Brass Rail Bar & Grill

I tried this for the first time tonight with my two sons. I had the roast chicken with roasted potatoes. The potatoes were not cooked. My boys chose chicken fingers — too greasy for him and the other had a cheeseburger which he said was great. I was so disappointed when the waitress told me that she asked the manager to take something off the bill for the potatoes and he refused. I will never give his place a second chance after that. Mistakes happen but correct them. The waitress was so busy by the time I was able to tell her about the potatoes it was at the end of the meal so cooking them more or replacing wasn’t even an option. Mediocre food at best. The cheddar broccoli soup was like a salt lick.

Food overall is very good. Large portions and always very tasty and served hot… The problem with this place is the wait staff. They are extremely slow and inattentive. Trying to find one to refill drinks is next to impossible… They seem to always be hiding in the kitchen. Also the manager who seems to always be there (bald guy) is very rude and also very inattentive to what’s going on in his restaurant. The service kills this places rating for me. I have visited a few times simply because of the decent food… but expect bad service and get it every time. Place is also extremely noisy there’s no separation between the bar area (with all the rowdy local drunks) and people trying to enjoy dinner. Having dinner conversation in this place is next to impossible especially when they have those crappy bands playing on the weekends.

Just got finished dinner at the Brass Rail for the third time sonce moving to Hazlet last year. Each time we have been very satisfied with the food, however the service has gotten increasingly worse each time.
This evening, we almost decided against going there because of the amount to time we waited for our dinners the last time. We decided to give it one more chance and boy did we make the wrong choice.
It took us 6 minutes from the time we sat down to be greeted. We set a stop watch to time how long it took for our food to be delivered to the table. It took 76 minutes. We ordered a Prime Rib, a prime rib sandwich and two salads.
It was obvious that the waitstaff was overwhelmed each time we have visited. The bald owner/​manager was running around like a lunatic each time we have visited there. He stopped by after we requested to speak to him and apologized and offered us free dessert, which we declined.
Again, the food is good, however the service will ultimatley cause us not to return ever again.

Went for dinner. Had the prime rib. It was on spot. Perfectly cooked. My wife never finishes her dinner, she devoured her med cut completely. Our waitress was excellent also. Waited to make sure that we were ready for the entrée and asked us if we were ready because I had my salad sitting there but I like to eat it with my dinner rather than before it. Her name was Jeanette. Ask for her if you go. Will definitely be back again and next I’m gonna try the NY strip steak. Highly recommended.

I really enjoy their prime rib, I have come a few times for dinner and once for lunch. They have pretty solidly good bar food, they are much better than a chain, and their prices are good. Its a great place to take kids to as well. So far every time we have gone, we have had good service, which can be hit or miss at a lot of places.

I was just confronted by the owner that I need to leave because I did not buy enough food. Although, I did spend 20 dollars last week. He tells me there is a two drink minimum which I indeed met. However, He refused to look at my last receipt. The waiters and staff are not attentive, and the owner for some reason has is out for me. I spent over 180 dollars this year at his establishment only to get kicked out.
The soda is so watered down that it looks like ice tea.

I came for one thing and one thing only, the prime rib! I must say it was worth every penny. Great flavor, cooked perfectly, and just delicious. My only negatives… They need sharper knives and taller drinks! Prime rib was great though!

I had several pretty good meals here but the last 2 times I went that wasn’t the case. 4 people at my table ordered burgers medium and got them extra well done. Why ask if it’s not going to be cooked right? So disappointing. I might give it one more shot because it’s convenient but their are too many other places cooking food right to keep hoping my order won’t be bad.

Food quality is a solid step up from the Chili’s or Apple bees of the world. The portions are very generous too. Service is attentive and friendly. I have been there a few times and never had a bad experience.
My only gripe would be the table seemed sticky the last time I was there and the atmosphere in my opinion is a bit lacking if you are not sitting in a booth. (if you are in a booth you are kind of at your own little private table) The place could use an interior remodel.

This place is the best! I cannot believe it took me so long to try it out but so glad my husband and I did. I had a fabulous dinner of steak and crab cakes. The crab cakes tasted fresh and very well made. Steak was cooked perfect! Also ordered the wings from the specials and it was one of the best things I have had and sitting on top a bed of beans in a great bbq sauce with a kick. So very good. This place really impressed me. Cannot wait to go back!

The Brass Rail is a local favorite, as a dinner spot, a place for burgers, and a bright, airy bar. Dinner selections average about $ 18; burgers just over $ 10 at this writing. My wife and I had burgers, fries, appetizer and beers for $ 50. The restaurant offers a discounted lunch menu.
Our food was excellent. Service was friendly but I had to fetch my own catsup.
The site was a stage coach stop during the American Revolution. It was frequented at the time by Freneau, who lived and is buried across the street. The restaurant was called the Poet’s Inn for many years in his honor. This neighborhood of Matawan bears his name.

