Showed up 1/2 hour before a football game. There were 4 sears open. As I sat in the seat I was told the seats were reserved. Patron said owner said it was ok. Bar ethics first come first serve. read more

Zupkos doesn't look like much when you walk by but the food here is great! It's a low key, dive-y hang and not only is the food great but the service is as well. There are too many favorites for me to list. Highly recommend the nordy wings, garbage fries, and pizza. Karaoke on Thursday nights are a blast. Very reasonably priced. I typically order wine which is typical house blends. Happy hour specials are well portioned and inexpensive. Looking forward to hanging out at Zups again read more

We have only ordered food from Zupko's a handful of times but they will now be our go to for pizza night! We asked them if they would make a Captain America Pizza for my sons birthday and they went above and beyond to make my three year old's birthday extra special!! Everyone also loved the pizza and went back for a third and forth slice. Thank you so much!! read more

Zupkos definitely has the best wings! Fun place to come and watch a football game and enjoy their wings and pizza. Lots of televisions with all the games on. This is the place to come for Z best bar food. During football season there is a special $6 menu that includes a fish platter, wings, personal pie, burger, etc. Very good deal but just know 18% gratuity is included in the check. read more

"The diviest of dives" is how I generally explain this Dunellen staple, but perhaps that's a misnomer now-a-days. I've been a Wednesday regular for at least a year now (I'd occasionally show up for Wings beforehand, but my general crowd has been a Wings-night regular crowd for longer than me). Things are different now than when I was first introduced to Zupko's. It's still definitely a dive bar with its cheap prices, local clientele and limited beer list, but over the past three months things have changed - and in my opinion, for the better. About three or four months ago, Zupko's came under new management (though same owners), and slowly I've been noticing changes. The tavern now has a beer list sorted by ABV (which is delightful for an alchie like me). They have also introduced a wine list because, let's be honest, that joke from literally every movie involving a dive about serving both kinds of wine: red and white is a little tired, and there is no real downside to having variety in wines if that is your cup-o'-tea. The kitchen has been moved and where it formerly was has been converted into a back room with a front-ward facing to-go area if you decide you just want the food and not the atmosphere. And let me tell you, the food is delicious. Some people here are complaining that the Wings Night prices have gone up from $0.25. I have slowly noticed that increase, but I completely understand. Inflation, economies changing, and also in general chicken prices have increased. It's still an excellent deal, and the chicken tastes delicious with sauces including Mild, Hot, Scorpion, teriyaki, scampi, and "Norty" which is the sauce made by the big, lovable bear of a bartender by the same name. If you see him, offer him a hug. The "Norty sauce" is a big draw and absolutely something worth trying at least once. Outside of wings, I absolutely love Zupko's pizza. I lived in a... let's call it a "pizza desert" for 8 years, and coming back to NJ has made me appreciate Zupko's pizza even more. Up until recently wings and pizza were pretty much all I ever tried, but I've been branching out lately. Tuesdays has $2 tacos, though I haven't tried those yet. I've tried the Z-burger, and it is fantastic. Also, their pierogies 100% get my stamp of approval. I definitely intend on trying out more off the actual menu in the future. You will notice I've really only mentioned Wings night. They also have Pong night on Thursdays starting around 10/10:30, but I have only been twice. The nightly crowds tend to be pretty singular. There's the Wednesday night crowd, and then there's the Thursday night crowd, and from what I have seen there isn't much crossover between. That being said, while Wings night is a nice way to relax and chill with friends, Pong night is a bit more of a party, and everyone there is super chill and friendly, so really it depends on what your speed is. Big props goes to the guy who organizes and runs Pong Night for putting up with my shit when I was shouting "FUCKING QWAIN" all night. One downside right now is there seems to be a decently high turnover rate for the staff. Many of the wait staff and bartenders were on only for the summer, so right now is sort of a changing of the guard. The staff that is staying is awesome, as are the people coming on, though probably for the next month or so you will see people training, or perhaps still a little green with their system. That's to be expected and doesn't really bother me at all. That being said, the people who have been there a while are all awesome, and if you are going to be there, take the time to get to know them. Oh, and tip well. So I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that the Dunellen Theater is attached to the bar. Watch a movie with a pitcher in front of you, all that good jazz. This also means the bar is a great place for a night cap after watching a movie. For families, I wouldn't say Zupko's is the /most/ child-friendly restaurant ever. It's certainly not a family-style restaurant a-la Applebee's, but that's okay. That being said, I have seen children's birthday parties there, and everyone seemed to be having fun. Also, I have seen families eating there no problem, just please understand this is still absolutely a bar and restaurant. So now that I have written pretty much a small novel on my favorite local food joint, let me sum-up. Zupko's is a dive that is slowly getting classier without, in my opinion, losing that dive feel I've come to enjoy. It's nice enough for families to come and eat, and maybe a date (though I wouldn't recommend a first date). The food is excellent, the crowds are fun, the wait staff is, in my opinion, getting better. If you didn't like Zupko's before, give it another try now. If you're a regular and you're unhappy with the changes, give it some time. I think they will grow on you. One final note: The jukebox is the best here. You legitimately have no idea what is going to play next. read more

