Office Tavern Grill Review: A Modern Twist on American Classics in the Heart of New Jersey

Tucked away in the quiet town of Summit lies a quaint restaurant reimagining American classics into mouthwatering modern dishes. The Office Tavern Grill first opened more than 10 years ago. Now, the ever-growing franchise has restaurants all over New Jersey in towns like Summit, Morristown, and Ridgewood. The rustic tavern got its name from the historic Office Beer Bar & Grill. The idea was to retain “the iconic Office name while updating the concept to cater to modern consumers,” says Kevin Felice, Vice President of 40North — the restaurant group that owns Office Tavern Grill.

Inside, you're greeted by a large open floor plan, with hues of faded yellow and dark brown seeping in. It’s almost like stepping into the tasting room of a distillery, with every beer available on tap displayed on a larger-than-life board. Dark brown furnishings and office-style caricature art adorn the walls; an ever-changing chalkboard highlights daily specials and happy hour must-haves.

We were seated at a quaint spot by the window, my Indian parents and I enamored by the large menu, which had everything from fresh flatbreads topped with burrata to homemade tater tots topped with bacon, cheddar, and avocado ranch. My parents have always shied away from American food, mainly because, according to them, most diner-style American food lacks the flavor they’re used to. They both grew up in middle-class homes in India, eating idlis, aloo parathas, or leftover bhaji for breakfast. The idea of dining on a crispy, cheesy flatbread and meat sandwich was the stuff of myths, and something they only indulged in on birthdays or significant occasions. Now, being in America for a couple of years, their palate has adapted to the West, and they crave the occasional pizza or my dad’s favorite — beer and wurst.

That said, most American restaurants come in subpar for them, as the portions feel too big without much flavor or appeal. Office Tavern Grill thoroughly changed their minds and left them craving more after each course.

Appetizers
We started off with the Loaded Tots, Sweet Potato Nachos, and the Burrata and Truffle Flatbread. The flatbread stood out as a clear favorite, topped with fresh burrata, imported San Marzano tomatoes, and the faintest hint of truffle, which gave the homemade dough extra flavor without overpowering it. The table resounded with “mmms” and “aahs” as each bite was quietly savored, with only the crunch of bread heard around the table of five.

The Loaded Tots were a welcome change to what I’ve had before at bars and pubs — usually frozen, store-bought tater tots topped with some old scallions and sour cream. These ones were thick, crispy, and tasted meaty and starchy. The avocado cream was the perfect match, adding a citrusy-spice kick to the fried potato balls.

The Sweet Potato Nachos were a nice surprise too, with thinly sliced sweet potato crisps topped with a spread of toppings including apple butter pulled pork, white cheddar, crisp onion fritters, and of course, a healthy dose of crema. Portions were large and easy to share, and I could imagine sitting back with a glass of beer and indulging in a whole flatbread just on my own.

Main Course
Tummies almost full, we moved our attention to the entrées available. Office Tavern Grill runs special menus during different times of the year, and we were lucky enough to stop by during their celebration of Oktoberfest. My dad was incredibly happy as the Bratwurst Sandwich (his favorite) was on the special menu. My mom went for the famous Mediterranean Chicken Pita, and I decided to indulge in a delicious Tavern Steak Sandwich.

Of course, our dishes were offered with a side salad or fries, with the fries coming out hot, thinly sliced, and crispy — just how I like them. I really liked my steak sandwich. It was more akin to a Philly cheesesteak, thanks to the thickly sliced ribeye and combination of hot roasted peppers and caramelized onions. Each mouthful was savory and packed with flavor, with hints of spice coming through. I’d normally use a bunch of condiments for a sandwich like this but stuck with eating it by itself and chomping on the occasional fry.

The other standout was the special menu Bratwurst Sandwich. First off, the portion was huge, but the thick, meaty bratwurst paired with the soft, chewy demi-baguette was a great combination. I think our only wish that day was that the portions were smaller so we could enjoy more items from the menu.

The menu also offered heaping salads, including the Tavern Special which is topped with roasted beets, gorgonzola, roasted carrots, fried onions, and a mustard vinaigrette. Other standouts include the braised Short Ribs and the Tavern Burger, which features the brand’s iconic Office Burger Sauce — what goes into it? It’s a mystery to me, but you best know I’ll be trying it the next time I’m around.

Lucky for you, each Office Tavern Grill features an identical food menu, so no matter if you’re heading to the Summit or OG Morristown location, you’ll be promised the same delectable eats with the same level of quality. My only advice? Go with a large group so you can try a bunch of stuff.

Unfortunately, after we could barely make a dent in our mains, we had no space for dessert. The smaller menu features three desserts, and the Swiss Roll cake is the easy standout. It’s a chocolate sponge cake, topped with rich white chocolate and caramel ganache, and finished with a crunchy chocolate crumble. I’m all about a rolled cake with a dark cup of coffee, but the tots-steak-fries combo left me way too full to indulge in a sweet treat.

Leftovers
We ended up taking almost everything home — barring the sweet potato nachos as we were worried they’d be too soggy on our hour-long trip back. The sandwiches all tasted amazing even a day in — in fact, I think they retained even more flavor and hit that post-Thanksgiving juicy sandwich level we all love (if you know, you know).

Our server did a great job packaging everything, and since Office Tavern Grill offers wide-bottomed bags, nothing spilled out of the packaged boxes, even through bumpy roads.

Verdict
Office Tavern Grill does a great job of cooking up modern American food that every member of the family will love. They offer reasonable prices, large portions, and thoughtfully prepared dishes, each with sourced ingredients of the highest quality.

“We prioritize using only the finest ingredients, such as double-zero flour and San Marzano tomatoes imported directly from Italy, along with some of the highest quality craft beers available in New Jersey,” says Felice. One can tell, as the tomatoes were not just sweet and juicy, they had a delectable bite to them which told me they were fresh.

Office Tavern Grill also succeeds in keeping its menu fresh and updated, which gives customers more reasons to try something new. Currently, the restaurant and bar are running a rotation of “Road Trip Menus.” Every six to eight weeks, Executive Chef Sean Carner will spotlight a different U.S. region with a special menu, including both dishes and craft beer from that region. This gives diners an excuse to take a road trip through culinary flavors — without ever leaving the comfort of their home state.

The next menu rotation starts November 1 and will be focused on the Vermont regions. Since this is a limited menu, you’ll want to head to your nearest location soon so you can give the new menu a try.

With an ever-evolving menu, four standout locations (including Morristown, which recently got a renovation and update), and the friendliest staff I’ve encountered, Office Tavern Grill feels less like an American pub and more like a family-style restaurant where you’re encouraged to sit back, relax, and stay a couple of hours.

The warm, friendly vibe, big plates of food, and spacious tables make it feel like you’re dining out in grandma’s dining room — not your next-door tavern. Office cultivates the feeling of family — through their meals and their staff — which no other restaurant could mimic.

For me and my family, who rarely head out for family dinners, Office Tavern Grill offered a place for us to bond, eat hot savory food, and leave with full tummies and leftovers — without breaking the bank. The best part? Both my parents loved it too — no “this needed more salt” or “I wish this had more flavor.” Everything was perfect, and we’ll be visiting again as soon as we can.