A bacon cheeseburger, a Raging Bull, and an Ironbound tavern. It sounds like the setup to a Jeopardy! clue, but it all comes together when you discover that Jake LoMatta's favorite second cousin sits proprietor over one of Jersey's best burgers in the Portuguese section of Newark. I of course joke about the famed boxers relationship but I can confirm this Newark institution packs a championship punch where it counts. For decades, Krug's Tavern has been proving that a neighborhood bar with a small well-seasoned grill is sometimes all you need. Without any unnecessary fanfare, they've been serving truly exceptional burgers to Newark locals and hungry visitors from across North Jersey, and there's no sign of slowing down. I stopped in one afternoon on the recommendation of a friend who works for the utility company and had spent more than a few lunch hours beneath Krug's dimly lit ceilings. Within a few bites, it was easy to understand why the place has earned such a devoted following. The Shrimp Scampi may sound like an unusual order off the bar menu, but don't overlook it. It's outstanding and deserves a place on the table no matter what else you're eating. Better yet, ask for the house "secret sauce"--a glorious combination of the scampi butter and Buffalo sauce that somehow works far better than it has any right to. When it comes to burgers, the quintessential Jersey Taylor Ham burger is a must, delivering that perfect salty, smoky bite only New Jersey can truly appreciate. The bacon cheeseburger is equally memorable, piled high with crispy bacon and juicy enough to make napkins less of a suggestion and more of a necessity. Pair any of it with an ice-cold draft beer, soak in the neighborhood atmosphere, and you'll quickly understand why Krug's Tavern has become a North Jersey institution. It's proof that great burgers don't need gimmicks--just a hot grill, cold beer, and decades of doing things the right way. It's bound to be a good time, an IRONbound good time (I'll see myself out) read more

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Krug's is GREAT! The burgers are huge, juicy, and packed with flavor. Honestly, they're just phenomenal. The melted cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion on a perfectly toasted bun? So good. And they serve complimentary pickles and hot peppers on the side, which really sets it off. You literally don't even need fries with this burger -- it's more than enough. I ordered a whole one and could only eat half. My friend and I even said we should've just shared one! We started with the garlic fried shrimp scampi. The flavor was definitely there, though the shrimp were just a tad tough. I ordered a lemon berry Arnold Palmer, which didn't really impress me -- but I wasn't there for the drinks. I came for the burger, and I was more than satisfied. The prices were fair, and you get a small discount if you pay cash. They have their own parking lot behind the building (not the supermarket one), which is a big plus because parking in that area can be rough. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and I loved how everyone helped each other instead of just one assigned server handling everything. TVs all around, music playing, people laughing and enjoying is what you'll find here! It's kid friendly so bring the fam with ya! I will definitely be back. If you're a burger lover, I highly recommend this spot! read more

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Great old school dive bar with awesome huge burgers . The fried shrimp scampi app was really good. Save the sauce to dip your burger in or ask for the sauce on your burger - inside tip!! The burger is huge and juicy!! The fries and onion ring mixed basket is the way to go. They cook everything in a small space behind the bar. Definitely a place to try!!!! read more

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I had been looking forward to this dive bar and killer burger, about 30 min from home. Father's Day was a great reason. I could have finished one of their 3/4 pound burgers myself but my wife, daughter and shared jalapeño poppers, onion rings wings (special sauce) and a burger -- and left room for Nasto's Ice Cream a few minutes away. I especially love that the bun is thin, helping to enjoy the burger more. read more

Krug's Tavern - Krug's famous 3/4 pound burger - Dive Bars Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

The @OldPubClub found our way to Krug's Tavern, located at 118 Wilson Avenue in Newark's Ironbound district. It was established in March 1932 by Frank and Laura Krug. Operating out of a building erected around 1900 "Down Neck", this legendary neighborhood pub still houses its original 1930s bar. Upon Frank Krug's death, the business was willed to his daughter, Edna Krug LaMotta, and her husband, Casper. The tavern is still owned today by the 4th generation of the Lamotta family who are related to the legendary middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta. The #OldPubClub chowed down on some tasty burgers and Italian hotdogs and a bar pie as an appetizer. We also had our usual cocktails . This is a classic city bar that probably hasn't changed much 100 years in all of the right ways. @Krugs_Tavern #KrugsTavern #NewarkNJ read more