The wings are great for there special on Wednesday nights after 8, however the service on the other hand is awful. I have never seen so many individuals behind a bar that can't get it together, we ordered with the guy, who put in the wrong food, didn't apologize and was like oh when he realized he was wrong. Then the female blond bartender stuck her hands into the wrong food brought out, french fries, ATE ONE, and when they realized who the fries were for STILL gave them to the other customer after having her fingers in the food. We ordered 2 waters, which he forgot to bring us and had to ask the other bartender. They all have an attitude about them like they don't want you to be there. If the food wasn't as good as it is for a local bar, we wouldn't be returning simply because of the service and the very long wait read more

From the looks outside.. this bar looks like a dive and well from the inside its not so pretty either. The food though.. is AMAZING! It takes them a while to get it out to you because the bartender is who is waiting on you and as well as tending to the regulars at the bar. Is a great place to take some friends on a friday night and have some drinks and some good food. The movie theater next door is also part of zupkos.. though I have never experienced it since the merge I hear nothing but good things about it. read more

This place has potential but they take over an hour to bring your food out. I've had a terrible experience where we've waited for over half n hour and had to ask for the check and leave. All I ordered was wings and was very very very disappointed. read more

Food is great, but I came on a Friday night at 10pm thinking the kitchen would be open. Guess what? They were serving slices of pizza! That's ridiculous, it's a Friday night and the kitchen should be open a little longer especially on weekends. Once the slices are finished it's over..... you won't be eating! read more

This place has amazing pizza; especially their buffalo chicken pizza. If you're ever in Dunellen please visit this gem !!! read more

Zupko's Tavern - New American Near Me - Dunellen, New Jersey

Don't tell, but my husband and I have been cheating on our regular dive bar/pizzeria for quite some time now at Zupko's :) Being new to Dunellen, we have tried pretty much every bar in town and Zupko's has, by far, the best food. It's not the best looking place from the outside, but the inside is very nice. I've read some of the reviews about staff being rude or whatever but maybe those posts are old because we never had anyone who wasn't super friendly (our fav is Kate she is adorbs). Probably gained 5 lbs because of this place! I literally DREAM about their chicken cheese steak. read more

I can't believe I have to post a bad review about this place. It's not the food that gives this place a bad taste in my mouth. In fact the food is excellent. It's the order process that sucks. I know you want to know what happened. Well I placed an order like I usually do because I like there food. Had to tell the girl my name 3 times. Ok good. Now for my order. Some pizza and wings. 25-30 minutes she tell me. Knowing it's never ready then I waited 45 only to be told whoever she was never put my order in. Now I have to wait another 40 minutes. To feed 3 hungry children . Do call in orders mean anything to this business? Cause if you take an order try putting it into the system. Customer service is very important not being social with your friends read more

