The Rail House 1449

loved the atmosphere in smaller, intimate rooms. very delicious short rib meal. desserts at other tables looked great too! excellent presentation. service was a bit slower but we were in no hurry.

If I could give zero stars I would. I don’t understand all the positive reviews. Went here for our anniversary just to be sat and then ignored. Multiple staff walked past us and turned a blind eye. They busied themselves cleaning the empty table next to us for 15 minutes. A waiter came over to the table next to us to check in on them and quickly retreated ensuring to make no eye contact lest he be forced to acknowledge us. Well Rail House, your tactics worked. After 25 minutes we got up to leave. The hostess saw us do so and didn’t blink an eye. Your loss on a $ 200 2-​top. Luckily we retreated to Le Malt and were able to salvage our anniversary and have an awesome night. Message to Rail House: I’ve never been treated like that in my life from McDonalds to the many upscale restaurants we like to frequent. Your customer service is non-​existent. I can’t see how you are still in business. It must be the utter lack of choice in the area that simply brings you business by default.

This Unilocal review is long overdo. My boyfriend introduced me to this place and at first I was a bit skeptical because there weren’t many vegetarian options for me, but I still wanted to give them a shot. We’ve been regulars here for the past year I guess, and every time we decide to go, there’s a new dimension that we uncover. We started out going to the bar all the time and just ordering your typical bar food I loved the portobello sandwich because it has so many different flavors that are crafted together in such a delicious way. However, after a while of getting it every time you go here it becomes a very rich taste that I needed a break from. I tried the spinach dip and it was amazing, fries are amazing, (perfectly crispy without tasting fattening). The railhouse salad was great! Loved the candied nuts and Gorgonzola cheese. The reason I’m writing this review for the railhouse 1449 and not the bar is because The bartender/​waiter, Caine was serving us one day and brought us a small plate «compliments of the chef» he said that the chef was going to try to start incorporating the restaurant menu into the bar menu because not many people know about the restaurant. We tried the short rib ravioli, I of course just ate the mashed potato, or whatever there was at the bottom but it still was so ridiculously good that I was hooked. In the last two months I’ve tried two dishes from the 1449 menu and they were both delicious. The pan seared salmon was such a great blend of salty and sweet And the butternut squash ravioli was the same. Both dishes that I tried were amazing. Caine told us today when I asked about the ravioli that the chef had a huge smile on his face. Now we’ve never met the chef, but he seems like someone who puts art, passion and heart into the food that he cooks. Other than all of what I have just said, the outdoor area is great, we were a bit chilly today and they turned the fire pit on for us and it was perfect. We both love this spot and they probably are rahway’s, maybe even Union county’s best kept secret. I just challenge you to not order from the bar menu so you can see the full picture.

I was disappointed that the menu they had online was not the menu they were using. The restaurant was empty except for one other couple, who knew the owner. She sat with them and spoke loudly. I would like to give the place another try, I hope the food is better. and maybe they will put a salad on a cold plate.

I rarely make it out to Jersey, and especially so for Rahway. But when a friend decided to have a birthday party here I thought it would be cool to see what the place is about. On a Saturday night, it’s got a great bar atmosphere.
What I liked :
–The menu is imaginative, and above average at that; you couldn’t call it bar or pub food. From what I understand, the menu is always changing.
–It’s near the train (Jersey Transit) and there’s a municipal parking lot right nearby. Street parking is a pain, but I got lucky that day. I don’t think that would be the case on a busy, warm day.
–The indoor area is a large space, conducive to all kinds of events and gettogethers.
–Drinks are fairly inexpensive and the bartenders were friendly.
Sat night
–The best aspect of coming here has to be the backdoor area. It’s massive, and very well designed, with a seriously awesome fire pit area. On a cold March night, it didn’t stop us from spending most of the night there.
–There was a band playing (Bryan Hansen Band) that was extraordinary. I don’t know if they play there often, but being that there is a space in the corner that accommodated live music, this is a huge plus.
Great experience, wouldn’t mind returning in the summer months.

Great intimate atmosphere. An old building with dining on two floors as well as a wine cellar. Interesting house drinks include a rusty margarita which I thought was great. The apple salad in terrific, I had it with chicken. The special was scallops with jalapeño and bacon. Very nice. Pumpkin pie could have had more spice for my liking. Pricey… can’t go often but I look forward to returning.
Above was my first review for the Railhouse and I have been back twice with the same friends. The house drinks are terrific. This time monkfish was on the specials and it was delicious. Every meal that we have had has just layers of flavor. I had to take part of my dinner home for my son to taste. I guess next time I return it will be with him. The check is wonderful, great food ideas. The wait staff is friendly and attentive without being annoying. Worth the price.

