You should expect three things from any local dive bar:
Krug's Tavern
1. The resident townie/drunk collecting dust and growing cobwebs as he slumps in his stool, which may or may not be grafted to his ass.
2. The hard glares of any other townies on premises cognizant enough to realize you don’t belong there.
3. A gruff, surly, old barkeep who would just as soon spit in your glass as he would serve you a beer.
The Ironbound’s Krug’s Tavern had item #1 nailed down at noon on a random Monday, but failed miserably in the other two departments, but that’s a good thing. There was no feeling of unwelcome projected by the regulars, and the bartender, who once upon a time, could have been an extra in an old Western flick, was more grandfather than sandpaper. With my preconceived notions trampled upon like Mufasa by the wildebeest stampede in The Lion King, I was ready to get down to business, namely a giant hamburger the size of your grandmother’s fine china plates.
This photo does no justice to highlight the gargantuan size of this slab of beef.
The tender, juicy chopped meat, grilled to perfection, served with a side of pickles and hot peppers, was almost as unexpected as the warm demeanor of the people at the bar. Krug’s offers no frills or pomp. It simply delivers. The food is prepped at a small station behind the bar in plain sight. While waiting for my beef, I sipped on a Yuengling and watched SportsCenter on one of the flat screen TVs located throughout the joint, the only things (other than the food) that don’t look like throwbacks to the 70s.
$8 got me a big, succulent cheeseburger, two beers and amazing service. Though it’s a healthy walk from the standard Downtown and Ironbound hot spots, Krug’s is well worth the trip for food and brew alike. There’s a parking lot behind the tavern, making it convenient for drivers hunting for a spot on the crowded streets.
Krug’s Tavern
118 Wilson Ave
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-9795
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
A bar with only item #1 and none of the other two is my kind of place…throw a burger like that and I’m sold.
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
I love Krug’s, their onion rings are absolutely amazing.
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
$8.00 for 2 beers and burger what is this world coming to…LOL
I’m guessing business will pick up after this blog.
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:27 am
That looks like the most delicious burger I have ever seen, definitely going to check this place out! THanks Quade!
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:44 am
That thing is bigger than my head! I can’t wait to try it… thanks as always Quade!
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I love that place it’s a few blocks from my house. Best kept secret in Ironbound. Easily best burger in the area. Burgers are huge I would suggest trying the Taylor Ham Burger… MMMMMM yum! Great pick Quade as usually always on top of the best stuff!
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
WOW Quade I wanna have a piece of your burger!!!!
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
While I’ve never been to Krug’s Tavern, I find that your articles definitely spark my interest. Love your writing style Quade.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Much appreciated, jerseyrules. Thanks for the pep talk, and if you get the chance, you really should check this place out. In every department that means anything (service, quality, bang for your buck), it’s pretty damn good.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I dont think I could even eat that entire hamburger, but would definitely take it home and save it for next days lunch, which, also saves money! Def gonna check this place out. Thanks for the great tips as always, Quade!
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Ok have to be honest…this is my family’s bar. However, it is the best kept secret in NJ. Krug’s burgers were featured in the Star Ledger back in 1997 as well. The menu doesn’t stop there. Their seafood specailties like the Shrimp Parm Sub & Calamari are to die for! Cheese Steaks…awesome. It’s evident by the standing room only during lunch time! It’s home…it’s family…it’s Krugs! I recommend it to everyonr=e! Try it out! After 5 minutes in the place the glares turn to hugs and hand shakes! You then become part of the family! LOVE KRUGS & not just because it’s my famiy’s place.
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Greatest place to eat in Newark. And it only gets better after dark. Be sure to check out the All-Star Bartender: Joyce LaMotta on Thursday nights and alternating Saturday nights. << Definitely not the old bartender spitting in your cup.
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Frankie,
Your family does great work.
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I am always in the mood for giant slabs of beef, especially when they are too big for the plate on which they are being served. Eight bucks for 2 beers and a burger? I’m sold! Although, Yuengling is not my drink of choice, I will certainly stop in for a nice cold Stella and a juicy oversized slab of meat. Thanks Quade!
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Frankie,
Never been to Krug’s, but someone told me they have a good hot dog. Can you tell me some details? Such as brand, if it has a casing, how many to a lb, and how it’s prepared. Thanks.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:08 am
I love cheeseburgers…and Yuengling! and 8$ is totally my speed. Thanks Quade!
April 24th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Damn it, I keep being told to go here and keep of course forgetting…I have been told this is like the Ironbound’s equvilant of Mcgoverns. I have now commited to hittnig anotehr round at the Ironboun Irish/American Legion hall as well as Krugs…
April 24th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Btw Fank, Love the family places, it’s part of what makes Newark so special.
April 25th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I’m always in the mood for a juicy burger, that looks delicious, can’t wait to try it!
April 25th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Been there. Dominant burgers.
May 5th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Krugs makes a great burger and the calamari is also very good. The burger is huge hope you have an appetite!
A little out of the way but for you burger lovers there’s a place in Jackson called the Cassville Inn that makes burgers even bigger than Krugs. I have always talked about Krugs making the best burger to my buddies. Of course one of them had to one up me, I didn’t think it could be done, but the Cassville burger might qualify as a meatloaf!
Enjoy Krugs it’s the best in Newark.
May 9th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
krug’s is by far the best burger i have ever eaten in my life! my bf and i recommend it to EVERYONE we know (even our non-adventurous “ohhhh-idk-if-i-want-to-go-to-newark” friends) and NO ONE has argued our claim. cheers to the owners, bartenders & patrons for keeping this place alive – one of my favorite newark gems!
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Krug’s is the best. Calamari marinara HOT! When I was a superintendent working on NJPAC a bunch of tin knockers took me there for lunch. I’ll never forget. It took me 12 years to get back there (I had lunch there twice this summer)…like I never left.
July 1st, 2009 at 11:44 am
I went to Krug’s a few weeks back for some Shrimp Marinara. As always, it was incredible. I brought an extra order so I could have lunch the next day. I took the shrimp for lunch and my co workers wanted a taste. They were amazed and wanted to know where I got them.
I used to live in the Ironbound and Krug’s was a once a week stop. Now it is a luxury. Krug’s is more than just a burger. You will find some really big suprises there.
July 11th, 2009 at 12:09 am
I think it depends on who’s working. I got all three the time I went, but my friends have been since and described the experience you had. It’s definitely a local curiosity!
February 15th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Damn it, it’s been months since I have gone but now I feel I have to revisit….
March 7th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Went, had the calamari and onion rings as well as the burger…was very happy