My wife and I stopped in here at Smith's on a Saturday afternoon in February and had a great time. This is definitely a local spot but even as first timers, we were treated as if we're there all the time. Our server, Kim, did a great job running the bar. Not only were the drinks well made, but she was super friendly. I had a bacon bleu cheese burger with onion rings and my wife had a cheeseburger with fries. Delicious! If you come here, one thing to keep in mind is that it's cash only. There is an ATM across the street at The Exchange though. After passing here so many times, we're really glad we stopped in! read more

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Review from a poor man. After finding out that this place serves food (not sure how I didn't know this previously), we decided to go. I had the Chicken Parm (with a substitute of a side salad only) and the lady had Fish and Chips Here is the pros and cons. Pros. THE PRICE FOR FOOD IS BEYOND REASONABLE!! The cocktail sauce definitely seems homemade and has a great kick to it. Fries were had a good crisp and the fish was pretty good. The side salad was very good and was a decent portion. The chicken parm and fish portion was a very healthy size. The whole ambiance of the place reminds me of places from my childhood and that makes me happy. Cons. The fish could have been a slight bit moister but over was still good. The chicken parm was a bit bland in flavor and a bit thick in breading. Coleslaw, with the fish and chips, was definitely store bought. Overall, the place is worth the stop on through if you are on a budget or like place that remind you of an era gone by. but still want to eat out. Just remember that it is a CASH ONLY place. This is worth stopping on in at least once! We will be back to try other food! read more

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Advertised as open from 12pm onwards, on the day me and my party are to come in we arrive only to find out the business just didn't get around to updating the hours in the last couple years and is closed until after 4pm. What a waste of time at a below average looking dump read more

Smith's Tavern is a family owned bar in Rockaway that serves unexpectedly delicious food. Much more than just bar food, they have a great menu for whatever your hungry for. I really like their Cheese Burgers with a ton of juicy meaty flavor. Very cool and welcoming atmosphere at "Smitty's" as we call it. Where you can grab a cold one, hang out, and shoot the shit. Remembering how things used to be and how it ain't like that anymore. It's a Damn Shame. But anyway, Thank God for places like Smitty's Tavern!! read more

Smith's Tavern - a beer can and a sign - Bars Near Me - Rockaway, New Jersey

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Food is always very good. The service is great and very friendly. It's a nice little place

What a great find! Brother and sister working behind the bar and serving, placed owned by their father and grandfather before that. Opened 1939. When my wife and I sat at the bar, the brother greeted us with "Hi, friends" and asked for our order. My wife had a Cosmo which she said was terrific and strong. We had reservations for Hibernia Inn, so couldn't stay for dinner, but we'll be back to try the food. Such a wonderful, warm, friendly atmosphere. read more

Parked, walked in, waited for over 10mins while those around me got served. Not once did I get eye contact and certainly don't feel welcomed. Nothing more to add. So if you are from elsewhere (putting that nicely) I would also suggest you look elsewhere. Otherwise, wish them well. read more

After waiting for an hour to receive our food the chicken was so over cooked it was barely edible. All four of us order something with chicken, chicken Caesar salad, grilled chicken sandwich and chicken cheese steak. They used the same over cooked dry chicken for all of us. Three of the four orders weren't correct having the wrong cheese on two and chips instead of fries on the third. This was our first and last time here. The positive is they were very nice people. read more

My wife keeps reading how good the burgers are at Smith's. Tonight she asked if we can give them a try. Sure, why not. Both of us got the bacon cheeseburger medium rare. SPOT ON! Also, ordered a mushroom bar pie and peppers bar pie (though I said pepperoni but I mumble, plus I'm trying to lose weight so it worked out). Both pies were crispy and cooked perfectly. I would post pictures but we ate the food so quick I forgot to. I highly recommend Smith's Tavern and will be going back often. Remember, support local businesses who are trying to raise the bar after being impacted by covid-19. Thanks for a great dinner! read more

I found this gem on Yelp, and am so glad I did. Had a burger fries and fresh made chicken soup... out of this world!!! Everything perfectly and correctly made the bun for the burger fantastic, how often do you say that. The decor, reminiscent of your quintessential "hole in the wall" taverns...love it!! read more

My husband and I moved to Rockaway Borough almost two years ago and this was one of our first stops. We've now had ever burger in town, as well as many other places and Smith's is BY FAR the best. If you want just a great burger, in a cozy atmosphere with a cold beer, then this is your place. We order their burgers to take home often because they are that good. This burger comes very close to Krugs in Newark. Two thumbs up! read more

Smith's Tavern - Cheeseburger and French fries (this was take-out) - Bars Near Me - Rockaway, New Jersey

Family friendly, diamond in the rough, scratch food specials......cash only! The local pub every town should have, a dying breed.

