to help us celebrate as well. It was a sweet way to end our meal. read more

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My First & Probably Last Visit to Rails Steakhouse Went to Rails for dinner, and unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. Food: * Spanish Octopus - Tough texture, decent taste. * Chilean Seabass - Lacked flavor. * Pastrami-Crusted Steak (Special) - Way too salty. * Mac & Cheese - Overly cheesy, just okay. * Asparagus - Bland. Drinks: * Lychee Martini - Sent the first one back (tasted weird), got two replacements that were slightly better but still weak. * Smoked Old Fashioned - My friend wasn't a fan. Service & Ambiance: * Our server Shanon was amazing--attentive and truly saved the experience. * Ambiance was nice, especially upstairs--more laid-back. If you decide to go, request Shanon! read more

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My boyfriend and I went here with his daughter to celebrate my birthday. The natural elements throughout the space are intriguing. We started with oysters which were great. Then moved on to the most sublime filet mignon ever accompanied by sides of potatoes with blue cheese, creamed spinach and Mac n cheese. The server was attentive and knowledgeable. Dessert was bread pudding for me and a huge portion of chocolate layer cake for my boyfriend and his daughter. Such a lovely treat for a special occasion. Highly recommend read more

I've been to Rails Steakhouse a few times now, and every visit has been consistently excellent. No matter what area I've been seated, each section of the restaurant offers a great atmosphere. Our most recent experience was especially great thanks to our waiter, Zach. He was knowledgeable about the menu, full of great recommendations, and brought such a lively energy to the table. He checked in just the right amount, making sure we had everything we needed without making us feel rushed. For food, we tried the short rib gnocchi special, which was incredible! I had the petite filet, which was done exactly how I asked. We also shared a few sides as a group, all of which were great complements to the meal. To top it all off, the apple cider bread pudding was a must try dessert. Overall, Rails Steakhouse never disappoints. Great food, great service. Looking forward to coming back again soon! read more

Went there with my eldest son with his fiancé, her mother and stepfather, my youngest son and his girlfriend and my wife. Upon entering I was treated with a smile that was incredible. Had to wait for the rest of the group to arrive and once they did we were advised that the table was almost ready. A few minutes later the host came to get us and escorted us to our table. We were a party of 8. The waitress was PHENOMENAL. She didn't miss a beat. Took our drink orders and was on point all night. Shortly afterwards she asked if we were ready to order, so we did. The food came out fantastic and the service was 100% on point. The dessert was fantastic as well as the coffee. My son's future in-laws commented how nice the decor was and they even said that we had picked a really nice restaurant. Even my youngest was commenting on how the restaurant was really nice. Bottom line is the Decor 10/10 food 10/10 and service 10/10. Second time there and the service was great n point both times. read more

Service was excellent from start to finish. Highly recommend booking a reservation in their speakeasy for a more intimate and unique dining experience. The oysters were fresh, the bacon appetizer was outstanding, and the steak selections were top-notch. Only downside--the sides came out room temperature, even though the plate itself was hot. Still, a great night out and worth the visit. read more

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Same amazing venue but the food has sadly taken a turn for the worse. I have no idea how to screw up a shrimp cocktail but they were rubbery and undercooked. Salad was wilted and looked like something Wendy's would serve if Wendy's served salads that were a few days old. My lamb chops were great but at these prices, everything should be great. I thought, hey maybe it's me. Perhaps I'm being overly critical. So I asked another food critic who's opinion I respect, my beloved sister. And sadly, she confirmed my observations, restaurant was still amazing to look at but taste wise it had fallen. There are so so many choices out there but for my money, I'll take a slight notch lower in ambience and hit up The Capital Grill for food that's truly worthy of exorbitant prices. So sad, really. read more

Food and drinks are consistently great along with the service and the quality of everything as soon as you walk in the door. Highly recommend. read more

I went with a friend to have dinner at one of our favorite places. We sat outside on a beautiful night and I had ourselves the delicious rolls they brought along with some raw oysters and then I went for the ribeye with brussels sprouts. It was absolutely delicious and I was so happy with the bone Full of meat like the little dog I am when I get that steak. It was too much though and I asked them to pack it. The next day I went to heat it up dreaming of my bone and when I opened the box, it was not there. I'm so angry I did not check when I was still there at the restaurant. Why wouldn't they ask? I'm really annoyed. Completely ruined what I was looking forward to. They shouldn't assume that that was garbage because there was plenty of meat left on there so he threw away part of my meal. read more

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I'm soooooo sorry but this restaurant was not that good. It's a steakhouse so we ordered steaks. My husband and I went there for NYE and he got the ribeye. I got the filet mignon special with the foie gras. I love foie gras but the steak lacked flavor. It was nice to experience, but I won't be going back. read more