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Freezing outside and dark by 4:30PM.... Nothing like a Krugs burger to cheer you up and warm your belly. Claudia is the best, she always remembers what we want to drink. Plenty of parking behind building, very friendly crowd. read more

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Super casual place with a parking lot and low-key vibe ( that is a positive and enjoyable) We sat at the bar -we haven't been here in a very long time. The staff were upbeat, super nice, and attentive. ( also considerate about allergies too) We came in hungry and started with some salads since it takes a while for the burgers since which are pretty thick. The burgers were very good and we had fries and onion rings as well. I couldn't even finish my pretty big salad or the large burger. The burger was done perfectly as ordered and we all enjoyed our food and drinks. The place had music on but at a level that was not too loud that we could still hear each other talking. The bar also had TVs with sports on. The staff clearly enjoyed their jobs with their positive, cheerful energy and smiles as I came in hungry and cranky ...it was contagious. Enjoy. read more

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Best burger, and great burger selection, place has a small grill that really keeps the flavor and the burgers are big and yummy, service is always excellent, and the jalapeño poppers when they have them are really great too, really great atmosphere too. read more

We only had time for one spot when we visited Newark and I'm glad I got to stop at Krugs! We sat at the bar at one of the high top tables. Plenty of seating around 5:30pm but it did start to get busy after 6. Our waitress/bartender was friendly and patient. Always checking in on us as well. The grill is located in the bar and it's in a very small corner of the bar but that is where the magic happens! I ordered a bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions. I asked for medium and it came out so perfect. Juicy and such a good size patty that I was not able to finish the burger at all. We had also ordered a side of mozzarella sticks so that probably took some room in the belly beforehand. I ended up buying a t-shirt as well and I was just ultimately super happy and satisfied with my dinner. Parking might seem daunting when you arrive. The restaurant does have a designated parking lot but that also gets pretty filled up too. read more

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We haven't been here in over 10years. Stopped in for lunch. Greeted and seated right away. Our waiter was amazing, unfortunately didn't get his name but he said he's been working there for over 20yrs. He was very attentive and very friendly. We each ordered a cheeseburger which was out of this world! They were juice, big and thick. My husband ordered onion rings which is not my thing but I tasted one and very good. Cheesy fries were good as well! Hasn't lost its touch and will definitely return! read more

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Hubby has been wanting to try it for a while so we went for Valentine's Day. Service was on point and approached us quickly. We started with the mozzarella sticks and the wings with secret sauce (combo of scampi sauce & buffalo sauce). Both were delicious! As a main he got the bacon cheeseburger which he said was really good and I got the chicken parm which was a huge portion, loved that. I could definitely tell the sauce was authentic and a family recipe. Typical bar setting and perfect if you're a sports fan. read more

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Great burger and beverage selection. Went on a Saturday around 3PM and it wasn't extremely busy, but lively. We were greeted right away and offered side table, but opted to sit at the bar. You can see the burgers being cooked right there since there isn't a kitchen in the back, maybe just a pizza oven? The burgers are massive, fresh, juicy, and flavorful. I asked for my burger medium and it came out just that, had an excellent crust as well. My BF was very impressed with his bacon burger. Don't skip on the pickle! The service was great our entire meal. The vibe was awesome as well, chill with games on surrounded by good convo & smiles. Krug's is a gem. read more

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This is an old school pub style restaurant. Heard Jake LaMatta the boxer used to frequent this location, very cool. I love the old school feel of the history of this restaurant. Ordered the cheesesteak sandwich which was not bad. A little thicker would have been nice, but it was hot and had flavor. Always love steak fries. Came out hot crispy on outside and soft and chewy inside. Perfect for the Smokey bbq sauce they served. Peppers had some nice heat, touch of sweetness and full flavor. Pickle was a pickle, but in partial slices. A nice touch to start the meal off. Washed down with a Corona and lime and some water. Service was on top of things and knowledgeable of menu, friendly and nice. Would come back again! read more

