Note: Our writer was invited for a complimentary visit to Dave & Buster’s.
JerseyBites.com is pleased to welcome Dave & Buster’s to New Jersey. The first Garden State location is now here, and it’s located in the Woodbridge Center Mall. That’s right: you don’t have to travel to Times Square anymore to enjoy this thrilling venue. The opening was made possible by passage of legislation in Trenton that ended a 56-year New Jersey ban on games-based establishments selling liquor. The official ribbon cutting and opening will be on Tuesday, November 14, at 11 a.m. when they will be open to the public. We attended a special press preview and totally enjoyed our visit, Dave & Buster’s style. We experienced bright lights, games, cold drinks, great food, and lots of fun.
A Little History
In the 1970s, a man named Buster opened a restaurant that became well-known for tasty food and friendly service. Just a few doors away, Dave opened a popular spot with entertainment and games that was irresistible for adults. The two young entrepreneurs noticed that patrons would rotate between the two establishments, and the idea for Dave & Buster’s formed. The first Dave & Buster’s opened in Dallas in 1982 and currently there are over 103 locations nationwide—all building on the reputation that has pleased guests for over four decades.
Welcome to Woodbridge
This new Woodbridge spot is vast and spans 3,400 square feet. The venue features a state-of-the-art sports bar and lounge with a huge wall of HDTVs, spacious booths, comfortable seating, and high-top tables. It’s also an event space, with private and semi-private rooms ideal for pecial occasions, corporate gatherings, meetings, and team building. And it’s worth noting that Dave & Buster’s is contributing to the local economy by providing hundreds of jobs to area residents.
Food and Drink
Dave & Buster’s offers a menu of chef-crafted food for your good times. The choices suit all tastes and styles. You can indulge in items like the BBBacon burger with three types of bacon, Ultimate mac and cheese, the Philly cheesesteak, Americana ribs, Bass Ale battered fish and chips or fired-grilled salmon. Ideal table shares include ancho Caesar lettuce wraps, grilled smoked chicken wings, the cheesy spinach dip or appetizer platters that include favorites like quesadilla wedges, wings, and tots. For those who prefer to go light, there is a nice selection of salads that includes the grilled chicken and baby kale Caesar and the Thai chicken chopped salads. You can also warm up with soups—including the tomato feta. Save a little room for scrumptious desserts that include Brookie sundae tower and bananas Foster pie. All of the tasty items we sampled had a great presentation.
The beverage program is exciting and distinctive, with premium cocktails like the tiki drinks, margaritas, or classic cocktails and creative signature drinks that include their Coronaritas, adult snow cones, and refreshers like the D&B TNT with Absolut vodka, Tanqueray gin, Bacardi Superior rum with Grand Marnier sweet ‘n sour and Coca-Cola in a souvenir glass. Dave & Buster’s also serves over two dozen selections of beer and wines by the glass or bottle.
Game Time
Did we mention the games yet? There are over 150 of the latest and greatest, including InJustice, World’s Largest PAC-MAN, and Space Invaders Frenzy. You can also delight in favorites like Deal or No Deal, Wheel of Fortune Spinner, Monopoly Pusher, NASCAR Games, Air Hockey and more. There is something for every gaming interest from challenging and sporty to imaginative and hi-tech. Dave & Buster’s has games you can’t play anywhere else and the top-notch Winner’s Circle prizes include clothing, Xboxes, and Beats by Dre.
The new, totally engaging Dave & Buster’s will feature weekly specials like Happy Hour, Monday to Friday from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., and Late Night Happy Hour Sunday to Thursday 9:00 p.m. to close, with half-price cocktails, and specials on beer and wine.
Wednesday will feature half-price games all day, and Thursday/Sunday/Monday through February 4, 2018, will feature Football Game-Day Specials, with 22-ounce select draft beers priced at $3.50 and $5 Game Day Appetizers.
Dave & Buster’s
250 Woodbridge Center Drive
Woodbridge, NJ (second level, near Sears)
Photos by Marina P. Kennedy