Been here before, first was when they first opened, that wasn't a great experience, but I let it slide given they just had opened. I do have to mention what happened that night though. A special was bone in filet, three of us had ordered it. It was very slow service, about 1 1/2 hour after ordering those steaks, our waiter came over & said they no longer had any left and we had to order something else. Now today, if you want a great steak, go to Ruth Chris in Parsippany, they serve them on 300 degree plates, so delicious, To continue, I ordered a beet and goat cheese salad which was really just arugula and apples. Friends ordered the octopus special, horrible. 4 out of 5 steaks were not cooked as ordered and no flavor at all. I can see why half the tables were empty. read more

Last time I went here the steaks were phenomenal, as well as all the appetizers and sides we ordered as well. The restaurant is also very aesthetically pleasing, and service was solid, just slightly slow but it was quite busy. read more

Rails is amazing. From the atmosphere, the service and the top quality steak dinners Rails cannot be beat. We Love Rails , if go once You'll go back again and again! Say hello to Frank the Head Chef, he's a Great guy! read more

This was our first time to Rails Steakhouse. We had a great dinner and the service was excellent. We came from an hour away but it was worth the drive. Appetizers were great and the steaks were even better. You must try the chocolate and carrot cakes as well. Enough to feed the whole table. All the best to Rails, keep up the good work. read more

My friend and I have been coming here for years. Food is always good. Wasn't wild about the mushrooms. The brussel sprouts are better. French onion soup is delicious and I highly recommend. The steak is good, but the middle was a little too rare for me. I recommend the bordelaise sauce to go with it. Sometimes they have a cola coffee rub... when that is on special, do it! The reason for 4 instead of 5: Drinks are well made, but the bartender... we've had him a few times and every time we're afraid to ask for anything because he acts like we shouldn't be there. We're 35, not children. I over tip, too, so there is zero reason for the attitude. Can't chalk it up to a bad day when it's every time. The blonde woman bartender that took over when they got busy was fantastic however. Complete 180 and helped end our night on a good note. Drinks are on average about $14 for cocktails. Steaks start at $39. Sides are on average $12. They also have non alcoholic drinks. I suggest the Figure It Out. So tasty and a great alternative if you need it ($14.) read more

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Horrible in all aspects. Service, food, prices, food quality, and poor / pre-made preparations.

I took my boyfriend to Rails for dinner for his birthday. The ambiance was gorgeous, however, we were placed all the way In the back of the dining room away from the gorgeousness of the restaurant. Our server was nice enough, checked in on us and made sure our cups were always filled. We got the calamari as an appetizer that was pretty good, which I feel can be said about any restaurant in New Jersey. The star of the show for me was the New York strip. My boyfriend got the cowboy steak which was awesome. The Brussels sprouts were also amazing!! To be honest, I was very excited for the bleu cheese potatoes. However, it was way too much cheese, and the potatoes were not crispy which I thought wouldn't made them wonderful. Overall though, we had a great time and the drinks were wonderful (I got the Cherry on Top and LOVED it. My boyfriend had the Smoke Signal and also liked his.) read more

Rails Steakhouse - Steakhouses Near Me - Towaco, New Jersey

Wow. Wow. Wow. What an incredible birthday celebration here My husband made reservations in the speak easy. We loved the dark corner booth. Drinks were incredible. We split the Cobb salad as appetizer. We ordered the brussel sprouts as a side and they were good. Perhaps a Bit too smoky but still good. The mashed potatoes were perfection. They offered a special app "short rib gnocchi " and our server suggested it as a side. Was far too much good but one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. I had it as leftovers the next day and wanted more more more. Chefs kiss We both ordered specials, the bone in filet for me. My husband had the Kobe steak. Both were great. We had a bottle of Pinot noir and the chocolate cake was heavenly and lasted all weekend. read more

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I didnt realize i havent reviewed this place after being here a few good times. Rails is easily our go-to steakhouse that is close to home and offers beautiful steaks! I love how cozy and warm the place is, uniquely decorated with tons of wood work and a nice "fireplace" area, it gives you a cabin-feel. Perfect for any occasion but most especially for a winter date night. As expected, the steaks here are delicious and cooked perfectly to our liking. We recently ordered creamed spinach to go with our porterhouse for two and the combo was amazing. Their Rock shrimp special is also a must with perfectly cooked shrimp and a nice spicy sauce. I remember ordering truffle fries, tuna tartar, mac n cheese and a couple more things in the past and they have always been above average (to excellent)and delicious. With the recent snow storm, Rails was a perfect treat for our anniversary. Close to home so we didnt have to drive far with ugly weather conditions and meal was perfect and romantic! Definitely recommend this place. read more

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Amazing. Food quality is superb. Service is on point. And the vibe is great no matter where you sit. Although the speakeasy is our fav!

What a great steakhouse. This was our second time visiting Rails but we decided to check out the speak easy this time around. It was much quieter downstairs and felt way more intimate. They have speciality cocktails that are not offered in the regular restaurant - so that was super cool! Our waitress was phenomenal and gave us so many great recommendations. We left super happy and full and can't wait to come back for our next meal. read more

Rails Steakhouse - Porterhouse for 2! - Steakhouses Near Me - Towaco, New Jersey

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