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I've been to Krugs about 5-6 times since my initial review a few years back. Last week was the epitome of disappointment, so much of it controllable by the establishment. We waited for ten minutes in a running vehicle to find an open parking space, which becomes relevant later on in my review. Once parked, we were disappointed to not find four bar seats, but we did arrive at lunchtime on a bustling Tuesday between the holidays. Prime vacation time for many. We were seated in the back room, first time ever. The real issue resides with our server, who was just about the worst I've ever encountered. He had distinctive features, so if the owner/manager wants to contact me for quality purposes I will elaborate. This man couldn't care less about any customer back there. He would only look forward (once we caught him staring at the ceiling) as he walked back and forth. Server 101- sidescan your tables and look for opportunity to raise revenue. You may see an empty pitcher, soda, or other. Nope, couldn't care less. When we ordered two fries and two onion ring plates, his response was "whoa, that's a lot of food." Are you kidding me?? A restaurant manager would flip out if they heard a server dissuading customers from ordering. We were really hungry and willing to bring the difference home, idiot!! I saw several tables begging for their checks just to get out of there. SLOW is the new norm for this guy. Owner - this man is in the WRONG role in your time-tested establishment. Please contact me and we can discuss, but he could be better served as a barback or busboy. His interaction with the paying public should be a bare minimum. Check out the photo of my friend's rare hamburger. Two out of four of the hamburgers received that day were not close to requested temperature. Come on Krugs, you have about 100 years of excellence working for you, this just should not happen. I'm now concerned about boasting about this place to friends like I have been for three years. God forbid they experience same. Now, the fun....we leave a really unpleasant dining experience to find that my vehicle was blocked in by not one, but two other cars. Selfish bastards who decided to park behind legitimately parked cars to serve their own purposes. They chose not to wait as I did. Now I had to dispatch one of our party to go back in the bar and survey who's vehicles they were. I have not a stitch of proof on this, but something tells me the staff are aware of this activity and don't frown upon it. A camera facing the parking lot would serve a lot of good in policing this. It took close to 10 minutes to have the owners move their cars, just BS. I'll be back, but there is no way I would sit in that server's section again. I'm 40 minutes away, I'd simply walk out. Do better Krugs. read more

I finally made it to Krug's Tavern in Newark's Ironbound, and it did not disappoint! I tried both the hamburger and cheeseburger. Each was perfectly cooked, juicy, and minimal flavorful without being overwhelming. Fantastic beer selection on tap (Kane, IPA's, Octoberfest etc) Their prices are reasonable. The atmosphere is very casual and welcoming, with friendly staff and TVs showing sports, which added to the experience. The place is clean and well-kept, which I appreciated. They also have their own parking lot, but if it's full, street parking can be a little tricky to find. Overall, Krug's is a great spot for that classic burger experience. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Excited to try the famous Krug's Tavern known for their best burgers and it didn't disappoint! We got some pickles and spicy peppers for the table to start, a round of nice cold draft beers to pair. Got the wings and special sauce, seems to be like a hot and scampi (?) - either way, highly recommend because they weren't spicy but an enjoyable kick (I hate anything spicy!). Lastly our burgers were delivered, not a long wait as it was a Wed at 430p. Service was superb and the ambiance is exactly what you would expect. Overall, try this place out if it's possible! read more

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Our server was RUDE! Daughters asked for ketchup and he said why can't you grab it yourself! The burgers were thick and dry. We decided to get coke instead of the water we asked for. That seemed to upset him. After waiting for an extended time to get them. We were traveling from the west coast have to say he was not a good server. read more

Krug's Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

This lives up to its hype! My colleagues brag about the calamari I The portions are amazing and the food was great We sat at the bar and split a MASSIVE Burger I hope they bring me back! read more

Best buffalo wings and buffalo shrimp. The special sauce is everything. So good. Their burgers are plentiful. I have to share mine with my fiancé when I go. The service is friendly and I love the vibe. It's just a chill and relaxing time. Definitely check them out. read more

Krug's Tavern - Buffalo Shrimp!! Very good - Dive Bars Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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A food and local staple for ever and it deserves to remain so. We stopped in on a rainy day at work and we absolutely had a great meal while seated at the bar. The staff was great and we never waited on a single thing. The bartender was also our server and she was perfect. Not a beat missed. If you've never eaten here before, don't miss out on the burger. It's really going to be the best you've had in maybe forever. Honorable mentions go to the onion rings, the shrimp with garlic sauce and the calamari. All of them tremendous. The feel inside is like a place you feel you've known forever. You feel welcome and relaxed. The staff makes sure that you feel like you'd like to be back soon. Excellent meal and I can't wait to see them again soon. read more