Food, Service, Entertainment are great. Bar Maids and Bar Tenders are 1st class read more

I have to say, this place has come along way. After the renovation it is simply night and day. The atmosphere is much more inviting, as is the service. I ordered a margarita pizza - it was in front of me in no less than ten minutes, and my drink was poured immediately. I am a pizza lover (most people are), but the pizza here is nothing short of amazing. For a "dive bar" this place is worth it and can't be missed. read more

Was my favorite place until today. Waitress extremely rude and rushing me and my friends to order after telling us we couldn't order off a coupon we had from T-Mobile Tuesday. You would think after a while they would know who you are and honor the coupon which has their name stamped all over it. Extremely disappointed, will be a while till I come back here. read more

The wings here are really good as is most of the other food on the menu. As far as the bar goes, however, if you aren't a regular the bartenders act like you aren't even sitting there - even on slow days. I've always waited patiently until I've been on the verge of getting up and leaving (usually after 5+ minutes without a single acknowledgement) before someone finally wanders by to take my order. Maybe I've just been unlucky and have yet to encounter a bartender here who at least pretends to want my business, but after about a dozen times with the same outcome I don't think it's me. The drinks are quite cheap, though - so you get what you pay for I suppose. Food is great, bartenders not so much. read more

I've been going to Zupko's on and off for a long time. Yes, the food is good and the beer is cheap. But the service is glacially slow at times. I've been there during lunch, off hours, and rush hour and I can say that even with a few people at the bar, your food takes 15-20 minutes to get out, your beer glass will sit empty for 10-15 before it's filled again. All the while, a bartender keeps walking by and practically ignoring you. This has happened with several of the barkeeps and I'm a pretty decent tipper. So what gives? Is pulling a tap and filling a glass really THAT difficult? Am I a leper? Do I smell? No, it's just the incompetence of the staff. Don't go there unless you have several hours to kill, are waiting for your laundry, or are hiding from your wife. If you really want to be ignored, stay home and buy a 6 pack. It's cheaper and much less frustrating. read more

Not sure what some mean by "dive bar". You wouldn't know a dive bar if it bit you if you consider Zupko's one. Go check out The Flame in Portsmouth, Va if you want to see a real dive bar. Just kidding. The Flame is long gone ('80s) but my point remains. More locally, check out the Anchor about a mile and a half down 28 in Plainfield. THAT'S a dive bar folks. Zupkos is a decent neighborhood bar. They need to understand that's what they are and shouldn't be charging $6 for a "craft" beer like Blue Moon. Do they think they are some fancy bar/restaurant charging that much ? Blue moon should be priced at $4 a pint (well, what used to be a pint) like Avellino's and Maggie Murray's charge for same. I also wish they would skip the guy playing the acoustic guitar on some weekend nights. Frankly he's not very good and he's way too loud. Last time I went in there, he was playing I walked right out. Not interested in having to shout over his bad music in order to talk to the person next to me. Better option would be to let customers play the juke read more

Been sitting for 45 min and server came to us once and we're still waiting to order our food.. Well done

I like the old man bar feel and the food. The pizza is the best thin crust around. But the service has really gone downhill during the past year. read more

Had a great time for my friends birthday last night. It was pretty packed for a Thursday night #thirstythursday. Drinks were pretty cheap, I had a cranberry and vodka for $7 which is amazing compared to the city prices that I am use to lol. Mostly town locals but everyone is friendly & if you like to play beer pong this is the place for you. I've heard good things about the food but didn't get the chance to try it. It will be on my to do list next time. read more

The "Norty" wings are the Best Wings HANDS DOWN! With the cheap .40 wings on wing night and the friendly staff, this place was a very pleasant surprise! read more

The best pizza around. Thin crust with just right right combination of sauce and cheese. I just wish they were closer to where I live.