Excellent dinner! Prime rib and stuffed pork chop were both amazing. Calamari cooked just right, not chewy! Yay! Good prices for great non-​bar food, quite a selection on the menu with lots of specials to choose from. We can’t wait to go back!

The food was very good, asian calamari was excellent, however our server was a little slow and non attentative.

The waitress was great, nice and compassionate. Everything else was horrible.
The manager was rude and argumentative. We ordered nachos and mozzarella sticks as an appetizer. Both came cold and at the same time as the entrées. Obviously we complained and sent them back. The manager stormed over and insisted that nachos are a salad and are served cold. I responded that both the chicken and cheese are cold and I can’t eat both my appetizers and entrée at the same time. He stormed away breathing curses at us. Unprofessional is an understatement.
For an entrée I ordered a salad, the lettuce was wilted, there was too much dressing and warm. My girlfriend ordered a soup (which never came). My buddy said his fries were not cooked long enough.
Remember I only complained about cold appetizers and no spaces between entrées and appetizers.
I used to come here but I’m telling my buddies, whom come frequently to never return.

Went there for a Mother Days brunch. We came with a fairly good size group 12+. Honestly, I could not imagine a Brunch that could be worst then this. Limited menu. They had a few chaffing dishes, that included Eggs Benedict, Scrambled Eggs, French Toast, home fries, bacon and sausage, ziti, chicken, bagels, fruitcup and a danish type pastry. First of all, the food was all cold, not a single thing that was hot. I assume they were not watching the sternos. Secondly, they were either out of food or at the bottom of the tray. We needed to ask several times that they cook more food. The food was below the quality of a typical diner. Reminded me of school cafeteria food.
I just felt like the brunch was an after thought and something just to cash in on Mothers Day. Was embarrassed and sad for the moms that day.
Perhaps they have much better food at other times, but I highly suggest staying away from any of their Brunch offering. You would be much better off at a Dennys.

Burgers are very good. The specials are amazing for 12.99. Regular size entrees that are really delicious. Selection is extensive ranging from London broil, different pastas, some seafood, and more. All come with soup or salad. Highly recommended. Let’s not forget about the Service. It was very good too.

There are plenty of bars offering happy hour drink and food specials. Then there is the brass rail.
Atmosphere is very bar like. Barstools around the bar with hooks for your lady to hang her purse (or maybe you’re murse) There is also a section for those who want to dine in a restaurant type setting. Children are welcome in the dining room.
Bar Tenders are very courteous and observant. Drink specials including import and domestic beers and drinks. Sounds like every happy hour at every corner bar right!
What sets them apart from your other bars is the food. Not just because most of the appetizers are half price but the quality of the food served is excellent. The wings are definitely the top of my list of good wings. They aren’t breaded. And sauce on the side is great for dipping. The chili and cheese served with chips is bowl cleaning good. Even the burgers are o so delicious. I haven’t had a bad item on the menu and I’ve had to go back to try other things just to give a good overall review. I’m getting hungry just thinking about the wings. Definitely a great place to go. And please don’t forget to tip the staff. …

Staff was nice. Food is great if you have never had prime rib any where else. Meat is way too fatty and not cooked to steak standards. Their medium well is more like medium. Baked potato is not really baked. It was cooked in the microwave.
Not Jerseys best prime rib but, it is Matawan’s best prime rib.

A solid bar with solid bar food. Nothing better and nothing worse. It’s a decent size restaurant and very clean with very friendly service. We stopped in for dinner and to give it a try. The menu is your pretty standard fare, but the $ 12 dinners Monday to Thursday do add a nice touch. We started with mozzarella sticks which are alright (not too greasy) and then each had a burger (they were overall ok, nothing amazing but still pretty good). The only real complaint was that when the food came out the fries were cold but the burger wasn’t. Not the worst thing and they did taste rather good. They have your staple beer choices so no complaints there. Overall, it’s exactly as advertised… your neighborhood bar and grill.

Been to this place twice! Once for lunch and once for dinner.
Lunch:
— They have really cheap lunch deals for $ 5.
— The food was decent but there was nothing to brag about. Here’s what we ordered
Appetizers:
–Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Calamaris and Buffalo Wings
–Raw Little Neck Clam (My Aunt sent it back because they didn’t look fresh)
Entrees:
Chicken Francaise, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Caesar Wrap, Pulled BBQ Beef (A little bit dry according to my cousin).
Dinner:
I remembered that they served an AMAZING prime rib for dinner (this was probably a year ago). It was very juicy and tender. Hope it’s still the same quality.