If you’ve never been to the Jersey Shore, you might imagine it as the home of the wild parties and debauchery depicted in the eponymous TV series. But there’s more to the Jersey Shore than tanning, drinking, and making out with random strangers.
People who grew up going to the famed Jersey Shore town Seaside Heights know it as a resort-like area filled with entertainment.
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Many 40- and 50-somethings today have fond memories of Seaside Heights’ iconic boardwalk, filled with rides and attractions. And while some people may have come for the food, others were there for the beach.
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Despite being known by haters as the Armpit of America, New Jersey is home to some of the most glorious beaches along the East Coast.
And while you’d think beach town dining at the Jersey Shore would consist mostly of hot dog stands and soft-serve ice cream, the reality is that many shore towns boast their fair share of outstanding restaurants with eclectic menus and high-quality ingredients.
A legendary local restaurant is closing for shocking reason, and it’s not a lack of customer demand.
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Chef Mike’s ABG is a Jersey Shore standout
If you were to take a drive around Seaside Heights, you’d stumble across Chef Mike’s ABG — that is, if you aren’t a local. If you are, you wouldn’t stumble upon Chef Mike’s so much as head there on purpose.
Before Chef Mike Jurusz took over the famed restaurant in 2013, it was simply called the Atlantic Bar & Grill. Once Jurusz took the reins, he transformed it from a casual Jersey Shore eatery to what can only be called an elevated oceanside dining experience.
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Jurusz updated the menu, added a wine cellar, hired mixologists, and turned the Atlantic Bar & Grill into Chef Mike’s ABG.
Fans of Chef Mike’s know it as a place where you can enjoy a creative cocktail, freshly prepared seafood entree, and outstanding service while staring at the Atlantic Ocean and breathing in the salty beach air.
But while Chef Mike’s has long been a hidden (or, for locals, not-so-hidden) Seaside Heights gem, its days of serving the Jersey Shore are sadly coming to an end — and for a truly unfortunate reason.
Chef Mike’s has to say goodbye after building is sold
In recent years, many restaurants have experienced a steady decline in foot traffic as consumers have cut back on dining out in an effort to conserve funds.
But Chef Mike’s isn’t closing due to a lack of customer demand. Rather, it’s closing because the building it sits in is being sold to developers, who plan to tear it down.
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“Our time is up, you know,” Jurusz said in a Facebook post announcing the closure. “A lot of memories were made here.”
The restaurant’s lease is in effect until December 31, but Jurusz is actively shopping around for a new lease so he can reopen. That, however, has been a challenge.
In New Jersey, it’s tough to get a liquor license — something Jurusz needs — due to local restrictions and limited availability. Despite having looked at 30 to 40 properties already, Jurusz hasn’t made any headway.
For now, Jurusz is encouraging fans of Chef Mike’s to come out and enjoy the restaurant’s last summer in its iconic location.
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“We’ll definitely be here the whole entire summer,” he reassured fans, confirming that the restaurant’s famous tiki bar will be open. Jurusz is also playing around with new menu items to make the coming summer the best one ever.
“This is our summer of fun,” Jurusz said. “Let’s go out on top.”
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