Go Tracy, Go Tracy. She hit the nail on the head!!!! Yummy Buffalo wraps. Jane hey have $1. beers and a $5. lunch during the week that comes with beer. How you doing? I had the flounder on a hardroll w potato chips, cole slaw a pickle and beer for $$$$5. dolllars. Hello. That was awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Its a sports bar with alot of old heads in there but never the less a kewl pit stop! I will be hitting there once again! http://www.zupkostavern.com/index.html read more

I need to respond to Donna's post, Danielle is a very good bartender, I have been in the restaurant business all my life. Danielle is very good with her customers, she is funny and very personable, Donna have you heard plastic bags are not good for our environment, also falling asleep at the bar and walking out without paying, really classy read more

All I have to say is: lunch specials. Sandwich + fries and a beer for $5. The wings are the best. Pro-tip: you can order them as a lunch special and get an extra beer (our waitress suggested this). read more

I have been a fairly regular customer at Zupko's, and after being spoken to like I was the other night by Jarod, I will never go there again. The food is marginal and the service weak at best. Most of the people who work there are not very friendly, barely making any eye contact, and behaving as though I'm putting them out for doing their jobs. I once "timed" how long it would take for someone to notice that I was sitting at the bar (there were about 15 people there at the time) and I waited for EIGHT MINUTES!!! It's very unfortunate, because this is one of the only local bars in the area. It is my opinion that when you are in the service industry, you provide good service!!!! The management is truly pathetic. read more

Good lunch specials (5 buck's for a burger, beer and sides) and quality pizza. Was upset when I saw the wings by their size and style but boy was I wrong. I would say its some of the best wings I've ever had. read more

Outstanding thin crust pizza, really worth going out of you way for it too. You can eat in, take out or eat while watching a movie next door at the Dunellen Theatre. Friendly staff as well. The only drawback is that because this is thin crust and just so good, it's really easy to eat more than you normally might! read more

Small but neat and clean.. Drinks are good and the prices are cheap.. I would definitely recommended going here for a quick bite or some drinks with some friends... read more

Best Dive bar in the area. My boyfriend and I love to go there to watch the game or to just have a chill night. I never expected to have good food at a dive bar but everything I have had is awesome! Great bar pies and the wings are delicious. Best sauce options I have ever seen. Get the Norty or the Scampi sauce. They are the best! Also they have the usual domestics on tap but they have a great craft beer list as well. read more

After doing a review of the negative I had to review what people are actually going for and not just my feelings on the time they are serving till. Zups has come a long way in improving the quality of their food. I have been going to Zupko's for quite a long time as I remember going to see Cool Runnings in their movie theater. This place has done a complete transformation with the food they serve. You can get anything on the menu and be pleased if not amazed by the flavor. Order a quesadilla and think your just getting a quesadilla, Oh No. The flavor is like no other and tastes nothing like your common quesadilla. The pirogies also pack a punch of flavor and are homemade and are as amazing as the meatballs. The Pizza, Forget about it. Drop you right off your bar stool. Then there is the zwings. The combos of flavors that they have are just amazing especially the chipotle ranch. Remember to get an extra side of the chipotle ranch sauce, that stuff is pure gold. Keep it up Zups and get that kitchen open later. read more

I've had the pizza and wings when I've been to the movie theater next door- they are the best in the area.