Bravo, fantastic. Having eaten here several times in the last three years it is a joy to say each time has exceeded expectations. The atmosphere is small and intimate the staff professional and polite and the service excellent. Now for the food, five stars seems inadequate for the delicious and well presented fare. Everything from appetizer to dessert is obviously a labor of love. We live in Northern Bergen county and make the trip to Rahway for this superb experience.

The service was really slow. First we had to wait for menus, then a 1hr & ½ for apps. And 3 hours for dinner. Then they forgot my meal so everyone else ate but me. Another thing that bothered our group was that they put us in the basement which at first seemed nice. But the downfall was you could hear them going up and down the stairs to the second level and it was loud it sounded like a bunch of elephants the entire night constantly. Even though I only had a salad we all left with indigestion like we ate really greasy food. As well as, like the food wasn’t worth the $ 350 check. Extremely disappointed.

I’ve come here a bunch of times with friends back when they had brunch. It really exudes a classy yet intimate feeling, with a staircase leading up to a separate seating area that overlooks the street outside. Walk this way burger was amazing: egg, bacon, meat = everything decadent for a very reasonable price. Service is great as well.

My husband travels to NJ a couple of times a month. He stays in Rahway for a week at a time and has to get dinner out every night. He’s eaten there at least 10 times in past few months and raves about the service and the food. The chef and the servers know him now and make sure they don’t bring stuff he can’t eat –which is a nice touch.
According to him, the food is excellent, the staff is very friendly. It’s a quiet place and perfect for a relaxing dinner. He’s also brought his colleagues there for dinner as well.
He’s had the grilled shrimp, sea bass, salmon, short-​ribs entrees and all of them, according to him, were great –perfect portion sizes, hot, fresh and tasty. He’s also had the duck confit with caramelized figs and lamb chops appetizers and the market salad. He doesn’t write Unilocal reviews, but told me that I should let people know. I’m a good cook and he’s fussy, so when he says something is good, it’s good.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the area, and I think of it as a nice place for a date night or special ocassion. I went with a group of co-​workers when we were on a business trip. Everyone’s dishes looked delicious. The salmon dish I had was lightly seared… perfect. Service was excellent.
It’s located in a historic-​style house so it’s an intimate setting. Reservations are a good idea.

This place is awesome! Delicious food and drinks. Love the mango sangria and apple salad. The staff is great and friendly. Perfect place for a date and for the meeting with friends!

Rail House is a wonderful find!
Amazing service from the hardest working bartender in Rahway (Erin).
Great burgers, I enjoyed the «Walk This Way» which consists of a 7 oz. burger, bacon, American cheese and a egg to top it off. Delicious! Breakfast and Lunch on the same bun.
Oh and making it all the better I had the Spinach Risotto. Weird combo, Right? But oh, so good. I need mention the fact that they have tons of beers on tap and bottled. Have incredible cocktail specials to boot.
Live music a few times a week I’m told.
In Rahway? This is a must STOP.

I had the most fresh and delicious coconut shrimp ever followed by a phenomenal, juicy and flavorful pork chop off of the bar menu. The outdoor bar is a very cool environment. I felt like I was in Manhattan. Stephanie, the bartender, whipped up some amazing margaritas! Cheers!
Afterward, we were given a tour of the dining areas both downstairs and upstairs by one of the male employees. I’m totally having my birthday party there in the fall. The Rail House rocks!
It’s a very cool place, great service and awesome food and drinks all close to home!

Quiet, romantic atmosphere.
Amazing lamb meatballs. Great flatbreads
We order multiple appetizers and split them for our meal.

Ridiculous Wait
We waited at least an hour for appetisers. Tables ahead of us received their food despite me mentioning this to our waiter. Will not be back here again. For a three hour dinner the food was nowhere near worth it.

