Friday Foodstuffs: Dewey's Dogs Denial, Brigantine Bam-booze-le, and Tuckahoe's a Go!
Lots of interesting food-related news items to discuss this week. Here are three of them…
It’s becoming more and more clear that if you operate a food truck in Ocean County, your business is becoming less and less welcome. Deez Dogs had their battle down in Barnegat, Bayville got rid of their food trucks along Route 9, and now Dewey’s Dogs has no place to call home here in Forked River. The plot of land that Dewey’s has rested upon for years has been sold to be used for office space (even though there’s still plenty of unused office space already here in town, but I digress), and a plan to use land next to Forked River House as their new home was voted down by the local planning board. So now a local institution, which is as much a part of the fabric of the area as The German Butcher and Mr. Walking Billboard, is just going to get tossed aside.
The argument against food trucks is this: they don’t pay taxes and utilities as regular restaurants do, and since food trucks and restaurants compete with each other it gives food trucks some kind of advantage. The reality is that you could just stop reading after ‘they don’t pay taxes’ to see why food trucks are going bye-bye in Ocean County. It’s all about the tax revenue. So while there are flourishing food truck scenes in New York, Philly, Austin and LA, don’t look for that to happen here.
I know that politicians tend to over-promise and under-deliver, but this next story takes that notion to an interesting level. Laguna Grill in Brigantine is going to pay a $23,000 fine and have to be closed for a week next summer as punishment for having cheaper vodka in the top shelf brand bottles. What gives this liquor story an extra kick is that the owner of the bar is Tony Pullella, a councilman in Brigantine. He says that he wasn’t aware of this, has sincerely apologized and has fired the person in charge of the beverages – his sister. Can we believe that he didn’t know? I will leave that determination up to you.
Let’s finish up with a more positive story. More suds will be a-flowing down Cape May County way: Tuckahoe Brewing got the green light to start making beer! With licensing all in place, it looks like their brews will be available on tap in local establishments next month, with a tasting room of their own soon after.
With Cape May Brewing already up and running, and now Tuckahoe Brewing joining them, we’re seeing a nice jump in local microbrews. And when Pinelands and Stone Turtle get going next year, you will have the makings of a legitimate beer trail running through Cumberland and Cape May counties. Woohoo!
A couple of other items I wanted to mention:
Bill S-3172, which allows for direct shipping as well as keeping wine tasting rooms in place, passed in the State Senate yesterday. Now it goes on the Assembly and a January 9 date for them to act upon it. If they don’t, well, we don’t know what’s going to happen – and that’s not good.
And be on the lookout for Gary Monterosso’s book “Artisan Beer”, which has been released!
Have a great weekend! And check out our site for the complete Friday post!
Veronica Liga
6:26 am on Sunday, December 18, 2011
Has anyone mentioned that Deweys Dogs is owned by a (ailing- if not disabled) Veteran ?
I believe his son operates it for him. Can't someone from Vetworks or one of the Veterans groups help here?
Veronica Liga
7:12 am on Sunday, December 18, 2011
PS- The Forked River House pays all those taxes and utililities, and doesn't seem to see them having an advantage over or being a threat to their business!
By the way,they just passed the Board of Health inspection, again, as of a few days ago. They also have to pay for permits to sell in town too, I believe.
Walmart had some issues too, but the town took care of those issues (to the dismay of alot of Mom & Pop and Larger Bus.'s in town), why not work something out with a VETERAN OWNED MOM & POP business? I thought Mom & Pops were the backbone of the Community.......?! I guess bringing Private Gambling Clubs to Lacey, making exceptions on zoning restrictions for larger Corps. for more ratables and having a Business owner use their store as a residence are Ok, right ;(.
This is my understanding, via 3rd party, so maybe it's incorrect, and then again, maybe it's not. I challenge Lacey residents to get involved in their Community and stop being so passive! Check these things out for yourself and take some pride in your town! Support your Small Bus.'s, especially Veteran owned!
What if they rent part of the property from Forked River House? Would that work?
Seaside Polecat
3:26 pm on Monday, December 19, 2011
The Walmart parking lot is big enough to let him have a spot. Plus he could be there 24 hours a day since they are open around the clock. May have to put some taco's and tortilla's on the menu.
Seaside Polecat
7:55 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011
Word at the FRHouse has it that TJ's Gourmet Dawgs is opening up soon by the laundramat.
FastFoodJunkie
8:38 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011
Now thats the free market system; always someone ready to take advantage of an opportunity. What we need is some dogs in town that are like the ones that used to be sold at Mr. Hot Dog in the 80's. Hope this new vendor does more that just boiled sabbretts.
FR Grown
10:08 am on Thursday, December 22, 2011
We could use some good dogs in town. I agree, more of a variety. How about a better grade of dog, like Thumans or the German Butchers. I wondered why no one ever moved into the old Mexican Food Wagon spot. Smart move by TJ's Gourmet Dwags.
Wise Owl
12:32 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
I wonder if TJ will have girls in bikinis or a guy dressed up as a Hot Dog to draw people in. Maybe buy 10 dogs and get a free bag of ice.
River City Rover
3:26 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
Is this the new location for Dewey Dogs? or is it a new business? We could use an upscale food wagon. How about naming it: 'River City Weiners'
FR Grown
10:18 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
Who the heck is TJ? I thought Anthony had Dewey Dogs.
Seaside Polecat
10:23 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
TJ is TJ. Heard at the House tonight that TJ was hiring Chief Bob to be the Hot Dog Gourmet. I think he was the night cook when the Mexican Food Wagon was there. He makes an awsome Chili Dog. Hey I'd like to see TJ's Bikini girls promoting this gig.
Wise Owl
10:44 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
Sounds like this place will be hopping. Bikini girls? Chief Bob. Who could ask for more? I don't hang at the FR house, what is this all about? Please don't call it 'Weiners', How about 'TJ's Super Big Dog Extravagana with Chili, Mustard, Onions' by the Best Chief in Forked River, Chief Bob. Too long? How about we make it simple. From Dewey Dogs to Louie Dogs or Huey Dogs. Let's keep it in the family.
Al Dente
10:56 am on Friday, December 23, 2011
I wonder if they are going to sell fish burgers too. A better name would be "Wonder Weinies" for I wonder whats in these dogs.
Jay Burnett
1:49 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Food trucks are the rage in all the cities, only in Forked River are they a menace. Take a poll, people who stop for a hot dog fix, so not eat lunch out in restaurants.