RiverPark Pub

200 Jersey Ave, Gloucester City, NJ 08030, USA

Address:	200 Jersey Ave, Gloucester City, NJ 08030, USA
Phone:	+1 856-349-2274
Site:	riverparkpub.com
Rating:	4.3
Working:	11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 11AM–2AM 12PM–12AM

Location

Photos 90

Reviews 13

Barbara Fine

Digging into a plate of wings at a laid-back bar with friendly service is one of life’s best pleasures, but it’s not usually something to write home — or a review — about. But when they’re doused in a black-as-night, lick-your-fingers BBQ sauce that infuses the nuggets of tender grilled meat with a tangy-sweet umami, it’s worth some notice. The best part about the “Voodoo” wings ($9) at the RiverPark Pub, the tavern nestled below the Walt Whitman Bridge on the Gloucester City waterfront that was most recently known as the Mansion House, is that their intriguing upgrade doesn’t negate their everyman appeal. Despite the house-made sauce of bacon, onions, brown sugar, mustard, crushed tomatoes and butter, these wings are still a bar snack, one that’d go just as well with a cold pint of Vienna lager from nearby craft brewery Double Nickel as with a can of Bud. Same for the Cajun popcorn ($9). Instead of miniature shrimp, the flour-dusted fried seafood morsels in this bowl of mouth candy are crawfish tails instead. Who knew mudbugs were so much juicier and more flavorful than their aquatic cousins? (Be sure to ask for the excellent house habanero sauce on the side if you want a more pungent dip than the mustard cream sauce that comes with.) A shrimp and grits dish fights the chill at The Riverpark Pub in Gloucester City. (Photo: Jose F. Moreno/Staff Photographer) Jeff Gilham, that’s who knew about the crawfish tails. Born in Jersey, the well-traveled chef discovered the charms of cooking Creole at the New Orleans Cafe in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. “That was 15 or 20 years ago,” he says, “But once I started cooking Cajun food, I never stopped.” What’s he love about it? “The versatility, the explosion of flavors in your mouth. It’s fun!” Gilham went on to open his own spot, Creole Cafe in Washington Township, where he honed his techniques, exploring how the cuisine used spice. “People think Cajun food is always super hot, but it’s not, it’s can be nuanced,” he explains. For a great example, check out his shrimp and grits appetizer ($10). The spiral of gulf shrip artfully spiraled over top of the bowl are translucent and plump, but it’s the interplay of the gleaming red BBQ sauce and the creamy grains beneath that steals the show. Made thick and rich with cheese and bacon, the grits feel like they were made to soak up the just-spicy slick of the sauce. You’ll spoon every last bit from the bottom of the bowl and still want for more. The bar at RiverPark is large and spacious, a good place for eating with friends. For families or date night after a show at the park, there’s also a separate dining room in the standalone building, which has been a Gloucester City eating place for more than a century. Luckily for the Fines, before the manager left, he introduced them to Gilham, who they got to keep. Next week he’ll launch a new menu that includes more American standards — including crab cake sandwiches, cheese steaks and regular wings (don’t do it! Voodoo rules!) — to complement the NOLA fare, but he’s keeping everything else, too, from jambalaya to Cajun pierogie. The bar at RiverPark is large and spacious, a good place for eating with friends. For families or date night after a show at the park, there’s also a separate dining room in the standalone building, which has been a Gloucester City eating place for more than a century.

Rick B.

Staff great, food ok, portion size compared to price not great, clean inside, parking limited, wanted the food to be so much more in general. Went two people and they all agreed.... overall... Just ok

Arlene Kramer

Great food and friendly staff. A true gem. Try the pierogies YUM!!! The pecan crusted catfish bites melt in your mouth

Carolyn Tedeschi

Great show with Greg Armstrong and Danielle Spence! Good food, nice people

Ronald Rideg

Best food I ever taste and plus chef Jeff makes really good dishes..

Don Doak

Food was delicious, ice cold beer and super friendly staff.

Michele Hyczka

Good food friendly Dawn behind the bar. Always a pleasure.

CAROL Davis

Great Vodoo wings . crab cakes shrimp and grits