To be quite honest with anyone that's reading this review, I thought this tavern's food would be a little bit better than it was. After reading ton of reviews about this establishment and how good it's burgers and other dishes were, I was pretty let down. Not only was the service lacking (we literally waited 25 minutes for someone to take our order). The staff seemed somewhat bothered to be doing their job and it was difficult to even get a refill on our beers. As for the ambience of the place, it's pretty basic. Really nothing to write home about. The place is just no frills. Anyway, let's talk about the food. The burgers in my opinion were mediocre at best. And as for the mozzarella sticks, french fries and onion rings, seemed that they were fried in rancid oil (pretty disgusting). I truly will not bother choosing this establishment ever again. And I highly suggest that you strongly consider this dining option before you spend your hard earned money on a place that's just middle of the road. read more

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One of the best burgers in Jersey, but remember to bring your appetite. This place has been here forever and doesn't disappoint. read more

Krug's Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

Yes the burger is very good here and there is nothing fancy about it. In fact if you have cleanliness issues do NOT watch the guy preparing your food because there is some cross contamination definitely going on here. No glove, etc but I know I have eaten much worse in my food. Burger was excellent and I could only eat half of it because it is HUGE. Definitely worth splitting with someone else. If you aren't hungry get the fries and burger and split it with a friend that you actually like :) I will be honest I am used to Midwest pricing not east coast so I was in a little sticker shock for $14 bucks for a Stoli vodka cocktail because when I see "dive bar" I expect lower drink prices. Burger wasn't cheap either at $13 without fries. Again I am not used to NY/NJ pricing. The ambience is definitely that of a dive bar - not too dirty or divey but just enough. I sat at the bar and had decent service from the bartenders. Food was delivered in a reasonable time. It was a good stop before I got on my vacation and met up with others in my group. If I am back in Newark again I would stop back. read more

Krug's Tavern - The reason I came here! - Dive Bars Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

They aren't lying. Best burger I've ever had. Can't recommend enough, appetizers are good too!

Here's the deal. Krug's is an institutional place! Old dark bar/tavern (they did expand the back for more seating) Wings are crispy! The burger is massive (15 napkins easy) flavorful! fresh! All kinds of people here! Absolutely worth a trip to try. read more

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Really good bar food with nice portions and good prices. Old school local bar feel. Service is cool but parking is scarce af. This was my second time here and I'd definitely return and suggest this spot to others. The burgers are COLOSSAL!! Their wings are good too and the special sauce (pause) is delectable. The shrimp looked good too and I'll definitely give those a try next trip! read more

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Krug's Tavern is a no-frills, old-school Newark institution that's been serving since 1932. Located in the Ironbound neighborhood, this family-run dive bar might look unassuming from outside, but it's a local treasure. Classic dive bar atmosphere with wood-paneled walls, vintage beer signs, and well-worn bar stools. It's small, often crowded, and wonderfully unpretentious. The regular crowd is a mix of blue-collar workers, locals, and in-the-know foodies. The star here is their legendary burger - a massive 12oz patty that's been featured on multiple food shows. The burgers are perfectly seasoned and cooked to order. The crispy fries and classic bar appetizers are solid too. Don't expect fancy plating; everything comes on paper plates. Pro Tips: Come during off-peak hours if you want to avoid the wait The burger is enough for two people to share Cash only, so hit the ATM beforehand Try ordering it with Taylor ham for a true New Jersey experience read more

Krug's Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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Krug's Tavern in Newark's Ironbound serves the best cheeseburger in New Jersey, a huge, juicy 12 oz. patty that's pure perfection. The dive bar has a cool, old-school pub vibe with wood-paneled walls, packed with locals and food fans. Service is quick and solid, though not overly friendly. Try the crispy onion rings or hot shrimp on the side. Parking's tricky--use the back lot and side door. Krug's is a must for a killer burger in a chill, historic spot! read more

Classic old-school Tavern serving freshly prepared food . Classic 12 oz Burger doesn't disappoint. No Special Sauce needed the quality of the meat of the stands out. Medium Rare perfection with a fresh roll, plenty of juice. Onion +Tomato only.. Juicy, flavorful.. served with fresh steak fries. Great service as well read more