We went to The Rail House In Rahway for Valentine’s day. We found a lot wrong with this place that night, from little things to not so little things that just added up to a most disappointing night. So much so that we canceled our reservation for their upcoming wine dinner. We had planed to go with another couple but didn’t want to subject them to a sub par experience at premium prices.
Upon being seated it took a while for anyone to come by our table. Finally a waiter came by who in retrospect we think was a bus boy helping out. He took our order, the bread came out and then the soup and then the shrimp cocktail just seconds after we finished our soup. The soup was lukewarm at best but didn’t say anything at that time. The shrimp were nice sized and fresh. However, my wife din’t like the sauce they served with it, not a big deal. I liked it, just a personal preference on her part. What was a big deal was i couldn’t find a bus boy or waiter to ask if they had regular cocktail sauce for her. I even got up and walked around and didn’t see anyone. In addition my wife wanted to order a glass of wine but again no one to be found.
Finally a different waiter walked in and we were able to finally order her wine but she had to finish her shrimp without sauce .I also had to ask him to hold up the next course as we got our second course within seconds of the first.
In the interim, now I wanted to order a drink. I actually had to walk upstairs after waiting who knows how long and ask for the beer list. They said they would bring it to me. I ordered a beer but they came back down and told me they were out of it. This happens but we were an early seating at 7PM so they had to be running low or out of it before that night. Just simply say upon giving me the beer list, «and sir we are out of (whatever).»
We received the main course of surf and turf. My wife ordered her steak medium rare and came out well done and we had to send it back. Again this happens but things were off all night. My lobster tails were cold and tough, just awful. The steaks were a nice portion but did lack in flavor. My wife finally received her entrée but they didn’t put the lobster tails on the plate. Are you kidding? Just so poor attention to detail. Ok, you overcooked the steak but at least plate it correctly the second go round !!!
Now the wait staff is setting up a table for 8, which one chair was an elbow away from me. I actually elbowed the gent 3 or 4 times.
As the table was right on top of us it was easy for my wife and i to hear their conversation. Over our dessert they complained to each other they couldn’t find a waiter. Finally, just as i had to do, a gentleman got up and found the waiter. Their soup came quickly and they all complained their soup was cool ! At that point I did mention to the waiter that our soup also was lukewarm at best.
Now we get our dessert, my wife had tiramisu and I had a cheese platter. The bus boy/​waiter (?) droped it down so quick and was hustling out of the room I had to actually yell to stop him and ask him for some bread or crackers for the cheese platter.
The menu was a ’ pri fixe ’ menu which included a glass of Champagne. Not once during the night were we ever offered a glass of champagne. So over dessert we finally asked for a glass each. Again, just poor execution.
When we received our check I forgot it was stated a 20% service charge would be added. That was a joke, what service?
Finally I would have thought that after mentioning our soup was lukewarm, seeing one steak was over done, forgetting to plate half the entrée, complaining that I had to walk around and find a waiter a number of times and everything else that went wrong that night, that someone would have apologized at the very least for things not going smooth for us.
But that’s ok. We cancelled an upcoming reservation for four, will never go there again and will tell all our friends about our experience or lack thereof at The Rail House.
Bryant P.

Good service, nice ambiance but the food was poorly thought out and badly executed. I had the lobster bisque which turned out to be tomato soup with some lobster. The main course filet, ordered medium rare, came out well done. My wife’s duck confit was over salted and over sauced. The owner was very nice a seemed to truly care but the chef seemed over his/​her head.

I stopped in at the Rail House tonight for dessert and beer while I went through some work papers. The back patio area is my favorite summer respite in this area. It’s a bit cut off from the world but has a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
The beer list has some solid microbrews, but the apple pie a la mode stole the show. $ 6.50 for a very generous personal pie looking serving… Plus a scoop of vanilla on top.
There are a few people who showed up alone probably having just gotten off the train after work. Looks like a good spot to casually meet people.

A large group of us were there and we were seated upstairs in a very quiet area — not too many were there since it was a weekday.
I cant speak for what everyone else ate but I had the Bacon Wrapped Monkfish.
To start we had a whole bunch of appetizers — I tried the Calamari and the Tempura Shrimp. Both were ok… Calamari was a bit chewy and the Tempura Shrimp was just decent.
As for the Monkfish I had, it was actually pretty good.
I liked that they didn’t drench it in some sauce or over spice in anyway.
It was just a well cooked monkfish wrapped in bacon that was cooked just right.
As for the garnishing, it was artichokes and some other vegies with a creamy sauce.
I was a bit disappointed that they didnt have the Halibut Confit on the menu like I saw on the website but oh well — Monkfish wasnt bad.
Overall, I would say this place is worth an initial visit but a second visit? — Maaaybe…