Food is great and afterwards we tried out the attached theater afterwards. May have to bring kids for here for a birthday party and adult parents could stay and eat at the bar until it's over. Not a bad idea! read more

This is more of an update. I haven been coming here since 2012 for there Wednesday 25 cent wing night which used to be fantastic. Now they have the audacity to still call wing night a deal when they increased the price to 45 cents a wing. They inflated the price on everything. My major problem is the service is abysmal now. They fired all the people who actually cared and hired high school kids who take there sweet time. I used to recommend this place all the time and now I am going back against my words and begging all my friends not to come here as well as new people I meet. With these prices you may as well go to Buffalo Wild Wings which at least give you more meat on the bone as well as excellent service. I used to love this place and their special Norty flavored wings but today will be my last visit. I hope this place goes out of business cause the owner went against the community and lost the trust of the locals. read more

Horrible! Horrible! Went with my nephews and sister. The waitress was a total space cadet. Didn't know the menu and we barely saw her. After 45 minutes with still no food all she said was sorry and that the food would be coming. The food runner came over and said that the movie theatre party was the reason for the food taking so long. And that it's "unpredictable" with the food taking so long. How is having a planned kids party unpredictable for the kitchen? And why weren't we told in the beginning?! Never coming back. They really need to hire people that know what's going on!!! On a positive note: the bartender and bar aspect is much better. So if you do come here sit at the bar only and only order drinks. read more

O.K. So, I'm not like a huge Yelper, but after my multiple experiences here I had to because either everyone who is on here is either an employee, or a friend of an employee, or something like that because this place is what you would refer to as "mediocre" at best. First of all, you can't get a drink in this place unless you are a regular or apparently someone who lived in town their whole life and has always gone here. The bartenders ignore you completely and the attitude on the people who work there is kinda hard to believe and almost blatantly rude. My beer had yeast or something floating in it, but my boyfriend told me that it looked like a hunk of yeast, so either they never clean the taps or the lines, or something like that, but that's really nasty. It's happened to my friends as well, its not the first time, and the beer always tastes not so good. Don't order mixed drinks unless you want an attitude or something that isn't what you wanted cause it will be overloaded with alcohol. I think that is how they get people to like what they are serving, by over serving. This is a straight beer and shots place. O.K. so the big thing was " Order the pizza" " it's so good". LOL. No, no ,it's not good at all unless you like to wait for like a hour for it and it comes out burnt. Not the first time either. ROME Pizza in Dunellen has GREAT Pizza. This place SUCKS for pizza. We thought we'd try the wing a few times. Gross. The bartender was like, "Try the Nordy wings" or something like that. Gross . It's some kind of disgusting concoction of multiple sauces. Definitely a drunk's recipe. They look like wings from malnourished baby chickens and were over fried or something cause they were real chewy and small. So, I'm thinking either frozen or just really cheap product. So. Everyone on here raving about the wings and the pizza, either you have really bad taste, or your used to eating garbage, or your just so drunk when you get this stuff there that you actually think it's good. If you go out to the tables outside you will NEVER, NEVER NEVER NEVER see a bartender or a waitress or anyone who works there. Their idea of customer service is making you wait a really long time and then when you try to get food or a drink by going inside to ask for something, you will receive a huge attitude from the lady behind the bar. I don't get it. I've been here so many times with my friends(dragged here) and its always the same or worse and I think the only reason they go here is because their friends from Dunellen go here, but from now on I'm going somewhere else cause its kinda like a bad joke that just get's worse every time you hear it. I make an excellent salary as a programmer and I like to tip big, but because the service was just so bad, and the attitude, the arrogant attitude of the staff here, I've never left a tip, and no matter how many times my friends try to drag me back here, I'm not going. There are so many other better places around that actually know what customer service is and appreciate their customers business. Finally, the bathroom always smells, there is always some kinda fruit fly flying around in there and the majority of the people who go there get so over served that it becomes really uncomfortable being there unless you like fat old men and drunkin college aged guys who spill beer all over themselves trying to pick you up. Then this is the place for you. read more

Best wings and pizza around !! Pizza is thin I can finish a whole pie and a bit pricey but definetly worry it.

great place to have beer and burger. They have a nice menu. If you want to see a movie, it's attached to a theater.

Best pizza ever ! Love love love it! It really does get super crowed in there now especially during football season so I take it to go