Smith's is my favorite family owned bar by far! Walking in there, I automatically feel like I belong. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the service is always fantastic, and the food is amazing! If you're looking for a little bar to grab a drink and hang out or looking for a little dinner spot, Smith's is it! They always have dinner specials, from chicken pot pie, to pastie's (TRY IT!), to their homemade meatloaf. Or if you're looking for something simple, their burgers are the BEST! When you go, ask for Kathy - she's my favorite server! read more

I love Smith's. This is our regular after work spot and I wouldn't have it any other way. Everyone who works here is awesome, the regular customers are all super friendly too. It's generally an older crowd and we are on the younger side but always feel welcome and never out of place. They always have really good soup too! read more

Shoutout to Morgan & Harry, the disco fries are lit and the bloody Mary's are fire! Good tap selection, even better shelf selection. Super friendly and warm welcoming, a bit of a drive for me to make but I make the drive for the atmosphere! Ask for Morgan, she's a great waitress read more

Smith's Tavern is a great bar with great food and service. It's my favorite place to go to meet up with friends or have dinner with family. We go for work dinners, we go whenever friends or family that have moved away come back to town. Everyone I know loves the place. The burgers, the pizza, the fish and chips, chicken fingers, cheese steak, sausage parm... love it all. Home made soups are always so good. Great lunches too with large portions. read more

Best place ever, I'm a loyal customer and would highly reccomend! Great family place, fantastic employees!!! read more

I've lived in town for over 20 years and the other night was my first time there. I had the chicken soup by recommendation from our server and I was floored. By the time my bacon cheeseburger came out, I was salivating. My burger was cooked to perfection and the fries were crisp. I immediately felt at home and will definitely be visiting again. read more

This is my favorite hometown tavern. The food is great. The burgers are delicious and the fish and chips are the best. It is a family owned Tavern that makes you feel like part of their family every time you visit. read more

Excellent service very very good homemade food Very cozy home feeling bar/restaurant Very friendly staff read more

All around a very warm and welcoming atmosphere! The people who work there always make you feel like you're right at home. Their burgers are phenomenal and the homemade soup is to die for read more

Smiths is my favorite place to go out of all the places to go in Rockaway! Everyone who works there is amazing. Super nice and very welcoming! The food is to die for! They never disappoint so if your looking for a bite to eat or drinks with some friends and family smiths is the place to go! read more

Chicken with rice soup was homemade,wholesome and hot. Burger was huge but not the best tasting I ever had. French fries were greasy. The homemade potato chips were largely thick cut baked potato slices way too thick. Ambience is a 5, but food is fair. read more

Smith's Tavern - Bars Near Me - Rockaway, New Jersey

The best burger's around! Friendly service and pub-like atmosphere. No credit cards accepted means it's a local favorite. Homemade soups are the best. Steak is always done to our request (medium rare). Homemade chili is my husbands favorite as well as the chicken parmigiana. French fries are a little underdone so as for them well done. Family owned and operated and their prices are reasonable. Love this place! read more

Local family run place that has been there forever and refuses to change with the times. A great place for a burger and a beer during the week or you take advantage of their specials on the weekends (go for the prime rib or chicken parm) It's dark and cozy with a German feel to it and it will always have a soft spot in my heart. It's not fine dining at all but a great place to go for food and drinks without breaking the bank. read more

Smith's has the best burgers and soups. I don't even ask what the soup of the day is anymore, I just order and always love it. They also make a great turkey club and bar pie pizza. Great portions for a good price and a welcoming atmosphere for anyone! read more

Simply great food it's one of those places don't let it fool you! The food is incredible cash only but it's worth the atmosphere. I recommend the Burgers but everything is great! read more

This place is awesome. Conviently located right across Main Street from its rival, The Exchange, this place has been around for more than 70 years and hasn't changed that much. Go here for the burgers...they are big and juicy. While you're there...get a beer or wine at the store. read more

People rave about the burgers here. They are good. Other pub fare looked good as well. No craft beer on tap, mostly AB. Place also is a liquor store so they will serve you bottled beer that they sell in the store. We had Sam Adams Rebel IPA. Reasonably priced, not sure but they may be cash only. Family owned and the people are really nice. 3-1/2 stars read more

My fiancé and I love coming here on Friday nights and sometimes Sat afternoon. Food is good and we always start with the toasted meatballs. We have had burgers and pizza as well, both very good. Not many beer options on tap but you can go into the connected liquor store and pick any thing you want. Prices are good. Family owned - love that, very friendly and we like the dark rustic atmosphere, it's very welcoming and homey and comfortable. No complaints! read more

Underrated. Yeah it doesn't look great; and I do not know who watches golf on tv in a bar, with animal heads on the wall. The parking lot looks like a hillbilly convention, but the chicken parm, burgers, nachos do not leave you shot changed and are actually decent to very good; which is almost impossible for NJ. The beer selection I poor, but can get by. read more

No credit cards means it's a "regulars" bar. My kind of place. Skewer chicken is my favorite! Love this place.

I love smith's tavern. Family owned and operated, and it never disappoints. The burgers are fantastic, and the soup is fresh and homemade. Their lunch specials are great- I love the turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato wrap. Generous portions, always fairly priced. read more

Kitschy decor. Waitress was friendly, but had to repeat it a few times for her to remember. Limited menu. I went with the prime rib special, figuring if it was on special it had to be fresh. Well, maybe it was, at one time, but that night wasnt the night. Ordered it medium and you could tell it spent a little too much time spinning in the microwave. There was a small puddle of juice on top of the meat and there was definitely no "pink" in the center. It was flavorless and not served with any "au jus" on the side nothing to create flavor. My husband ordered a taco pizza. Other than the flavorless typical taco toppings, it was served on a pizza crust that had absorbed any/all juices and was quite soggy. Not what comes to mind when you think taco. Should have just ordered a burger, but from what I have read, they arent all that great either. I guess since this place caters to a much older crowd who are either half in the bag, have lost the use of their taste buds or have high blood pressure, maybe this is acceptable to their current clientele. We are new to the area and looking to find our regular spot. The search continues. read more