Krug's Tavern - Pickles - Dive Bars Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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Was looking for a late night spot and saw Krug's had a good burger! We sat at the bar and ordered Buffalo wings, a cheeseburger, fries, and a beer. The wings were delicious and super crispy despite being coated with Buffalo sauce. The burger was cooked to our liking - medium rare and we got a giant pickle and hot peppers on the side too. We really enjoyed the food! Taking off a star because we were given water bottles when asked for water and the bartender claimed that's how they serve water (for $2!! A bottle), which is absurd at a bar! read more

Krug's Tavern - Cheeseburger - Dive Bars Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

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Exactly what I expected, exactly what I wanted, exactly what I got. Loved it. Tremendous burger. If I lived near there, I'd be in at least once a week for it. read more

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Your friendly, consistent neighborhood bar. Parking can be an issue but we found some street parking and took a stroll over. Burger was delicious. Wings were large and filled me up as my lunch entree. Kane and Fiddlehead are the options for craft. One small kitchen so if it's busy food will take a lil. Great vibe and service! read more

Excited to go and try one of the most famous burgers in NJ. Ordered some apps as a burger can take at least 30 mins to be served. Buffalo wings, buffalo shrimp and calamari. Wings and shrimp all fried to perfection. Very salty. Still good. Burgers came out in about 35 minutes as expected. Bacon cheeseburger for me. Cooked perfectly medium rare. Tasty and huge. I was disappointed and the reason why is I expected something out of this world....the food was good, but personally I feel like you can find a comparable burger at any good diner. Must add, the prices were very reasonable and the older gentleman who was our server was a rockstar. Food and service were good, just don't see the fuss. read more

THE place for a burger. Be prepared to wait if they're busy, but worth it. Relaxed local bar vibe.

Great neighborhood tavern!!! If you're lucky to find a parking spot this place is well worth your time and money. Some of the best wings and a great big burger are what we sampled with several drinks from the bar. The grill area is just behind the bar so I enjoyed dinner and a show for sure. Mikaela and Claudia kept the drinks flowing just like we asked prior to air port departure. Wings were perfectly cooked and crunchy. Enjoyed the secret sauce seemed like a mix of their buffalo and scampi but I could be wrong. Burgers are what they are known for and it states 30 mins to get from order. I don't think it took that lolong but I could see if they had several orders working ththat would be true. Great seemed to have a killer to go food order business going too!! This is definitely on my near newark airport go here list!!! read more

Food, service and ambiance is one of a kind. Classic pub! This place is unmatched! 2nd to none! read more

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Cool spot, good service, even in the back room. I liked the wings and the Bacon Cheeseburger was good too. Divey kind of atmosphere which I enjoy, but I'm glad the bathroom was clean! Would return. read more

Best burger Best wings Best steak fries Beat pickles Best staff Best place ever!! Oh and Best beer!! read more

Krug's Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Newark, New Jersey

Food here is always great however their service lacks ! They seem to not want to be there Or help I was disappointed I've been coming here for 25 years They had specials all the month of March on shots We ordered doubles about (4) We never were told that ordering the doubles would exclude us from the shot specials if we were aware we would have ordered shots separately! When we did ask at the end he said too bad that's not how it works --/- bring the old staff back or new ones read more

I've been to this place several times as it is right up the block from my current job. I've only had the bacon cheeseburger and the wings here and both did not disappoint. The wings have some type of special sauce on it and the sauce is delicious, it kind of tastes like a scampi sauce, something that I'm not used to with wings. I loved it. The burger comes huge. Probably about a half a pound and will definitely fill you up. The burgers are made to order and you can see the woman cooking behind the bar. So if you're in a rush, this place is not for you. It takes roughly about a half hour for your burger to come out. These are not smash burgers, but they are huge burgers that you can have cooked medium rare. They are so juicy that the bread starts becoming soggy towards the end of you eating the burger. This place has been here for roughly 100 years which is incredible to think about. They have their own parking lot which is nice because in this area it's kind of hard to get parking. We came here once on a Tuesday at lunch time and there was no one in here so it was a perfect day to come. Another day we came was a Friday and it was slammed and it took us about an hour to eat. I don't mind because I wasn't in a rush to go back to work LOL. Our waiter or waitress was always on point and very nice. As long as I'm on my current job, I will probably be coming to this bar at least once a week for the foreseeable future. Hope to see you there. read more

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